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1Night Stand #175
A Marine Affair
Secret lovers for years, Commander Rick McConnell and Colonel Elijah Masters have nurtured their very private relationship with planned vacations and leaves, always meeting somewhere different—always escaping off the grid. It worked for them—career officers with a desire to serve their country and a passion for each other.
The repeal of the military’s policy, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, provides them with the tremendous opportunity to come out to their friends and loved ones. Rick wants to seize the day, but Eli isn’t so certain. His hesitation leads to a fight, an ultimatum, and a breakup. Rather than confront their issues, Eli takes a foreign assignment.
A year’s separation changes both of them. The last person Eli expects to see when he steps off the plane is Rick, but the physician wants another chance with the only man he’s ever loved, and he has a plan. Will bitterness, recriminations, and loss keep them apart or can these two officers rediscover the faith and loyalty that bound them for so long?
The repeal of the military’s policy, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, provides them with the tremendous opportunity to come out to their friends and loved ones. Rick wants to seize the day, but Eli isn’t so certain. His hesitation leads to a fight, an ultimatum, and a breakup. Rather than confront their issues, Eli takes a foreign assignment.
A year’s separation changes both of them. The last person Eli expects to see when he steps off the plane is Rick, but the physician wants another chance with the only man he’s ever loved, and he has a plan. Will bitterness, recriminations, and loss keep them apart or can these two officers rediscover the faith and loyalty that bound them for so long?
57 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2013
5 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
About the author
Heather Long
263 books2,286 followersI love books. Not just a little bit, but a lot. Books were my best friends when I was growing up. Books didn’t care if I was new to a town or to a class. They were always there, my trustiest of companions. Until they turned on me and said I had to write them.
I can tell you that my own personal happily ever after included writing books. I’ve always said that an HEA is a work in progress. It’s true in my marriage, my friendships, and in my career. I am constantly nurturing my muse as we dive into new tales, new tropes, new characters and more.
After seventeen years back in Texas, we relocated to the Pacific Northwest in search of seasons, new experiences, and new geography. I can’t wait to discover what life (and my muse) have in store for me.
Maybe writing was always my destiny and romance my fate. After all, my grandmother wasn’t a fan of picture books and used to read me her Harlequin Romance novels.
Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, friends to enemies to lovers, you name it, I love them and love to write them. I started with Earth Witches Aren’t Easy, the first in the Chance Monroe trilogy, but my characters and I have traveled a long way since I created that urban fantasy world.
One of the series I hear my readers recommend the most is the Untouchable series followed in quick succession by the Vandals, and that just delights me. No lie, whenever one of my readers brings up my wolves, I do a little a fist pump.
I’m active on social media, and I love hearing from readers. Feel free to tag me with a question about any of my books, or just say hi!
I can tell you that my own personal happily ever after included writing books. I’ve always said that an HEA is a work in progress. It’s true in my marriage, my friendships, and in my career. I am constantly nurturing my muse as we dive into new tales, new tropes, new characters and more.
After seventeen years back in Texas, we relocated to the Pacific Northwest in search of seasons, new experiences, and new geography. I can’t wait to discover what life (and my muse) have in store for me.
Maybe writing was always my destiny and romance my fate. After all, my grandmother wasn’t a fan of picture books and used to read me her Harlequin Romance novels.
Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, friends to enemies to lovers, you name it, I love them and love to write them. I started with Earth Witches Aren’t Easy, the first in the Chance Monroe trilogy, but my characters and I have traveled a long way since I created that urban fantasy world.
One of the series I hear my readers recommend the most is the Untouchable series followed in quick succession by the Vandals, and that just delights me. No lie, whenever one of my readers brings up my wolves, I do a little a fist pump.
I’m active on social media, and I love hearing from readers. Feel free to tag me with a question about any of my books, or just say hi!
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 5, 2013
This was a sweet, heart wrenching tale of two enlisted men, Rick and Eli, living a secret love life during Don't Ask Don't Tell, with Rick ready to come out after ten years together when DADT is revoked. Eli has been keeping secrets about his reasons to stay in the closet and it has caused the two men a year separation with no contact.
If you like hot military men, mature, thirty-somethings, real, honest emotions, passionate sex centered on a loving bond, I can highly recommend A Marine Affair.
If you like hot military men, mature, thirty-somethings, real, honest emotions, passionate sex centered on a loving bond, I can highly recommend A Marine Affair.
