When a SEAL medic inherits three young children, he must battle to keep
the family together and keep his long-held feelings for the man challenging him
for custody at bay.
Squared Away
Series: Out of
Uniform #5
Publisher: Carina
Press
Release Date (Print
& Ebook): April 16. Print, ebook, and audio all available.
Length (Print &
Ebook): 80,000 words
Subgenre: m/m
military romance
Includes: military
romance, insta-family, hurt/comfort, angst, interracial, heroes-with-kids, gay
romance, demisexual/gray ace hero, first time, loss, reunion, forced proximity
Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ptQhFH
Paperback: http://amzn.to/2ptc00A
Synopsis:
In the wake
of tragedy, SEAL Mark Whitley rushed stateside to act as guardian to his
sister’s three young children. But a conflicting will could give custody to
someone else—someone Mark remembers as a too young, too hot, wild party boy.
Even after six years, Mark can’t shake the memory of his close encounter with
Isaiah James, or face up to what it says about his own sexuality.
Isaiah’s totally over the crush that made him proposition Mark
all those years ago. In fact, he’s done with crushing on the wrong men
altogether. For now, he’s throwing himself into proving he’s the best person to
care for his cousin’s kids. But there’s no denying there’s something sexy about
a big, tough military man with a baby in his arms.
As the legal
details get sorted out, their long-buried attraction resurfaces, leading to
intimate evenings after the kids are tucked in. A forever future is within reach
for all of them, if only Mark can find the courage he needs to trust Isaiah
with his secrets—and his heart.
What Annabeth Albert
has to say about this book in her Out of Uniform series:
“I wanted to write a book about the nature of family and how
loss and tragedy can shape family, mold it into something stronger, force
growth and change. I’m enormously proud of SQUARED AWAY as a result because how
I fell in love with this little family.”
“When Wizard first appeared in ON POINT as a secondary
character, I was intrigued by him, but it wasn’t until I let myself get into
his head that I really saw how complicated he was. I feel honored and
privileged to have been able to tell his story.”
“No book gets written in a vacuum and this one is no
different. I owe a huge debt on this book to my sensitivity readers who really
encouraged me to dig deep.”
Praise for the
series:
“Albert delivers a solid hurt/comfort story…” RT Book Reviews on SQUARED AWAY
“Mark and Isaiah’s budding relationship happens with sensitivity
and steamy moments…” RT Book Reviews on
SQUARED AWAY
“Annabeth Albert's Out of Uniform series is a unique look at
SEALs' lives, showing us the insides of their hearts and homes and the love
that drives them.” ~Layla Reyne, author
of the Agents Irish and Whisky series.
“Sexy, sweet and
heartfelt, Annabeth Albert's Out of Uniform series is a fresh take on Navy
SEALs that will delight and entertain romance readers.” ~Layla Reyne, author of the Agents Irish
and Whisky series.
Excerpt
“You want to
kiss me,” Isaiah said again. “So you should.”
His face was
right there, waiting, body no longer the reassuring weight on Mark’s lap. He
seriously could have kept touching Isaiah all night. He’d never wanted to
explore another person the way he did Isaiah.
You want to so you should. Isaiah made
it sound so simple.
“Unless you’re
chicken?” Isaiah grinned at him, unrepentant, and Mark flashed to the last time
Isaiah had dared him like this, the last time he wanted to find out what Isaiah
tasted like. He’d wanted to kiss Isaiah so badly that night that it had hurt.
But Isaiah had been eighteen and he’d been himself and just…yeah.
But now the
want was back and his heart was beating so hard Isaiah had to be able to hear
it.
“I’m not
chicken.” As if in a trance, Mark reached out, traced Isaiah’s generous mouth
with his thumb. Soft. So soft. His tongue came out, licked at the pad of Mark’s
thumb, making him hiss in a breath. Apparently Isaiah liked that reaction
because his lips curved up into a hint of a smile and he used his teeth next,
grazing Mark’s callused skin.
Fuck. A
burning hot sizzle raced up his spine.
Isaiah’s
tongue attacked his palm next, little flicks that were the single most erotic
experience of Mark’s life. His breath came in harsh little pants. Dipping his
head, Isaiah trailed his mouth along Mark’s bare arm, hitting nerve endings
he’d never seen in his anatomy texts. His wrist. His inner elbow. Dipping under
the edge of his T-shirt. Moving to his neck, licking a determined path to his
jaw.
“Kiss me,”
Isaiah whispered, lips against his cheek. He could have closed the gap himself
rather easily, but he was waiting on Mark, giving him just enough space to pull
away. And somehow that hesitation, that consideration was what undid Mark, made him lean in.
Isaiah was
going to tempt and dare and tease but he wasn’t going to take. No, that had to be up to Mark. And
fuck, Mark couldn’t bear pulling away, not ever knowing what those lips felt
like against his own. So he slid his mouth over, cautiously finding Isaiah’s.
It was the most glancing of contact but he felt it all the way to his toes.
He’d been
kissed before, but usually the other person took over by this point. Not
Isaiah. He seemed content to let Mark get his bearings, decide how much
pressure felt good, move his mouth this way and that, experimenting. Mark felt
like he’d been waiting years to nip at that full lower lip, so he followed that
impulse, which made Isaiah groan low. His hand came to rest on Mark’s shoulder,
not yanking him closer, just a steady pressure. Another point of connection.
Mark repeated
the motion, more aggressive this pass, sucking on Isaiah’s lip. He used his
tongue to trace its contours, moving to lick at the seam, his turn to tease.
Isaiah whimpered and trembled, and then it was Mark doing the pulling, making
their torsos collide. Mouth opening on a groan, Isaiah wordlessly invited him
to take more. This was the part that Mark hadn’t always liked in the past, but
his tongue rushed ahead, eager to continue exploring.
And it was good.
About Annabeth
Albert:
Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the
bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no
flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a
multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer. The #OutOfUniform series joins her critically
acclaimed and fan-favorite LGBTQ romance
#Gaymers, #PortlandHeat and #PerfectHarmony series. To find out what she’s
working on next and other fun extras, check out her website: www.annabethalbert.com
or connect with Annabeth on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify! Also, be
sure to sign up for her newsletter for free ficlets, bonus reads, and contests.
The fan group, Annabeth’s Angels, on Facebook is also a great place for bonus
content and exclusive contests.
Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites
both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety
of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between
searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles
two active children.
Connect
with Annabeth:
Twitter
| Facebook | Facebook Group | Newsletter | Instagram | Website
Giveaway: win 1 of 2 ecopies of any back
catalog book by Annabeth Albert:
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