Once again L.A Witt has blown me away with characters I couldn’t help but love, and a well-developed, emotional story that I didn’t want to end! Even though Colin and Daniel’s story isn’t always easy, the two of them are easy to love. ~ Java Girl, Guilty Pleasures
Description
Colin Spencer is a tattoo artist with a past he’d prefer to keep a secret. Actually, he has a few secrets that he’d rather people didn’t know about, which is why Colin doesn’t do commitment. But when a shy sailor approaches him at the gym, Colin finds this guy pushing all his buttons.
Growing up in a conservative family, then escaping with the Navy, Daniel Moore is an unsure virgin who feels like he can’t share his true self with anyone. Seeing Colin—and his tattoos—at the gym are the sign Daniel needs to finally get those tattoos he’s always wanted, and maybe try his hand at flirting.
As Colin and Daniel spend more time together, their awkward hesitations turn into a deep passion neither expected. But with both men harboring secrets, will their relationship be able to survive their insecurities and become something beautiful?
Back Piece by L.A. Witt is a sexy, emotional journey of two people learning to love and finding acceptance for who they really are.
L.A. Witt also writes under the name Lauren Gallagher.
I am a fan of L.A. Witt’s work, but I rarely have the opportunity to review one of her books, here on the blog, so I was doing a little happy 
dance when I was offered Back Piece. I loved this coming out story of Daniel, a young Navy man from an extremely religious family, and Colin, an openly gay tattoo artist. Daniel and Colin both have issues and secrets they are dealing with, all of which I felt were well-handled and believable. Even though the men are on two different levels when it comes to relationships and sexual experience, both are thoughtful, caring people, who handle their relationship like adults. There is definitely some angst, but just the right amount, and for the right reasons. I loved the vulnerability of both characters, as well as their strength, and quiet confidence. Daniel’s fear of what coming out to his ultra-conservative parents would mean was exceptionally well-done. Ms. Witt gives a decision of that magnitude, especially in these circumstances, the respect and care it deserves. Being privy to Daniel’s inner thoughts and anguish over this decision made me stop and think about how devastating coming out can be for some people. Daniel’s parents aren’t stereotypes, but rather, good people who love their son (albeit, homophobic). People are rarely all bad, and the realistic portrayal of his family worked so much better, and made Daniel’s anguish and decision that much more difficult and emotional. Colin has his own serious issues. I’m not going to spoil anything, but I will say I appreciated his unique situation, his support system, and the opportunity for a different perspective. Although Back Piece deals with several serious and complex issues, it’s still a romance and the growing relationship between these two very different men was fun, super hot, and very emotional.
ARC provided for a voluntary review.
4.5 stars
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Excerpt
Outside, some of the guys from the gym were milling around in the parking lot, so Colin took Daniel around the back of the building where they’d have some privacy. There he stopped and faced him, fighting the urge to fidget nervously. “So, how’s the tattoo healing?”
“Good. Good.” Daniel shifted his weight. “It’s still kinda itchy, but it’s getting better.”
Colin grimaced sympathetically. “That’s the worst part. The pain I can deal with, but the itching sucks. You’re not scratching it, are you?”
“No, of course not.”
Their eyes met, and they both smiled, but quickly looked away. Awkwardness didn’t even have to set in—it was already present and accounted for.
After a moment, Colin raked a hand through his hair. “Look, things went really fast the other night, and I’m sorry. I mean, maybe—”
“No. No.” Daniel shook his head. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I just kind of freaked out.”
“But . . . why?” Colin struggled to hold his gaze. “Did I make you nervous?”
“No, you didn’t. But what we were doing . . . yeah. It did. Kinda.” He paused. “Okay, a lot.”
“So, how is that not me making you nervous?”
Color bloomed in Daniel’s cheeks, but blushing wasn’t as cute this time. He seemed genuinely uncomfortable and embarrassed, and Colin’s stomach turned with guilt over putting him in this position.
Daniel took a breath and met his gaze again. “The thing is, that was . . .” He scratched the back of his neck and added a barely audible, “My first time.”
“Your . . .” Colin blinked. “Are you serious?”
Daniel was bright red now, and nodded. “Yeah. I mean, I made out with a guy while I was on cruise, but otherwise . . .” He laughed uneasily. “I’m a virgin.”
Colin stared at him. “Really?”
“Wasn’t it obvious?”
“Not from the way you kissed, no.”
Daniel gave a soft, self-conscious laugh. “Beginner’s luck, I guess.”
“Something like that.”
Daniel moistened his lips. “So it wasn’t that I didn’t want to do anything the other night. I did. And it was . . .” He laughed again and looked at Colin. “It was amazing. I know I took off and all, but it was fucking . . .” He whistled, shaking his head.
Colin smiled. “Good. I was worried I’d maybe gone too fast. Pushed you too far.”
“No. It wasn’t your fault. I mean, I liked it. A lot. And I definitely want it. More. More of it. I just . . . I . . .” He pinched the bridge of his nose, pausing as if trying to collect his thoughts. “Okay, the reason I freaked out is afterward, I thought you’d want me to reciprocate. And I . . .” He dropped his hand and stared at the ground between them. “Man, I don’t have a fucking clue what I’m doing. I guess I was scared you’d be disappointed.”
“Disappointed?” Colin shook his head. “No, not at all.”
“Yeah.” Daniel laughed humorlessly. “That’s because I left before I had a chance to make an ass of myself.”
“My God. Did you think . . .” Colin cautiously stepped closer. “You wouldn’t have made an ass of yourself.”
Daniel said nothing.
Colin advanced again, and now he had to be well within Daniel’s comfort zone. He halted, giving Daniel a chance to pull back if he wasn’t comfortable, and when Daniel didn’t move, Colin reached for him. He paused, glancing around to make absolutely sure they were still alone out here, and then slid a hand around Daniel’s waist, his own skin prickling with goose bumps even before Daniel’s breath hitched. “So you’re afraid you won’t be good at it, right?”
Daniel nodded, still avoiding Colin’s eyes.
“Is that the only thing stopping you?”
“Definitely.” Daniel hesitated, but finally made eye contact. “Because I really, really wanted to keep going last time.”
Colin grinned. “Is that right?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Well, my house is just over there.” He nodded past Daniel. “Five minute walk, and my brother works nights, so we’ll have it to ourselves.” He lifted his eyebrows. “You want to?”
Daniel gulped. Then he whispered, “Yes, please.”
Author Bio
L.A. Witt is a M/M romance writer who has finally been released from the purgatorial corn maze of Omaha, Nebraska, and now spends her time on the southwestern coast of Spain. In between wondering how she didn’t lose her mind in Omaha, she explores the country with her husband, several clairvoyant hamsters, and an ever-growing herd of rabid plot bunnies.
Author Links
Website: www.gallagherwitt.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorLAWitt
Twitter: @GallagherWitt
Buy Links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Back-Piece-Skin-Deep-Inc-ebook/dp/B06XBP3RV5
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/back-piece-la-witt/1125854601
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/back-piece/id1210093182
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/back-piece
Google Play: https://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN9781250142016
Love the cover. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Java Girl