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Falling For Him #1
Falling For You
Deployed Army Staff Sergeant Justin Hauten is having a somewhat interesting day.
His company commander goes crazy and shoots him. Two "alleged" CIA agents ambush him and his buddy, Specialist Sean "Nebraska" Walker, and derail a sensitive mission. And then there's the love letters he's been getting from another male in his company. Secret love letters that make Justin imagine the possibilities.
Can Justin fall in love as the most insane things happen to him, from kidnappings, a fearless sidekick that tells the most outrages tall-tales, to secret camera images, to a hyper, yet dimwitted, crazy ex-girlfriend?
Find out in this Episodic Love Story set in the backdrop of Afghanistan and Fort Hood, Texas...
______________________________
Need some fine print?
* This is an updated and new-and-improved version of a previous book called DESIRE. Same story, new cover, but edited. If you have already read DESIRE, first--Thank you, and second, the story is not different.
* This is a love story with steamy love scenes between two men. But it's also a love story and one that I would not classify as "Erotica" -- though it has one erotic scene near the end. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being "vanilla" and 5 being "this is so hot, I'm dying"; I would rate this a 3.
* This series has been published in "Episodic Form" aka, Installments. This means Novella #1 isn't the complete story. It stops at a good spot (cliffhanger), but not at the final conclusion. I know this bothers some folks, so I feel it is best to be upfront about it. This particular novella is about 50 pages long.
***
Other books in the FALLING FOR HIM Series:
Hungry For You, Book 2
Ready For You, Book 3 (the final book)
His company commander goes crazy and shoots him. Two "alleged" CIA agents ambush him and his buddy, Specialist Sean "Nebraska" Walker, and derail a sensitive mission. And then there's the love letters he's been getting from another male in his company. Secret love letters that make Justin imagine the possibilities.
Can Justin fall in love as the most insane things happen to him, from kidnappings, a fearless sidekick that tells the most outrages tall-tales, to secret camera images, to a hyper, yet dimwitted, crazy ex-girlfriend?
Find out in this Episodic Love Story set in the backdrop of Afghanistan and Fort Hood, Texas...
______________________________
Need some fine print?
* This is an updated and new-and-improved version of a previous book called DESIRE. Same story, new cover, but edited. If you have already read DESIRE, first--Thank you, and second, the story is not different.
* This is a love story with steamy love scenes between two men. But it's also a love story and one that I would not classify as "Erotica" -- though it has one erotic scene near the end. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being "vanilla" and 5 being "this is so hot, I'm dying"; I would rate this a 3.
* This series has been published in "Episodic Form" aka, Installments. This means Novella #1 isn't the complete story. It stops at a good spot (cliffhanger), but not at the final conclusion. I know this bothers some folks, so I feel it is best to be upfront about it. This particular novella is about 50 pages long.
***
Other books in the FALLING FOR HIM Series:
Hungry For You, Book 2
Ready For You, Book 3 (the final book)
89 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2012
About the author
Kelly Washington
45 books39 followersA third-generation soldier, Kelly Washington isn’t afraid to push boundaries in real life and in her fiction. Regardless the genre--fantasy, science fiction, or romance--her writing style packs a powerful punch by featuring strong and independent, yet flawed, characters.
She’s the author of the Falling for Him trilogy, the four-volume fantasy series, Reclaimed Souls, several Moira Rothrock novellas (Unlocking the Devil), a stand-alone military romance novel, Collide Into You, and Claiming the Heart of Vraithe, a bonkers science fiction alien romance.
Her short fiction has appeared in spillover mag, Fahmidan Journal, Pulp House Fiction Magazine, Kaleidotrope, Heart’s Kiss, Fiction River, and in more than a dozen anthologies throughout her writing career. Her short story, “The American Flag of Sergeant Hale Schofield” was a 2016 Year’s Best Crime and Mystery Story. She was also an Assistant Editor for the inaugural issue of “Tales from the Year Between, Vol 1: Achten Tan Land of Dust and Bone.”
