{"id":17184,"date":"2020-11-14T00:00:05","date_gmt":"2020-11-13T22:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelesbianreview.com\/?p=17184"},"modified":"2023-06-14T14:16:07","modified_gmt":"2023-06-14T12:16:07","slug":"blue-skies-ali-vali","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelesbianreview.com\/blue-skies-ali-vali\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Skies by Ali Vali: Audiobook Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Blue<\/a>Blue Skies by Ali Vali<\/b><\/span> is a second chance military romance that is full of action and suspense to keep the pages turning.<\/p>\n

Commander Berkley Levine (code name Cletus) is enjoying blue skies from her F-18 combat jet and as a Top Gun instructor in Fallon, Nevada. Berkley loves her life but still pines for her ex-lover and even the F-18 twin-engine supersonic combat jet cannot help her outrun her feelings.<\/p>\n

Captain Aidan Sullivan is assigned the Navy\u2019s newest and baddest carrier, the USS Jefferson. Even though Aidan has worked hard for this rank \u2013 including giving up the love of her life, the opportunity to captain her own carrier comes with its own challenges. Aiden\u2019s love for the military is slowly dwindling. All she wants now is to get back together with her only love, Berkley.<\/p>\n

Somewhere in North Korea, nuclear weapons are being created and Captain Sullivan\u2019s orders are to destroy two of the sites housing the nuclear program. Aidan\u2019s, first mission could have serious international consequences if she fails and she can only think of one person she trusts implicitly to help her get the job done. Is all truly fair in love and war?<\/p>\n

Berkley is recruited to head the elite group of Top Gun pilots as they attempt to complete their mission in the Sea of Japan over enemy territory. This adventure takes us to the Seas of Japan on board the USS Jefferson, North Korea and a world where Don\u2019t Ask Don\u2019t Tell is the policy. Relationships between a commanding officer and their subordinate are frowned upon and could result in a dishonorable discharge. Is it worth the risk? Will our two heroes rediscover the love they once shared? How will their mission fair? How many forces are against them? Who is an ally and who is your enemy?<\/p>\n

The Characters<\/b><\/h3>\n

We meet Berkley and Aidan 4 years after their breakup, and we try to puzzle out what happened that made them go their separate ways. What I found interesting about this second chance couple was I didn\u2019t need the back story of what happened to separate them. I just wanted them to be together and take on the world. <\/b><\/p>\n

Commander Berkley Levine (code name Cletus) is the kind of friend we all want to have. She is loyal, driven, fun, astute, funny, and easy going. All of these characteristics make her a remarkable pilot. Berkley comes from a military family, her father was a navy pilot commander and that is who she takes after. Her close relationship with her family- especially her father gives us an insight to who she is and makes you love her more. Berkley\u2019s father commander Corbin Levine is the perfect girl dad. Cletus has 3 sisters, and she was the only one to take after her father. She has his looks, his height, his adventure-seeking spirit, and she followed his footsteps in joining the military as a naval pilot.<\/p>\n

Captain Aidan Sullivan also grew up with the military, her father is retired navy Admiral Preston \u201cTriton\u201d Sullivan. Aidan is an only child and very much a daddy\u2019s girl. Part of the reason she left Berkley was she did not want to ruin her father\u2019s reputation in the navy due to Don\u2019t Ask Don\u2019t Tell. Getting promoted to the best ship the navy has is a lifetime career achievement but for Aidan, the military has taken a lot from her. She just wants to serve her time and leave with the love of her life.<\/p>\n

They are many side characters in this book that add to the story. One such character is Captain Jin Umeko. Jin is also a military child who has no choice but to follow her fathers directives. General Pak Kwang Lee enlists his daughter for a mission that will take her away from regular society. He wishes to isolate her and keep her underfoot. Her mission is to protect the coast where the nuclear weapons are being housed.<\/p>\n

Both Aidan and Berkley need to get their heads in the game. A mission that was supposed to be simple, is now fraught with complications, treachery, and treason. They do not know whom to trust, they do not seem to understand what is going on, and every turn they take they are a step behind. With the mission hanging in the balance, romance is the last distraction either of them needs. Their country needs them to step up to the plate and bat a home run as a failure to do so could have catastrophic international consequences.<\/p>\n

The Writing Style<\/b><\/h3>\n

This book starts out with a slow pace because it is building the characters, but once the mission is a go, the story takes off. It is full of adventure, action, suspense, and mystery. We are trying to solve one puzzle when another one comes up. So many moving pieces. It was a great game of chess.<\/p>\n

I loved the side characters of this book and really hope to reunite with them in the next book. This book starts out as a second chance romance and that is still there, but the romance takes a back seat to adventure and action while still maintaining it. I love how the author did that.<\/p>\n

The story is told from many perspectives. The main voices are Aidan and Berkley. It was important that the author add the other voices, such as the president and his staffers, as well as the Jin Umeko and the others. This story goes all over, it flowed like watching a movie. It had aspects of mission impossible and top gun.<\/p>\n

The ending is abrupt, while it\u2019s not exactly a cliff hanger you still want to run and get the next book. The story just cuts off. I was very happy I waited until both books were out. It flowed so well. For those who waited, I recommend re-reading this book before starting the second because it takes off right where we left.<\/p>\n

The Narration<\/b><\/h3>\n

Paige McKinney does a great job with this narration. I was constantly engaged, I found myself wanting more of the story so I kept finding things to do a round the house to keep my hands busy for easy listening. As a result, I completed my fall cleaning in 2 days.<\/p>\n

The were many characters to keep up with and that did get confusing there is only so many different ways you can switch up 10 different male character voices. The only two voices I could easily tell apart were out two MCs. But the story flows so well that you really do not get hung up on which male character is speaking. I could tell them apart well enough to keep up with the story.<\/p>\n

My Favourite Parts<\/b><\/h3>\n

The action and the fact it was not a slow burn. The romance is the undertone, and the action and adventure are the main course. And boy, I devoured it!<\/p>\n

Heads Up<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you are a military enthusiast and \/or were serving or grew up in the military, the military parts or story may not be accurate. I am also not sure exactly what Aidan did to deserve the captaincy of this carrier because she seems like the weakest link. Though I love her and her character.<\/p>\n

The Don\u2019t Ask Don\u2019t Tell policy might irk some with how it was treated in this book, especially those who served under this policy. I don\u2019t think the author was calloused to it, I think she handled it well and as best she could. It was not the focus of the story.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Conclusion<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/a>If you are like me and love low angst, military, action packed, puzzles, and suspense, this is the right book (series) is for you\/us.<\/p>\n

Excerpt from <\/b><\/span>Blue Skies by Ali Vali<\/b><\/h2>\n

\u201cJust make sure you follow the advice I gave my daughter. You get back here in one piece. You owe me a dinner in New Orleans.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it with owed meals and your family?\u201d Berkley asked Aidan with a laugh. \u201cMaybe it has to do with loving to spend time with you,\u201d Aidan said in a whisper, not wanting any of the crew to overhear her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure that has to be it.\u201d Berkley smiled as she leaned back against the plane. \u201cWhen we get back we\u2019ll try our best to get together with my folks. I\u2019m sure my dad will like getting to know you, Admiral.\u201dShe pointed to the stairs that would take them back to the deck and led the way up. When Aidan headed for the bridge Berkley put her hand on Triton\u2019s shoulder to stop him. \u201cI wanted to ask you a favor if I could.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce we sail there won\u2019t be any communications allowed. You might not have met my parents yet, but they know this drill, and I\u2019d like you and your wife, if you\u2019re inclined, to call them and keep in touch. I think my mother especially would appreciate hearing from your wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be glad to do that for you, Cletus. It\u2019s what families do when things are tough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, sir.\u201d She smiled and didn\u2019t contradict him, and he smiled back as he put another unlit cigar in his mouth. \u201cNow let me deliver you back to Aidan so you and Mrs. Sullivan can spend some time together. We have an hour before they clear the ship of visitors and another hour before we get going.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just remember to take care of Aidan and get back safe.\u201d From the pocket of his jacket he pulled out something and kept it hidden in his fist. \u201cLike your dad, I served, and my father gave me this before I left on my first tour. The pictures have changed over the years depending on which Sullivan was carrying it, and I thought it was time to put it back in service. For a long time it had a picture of my family in it, then I replaced it with one of Mary Beth, but this one has been my all-time favorite.\u201d He opened his hand and in it sat what appeared to be an old watch.<\/p>\n

\u201cSir, I couldn\u2019t let you part with that, especially if it\u2019s a family heirloom. Aidan and I aren\u2019t at that point yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a press of the release on the side he opened it and Berkley saw it wasn\u2019t a watch but a compass with a place on the other side for a picture. She hadn\u2019t seen many of Aidan\u2019s baby pictures, but the toddler in the picture with her hands on her hips and her head cocked to the side had to be her. \u201cDamn if she couldn\u2019t stop you in your tracks even when she was four. Always quick to steer me in the right direction, even if that was really my job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had that pose and that face directed at me on more than one occasion, and you\u2019re right, it\u2019ll stop you cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

With one last look he closed the compass and pressed it into Berkley\u2019s hand. \u201cHow about you keep it for a while? I\u2019m positive you\u2019ll take care of it and be proud to hand it off to the next generation. No matter where you think you are in this relationship, I\u2019m betting on you. I see how you look at my daughter, and that means your heart realizes something that your head isn\u2019t ready for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m as sure as Aidan. Use it to find your way home.\u201d He opened it again and pointed to the picture. \u201cThe compass will point you in the right direction and the picture will remind you of the destination.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you so much, sir. I\u2019ll take good care of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Get It Online<\/b><\/h3>\n

When you use the links in this review and buy within 24 hours of clicking then we get a small commission that helps us run the site and it costs you nothing extra<\/i><\/p>\n

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Series<\/b><\/h3>\n

Blue Skies Series<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Blue Skies<\/p>\n

Stormy Seas<\/p>\n

Bits and Bobs<\/b><\/h3>\n