Just Drive (Anchor Point #1)

Title: Just Drive (Anchor Point Book 1)
Author: L.A. Witt
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: November 21, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary/Military
Page Count: 300
Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Read book blurb here


Ooh, L.A. Witt does M/M romance in a military setting so well! This reminds me of Conduct Unbecoming, one of my favorite L.A. Witt novels, about two men's relationship in the shadow of the military's fraternization policy.

Paul Richards is the CO of the Anchor Point NAS, with over 24 years under his belt, looking to achieve admiral before retiring. One night after breaking up with yet another boyfriend, he hails a cab and tells the driver "Just drive." Before the night is over, Paul and the driver Sean have a blisteringly hot one-night stand ... which quickly turns into something more. At first their only problem seems to be age - Paul is quite a bit older than Sean (20+ years) - but soon they learn that Sean's dad is under Paul's command and their association is a direct violation of the military fraternization policy..

I loved the relatively low-angst relationship between Paul and Sean and how they strive to do the best for all involved. L.A. Witt really shows that conflict between family and career and the hell that can cause relationships. We get Paul and Sean's POV alternately throughout the book, but I felt that Sean remained a bit of a mystery, i.e. we are never told exactly how old he is, and I'm not even sure what he was studying in college. 4 stars.

Afraid to Fly (Anchor Point #2)

Title: Afraid to Fly (Anchor Point Book 2)
Author: L.A. Witt
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: January 16, 2017
Genre(s): Contemporary Military Romance
Page Count: 347
Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5


Read book blurb here

Afraid to Fly, the second book in L. A. Witt's Anchor Point series, features two older MCs - Travis (45) and Clint (40) who each bring a boatload of issues to the relationship. Former pilot Travis deals daily with the excruciating physical effects of a crash and ejection and wonders how long he'll be able to pass the biannual PRT. Sworn to absolute secrecy after a horrific incident that occurred while he was remotely piloting a drone, Clint's subsequent battle with alcoholism cost him his marriage and children. Each man suffers from PTSD and nightmares.

This is no light sexy romp on its way to a Disneysque HEA and with Travis' constant back pain and his committed relationship with Motrin and a TENS unit, there's a lot of blow jobs and frotting in lieu of an@l sex. Witt doesn't portray this as a "less than" relationship, and the sex is hot as hell.

Chef's Mess (Anchor Point #3)

Title: Chief's Mess (Anchor Point Book 3)
Author: L.A. Witt
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: June 19th 2017
Genre(s): Contemporary Military Romance
Page Count: 291
Rating: 3 stars out of 5

Read book blurb here

This is the third book in L.A. Witt's Anchor Point series but can easily be read as a stand-alone.

Anthony, an engineer from Denver, meets Noah in Anchor Point during his visit to support his sister Mandy, Clint's ex-wife from Afraid to Fly. Anthony comes off as a bit of an asshole and has no time for Clint, an alcoholic who put his sister through hell, and after spending the greater part of two days glaring at Clint, visits a gay bar where he runs into Noah.

Chief's Mess is a bit of a mess, plot-wise, but the sex? Dear gawd, the sex is plentiful and richly described. Anthony and Noah are positively platinum in the bedroom and their sexual chemistry is off the frickin' chart. These two men connect (and connect .... and connect) on a very basic primal level.

The Husband Gambit

Title: The Husband Gambit
Author: L.A. Witt
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: November 15, 2018
Genre(s): Contemporary Romance
Page Count: 95,000 words approx.
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Read book blurb here

I must admit the whole "fake relationship / husband for hire" theme is my drug of choice, and Witt does a wonderful job in pulling this off in "The Husband Gambit."

We get loads of background on Jesse Ambrose and his majorly dysfunctional father who is a Hollywood heavy hitter. You can completely understand why Jesse has committed to bringing him down, and why he feels the "fake husband" plan will succeed. Hayden is a great character and you also get why he is willing to marry Jesse for money, and the betterment of his future and that of his friends. It takes a while to present the plan and richly develop the characters, but the pacing of the book is lively and it really holds your interest until the plan is set into motion.

And once everything is ready? Holy Hannah, Hayden and Jesse have chemistry in spades and their honeymoon cruise spent testing the structural integrity of all the furniture in their suite? Frickin' Priceless. But again it works because Witt has set the stage for these two men getting to know each other as friends, get comfortable with their daily routines and let the sizzling slow-burn get ignited. My only niggle was

Hayden checking his bank balance while on the cruise, seeing his second $100,000 payment, immediately feeling like he was a paid whore, telling Jesse he can't sleep with him anymore, and having Jesse immediately agree and completely understand. It all felt a bit too much like a plot point to keep them apart until the finale of the book and didn't feel organic to their characters.

But I bought 99% of this story hook, line and sinker and give it 4.5 stars.