When Kelly isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her family in Virginia. You can find her on the web at, www.kellywashington.com and on Twitter and Instagram @kellywashwrites.
She’s the author of the Falling for Him trilogy, the four-volume fantasy series, Reclaimed Souls, several Moira Rothrock novellas (Unlocking the Devil), a stand-alone military romance novel, Collide Into You, and Claiming the Heart of Vraithe, a bonkers science fiction alien romance.
Her short fiction has appeared in spillover mag, Fahmidan Journal, Pulp House Fiction Magazine, Kaleidotrope, Heart’s Kiss, Fiction River, and in more than a dozen anthologies throughout her writing career. Her short story, “The American Flag of Sergeant Hale Schofield” was a 2016 Year’s Best Crime and Mystery Story. She was also an Assistant Editor for the inaugural issue of “Tales from the Year Between, Vol 1: Achten Tan Land of Dust and Bone.”
When Kelly isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her family in Virginia. You can find her on the web at, www.kellywashington.com and on Twitter and Instagram @kellywashwrites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 29, 2018
3.0 Stars
Well, it's a good thing I picked this up from Amazon for free because if I'd paid for it I'd have been pissed. The book actually ended at around the 50% mark (according to my Kindle) with the intro for book 2 and additional author promo making up the rest of the page count...and that was a disappointment.
Because, oddly enough, the beginning of the story had me hooked. I LOVED the idea of a secret, love-letter writing admirer penning words so erotic, so evocative and relatively romantic just getting under the skin of this tough, rugged soldier and making him question everything. Especially who they might be from.
Of course right away I was kind of hoping that it was Nebraska, that the brash, over-bearing rough-neck act was hiding a softer, kinder soul and using that loud personality to protect a gentle heart. Yeah, turns out? Not so much. Instead it's someone entirely out of left field, who has not spent the better part of this (or any other deployment) with Justin, getting to know him well enough, deeply enough, to fall in love with him. So, that kind of makes the letters seem stalkery, hindsight being 20/20 and all. (Edited to add: Obviously I didn't read the summary here or else I'd have known it wasn't Nebraska right away. That'll learn me, eh?)
But I was willing to roll with it because maybe there was more to their story and Justin just hadn't revealed the extent of their previous interactions or something. Still confused about the mystery element of having Justin's CO turn out to be either crazy or desperately hiding something, but again - willing to roll with it. I kind of liked not knowing what the hell was happening, not being able to guess motives and anticipate characters' actions; it was a refreshing departure from what I'm used to in many respects when it comes to most who-dun-its I find myself reading.
Yeah, that didn't last long...because The Cray got dialed up to Eleven, I'm still confused, there's no resolution in sight and where I was enjoying Nebraska's antics before? Well, yeah. Not so much now. (Why is that extraneous bit with him trying to impress & then woo the reporter even included? What was the point?)
So, as I mentioned the last half of the contents included the intro for part 2...and like watching reality TV, I don't really want to see what actually happens, but I'm dying to KNOW what happens. Which means I guess I'll probably end up reading it. Hopefully getting some answers to just what in the hell is going on...because either these guys are the most inept CIA agents to ever exist or something else is going on. Color me intrigued. Not enough to read it right away, but at some point. Probably. Maybe.
Well, it's a good thing I picked this up from Amazon for free because if I'd paid for it I'd have been pissed. The book actually ended at around the 50% mark (according to my Kindle) with the intro for book 2 and additional author promo making up the rest of the page count...and that was a disappointment.
Because, oddly enough, the beginning of the story had me hooked. I LOVED the idea of a secret, love-letter writing admirer penning words so erotic, so evocative and relatively romantic just getting under the skin of this tough, rugged soldier and making him question everything. Especially who they might be from.
