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Rough Rangers #2
Tuck & Cover
*This title is no longer available for purchase. It has been combined with Battle Buddy and re-released Dreamspinner Press.
Tuck & Cover
You may have read Tuck’s diary entries, but they don’t tell the whole story. Tuck will argue the point, but he definitely got a few details wrong—not that I blame him. He was, if you remember, a little sexually frustrated at the time. He probably wasn’t thinking straight. I’ll never get tired of teasing him about that. Anyway, here’s what really happened.
Rangers lead the way! – Owen
Tuck & Cover
You may have read Tuck’s diary entries, but they don’t tell the whole story. Tuck will argue the point, but he definitely got a few details wrong—not that I blame him. He was, if you remember, a little sexually frustrated at the time. He probably wasn’t thinking straight. I’ll never get tired of teasing him about that. Anyway, here’s what really happened.
Rangers lead the way! – Owen
121 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
S.J.D. Peterson
52 books1,018 followersIt's been an amazing journey since DSP first contracted Lorcan's Desire in January 2011. I've published 2 free reads with the M/M Romance group, my back list is growing, met some great people and have made some amazing friends.
I'm still in shock that I'm listed among the many talented authors at Dreamspinner Press! The little voice in the back of my head is screaming, "You are so out of your league."
Shhhhh I won't tell them if you don't :)
You can call me Jo, everyone does :)
I'm still in shock that I'm listed among the many talented authors at Dreamspinner Press! The little voice in the back of my head is screaming, "You are so out of your league."
Shhhhh I won't tell them if you don't :)
You can call me Jo, everyone does :)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 8, 2013
Awesome!! Owen is just so funny. Having the story told from his POV puts a totally different swing on things. Tuck is a badass, but Owen is THE BADASS. Can't wait for the next installment. Gotta feeling it's gonna get real...real freaking scary, and I can't wait.
July 2, 2013
3.75 Stars. Just... um... gimme a minute to recollect myself...
Right, I've gone for a run and had a cold shower so I may be able to articulate a couple of things.
This little pocket rocket was an easy read which will turn a dreary afternoon into a fun gigglefest. It has the added bonus of some The Steamiest Sex Scenes I've Ever Read. Seriously.
Tuck and Cover is a fantastic follow up to Battle Buddy and merging them together gives us clearer understanding of what made these two 'enthusiastic' alpha military characters tick.
Tuck's perspective was hilariously heated while Owen was down-right desperate and calculating in a 'need-him-right-now' kinda way.
I loved it and I'm eager for the next installment :)
Right, I've gone for a run and had a cold shower so I may be able to articulate a couple of things.
This little pocket rocket was an easy read which will turn a dreary afternoon into a fun gigglefest. It has the added bonus of some The Steamiest Sex Scenes I've Ever Read. Seriously.
Tuck and Cover is a fantastic follow up to Battle Buddy and merging them together gives us clearer understanding of what made these two 'enthusiastic' alpha military characters tick.
Tuck's perspective was hilariously heated while Owen was down-right desperate and calculating in a 'need-him-right-now' kinda way.
I loved it and I'm eager for the next installment :)
November 19, 2012
SJD Peterson’s TUCK AND COVER is the sequel to the first book in the Rough Rangers series, BATTLE BUDDY. I love what she has done with these two books and their POVs, and let me tell you why.
Books told in the first person give you an inside look at the motivations and thoughts of one of the MCs. I’ve read books that use first person for two different characters and if not done very skillfully that can confuse the reader.
BATTLE BUDDY is told in first person from Tuck’s POV. When I read this book and reviewed it I admit I was a little bit tangled up by why Owen joined the Army and why he pursued Tuck, who was always angry at Owen.
Ah ha! Those questions are answered in TUCK AND COVER, which is most of the same ground covered again but this time from Owen’s POV. It was great to see events from a different perspective and see everything coming together.
