The Navy men and women of Anchor Point are back in this angst-ridden romance between two men riddled with pain over their nightmare-inducing pasts. With physical and emotional pains weighing on them both they find solace and acceptance in each other's arms until fear drives them apart. With their HEA on the rocks will the other be brave enough to fight for what he knows is right for both of them or will he leave him adrift?

From the moment readers are introduced to Clint and Travis they see a memorable coupling, a coupling made up of older men left battered and bruised by wartime acts who have rebuilt their lives after deciding they could no longer hide the truth of their orientation. They're left scarred with PTSD, chronic pain, and for one, he's had to overcome addictions. They're also left jaded and disillusioned by the military and fear what will come after their service ends. It's only in each other's arms that they find peace and quiet, as well as love...which catches both of them by surprise. Theirs is a combustible relationship, one that flared very quickly and had them burning up the sheets and our eReader's pages from the very start. Theirs is a relationship that's easily accepted by those around them but it's Travis's fears that are the biggest roadblock to their HEA. Fears over his disability, and the limitations it places on their sex life, have him constantly thinking of the end while Clint's focused on their future. It makes for realistic storytelling but frustration for the reader which ultimately leads to an ending that shows that wisdom comes with maturity.

On a whole this was an intensely emotional m/m romance. It sets itself apart from the crowd with its older protagonists and by not having the stereotypical roadblocks at play in keeping these two men apart. Their sexual interludes were erotic, original in compensating for Travis's chronic back pain, and were nicely balanced with scenes that allowed them to connect on a deeper level. Along with this unique main couple came interactions with the couple from the previous book in this series which gives readers nice follow-up on how their romance has progressed, as well as showing them to be a supportive sounding board. If there's one thing that held me back from loving this book completely it's that it went on way too long and I got a bit bored in the middle section. Despite that I definitely recommend this book for its memorable older couple and creative handling of disability and romance.

Did you ever finish a book and think to yourself "Wow, that touched me more than I thought it would"? Afraid to Fly by L.A. Witt just did that to me. This book was not overly angst filled. It wasn't filled with huge catastrophes that the MC's had to get through in order for them to find their HEA. There were no bad guys getting in the way of the good guys seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

This was, at its core, a story about two men who had some of the darkest things happen to them, and trying to find a way to allow themselves to get past some of the intense pain and guilt and simply love again.

PTSD is no laughing matter, and having two main characters with PTSD brought on by their years in the military really helped open a tightly held door up, at least for this reader. PTSD is quite often portrayed as constant flashbacks, terror at every turn, being unable to hold down a job, and being unable to acclimate to society in general. These characters show you the quieter side (that was the best phrase I could think of) of PTSD. It is something people live their lives with every day. They go to school or work, they cook and clean, they make and keep friends, they fall in and out of love and hopefully find new love. Through all that, they cope in the best way they know, by trying to move forward, while still acknowledging what has molded them into the person they are today. Even down to the sex scenes, the representation of what life would really be like for these men spoke of realism.

I loved Clint and Travis together. They were a mess, to be sure. Even as they fell in love with each other, they couldn't help but continually doubt themselves, and their ability to keep the other person engaged and excited to be with them. And really, isn't that life, so often? We have fears, our self-confidence waivers, and we think there's no way this other perfect person would want to stay with us. And yet, these two do, they find a way-with the help of lots of friends and family-to ignore the internal doubts and continue to forge ahead on their relationship.

These men trusted each other, even when they couldn't trust themselves. When their own brains, emotions, or bodies said that what they were doing was going to fail, they trusted each other. With PTSD, that can't be easy, yet Ms. Witt managed to portray the emotions of what was clearly a huge challenge to these men in a raw, honest way that hit you in the gut as you read it, and made you want to the book to be over right now, so they had their HEA, and continue on for pages and pages, so you could see how they would work through it.

Such a wonderful portrayal of two men just trying to make it through each day, and come out a little more happy, a little stronger, and loving one another even more.

4.5 stars

Another L.A. Witt book that I just fell in love with, there is just something about her writing style that I love.

Travis has been confided to a desk for eight years, after a near fatal accident nearly cost him, his life and his job. Clint tried to drown himself in the bottle after a high clearance mission went awry. Both men have nightmares and are in quite a bit of pain, some more physical than others. They each have been on the others radar, but both believe the other is straight. When Travis discovers Clint isn't straight sparks fly, but can they survive the other parts of having a normal relationship, like staying over night with each other.

