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Veterans Affairs #3
Bronze Star
Chris Dobbs is used to getting what he wants, and what he wants now is his boss.
Everything about the dangerously handsome enigmatic older man drives him to his knees in more ways than one, ways Chris is realizing he’s always craved.
Giving Jay-Cee his body is as simple as breathing, but when Chris smashes through all of Jay-Cee’s hard earned control, he learns Jay-Cee demands more than just his obedience. He wants things Chris can’t give him - his heart, his soul, and his trust.
Jay-Cee offered his brilliant young protégé everything. In return, Chris took only the pieces he wanted and rejected the rest, leaving Jay-Cee reeling.
But the deep connection between them isn’t easily severed, and it promises to heal them both of the scars of their pasts. If they are to build a sanctuary from the rubble of their broken hearts, they’re going to have to risk everything.
Everything about the dangerously handsome enigmatic older man drives him to his knees in more ways than one, ways Chris is realizing he’s always craved.
Giving Jay-Cee his body is as simple as breathing, but when Chris smashes through all of Jay-Cee’s hard earned control, he learns Jay-Cee demands more than just his obedience. He wants things Chris can’t give him - his heart, his soul, and his trust.
Jay-Cee offered his brilliant young protégé everything. In return, Chris took only the pieces he wanted and rejected the rest, leaving Jay-Cee reeling.
But the deep connection between them isn’t easily severed, and it promises to heal them both of the scars of their pasts. If they are to build a sanctuary from the rubble of their broken hearts, they’re going to have to risk everything.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2017
52 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
A.E. Wasp
41 books625 followersAfter time spent raising children, earning several college degrees, and traveling the world with the U.S. State Department, she is returning to her first love - writing.
A dreamer and an idealist, Amy writes about people finding connection in a world that can seem lonely and magic in a world than can seem all too mundane. She invites readers into her characters’ lives and worlds when they are their most vulnerable, their most human, living with the same hopes and fears we all have. An avid traveler who has lived in big cities and small towns in four different continents, Amy has found that time and distance are no barriers to love. She invites her readers to reach out and share how her characters have touched their lives or how the found families they have gathered around them have shaped their worlds.
Born on Long Island, NY, Amy has lived in Los Angeles, London, and Bangkok. She currently lives in Fort Collins, Colorado for who knows how long.
A dreamer and an idealist, Amy writes about people finding connection in a world that can seem lonely and magic in a world than can seem all too mundane. She invites readers into her characters’ lives and worlds when they are their most vulnerable, their most human, living with the same hopes and fears we all have. An avid traveler who has lived in big cities and small towns in four different continents, Amy has found that time and distance are no barriers to love. She invites her readers to reach out and share how her characters have touched their lives or how the found families they have gathered around them have shaped their worlds.
Born on Long Island, NY, Amy has lived in Los Angeles, London, and Bangkok. She currently lives in Fort Collins, Colorado for who knows how long.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
December 8, 2017
*** Hot ! Amazing ! Unforgettable ! ***
Jay-Cee, an ex- Major in the Army Rangers,
now a seasoned artist/sculptor, covered in tattoos and is a silver fox.
Chris, recovering heroin addict,
talented artist and lonely man. He's never had parental guidance and is trying to find his way.
This tale coincides with the Paper Hearts and Paper Roses books about Benny and Mikey, regarding Benny's seizure and involvement with Mikey and Jasmine. Jay-Cee and Chris have a Dom/sub type of relationship. It's light BDSM, no whipping, but restraint and spanking, and super sizzling sex. Each man gains from the sexy experience, but are holding back their emotions. Neither can let go. So, there is conflict and conversations with fiends that help.
I loved these characters, as I have every guy and gal in this series. It's a marvelous story with deep feelings, true love, and we see two brilliant men uncover their errors and move forward.
Changing and progressing take strength. The epilogue is fabulous.
You will smile and get teary eyed.
Highly recommended. ENJOY !
=====================
Free on KU
==========
Jay-Cee, an ex- Major in the Army Rangers,
now a seasoned artist/sculptor, covered in tattoos and is a silver fox.