SJD Peterson remains one of my favorite authors because she has a clear style of writing, develops characters who are so realistic and endearing I want to meet them, and ties everything together with a plot that flows smoothly.
Please see my complete review on Release Day, November 24, 2012 at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
Books told in the first person give you an inside look at the motivations and thoughts of one of the MCs. I’ve read books that use first person for two different characters and if not done very skillfully that can confuse the reader.
BATTLE BUDDY is told in first person from Tuck’s POV. When I read this book and reviewed it I admit I was a little bit tangled up by why Owen joined the Army and why he pursued Tuck, who was always angry at Owen.
Ah ha! Those questions are answered in TUCK AND COVER, which is most of the same ground covered again but this time from Owen’s POV. It was great to see events from a different perspective and see everything coming together.
SJD Peterson remains one of my favorite authors because she has a clear style of writing, develops characters who are so realistic and endearing I want to meet them, and ties everything together with a plot that flows smoothly.
Please see my complete review on Release Day, November 24, 2012 at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
February 8, 2013
4.5 stars. I loved Tuck's version, and I loved Owen's just as much. It is a lot of fun to see the different sides, and, at no time, did I feel I was reliving the same story, even though it basically was. Owen is really funny, and I love watching these two badass rangers falling for each other. Looking forward to the next segment.
December 28, 2012
Just as fabulous as the story told from Tuck's POV. This is really a great author who knows how to pen a completely irresistibly story. Owen has a really unique way of getting his part of the story across. Great sexual tension here - so much fun to read!
December 15, 2012
Hot!
More, please?
More, please?
November 26, 2012
Review can also be found at Under the Covers Book Blog
I absolutely loved this book! “Battle Buddy” was the story of Tuck and Owen meeting and getting together, told from Tuck’s point-of-view (POV). After reading Tuck’s “diary” of events in “Battle Buddy,” Owen decided he wanted his story to be heard as well; hence, us very lucky readers now have “Tuck & Cover.”
For me, I love reading books written in first person POV. I feel like I become more connected to the main character telling the story, and I feel for him/her so much more than I normally do when written in third person POV. Not always, but a lot. The downfall to first person POV, however, is that while we get to hear what other characters might say, or see what they do, we miss out on their thoughts, their insight, and the inner workings of their actions. Well, Peterson has so graciously provided her readers with both. We were able to closely connect with Tuck in “Battle Buddy,” but now in “Tuck & Cover,” we get to hear Owen’s thoughts about falling for Tuck, and all that he was thinking throughout his time in Basic and Rangers’ training, and the processing of his attraction for Tuck.
What I found interesting is that while Owen loved to do things to drive Tuck mad, he was going through some of the same internal grief that we previously saw Tuck having. Owen has known for a long time that he was gay; however, from the time of early childhood, it was engrained in him that he would grow up to be an Army Ranger, and that is what he sets out to do. But his attraction to Tuck has other plans. So as much as he tries to focus on his training, to fulfill his Ranger dreams, Tuck keeps coming to the forefront of his thoughts, and finally, he gives into that attraction.
The beauty of “Tuck & Cover” is that while we get Owen’s POV for a lot we saw in “Battle Buddy,” Owen takes it a little bit further, so we get new aspects to their story as well, and holy hot tamale, are those some fabulous parts!! We see Owen in a role that he doesn’t often portray, but he sums it up so beautifully: “And hey, I found out that day I had a new kink. Power Bottom!” Oh yeah!!!!
In addition to the very, very hot sexy time, we get to see more wonderful development between these amazing fellows. Their chemistry is off the charts, and their antagonistic, but equally playful, interactions are great fun to watch unfold. They are also so very sweet with each other, especially with their non-Christmas presents to each other.
“Tuck & Cover” doesn’t finish the tale for these Rangers, but it ends with a teaser of where their story takes them next. Once again, Peterson does an amazing job in this fabulously told novella, ramps up the hotness factor, and leaves the reader ecstatic with the growth between Tuck and Owen. I am waiting on pins and needles to see what happens next!