This was a great book, while Travis did a stupid thing, you could understand why he made the decision, even if everyone in his life gave him the cold shoulder for the decision, and Clint didn't take the decision lying down.

I’ve read quite a few titles by this author, many created under various pen names, and have always enjoyed her writing very much. The first story in the Anchor Point series, Just Drive, also received a lot of good reviews, even though I missed it when it was released. So, I was a little disappointed when Afraid to Fly gave me a fair bit of difficulty.

One particularly significant stumbling block for me came from the use of dueling first person POVs throughout the narrative. Although each chapter is titled to reflect whose perspective is being presented, the story still became confusing, especially during longer strings of dialogue. Travis and Clint have such similar experiences that things frequently got muddled when they were together. This wasn’t a constant issue, but it happened often enough that I had to reread several scenes in order to clarify who was saying what.

In addition to the above, I had a difficult time accepting Clint’s decision to tell Travis about the incident that led to his downfall and the destruction of his marriage. So much was made about the repercussions attached to it, clearance levels, and nondisclosure agreements that kept him silent for so long that Clint’s sudden about face seemed “off” somehow. Although, I was still glad he was able to get that secret out in the open.

There were other issues that affected my submersion in the story, including Travis’ repeatedly stated cynicism about the future of their relationship. Additionally, Clint “comes out” to his office associates during the very first scene, but is worried on other occasions about what his ex-wife would say if his bisexuality was discovered. Lastly, while penetrative sex certainly isn’t necessary, I found it odd that Travis was determined to push his physical limitations in several other ways (taking the stairs instead of the elevator, the bi-annual health screening, etc.), but not when it came to his intimate moments with Clint.

Far from being entirely negative, however, there was also a lot to appreciate about Afraid to Fly. For a start, both main characters are in their 40’s, which is both rare and interesting in my reading experience. The same similarities that presented themselves as pitfalls in one context made the connection between Travis and Clint seem even more valid in another. Many of the issues that our military have to live with are given a great deal of consideration here, as well, which I was very happy to see. The problems associated with DADT, as well as the highly personal nature of PTSD, are all represented with respect and dignity, which I felt went a long way towards balancing out the story as a whole.

While Afraid to Fly is the second in the Anchor Point series, it stands on its own very well. Still, I’d have preferred to read the previous story, Just Drive, first, as its main characters contributed to some of my favorite parts of this story. Despite a few matters of concern, I felt that this Afraid to Fly showed respectful attention in areas regarding our military that truly need it. With two more titles to go in the series, I’m eager to see what else this author has in store.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Angie – ☆☆☆
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was looking forward to this book. I did enjoy this book, just not as much. I did feel like I knew exactly how Travis and Clint felt when dealing with their PTSD, the author was great with getting that across and making you feel what the characters were feeling. I loved the chemistry with Travis and Clint, you could tell they really liked/loved each other. My only complaint was it seemed like the same stuff was said over and over and over again. Yes, Travis has back pain and he can’t do certain things, but we heard about that non-flipping stop, we got it, Clint got it, let’s talk about something else. I do like the secondary characters and I will read the next story in the series and hope that we see these two again down the road.

Characters: Well written
Sex: No penetration
Religious: No
Would I recommend to others: Yes
More than one book in the series: Yes
Genre: M/M Romance
Would I read more by this author: Yes


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
I am so in love with this series! This time, this is the story of two Navy officers who are instantly attracted to each other. To make a relationship work, they both have to be willing to share and accept the baggage they each carry after difficult military careers and failed past relationships.

Gorgeous, heroic, and damaged, I loved both Clint and Travis. Both of these men are older and both are terrified to expose their vulnerabilities to each other. Between PTSD, the emotional detritus of DADT, and permanent physical disabilities, neither man sees himself as much of a prize and neither feels equipped to manage a relationship. I loved the conflicting strength and vulnerability in these men.

There are some dark themes running through this story as both men wrestle with the costs of the careers they have chosen. Both men remain fiercely loyal to the Navy. They enjoy the camaraderie and the sense of identity the Navy provides for them but after long careers, their experiences have been incredibly difficult and they have both endured unthinkable tragedies. There doesn’t seem to be a political agenda in this story, just honest reflection on the reality of long military careers.

I’m always shocked by the cost of healthcare in the US, and Travis clinging to his career, nearly killing himself to complete the necessary Navy physical tests so he can continue to have his medical bills paid is a horrific and very moving example of the choices too many Americans are forced to make.

I really loved this story. It is a reflective, considered romance between two men who are both much older than the average romantic hero. I enjoyed their maturity, and the compromise and acceptance that make for very poignant scenes in this story. There is a special joy between these two men who never expected to love again.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/M Military, Romance
Triggers: PTSD

Clint is just starting to come back to life. He self-destructed when a mission went very poorly. But, given that the mission was so classified, he wasn't able to discuss it with anyone – instead, he drank and was violent, scared his kids, and pushed his family so far away that he is just now starting to work at getting them back. Despite all of that, when he is able to pick himself back up, he allows himself to look for happiness where he wouldn't allow himself to look before. With men. Despite being divorced, he must now not only come to grips with how he treated his family, but showing them that he is attracted to men and always has been.

Travis is in constant pain. He was a pilot who had a bad landing and was never the same again. He lives with pain, guilt, and even a little shame. Over the years, he's recovered as much as possible, but his dreams continue to haunt him. He has great friends and loves what he does, he pushes himself to continue on, despite the pain, because he's scared of what his future will bring.

When Travis and Clint really come together, it's almost as each other’s therapists. Each knows what the other is going through, as far as the trauma goes. Clint worries about Travis's pain and Travis worries about what coming out to his kids will do to Clint.

I wouldn't say that they have amazing chemistry. I think what brings them together is their commonality in their backgrounds. Both are military, both are attractive, both have PTSD, and both seem to downplay their own trauma experiences.

While this book didn't resonate romance with me, I am glad that it discusses the subject that all trauma, no matter what it's perceived as, is still trauma. I think that is a very good message. So, while I didn't love the story, I did like that it highlighted an area that is not talked about in a lot of circles. Sure, we talk about PTSD, the silent wound, but to really talk about the different areas, how to validate those feelings, especially when even your brothers who worked the same mission are jumpy to talk about it. Good message.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series – and I would recommend the first book to you as well. Although it is not essential to read it first, we do meet Travis in that book first, as he is Paul's good friend.

Whilst book one dealt with naval issues, its other big theme was about age differences in a relationship. This book takes the naval themes, but adds both the issue of PTSD and for Travis, of chronic physical pain due to an injury sustained whilst flying. Both he and Clint have also had a family, and are adjusting to being able to be freely open about their preference for relationships with men. These things are all dealt with in the context of two men who aren't entirely convinced that anyone would want them, given how damaged they are, and how unsuccessful they have been in relationships in the past.

I found this an easy book to read, as Ms. Witt has a smooth writing style, and combines the everyday with hot romance very effectively. It was very enjoyable to see these two men find the confidence to believe that this could be real and lasting. It was good that there were no major dramas which detracted from the very real issues that people face every day.

A good sequel to Just Drive. I hope that another is out soon.


Erica – ☆☆☆
Afraid to Fly can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the first in the series – Just Drive.

As a big L.A. Witt fan, one who was interested in where this series was leading after Just Drive, I need to preface this review by saying the story didn't resonate with me due to the slow pacing.

Afraid to Fly features bisexual men in the middle of their lives. They're established, have children, and have learned from lessons in the past.

Travis is an officer in the Navy, dealing with a nearly debilitating injury that grounded him from flying. Travis has an adult daughter.

Clint works on the same floor with Travis, but they don't work together. He's an officer with an ex-wife and three children. He's dealing with the alcoholism that fractured his marriage and is trying to reconnect with his children.

Both men have demons they are struggling with, debilitating pain, alcoholism, and PTSD. This novel features two men later on in their lives finding love and romance despite their issues. It's sweet, heartfelt, and hope-filled.

I felt the author was thoroughly educated and informed with all aspects of the Navy included in the story, especially the realism with PTSD.

My issue with the story was the pacing. Even at the start, it was 15% of a long novel for one scene. It just crawled along as the characters were introduced, with mostly inner monologue that became tedious to wade through. Combined with the accurate military info, that I felt also slowed the pacing down, it was a real struggle for me to remain engaged until the end. Another issue, I had difficulty grasping who was narrating, not that it wasn't accurately marked at the heading of each chapter – both narrators had a ton of inner monologue, inner monologue that had the same 'voice' as their partner, making it difficult to distinguish between them. Outside of names being thought about and specifics to their situations, they were interchangeable characters.

