Liz Borino Spotlight!

CIA Agent Aaron “Angel” Collins doesn’t take many things on faith. He trusts his gut, his eyes, and his husband, Jordan, an Army Captain. When his commanding officers deliver news of Jordan’s death, Aaron needs proof. The facts don’t add up, and Aaron must decide if he can trust Major General Troy Hart to assist in his quest to discover the truth.

Captain Jordan Collins is battered and disheartened in an Afghanistan prison, but definitely not dead, though he learns his own government believes he is. His only mission now is to stay alive and make it home to Angel, if he can find an ally among the enemy. But someone in the US government will stop at nothing to make sure he never leaves that prison, And Jordan must reevaluate the lines between friend and foe if he is ever to return to his Angel.

 

Well, this book combined two of my favorite genres, M/M and the military men. I have always enjoyed books that involve military men, as long as they are semi-realistic. Sorry, that’s just the military brat in me coming out but it really bugs me when obvious things are wrong in a story.  But I can say, that I did enjoy the way the author wrote the military parts of this story.

In this part of the story, we are introduced to Aaron and Jordan. Right off the bat, one thing that I have to say about this author was they were able to do the flashbacks in such a way that it added to the story on so many levels. Usually I do not like reading books that have flashbacks because for me it seems like it jars the story too much.  But this author was able to pull them off throughout the book and it was just amazing.

I really was able to connect with the characters, even though the story was on the shorter side of books, I still enjoyed that connection. I really enjoyed Jordan’s character throughout the story. I think that he showed an amazing amount of strength and courage throughout the whole book, even though you could tell that he was just as scared as Aaron.

I enjoyed that the author thought to add some additional drama into the book. Now with the way she went about it? Totally didn’t like that, but as I went further into the story, I could understand why she did it that way. I completely loved the fact that even though there was sex happening in the book, it didn’t take over the whole book.

Overall, I thought that this was an extremely well written book. And I will be sure to read more from the author in the future.

Angel’s Hero just captures your heart and interest from page one and leaves you gasping and begging for more by the end.  Aaron and Jordan are two gay men who are married and very much in love.  Jordan is deployed to Afghanistan with his military unit in hopes of rescuing 15 POWs held there in exchange for a man the Afghans want.  While Jordan has no proof that the wanted man is even being held by the USA, he goes to try and strike a deal to get our POWs back home. 

While Jordan is gone, Aaron his husband is being showered with attention from Major General Troy Hart.  Jordan and Troy have a history that makes Jordan not really trust Troy but he doesn’t feel he can tell Aaron to stay away from him while Jordan is stuck across the ocean.  The husbands Skype and keep communication going in all ways while Jordan is deployed, but one night Aaron is woke up with a horrible nightmare about Jordan.

A few days later the dreaded news comes that Jordan has been killed but Aaron refuses to believe it.  Determined to find the truth about Jordan, Aaron fights his new battle in life and ends up without a job, friends and not much family support.  How can Jordan be dead when Aaron still feels him, there was no proof of the body, they buried an empty casket. 

As the end of the book comes, Troy finally shows Aaron a picture of what is supposed to be Jordan’s dead body.  The only way Aaron would believe it was him was the tattoo on the lifeless body.  It was time for Aaron to accept that the love of his life was gone.  The photo gave Troy the opening he needed to come in and win the love of Aaron that is until someone opened the back door and stumbled in begging for help.

I LOVE this book, it is short, easy to read and gives us characters that I fell in love with.  I can hardly wait to read the next book in this series to find the answers as to who wanted Jordan dead and why.   

 

Even as he entered the diner to find Aaron waiting, Jordan still struggled to believe that he’d persuaded Aaron Larson to leave the mixer by using the worst pick up line ever. But as he’d stood across the room, all he could think was, Angels should smile. I’m going to see if I can change his mood. Jordan’s gaydar had sharpened as soon as he’d entered the military and hitting on the wrong person could cost him his job.

“Hey Angel,” Jordan said, taking a seat at the booth.

“Are you honestly going to continue calling me that?”

“Is it going to continue making you blush?” Jordan countered, deepening the red in the man’s cheeks even further. “I’ll stop if it bothers you.”

Aaron shook his head. “Doesn’t bother me. It is an odd descriptor for someone you only met a half hour ago. Unless you make a habit of judging people by their appearance.”