I absolutely loved this book! “Battle Buddy” was the story of Tuck and Owen meeting and getting together, told from Tuck’s point-of-view (POV). After reading Tuck’s “diary” of events in “Battle Buddy,” Owen decided he wanted his story to be heard as well; hence, us very lucky readers now have “Tuck & Cover.”
For me, I love reading books written in first person POV. I feel like I become more connected to the main character telling the story, and I feel for him/her so much more than I normally do when written in third person POV. Not always, but a lot. The downfall to first person POV, however, is that while we get to hear what other characters might say, or see what they do, we miss out on their thoughts, their insight, and the inner workings of their actions. Well, Peterson has so graciously provided her readers with both. We were able to closely connect with Tuck in “Battle Buddy,” but now in “Tuck & Cover,” we get to hear Owen’s thoughts about falling for Tuck, and all that he was thinking throughout his time in Basic and Rangers’ training, and the processing of his attraction for Tuck.
What I found interesting is that while Owen loved to do things to drive Tuck mad, he was going through some of the same internal grief that we previously saw Tuck having. Owen has known for a long time that he was gay; however, from the time of early childhood, it was engrained in him that he would grow up to be an Army Ranger, and that is what he sets out to do. But his attraction to Tuck has other plans. So as much as he tries to focus on his training, to fulfill his Ranger dreams, Tuck keeps coming to the forefront of his thoughts, and finally, he gives into that attraction.
The beauty of “Tuck & Cover” is that while we get Owen’s POV for a lot we saw in “Battle Buddy,” Owen takes it a little bit further, so we get new aspects to their story as well, and holy hot tamale, are those some fabulous parts!! We see Owen in a role that he doesn’t often portray, but he sums it up so beautifully: “And hey, I found out that day I had a new kink. Power Bottom!” Oh yeah!!!!
In addition to the very, very hot sexy time, we get to see more wonderful development between these amazing fellows. Their chemistry is off the charts, and their antagonistic, but equally playful, interactions are great fun to watch unfold. They are also so very sweet with each other, especially with their non-Christmas presents to each other.
“Tuck & Cover” doesn’t finish the tale for these Rangers, but it ends with a teaser of where their story takes them next. Once again, Peterson does an amazing job in this fabulously told novella, ramps up the hotness factor, and leaves the reader ecstatic with the growth between Tuck and Owen. I am waiting on pins and needles to see what happens next!
December 28, 2012
Wow, these MC's are so hot together that my kindle started smokin'! This is the continuing story of Tuck and Owen, told from Owen's POV. The beginning is a re-tell of the story covered by Tuck in Battle Buddy but from Owen's POV. But this one continues beyond the end of the first one and shows Owen struggling to forget Tuck so that he can focus on his career, then struggling to cope with the fact that he just can't forget Tuck. The feelings are likely mutual since Tuck contacts him to arrange holiday leave together.
When the guys get together for a two week leave at Christmas, they literally tear the clothes off each other. The moments together are hot, sweet, tender, loving and memorable. They give each other personal gifts, both mumbling that, of course they are not Christmas gifts, both trying to cover their sentimental side.
The promise of a future together lingers at the end of the story and the reader is left with hope that these two tough guys, going into danger as Army Rangers, will find their happiness as a couple.
When the guys get together for a two week leave at Christmas, they literally tear the clothes off each other. The moments together are hot, sweet, tender, loving and memorable. They give each other personal gifts, both mumbling that, of course they are not Christmas gifts, both trying to cover their sentimental side.
The promise of a future together lingers at the end of the story and the reader is left with hope that these two tough guys, going into danger as Army Rangers, will find their happiness as a couple.
November 8, 2012
I love these guys and Tuck and Cover did not disappoint.
Another goodread in the Rough Rangers series. I don’t know how Jo does it but the feelings shared and love not to mention HOT love scenes are wonderful.
The way she incorporated the title into the story really choked me up.
Thanks Jo.
