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Tidewater #4

Wild Untouched

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A Tidewater Novella. Contemporary, Stand alone, HEA.

After two brutal tours in Afghanistan, the military sent Madden home. He’s made ends meet with private security, but the work is unfulfilling, and he’s lonely without his squad around. Determined to take charge of his life again, Madden prepares for a hiking trip in the local mountains to clear his heart and soul.

Unwilling to accept the hand life dealt him, Gage forged his own path as a freelance photographer. His latest assignment has him chasing wildlife in the woods. He loves the challenge of framing the best photo, while hiking and enjoying the fresh air. Until he slides down a gully and breaks his ankle. The welcoming, mysterious forest quickly becomes a nightmare. Gage is alone, and he needs help—immediately.

Madden’s protective instincts kick in the second he spots Gage in trouble. What he finds is even more than he expected: a tough, creative man who never had a chance to open his heart to love. Madden can’t help falling for the photographer. He just needs to convince Gage that the limited time they have before rescue arrives is worth the risk.

62 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 26, 2018

31 people want to read

About the author

Tami Veldura

132 books145 followers
Tami Veldura is an enby/aro/ace author of queer fiction. Their pronouns are they/them/Mx. They love romance, fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal stories that push genre limits. Their work has been nominated for the M/M Goodreads Reader Choice Awards and they have been nominated and placed in the Rainbow Awards.

Website: Failure To Communicate
Twitter handle: tamiveldura
Email: tamiveldura@gmail.com

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5 stars
9 (33%)
4 stars
11 (40%)
3 stars
5 (18%)
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1 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Lelyana's Reviews.
3,409 reviews400 followers
January 29, 2018

This was okay, entertaining and a little scary, because, bears!
But it seemed Madden and Gage had to to thank the bears for their meeting. If not for that, they won't cross patch. This is a light insta-love, enjoyable. With some naughty times in the forest.
This was short and enjoyable.
Profile Image for Carole-Ann.
2,725 reviews86 followers
January 26, 2018
A sweetly, gentle love story of Madden meeting Gage whilst wandering in the forest. Gage has fallen, trying to photograph some wild life, and broken his ankle. Madden, on a ramble of his own, comes across Gage and helps rescue him.

They connect over the couple of days it takes for rescue services to arrive; and although Gage is a virgin (at 24, believe me!) they manage to satisfy each other in their budding love.

An epilogue gives us the predicted ending, but it is totally expected and still remarkably sweet.

I was lucky enough to be given this free in return for a review. So, thank you, Tami!!
Profile Image for Kendra T.
3,057 reviews39 followers
January 24, 2018
I really liked this book. Madden took a getaway hike into the mountains to break away from the hustle and bustle of everything. After a couple of days, he comes across an injured Gage. Gage is a photojournalist who fell and broke his ankle in the mountains the day before, and couldn't get back up or call for help. Madden helps him for a 2 day walk back to a cabin, and they get to know each other pretty well. There is attraction, and they find themselves enjoying each other's company. I really liked how the two didn't shy away from their attraction, and actually communicated their desire to keep in touch. Very cute and very enjoyable.
Profile Image for Megan.
1,469 reviews30 followers
February 18, 2018
Madden is spending time alone, becoming reacquainted with the outdoors as well as himself. He's seen and experienced things that would break most men. Finding peace is something he knows he needs in a general sense, but it's finding that part of himself out on the trails that was becoming lost in the sands of Afghanistan that has led him to these particular woods. Along the way to fill his soul with the wild he also stumbles across the very thing that will fill his heart.

Gage is trying to capture the wildness in the forest and to fill his portfolio. As a nature photographer as well as an all-around picture man to pay his bills, he finds solace in the things he finds and captures on film. One moment, however, of trying to do just that leads him to an injury and a long, long wait at the bottom of a gully. Fate has more than his demise in mind when it orchestrated this moment, though, because Madden finds him and sets them on a course of passion and love.

I genuinely liked both men. For such a very short story and only getting Madden's POV we get to know his mind and heart quite intimately. His power of observation is key in allowing us to know Gage. What we see and learn of him is cute, endearing, and interesting. He's got a lot of inner strength that will be a great match for Madden. Their passion is equally strong and one night of careful fervor gives us a glimpse of just how hot things will be in their future.

