Her Chosen Protector by Caitlyn O'Leary

Asher and Eden's story came with some heartbreaking feels and some lighthearted laugher and all sorts of intense adventure.  

Being brought into the Thorne's family and getting to experience the confusing lost and utter devastation make you not only empathize with Asher more, but it makes you think about real life situations, too.  Because what they felt and experienced isn't remotely fictional.  I appreciated the compassionate way things were handled.  

Asher's attitude, strength, determination, protectiveness, and devotion won me over quickly.

Eden is a fun spitfire of a woman - totally able to hold her own and refuses to stay knocked down.  I loved her sense of confidence mixed in with a hidden soft spot, which made her all the perfect for Asher. 

I love the moments with the team on their mission - being a part of the boots-on-the-ground action as well as the banter and true brotherhood they have.   And this time it was nice getting to see some downtime with just the Thorne brothers, even with the circumstances surrounding it.  

This is a great addition to the Night Storm series and I'm super excited to see where we're headed next!

Sweet One by Cristin Harber

2020 audio reread

This time, I have a much deeper appreciation for this story, and fell in love all the more with Cash and Nic. It fed everything I was needing and gave everything required.

There's something special about this couple and a little catch-up novella like this is the perfect little piece of story that, thankfully, we get to enjoy.

++++++++++

2016 review

"You kiss like a god."
"I love you."

Swoons!!

Cristin Harber and her super secret projects! This one is another perfect surprise she dropped on her Titan fans. You can tell the depth of love she has for Cash and Nic as she just can't quite let them go!

Absolutely enjoyed getting to go back a bit in Titan time (this book chronically starts right at the end of Hart Attack) and getting to see some events through Cash and Nic's eyes as well as experiencing married life with them! The short story starts with a bang and delivers all the feels - I was crying by page 2 (oye!) and shortly after giggling, awe'ing, swooning, and growling - everything you come to expect and love from a Titan book.

While part of the conflict seemed to be a bit too easily solved (or maybe that was me missing seeing a bit more of the Titan action/adventure), it flowed well with the story and kept the focus where it needed to be - on Cash and Nic. I have a feeling a few more surprises are in store for us, because while a lot of loose ends were tied up, not quite all of them have a pretty bow on them yet. (guessing the next Titan novel - or who knows, another surprise project?) will answer these. :)

Definitely not a story to miss if you're a fan of Cash and Nic in their stories (Sweet Girl, Garrison's Creed) or Titan in general.

Lethal Edge by Kaylea Cross

I adored everything about this story and every moment I spent lost in Rifle Creek! Tate was the best mix of rough and tough, protective and loving, totally complimenting Nina's bubbly sweetness, gentleness, and vulnerable strength. Add in the family, neighbors, best friends, the small-town vibe, and some star-gazing and you can't help but wanna stay stuck in the story long after it's over.

I don't have words for it, but this story just hit me a bit deeper and will stick with me. Several KC books have a spot on my favorites shelf, but this one stands out among the best of the best.

I'm looking forward to what's to come next in Rifle Creek.

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.

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. 

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 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!

Her Honorable Hero by Caitlyn O'Leary

Talk about an adventure times two! Her Honorable Hero packed a heavy punch.

I adored getting to see Griff and Miranda married and with a baby, and living life. And finally ready to face their past together. I loved getting to experience how they met and how they survived the train wreck. Talk about intense and crazy scary. The way their "how I met you and feel in love" story was told was pretty cool mixing in present day interactions with looking back in time memories.

And then, once we process all that, there's a new threat looming that makes you hurt and ache and feel all anxious living and breathing it all out along side them.

I adore how Griff treated Miranda and showed his love and devotion to her, through darkness and light. I loved his heart and the depths of emotions he had for his family. I loved Miranda's strength and passion and intensity. She knew herself and knew she could take care of herself, but learned that it was okay to depend on and lean more on her husband.

The trouble they faced at the end totally left me on edge and I couldn't stop till I reached the end.