Chris, recovering heroin addict,
talented artist and lonely man. He's never had parental guidance and is trying to find his way.
This tale coincides with the Paper Hearts and Paper Roses books about Benny and Mikey, regarding Benny's seizure and involvement with Mikey and Jasmine. Jay-Cee and Chris have a Dom/sub type of relationship. It's light BDSM, no whipping, but restraint and spanking, and super sizzling sex. Each man gains from the sexy experience, but are holding back their emotions. Neither can let go. So, there is conflict and conversations with fiends that help.
I loved these characters, as I have every guy and gal in this series. It's a marvelous story with deep feelings, true love, and we see two brilliant men uncover their errors and move forward.
Changing and progressing take strength. The epilogue is fabulous.
You will smile and get teary eyed.
Highly recommended. ENJOY !
=====================
Free on KU
==========
Did Not Finish
September 9, 2017I made it to 80% before I had to throw in the towel. Just way, way, way too much angst for me.
April 1, 2017
5 sexy stars
For me this was the best book out of the whole VA series. JayCee and Chris were hot as hell. Great couple.
For me this was the best book out of the whole VA series. JayCee and Chris were hot as hell. Great couple.
December 18, 2017
I do not know the extent to which my ignorance of the first two books compromised my appreciation of this entry; what I can state with certaincy is that this very melodramatic May-December romance is so breezily written that it feels utterly fake (to me, it looked more like a glut of words than an harmonious literary whole), that it teems with enough clichés to look like the collaborative end-product of a literary class for little old ladies at your average retirement home, and that it does not stand out in the least from the whole roster of like-plotted books. As a middle-aged man who has never understood the appeal of silver foxes and who now finds youngsters to be a crazily buoyant lot, there is nothing between these covers apt to make me change my stance. Quite the opposite, given the amount of badly over the top matters (starting from Jay-Cee's name). More simplicity would really be warranted, ladies who labour in this field !
April 14, 2017
This was an enjoyable read by a new to me author. The two MCs were believable and surrounded by solid supporting characters.
For me, the story started off strong but flailed a bit at the end - not sure why since overall it was an intelligent realistic story. I'd be interested in checking out the others in the series, although maybe not Benny and Mikey since I feel like I've read their story too alongside Chris and Jay-Cee. Maybe that's what flailed it for me.
For me, the story started off strong but flailed a bit at the end - not sure why since overall it was an intelligent realistic story. I'd be interested in checking out the others in the series, although maybe not Benny and Mikey since I feel like I've read their story too alongside Chris and Jay-Cee. Maybe that's what flailed it for me.
January 12, 2018
It's complicated
Hard but good read.
Both men have a complicated history.
Better review to follow.
4.5 stars
Give it a go.
Hard but good read.
Both men have a complicated history.
Better review to follow.
4.5 stars
Give it a go.
October 26, 2018
Ok here we go.
I did love the MC’s & their little family & the plots were varied & interesting but I had enough issues that I couldn’t give it 4 stars:
1. The editing (or lack there of). I kept getting yanked out of the books by the very poor editing
2. I feel like there were a lot of missed opportunities with some of the peripheral characters. Why did we need the drag queens when they only made three VERY brief appearances? Danny & Ravi deserved at least a short story after the way they kept appearing. Angel & Vanessa, where is their story?
I liked these but could have loved them with just a few tweaks.
I did love the MC’s & their little family & the plots were varied & interesting but I had enough issues that I couldn’t give it 4 stars:
1. The editing (or lack there of). I kept getting yanked out of the books by the very poor editing
2. I feel like there were a lot of missed opportunities with some of the peripheral characters. Why did we need the drag queens when they only made three VERY brief appearances? Danny & Ravi deserved at least a short story after the way they kept appearing. Angel & Vanessa, where is their story?
I liked these but could have loved them with just a few tweaks.
June 11, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
🩵 @quixoteedizioni
🩵 "A Veterans Affairs Story" Vol. 6
🩵 Autoconclusivo
🩵 336 pagine
📚 Stasera voglio parlarvi di questo sesto volume di questa serie (della quale ho letto solo questo volume in particolare) che ho davvero, ma davvero, adorato.