Another goodread in the Rough Rangers series. I don’t know how Jo does it but the feelings shared and love not to mention HOT love scenes are wonderful.
The way she incorporated the title into the story really choked me up.
Thanks Jo.
December 3, 2012
Guh. Owen and Tuck. Love them. This was the PERFECT follow up to Battle Buddy. Didn't want it to be over.
Read
November 25, 2012Very well done, Ms Peterson. Keep up the good work!
November 28, 2012
Aww, I love these guys! I am so looking forward to reading the next book!!
November 22, 2012
Part Two was every bit as good as part One. Perhaps better because I seriously love Owen. He's cocky, sexy, arrogant...the perfect Alpha male.
Even if he thinks putt-putt is not a sport!
Even if he thinks putt-putt is not a sport!
November 24, 2012
4 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Owen Bradford is now giving us his side of what happened when he first met Shane Tucker, from the first second that he laid eyes on Shane all the way to a blissful Christmas holiday, explaining everything from his point of view.
Woo-wee get ready to fan yourself down as we join this very horny young man, Owen Bradford, as he takes us back to his first meeting with Shane Tucker and his steady pursuit whenever he laid eyes on the sexy man. Owen wants to set the record straight, while Shane’s diary is pretty accurate there are one or two things that Owen wants cleared up… just so we all know the truth. As we journey back to the first time Owen saw Shane, we see a brash, cocky young man who set his sights on a man he lusts after and we see how his feelings change over time.
Well what can I say but hot damn, Owen you are one cock sure honey who completely gets what he wants. This time around it is Owen’s turn to tell us how his relationship with Shane started and how it all really was in his eyes, from the first flush of lust that nearly knocks him on his arse to the harsh realisations of enduring a forbidden longing all the way to finally getting his man. Owen has always worked hard for what he wants, he might be brash and cocky but he is good at what he does, and after catching sight of Shane for the first time he decides he wants that man and goes about getting him.
Owen is completely full on in this story and you swagger through every page with him, Owen and Shane are two men that together could overpower you with their testosterone, they are both macho men who love what they do but they also love men, and putting them together is asking for passionate, primal sex as both clash as their lust gets the better of them. Seeing things from Owen’s point of view is great as we get to see inside his head as he himself struggle with the feelings that Shane evoked, the background that has led him into the Rangers, and the determination to be the best of the best, all the while knowing that to be gay was still taboo in the army. Oh and when they exchange gifts *squee* so cute and sweet, it melted my heart.
I have to recommend this to those who love army men who get hot and sweaty, primal hot sweaty sex, passionate sex, getting to know Owen better and the faint stirrings of hope for our horny young Rangers.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Owen Bradford is now giving us his side of what happened when he first met Shane Tucker, from the first second that he laid eyes on Shane all the way to a blissful Christmas holiday, explaining everything from his point of view.
Woo-wee get ready to fan yourself down as we join this very horny young man, Owen Bradford, as he takes us back to his first meeting with Shane Tucker and his steady pursuit whenever he laid eyes on the sexy man. Owen wants to set the record straight, while Shane’s diary is pretty accurate there are one or two things that Owen wants cleared up… just so we all know the truth. As we journey back to the first time Owen saw Shane, we see a brash, cocky young man who set his sights on a man he lusts after and we see how his feelings change over time.
Well what can I say but hot damn, Owen you are one cock sure honey who completely gets what he wants. This time around it is Owen’s turn to tell us how his relationship with Shane started and how it all really was in his eyes, from the first flush of lust that nearly knocks him on his arse to the harsh realisations of enduring a forbidden longing all the way to finally getting his man. Owen has always worked hard for what he wants, he might be brash and cocky but he is good at what he does, and after catching sight of Shane for the first time he decides he wants that man and goes about getting him.
