Authors of 'Unconditional Surrender' explore appeal of gay military men
The Unconditional Surrender boxed set (only 99 cents!) arrives Tuesday (Oct. 14), and it's packed with brand-new novellas by 13 of today's hottest gay romance authors as they celebrate military heroes and the men brave enough to love them. The authors answered some questions for HEA …
Kerry Adrienne, author of Cruise Control
What is it about a gay military man that appeals to you?
Kerry: I think there's a sensitivity and seduction built into the fabric of a uniform, so any man or woman wearing one takes on a mystique that's difficult to resist. When a gay man puts on a uniform, for me, there's an added attraction and depth to any developing relationship I read or write about.
Please tells us about your novella in the set.
Kerry: Blake is post-Army and cruising at top speed to escape his sister and the life everyone expects him to lead. Parker, an ex-Airman, is living life in the slow lane. When they meet over a broken down Maserati, someone's going to have to shift gears…
Annabeth Albert, author of Resilient Heart
Appeal of gay military men? Military men in general appeal to me — I'm a huge fan of Suzanne Brockmann's SEAL series and other military romance stories. For me, it's always about the juxtaposition of warrior and lover — how someone so fierce can be forced to confront their tender side. Both gay and straight couples struggle when both partners are service people, and I wanted to explore that world. DADT is gone, but there are still plenty of other hurdles along the way to a happy ending.
Your novella in the set? My story features a friends-to-lovers tale of two former best-friends-with-benefits. Both men serve together in the same Army NETCOM unit, and when one is seriously wounded, it forces both to examine their feelings and their future. I wanted to look at how injury impacts more than just the physical and how sometimes the worst wounds are the ones we can't see.
Keira Andrews, author of Arctic Fire
Appeal of gay military men? The military is historically a bastion of "traditional" values and masculinity. Of course gay men can be every bit as masculine as their hetero counterparts, and what appeals to me about gay military men is the exploration of old-fashioned male stereotypes through a different lens. Soldiers are also often in close quarters, and that sparks my imagination.
Your novella in the set? Captain Jack Turner is at a crossroads. A routine mission to the Far North gets him away from his desk, but he'd rather be anywhere else. The Arctic's in Canadian Ranger Kin Carsen's blood, but with Jack he's on unfamiliar ground. When they're stranded by a blizzard, unexpected desire begins to burn…
Brit Blaise, author of Storm Out
Appeal of gay military men? Military men in general are hot! And not just physically, but the total package of brains, muscles, integrity and quiet strength of character all rolled into fantastic hero material. These aren't just fantasy heroes. They exist. A gay military man going toe-to-toe with the roughest toughest fighting men in the world just rocks! A tortured hero makes it even more delightful.
Your novella in the set? An Army Ranger suffering from PTSD finds coming out the biggest storm he's ever faced…until he needs to save his grandfather's life. A gay stranger in a deadly snowstorm brings suspense and danger. Can Cowboy Kale keep his family safe while coming to terms with his sexuality?
Cassandra Carr, author of Civilian Master
Appeal of gay military men? A gay military man is appealing because we all think of the military as this big, tough bunch of dudes. And I'm not saying gay men can't be that, obviously they can and are. But if you put the military up against other occupations that might feature gay characters, it seems like the military wouldn't be the most obvious place to look. Plus there's the mystique around Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Sure, it was repealed, but let's not kid ourselves. The same attitude continues today in many parts of the military.
Your novella in the set? My story is about an Army Ranger who's on forced R&R after a mission goes hellishly wrong. He's been interested in BDSM, and he goes to a club to check things out. There, he's reunited with the only man he's ever loved — and he's a Dom. What will Clay, who's submissive, do now?
Lia Davis, author of His Guarded Heart
Appeal of gay military men? Military men are alpha males to the core, while at the same time they can be compassionate. A gay man in the military appeals to me because there's a set of internal and external conflicts. I love stories where the couple overcome the "normal" for society and find their HEA. Love is not set to a standard. It comes from the heart and is a beautiful thing whether it's between a man and a woman or two men.