📚 Questa è una storia di sofferenza. Una storia dove la sofferenza viene fuori ad ondate, dove si affrontano gli strascichi che ti lascia la guerra, i demoni, gli incubi, ma anche gli strascichi che ti lascia un'infanzia vissuta in maniera disfunzionale. Cosa un trauma può, davvero, provocarti?
📚 L'autrice ha raccolto tutto questo e lo ha inserito in un libro nel quale è esploso tutto. Emozioni, sensazioni, arte. Arte perché la scrittura della Wasp è stata capace di essere talmente evocativa da descriverti un quadro, un dipinto che vedrai chiaramente nella tua mente e solo grazie a quella descrizione, sentirai il dolore dei protagonisti e per fare questo, secondo me, si deve essere davvero eccezionali.
📚 Continuavo a sottolineare delle frasi, sceglierne solo alcune non è stato semplice. È arrivato, questo libro, in un momento perfetto e la tensione tra i protagonisti - insieme alla sua esplosione - è stata divina. Ci troviamo di fronte ad un BDSM (anche se secondo me soft) scritto benissimo, dove le emozioni sono messe al primo posto.
📚 Ho davvero adorato Jay-Cee, il nostro boss silver fox segnato da un passato in guerra che lo ha devastato e Chris, segnato da un passato estremamente difficile, fatto di perdite e tossicodipendenza. È una storia di rinascita che, con le sue scene spicy, ha dato un movimento e un'oscillazione tra momenti tensivi e momenti di sofferenza e amore incredibile. Mi è piaciuto proprio tanto.
🩵 @quixoteedizioni
🩵 "A Veterans Affairs Story" Vol. 6
🩵 Autoconclusivo
🩵 336 pagine
📚 Stasera voglio parlarvi di questo sesto volume di questa serie (della quale ho letto solo questo volume in particolare) che ho davvero, ma davvero, adorato.
📚 Questa è una storia di sofferenza. Una storia dove la sofferenza viene fuori ad ondate, dove si affrontano gli strascichi che ti lascia la guerra, i demoni, gli incubi, ma anche gli strascichi che ti lascia un'infanzia vissuta in maniera disfunzionale. Cosa un trauma può, davvero, provocarti?
📚 L'autrice ha raccolto tutto questo e lo ha inserito in un libro nel quale è esploso tutto. Emozioni, sensazioni, arte. Arte perché la scrittura della Wasp è stata capace di essere talmente evocativa da descriverti un quadro, un dipinto che vedrai chiaramente nella tua mente e solo grazie a quella descrizione, sentirai il dolore dei protagonisti e per fare questo, secondo me, si deve essere davvero eccezionali.
📚 Continuavo a sottolineare delle frasi, sceglierne solo alcune non è stato semplice. È arrivato, questo libro, in un momento perfetto e la tensione tra i protagonisti - insieme alla sua esplosione - è stata divina. Ci troviamo di fronte ad un BDSM (anche se secondo me soft) scritto benissimo, dove le emozioni sono messe al primo posto.
📚 Ho davvero adorato Jay-Cee, il nostro boss silver fox segnato da un passato in guerra che lo ha devastato e Chris, segnato da un passato estremamente difficile, fatto di perdite e tossicodipendenza. È una storia di rinascita che, con le sue scene spicy, ha dato un movimento e un'oscillazione tra momenti tensivi e momenti di sofferenza e amore incredibile. Mi è piaciuto proprio tanto.
December 26, 2022
Quando si arriva alla fine di una serie si fa un po’ il punto della situazione e si traggono le dovute conclusioni.
Ebbene con A Veterans Affairs la Wasp mi ha immersa nel mondo militare dove ho potuto riconfermare ciò che pensavo, è facile mandare in guerra le persone, soprattutto se ci si trova dal di fuori, però non si è capaci di essere presenti quando queste stesse persone ritornano a casa non nella forma fisica e mentale di quando sono partiti.
Troy, Benny e lo stesso Jay-Cee, hanno affrontato tante brutture e ne sono usciti esausti e stanchi, l’amore però li ha salvati e li ha fatti andare avanti.
