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Rogue Wave
All of Dean's army buddies think he's tough. But he's just a young man with a strong moral code. From his first week in the service, things never quite seem to go right, starting with a close encounter with some rough characters on the military base.
Dean thought joining the army would be a great way to start planning for his future. Good pay, great benefits, and money for college as soon as he got out.
Between doubts about his career path and struggling to keep his personal life and his military life separate, sometimes he feels like he's made a big mistake.
When he meets a handsome, athletic surfer named Bryan, he starts to realize that sometimes in life, when you don't know what to do next, you just need to ride the wave and see where it takes you.
Intended for readers 18+.
Also includes the first time, coming of age MM Romance, When Hearts Collide.
Dean thought joining the army would be a great way to start planning for his future. Good pay, great benefits, and money for college as soon as he got out.
Between doubts about his career path and struggling to keep his personal life and his military life separate, sometimes he feels like he's made a big mistake.
When he meets a handsome, athletic surfer named Bryan, he starts to realize that sometimes in life, when you don't know what to do next, you just need to ride the wave and see where it takes you.
Intended for readers 18+.
Also includes the first time, coming of age MM Romance, When Hearts Collide.
252 pages, Paperback
Published December 22, 2016
5 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 20, 2017
Meh.
Both the main story, "Rogue Wave", and the secondary one, "When Hearts Collide", left me pretty bored.
Some things happened, I was along for the ride *several* times to a titty bar with a bunch of str8 bro-dudes, there were very few touchy-feely moments, people lost their jobs, I didn't care, as I was never overly engaged, the stories felt HFN at best, the end.
Not sure what else to say. I'd rate this one at around 2.5 stars. Ish.
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January 2, 2017
This was an unexpected read. I volunteered to read an Advanced Copy of this story about a group of new Army recruits stationed in Hawaii. Dean, a young man from the Midwest is different from the others. He got the nickname "Iceman" for the cold looks and bold moves he sometimes made. Dean is in the Army in order to eventually utilize the GI Bill to pay for college - not that he's sure what he wants to major in. He makes a nice set of friends that he pals around with off duty.
Military training is regimented and at times intense & exhausting. Most weekends they blew off steam at the base's rec center, that is until one of them discovered a strip club in town. They quickly became regulars. Dean goes even though it's the last thing he's interested in, but he can't let on because he doesn't know how homophobic his friend might be. So he goes along to get along.
Dean feels lonely and unfulfilled as a soldier in training. While the other guys seem more gung ho and patriotic; even eager to fight. He's none of those things. He just wants to do his time, get out, and go to college. Unfortunately Dean's made a dangerous enemy forcing him to have to watch his back. But he's also made a couple new friends, one friendship he hopes can lead to more, though that remains to be seen.
This was a relatively quick read even though the pace is slow. If the story had been longer it would have been plodding, but luckily the author kept the reader guessing with a surprise at the end. This is my second story by JC McMurphy and I enjoy this author's style. Under regular circumstances I probably wouldn't have read this book, but as an ARC I did and I am glad I read something different from my usual topics. I remember being Dean's age and just knowing I had everything figured out until I found out I didn't.
Surfing is a part of the storyline, in particular Night Surfing. An activity that is dangerous, but exhilarating under the light of the full moon. Taking a chance, being afraid, but overcoming your fear. Being cautious though not reckless. Making tough decisions while keeping your priorities straight. What matters most?
Military training is regimented and at times intense & exhausting. Most weekends they blew off steam at the base's rec center, that is until one of them discovered a strip club in town. They quickly became regulars. Dean goes even though it's the last thing he's interested in, but he can't let on because he doesn't know how homophobic his friend might be. So he goes along to get along.
Dean feels lonely and unfulfilled as a soldier in training. While the other guys seem more gung ho and patriotic; even eager to fight. He's none of those things. He just wants to do his time, get out, and go to college. Unfortunately Dean's made a dangerous enemy forcing him to have to watch his back. But he's also made a couple new friends, one friendship he hopes can lead to more, though that remains to be seen.