Of course right away I was kind of hoping that it was Nebraska, that the brash, over-bearing rough-neck act was hiding a softer, kinder soul and using that loud personality to protect a gentle heart. Yeah, turns out? Not so much. Instead it's someone entirely out of left field, who has not spent the better part of this (or any other deployment) with Justin, getting to know him well enough, deeply enough, to fall in love with him. So, that kind of makes the letters seem stalkery, hindsight being 20/20 and all. (Edited to add: Obviously I didn't read the summary here or else I'd have known it wasn't Nebraska right away. That'll learn me, eh?)
But I was willing to roll with it because maybe there was more to their story and Justin just hadn't revealed the extent of their previous interactions or something. Still confused about the mystery element of having Justin's CO turn out to be either crazy or desperately hiding something, but again - willing to roll with it. I kind of liked not knowing what the hell was happening, not being able to guess motives and anticipate characters' actions; it was a refreshing departure from what I'm used to in many respects when it comes to most who-dun-its I find myself reading.
Yeah, that didn't last long...because The Cray got dialed up to Eleven, I'm still confused, there's no resolution in sight and where I was enjoying Nebraska's antics before? Well, yeah. Not so much now. (Why is that extraneous bit with him trying to impress & then woo the reporter even included? What was the point?)
So, as I mentioned the last half of the contents included the intro for part 2...and like watching reality TV, I don't really want to see what actually happens, but I'm dying to KNOW what happens. Which means I guess I'll probably end up reading it. Hopefully getting some answers to just what in the hell is going on...because either these guys are the most inept CIA agents to ever exist or something else is going on. Color me intrigued. Not enough to read it right away, but at some point. Probably. Maybe.
April 17, 2016
Review of all three books.
Nope, nope, nope! Ridiculous story line, boring side story about a conspiracy and the author put the wrong two men together. Very disappointing.
Cannot recommend
Nope, nope, nope! Ridiculous story line, boring side story about a conspiracy and the author put the wrong two men together. Very disappointing.
Cannot recommend
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December 19, 2020
For a brief moment, this story had potential. Courted through anonymous love letters could have made a wonderful OFY/bisexual self-discovery plot. But I can't describe the writing style other than 'confusing' at best. It's horrible. A sub plot is introduced and I have no clue what it is about. CIA agent kidnaps the Hero at gunpoint and takes him to - a police station. Wait, what? Why? And how's that 'kidnapping'? Turns out I couldn't care less since the story abruptly ends at 50% of the book's length. The rest of it is author promo. And by now I'm annoyed of how the author have chopped up a continuous story into three 'books'. Not reading beyond book 1 does not provide anywhere near a complete story. It's deceiving the readers to package these 40 pages of mere parts of a story as a book. I see no other reason for the author to have done this other than try to make more money out of her readers. Which isn't very nice behaviour. For me, the outcome of all this is simple. I will never read another Kelly Washington book ever again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2014
Wow! This far exceeded by expectations. I found the secret letters to be very erotic. And there's a bit of a mystery going on as well. Nebraska is hilarious and I love how he can joke around with Justin about his secret male admirer.
April 10, 2014
2.5 Hesitant Stars
Now, I may be way off of the mark here, but I'm going to voice my opinion and hope I don't hurt feelings but possibly help this author out a bit. I hope.
I was immediately pulled into the story in the first couple of pages. The storyline where a soldier is receiving anonymous, steamy love letter from someone immediately made me want to devour this novella. What happened? The author threw in a second conflict/storyline or twist or whatever the hell you want to call it. I don't particularly think it was needed and it damn sure wasn't needed when the execution falls flat/untrue. I completely lost focus on the original storyline. The beginning was good but it could have been enhanced with more turmoil within the MC with being attracted to the suggestive letters from a man. I wasn't sure if he KNEW he was bi or if this was going to be a GFY plot or what. Anyway, that storyline should be all this encompasses along with the struggle within one man being attracted to another. JMHO.
After thinking about this, I feel I need to explain a little better. The first storyline was enough to sit down and put the effort in to write an honest story. The author didn't need to throw in a mystery that confused the reader and detracted from the feelings the MC was having as he tries to struggle with the fact that he's attracted to a man. The letters could have been played up more and the turmoil within the MC a perfect focus for the story. JMHO
Now, I may be way off of the mark here, but I'm going to voice my opinion and hope I don't hurt feelings but possibly help this author out a bit. I hope.
I was immediately pulled into the story in the first couple of pages. The storyline where a soldier is receiving anonymous, steamy love letter from someone immediately made me want to devour this novella. What happened? The author threw in a second conflict/storyline or twist or whatever the hell you want to call it. I don't particularly think it was needed and it damn sure wasn't needed when the execution falls flat/untrue. I completely lost focus on the original storyline. The beginning was good but it could have been enhanced with more turmoil within the MC with being attracted to the suggestive letters from a man. I wasn't sure if he KNEW he was bi or if this was going to be a GFY plot or what. Anyway, that storyline should be all this encompasses along with the struggle within one man being attracted to another. JMHO.
After thinking about this, I feel I need to explain a little better. The first storyline was enough to sit down and put the effort in to write an honest story. The author didn't need to throw in a mystery that confused the reader and detracted from the feelings the MC was having as he tries to struggle with the fact that he's attracted to a man. The letters could have been played up more and the turmoil within the MC a perfect focus for the story. JMHO
March 20, 2014
Read on 3-14-14
Okay, so I got this for 99c on ARe. Somehow I missed the cliffie ending warning. Wait, was there one?
This was about 50 pages and at first I liked it. Then it started to get...I don't know. Weird? Is that the word I want to use? Yeah, it went downhill pretty fast. But, of course I have to buy the rest in this series, to see how it ended.
These people are supposed to be big tough guy Army men? Really?
Okay, so I got this for 99c on ARe. Somehow I missed the cliffie ending warning. Wait, was there one?
This was about 50 pages and at first I liked it. Then it started to get...I don't know. Weird? Is that the word I want to use? Yeah, it went downhill pretty fast. But, of course I have to buy the rest in this series, to see how it ended.
These people are supposed to be big tough guy Army men? Really?
April 23, 2014
Damn, why didn't my letters work out like this ?
November 17, 2020
This was just BAD. The writing was jumbled and no gay man would write those letters.
January 12, 2020
The book was quite intriguing, enjoyable and pleasant at first; the love letters were exciting and thrilling, the fact that the author kept the reader on their toes questioning and trying to figure out who the secret admirer was entertaining. Then I don't really know what happened, it suddenly stopped making sense. I feel like the author had spilled the beans way too soon so there wasn't something for the reader to look forward to.
February 10, 2015
This review is for the 3 stories in the series. It is not really a series of three books but is one story told in installments that are not complete in themselves. You need to read all three or none.
I went back and forth between 2 and 3 stars. It was a fun read, but had many holes in the story, or least holes I wanted filled.
Was Justin bi or closeted gay? Had he had earlier instances of being attracted to or noticing men in a sexual way? He was a fun character, but a little out of it during most of the story. At the end his intelligence reared its head (pun or no pun). He was a great shot but spent his time taking pictures. This plot line with his CO and the camera was a little off but the results were weirdly fun for the reader.
Nebraska was a great character but a little reminiscent of Ty and Zane or Nick. Crazy with purpose. I hope he ends up in a MM romance for himself.
Aaron was not fully developed. The was obviously so much more to him that was not revealed.
Aaron's Mom is a delight and I know there is more to her than mother and wife.
Interesting enough to bring me back.
I went back and forth between 2 and 3 stars. It was a fun read, but had many holes in the story, or least holes I wanted filled.
Was Justin bi or closeted gay? Had he had earlier instances of being attracted to or noticing men in a sexual way? He was a fun character, but a little out of it during most of the story. At the end his intelligence reared its head (pun or no pun). He was a great shot but spent his time taking pictures. This plot line with his CO and the camera was a little off but the results were weirdly fun for the reader.
