I read D.J. Davis' WHILE YOU WERE AWAY (Red Sage Publishing) and the story lends itself nicely to tagging, so I decided to list some non-spoiler ones for you!
But first, here's the cover and blurb:
Kev Thorsin has returned from a
twenty-year war campaign across the stars, battle-weary and ready to settle
down with the woman he was forced to leave behind. Amidst treachery that’s left
his transport ship a floating hulk, he learns his own world has been overthrown
by a corrupt regime. He’s driven to return to the only woman that’s been on his
mind since the day he left.
His fiancé, Rianna Elain, is in the thick of it back home with a group of freedom fighters known as Libertas headed by the charismatic Terrill Briggs, a flirtatious yet honorable man who wants to see the people free once more and will go to great lengths to see it through. They are on the run from security forces and a noose that closes tighter each day.
In the midst of chaos, the two meet once more and their love for each other becomes a raging fire of passion hotter than the sun, an unstoppable force. Hope for their future together rekindles, along with desires long pushed aside. A plan is hatched to take to the stars, bringing the remaining members of Libertas and their families to a place where they can live in safety, far off the grid, if they can just evade evil forces and get off the rock—a task easier said than done. But will they succeed in starting a new life beyond Tetraparagon rule or will they live out their remaining days in hiding from a hand that stretches into the very black of space?
His fiancé, Rianna Elain, is in the thick of it back home with a group of freedom fighters known as Libertas headed by the charismatic Terrill Briggs, a flirtatious yet honorable man who wants to see the people free once more and will go to great lengths to see it through. They are on the run from security forces and a noose that closes tighter each day.
In the midst of chaos, the two meet once more and their love for each other becomes a raging fire of passion hotter than the sun, an unstoppable force. Hope for their future together rekindles, along with desires long pushed aside. A plan is hatched to take to the stars, bringing the remaining members of Libertas and their families to a place where they can live in safety, far off the grid, if they can just evade evil forces and get off the rock—a task easier said than done. But will they succeed in starting a new life beyond Tetraparagon rule or will they live out their remaining days in hiding from a hand that stretches into the very black of space?
***
Below are my tags for this story so
you can explore if it's up your alley!
* Space opera setting
* The story features high-octane action-adventure including various
types of combat, chase scenes, and dangerous situations.
* The tech and weapons are described in nice detail, much as
one might find in a non-romantic SF story. The opening scenes deliver a nice immersion
experience.
* Hero and heroine are very heroic in an earnest way. Mainly
what comes to mind is that they're super nice people of the friendly neighbor
sort. WHILE YOU WERE AWAY will appeal to readers who enjoy "good guy"
and "good gal" heroes with little angst. It's an easy SFR to unwind
with after a long day of work or child rearing.
* Conflict between hero and heroine is pretty much
nonexistent (which fit given how the reunification was framed), but the
conflict between the couple and the external threat is high.
* Romance is one of reunited lovers. It has a flavor of
"against all odds" reunification.
* Hero is an enhanced (superhuman) soldier and a smart one,
too.
* Heroine Rianna is an ordinary woman who must learn freedom
fighting skills in order to survive. Some aspects of her job are distasteful to
her, but I appreciated that she didn't shy away from the hard decisions if the
situation called for it.
* Dash of cyberpunk. The tech in question could easily be a
bigger part of another book set in the same setting. There's also an
interesting "black market" tech aspect to this story and I would
happily read more like it in sci-fi romance.
* As the blurb indicates, the story has a dystopian setting
with a "corrupt regime" taking over Earth. That aspect serves more as
a backdrop for the action and romance. I wouldn't have minded if the politics
had been explored in more depth, but your mileage may vary.
* The freedom fighter leader Terrill
Briggs has a prominent role. Would make a good spin-off hero in a future book.
* Methinks there's a wee bit of a bromance happening between
Kev and Terrill!
* Steamy/erotic heat level.
IMO it's not an erotic romance since the majority of the story focuses on the
mission and reunification.
* The story has a number of military SF elements. It's a post-war period, so some of
the military aspects/history serve mainly as backstory, but this could be a
plus for readers who just want a hint of military SF.
And that's a wrap!
Joyfully yours,
Heather