Review: A solid M/M military romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 16, 2014
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.CIA Agent Aaron "Angel" Collins is mystified why he is being reassigned from his normal Middle East dossier. Especially as his husband, Capt. Jordan Collins, is being deployed to Afghanistan to secure the release of twenty POW. Usually, both Angel and Jordan are dispatched simultaneously, one to coordinate the intelligence and one to coordinate the military operation. Jordan promises this will be his last mission-- he can't bear the new command, and is happy to focus on going back to school instead of a military life.Something strange is definitely happening. Jordan is nervous that the POW recovery is destined to fail, as orders and personnel are shifted and swapped. Meanwhile, all the changes seem to be coordinated by Angel's new superior, Major General Troy Hart. Troy is an openly gay man who seems desperate to engage Angel in friendship, or more.With Jordan deployed and Angel stateside, the two men connect via phone, Skype and other electronic communication. Jordan's bed feeling about the rescue op are confirmed when he is ambushed at the negotiation. He is injured, and lingers on in pain and illness for nearly three months, while he is presumed dead in the fire fight that has ensued. His nurse, Adeela, is the wife of his captor, and a US sympathizer. She strives to keep Jordan alive and gives him any information she can.Without a body, Angel will not give up hope that Jordan is still alive. Troy is steadfast in pursuit of Angel, who has lost his job and many social connections due to his refusal to attend the burial of Jordan's empty coffin. After months of Jordan being MIA--in Angel's mind--Troy escalates his pursuit of Angel as a lover.Adeela learns that Jordan is scheduled for execution and orchestrates his escape. If he can survive it, he promises to rescue her, as well. Jordan is so ill it is unclear if he will make it, and the book ends with enough resolution that we are assured Angel will assist Jordan's recovery.There is a lot of espionage and back-room deals that let the reader know Troy Hart is driving both Jordan's disappearance and scheduled execution. I was interested in this book because I thought the out gay military professional would make for a fresh story. Plus, I like military romance. This book had some great misdirection, as the story unfolded I both real-time and flashback. There are many instances where to love between Angel and Jordan is celebrated. They had been a committed couple for about 8 years before they married (following the repeal of DADT), and their relationship seemed totally supportive of each partner.I liked the love story. Some parts of the military story seemed implausible--particularly the power Troy Hart had over Jordan's deployment. He is new a new VIA liaison, but still maintains army command. That's a bit unrealistic for me.The romance was well done, however, and that's the strength of the book.