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Source: Advance e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Good morning m/m fans! Back Piece by L.A. Witt releases today and we are thrilled to bring you a review and excerpt!
BACK PIECE by L.A. Witt
E-Original published by Swerve
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
ISBN: 9781250142016
Price: $4.99
Description
Colin Spencer is a tattoo artist with a past he’d
prefer to keep a secret. Actually, he has a few secrets that he’d rather people
didn’t know about, which is why Colin doesn’t do commitment. But when a shy
sailor approaches him at the gym, Colin finds this guy pushing all his
buttons.
Growing up in a conservative family, then
escaping with the Navy, Daniel Moore is an unsure virgin who feels like he
can’t share his true self with anyone. Seeing Colin—and his tattoos—at the gym
are the sign Daniel needs to finally get those tattoos he’s always wanted, and
maybe try his hand at flirting.
As Colin and Daniel spend more time together,
their awkward hesitations turn into a deep passion neither expected. But with
both men harboring secrets, will their relationship be able to survive their
insecurities and become something beautiful?
Back Piece by L.A. Witt is a
sexy, emotional journey of two people learning to love and finding acceptance
for who they really are.
Review:
Daniel isn't out to his ultra-religious family, but he is on the ship with his fellow sailors. So, he's fine sleeping with Colin, but doesn't know how to take the relationship further.
Colin has a whole host of issues and a past that is usually the death knell to relationships when it comes out, so he sticks to himself and covets his routines to keep himself on track. High emotions, too much stress, and breaks in routine are bad for his mental and physical health.
When they are together, their relationship is easy, but each of these guys is an emotional, angsty wreck individually. Things come to a head when Daniel's parents come for a visit. He wants them to meet Colin, even if it's just pretending they are friends. But that kind of stress on a new relationship with someone with Colin's issues may just be the breaking point.
It's really difficult to read some of Colin's struggles. Fascinating, but difficult. He suffers from some serious issues and the kind of obsessiveness involved can be tough to read. He's definitely the more mature and relationshipy (I know it's not a word, but work with me there) of the two. He's constantly taking care of Daniel and Daniel's issues, but dealing with his issues on his own.
Daniel is definitely the younger, more self-involved of the two. Even after Colin tells Daniel about his issues, Daniel still kind of ignores them and asks things of Colin he shouldn't. Or at least if he asked them of him, he should be concerned about the impact they have on Colin's health, but he doesn't. After Colin drops his bomb, Daniel pretty much ignores it. It fits with Daniels' age and experience level, but it's still a frustrating part of the story.
All of this comes together in a completely satisfying HEA that you've come to expect and love in an L.A. Witt book. Plus, there's the set up for more sexy sailor stories, so yaaaay!
Excerpt:
Outside, some of
the guys from the gym were milling around in the parking lot, so Colin took
Daniel around the back of the building where they’d have some privacy. There he
stopped and faced him, fighting the urge to fidget nervously. “So, how’s the tattoo
healing?”
“Good. Good.”
Daniel shifted his weight. “It’s still kinda itchy, but it’s getting better.”
Colin grimaced
sympathetically. “That’s the worst part. The pain I can deal with, but the
itching sucks. You’re not scratching it, are you?”
“No, of course
not.”
Their eyes met,
and they both smiled, but quickly looked away. Awkwardness didn’t even have to
set in—it was already present and accounted for.
After a moment,
Colin raked a hand through his hair. “Look, things went really fast the other
night, and I’m sorry. I mean, maybe—”
“No. No.” Daniel
shook his head. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I just kind of freaked out.”
“But . . . why?”
Colin struggled to hold his gaze. “Did I make you nervous?”
“No, you didn’t.
But what we were doing . . . yeah. It did. Kinda.” He paused. “Okay, a lot.”
“So, how is that
not me making you nervous?”
Color bloomed in
Daniel’s cheeks, but blushing wasn’t as cute this time. He seemed genuinely
uncomfortable and embarrassed, and Colin’s stomach turned with guilt over putting
him in this position.
Daniel took a
breath and met his gaze again. “The thing is, that was . . .” He scratched the
back of his neck and added a barely audible, “My first time.”
“Your . . .”
Colin blinked. “Are you serious?”
Daniel was
bright red now, and nodded. “Yeah. I mean, I made out with a guy while I was on
cruise, but otherwise . . .” He laughed uneasily. “I’m a virgin.”
Colin stared at
him. “Really?”
“Wasn’t it
obvious?”
“Not from the
way you kissed, no.”
Daniel gave a
soft, self-conscious laugh. “Beginner’s luck, I guess.”
“Something like
that.”
Daniel moistened
his lips. “So it wasn’t that I didn’t want to do anything the other night. I
did. And it was . . .” He laughed again and looked at Colin. “It was amazing. I
know I took off and all, but it was fucking . . .” He whistled, shaking his
head.
Colin smiled.
“Good. I was worried I’d maybe gone too fast. Pushed you too far.”
“No. It wasn’t
your fault. I mean, I liked it. A lot. And I definitely want it. More. More of
it. I just . . . I . . .” He pinched the bridge of his nose, pausing as if
trying to collect his thoughts. “Okay, the reason I freaked out is afterward, I
thought you’d want me to reciprocate. And I . . .” He dropped his hand and
stared at the ground between them. “Man, I don’t have a fucking clue what I’m
doing. I guess I was scared you’d be disappointed.”
“Disappointed?”
Colin shook his head. “No, not at all.”
“Yeah.” Daniel
laughed humorlessly. “That’s because I left before I had a chance to make an
ass of myself.”
“My God. Did you
think . . .” Colin cautiously stepped closer. “You wouldn’t have made an ass of
yourself.”
Daniel said
nothing.
Colin advanced
again, and now he had to be well within Daniel’s comfort zone. He halted,
giving Daniel a chance to pull back if he wasn’t comfortable, and when Daniel
didn’t move, Colin reached for him. He paused, glancing around to make
absolutely sure they were still alone out here, and then slid a hand around
Daniel’s waist, his own skin prickling with goose bumps even before Daniel’s
breath hitched. “So you’re afraid you won’t be good at it, right?”
Daniel nodded,
still avoiding Colin’s eyes.
“Is that the
only thing stopping you?”
“Definitely.”
Daniel hesitated, but finally made eye contact. “Because I really, really wanted to keep going last time.”
Colin grinned.
“Is that right?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Well, my house
is just over there.” He nodded past Daniel. “Five minute walk, and my brother
works nights, so we’ll have it to ourselves.” He lifted his eyebrows. “You want
to?”
Daniel gulped.
Then he whispered, “Yes, please.”
Author
Bio
L.A. Witt is a M/M romance writer who has finally
been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends
her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she
didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband,
several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies. L.A. Witt also writes under the name Lauren Gallagher.
Author
Links
Twitter: @GallagherWitt
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