Revelations

By Ariel Tachna

Prequel to Talking in Code

Spanning the six years before the events of Talking in Code, this collection of short stories recounts highlights of how Richard, Tim, and Eric fell in love—and into bed. These seven tales reveal the early adventures of the two former Navy SEALs, an expert sniper, and their paramilitary organization, Strike Force Omega. Between dangerous missions and their aftermath, the three men find time to explore the limits of their relationship and what it might become, whether it’s blistering physical passion or something with the potential to run much deeper—something that will see them through their most difficult battles.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
• Release date: Jun 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781635335248

Ariel Tachna

Ariel Tachna is a polyglot linguaphile with a passion for travel, yarn, orchids, and romance. She has explored 45 states and 13 countries. The rich history and culture of France, the flavors and scents of India, and the sunrise over Machu Picchu in particular have left indelible impressions and show up regularly in her writing. Her passion for yarn has resulted in an overflowing stash and more projects than she’ll probably finish in a lifetime, but that has yet to stop her from buying more. Her orchid collection has outgrown her office and spilled over into the rest of her house (much to her children’s dismay), but that hasn’t stopped her from adding to her collection or from resuscitating any unhappy ones she finds. When she isn’t writing, knitting, or poking at her orchids, she spends her time marveling at her two teenagers, who never cease to amaze her with their capacity for love and acceptance and sports—they certainly didn’t get that from her!—and their refusal to accept injustice of any kind—she hopes they got that from her.  Visit Ariel: Website: www.arieltachna.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArielTachna Email: [e-mail]

Book preview

Revelations

By Ariel Tachna

Prequel to Talking in Code

Spanning the six years before the events of Talking in Code, this collection of short stories recounts highlights of how Richard, Tim, and Eric fell in love—and into bed. These seven tales reveal the early adventures of the two former Navy SEALs, an expert sniper, and their paramilitary organization, Strike Force Omega. Between dangerous missions and their aftermath, the three men find time to explore the limits of their relationship and what it might become, whether it’s blistering physical passion or something with the potential to run much deeper—something that will see them through their most difficult battles.

Table of Contents

Blurb

Realization

Reconnaissance

Recognition

Risk

Reward

Recovery

Resistance

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About the Author

By Ariel Tachna

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Copyright

Realization

ERIC NEWTON groaned softly as he rounded the corner of the compound in the Caymans where they were prepping for their next mission and saw Taylor and Warren in the gym. He had planned to spend part of the afternoon sparring with Victoria Amato, but if they were there, he’d be better off going to the firing range for target practice. He didn’t need the practice, but it would be preferable to listening to their shit again.

Oh, look, it’s Amato’s bitch, Warren said as soon as he caught sight of Eric. Eric’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t reply. Nothing he said would change anything, and he was still on probation after the fiasco of a mission in Afghanistan. He still said he’d done the right thing, not taking the shot, but the team leader had disagreed, and he’d reported Eric to Davenport for insubordination.

Eric snorted. Davenport knew all about Eric’s issues with authority. Unlike the other team leaders, though, Davenport never gave Eric a reason to question his orders. Unfortunately, Eric worked with others more than he worked with Davenport.

Look, I don’t want any trouble, Warren. I’m just here to spar with Amato when she gets here.

Told you he was her bitch, Warren said, nudging Taylor. What you wanna bet she takes him down in less than five minutes?

Eric rolled his eyes. That was just insulting. He had no doubt Victoria would kick his ass, but he could usually hold out for at least six minutes before she pinned him.

Before he could reply, Victoria walked in, Davenport at her side. Just what he needed—his perfect supervisor watching him get his ass kicked. He pushed past Warren and Taylor and went to greet Victoria, doing his best to ignore Davenport now watching from his seat on the sidelines.

Ready? she asked him.

I’ve been practicing.

Good. You need it.

He shot her a dirty look, but she didn’t back down. She was going to make a fool of him in front of Davenport and relish every second of it.

That’s it, Amato. Teach the half-breed a lesson, Warren called.

Eric tensed at the insult. His grandmother had been half Kiowa, but Eric didn’t claim any connection with the tribe. It didn’t stop him from having the distinctive bronze skin and black hair of his ancestors, though, and Warren had found out, been told, or guessed and had used it to beat Eric down ever since.

Mr. Warren. Everyone in the room froze at the sound of Davenport’s voice. He rose from his seat and removed the jacket of the plain blue suit he wore.

Sir?

You leave in three days for a mission in Iraq. Is that correct? Eric didn’t

Reviews for Revelations

[serenayates · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Told in a sequence of segments from each of the three main characters’ point of view, this story shows the coming together of three exceptional men who all work for a paramilitary strike force. With two former Navy SEALs and an expert sniper, there is plenty of testosterone to go around, more than enough action on a few missions I got to witness, and some very intense emotions once they realize they may just belong together as more than colleagues. I was utterly enthralled from page one, and now cannot wait to read ‘Talking in Code’ to find out what happens to them after the breathtaking cliff-hanger of this prequel.

Eric is a very competent sniper, of Native American descent, and harassed by a homophobic racist. He also has an issue with authority, except for his current superior officer, whom he has fallen in lust with. Eric thinks it is hopeless, but appearances can be deceiving.

Tim and Richard are former Navy SEALs, and I began to like them as soon as I got to know them better. They are a committed couple and soon discover that they both have feelings for Eric, something neither of them expected. Watching the maneuver, the quagmire of dealing with the situation as well as how they bring Eric into their relationship is fascinating, made me respect them even more, and leads to some extremely hot physical expression of the budding love between them.

For such a short story, there is a fair amount of background and great character depth. A lot of that comes from the fact that all three men are dedicated soldiers and that stereotype carries some weight - not in a negative way. The growth they show as they figure out how to make a relationship work is very promising for the novel that is next on my to-read list. With a despicable bad guy who has dark schemes and tries to mess everything up and enough obstacles to keep up the suspense, I was glued to the pages. And while some things get resolved, there really is no “ending” – just a lead-in to the sequel.

If you like tough military men navigating their feelings in a complex three-way relationship with potential for a triad, if you enjoy reading about couples who discover they may want a third partner but aren’t sure how to go about it, and if you’re looking for a read that is as blisteringly hot as it is emotionally deep, then you will probably like this prequel as much as I do. I can’t wait to read the full novel!