Afraid to Fly was a solid military romance, devoid of angst and tension, which I'm sure many romance fans will find a comfort. I need to note, the novel ended more on a happy for now (HFN), without any solid conclusions to many of the threads started in the novel.

This installment wasn't my cup of tea, because I need more angst, more tension, more story on the pages, and a swifter pacing to stay engaged, but I do look forward to more in this series and more by this author.

Eh, I'm going to have to table this book for now. I loved the first book in the Anchor Point series but this is sort of anti-climatic for me. I'm 46% in and just rather bored. Thank you for the chance to read and review it. I'll tastefully remove it from my shelves. Best wishes.

This is a nice follow up in the Anchor Point series about two older MCs, both pilots who can no longer fly and are trying to carry on with their lives as they find ways to cope with their issues.

Travis was a fighter pilot who has a serious chronic back injury from his crash 8 years prior. Clint was a drone pilot who no longer flies due to a mission gone bad. Both men suffer from PTSD.

Clint and Travis meet at a military ball and though there are a few things going on, they end up hitting it off. Both are hesitant to think about anything long term, each for their own reasons. Clint is concerned that his injury will cause Travis to get bored (he deals with pain of various levels on a daily basis, which also prevents him from having penetrative sex) with their sex life. Travis is a recovering alcoholic who is trying to deal with his PTSD but has been unable to speak to anyone about it due to its classified status. This brought about his divorce and is the focus of his being able to be in his kids’ lives.

Ms. Witt does a very good job writing about older MCs. They still have issues to deal with, but there is a higher level of maturity that is felt throughout the story. Their issues are serious, but there isn’t really any added angst or unnecessary silliness thrown in.

This was just about the opposite of book 1 in terms of sexual tension. Whereas Just Drive had excitement and build up, this one had plenty of hotness with the men finding other ways to work around the issue of Clint’s discomfort and managing his pain while having as normal a relationship as possible.

All in all, this was a very enjoyable second chance story about two guys who are perfect for and end up needing each other in ways they never imagined. It was a nice addition to the series, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for Anchor Point.

P.S. It was great to see Sean and Paul again!

3.5 Stars Afraid to Fly is the second book in the Anchor Point series. I like Travis and Clint’s story but I did feel certain parts drawn out and disconnecting from the storyline. In saying this though the overall story is a great addition to this series and I look forward to reading more.

Afraid to Fly is the second installment in the Anchor Point series. In this installment you meet Travis and Clint, both older (45 and 40 respectively) officer's in the Navy. Both men have been married to women in the past and have children. Both men have things from their pasts causing them all kinds of issues, including PTSD.

What I liked about this book was the older MC's. Honestly, while I enjoy the heck out of the younger MC books, being on the brink of 40 myself, I actually do not mind reading about some older individuals in my stories. I loved Travis and Clint together, and even though they are both older, it's not like they were ready for the retirement community yet! I think their relationship came together rather seemlesly and progressed at a most excellent pace :)

The interaction between the two, in AND out of the bedroom was just too sweet. The story flowed really well and was very well written. I can't wait to see what's up next for Anchor Point!

I’ve been putting off doing this review because I have very mixed feelings about this story. On the one hand, I found it quite simple with no major plot dramas and a lot of introspection on past mistakes, the MCs trying to find the strength to move forward in the face of psychological adversity. But on the other hand, that is exactly what made the story so memorable. Three days after finishing, I’m still touched by Travis and Clint and hoping that Clint will continue to move forward in his alcohol recovery and PTSD therapy and that Travis will find some measure of pain relief for his back issues. I can’t shake these guys from my thoughts.

And that’s when I realized that L.A. Witt created characters that are not only memorable, but flawed, realistic, and vulnerable. The fact that both men are in their forties is a huge plus to me. Add in a visit from Paul and his fiancé, Sean, as they plan their wedding, and it was like receiving a special, unexpected gift.
Travis is Paul’s friend, a commander and former naval pilot who was injured when a sudden wave lifted the airstrip he was about to land on, and he had to abort the landing and eject into the sea. Though he doesn’t have any specific memories of being in the water, nightmares of what may have happened disturb his sleep, he has to wear a TENS unit and struggle constantly with back pain, and his PTSD can be triggered in a heartbeat.

The new training officer, Clint Frazer, not only has an office on Travis’s floor, he brings a male date to the Navy ball, an action that peaks Travis’s interest in him. And apparently, the interest goes both ways, and that’s especially evident when Clint announces his breakup with said date, a man who didn’t know when enough alcohol was enough in Clint’s presence. After all, Clint hasn’t had a drink in quite some time, since drinking didn’t work as a PTSD therapy, and in fact, triggered violent reactions in him in the presence of his former wife and children. And that’s why he’s no longer allowed to see his kids unsupervised.

Two birds of a feather. Granted, they are different feathers, as their nightmares and PTSD stressors are different, but they gravitate toward one another and begin a very slow burn romance. Don’t get me wrong—they end up in bed fairly quickly, enjoying kissing and hand jobs due to Travis’s physical restrictions, but the love and romance take time and proceed slowly as each man’s screwed-up psyche gets in the way of his ability to form a commitment.

These are the parts of the story that I thought dragged here and there. I’m not a big fan of angst or self-imposed angst, and I’m not a big fan of men who stop drinking without seeking a recovery group or therapist, but that’s my own personal life story hot button. But I am a big fan of an author who can create three-dimensional, flawed, and memorable characters, and that’s what we have here. So those readers who do enjoy the angst, the stress, the over-40 romance between two sexy sailors and those who enjoy the building of character in a fleshed-out romantic drama should all love this one.

Well, fuck me if this wasn’t a more realistic read. I have to say that these two men really got the ass end of the stick. Travis and Clint both suffer from PTSD; each due to their own traumas they were involved in while in charge of an aircraft. Then to add-on top of that Travis suffers from chronic back pain, while Clint is a recovering alcoholic due to not being able to disclose his mission. To ANYONE! Really, I just wanted to wrap the two in bubble wrap and tend to them.

However, these two men keep going, taking one day at a time. And by good love of all that is amazing, they find each other. Not only that, but they are good for one another; like really good for one another.

While I did enjoy reading Travis and Clint’s story, I did not love it. I cannot exactly put a finger as to why, just that it didn’t suck me in as it did in the previous book. It didn’t have extreme highs of lows, it just was. Maybe that was the problem.

Last but not least, the ending seemed a bit rushed. It was like, ‘no we can’t one minute’, followed by ‘oh yes we can’ and wrapping it up with an, ‘okay let’s give it a try’. I swear, if you blink you might miss it! Honestly, it could have done without the “no we can’t” moment by Travis. Needless to say, Travis and Clint end on a HFN note leaving it up to the reader to make their own assumptions. I wonder though. If there is a third book, the author might give us with a lovely wrap-up like she did in this book with Sean and Paul wedding. Time will only tell.

It's unusual to find a romance story with both MCs in their 40's. At least, it is for me. I tend to read about young love. At most, one of the MCs may be older.

Not here. Here we have two men in their 40's with all the Baggage that entails. (did you notice the capital B in Baggage?)

Military careers resulting in PTSD as well as physical damage. Divorces involving kids. Loss of loved ones. Yes, these men have lived a lifetime before they even meet.

As you can imagine, their love story takes a different path than the more common young love we often read about. It's more about acceptance and understanding than it is about wild passion.

While I still prefer to read romance about young love, I did enjoy reading Travis and Clint's journey.

Touching, captivating, and remarkably fervent!

In this latest novel Witt takes us back to Anchor Point and reminds us of some of the emotional and physical damage experienced by those in the military and gives us a good look at the symptoms and effects of PTSD.

It is, ultimately, a story about family dynamics, friendship, compassion, support, romance and love.

The characters are real, troubled, mature and resilient. The prose is precise. And the plot, told from alternating perspectives, flows smoothly from start to finish with a good mix of suffering, tension, desire, rapport, and emotional turmoil.

Overall, this truly is a heartwarming story about two wounded men who finally find the solace, sensitivity, tolerance, tenderness, and intimacy they need in each other.

This is the second novel in the "Anchor Point" series. If you haven't had a chance to check out my review of Just Drive (Anchor Point #1), you can find it HERE.

Thank you to NetGalley, especially Riptide Publishing, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.