Yet again, I find myself enthralled in an amazing story and placed it on my favorites shelf next to many other Black Dawn books. If you love depth and excitement and bonds of friendship and family mixed in with your military romantic suspense, this book–no, this whole series–is one to escape into.

Night with a SEAL by Cat Johnson

I had just finished listening to Romanced by a SEAL and figured out that that story was actually a conclusion to characters who got their start earlier in the series - and surprise surprise! I had their beginning, Night with a SEAL on my kindle already!

I enjoyed being able to go back and experience their connection spark to live and their NYE kiss, as well as seeing how G.A.P.S came to be. I think this story was made better for me just because I had already read the other book first.

Romanced by a SEAL by Cat Johnson

Romanced by a SEAL is an emotionally charged story that makes you feel and takes you away to places that catch your breath.

I'm coming into the middle of the series, having only read book 2 about a year ago. I enjoyed landing in the middle of Jon and Ali's relationship and sorting out the feelings of "where do we go from here" with them.

I had to take a pause somewhere in the middle because I was connected so much to the characters and their emotions I was afraid of what was going to happen... and as much as I wanted to hurry through, I forced myself to live through the unknowns and worries and it made the story all that better for me.

I loved being in both Jon and Ali's heads, knowing what the other was thinking/experiencing and seeing them make their way to their hea. The twists and surprises along the way made the journey all the more worth it. I also liked the strong brotherhood and sisterhood shown - those kind of friendships are priceless!

I listened to this in audio and the narrator did a terrific job acting out the parts and keeping my attention.

Hot as Hell by Julie Ann Walker

Quick and hot

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.

Found in the Lost by Tarina Deaton

I inhaled this story! Then had to go back and start all over and get all the goodness again. Loved Shane and Kinley's meeting and how things just connected and fit together between them. The sparks burned off the pages, and their adventure and the way they supported and cared for the other quickly became a adventure I didn't want to have end! This has the feel of one of those awesome summertime adventure escapes we crave every year. So much was jammed packed in a few pages and I didn't feel anything was left lacking.

Shielding Gillian by Susan Stoker

Shielding Gillian became one of my favorite Susan Stoker stories.

I loved the maturity and grace and class Gillian embodied. Along with confidence, caring, gentleness. I connected quickly with her and felt wrapped up in her while living out the story.

I adored Walker's protectiveness, strength, wisdom, respect, understanding, compassion. He almost seemed too good to be true at times, but that's what made him all the better! And his always holding Gilly's face in his hands - loved that intimacy.

I always enjoy a book where most of the drama comes from outside sources and once the couple get together (the earlier the better, imo) on the same page, it's them against the world. Yeah they may need to learn each other and have little road bumps, but the bigger drama that moves the story is from outside the couple, and that's what's given to us here.

I was also tickled that for once, I was right in guessing who the bad-guy was and loved watching how my sleuthing was proven correct! lol

Her Tempting Protector by Caitlyn O'Leary

Talk about being blown away by a story!  This story blasted its way to crowd in at the top of my favorite COL books, which now proudly has 3 in first place. 

Her Tempting Protector delivers not only a crazy fun rescue adventure (I mean, fun as in lots of someones are out to kill us kinda fun) entwined with a slowly seductive love story, but it also sheds light on the heartbreaking atrocities that so many live with every day - from both the victims' and the caregivers' perspectives.  This book makes you pause and think while you anxiously flip the pages to see what happens next.

There's just something about the quiet but strong (and cocky in a good way) confidence a man emanates when he's secure in who he is, what he wants, and what needs done to both protect and secure that.  Cullen knows what his job is and he relishes in doing it - whether it's being a protective big brother, a rock-solid teammate, or the shield and safety for his woman - he takes charge and gives his all.  Cullen is the perfect mix of hilarious, sweet, and bossy alpha hero I've come to treasure. 

I loved getting to see Carys (from Her Steadfast Hero) make her appearance as Cullen's woman.  Her history combined with who she was as a woman - strength mixed with vulnerability, secure confidence weaved with heartbreaking insecurities, her loving empathetic heart supported by a steel backbone - created a gorgeous woman from the inside out.  I saw myself in her as much as I hoped I had my own version of strength she had. 