When injuries are in the past and their relationship has had time to grow we get to see the beginning of their HEA and it's a really sweet, tender moment. I do wish there were more than a mere 68 pages for them because I could become quite invested in the men. From what we do get, though, we can believe that there's something special there. The story was basic but sweet, definitely interesting, and I loved the descriptions of the forest and its inhabitants through Madden's thoughts. Like I said before, I would have loved more because I think these men deserved more.

Read and willingly reviewed this ARC from the author.
871 reviews2 followers
January 26, 2018
This is the forth book in The Tidewater Series. A Charming book the writing was good. The plot was entertaining and it was steady throughout the book. I found the story and characters wonderful. The characters were developed and thought out. Madden an ex-soldier and Gage a photographer are the MC’s of this book. There was humor, bears, a broken ankle, a cabin, Forest Rangers, fish and more in this book.

Here is a quote from the book, “So, you said you’re a soldier, huh?” When Madden nodded, Gage continued. “How’d you end up out here? We’re pretty … far from the desert.” That’s what I was going for,” Madden said as he cast his rod out into the water. “Got out last year and wanted to get as far away as I could. I grew up out here, still got family out here, so I figured it’d be a good place to resettle now that I’m out of the service.”. There is more but you will need to read the book which I can recommend. I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book for an honest review.
Profile Image for Xanthe.
2,520 reviews45 followers
January 27, 2018
A good, quick read.
Madden is hiking through the forest, on vacation escaping a mundane security job. He comes across Gage who has fallen down a gully and broken his ankle. The time they spend together, leaning on each other, brings them closer.
A beautiful setting for the book. Tami writes the scenery and nature setting really well, envisioning myself there along with the characters whilst reading.
We hear Madden's monologue throughout the book and how he is adjusting to life after the army. Can't imagine the difficulties that's soldiers possibly face but it seems to be going ok-ish, boredom being his biggest foe. His feelings for Gage rise quickly however I don't really feel the connection between the two but its a nice story to read, making me smile in places. You can feel Gage's excitement photographing the animals, imagining being right there and seeing what he sees
My first read from Tami and I'll look for others from her.
Profile Image for mrs sarah frost.
450 reviews11 followers
January 31, 2018
A sweet quick read of Madden and Gage.

Madden stumbles upon Gage in the woods. Gage has fallen and broke his ankle whilst taking photos of the wildlife. Madden's military training instantly kicks in , he makes a splint and knows he's gotta get Gage back to the cabin he spent the night before in. Startled by a bear, Madden kisses Gage to stop him alerting the bear to their whereabouts.
Madden helps Gage walk back to the cabin, it takes two days but he can't get that kiss and the feel of Gage's soft lips out of his mind. Back in the cabin they enjoy each other, waiting for the rescue services to take Gage back down to Tidewater.
When Gage has recovered they go back up the mountain so Gage can get more photos and Madden takes Gage's virginity in the woods just as he promised.
The epilogue is a cute ending with Madden finally feeling complete, Gage was the missing piece to make his life complete.
44 reviews
January 25, 2018
I wholeheartedly recommend this book. 'Wild Untouched' is a story that will leave you feeling satisfied & happy. This uplifting book flows perfectly & is so engaging that I found myself reading faster & faster as the book progressed. The characters, Madden & Gage, are wonderful & the beautifully described wilderness & wildlife is one of the top highlights of the story. (seriously, it made me want to go camping). I really enjoyed this book & I admit that I teared up a bit while reading a scene near the end of the book. If you haven't read anything by Tami Veldura, before, then you're in for a treat with 'Wild Untouched'. (This book is part of the 'Tidewater Series', all of which have interesting storylines & really enjoyable characters, which can be read as standalones or as a series, depending on your personal preferences ).
Profile Image for Laurie.
172 reviews26 followers
January 26, 2018
Lovely, sweet, short story with what feels like a slow burn for finding love, but with a fast attraction from the first.

Madden is out hiking, getting back to nature and settling himself. After two tours in the desert, he needs to center himself again. There’s nobody around except for himself and the animals that live in the forest. Or that’s what he thinks. But his solitude is interrupted by the blast from an emergency whistle. Following the sound, he finds Gage at the bottom of a bank, injured.

