Guest Reviewed by Morgan 

Title: Aim High Anthology
Authors: T.A. Chase, Stephani Hecht, Morticia Knight, Jenna Byrnes, Sarah Masters, Megan Slayer
Genre: MM Romance
Length: 75,521 words
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Release Date: September 29, 2015
Available at:  Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

‘Possibilities’ by T.A. Chase

Blurb:  When Dixon and Carson meet during a hurricane, neither imagined that moment would be the beginning of a new relationship.

Dixon White owns Billy’s Diner in Brevard County, Florida—right down the road from Patrick Air Force Base. He serves a lot of the servicemen and their families who live and work on the base and does it in honor of his brother who served as a SEAL until a motorcycle accident ended his life. When Dixon finds himself stuck in a broken down car just as a hurricane hits the area, he’s not sure how’s he going to get home.

Master Chief Sergeant Carson LaSalle is headed to the base when he drives by Billy’s Diner. He sees Dixon’s car there and stops, checking to see if everything is okay. He takes Dixon home, but can’t stop thinking about him.

After the hurricane blows through, both men meet again and the sparks fly. Possibilities open up for them to have a chance at finding love. They just have to be willing to try.

Review: This is a very short look at what amounts to a first date. Dixon has car trouble, Carson helps him. They start to date and have sex.

The dialog is very awkward, most of it feels like a big dump of information and the result is this possible beginning to a relationship. There are no specific hurdles, no sexual tension, nothing that makes this interesting at all.

I usually try to find something positive to say about everything I review but I do not really understand what this story was going for and the writing wasn’t great and by the end I was just scratching my head.

Overall Impression/Rating:  It wasn’t for me

‘Lonely Hearts and Yellow Ribbons’ by Stephani Hecht

Blurb:  Being apart from the one you love is the hardest thing to do, until you get them back to find they’ve changed…

PJ Ross Ervin is part of an elite force of recue men from the Air Force. Only the best of the best make it through the program and get to wear the maroon beret. As such, he is proud of what he does and is happy to serve his country. The one drawback is that it takes him away from his long-time lover, Aden. Thankfully Ross’ deployment is over and he’s coming home.

Aden is excited to see Ross. But he can’t help but notice that his partner is having trouble adjusting back into the civilian world. Plus, there is the looming danger that Ross could be deployed again at any time. Will Ross have to leave to serve his county once more? And if so, can the pair survive the separation yet again?

Review:   This is about a medic abroad who misses his partner. When he returns, there are some adjustments to be made for both men. Then he has to go back to the war.

The writing was fine, the character development was fine, but it felt like just a piece of a story and not an actual story.

Overall Impression/Rating:  It was okay/good

‘Venetian Skies’ by Morticia Knight

Blurb:  No one wants to lose a love that’s meant to be. Air Force test pilot, Chris Pierce, returns to Italy to discover that second chances are the sweetest.

They had a love that was the real thing, but Chris, an Air Force test pilot, returns to Aviano Air Base in Italy to discover that the only man he’s ever loved is still there. Yet wasn’t that why artist Brandon had dumped him? Because he didn’t want to be tied down to one place or one person?

Brandon made a huge mistake. It wasn’t until Chris transferred out of the local military base that he realizes what they had together was the real thing. Even though he’s never settled in one place for very long, he couldn’t bear to leave the town of Aviano where he and Chris were so happy together.

Chris unexpectedly returns and Brandon is devastated when Chris rejects him out of anger. Can’t Chris see how much Brandon has changed in the two years they’ve been apart?

Second chances are the sweetest and love that’s meant to be doesn’t die. But when a MiG fighter jet gone rogue shoots Chris down, will their second chance be taken away forever?

Review:   This was a very sweet story of second chances. Chris made some bad choices and hurt Brandon badly. If he forgives him will it work out this time and return to him the love of his life? Or will he get burned again?

It was pretty hot as well as very sweet and sentimental.

Overall Impression/Rating:  I really liked it

‘Search and Rescue’ by Jenna Byrnes

Blurb:  Two parajumpers freefall into a stealthy relationship before considering how quickly it might come crashing to an end.

Airman First Class Matthew Billings has almost completed a grueling two year training program on his way to becoming a Pararescueman in the Air Force Special Operations Unit. On a mission to rescue a child lost in the Pecos Wilderness of New Mexico, he meets Master Sergeant Drake Bogart, a man who is as infuriating as he is handsome. When Matt spots the child and Drake gets the credit, sparks fly, in more ways than one. But with graduation just a few days away, is their fledgling relationship over before it even gets started?

Review:   This was a very brief HFN-type of story about two guys meeting up and starting “something” even though odds are very low it will succeed.

I didn’t care for it.

Overall Impression/Rating:  It wasn’t for me

‘Live for the Day’ by Sarah Masters

Blurb:  Loving your best friend is easy. Telling him you do…well, that’s the hard part.

Michael and Steven grew up together—just them, no girls allowed. They’d always planned to join the military, but when it came time to sign up, Michael couldn’t do it. For years, Michael has worried every time Steven is out in the desert, risking his life to serve and protect. He dreads the day Steven won’t come home.

Steven has been through a dreadful ordeal on duty, and while in the hospital, he’s had time to think about what’s important in life. He misses Michael—needs to get back home to be with him—and he has something he wishes to say, something he’s held inside as far back as he can remember…

When the two men reunite, revelations are the name of the game. There is no question they’ve always loved each other, but now that they have the chance to express that love, will they?

Review:   This is a very sweet and nice GFY/OFY. What I liked about it was that it talked about the downside of the military in a way that seemed really realistic. I liked the before/after sense of the two boys fantasizing about what the military would be like and then the reality when it really hits home.

Overall Impression/Rating:  I really liked it

‘Lifetime Hitch’ by Megan Slayer

Blurb:  Sometimes the best laid plans are meant to be thrown way off course.

Hunter planned his life very well. He’s got his position in the Air National Guard, the family he’s always wanted and a life most people would love to have. Except he’s not happy. His friends all know his truths, but them knowing about his sexuality and him admitting it are two different things. Thankfully Ryder—his best friend—has always got his back.

Ryder has loved Hunter since they were in school. He wants to have more than Hunter’s back—he wants everything. Forcing his Guardsman to come out as a gay man wasn’t on his agenda, but Ryder isn’t above a bit of gentle nudging.

Will the things Hunter can’t control be his undoing, or will he accept who he is as well as the love he’s craved all of his life?

Review:  This was another OFY that did a nice job of showing how the military can be a boon and a burden. I liked the fact that Ryder was always himself and was never ashamed to ask for and take what he wanted and needed. He made Hunter own up to his own stuff and didn’t back down.

Overall Impression:   I really liked it

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*