Owen is completely full on in this story and you swagger through every page with him, Owen and Shane are two men that together could overpower you with their testosterone, they are both macho men who love what they do but they also love men, and putting them together is asking for passionate, primal sex as both clash as their lust gets the better of them. Seeing things from Owen’s point of view is great as we get to see inside his head as he himself struggle with the feelings that Shane evoked, the background that has led him into the Rangers, and the determination to be the best of the best, all the while knowing that to be gay was still taboo in the army. Oh and when they exchange gifts *squee* so cute and sweet, it melted my heart.
I have to recommend this to those who love army men who get hot and sweaty, primal hot sweaty sex, passionate sex, getting to know Owen better and the faint stirrings of hope for our horny young Rangers.
November 29, 2012
This second installment of Tuck and Owen was a surprise in a few different ways. The first and second reason being that I didn't know there would be more to their story ... and this one is double the length of Battle Buddy. Which is awesome because the third surprise that the first half is Owen's retelling of the first book.
Touching on Owen's POV ... very cool idea done very well. Just as no two people will have the same memory or perspective on the very same event, neither do fictional characters. Because we already know how Tuck felt about the whole thing, it was a lot of fun to see Owen's take. I found the whole thing to be charming, informative, and successful. Especially since Owen is more experienced and more sure of his life in general and isn't nearly as stressed out as Tuck is. Tuck called Owen cocky in book one, but in book two you are able to see it as confidence.
So ... in the first half or so, a lot of the fixed events matched up even if some of the particulars were a little different. We got to see Owen's background and an interesting, darker bit of sidestory that was only hinted at in one or two lines of book one. And we got to see Owen just play with Tuck; poor Tuck, the guy was such a bundle of raw nerves, lust and fire. The whole thing was just as good the second time around.
The second half was pretty great, too. Nice transition to the new stuff. Now that they had gotten together, what now? This stayed pretty true to military life in which very few things are certain and the boys did the best they could. The story had quite a few touching moments to satisfy the die-hard romantics, but never seemed over played. It was real, it was sexy, and it was highly entertaining.
And the ending left no doubt that there is much more planned. This makes me very happy.
Touching on Owen's POV ... very cool idea done very well. Just as no two people will have the same memory or perspective on the very same event, neither do fictional characters. Because we already know how Tuck felt about the whole thing, it was a lot of fun to see Owen's take. I found the whole thing to be charming, informative, and successful. Especially since Owen is more experienced and more sure of his life in general and isn't nearly as stressed out as Tuck is. Tuck called Owen cocky in book one, but in book two you are able to see it as confidence.
So ... in the first half or so, a lot of the fixed events matched up even if some of the particulars were a little different. We got to see Owen's background and an interesting, darker bit of sidestory that was only hinted at in one or two lines of book one. And we got to see Owen just play with Tuck; poor Tuck, the guy was such a bundle of raw nerves, lust and fire. The whole thing was just as good the second time around.
The second half was pretty great, too. Nice transition to the new stuff. Now that they had gotten together, what now? This stayed pretty true to military life in which very few things are certain and the boys did the best they could. The story had quite a few touching moments to satisfy the die-hard romantics, but never seemed over played. It was real, it was sexy, and it was highly entertaining.
And the ending left no doubt that there is much more planned. This makes me very happy.
December 27, 2012
In this installment in the Rough Rangers series, the author retells the Battle Buddies story, but flips it so that it is Owen's perspective that is told and in so doing there are some extra scenes and new pieces added to the puzzle not to mention some events might have happened differently than was previously thought. It also takes the story just a bit further along the plot trail leaving it again at an exciting moment.
The other one was a good story that I enjoyed a lot, but I finished it thinking that I sure wished that I could have had Owen's thoughts during each of those teasing and irritating encounters between the two guys. Well along comes this book and- wish granted.
Though still amusing, Owen's perspective digs a little deeper into feelings and character development. I like how the voices were so different and fit right with what I imagined of each of these characters.
Enjoyable stories that have me looking forward to the next book in the series.