June 10, 2013
I really enjoyed this story. I wasn't too convinced at the beginning, based on their reunion and the actions of Rick trying to get Eli to continue their conversation from a year ago. I found it hard to believe Eli would just walk away from a 10-year relationship. But these guys guickly won me over, and I loved their chemistry once they got things squared away. I really wished this one was longer.
January 6, 2015
This second chance romance was very engaging. I loved how I assumed one thing and felt one way at the beginning, but then my opinion changed as the story rolled out. My only niggle was that I wanted more. It had all it needed to for a complete story and the characters and situation were developed, but I loved it so much that I wanted more.
June 27, 2013
When two stubborn men, both military, and both with their own reasons for demanding what they want, collide, the sparks fly. Eli, a Marine sniper, and Rick, a military doctor, are both determined to get the other man to see their point about how they relate. First DADT stops them from having an "official" relationship, then sheer stubbornness makes Eli walk away and get deployed for a year. Rick wants them to come out, Eli doesn’t, and that is all the stubborn sniper needs to know before he runs. The distance, with neither of them willing to take the first step, effectively stops all communication, and gives both men the time they need to cool off. Well, in theory it should have done that – except when Eli returns, the feelings are still there, and so is Rick.
Eli has a dark secret in his past that stops him from coming out, or opening up to Rick at first. But a year away from the man he has loved for ten years has changed Eli, and Rick's persistence finally makes him realize he'll have to face "the talk".
Rick blames himself for driving Eli away with too many questions and pressuring him to come out now that DADT is gone. He still loves Eli, has never stopped, and he needs some sort of explanation as to why Eli still won’t come out.
The emotions and passion between Eli and Rick are explosive. They are both determined to convince the other of their own opinion, yet when it comes right down to it, what they really want and need is more time together. Forget romance and flowers, they need each other like the air they breathe. If you like stories about military men, if you enjoy reading about two men who butt heads about pretty much everything, yet love each other deeply, and if you're looking for a read that is emotional, has high stakes, and contains some very hot between-the-sheets activity, then you will probably enjoy this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Decadent Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Eli has a dark secret in his past that stops him from coming out, or opening up to Rick at first. But a year away from the man he has loved for ten years has changed Eli, and Rick's persistence finally makes him realize he'll have to face "the talk".
Rick blames himself for driving Eli away with too many questions and pressuring him to come out now that DADT is gone. He still loves Eli, has never stopped, and he needs some sort of explanation as to why Eli still won’t come out.
The emotions and passion between Eli and Rick are explosive. They are both determined to convince the other of their own opinion, yet when it comes right down to it, what they really want and need is more time together. Forget romance and flowers, they need each other like the air they breathe. If you like stories about military men, if you enjoy reading about two men who butt heads about pretty much everything, yet love each other deeply, and if you're looking for a read that is emotional, has high stakes, and contains some very hot between-the-sheets activity, then you will probably enjoy this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Decadent Publishing for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
June 13, 2013
I really liked that this one showed a couple in the before and after of don't ask, don't tell. I felt sorry for Eli and the why of why he hid so much about himself from his family. I loved that his mother called him out and the honest conversation that they had after. I especially liked that the conversation opened so many more possibilities in Eli's life.
July 10, 2013
Another hot and heartwarming Marine story from Heather Long. Love these heroes!
June 25, 2013
3 - 3 1/2 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
Rick and Eli are both military men and were secret lovers for years, snatched vacations, weekends away and brief coffee meet ups was all they had but then ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ was repealed and Rick wants them to come forward as a couple, both to the military and their families, but Eli won’t even talk about it, he storms off and leaves on a foreign assignment. A year later and Eli is returning home and Rick is waiting for him, refusing to give up on Eli and the love he has for the man, he hasn’t given up on the hope of them being a couple but he has to get Eli to talk. Can Rick and Eli finally come to an understanding and claim back their love?
This is a nice short military story of two men who have had a secret relationship for ten years, when ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is repealed one wants to come out and the other doesn’t causing a rift between the two men. Rick is wants to be out in the open with his relationship with Eli but Eli won’t even talk about, now a year later Rick is determined to get Eli to talk and fix the rift between them. Eli hasn’t told anyone he is gay not even his family, he has no plans to come out and it is because he still feels guilt over his brother. When Rick tries to mend the rift Eli isn’t sure what he wants, but a chat with his mother makes him finally face Rick and open up.