This was a relatively quick read even though the pace is slow. If the story had been longer it would have been plodding, but luckily the author kept the reader guessing with a surprise at the end. This is my second story by JC McMurphy and I enjoy this author's style. Under regular circumstances I probably wouldn't have read this book, but as an ARC I did and I am glad I read something different from my usual topics. I remember being Dean's age and just knowing I had everything figured out until I found out I didn't.
Surfing is a part of the storyline, in particular Night Surfing. An activity that is dangerous, but exhilarating under the light of the full moon. Taking a chance, being afraid, but overcoming your fear. Being cautious though not reckless. Making tough decisions while keeping your priorities straight. What matters most?
January 1, 2017
This is a sweet fast paced read that had me hooked from the start. This book is sweet funny and addicting. Dean and his friends are hilarious then you throw in Bryan...perfection. The only thing that could make this better was more.
February 16, 2017
This was sexy.. and fun to read. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters.. it was fun to read.. made me laugh.. made me smile.. and in some parts made me sad.. I am glad everyone figured out who they needed to be and i enjoyed reading it. im glad i got to review this and cant wait to read more by this author
February 6, 2017
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Rogue Wave is a well-written and evenly paced read, and it serves up a lot of life’s lessons. The storyline is easy to follow and realistic, and the flow is effortless.
Dean and Bryan are both solid, mature, and likeable characters, and the reader is treated to a sweet, naturally evolving relationship. There is little – actually none! – unnecessary angst or pettiness between the two, which is definitely a refreshing angle. Dean is challenged with deciding if the Army is really for him, even though he enlisted to take advantage of the GI Bill, because it’s unfulfilling and he’s not really sure he could fight a battle if called upon. That’s not to say he wouldn’t fight one-on-one, since he’s compelled to stand up for others, earning the nickname “Iceman” because he doesn’t back down.
This book has several secondary characters deserving of their own story, which could lead to an enjoyable series of shorter word-count stories: Teresa “Tandy”, Conner and Mandi, Jimmy, Mason, and even Powell. Teresa, Dean’s bunkmates, and even the antagonist Powell, have well-developed personalities and are captured in a real-life type of way. Their side stories add layers to the book as a whole.
The ending is short and sweet. It’s not the typically defined HEA, and the reader is charged with using his imagination to envision how the future looks for Dean and Bryan.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy.
Rogue Wave is a well-written and evenly paced read, and it serves up a lot of life’s lessons. The storyline is easy to follow and realistic, and the flow is effortless.
Dean and Bryan are both solid, mature, and likeable characters, and the reader is treated to a sweet, naturally evolving relationship. There is little – actually none! – unnecessary angst or pettiness between the two, which is definitely a refreshing angle. Dean is challenged with deciding if the Army is really for him, even though he enlisted to take advantage of the GI Bill, because it’s unfulfilling and he’s not really sure he could fight a battle if called upon. That’s not to say he wouldn’t fight one-on-one, since he’s compelled to stand up for others, earning the nickname “Iceman” because he doesn’t back down.
This book has several secondary characters deserving of their own story, which could lead to an enjoyable series of shorter word-count stories: Teresa “Tandy”, Conner and Mandi, Jimmy, Mason, and even Powell. Teresa, Dean’s bunkmates, and even the antagonist Powell, have well-developed personalities and are captured in a real-life type of way. Their side stories add layers to the book as a whole.
The ending is short and sweet. It’s not the typically defined HEA, and the reader is charged with using his imagination to envision how the future looks for Dean and Bryan.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy.
January 7, 2017
Very nice read. Dean is a gay man in the army and only chose to go to help pay for college after he is done with his time there. While stationed in Hawaii Dean's army buddies start dragging him out to the strip club. He meets Teresa and the two of them develop a friendship. Teresa introduces Dean to her friend Bryan who Dean doesn't know is also gay. After a surfing lesson, the two decide they want to continue to hang out. Dean's life takes a different route in the army for him but whether it's for the best, well you'll have to read the book to find out. A nice book to read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
March 31, 2017
This book started off well. Good description of characters, interesting story line, etc. The ending though seemed sudden and unexpected and seemed like just a quick (unsatisfactory) way of ending the story.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews