Missionary

Wilde's #5.5

by L.A. Witt

Before he found love, he had to find himself.

Mormon missionary Joshua Hawthorne vanished and was presumed dead for five years. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, he returned to Seattle a new man—a seasoned war veteran with a new accent and a new name. Now Julien, he came home to make peace with his dying father, and also to reconcile with Chris, his best friend and the man Julien had never stopped loving.

After reuniting, he told Chris about the night everything changed. The long, hot night spent with a group of soldiers from the French Foreign Legion. The night a disillusioned missionary could no longer deny who he was.

This prequel to No Distance Left to Run is the story of the night that changed Joshua’s life forever.

25,000 words.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Erotica, Religion, Multiple Partners, Military Fiction

110 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 15, 2016

About the author

L.A. Witt and her husband have been exiled from Spain and sent to live in Maine because rhymes are fun. She now divides her time between writing, assuring people she is aware that Maine is cold, wondering where to put her next tattoo, and trying to reason with a surly Maine coon. Rumor has it her arch nemesis, Lauren Gallagher, is also somewhere in the wilds of New England, which is why L.A. is also spending a portion of her time training a team of spec ops lobsters.

Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.

Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.

Reviews

[L.A. Witt]

Available March 2016.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 108-page sequel to the book "No Distance Left to Run", (Wilde Dance Club series #6 and "The Distance Between Us" series #4. I don't care much for books that focuses on any particular religion, especially books that are M/M or F/F romances, as I believe this topic is more than likely to be frowned upon, at best, by almost every religion that I know of in the world....and even those folks that are not particularly religious will have an opinion.

Anyway...Joshua is a young Mormon that has gone on his mission. This appears to be something that every young Mormon is expected to do. While he and his mission partner are in some type of bar or cafe to get a drink, they meet up with some members of the French Foreign Legion...one in particular pays a lot of attention to Joshua. Joshua is more than okay with this. He doesn't want to be on a mission of any kind...he's not even sure if he wants to be afflicted with any religion...not to mention he's already been sexually active with two guys at home...so religion and Godliness are not high on Joshua's list of "hope to be accomplishments". If things went well or not depends mostly on which side the reader is on...the church's side or Joshua's.

This book is certainly not for every reader. L.A. Witt supposedly had a Mormon fact checker, but some reviews say that the checker didn't do a very good job. I wouldn't know...but I thought an author couldn't possibly write an M/M or F/F romance and not offend or anger any religion known to mankind...but I guess if the reader is highly religious, they wouldn't be reading it to begin with.

I didn't find the story upsetting, I've read scenes like this before, but I know there are some that certainly, without a doubt...will. My suggestion is if two guys together, and one is supposed to spreading his churches ideas bothers you...leave this one alone. The 3-star rating wasn't because of the content of the story...it was for the shortness of the book. Actually, I really, really like L. A. Witt's books.... I own most of them... but this little book perhaps should have just stayed at home in her head.

[RomanceIsMyJam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Joshua Hawthorne’s side of things in a prequel to Book 6 of the Wilde’s series. This is definitely worth reading before book 6. This novella gives more background and context to book 6. It really gives a more in-depth look of the reasoning for Joshua’s choices at that time. It is steamy. I enjoyed this even though it is short, just five chapters. Joshua is Julien in book 6 FYI, for reasons explained in this novella and in book 6 he is later known as Julien Sargent.

[Didi Ps · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read No Distance Left to Run before this one (not realizing there was a prequel to it that I could read). In any case, it really explains how & why Joshua left everything behind.

It was a bit too short, though, with regards to the cost & number of pages it contained. However, I love this author, & this story was still nice & hot to read.

[Tara Ramey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ridiculous and fun. Quick read.

I read the book that comes after this first but this can be read as a prequel or standalone. Written in first person POV (only Joshua’s POV). For the length of the book, there’s only one long, extended sexy scene. It’s a group scene and completely unrealistic but it was still fun to read.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose to read this before I read No Distance Left to Run, and I am glad I did! Now, I can go into Joshua/Julian and Chris' book with some backstory.

BTW: Joshua's experience may not have been realistic... but it sure was interesting! *grin*

[Cecil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mormon Erotica

I enjoyed this book immensely. What I didn't like was the fact that the sequel was not available in ebook format.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good but too much sex- wish this had been part of No Distance Left To Run.

[Shaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the tale of how Joshua/Julien left his mission and discovered the French Foreign Legion. No romance, but it's an interesting (and rather hot!) backstory.

[Lisa]

HAWT.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, steamy, and thoughtful prequel.

[Tia · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun, filthy

[CAROLINA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hot, hot, hot.
Good prequel to book 5 in the series.
The plot is crazy, but the writing is great, easy, and engaging.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had enjoyed "No Distance Left to Run," and wanted to read this prequel where we learn what led to Joshua's life-altering choice......

Joshua's having second thoughts about his mission assignment in the sweltering African desert, and second thoughts about his future. So when he meets the squad of Legionnaires in a back-alley bar, and is instantly drawn to Ben, the squad's leader, he can't resist the pull of desire that takes him back to their hotel room for.....More. After a night of down-and-dirty sex, Joshua finally feels at peace; for the first time in his life, he hasn't had to deny his most fundamental self. However, he knows there's no going back -- the old Joshua is dead. His new path forward is with the Legion, as Julien.

This is quite short, but very, very hot read. You get a real sense of Joshua's desperation -- he's trapped in an intolerable life -- there's no way to reconcile his religion's doctrine with his sexuality. He makes the only choice he can, but it means turning his back on his family, his church, and his friends.

And....for those of you who may have seen the musical "Book of Mormon".....yes, this is the dark side of Elder Price...:)

[Rhode PVD · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's somewhat my fault. I did not pay attention and read the description. I did not know it was a coming of age prequel and I did not know it was brief. So maybe one more star if I had anticipated and wanted these things.

This kid seems overly naive and insulated for a kid from Seattle unless he was homeschooled in a rural area. They don't give us any background though (I presume it's in the first-published book). I know some kids in the SLC area and they are not quite this naive due to the Internet and their older siblings returning from missions all over the world.

And the French Foreign legionnaires seem romanticized - lead by an excessively kindly captain here, and all tumbling like puppies into group m/m sex despite being mostly straight and in a city with available women.

Lastly, how many penetrations would you think a semi-virginal lad would enjoy for his first backdoor frolic? Four you say? Well, then I guess it is a realistic story after all!

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanna join the Legion! At least if it's a night like Joshua had. It was almost exactly as I first visualized it when I read"No Distance Left To Run". Hot, seriously hot! And I wasn't a Mormon, but I committed apostasy too. So I related fairly well to the feelings Joshua had. Although, I'm sure I can't imagine the religious pressure that Mormons, especially gay Mormons are made to feel. Yes, joining the French Foreign Legion might be a little extreme, but what a story! I hope the team of Witt and Voinov continues to release great books.

[Debi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was a nice supplement to the series as I've always wanted the question answered of what exactly happened with Joshua and the legionnaires? Well written and sexy in L.A. Witt's typical fashion. A tasty little morsel for us fans.

[Krinessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic explanation into Joshua/Julian's introduction to the foreign legion. Sexy and exciting but filled with revelations and monumental choices. Joshua found himself only after losing his identity. Excellent writing! I absolutely love love love L.A. and Aleksander.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

This is about how and why Josh made the choices that he made. Great backstory for him. You could hear his internal voice going back and forth. Trying to choose between the church and his happiness. Thank you for this one author!

[Walford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is erotica, boys and girls, and of a high order. Just enough plot to set up the steam.

[Bookbeard · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

skimmed

[Dale Zimmerman]

I liked this book explained a lot about Joshua and how he went into the French foreign legion wish I read this before book 6 would of explained a lot more to me