Love Runs Deep
by Gail
Chianese
GENRE: Contemporary
Romance
BLURB:
Active duty is no
time for romance, but when two naval officers find themselves in truly close
quarters on the USS California, the temptation to fraternize is hard to resist.
Can two ambitious sailors follow orders long enough to see if love is on the
horizon when they’re finally above water?
Lieutenant Nic Riley
is the only girl in a long-time Navy family, and she’s determined to prove
she’s just as seaworthy as her brothers. When she aces training for submarine
duty, it calls for a celebration—and one incredibly hot guy is happy to party
with her all night long. But when Nic boards the sub and finds herself face to
face with her hunky fling, the idea of spending six months underwater takes on
a whole new meaning . . .
Having a girl in
every port was Lieutenant Kyle Hutchinson’s style—until the explosive night he
spent with Nic. Dating onboard is firmly off limits, but Kyle can’t get her off
his mind much less out of his vicinity—until a junior seaman’s devastating
stunt puts Nic’s career in danger. Kyle won’t let her take the heat alone, even
when it means risking his own reputation, but fighting for a future together
will be a whole new battle . . .
EXCERPT:
“We have one last order of business
before you can get back to work. As you all know, Lieutenant West was in a
serious accident last week. He’s been upgraded to stable and the docs believe
he’ll be released in the next couple of days to rehab. The spouses group has
pulled together and has been and will continue to be a big help to Cecilia West
and the kids while he makes his recovery. With that said, we’re short a supply
officer. Or were until this morning.”
The CO paused and set down his mug,
but didn’t release it.
Kyle tilted his head toward Mace.
“What’s up with the Captain? He doesn’t’ usually stand during these things,” he
whispered.
“No clue. He’s been in rare form all
day.”
The CO looked up and met Kyle’s
gaze. With hands relaxed on his hips, Commander Holloway glanced at all of the
men before continuing.
“There weren’t a lot of options on
such short notice, but PERS did present me with an interesting option. One that
will put the California in the history books. We’re stealing one of the
Trident’s female officers.”
The room broke out into cheers.
There was nothing a fast-attack crew liked more than to stick it to a Trident
sub. The CO broke out into a smile and let his guys get their good-natured
comments out before continuing.
He used his hands to quiet the room
back down. “Okay, settle down. Obviously, with such short notice, we’ve got
some shifting to do to accommodate everyone Gatlin, you’re in with Hutchinson
and Havers.”
Bryant groaned. “They snore.”
“That’s what earplugs are for,” one
of the junior officers teased.
“Master Chief Ronquillo will work
out a schedule for the aft head for showers. I want it stressed to each and
every man under you that when the “Women Only” sign is up, they respect it. I
will not have this boat be the center of scandal because some young pup got a
wild hair. Am I understood?
“Yes, sir,” came from all in the
room.
“Some of you may recognize the name,
Lieutenant Lily Riley. For those of you who don’t, she’s the daughter of Vice
Admiral Riley. The last thing I need is SUBLANT breathing down my neck.”
Instead of more applause or
cheering, the CO’s announcement was met with pure silence. They had stolen the
Golden Goose, at least according to Kyle’s buddy Tom, the weapons officer on
the USS Alaska. As far as Kyle was concerned the Tridents could have her.
Having the only daughter on the man who ran the entire Atlantic submarine force
on board was asking for a headache. Sure, if the mission went well and baby
girl reported back to Daddy good things, then no problem. They might even get
an extra medal out of it. If things didn’t go so well?
The Commanding Officer could kiss
his career goodbye, and so could every other officer and the Chief of the Boat.
The rest of the wardroom broke into
various small conversations while the CO and COB consulted on the schedule.
Bryant leaned over to look at him
and Mace. “Either of you met the Rileys?”
Kyle shook his head and looked at
Mace.
“Served with Liam, the oldest of the
three kids. Decent guy. Big guy. Should have played linebacker. I think he’s
out best, Bangor or San Diego. Never met the others, but Liam mentioned her a
few times.”
Which told Kyle squat about the
woman herself, only that she was protected by her family.
“Lieutenant Hutchinson, I’m
assigning you as Riley’s sponsor. Make sure she gets settled in. Between you
and the COB, I expect her to feel like one of the crew. Get her through her
quals. You know the drill.”
“Yes, sir.” AS her sponsor she’d
practically be in his pocket until she got settled in. He really hoped she was
a fast learner.
The XO, Christopher Ward, who was
the exact opposite of the CO, stepped through the door and every eye turned in
his direction. Kyle’s heart slammed against his rib cage twice and then failed
to start again as he looked at the woman peeking around than man. A petite
woman, with dark, almond-shaped eyes, a scattering of freckles and silky hair
that he’d been dreaming of for days.
“Sir, gentlemen. Our new supply
officer, Lieutenant Lily Riley.”
Her eyes locked on to Kyle’s. Images
of her screaming his name pierced his brain.
It’s going to be a long six months,
he thought.
AUTHOR BIO:
Gail
Chianese's love of reading began at the tender age of three, when she'd make
her grandpa read Fourteen Country Rabbits over and over and over again (and
correct him when he skipped parts). While she's branched out over the years by
reading mystery, women’s fiction, and urban fantasy, she always circles back to
romance in the end. That's probably because she's married to her real life
hero. Her wonderful hubby has served in the US Navy for the past twenty two
years and he’s done things he can’t tell her about. But it doesn’t stop her
from being extremely proud of him and the sacrifices he makes for her, his
family, and his country. He’s also uber-supportive of her dreams and of their
three children. Living in Mystic, CT and a member of Connecticut Romance
Writers of America, Gail loves to hear from readers.
Author
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2 comments:
Thanks for hosting!
Thank you Avid Reader for hosting and the review.
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