The other one was a good story that I enjoyed a lot, but I finished it thinking that I sure wished that I could have had Owen's thoughts during each of those teasing and irritating encounters between the two guys. Well along comes this book and- wish granted.
Though still amusing, Owen's perspective digs a little deeper into feelings and character development. I like how the voices were so different and fit right with what I imagined of each of these characters.
Enjoyable stories that have me looking forward to the next book in the series.
December 9, 2012
Not so much a sequel as Owen's point of view of the events of Battle Buddy - with some really good additional chapters that take place after Battle Buddy. Getting to see the events from Owen's POV was fascinating. And hot! I really liked the ending - even though it's a bit of a cliffhanger. But I'm excited that there will be a third book for Tuck and Owen :D
November 28, 2012
It was great to hear the events this time from Owen's POV. Doesn't matter who's telling the story though, these guys were clearly combustible together. And their Christmas gifts to each other made me go awwwww, especially since the gifts showed how much Owen and Tuck really wished they could be together but would have to settle for stolen moments instead. Loved the ending and was really happy to see that a third book is coming soon. Until then, carry on soldiers!
December 11, 2012
Here is Owen's side of the story. Readers hear the re-telling of Tuck and Owen's Army Ranger training from Owen's POV. So fun to hear his perspective - very much like when a couple each tell a story just a little bit different. Owen takes us a step further as we see the couple truly connect. There's a definite possibility of HEA but I WANT TO KNOW MORE! I adored these two men.
January 10, 2013
More! We need to have a full-on complete book about these two. Left me hanging, again! I love Tuck and Owen. These two are so alpha and macho and smoking hot. They don't want to need eachother but we don't get what we want much, huh? So perfect!
October 10, 2014
I'm so pleased I finally read this. I love military storylines and this lived up to my expectations. I'd love to know more of these two 'buddies'. Whilst I'm sure they will always be together, I can't imagine that the journey will be easy...
December 11, 2012
When's the third out?
August 3, 2013
4.5 stars
The novella Tuck & Cover is a rerelease of two separate stories as indicated above in the blurb write-up. By pairing the two, author SJD Peterson, sets up an amusing foil in the vein of a "point/counterpoint" with the character of Shane Tucker "Tuck" relating his viewpoint first and the ever cocky and over achieving Owen Bradford responding.
I must say, this was a very clever move by the author. First, the author makes the great choice of choosing to first introduce the slightly naive Tuck, a country boy who thought he had army life fairly figured out only to find it was near impossibly hard on both body and spirit. He is so very young--just 19 and a virgin to boot. Gay in a time when the army did not want to see or hear it had a gay contingency in its midst, Tuck falls hard and fast in lust with Owen.
Owen was born military. His grandfather and father, both former army men, raised Owen in an atmosphere that had him eating, breathing and sleeping the military life from a very young age. His goals were clear--be the best, be a Ranger, come out on top--always. Then he saw Tuck get off the bus at basic training and his world turned upside down.
The lust between the two men was palpable and the nonstop humorous situations where they were paired up as "battle buddies" frequent. However, Owen played the straight man well, being used to hiding who he was from his family, and Tuck took offense often where none was intended. The result is one near sexual miss after another and miscommunication became the norm, until their long awaited two week leave where Owen's persistence pays off by tracking Tuck down to set his Ranger straight.
There were two really standout elements in this delightful duet. First, the pacing was near perfect. We were tossed into rapid fire vignettes in the first story where we heard and understood Tuck's point of view. Later in the second installment those same situations were given a bit more flesh by allowing us to see them through Owen's eyes. Here, humor was layered over the heated and, ofttimes, angry responses by Tuck and the scenes were broadened, allowing us to learn just a bit more about each character. Due to the wildly different viewpoints of each man, the flavor of each moment only deepened and grew richer, making the story seem more complete with the retelling.
The second brilliant move, in my opinion, was not resolving the story line. Now before you get worried, there is a definite HFN (happy for now) ending but the author keeps this novella firmly on the side of reality. This was a tale of two soldiers in an era where being gay in the army meant possible court marshall and definite dishonorable discharge--in other words, shame and disgrace. Neither of these men would ever settle for that--not for themselves or for each other. Plus deployment was imminent and for them to blithely sail off into the sunset in love and happy simply would have not been realistic. Instead the author made a brave move and allowed the rangers to be exactly what they had trained to be--army men who chose to stand and fight. In short, that decision made the story that much better.
Perhaps the only less than shiny spot in these stories was the slight underdevelopment of the secondary characters--in particular Thompson, who obviously figured out that Owen was gay and lusting after Tuck. I felt like this was a missed opportunity to add a bit of danger to the story--give us a keener idea of how pervasive DADT was and how it ran Owen and Tuck's lives. However, this was really a minor point and didn't impact my enjoyment of the story much at all.
Overall, if you are in the mood for a hot and amusing tale of two army buddies, then Tuck & Cover by SJD Peterson is the book for you! I enjoyed it immensely and hope you do as well!
The novella Tuck & Cover is a rerelease of two separate stories as indicated above in the blurb write-up. By pairing the two, author SJD Peterson, sets up an amusing foil in the vein of a "point/counterpoint" with the character of Shane Tucker "Tuck" relating his viewpoint first and the ever cocky and over achieving Owen Bradford responding.
I must say, this was a very clever move by the author. First, the author makes the great choice of choosing to first introduce the slightly naive Tuck, a country boy who thought he had army life fairly figured out only to find it was near impossibly hard on both body and spirit. He is so very young--just 19 and a virgin to boot. Gay in a time when the army did not want to see or hear it had a gay contingency in its midst, Tuck falls hard and fast in lust with Owen.
Owen was born military. His grandfather and father, both former army men, raised Owen in an atmosphere that had him eating, breathing and sleeping the military life from a very young age. His goals were clear--be the best, be a Ranger, come out on top--always. Then he saw Tuck get off the bus at basic training and his world turned upside down.
The lust between the two men was palpable and the nonstop humorous situations where they were paired up as "battle buddies" frequent. However, Owen played the straight man well, being used to hiding who he was from his family, and Tuck took offense often where none was intended. The result is one near sexual miss after another and miscommunication became the norm, until their long awaited two week leave where Owen's persistence pays off by tracking Tuck down to set his Ranger straight.
There were two really standout elements in this delightful duet. First, the pacing was near perfect. We were tossed into rapid fire vignettes in the first story where we heard and understood Tuck's point of view. Later in the second installment those same situations were given a bit more flesh by allowing us to see them through Owen's eyes. Here, humor was layered over the heated and, ofttimes, angry responses by Tuck and the scenes were broadened, allowing us to learn just a bit more about each character. Due to the wildly different viewpoints of each man, the flavor of each moment only deepened and grew richer, making the story seem more complete with the retelling.
The second brilliant move, in my opinion, was not resolving the story line. Now before you get worried, there is a definite HFN (happy for now) ending but the author keeps this novella firmly on the side of reality. This was a tale of two soldiers in an era where being gay in the army meant possible court marshall and definite dishonorable discharge--in other words, shame and disgrace. Neither of these men would ever settle for that--not for themselves or for each other. Plus deployment was imminent and for them to blithely sail off into the sunset in love and happy simply would have not been realistic. Instead the author made a brave move and allowed the rangers to be exactly what they had trained to be--army men who chose to stand and fight. In short, that decision made the story that much better.
Perhaps the only less than shiny spot in these stories was the slight underdevelopment of the secondary characters--in particular Thompson, who obviously figured out that Owen was gay and lusting after Tuck. I felt like this was a missed opportunity to add a bit of danger to the story--give us a keener idea of how pervasive DADT was and how it ran Owen and Tuck's lives. However, this was really a minor point and didn't impact my enjoyment of the story much at all.
Overall, if you are in the mood for a hot and amusing tale of two army buddies, then Tuck & Cover by SJD Peterson is the book for you! I enjoyed it immensely and hope you do as well!
January 11, 2013
I am not usually a fan of stories that are just a re-telling from a different character's POV (like Midnight Sun) but the way that Ms. Peterson crafted this retelling and Owen's cocksure personality made this story work for me. Plus you get the added bonus of finding out what happens after the two day pass.
I laughed more through this story because of Owens "voice". His perspective was much more in the know on everything and because he is having fun I did too. I also enjoyed learning more about Owen and his background and it made his character seem more real. I come from a military family and understand that sense of duty and respect that comes from that environment.
What I loved about this book is seeing the development of their attraction grow from lust to an actual caring and real feelings towards each other. Both are rugged, raw, alpha men, but that doesn't men that they don't care as deeply as any other man. And when they come together at Christmas after being away from each other for an extended period of time you better make sure that you aren't near anything flammable, because they are SMOKIN HOT!
So if you have been a good girl or boy and are looking for a treat then I suggest you pick up both Battle Buddy and Tuck & Cover, but don't wait for Santa get them now!
I laughed more through this story because of Owens "voice". His perspective was much more in the know on everything and because he is having fun I did too. I also enjoyed learning more about Owen and his background and it made his character seem more real. I come from a military family and understand that sense of duty and respect that comes from that environment.
What I loved about this book is seeing the development of their attraction grow from lust to an actual caring and real feelings towards each other. Both are rugged, raw, alpha men, but that doesn't men that they don't care as deeply as any other man. And when they come together at Christmas after being away from each other for an extended period of time you better make sure that you aren't near anything flammable, because they are SMOKIN HOT!
So if you have been a good girl or boy and are looking for a treat then I suggest you pick up both Battle Buddy and Tuck & Cover, but don't wait for Santa get them now!
July 23, 2015
The number of run-on sentences in this book is astounding. She uses a lot of dashes.
This was where we finally got to shoot our rifles, toss grenades, master grenade launchers, practice using bayonets—yes, we really did yell “stab, stab,kill, kill”—and were introduced to antitank weapons and a shitload of other heavy weapons.
Also, it's about two guys who use confusion over their sexuality as an excuse to be complete dicks to each other, until they suddenly decide they are in love. Of course, they decide they are in love based completely on the fact that they are attracted to each other, because they don't actually speak more than a few words to each other before that pronouncement.
Bad behavior + sex = true love.
This was where we finally got to shoot our rifles, toss grenades, master grenade launchers, practice using bayonets—yes, we really did yell “stab, stab,kill, kill”—and were introduced to antitank weapons and a shitload of other heavy weapons.
Also, it's about two guys who use confusion over their sexuality as an excuse to be complete dicks to each other, until they suddenly decide they are in love. Of course, they decide they are in love based completely on the fact that they are attracted to each other, because they don't actually speak more than a few words to each other before that pronouncement.
Bad behavior + sex = true love.
January 19, 2013
3.75 stars
Much better writing in this one while still being in the 1st person POV. Owen gives you a more complete picture of the story and ups the "romance" aspect. The two books are definitely companion peices and should be read together. The end of this one left me feeling like one day there just might be a HEA for the two of them and wanting to continue the series and see where their story takes them.
Much better writing in this one while still being in the 1st person POV. Owen gives you a more complete picture of the story and ups the "romance" aspect. The two books are definitely companion peices and should be read together. The end of this one left me feeling like one day there just might be a HEA for the two of them and wanting to continue the series and see where their story takes them.
November 26, 2012
Owen was a fine character, but I missed Tucker's POV more. Owen was to cocky and to pushy in my oppinion. I loved "Battle Buddy" it was full of humor, and Tuck's POV was hilarious. Now we got some extra informations from Owen's point of view, but it wasn't as good as the first part.
January 24, 2013
I reviewed this together with its predecessor, Battle Buddy. See the combined review here.
December 1, 2012
3.5 stars
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