Appearance tells more than most people like to admit, but Jordan would get there eventually. “Fair enough. What if we got to know each other a little better and reevaluated if Angel fits you?” Jordan posed, opening the menu.

“Okay. It won’t,” Aaron told him. “The burgers here are fantastic if you’re a meat eater.”

Jordan raised his eyebrow. “Do I look like a vegetarian?”

“Now not only do angels all look the same, but vegetarians, as well?” Aaron threw back.

“That has a biological basis. Vegetarians eat less protein and therefore build less muscle than people who eat from all the food groups,” Jordan said.

“Every single vegetarian in the history of the world consumes less protein than the general population?” Aaron asked.

Jordan raised his hands in surrender. “I need some food before entering into verbal volleyball.” He ordered French fries and a cheeseburger from the waitress. His jaw dropped when Aaron requested a salad. Jordan quickly closed his mouth so as not start another debate,

but damn if Aaron wasn’t proving Jordan’s point about body types by eating salad instead of meat.

“By the way, I’m not a vegetarian. I am selective with what goes in my body,” Aaron clarified, seemingly reading Jordan’s thoughts.

“Yeah? That’s good to know.”

Aaron rolled his eyes. “You’re infuriating.”

Jordan smiled. “You like it.”

“Why would you say that?” Aaron asked.

“Still here, aren’t you?”

Releasing a breath, Aaron said, “Yes, yes. What makes you think I’m an angel?”

“What makes you think you’re not?” Jordan leaned back to assess the man across from him. He had to ensure he was not pushing too far. But so far Aaron seemed to be enjoying his annoyance, because no matter what he said, Aaron kept the tiniest smile.

“Do you always answer a question with a question?”

Jordan fused their gazes. “Only when your answer is more important than mine. See, I called you Angel because the light made your hair shine. And… every other time I have seen you, you’ve been helping someone.”

Aaron tilted his head to the side. “What are you talking about? We haven’t met before tonight.”

“No, but I’ve seen you around. First time was six weeks ago in the writing center at Georgetown. You were working with a football player to keep his scholarship. Then last week, you stopped a dog from getting hit by a car,” Jordan told him.

The conversation paused as they thanked the waitress for their drinks. Once she left, Aaron asked, “Have you been stalking me?”

Had he truly been concerned about sitting across from a dangerous stalker, Aaron’s voice would have heightened and his body would be stiff. Neither of those things was the case, so Jordan smiled and replied, “No, I happened to be in the writing center working with a tutor at the same time as you, and I was jogging across the street when you saved the dog. At that point, I would have stopped to introduce myself, but I had a drill sergeant screaming a few paces behind me.”

Aaron’s gaze darted around room before leaning closer and lowering his voice. “Speaking of drill sergeants, we need to discuss you being out with me in your uniform. I never had a closet to come out of, so if you’re seen with me, people would have reason to be suspicious.”

Jordan caught Aaron’s smoldering grey eyes, covered his hand with his own, and took note of the other man’s tripping pulse. “Relax. My comrades know. My superiors have guessed. Could the wrong person start trouble? Sure, but my private life has never interfered with my job or schoolwork. It never will.”

“So you’re telling me that you’re the exception to the law? Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell doesn’t apply to you?”

“Of course it does, but the fact is I’m smarter than most people. I can read a room within seconds of walking in. I have never once incurred bullying for my sexuality. I don’t hit on men who aren’t gay, and I avoid flamboyant men. They would get me in trouble.” Jordan moved his hand, but kept eye contact. “If I want to get to know someone, I don’t let my job stop me. Granted, certain things are more difficult. For example, I can’t bring my partners as dates to work events, and it’s probably a bad idea to take them on base.”

“Freeze or I’ll shoot!” Aaron yelled and aimed the gun at Jordan’s chest.

“Angel, no, please.” Hacking fluid-filled coughs broke up Jordan’s words.

“Jordan?” Aaron whispered his name as recognition painted a mural of memories of their life together on his face.

“Yes.” He coughed red into his dirty hand. “Please help.”

So begins Angel’s Truth, the sequel to Angel’s Hero. Army Captain Jordan Collins arrives home, only to find the man responsible for his imprisonment, torture, and near-execution with his husband. Had his Angel moved on without him?

Aaron “Angel” Collins has driven his family and friends away in his quest to learn the truth of Jordan’s fate, leaving only Major General Troy Hart willing to help him. When Jordan miraculously returns, with a spirit more broken than his body, Aaron realizes Hart was really a liar with an agenda of his own. Aaron is unable to take time to heal his own emotional wounds, because he and Jordan learn Hart’s betrayal is even greater than they originally believed, threatening the entire nation. Now the reunited couple must race against time to keep a promise to Jordan’s savior and prevent Hart from bringing terrorism once again to American soil.

**RELEASES MARCH 12TH!!**

 

 

I completely recommend reading the first book in the series Angel’s Hero first, before you start reading this one. That way you can fully understand what is happening in this book.

With the way that Angel’s Hero ended, I couldn’t wait to start reading this book! I have learned that the author is amazing at cliffhangers, but that doesn’t mean that I still enjoy them.

I have to say with this book though; Aaron showed an amazing amount of growth in my opinion. It was amazing to watch as he was dealing with everything yet he still stayed strong and determined. Don’t get me wrong, Jordan was still amazing in this book, but for me personally I enjoyed Aaron’s character a lot more.

I really did like the fact that the author kept the drama going from the first book into this one. As well as expanding upon it in such a way that every question I had from the beginning were answered during the course of this book.

My only complaint with this book would be how quickly everything was settled come the ending of the book. I suppose that I was hoping for more of a bang and it just ended rather quickly for me.

Overall though, I did completely enjoy this book and I can’t wait to see what the author has for us in the future.

 

Now we have the conclusion to Aaron and Jordan’s rocky mystery.  When the first book ended Aaron was trying to re-establish a new normal life after hearing his husband Jordan had been killed in Afghanistan, when someone walked in the back door of the house. Aaron grabbing his weapon went to investigate only to find his husband Jordan in bad physical shape begging him not to shoot. 

After the shock of seeing Jordan alive Aaron got him to the hospital and while he was recovering Jordan explained how Adeela had been his nurse in the POW prison and had helped him escape.  He couldn’t tell the military about her and what she had uncovered because it was a violation of the military code to accept help from the enemy.  He also had to explain that Aaron’s friend Troy was behind this and he had no proof to back his claim.  He was going to have to beg Aaron to just trust him.

Of course Aaron was going to believe his husband, they were connected so deeply, he knew Jordan wasn’t making this up.  We go on the journey with these two men to seek the truth behind Troy’s involvement in time to keep Jordan from being dishonorably discharged from the military for accepting Adeela’s help, which could alone land him in jail once again.  Also dealing with his injuries and the PTSD of the torture he was inflicted with Jordan has to solve this mystery before his father, husband and friend Adeela loses their life.

I loved the ending when the truth has come out and everyone knows what really happen.  The dedication and loyalty both Jordan and Aaron have to Adeela if heartwarming and the love they have for Jordan’s dad was fantastic.  While not all relationships could be repaired from the first book it was nice that the author didn’t leave us hanging, we were able to see where it ended. 

This was another short book in the series but it packs a huge amount of drama and action between the covers.  We not only see the real loving relationship between Jordan and Aaron, we get to find the evidence that is needed to save Jordan while they fight the American government and military.  I was outraged at the policies they had to violate just to prove his innocence but I was in love with the dedication they showed to not only each other but those innocent people in Afghan. 

While this book is about a love story, there is a deeper message in the plot.   What we are asking our military personal to do while not giving them the measures to protect them or have the right to clear their names is insane.  This story is well written and once again you are just drawn in on the first page.  I highly recommend this series and if you are afraid of the m/m sex, rest assured it isn’t graphic, drawn out or distasteful.  The author gave us a very well balanced book that relies on the plot more than the sex.  The message alone is worth any discomfort you might have with the m/m relationship.   

Liz Borino transcribes the world inside her head onto the page, and share it with the people who are stuck in the "real world" to makes their lives a little more interesting. Because in her world, heroes fall and stand up again with the help of their partners and friends. Liz's world is littered with formidable obstacles, which her heroes overcome with a fire of courage and passion. The beauty of love between two men is celebrated. Who wouldn't want to live there?
            When not with her heroes, Liz enjoys exploring cities, working toward social justice, and editing for other authors. Liz is less than three months from obtaining her Masters' degree in English and published nine books since 2010.

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