MISSING IN ACTION is a full-length M/M steamy contemporary romance standalone with connections to the Walsh Series
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Blurb
Former Navy SEAL turned covert agent Wes Halsted spent his days—and weeks and months—being someone else. But with his cover blown and his injuries requiring months of recuperation, he must learn how to be himself again.
Only…he’d rather save his issues for another day and get to know a stressed-out, suited-up businessman instead.
Tom Esbeck has everything under control. Meal plans, workout plans, project plans, five-year plans. A plan for everything and everything according to plan.
Except there’s no plan for a surprise—and shirtless—encounter with the built-for-sin spy he’d crushed on years ago.
But crushes—and spies—burn out fast.
Review
4 stars
Yes, yes, yes! Finally we have the story of ex-SEAL, current secret agent, Wes Halstead, in a funny, emotional and sexy m/m romance as the big, tortured badass falls for Tom, the uptight control freak. It’s an opposites-attract story with lots of snark, banter and flirting, and a gorgeous love story. I loved this one!
While technically a standalone, this book ties in very close to the Walsh series. Not only is Wes in-lawed to the Walshes, and his story forshadowed in Thresholds, but he’s staying with his brother, Will and his wife, Shannon (from The Cornerstone, plus, Tom manages the Walsh architectural offices. So we’re all up in the Walsh business with lots of crossover. And as a mad fan of the series, I was in heaven! If you don’t know the Walsh family, then you may find yourself a bit lost, but it won’t impact on your ability to enjoy the story – but you seriously need to read the series because it’s awesome.
OK, moving on now.
Wes is a secret agent who has been deep undercover in Russia, but when it all goes to hell he ends up badly injured and hiding out on a tanker on his way back to the US. He wakes up in the home of his older brother, Will, with months of recovery ahead of him and no idea what the rest of his life looks like.
And then Tom comes trotting into his life. As the right-hand-man of Walsh superstar, Shannon (Wes’s sister-in-law), Tom has been a background character in the Walsh series. Smart, sophisticated and obsessively ordered, Tom has had a bit of a crush on Wes since they met at a Walsh wedding five years previously. Sadly, Wes doesn’t remember. But from their first snark-filled encounter, it’s all on for these two!
Full of banter and flirting, Wes and Tom coming together is a fantastically entertaining journey. They are so much fun together, and the chemistry between them absolutely sizzles. It’s not easy, they are both in very different places in their lives, and they have their differences, but it’s impossible to fight the attraction that completely captivates both of them.
“I’m officially obsessed with your ass,” Tom said as he held himself still, his eyes closed and his lips parted. “Fucking obsessed.”
… “You should be. My ass is incredible.”
But for all of the fun they have together, both of the boys are dealing with significant issues that have impacted on who they are and how they deal with relationships. Tom experienced a heartbreaking childhood and has real issues of rejection, and Wes is not only recovering from life-threatening injuries, but he is facing a very uncertain future when it comes to his career. And the kicker… he actually hasn’t come out to his family yet. It’s an emotional ride for the two of them, and you will want to give them both a shake as they work through it all. But it’s worth it for the gorgeous love story as they figure it all out.
“I want to be the man who gets to love you … I want that job. I want the right to call you mine and I want to be yours, and I want to do this with you.”
As I said, the rest of the Walsh clan are along for the ride – even Kaisal and April – but it’s Will and Shannon who truly shine. Wes has a great beautiful relationship with both of them, and watching him with his two little nieces is absolutely ovary-melting! And Tom’s relationship with Shannon is just beautiful. We get to see almost all of the characters from the series, and even get another wedding. The dynamics amongst the whole group are just amazing, and I loved being back in this world.
Wes and Tom’s love story is sweet, sexy, fun and emotional, and I loved it. Another fantastic read from Ms Canterbary. 4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Brothers in Arms
Check out the Walsh series – an all time fave!
About the Author
Kate Canterbary doesn’t have it all figured out, but this is what she knows for sure: spicy-ass salsa and tequila solve most problems, living on the ocean–Pacific or Atlantic–is the closest place to perfection, and writing smart, smutty stories is a better than any amount of chocolate. She started out reporting for an indie arts and entertainment newspaper back when people still read newspapers, and she has been writing and surreptitiously interviewing people—be careful sitting down next to her on an airplane—ever since.
Kate lives on the water in New England with Mr. Canterbary and the Little Baby Canterbary, and when she isn’t writing sexy architects, she’s scheduling her days around the region’s best food trucks.
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