Nebraska was a great character but a little reminiscent of Ty and Zane or Nick. Crazy with purpose. I hope he ends up in a MM romance for himself.
Aaron was not fully developed. The was obviously so much more to him that was not revealed.
Aaron's Mom is a delight and I know there is more to her than mother and wife.
Interesting enough to bring me back.
April 6, 2014
It's a good start
But I will never know the rest of the story. This book is free for now but the others are over priced. $3.00 for pages only ranging between 50-80 pages at best. I will not pay 99¢ if an author can't give me a hundred pages. It's just ridiculous. the stories keep getting shorter and costing more money. e-books were to make buying books more affordable with the same quality of writing in which we have became used to in our books. It really is a shame because I felt this story had potential.
But I will never know the rest of the story. This book is free for now but the others are over priced. $3.00 for pages only ranging between 50-80 pages at best. I will not pay 99¢ if an author can't give me a hundred pages. It's just ridiculous. the stories keep getting shorter and costing more money. e-books were to make buying books more affordable with the same quality of writing in which we have became used to in our books. It really is a shame because I felt this story had potential.
December 6, 2014
Enjoyable short story. Liked the sexy letters that were written by T, to Justin. It took Justin a little time to figure out who T was, but he was intrigued. I think he was probably a little scared of what he was feeling also. Wish that the story was a little longer...book two should answer some of the questions left by the first one...
December 28, 2014
The were a lot of plot holes and the writing leaves a lot to be desired but I managed to enjoy this story, mostly because of the funny antics of the supporting character Sean "Nebraska" Walker.
The sweet poems from Justin's secret admirer was a pleasure to read too. Looking forward to the second book.
January 26, 2014
3 1/2 stars...
July 13, 2023
Re-read 2023 and adjusted.
2014 - I enjoyed this freebie enough to buy the complete set.
2014 - I enjoyed this freebie enough to buy the complete set.
July 21, 2014
A good story.
January 19, 2024
0/5 stars
Don't bother.
The book is only 55 pages (The preview for another book takes up the remaining 30 pages) and just starts getting into the plot when it ends. I see no reason for this to be divided into 3 books other than the author pulling something shady.
The relationship between Justin and Julie is extremely confusing. They hooked up once at a party then she acts like his girlfriend and he just allows it? He gets kinda creepy love letters and when he finds out who rights them he magically develops feelings for them? Then there's the whole mysterious "agents" wanting to know what Justin's Captain was after even though they seemed to have been working with the Captain when they first appeared? Don't even get me started on how unrealistically Justin seens to recover from getting shot in the shoulder.
The worse part is there isn't even enough spice in the story to forgive it for being a sh*tty story.
Don't bother.
The book is only 55 pages (The preview for another book takes up the remaining 30 pages) and just starts getting into the plot when it ends. I see no reason for this to be divided into 3 books other than the author pulling something shady.
The relationship between Justin and Julie is extremely confusing. They hooked up once at a party then she acts like his girlfriend and he just allows it? He gets kinda creepy love letters and when he finds out who rights them he magically develops feelings for them? Then there's the whole mysterious "agents" wanting to know what Justin's Captain was after even though they seemed to have been working with the Captain when they first appeared? Don't even get me started on how unrealistically Justin seens to recover from getting shot in the shoulder.
The worse part is there isn't even enough spice in the story to forgive it for being a sh*tty story.
August 20, 2020
A lot of serious flaws
Not sure I'm too fond of ny of the characters in this story. Mostly lacked any characteristics that attracted me. Justin Hauten was the protagonist. Some mystery started with taking photos in Afghanistan. The whole plot thread with it was beyond ludicrous. Then Justin starts getting love letters. They're so creepy that I'd have thought a stalker was after me. Then we just happen to have three members of a military brigade- Justin, Nebraska (best friend in his brigade) and Texas (love interest) - living in the same town. We have Texas's real name mentioned for the first time as part of the text rather than "'call me Aaron". Finally, the end of an interview was beyond ludicrous. Don't bother.
