Hi guys, we have debut author A.L. Bates popping in with Deep their first published novella, we have a great excerpt and Lisa’s review so check out the post and enjoy! <3 ~Pixie~

Deep

A.L. Bates

Fleeing from a troubled past that left him feeling tarnished and used, Sean finds work as a medic aboard the deep sea mining ship Ariel, on a distant planet.

Under the leader ship of the infuriating, yet charismatic, Captain Joel Riley, Sean settles into his simple, but dangerous, new life. It’s a life he soon comes to love; albeit one in which he conceals his sexuality and avoids intimacy.

But Sean’s new world is turned on its head when an old face threatens to expose him for the man he used to be.

With Joel’s help, will Sean learn to come to terms with his past and become a man he can be proud of?

Excerpt

Joel Riley was a difficult captain to work under, and for his first season in the Deep, Sean was pretty sure he despised the man. But another season in he’d grown accustomed to the captain’s volatile temper and inability to compromise. Joel had been a miner all his life, born on Titan to a family of miners. He had the sea in his veins and Ariel was his heart. There was a confidence to Joel that drew the crew to him and an arrogance that kept him slightly out of reach. Rugged, strong, and built for hard labor, he was the exact opposite of Sean—and yet of all the crew, Sean felt closest to Joel. Sean understood the captain’s approach, his passions, and he trusted the older man with his life.

“Captain, is everything all right?” Sean said from the entrance.

Joel jumped, knocking his knees on the control board. “Jesus, boy! What you doing creeping around in the middle of the night?”

“I wasn’t creeping,” Sean said.

“Skulking around, spying on people, and you reckon that’s not creeping,” Joel grumbled.

Sean thought better of continuing into an argument. If Joel’s mood was testy they were going to go around in circles annoying each other.

“I was about to turn in,” Sean said, deciding it was best to be passive.

“You looking for permission?” Joel’s tone was still curt, but it wasn’t really directed at Sean. Something else was bothering him.

“No, I just thought I’d come in and say good night.”

Joel sighed, apparently appeased by the lack of confrontation. He gave Sean a weak, tired smile. “Better get some rest, Doc. Couple of hours and Harvey will need you to stitch something, no doubt.”

Wasn’t that the truth. Harvey, their engineer, was pretty good when it came to mineral mining and keeping the ship moving, but he could injure himself getting into his dive suit.

“What about you, Sir?”

“I’m not planning on cutting anything,” Joel said, his smile strengthening.

“I meant are you turning in?”

Joel hesitated. Usually the captain was impossible to read, but every so often Sean got hints of the man behind the muscle. There was a softness to him, hidden behind the square jaw and piercing eyes. Sean had always been drawn to his vulnerable side. It crept in from time to time, reminding Sean that the captain, despite liking to pretend he was a demigod, was just a man. A good man.

“Not yet.” A shadow seemed to be hanging over him.

“Would you mind some company?” Sean offered, sensing the captain had something he needed to get off his chest.

“Suit yourself.” It was as close to an invitation as Joel ever gave anyone.

About author

A.L. BATES has a keen interest in Sci-fi and adventure novels and enjoys writing stories with strong characters in imaginative backgrounds. Although an avid writer, Deep is the first published novella by A.L. Bates.

A.L. Bates can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoralbates

Review

Title: Deep

Author: A.L. Bates

Genre: Science Fiction

Length: 123 pages

ISBN: 978-1-92522-275-3

Publisher: Wayward Ink Publishing (January 29, 2016)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: Fleeing from a troubled past that left him feeling tarnished and used, Sean finds work as a medic aboard the deep sea mining ship Ariel, on a distant planet.

Under the leader ship of the infuriating, yet charismatic, Captain Joel Riley, Sean settles into his simple, but dangerous, new life. It’s a life he soon comes to love; albeit one in which he conceals his sexuality and avoids intimacy.

But Sean’s new world is turned on its head when an old face threatens to expose him for the man he used to be.

With Joel’s help, will Sean learn to come to terms with his past and become a man he can be proud of?

Product Link: http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/product/deep-by-al-bates/

Review: This is the first time I have read a story by this author so I was not sure what to expect. Usually I avoid them but I must admit the cover caught my attention. It looked futuristic and very cool so I checked out the blurb to see what it would be like and I was captivated with the new feel of it. I have not read many stories that involve deep-sea mining on other planets. Sounded just like something I would want to read.

The first line of the first paragraph captivated me even more. I mean you are somewhere that is dark even when it is day light out. Kind of spooky if you ask me. I have to tell you that this story was one hell of a read. There is so much detail, depth and heat in it. It felt like I was underwater with them.

Sean was a rent boy not by his own choice at first. He soon found he was good at it, even though he hated it with a passion. He had to escape as everyone was looking for him and being a medic aboard a deep-sea mining ship was his best bet. He absolutely loved it and was falling for his captain. His very straight captain at that, but he kept his sexuality a secret fearing the worst. That is until Danny showed up and was going to throw him to the wolves.

Joel was straight but there was something about Sean that called to him. He is an ass to everyone but when the little prick Danny goes to destroy his family and ship, he knew it was up to him. What surprised him was his attraction to Sean and after that kiss he was looking for a way in.

This story is very captivating and I loved the adventure you get with these guys. I also loved how everyone on the ship was family even if they were not blood related. Joel is a hard ass but he loves his crew and it seems that his crew loves him back. The location was amazing and so damn real that it was freaky.

When I first got this I knew that it was going to be a great read but it wasn’t till I finished that I realized this is going to be a favorite story of mine.

I can’t wait to see what other stories this author has out.