Dall’altra parte abbiamo partners che si sono adattati e, soprattutto, si sono presi l’incarico di proteggere questi uomini.
Con Stella di bronzo la Wasp ci mette dinanzi la solitudine di Jay-Cee e la disperata ricerca di rinascita di Chris, la loro storia è stata la giusta conclusione all’intera serie, non sto qui a riassumerne i fatti, non è corretto nei confronti di chi ancora non ha letto la serie, vi basta sapere che l’età non è un motivo di resa, che l’amore D/s non va giudicato, se non se ne capisce la motivazione e la consensualità, e che l’amicizia quella vera rende tutto meraviglioso.
Una serie che consiglio di non perdere e che racconta senza forzature i dolori e le sofferenze degli uomini, in qualsiasi veste essi siano.
Buona lettura
Ebbene con A Veterans Affairs la Wasp mi ha immersa nel mondo militare dove ho potuto riconfermare ciò che pensavo, è facile mandare in guerra le persone, soprattutto se ci si trova dal di fuori, però non si è capaci di essere presenti quando queste stesse persone ritornano a casa non nella forma fisica e mentale di quando sono partiti.
Troy, Benny e lo stesso Jay-Cee, hanno affrontato tante brutture e ne sono usciti esausti e stanchi, l’amore però li ha salvati e li ha fatti andare avanti.
Dall’altra parte abbiamo partners che si sono adattati e, soprattutto, si sono presi l’incarico di proteggere questi uomini.
Con Stella di bronzo la Wasp ci mette dinanzi la solitudine di Jay-Cee e la disperata ricerca di rinascita di Chris, la loro storia è stata la giusta conclusione all’intera serie, non sto qui a riassumerne i fatti, non è corretto nei confronti di chi ancora non ha letto la serie, vi basta sapere che l’età non è un motivo di resa, che l’amore D/s non va giudicato, se non se ne capisce la motivazione e la consensualità, e che l’amicizia quella vera rende tutto meraviglioso.
Una serie che consiglio di non perdere e che racconta senza forzature i dolori e le sofferenze degli uomini, in qualsiasi veste essi siano.
Buona lettura
November 2, 2019
The passion that we feel
Thank you to all of the veterans. “I want to sculpt you, forge you like that and keep you forever.” Jay-Cee is the perfect mix of forceful and tender; whereas, Chris is needy and bratty. Together they smolder but they both have demons in their past that they are constantly fighting against. Because of this, they alternate between pushing each other away and holding on. Chris is scared of the intense feelings Jay-Cee invokes in him. For as much as he’s lived through in life, Chris is still pretty innocent, and Jay-Cee is scared of Chris really knowing him. I think they are both so strong and admire them, and both Chris and Jay-Cee are immensely talented.
It’s so hot when Jay-Cee gives Chris orders. Oh my, the shower scene; I need a shower of my own. “I want to tattoo you on my skin.” Chris can get stuck in his head and Jay-Cee helps quiet his mind. They take care of each other. I also love how Chris pushes Jay-Cee out of his comfort zone, and how Jay-Cee takes care of Chris even if it’s from afar. They become each other’s sanctuaries. I enjoy how Chris teases Jay-Cee but really pays attention when it matters. The Top Gun reference and Chris’ surprise at the airport were funny. A touching and beautiful story of learning to trust and love.
Thank you to all of the veterans. “I want to sculpt you, forge you like that and keep you forever.” Jay-Cee is the perfect mix of forceful and tender; whereas, Chris is needy and bratty. Together they smolder but they both have demons in their past that they are constantly fighting against. Because of this, they alternate between pushing each other away and holding on. Chris is scared of the intense feelings Jay-Cee invokes in him. For as much as he’s lived through in life, Chris is still pretty innocent, and Jay-Cee is scared of Chris really knowing him. I think they are both so strong and admire them, and both Chris and Jay-Cee are immensely talented.
It’s so hot when Jay-Cee gives Chris orders. Oh my, the shower scene; I need a shower of my own. “I want to tattoo you on my skin.” Chris can get stuck in his head and Jay-Cee helps quiet his mind. They take care of each other. I also love how Chris pushes Jay-Cee out of his comfort zone, and how Jay-Cee takes care of Chris even if it’s from afar. They become each other’s sanctuaries. I enjoy how Chris teases Jay-Cee but really pays attention when it matters. The Top Gun reference and Chris’ surprise at the airport were funny. A touching and beautiful story of learning to trust and love.
July 10, 2019
3.5 -4 stars
I had a hard time with this couple. Chris was over the top and Jay-Cee was distant and yet also kind of controlling. The emotional issues they both had with themselves and each other were intense. I am not that into BDSM and so those sex scenes were not something I could appreciate. I took several breaks in reading it. The other characters and major events that happen in the other series also occur in this book which was nice, very different seen from Jay-Cee and Chris's point of view. These are my personal views and having read some other views, we all see the same things very differently which is good.
I do love Ms. Wasp's writing and look forward to reading more of her work.
I had a hard time with this couple. Chris was over the top and Jay-Cee was distant and yet also kind of controlling. The emotional issues they both had with themselves and each other were intense. I am not that into BDSM and so those sex scenes were not something I could appreciate. I took several breaks in reading it. The other characters and major events that happen in the other series also occur in this book which was nice, very different seen from Jay-Cee and Chris's point of view. These are my personal views and having read some other views, we all see the same things very differently which is good.
I do love Ms. Wasp's writing and look forward to reading more of her work.
March 6, 2018
The writing was tight and the main characters complex. This was the first book I read in the series, and it stood alone well. That said, I enjoyed the writing enough to go purchase the bundled series when I was done with this book. I appreciate a book in which good characters have a support group of friends, and that exists here. It's also why I then wanted to know some of their back stories. There are f/f pairs, and I sincerely hope we get a book for them, too, because well written f/f books are a rare breed and this writer seems more than strong enough to give us complex and compelling stories across genders.
January 21, 2019
3 and 1/2 Stars. I would have pushed this up to four stars, but there were some issues I couldn’t get past.
First, the books needs to be edited. It’s very distracting to be reading end you have to stop and correct the grammar in your head before you can continue.
Second, I had a problem with Chris. He came on so strong to Jay-Cee and then the whole freak out just didn’t seem real to me.
Third, there was just more angst than I enjoy.
Finally I was disappointed with the BDSM aspect. From the reviews and the description I expected a much hotter story.
Obviously, I did enjoy the book and I will certainly check out others by A. E. Wasp.
First, the books needs to be edited. It’s very distracting to be reading end you have to stop and correct the grammar in your head before you can continue.
Second, I had a problem with Chris. He came on so strong to Jay-Cee and then the whole freak out just didn’t seem real to me.
Third, there was just more angst than I enjoy.
Finally I was disappointed with the BDSM aspect. From the reviews and the description I expected a much hotter story.
Obviously, I did enjoy the book and I will certainly check out others by A. E. Wasp.
March 12, 2017
This instafreebie preview is short and sweet. Two men, Chris who wants to be told what to do and that it is alright, and Jay-Cee, older, more knowledgeable wanting Chris more than he should. He gives Chris one night of pure passion, letting go knowing that he can't do it again. It is a great story of two people who desperately need one another. Jay-Cee thinking it is not something he should have. Chris is determined to make Jay-Cee see it is something he should have. Look forward to more of their story.
March 27, 2017
Well written book where characters allow you to share in their feels of joy & angst. A.E. had me hooked from the beginning. Two men both poised & determined to get what they want. One offers his heart & a future while one only passion & smokin hot passion at that. Will they be able to work through their differences towards something more than respect & lust or will they be torn apart with their issues of trust & hard pasts? MUST READ! I voluntarily read this ARC & this is my honest review
February 19, 2018
3.5* porque aunque se deja leer no llegas a conectar de todo con los personajes
Se pierde demasiado en los detalles y no deja que disfrutes de la relación entre ellos, además como mete demasiados amigos y conocidos en el medio, te pierdes un poco.
