Reviewed by JustJen
Title: Once Burned
Author: L.A. Witt
Series: Anchor Point #6
Heroes: Mark/Diego
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 289 Pages
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Release Date: April 9, 2018
Available at: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Captain Mark Thomas’s world has been tossed on its head: A long overdue but still unexpected divorce. A promotion out of left field. Last-second orders to a ship where careers go to die. As the dust settles in his new home, he barely recognizes his life, but he sure recognizes the loneliness creeping in.
Diego Ramírez wants nothing to do with the military or its men. Not after the Navy burned him both literally and figuratively, costing him his career, his health, and ultimately his green card. Now working illegally in an Anchor Point bar, he keeps the military and its personnel at arm’s length.
But after a single moment of eye contact across the bar, Mark and Diego can’t resist each other. As a one-night stand quickly turns into more, Diego knows he’s playing with fire. Now he can stick around and let things with Mark inevitably fall apart, or he can run like hell and wonder what might have been. One way or another, Diego knows he’s about to get burned. Again.
50% of the author’s royalties from this book will be donated to charities supporting US military veterans who have been deported or are at risk of deportation.
Review: Another solid installment! This one is a bit different from what I was expecting. While the other books carried some important themes, this one had a more serious tone and tackled another important issue – military who, for some reason or another, fail to follow through with obtaining citizenship leaving themselves vulnerable to deportation. I had no idea this problem existed, as I assumed you had to be a citizen in order to serve. But, apparently, such is not always the case. It would seem that serving in the military should garner automatic citizenship, but, as with most everything else, there are others who don’t share that idea.
Anyhoo, here, we have Mark, recently divorced and relocated to a new position of leadership extending his military career. While out exploring his newfound relationship status and deciding to check out the sights, Marc heads to the High & Tight where he meets and is immediately attracted to hottie bartender, Diego. Unfortunately, Diego has a no-hookups with military men rule, which puts a wrench in things. But it doesn’t take long for Diego to reverse his decision and make a move.
Now, these guys have amazing chemistry. But, Diego has sound reasoning for his rule, and that, coupled with the many other things he is dealing with, hold him back. He really opened my eyes seeing how he had to live, day to day in fear of losing his job, of being found out by the wrong people and being deported, living with his injuries and PTSD while not being able to get the care he no only earned but deserved, also for the same fear. Through it all though, Diego and Marc’s relationship grows. The no-military issue, aside from the obvious reasons, was heartbreaking as well. It was easy to understand how difficult it was for Diego to be involved on any level with someone who was in, with it being right there, everything the military was to him and took from him. Thankfully, the relationship becomes more important, but not before they go through some bumps in the road.
It takes a while for Marc to fully comprehend Diego’s situation. Once he does, he does everything he can to help. I really liked these guys together and could just about hear Diego’s sexy talk. Important issues aside, this was a really nice love story with a bit of romance thrown in as well. It was another solid installment to the series, and I can’t wait to see what happens next and what new tidbits I can learn in the process!
Overall Impression: I really liked it!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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