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Ask, Tell

by E. J. Noyes

Where can you turn when you’re caught in a crossfire of war and passion?

Captain Sabine Fleischer is a skilled and dedicated U.S. Army surgeon deployed to a combat hospital in Afghanistan. She is also one of the thousands of troops who are forced to serve in silence because of the military’s anti-gay policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT).”

Usually driven and focused, Sabine finds that battles raging both inside and outside the perimeter walls are making it more and more difficult for her to deal with her emotions. Dealing with loss and mortality, lack of privacy, sleep deprivation, loneliness and the isolation forced on her by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” are all taking their toll. Plus, her long-term relationship with a civilian back home is quickly becoming another casualty of war.

Colonel Rebecca Keane is an enigmatic career officer who runs the surgical unit like clockwork. Well liked and respected by those who work with and under her, she walks a fine line to preserve the military’s chain of command while connecting with those under her care and supervision. Sabine knows the Colonel is way off-limits, but can’t help fantasizing about her. Especially when she starts picking up unspoken cues—a stolen glance, a secret smile, an “accidental” brush of hands. Or is it just wishful thinking? After all, Rebecca’s wedding ring shines almost as brightly as her deep blue eyes…

Paperback

$16.95

In stock

eBook

$9.99

Genre Romance
Length 252 pages
Publication Date January 15, 2017
Publisher Bella Books
ISBN 9781594935305
Editor Cath Walker
Cover Designer Judith Fellows

Extras

GCLS Goldie Awards
Ask, Tell — Finalist, Contemporary Romance: Mid-Length Novels.

  • A Bella Debut Novel.

Reviews

The Lesbian Review
Noyes totally blew my mind from the first sentence. I went in timidly, and I came away awaiting her next release with bated breath. I really love how Noyes is able to get below the surface of the DADT legislation. She really captures the longing, the heartbreak, and especially the isolation that LGBTQ soldiers had to endure because the alternative was being deemed unfit to serve by their own government. I applaud Noyes for getting to the heart of the matter and giving a very important representation of what living and serving under this legislation truly meant for LGBTQ men and women of service.

Les Rêveur Reviews
E. J. Noyes was able to deliver on so many levels… This book is going to take you on a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs that you won’t expect but it’s so unbelievably worth it.

CeLEStial Books Reviews
Noyes clearly undertook a mammoth amount of research. I was totally engrossed. I’m not usually a reader of romance novels, but this one gripped me. The personal growth of the main character, the rich development of her fabulous best friend, Mitch, and the well-handled tension between Sabine and her love interest were all fantastic. This one definitely deserves five stars.

Rainbow Book Reviews
This is a book with everything I love about top quality lesbian fiction: a fantastic romance between two wonderful women I can relate to, a location that really made me think again about something I thought I knew well, and brilliant pacing and scene-setting. I cannot recommend this novel highly enough.

Customer Reviews

8 reviews for Ask, Tell – Paperback

  1. Carolyn K

    I truly enjoyed reading this Lesbian book more then any others I have read in a long time. I did not read anything about the author before I read it but thought it had to be written by someone outside of the US once I did, just because of some of the phrases used which made it more enjoyable for some reason. I worked OR for 40 yrs and thought the medical terms were right on. Then I read at the end the author was an Aussie and this was her first book I was impressed. After all she is not medical, military or American and yet wrote a thoroughly enjoyable story. I also have not written a review or comment about a book in a very long time and I read many many books since I am retired. Good Job

  2. Laetitia V

    I have been steering away from army-themed novels & ER/OR /Dr angles are becoming predictable. HOWEVER, this book changed my perspective. The story-telling is superb, and the pages grip you from start to finish. Well done to the author – I am looking forward to your next masterpiece!

  3. Ruby S

    So human. Each moment I felt like I was present. Struggle through life, war and love. I can’t decide what was durable and what was obdurate. As a reader I struggled with the resolution that the characters required to give them their happy ending. I kept hoping. The book graphically depicts the Afghanistan war and dangers to our soldiers which may be difficult for some readers. I recognize the humor that my nephew used to appease us, the family back home, whenever he would call or be home on leave. Bravo E. J. Noyes. Write a book and I will read it.

  4. Kim H

    I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ask,Tell. I loved the running inner dialog Sabbie had with herself throughout the story. I laughed a lot with her interaction with Mitch and her nervousness with Rebecca. I look forward to another story from E.J. Noyes.

  5. Pat L

    Simply one of the best books I have read in ages. Exceptionally well-written, free of the tired old clichés I have seen in too many lesbian books. The realism is breathtaking ; the dialogue completely natural; the characters (major and minor) believable and likeable; and a love story that is achingly lovely. To say that I found it hard to put down is a huge understatement and as soon as I had finished it I read it again. A very very good read from a very very talented author.

  6. Dee

    One of the best books I have read in a long time. The author’s writing style reminds me of Katherine V. Forrest. Having served in the military I literally cried as I read this book, it was very cathartic for me. I would strongly encourage you to read this book, it offers great insight. Thank You and I look forward to reading a second novel! Well done!

  7. onida54

    I totally devoured this book. I could have read it in one sitting if I’d had the free time. I love Noyes writing style. I absolutely loved Sabine. Her internal dialogue is so spot on! The book made me laugh, cry, cringe, and crazy with anticipation. I’m no military buff but it all sounded plausible to me. I loved the story and the characters. It was so easy to read and well paced. I loved that it had a happy ending. The last few lines of the book were fantastic. I know that feeling of finding Home and it was just enough to push me over the edge with happy tears.
    I’d love to read a novella follow up on these 2. Or even a sequel.
    EJ Noyes is now on my must read lists. She’s definitely in my lists of favorite authors in this genre.

  8. 01.lil.maso

    Seriously, I am completely mind blown with how much I love this book and the characters. Don’t even start me with Mitch and Amy, these two were hilarious and so loving, and we definitely need more of these two in the future. But the superstars are Sabs and Bec. This story is told in Sabine’s POV and, from the very first page, you are dragged into the desert with her. You feel every overpowering and raw emotion from heartache, anger, and fear, to love, confusion, and everything in between.

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