Although I enjoyed this story to an extent and I liked the characters Rick and Eli I found some things hard to swallow, like Rick waiting for selfish Eli for a year, damn man where was your pride? I really wanted to like this story because it is military men and their relationship after DADT, but I just couldn’t get to grips with Rick waiting around for a man who walked out on him or with Eli’s reason for walking out. What I did like about it was that they would get together and talk, it was a year late but *shrugs*, Eli finally opening up about why he doesn’t want to take the step out of the closet and Rick trying to decide if a limited relationship is what he wants, and when they finally get most of it sorted out they have some really hot sex.
I will recommend this to those that love military men sorting out their differences, hot sex, being honest and a happy ending.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
Rick and Eli are both military men and were secret lovers for years, snatched vacations, weekends away and brief coffee meet ups was all they had but then ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ was repealed and Rick wants them to come forward as a couple, both to the military and their families, but Eli won’t even talk about it, he storms off and leaves on a foreign assignment. A year later and Eli is returning home and Rick is waiting for him, refusing to give up on Eli and the love he has for the man, he hasn’t given up on the hope of them being a couple but he has to get Eli to talk. Can Rick and Eli finally come to an understanding and claim back their love?
This is a nice short military story of two men who have had a secret relationship for ten years, when ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is repealed one wants to come out and the other doesn’t causing a rift between the two men. Rick is wants to be out in the open with his relationship with Eli but Eli won’t even talk about, now a year later Rick is determined to get Eli to talk and fix the rift between them. Eli hasn’t told anyone he is gay not even his family, he has no plans to come out and it is because he still feels guilt over his brother. When Rick tries to mend the rift Eli isn’t sure what he wants, but a chat with his mother makes him finally face Rick and open up.
Although I enjoyed this story to an extent and I liked the characters Rick and Eli I found some things hard to swallow, like Rick waiting for selfish Eli for a year, damn man where was your pride? I really wanted to like this story because it is military men and their relationship after DADT, but I just couldn’t get to grips with Rick waiting around for a man who walked out on him or with Eli’s reason for walking out. What I did like about it was that they would get together and talk, it was a year late but *shrugs*, Eli finally opening up about why he doesn’t want to take the step out of the closet and Rick trying to decide if a limited relationship is what he wants, and when they finally get most of it sorted out they have some really hot sex.
I will recommend this to those that love military men sorting out their differences, hot sex, being honest and a happy ending.
June 2, 2013
For Memorable Quotes and other similar recommended reads, check out our full review on GraveTells.com at http://gravetells.com/men-in-uniform-...
*** This review is SPOILER-FREE! Read on with confidence! ***
Eli and Rick have been quietly dating for years, long before ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ was repealed, but they’ve been separated for the last year while Eli was deployed in Africa. Having parted on not-so-great terms, with Rick pushing to make their relationship public now that their careers wouldn’t be in danger, our boys have a lot of emotional baggage to process, especially since Eli hasn’t even told his family he’s gay.
I really enjoyed the reverse power exchange between them. Even though Eli is technically the higher ranking of the two men, and is a professional badass, Rick has a slight dominance in the relationship. There’s no kink here, just two long-time lovers who are also best friends. I also liked that, unlike some of the other stories in the series, which were written in the happily-for-now 1Night Stand format, this story has a happily ever after.
Both characters are strong, both emotionally and physically, with solid morals and family bases. They’re old enough to know what they want and be willing to fight for it, and their long history together gives the story more depth and than is typical in a story of this shorter length. The sex scenes are steamy, but not vulgar, and help enrich the connection between the two men.
Heather Long’s Always A Marine series showcases flawed, honorable, brave service men and women who work together to push through their issues, whether war-related or just plain everyday life stresses, and A Marine Affair is a solid addition to the family. This is the second story so far to feature two men as the protagonists and I love the way Ms. Long captures the rougher spirit of their relationship; there’s something inherently different about how a man responds to another man romantically than how a man and woman interact. A Marine Affair is a Recommended Read!
*** This review is SPOILER-FREE! Read on with confidence! ***
Eli and Rick have been quietly dating for years, long before ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ was repealed, but they’ve been separated for the last year while Eli was deployed in Africa. Having parted on not-so-great terms, with Rick pushing to make their relationship public now that their careers wouldn’t be in danger, our boys have a lot of emotional baggage to process, especially since Eli hasn’t even told his family he’s gay.
