Brothers in Arms by Kendall McKenna

Title:  Brothers in Arms

Series:  N/A

Author:  Kendall McKenna

Genre:   Action/Adventure

Length:  Novel

Publisher:  Silver Publishing

Heat Level:  Moderate

Heart Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Blurb:   Jonah Carver is a Marine. He experiences a scorching night with former commander, Kellan Reynolds, but then they lose touch–to Jonah’s regret. When a V.I.P. is killed on Jonah’s watch, the FBI arrives; including Kellan! Once reunited, sparks fly.

Jonah Carver is a Marine and combat veteran. He and his former Captain, Kellan Reynolds, once shared a scorching night, but then lost touch; something Jonah has long regretted.

When an investigation into government corruption, and the murder of U.S. troops, ends in the killing of a V.I.P. on Jonah’s watch, the FBI arrives. With them is Kellan Reynolds. Together once more, Jonah begins to believe in second chances and sparks fly.

Nothing is that easy, though, as the suspects will stop at nothing to bring the investigation to an end. Jonah must keep everyone in his charge alive while helping the FBI and Kellan find the proof they need.

When Kellan is kidnapped, Jonah has to find and rescue him. If he doesn’t, not only will the investigation unravel, but he’ll lose Kellan for a second time–for good.

Product Link:  https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/coming-soon-c-2/products_id/780?zenid=e2ed59be411a5871d3e308de495f8013

Reviewer:   Portia

Review: Jonah is a career soldier.  He is a highly trained RECON Marine.  They are the baddest of the bad, the toughest of the tough.  They are not babysitters. This story begins with Jonah and his team baby-sitting a government investigator.  Unfortunately, knowing what he is investigating is above their pay grade.

In my fantasy world, where I am queen, I would love to believe that Brothers in Arms is the result of my mad rantings.  In the real world, I know Kendall McKenna’s debut novel was already “headed to the presses”, when I asked the M/M collective for something new.  Nonetheless, Brothers in Arms definitely fits the bill.

I cannot imagine how much research went into this book.  There is a mind-blowing amount of detail to military life, both before and after deployment. But, I can appreciate the skill with which McKenna draws pictures with words of a war zone.  Names that appear daily in my, became real places populated with real people as I turned page after page. The words and actions of the marines were sometimes horrifically realistic, at other times tender or silly.  While I read, I was transported to the unforgiving heat of the desert.  Heat that is so constant, it is almost a character.

Jonah has swag for days, a real man’s man.  But, he is also the true leader of his platoon.  Sometimes, he forgets that the new guys haven’t “been there and one that”.  Till his memories of Kellan’s words guide him. I love him.  And Jonah and Kellan together…smokin’ hot.  Set before the repeal of DADT, their lovin’ is mostly secretive touches and glances across the room.  But, on the few occasions when they actually get to do the nasty…they get raw and dirty with it.

But, this is so much more than a romance.  Actually, it is a war thriller with a very nice little suspense thread running through it.  Corrupt government officials, gun running and dodging insurrectionists make for some very nice action scenes.  Then there are enough unanswered questions, that even if Jonah and Kellan don’t make it back to the desert, the intrigue can continue.

My only complaint?  What the hell happened with Yarwood?

Highly recommending this title and looking forward to seeing what else the brilliant mind of Kendall McKenna will produce.