Cullen and Carys were the ideal match for each other.  She was someone he could protect and take care of, to give the dream of family and love to, while he gave her the safe place and someone to depend on when she needed it, and the someone to have her back as she chased her dreams.  They were the perfect mix, neither overpowering the other.  I loved how they complimented each other and both drew strength and gave strength from their love.

I adored every moment from the first page to the last, experiencing all the danger and the excitement layered with beauty, heartbreak, and triumphs.  Stories like this give the perfect kind of escape for me. It touched my heart in a way that I know I'll remember moments clearly and enjoy revisiting often. 

The SEAL's Promise by Grace Alexander

Winter's Heat is one of my most favorite books ever, so when I found out there was a "sweeter" version available, I was excited to discover the nuances between the stories. Drake and Tessa's story delivered all the action and anticipation expected and the unique additions/changes made this particular version just that much better.

I loved how Drake and Tessa connected and felt that something-special-spark between them, but yet, had something else holding them back that they had to fight through to claim their happy ever after. And boy, did they have a journey to fight through to get to their goodness. Honor, protectiveness, defending, and healing, they all have their place in this story.

The whole world around the Safehouse Security team and going from rural to urban America, to South America and back again bloomed to life around me as I found myself lost in the story. I loved how Drake and Tessa interacted and fell for each other. I adored the protective instincts that flared to life in Drake and the way Tessa came to life around him. Tessa definitely could hold her own though, and was a fighter from the beginning.


The scruff on his face was a scant thicker than usual, though he liked to keep a menacing shadow. Men backed off, and danger-junkie women gravitated toward him. Win-win.

You just think of me as all brawn, saving that cute butt of yours from thugs.

Their bodies were the right mix of spark and C4. Together, there was the potential for explosions.

Violence had never had this effect on him before. But protecting her, isolating her from dangerous men, made him feel savagely possessive.

"I'm safe. You… Took care of them, just like you said."

And can I just say - that cover is all sorts of yummy hotness! :)

Breaking Point by Pamela Clare

Wow, it's been 7 years since I've last visited this book and the distance just made revisiting the audio version feel like the best mix of reconnecting with a treasured friend and experiencing all the thrills of a new story. I still totally adore Zach and Natalie, and can respect their histories and struggles a bit better/differently. The way Natalie cared for Zach and pushed him to get out of the darkness he was trapped in (which also helped her some) was beautiful. And I adored Zach's protectiveness and way he took care of Natalie from the moment they met. Then add in getting to see alot of Marc (my tied as top fav iteam hero) and the rest of the crew and the fun they bring to the table, and this book still reigns as a treasure!

+++++++
2013 review
Pamela Clare is one of my top favorite authors! Every story she creates she sucks me in and holds me tight! I don't think she could possibly write a book I didn't love!!

Zach and Natalie's story is one of my favorites in this whole series. The trials and journey these two went through to find each other and keep each other is amazing and hard and beautiful!

So many other reviews detail the story better - but I just had to share my love for Pamela's story!!!

Fast Vengeance by Kaylea Cross

I've discovered another delightful and favorite Kaylea Cross story!

Love how Victoria and Brock achingly needed each other and provided the safe place and the healing touches each one were desperate for.

I adored getting the additional romance of Oceane and Gabe - they made my heart melt in so many ways!

And the theme of brotherhood, the connection the guys all had with each other - that helped to make this adventure of a story complete.

Mix some heart aching moments with edge of your seat anxiety and Fast Vengeance delivers!

Rescuing Casey by Susan Stoker

Adored this story! Loved how Beatle took care of his Casey, and she in turn gave Beatle exactly what he needed. And loved the sibling connection of Blade and Casey (and how Blade felt about their relationship).

Add in that about half the book was a jungle rescue trip? Heck yeah!!

I was randomly looking for something to read, maybe just a few scenes of a book, and when I landed on Rescuing Casey, I ended up rereading most of it cover to cover. So many of the encouragement and truths Beatle (and Truck) said to Casey touched my heart.