As they make their way to a forest ranger cabin, the attraction flares between them. They let it build and act upon it once they reach the cabin. That they keep it going and building into a relationship after the rescue, is what makes this a feel-good story. (But as always, a longer story would have been nice)
Profile Image for Sarita Chapdelaine.
1,248 reviews1 follower
January 27, 2018
This was a sweet short story with interesting characters. I wish there had been more to this book with more background information on both characters. I felt that I didn't know who Gage was at all and I wanted to hear his POV. Madden and Gage met under less than ideal circumstances but Madden falls in love right away. He rescues Gage while hiking and I loved how he was able to look after him, from splinting his ankle to fishing for their supper. Everything happened so quickly that it was hard to keep up. There were some editing issues as well but as I read an ARC these may have been fixed before it was published.
I was given an ARC to review by the author.
Profile Image for Dixiecowgirl.
1,437 reviews25 followers
January 29, 2018
Sweet slow-burn short-story romance. Great character and nice plot create a lovely story about the mc's finding each other and eventually love. I enjoyed the authors detail with the bear's fishing and the fishing in the stream. i found the details gave a nice depth to the story.

Madden and Gage were very likable and as the reader you could see how they could become a happy couple. I enjoyed seeing a glimpse of them in the future, after life had progressed for them. I love the ending!

Recommend this book!
Profile Image for GhostMMreader.
613 reviews12 followers
January 27, 2018
It might be short but it is a wonderful story. With just a few words you get an idea of the background of the main characters but the focus is on their fortuitous encounter and their time together in the woods. It is a feel good story between two equally strong men; no personal drama, no angst, an immediate link and some close sights of bears. Perfect for a winter afternoon in front of the fire place. Loved it!
Profile Image for Ann.
516 reviews13 followers
January 27, 2018
A neat short story exploring the relationship between Madden, an ex soldier, and Gage, a wildlife photographer. Madden is out walking when he hears a whistle being blown and discovers Gage has fallen down the hillside and has broken his ankle.
I think I would have liked to have read more about how their relationship grew after the rescue as the story skips from them when the mountain rescue team arrives to when they have an established relationship.
Overall it was well written and engaging.
2,321 reviews8 followers
February 17, 2018
A quick good read and wonderful addition to the Tidewater series. Madden, ex-military, and Gage, a photographer, are wonderful characters who meet in the woods when Gage has an accident and Madden rescues him. They trek back to the cabin where Madden was staying and the chemistry and attraction between them is undeniable and sparks to life.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for Terri.
1,659 reviews
January 29, 2018
This is my favorite of the series so far! Madden and Gage are really good guys, and it's wonderful to see them together. Madden saves Gage from possible death, and Gage saves Madden from the emptiness he's been feeling since leaving the military. The descriptions of the great outdoors where the men meet, and where most of the story takes place, are wonderful. I felt like I was out there with them.
I have enjoyed each story I've read from this author, and this one is one of the best.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
1,166 reviews
February 3, 2018
Madden is ex army and getting back to nature by going on a hike in the mountains surrounding Tidewater. He finds Gage at the bottom of a hill and he’s got a broken ankle. He helps him get to safety and they fall for each other in the course of getting him back to a ranger shack.
There’s a great story follow on of their relationship as it progresses, I loved it need more
450 reviews2 followers
January 28, 2018
Short rugged outdoor story. There's hiking, bears, broken bones and the precursor to love. Add in nature photographers and hunky ex-soldiers all the components needed for good read. Fun and well written.

An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for tammy rufo.
654 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2018
loved Gage and Madden. Madden's character is one of my fave. love the military protector type. he hit all the right buttons. first time reading Tami Veldura, would def recommend, will be reading more!
Profile Image for Bran Zesti.
292 reviews3 followers
January 27, 2018
The book falsehood, it was simple in a way that pull you in and keep you. Only thing is I wish it was longer.
Profile Image for Kim.
552 reviews42 followers
January 29, 2018
This book was absolutely amazing. This book was a page turner that I just couldn't stop reading until the end. I had absolutely loved reading this book. I would highly recommend this book.
5,704 reviews38 followers
January 30, 2018
this was sweet this was wonderful and i was so happy.. i am glad i read it because it was wonderful
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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