I really enjoyed the reverse power exchange between them. Even though Eli is technically the higher ranking of the two men, and is a professional badass, Rick has a slight dominance in the relationship. There’s no kink here, just two long-time lovers who are also best friends. I also liked that, unlike some of the other stories in the series, which were written in the happily-for-now 1Night Stand format, this story has a happily ever after.
Both characters are strong, both emotionally and physically, with solid morals and family bases. They’re old enough to know what they want and be willing to fight for it, and their long history together gives the story more depth and than is typical in a story of this shorter length. The sex scenes are steamy, but not vulgar, and help enrich the connection between the two men.
Heather Long’s Always A Marine series showcases flawed, honorable, brave service men and women who work together to push through their issues, whether war-related or just plain everyday life stresses, and A Marine Affair is a solid addition to the family. This is the second story so far to feature two men as the protagonists and I love the way Ms. Long captures the rougher spirit of their relationship; there’s something inherently different about how a man responds to another man romantically than how a man and woman interact. A Marine Affair is a Recommended Read!
June 10, 2013
One of the sweetest and yet most revealing short stories I have ever read in a long, long time. Definitely worth every cent and every second reading it.
This is a super short read, only 47 pages, and yet its contents are more than more and sweeter than anything I have read in a long time. This is a definite Must Read for all fans of the MM-contemporary-solder stories.
We have two SAGs (straight acting gays for those who are thinking something else) who are macho to the max. They have been lovers for longer than some marriages last in this day and age. They had to hide due to DADT and found themselves floundering after it was repealed.
The story shows us that despite it being repealed, not all is a bed of roses for our soldiers. Despite the fact that they can legally be recognized today does not necessarily translate to a successful open life. It is not easy to hide all your life and then find yourself suddenly exposed.
How it all ends is HEA, but how the author does it is simply beautiful.
Purchase Link
Commander Rick McConnell and Colonel Elijah Masters have been secret lovers for years. They nurtured their very private relationship with planned vacations and leaves, always meeting somewhere different—always escaping off the grid. It worked for them—career officers with a desire to serve their country and a passion for each other. The repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell provides them with the tremendous opportunity to come out to their friends and loved ones—Rick wants to seize the day, but Eli isn’t so certain. His hesitation leads to a fight, an ultimatum, and a breakup. Rather than confront their issues, Eli takes a foreign assignment.
A year’s separation changes both of them. The last person Eli expects to see when he steps off the plane is Rick, but the physician wants another chance with the only man he’s ever loved and he has a plan. Will bitterness, recriminations, and loss keep them apart or can these two officers rediscover the faith and loyalty that bound them for so long?
This is a super short read, only 47 pages, and yet its contents are more than more and sweeter than anything I have read in a long time. This is a definite Must Read for all fans of the MM-contemporary-solder stories.
We have two SAGs (straight acting gays for those who are thinking something else) who are macho to the max. They have been lovers for longer than some marriages last in this day and age. They had to hide due to DADT and found themselves floundering after it was repealed.
The story shows us that despite it being repealed, not all is a bed of roses for our soldiers. Despite the fact that they can legally be recognized today does not necessarily translate to a successful open life. It is not easy to hide all your life and then find yourself suddenly exposed.
How it all ends is HEA, but how the author does it is simply beautiful.
Purchase Link
July 19, 2013
I’ve read several of Heather Long’s books previously but this is the first book I’ve read in her wildly popular Always a Marine series. It is also the first male male romance I’ve read from this author. I have to say I will be going back to read more of the Always a Marine books. A Marine Affair works just fine as a stand-alone. Eli and Rick were the only characters for the most part. There were a few family members that were present as secondary characters, but no characters from past books.
When readers first begin reading it is immediately known that these two men know each other and have a history, a long history. Eli is arriving home from a year away. Rick eager to see his ex-lover has gone to the airport to pick him up. I loved Rick’s tenacity. He hasn’t seen Eli for a year. Last time they spoke it was not a happy conversation. In fact it was that conversation that left them no longer a couple. Rick who is eager to get his man back has decided the best way to do that is just to insert himself into Eli’s life.
After being gone for a year Eli had no expectations of seeing his ex-lover at the airport, especially not after how things were left between them. Eli has missed has Rick. He just was not in a place where he was ready to see their relationship to the place Rick was wanting to see it go. Readers are treated to what happened between Rick and Eli a year ago through them remembering the good times they had together. I loved the way the story moved in the sense. My curiosity of how they went from happy couple to ex’s made the pages fly. There is one hot romance and some great storytelling to be found in these pages. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves their male male romances filled with sexy military men.
When readers first begin reading it is immediately known that these two men know each other and have a history, a long history. Eli is arriving home from a year away. Rick eager to see his ex-lover has gone to the airport to pick him up. I loved Rick’s tenacity. He hasn’t seen Eli for a year. Last time they spoke it was not a happy conversation. In fact it was that conversation that left them no longer a couple. Rick who is eager to get his man back has decided the best way to do that is just to insert himself into Eli’s life.
After being gone for a year Eli had no expectations of seeing his ex-lover at the airport, especially not after how things were left between them. Eli has missed has Rick. He just was not in a place where he was ready to see their relationship to the place Rick was wanting to see it go. Readers are treated to what happened between Rick and Eli a year ago through them remembering the good times they had together. I loved the way the story moved in the sense. My curiosity of how they went from happy couple to ex’s made the pages fly. There is one hot romance and some great storytelling to be found in these pages. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves their male male romances filled with sexy military men.
January 16, 2014
Sarah's Review:
This is what I was doing through the first couple chapters of this story. The way Heather Long wrote the emotions that Eli and Rick were felt. The hurt, the pain, the longing, the emotional turmoil that Eli and Rick experienced during their year long separation was felt while reading this story. When I am crying while reading, the author did their job portraying emotions that the characters were feeling. It seems lately, Heather has been making me cry more and more.
I really don't know what to write about this Always a Marine story other than I loved it. Eli and Rick are not the "usual" Marines that we have seen Ms. Long write because Eli and Rick were already a couple that just experienced a year long separation after a nasty argument about going public now that DADT was repealed. Rick wanted to and pushed Eli, who didn't want to come out. We find out why though and it broke my heart.
Besides Rick and Eli, Eli's mother is the one character that stood out for me. She knew about Eli being gay but let Eli live the way he chose without interfering, until she recognized how sad he was at a family dinner. I love that she pulled him away so that they could talk privately and I really loved how she called him out on him being gay. I don't think Eli knew how to react to that one. Me, I laughed at his silence. Leave it to a mother to tell it like it is.
I loved seeing how Rick and Eli were able to still be themselves but also willing to compromise so that they can be together. Maybe that old saying "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" is really true. It took a year for Eli to realize what he didn't want to lose but it also helped Rick realize what he wanted to, Eli.
This is what I was doing through the first couple chapters of this story. The way Heather Long wrote the emotions that Eli and Rick were felt. The hurt, the pain, the longing, the emotional turmoil that Eli and Rick experienced during their year long separation was felt while reading this story. When I am crying while reading, the author did their job portraying emotions that the characters were feeling. It seems lately, Heather has been making me cry more and more.
I really don't know what to write about this Always a Marine story other than I loved it. Eli and Rick are not the "usual" Marines that we have seen Ms. Long write because Eli and Rick were already a couple that just experienced a year long separation after a nasty argument about going public now that DADT was repealed. Rick wanted to and pushed Eli, who didn't want to come out. We find out why though and it broke my heart.
Besides Rick and Eli, Eli's mother is the one character that stood out for me. She knew about Eli being gay but let Eli live the way he chose without interfering, until she recognized how sad he was at a family dinner. I love that she pulled him away so that they could talk privately and I really loved how she called him out on him being gay. I don't think Eli knew how to react to that one. Me, I laughed at his silence. Leave it to a mother to tell it like it is.
I loved seeing how Rick and Eli were able to still be themselves but also willing to compromise so that they can be together. Maybe that old saying "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" is really true. It took a year for Eli to realize what he didn't want to lose but it also helped Rick realize what he wanted to, Eli.
June 19, 2025
I'm not getting this one.
The problem is that it's a boring, BORING turd.
I got as far as the end of chapter 1 or page 12 and I put the book aside because I'm finding it flat and simply dull. The writing bland and lacking flair. The plot generic and uninspired.
A big problem for me is that it is a "military" romance. Don't like the military, no matter the gender. Just not my thing.
An even bigger problem is chapter 1 ends with the most generic and uninspired sex scene I've ever read. No wonder the one guy walked out. I would have also! Talk about YAWN!
There's no passion between the two. Zero fire. It was by the book and follow the numbers sex. Everything was just way too safe and predictable, like it was written for a Sunday school class.
It was like they were an old married couple who had lost interest in their sex life and each other. It lost my interest too. No hardon for me with this one. Not even a bit of stiffness.
Don't know if I'll bother finishing this one but we'll see later.
Well it's two months later and I managed to struggle through to the end.
YAWN!
What a load of kraft cheese whiz. This one was obviously written by a woman and geared toward women who like to fantasize about clean cut male sex.
As a man I just want to say: YAWN!
The problem is that it's a boring, BORING turd.
I got as far as the end of chapter 1 or page 12 and I put the book aside because I'm finding it flat and simply dull. The writing bland and lacking flair. The plot generic and uninspired.
A big problem for me is that it is a "military" romance. Don't like the military, no matter the gender. Just not my thing.
An even bigger problem is chapter 1 ends with the most generic and uninspired sex scene I've ever read. No wonder the one guy walked out. I would have also! Talk about YAWN!
There's no passion between the two. Zero fire. It was by the book and follow the numbers sex. Everything was just way too safe and predictable, like it was written for a Sunday school class.
It was like they were an old married couple who had lost interest in their sex life and each other. It lost my interest too. No hardon for me with this one. Not even a bit of stiffness.
Don't know if I'll bother finishing this one but we'll see later.
Well it's two months later and I managed to struggle through to the end.
YAWN!
What a load of kraft cheese whiz. This one was obviously written by a woman and geared toward women who like to fantasize about clean cut male sex.
As a man I just want to say: YAWN!
November 3, 2013
"A Marine Affair" is different from the other M/M story in the "Always a Marine" series ("A Marine and a Gentleman") since this tale of Rick and Eli involves a ten-year relationship in secret, no thanks to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Once that policy is repealed, Rick wants to bring their relationship out in the open but Eli refuses and runs off to Africa for a year, cutting off all communication. Upon his return, Rick is there to meet him, wanting to try to re-kindle their relationship. While Rick's sexuality is known to his family, Eli has never shared his secret with any member of his own family.
Eli's reason for not wanting his relationship with Rick made public is a deep and painful one. There was a part of me that, after learning of that reason, wondered why Eli didn't just go ahead and 'fess up to his family but, in hind sight, I can understand what stopped him. I guess he was punishing himself and his keeping his being gay quiet was his penance.
This was a well-told story about love conquering even the most long-held of fears and how understanding is not as difficult to come by as one might think. ^.^ Four stars!
Eli's reason for not wanting his relationship with Rick made public is a deep and painful one. There was a part of me that, after learning of that reason, wondered why Eli didn't just go ahead and 'fess up to his family but, in hind sight, I can understand what stopped him. I guess he was punishing himself and his keeping his being gay quiet was his penance.
This was a well-told story about love conquering even the most long-held of fears and how understanding is not as difficult to come by as one might think. ^.^ Four stars!
February 8, 2014
Eli was a stubborn ass. I wanted to shake the shit out of him. I didn’t like his cold, distant treatment of Rick. Everyone has reasons for the things they do – some justified; some not. Eli was struggling with an emotionally heavy burden, but his inability to cope with it almost cost him the man who loved him and respected him unconditionally.
I liked Rick. Like his pain-in-the-ass lover, he was a good man. His unwavering patience and determination in the face of repeated rejections was admirable. I understood what he wanted from Eli and for himself. I could even understand Eli’s protests – not the cause, but the objections themselves. The fact remains: they were good together. The sex was hot – more enjoyable because of the familiarity and the connection between them. But sex wasn’t the problem for them. Communication and Eli’s guilt and pain were.
I was happy when they started talking and even happier when Eli’s mama set him straight. Loved their conversation at the end – very light-hearted and sweet.
I liked Rick. Like his pain-in-the-ass lover, he was a good man. His unwavering patience and determination in the face of repeated rejections was admirable. I understood what he wanted from Eli and for himself. I could even understand Eli’s protests – not the cause, but the objections themselves. The fact remains: they were good together. The sex was hot – more enjoyable because of the familiarity and the connection between them. But sex wasn’t the problem for them. Communication and Eli’s guilt and pain were.
I was happy when they started talking and even happier when Eli’s mama set him straight. Loved their conversation at the end – very light-hearted and sweet.
June 3, 2013
Incredibly sweet.
Heather Long doesn't write m/m romance as a rule. She writes about love and respect, challenges and obstacles and overcoming them. There has been no bigger obstacle in the military until recently than being gay and in love. A Marine Affair deals with two men who have been in a secret relationship for the past 10 years under the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy. Now that DADT has been repealed Navy doctor Rick wants to go public. Marine Eli says he doesn't and takes off for a year long assignment in Africa. Now he is back and Rick wants to finish their discussion and find out why Eli feels he still has to hide their relationship. Love has many forms and Ms. Long has a gift for sharing and caring about the love her characters have for each other. This is a m/m romance and thus has some very steamy m/m sexual situations but ultimately it is about trust and love.
Heather Long doesn't write m/m romance as a rule. She writes about love and respect, challenges and obstacles and overcoming them. There has been no bigger obstacle in the military until recently than being gay and in love. A Marine Affair deals with two men who have been in a secret relationship for the past 10 years under the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy. Now that DADT has been repealed Navy doctor Rick wants to go public. Marine Eli says he doesn't and takes off for a year long assignment in Africa. Now he is back and Rick wants to finish their discussion and find out why Eli feels he still has to hide their relationship. Love has many forms and Ms. Long has a gift for sharing and caring about the love her characters have for each other. This is a m/m romance and thus has some very steamy m/m sexual situations but ultimately it is about trust and love.
June 13, 2013
This story begins with Eli and Rick in the middle of a break up. We watch as Rick tries to get Eli to see they need to finish the argument that broke them up. Eli didn't even want to look at him and wouldn't have if Rick didn't kind of trap him. The problem is Eli doesn't like to talk. I just wish these characters had more depth. Or something....they just needed something. I've never had two characters make me feel this way. I really wanted to like this but for some reason I just couldn't so I'm going to blame it on not enough depth in the story. I will say I love this author but I just couldn't wrap around this story.
August 5, 2015
OMG, these short stories in this series are amazing !! Deep characters, interesting plots, and hot sex make these tales worthwhile. They are heartwarming, emotional, compassionate, loving, accepting, and engrossing. You will not want to put them down. Each one is as good as the last, and different, too. Here we have a doctor, Commander Rick, and Marine Sniper, Colonel Eli, who have had a relationship for years, but no one knows it. This is the tale of how they resolved their issues and became an openly gay couple, finally. It is well done, with deep feelings, and heartwarming. You can't go wrong ! Highly recommend !! ENJOY !!
January 16, 2014
It was a very sweet and interesting book, the characters in the book seem very real, but I would have liked to see Eli grovel like a man, the only thing that saved him was his brother's death. To end this review I will say I liked the book, but it could have been much better if the ending wasn't so rushed.
July 13, 2015
Words: 16,290
This was an enjoyable story but not as steamy as some of the others in the series.
Rick and Eli have been together for 10 years, through deployments and all. They had a nice chemistry together but when Rick decides he wants to go public Eli gets pissed and leaves then is deployed for a year, this story starts with Eli returns from his deployment and Rick is waiting for him at the airport.
This was an enjoyable story but not as steamy as some of the others in the series.
Rick and Eli have been together for 10 years, through deployments and all. They had a nice chemistry together but when Rick decides he wants to go public Eli gets pissed and leaves then is deployed for a year, this story starts with Eli returns from his deployment and Rick is waiting for him at the airport.
March 24, 2015
This was the first book I have read by this author. I really enjoyed it. It is always hard to convey character depth in short stories, but I thought the author did a great job. I liked both characters and quickly became invested in what happened to them. I thought the resolution was a little quick but understand that is because of the length of the story. I'll definitely be reading other books in this series.
June 10, 2013
I really enjoyed this story! Despite being a short one, I could feel the history, feel the heartache, and absolutely fell in love with these two.
I loved how they didn't give up on each other even if they wanted to at times. This was fabulous! Loved it!!
I loved how they didn't give up on each other even if they wanted to at times. This was fabulous! Loved it!!
July 22, 2013
3.5 stars. A story about two military guys who have had a long standing affair and now that DADT is history, what are they going to do about it? Really liked the sense of both characters and their reasons behind their divergent reactions to changing their relationship. And a great mom to boot!
April 18, 2015
3.5 - Wish it was longer.
June 28, 2013
This was a sweet story.
June 8, 2013
I felt like I was just getting to know the characters when the book ended. The ending felt a little rushed and I thought there should have been more.
October 27, 2013
Loved it!
November 6, 2013
A GOOD STORY, I LOVED THE MAIN CHARACTERS ELI, AND RICK. A MUST READ.
March 24, 2015
3.5 stars
June 8, 2013
3.5 stars
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