Imagino que es porque no leí los primeros y no sé quién es quien, pero había leido que no lo necesitabas, la verdad es que no, pero sin ellos el libro pasa a ser una novelita de unas 100pg mal hiladas.
Se pierde demasiado en los detalles y no deja que disfrutes de la relación entre ellos, además como mete demasiados amigos y conocidos en el medio, te pierdes un poco.
Imagino que es porque no leí los primeros y no sé quién es quien, pero había leido que no lo necesitabas, la verdad es que no, pero sin ellos el libro pasa a ser una novelita de unas 100pg mal hiladas.
May 14, 2017
This is such a wonderful and heartwarming story. Chris and Jay-Cee each seem to have just the very thing the other one needs to fill them up and given them a more complete life. Each man has made a life for himself and worked on their own set of issues. I enjoyed the real struggle they had in developing their relationship with each other. This was a wonderful and satisfying read.
May 22, 2017
Loved it!!!
June 7, 2017
Needs some editing / polishing.
December 13, 2017
Jay-Cee and Chris are two damaged souls. There is a lot of angst, emotions and learning to trust not only ones self but the other person as well.
It's a bumpy roller coaster of a read.
It's a bumpy roller coaster of a read.
April 10, 2018
Two wonderful though broken men, very talented and passionate artists, completely committed and honest lovers, some very close best friends, good music, great writing. I love this book.
September 29, 2018
3.5 stars
October 29, 2019
I really enjoyed this story. Jay-Cee and Chris are so similar, and so different, in so many ways.
June 13, 2021
Devo dire che la Serie è stupenda!! 😍
Questo ultimo libro è stato il clou, ho amato tantissimo Jay-Cee e Chris.
Un age gap meraviglioso!! 😍💞
Lo consiglio caldamente!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Questo ultimo libro è stato il clou, ho amato tantissimo Jay-Cee e Chris.
Un age gap meraviglioso!! 😍💞
Lo consiglio caldamente!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
December 28, 2021
Ci ho messo un po’ a finire questo libro, alternavo momenti di lettura appassionata a momenti noiosi.
March 13, 2017
An M+M hook-up novel. Needs some editing.
April 26, 2022
Bronze Star is marked as book #3 in the Veterans Affairs series, but there are many more than 3 books. This is the story about the third couple in the series. How they find each other and about their lives. Jay-Cee is an artist, boss, Veteran and he helps people in need. Chris is an artist, employee, intern and one of Jay-Cee's lost boys. They end up helping each other get over a lot of things they both have been keeping hidden from themselves and their friends & families.
I received this book as an ARC and I'm voluntarily giving my honest review.
The characters in all of these books so far are fantastic and I feel a book can't be great without great characters. But the storylines are just as wonderful. Each book seems to get even better. The writing in this book had me reeling.
A. E. Wasp is now one of my favorite authors and this series is definitely a must read series!!!!! Every one of these books are now on my favorites list and I will be reading them over and over. I can't wait for the next story!
4/25/22. Jay-Cee and Chris have to be my favorite couple in this series although I do love them all. I could read this book over and over. Now on tho Showtime a fantastic short story with Jay-Cee and Chris again. WOW! Is all I can say about it.
I received this book as an ARC and I'm voluntarily giving my honest review.
The characters in all of these books so far are fantastic and I feel a book can't be great without great characters. But the storylines are just as wonderful. Each book seems to get even better. The writing in this book had me reeling.
A. E. Wasp is now one of my favorite authors and this series is definitely a must read series!!!!! Every one of these books are now on my favorites list and I will be reading them over and over. I can't wait for the next story!
4/25/22. Jay-Cee and Chris have to be my favorite couple in this series although I do love them all. I could read this book over and over. Now on tho Showtime a fantastic short story with Jay-Cee and Chris again. WOW! Is all I can say about it.
February 21, 2022
Chris and JC have separate issues. JC, a veteran, is dealing with all he can while helping other men in need and mentoring other artists. Chris is dealing with his addiction recovery but seems to feel no one could love him because of his past. I ache for Chris and his pain and for JC putting his whole self on the line for Chris. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews