Code Name: Luminous by Natasza Waters

I finished this book about an hour ago and I'm still overwhelmed with emotions.

What I love most about Natasza's writing is how she brings her characters to life. Each one is real to me, and I feel a part of their SEAL family. The next thing is while this is fiction, she keeps things real. Very real. Painfully beautifully real. I feel everything deep inside.

I have enjoyed getting to know Tony through the whole series, and then absolutely adored him in his own book. Experiencing how he took one of the SEAL's mantras (never give up) and applied that to his lady - melted my heart. Watching Lumin bloom and blossom under Tony's care: breathtakingly beautiful.

I loved how even though Tony and Lumin were the main characters in this story and definitely stayed the primary focus, we got to spend lots of time with Thane Kayla, Mace, Nina, Cobb, and Marge. I kept giggling seeing how Thane was *still* having to chase down his woman!

This is a wonderful addition to the Code Name Warrior's Challenge series - you cannot go wrong with any of these books!!

And just as a side note: I loved how Natasza chatted with me through the story as I was sharing my thoughts, both filled with love and filled with growls. ;)

Hunted by Kaylea Cross

2020 reread (audio)
Catching up on some series from years past and the HRT series caught my eye again. I remembered loving the books I made it through back in 2014. When I decided to dive back in, I also wanted to refresh my memory on the first books and fell back in love with Clay and Zoe. I love the devotion and attention and protective nature of both and how they got under each other's skin. Beautiful story and I'm glad I got to hear it all over again.

====== original review ======

Another amazing book brought to us by Kaylea Cross!!

Bauer and Zoe stole my heart from page one! I knew from book 2 that I would enjoy their story and I was not disappointed in the slightest! This book just became my favorite of the series! It also includes some cameos of some of my other favorite characters of KC - which was just the icing on the cake.

I totally swooned over Bauer and adored Zoe! Watching how they grew closer and gave to the other what they needed was amazing. There was just the perfect amount of action, suspense, fun, sweet, and spicy with these two.

Bauer and Zoe also gave me one of my favorite scenes - I'll probably always think of Bauer whenever I do (haha! or see!) push-ups. ;)

Veiled Fantasies by Anna Lowe

Cute and fun and spicy and hot and a great lesson in grabbing a hold of whatever adventure is set in front of you and living in the moment.

Uncharted by Anna Hackett

I absolutely totally adored every second of this Indiana Jones vibing story, watching Callum and Dani fall for each other while they went off in search of a forgotten city (and more!). I connected to Dani on many levels and loved having Cal's focus on me. And riding the bike with him, and running through the jungle by his side.... and more. I enjoyed watching them work through things quickly and how they recognized that they were it for the other. I loved Dani's toughness but softness and Callum's huge sense of life and protectiveness and strength. There's just something about this story that WORKS for me. I look forward to rereading it often!

I also love the take on the very real and tragic evilness that's out there, and the respect for other culture's histories and treasures.

Undiscovered by Anna Hackett

"The Mummy" meets "Tomb Raider" meets one bad@$$ Navy SEAL "Indiana Jones" mix.

I ADORED this story!! Declan and Layne took me on an adventure with them where I could feel the sand blowing against my skin, feel the heat beating down on me, experience the rush of uncertainty, breathe in the relief, and feel the sizzle of spark between them. I loved the mix of history weaved in with adventure, a hunt, and a touch of suspense. They played off each other well, both strong and smart and vulnerable in their own ways, perfectly mixing together into something amazing.

This was the perfect length - once I started I couldn't stop!! (perfect to be read in one longish sitting, but yet fully developed and detailed and amazing)

With a start to the series like this, I absolutely cannot wait to read the rest of the team's stories. I'm ready for more!!

Unexplored by Anna Hackett

Unexpected things with Sydney gave the story quite the twist. And also gave Logan quite the run for his heart. And boy, can they set fire between themselves. I loved Logan's sense of protectiveness. The depth of the bond between Logan and Declan made my heart melt. But what I loved most was the lesson in what real treasure is.

Letters to Ellie by Loreth Anne White

Heart wrenchingly beautiful. Kinda don't have words for the depth and the feels and the beauty contained in just a few short words. I loved it just the way it is, and also kinda would love to have a little longer of a story for them, flesh out more of their lives now that Max is back. But I can use my imagination and give them lots of goodness. 

Read in the SEAL of my Dreams anthology        

SEAL of My Dreams anthology

I love military stories, especially SEALS. I definitely was gonna pick up an anthology that went to help our military folks.

I love how these stories not only highlighted the super-hero aspect, giving honor and respect where it's due, but it also impressed their vulnerabilities, their mortal-ness, and how much they also need grace and tlc. Our military personnel and their families deserve our appreciation and support, however that comes.

Letters to Ellie by Loreth Ann White
Heart wrenchingly beautiful. Kinda don't have words for the depth and the feels and the beauty contained in just a few short words. I loved it just the way it is, and also kinda would love to have a little longer of a story for them.

Panama Jack by Tara Jansen
Fun and quick, but lots of action and hot vibes. I liked the tie into Steele Street (a series I've had on my tbr list for forever!!)

Sealed with a Kiss by Cindy Gerard
Love the honeymoon story with a bit of heart racing anxiety.

There's a few more stories I may circle back to at some point.

Securing Avery by Susan Stoker

Quite the adventure

Loved it!! The book felt split into two parts, the rescue adventure and the home adventure/fall out part. And I loved each for separate reasons. Avery and Rex's connection and relationship was amazing to experience.

I also enjoyed getting to know Phantom a bit more and see more developed with his story.

And I loved seeing whsrs become my mantra/theme expressed in this story:
There’s just something about the sun rising in the morning sky that makes me think of new beginnings and hope.

If you love action adventure /Light suspense stories filled with alot of heart, this is a great story to pick up. Either as a stand alone (I haven't read the entire series, and I followed along perfectly fine) or as part of the series.

SEALed With a Kiss by Cindy Gerard

Read in the SEAL OF MY DREAMS anthology.

This is a sweet little glimpse to a tropical honeymoon. Even though I didn't know the characters (as this is my first CG book) I still could feel the love and connection between Luke and Val, and heart pounding anxiety as things quickly go wrong.

Way of the Warrior anthology

April 2020
Hot as Hell by Julie Ann Walker Deep 6 0.5
Good things come in little packages. Loved this first little intro story to the series. We got a taste of shoot-em-up action with a yummy burn-the-building-down scene, and all the hea goodness and feels you'd need to connect to the characters. I'm looking forward to the next books.

May 2020
In Plain Sight by Catherine Mann (Elite Force 4.5)
Loved it! A special twist on the hero, and I simply adored how the 2nd chance came about. Just enough mix of emotion, heat, and suspense.

Walker by Maryann Jordan

I loved Walker and Julie's story! The perfect amount of adventure, steam, and story all wrapped up together seamlessly. I felt immersed in the Mexican jungle and ruins - almost like I had gone on vacation there myself and missed it when we left. I adored Walker and Julie's relationship - a realistic instant attraction turned love and a mature outlook on things (no excessive relationship drama, most came from outside sources, which I appreciate and enjoy more often than not).

This was my first book by Maryann Jordan and I'm looking forward to reading more stories in the LSI world. 

Adrift by Anna Lowe

I don't know why I took my precious sweet time to read this series after falling in love with the first one, but I'm SO GLAD I dove back in and finished it!

There's so much I loved about this story - the depth of emotions, the amazing spark of connection, the heat that boiled off the page (I mean, it's the Caribbean, yeah?), the sweetness, the protectiveness, the cute. I was so immersed into the story, I felt like I was on the sailboat, running from bad men, hearing the waves, feeling the wind, living in the moment surrounded by island live. I also loved the encouragement and little nuggets of truth that hit me deep - I super connected with Meredith and needed to hear and believe some of the same things.

This whole series is a top winner for me! Definitely some fun summer-time-deck-soaking-up-the-sunshine reading!


Life can be beautiful, sweetheart. Make sure you let that joy in.

She blinked, then locked those sea-blue eyes on his and hung on. Hung on like he was all she needed to escape this mess.

“Don’t overthink this,” he murmured as he swept her into a hug. A nice, tight, You’ll be safe with me hug that made her mind go blissfully blank.

Windswept by Anna Lowe

Heck yeah this was a spectacular, blood pumping, heart-catching adventure ride - and exactly the kind of story I crave!

Mixing a good dose of suspense/action with all the emotional feels and the perfect amount of heat, you immediately dive under with Mia and Ryan's relationship and can't stop turning the pages to figure out what happens next, and what was in their history.

And can I just say, if I ever get the opportunity to go on a Caribbean vacation, I so want Ryan to be there with me. Ya know... just in case. And for all the other good stuff. Including yoga poses. ;)

Mia's one of the best kind of heroines out there - strong but sweet and all woman. Ryan is also one of the best kind of heroes out there - protective, determined, and knows how to man-up and apologize. Mia isn't a slacker with recognizing when to forgive and move on either.

While I adore this whole series, I think Mia and Ryan just edge out as favorites... but once I reread the others I might have to change my mind to it being whoever I'm with at the time!

Claiming Her SEAL by Kat Cantrell

Sultry hot!

I was transported to the Caribbean, feeling the ocean lapping at my feet and hearing the rhythmic crashes and tasting the salty air.

I also experienced the depths of both Dex and Emma's hurts and mental prisons and rejoyced as they finally found their ways to break free.

They were both special, and I adored the way they both took care of the other.

I had this sitting on my Kindle for almost 2 years now, and I'm so glad it caught my eye! I wanna go back on vacation with Emma and fall for Dex all over again.

Protecting Sam by Abbie Zanders

Adventure and sweetness

I really enjoyed Sam and Steve's story. Everything from the mystery and mission to the falling in love part just kept my attention. I wanted a story that was a good mix of easy going and sweet with a good suspense theme and this worked well.

Hot SEAL, Salty Dog by Elle James

Fun and adventurous

This was just what I was wanting, a kinda lighthearted, fun, and easy romantic suspense. Give me a little adventure with some easy going vibes.

I love a man who's protective and goes all out for his woman, which Chase does here with a passion. And I adored Maggie's grit and her own protective nature. I swooned watching them rediscover their first night together.

Such a fun and unique set up, and just enough adventure/suspense to keep the story moving.

Her Treasured SEAL by Caitlyn O'Leary

Her Treasured SEAL has it all! Everything from manly heart-to-hearts (Drake style lol) to intimate come-to-Jesus meetings, from action adventures to happy-sweet wedding moments. I laughed and cried, my heart raced, ached, and melted.

I loved that we got another story for Drake and Karen (and really the whole crew, getting to see them and touch base again). Their strength independently and together and the love they have for one another flow off the pages. Sometimes we all need wake-up calls and lots of grace and patience to adjust and settle, which they had in spades. The way Drake cared and loved Karen and their baby, and the way Karen dished that love right back was beautiful and deep and precious. The bonds nurtured with others (siblings, team mates, family) continued to melt me with the devotion and unconditional love given.

As much as I loved this story, I so didn't want it to end, because that meant the end of the Midnight Delta series. However, if there's one thing that Caityln O'leary is good at, it's crossing over characters into new stories, so it's not really goodbye forever.

Her Treasured Seal feels like the fairy dust coating on top of a delightful swirl of whipped-cream icing over a decadent cupcake - a perfect way to wrap up an amazing story. *tosses up all the stars*

Her Relentless SEAL by Caitlyn O'Leary

Her relentless SEAL is right -- Aiden knew he wanted and needed Evie, but he needed her to be safe more. And once he figured out she was safe from his past, nothing was going to stop him from claiming his woman - not her family, her history, herself, or even the new threat against the Averys.

I loved how mature, honest, determined (aka relentless), and protective Aiden was - he was exactly what Evie needed - someone to take care of her and stand by her side. Evie was just the right mix of strength and vulnerable, tough and sweet. Her heart was huge and made of golden light and she poured herself out to love on others - but she needed someone to help balance that and protect her so she could keep doing what was her nature to do.

I adored getting to see their side of the story that we got glimpses of in the previous book with Drake and Karen - and getting to live out Evie's rescue and how they connected and solidified their relationship.

It's also always a joy to catch up with various other members of the SEAL teams, and their women, and be on missions and see the home-time moments.

Yet another awesome story in the Midnight Delta series - a favorite I look forward to revisiting again!

Texas Rose by Tracy Garrett

What else besides sparks and explosions could happen when you mix a hard-headed bossy cowboy with a protective streak with a strong-willed independent Spanish beauty.

I loved the instant attraction between Jaret and Isabel - it knocked both of them for a loop and it was fun watching them dance around each other. While I did wanna shake both of their stubborn hides a time or two for being more like Lucifer (the horse) than adults, it provided some sweet moments within the chaos.

Jaret's sense of honor and responsibility kept him close to Isabel, even though he fought through feelings of impostor/inadequacies. Although in my opinion, he was definitely worthy of the home and love that was just waiting for him to grab hold of. I was so happy when he finally got his head sorted out!

Isabel sure had a strong stubborn will and gumption, which served her well most of the time. There were a few times she had lessons to learn on when to give in and let go. But I did love it when she had an opportunity to hold an intense grudge, and she didn't - that was a beautiful gift she gave herself (and Jaret).

The mystery kept me guessing and the drama kept on rollin' up to the very end. If you're looking for a historical romance where the sparks ignite a passion and you're swept into the adventure, this is a story to escape into.

The Outlaw's Daughter by Margaret Brownley

Matt and Ellie-May's story is sweet and cute, with all the adorableness of kids wrapped up pretty.

I loved the themes of forgiveness (when are you going to stop punishing yourself for something out of your control) and trust. I felt Ellie-May's struggle to protect her children and give them safety and security, and totally loved her going all mama-bear over her cubs. With her history, she needed someone gentle but protective and strong in her life, and that's what she finally found in Matt. I adored how patient and soft-hearted Matt was with everyone around him, but especially with Ellie-May's children. He also was a man of honor and gave Ellie-May the kindness and space she needed.

If you're looking for a story that's gentle and sweet with adorable 2ndary characters and just a hint of suspense, this would be a great book to pick up.