Your novella in the set? Senator Beau Beckett is the target of a mad man and it's up to Agent Judd Wolfe to keep the Senator alive while searching for the would-be killer. But staying out of Beau's bed becomes his biggest challenge as passion ignites between the men.
Sasha Devlin, author of Hometown Hero
Appeal of gay military men? It's all about contrasts. You have this man who is one of the powerful elite, and he's rendered vulnerable merely for who he loves. I can't imagine selecting a job that ultimately wants and almost requires you to deny a big part of who you truly are. I like to dig in and see what makes a man choose that and how he squares that with the rest of his life.
Your novella in the set? Hometown Hero is part friends to lovers, part reunion story. After an injury sidelines his career, Colin is back home, looking for the man he left behind. JJ is trying to reconcile his teenage hero-worship with the reality of ex-Marine in his bed. It's equally funny, sexy and sweet.
Rhi Etzweiler, author of Blood & Peyote
Appeal of gay military men? I enjoy exploring men who are dedicated and resilient enough to serve in uniform. It's fascinating to explore the shared bonds of brotherhood and solidarity, and its evolution into deeper forms of love. There's an inherent strength in one's willingness to open up, love as they choose, and expose their imperfections. Exposing flaws and insecurities reveals their humanity to the reader. It's a contrast of strength and weakness that creates an authentic and relatable character.
Your novella in the set? My story's about a Native American combat veteran who helps his suicidal battle buddy come to terms with their demons — violent memories, helplessness, survivor's guilt, and mutual attraction. Acceptance and forgiveness propels the evolution of their relationship beyond refusal and denial, into something deeper.
Lucy Felthouse, author of Desert Heat
Appeal of gay military men? I'm a total sucker for a man in uniform, and always have been. So what could be better than TWO men in uniform? Two honed bodies, muscles, stubble... the list goes on. Yum!
Your novella in the set? Captain Hugh Wilkes is on his last tour of duty in Afghanistan. The British Army is withdrawing, and Wilkes expects his posting to be event-free. That is, until he meets his Afghan interpreter, Rustam Balkhi, who awakens desires in Wilkes that he'd almost forgotten about, and that won't be ignored.
Amelia C. Gormley, author of The Houseboy: Initiation
Appeal of gay military men? Strength. Discipline. Ferocity. Maybe a soft, sensitive underbelly yearning to be petted? What doesn't appeal?
Your novella in the set? Driven from his home by his homophobic parents, young Bryce, just beginning to explore his sexuality, discovers things he'd never imagined with Fowler Vale, a kind, generous, grizzled and very naughty veteran who will redefine the term "showing him the ropes."
Cat Grant, author of The Only One Who Cares
Appeal of gay military men? Pretty much the same thing that attracts me to all military men — the uniforms. The attitude. The haircut. The gallantry. The ripped bodies... But most of all, the uniforms.
Your novella in the set? My story features a committed couple, both Navy SEALs, both wounded warriors. It's about how one of them adjusts to life after retirement, and how the other struggles to rejoin his team after an extended absence from the field. Then they get a surprise neither of them was expecting.
EM Lynley, author of Irresistible Forces
Appeal of gay military men? My favorite part of writing gay romance is ignoring traditional gender roles and characterizations in order to focus on the men as individuals, not archetypes. With gay soldiers, it's even more fun to show complex layers of character when you combine bravery, dedication, and fierce loyalty — along with some really scorching love scenes between two men who may also rely on each other for their very lives.
Your novella in the set? What if your secret crush didn't have to stay a secret anymore? That's where my story starts: The end of DADT means Army Ranger Logan Flynn can finally tell Brody Mitchell the feelings he's suppressed for years. Unfortunately, the Taliban may do even more harm to their growing love.
To find out more about the bundle and its authors (and win some fun prizes!), check out the boxed set's release day party on Tuesday (Oct. 14) on Facebook.