Not sure I'm too fond of ny of the characters in this story. Mostly lacked any characteristics that attracted me. Justin Hauten was the protagonist. Some mystery started with taking photos in Afghanistan. The whole plot thread with it was beyond ludicrous. Then Justin starts getting love letters. They're so creepy that I'd have thought a stalker was after me. Then we just happen to have three members of a military brigade- Justin, Nebraska (best friend in his brigade) and Texas (love interest) - living in the same town. We have Texas's real name mentioned for the first time as part of the text rather than "'call me Aaron". Finally, the end of an interview was beyond ludicrous. Don't bother.
March 5, 2020
Just the first part of the story.
I hate installment Novellas. If you have a story to tell, then tell the story, but don’t write the first part then randomly end it, and then start again calling it a second book.
I hate installment Novellas. If you have a story to tell, then tell the story, but don’t write the first part then randomly end it, and then start again calling it a second book.
December 23, 2020
First of three in a serialised book. The writing style is very naive. The author obviously thinks it injects a comedic element, but it is simply annoying. In addition, complex sentences are frequently punctuated by periods instead of commas, making the writing meaningless.
May 17, 2025
New to me, Author. This is a contemporary MM romance sit in the USA military. The main character is Justin and the story is told from his point of view only. The story takes place in Afghanistan and the USA.
September 24, 2025
I don't even know where to start. The author quickly grabbed my attention however, I was lost soon after. The story seemed to get convoluted and made no sense. This ends on a cliffhanger with the story continuing in two additional novellas. I will not be reading the rest of this series.
December 24, 2020
Not so great
The cover caught my eye that's why I bought it. Disappointing. I couldn't connect with the characters. Got bored quickly
The cover caught my eye that's why I bought it. Disappointing. I couldn't connect with the characters. Got bored quickly
December 8, 2024
Well.. the potential is there…. But it was so short. This has the potential to such a great book. While the story line is good, the Characters are good…. Just something is missing.
February 23, 2025
I only read part of the story. I couldn't be bothered to finish it, it was just not good enough.
December 31, 2025
This book intrigued me - a serviceman who discovers he has a secret admirer. When they return state side, they begin to explore whatever it is to have it end on an abrupt cliffhanger. Not what I expected!
It led into the second which I picked up as part of the same bundle in SYK. I was left pretty disappointed and will probably not read on.
3 stars at a pinch (really 2.75)
It led into the second which I picked up as part of the same bundle in SYK. I was left pretty disappointed and will probably not read on.
3 stars at a pinch (really 2.75)
October 23, 2016
I am seriously dating myself here but this was like an old Get Smart episode with Max being foiled by the villains. Very silly. Starts out okay with a plausible story about Justin who has been receiving letters from a secret admirer. Then we are dragged into a foolish secondary plot focused on bogus FBI agents, a corrupt colonel and a camera. Plus, book 1 ends abruptly so you have to read book 2, which is equally painful, in order for the story to make sense. Justin's friend Nebraska is a hoot but a little over the top. Interesting writing style. If only it hadn't decended into sillyville.
June 6, 2014
Wow, this was an incredibly hot little story and I really loved it. I felt myself holding my breath as I was reading the letters and dreaming for both of them to be together. I loved the ending and really want to read the next book but I refuse to pay more than $0.99 for any book less than 100 pages. I read way too many books to be able to afford that.
July 20, 2014
I liked the love angle but the rest of it was horrible! I kept hoping against hope that the so-called mission gone wrong stuff would get better but it never did. It was completely unbelievable. I was shocked to read her bio at the end that she was apparently in the military AND grew up around it and still managed to not be able to make it believable!
December 2, 2014
I enjoyed this but not enough to finish the series. I got this for free on amazon and it's a lot better than other freebies I've gotten. I enjoyed her writing but paying $3 for short stories isn't in my budget.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews