So this was prompted by a discussion on how Navy SEALS are, to put it kindly, aggressive self promoters. I was going through the list of books about Navy SEALS when Romance books kept popping up. Imagine to my surprise slash horror as a Marine that there are enough of these books that there is a best of list on Good Reads. How many are in the best list?
Yeah...WOW...
Well, how are the books themselves? Good fucking lord, where do I start? I guess...my diving into this mess and reading my way through all of them and giving you the highlights.
A SEAL's Seduction (Uniformly Hot SEALs #1) said:
Navy SEAL Blake Landon (aka "Boy Scout") knows the rule book inside and out.
But when a mission ends badly, his entire team is ordered on leave. And that's when Blake sees the tall redhead whose dark eyes suggest that the rules-especially those in bed-are made to be broken.
Her only no-no? No military dudes. But Blake's rockin' bod promises delicious pleasures, and Alexia is halfway to sexual Nirvana before she can find out he's actually a Navy SEAL.
25 year old Lexi Salenko is an independent and focused young woman who has realized her dream of moving to the open country of Montana and starting up a quaint bookstore
I live near Portland, quaint bookstores are my bread and butter!
Romance and adventure have always remained within the covers of her cherished novels until one day she receives a mysterious letter from her archaeologist sister. The letter was sent from Israel and was badly damaged, but Lexi understands enough of it that her sister may be in trouble.
Lexi follows the cryptic instructions sent to her and finds herself propelled on an odyssey across three continents with a very sexy former Navy SEAL turned mercenary and a mysterious ancient relic with ties to an ancient cult. She learns about a supernatural force that stretches from the ancient ruins at Gobleki Tepe Turkey through the death camps of the Holocaust and into her present life. Along the way she learns that sometimes you have to let yourself fall in love and believe in the power of hope
Lieutenant Commander Cade Sullivan is the job. His commitment to the Navy SEALs is absolute-almost. Worse still, he's been summoned home, where his privileged family is the town royality and women vie to be one of Cade's conquests.
"I'm so rich and attractive, cry for me Argentina America"
Ever since they were kids, Cade has been rescuing Eden Gillespie. Now she's decided she owes him one heck of a thank-you-one that involves a bed, naked bodies and sweet satisfaction.
But when their sexy trysts are discovered, Eden becomes a bit of a town sensation-and not in a good way. Can she convince her SEAL to risk one last rescue operation?
Where do you even live that this is a thing? When do you live?! Since this book was written in 2013 and like, oh no a single woman had sex with an eligible bachelor. Better sew a red letter on her.
Uniformly Hot! The Few. The Proud. The Sexy as Hell.
Kayla is intent on leaving her past north of the border. Hired as a Canadian liaison by the US Navy, she finds the Coronado SEALs tough but amiable. Their Commander is another matter. With eyes like blue steel and a body carved from it, Kayla resists the hungry attraction between them for good reason.
Lets leave aside the fact that the marketing guys try so hard to cram in faux military jargon so poorly, I could make jokes about the SEALs being the bottom (She infiltrated his base), that is an incrediby weird cover. Apparently he fell asleep in the sun under a maple leaf cutout and has an incredibly bad sunburn (and look how much it obviously hurts) that the dude is going to get teased about constantly. There will be six bottles of maple syrup in his locker by the end of the day.
Navy SEAL Commander Thane Austen (Ghost) treats his women like his missions: in, out and gone.
. Returning from deployment to find Kayla is his new tactical specialist poses a challenge, one he's never faced. When the defiant beauty with haunted eyes becomes a serial killer's target, the Commander has the excuse he needs to close ranks around her.
[Roll a will check to avoid making a pegging joke. ]
. Fear is a word unknown to the legendary SEAL until he realizes love can be as dangerous to a warrior as combat. Convincing Kayla to surrender to him and catching a killer is a mission he won't fail.
Code Name: Kayla's Fire (A Warrior's Challenge #2) said:
Kayla stands in the eye of a hurricane. Past and present are on a collision course, and her tactical experience won't save her. She's the target on a serial killer's radar. The media brews a storm of confusion, pointing at the warriors stationed at Coronado. To catch the killer, she has to relinquish hope, and the Navy SEAL protecting her.
Either he failed or this woman is in a high sequel number horror movie franchise.
"Thank god you caught the Tim Horton's Throttler but I just got a threatening letter from the Molson Mauler!"
Navy SEAL Thane (Ghost) Austen is forced to choose between Kayla and his duty. If he deploys, she'll die. If she returns to Canada, he'll lose the woman who cracked his armor, and exposed his heart.
Her abusive past is holding her hostage. There's two battles to be won: to light Kayla's Fire and extinguish the Shark's. Life broke them both in half, but together they're whole, and he'll walk through hell to keep her.
Before there were bikers, or fighters, or even good old-fashioned jerks, there were Navy SEALs. They put the bad in badass because, well…it's their job.
Navy SEAL Maverick Hart has everything. Women want him. Grown men idolize him. Little boys want to grow up and be like him. The job, the glory—it's all his. Not because it's handed to him…because he works hard for it. The second his sights lock on something, he owns it—or destroys it. Unfortunately he does both at the same time.
I'm sorry, is this a romance book or a typical SEAL autobiography?
(Which are love letters to themselves)
Windsor Forbes only takes calculated risks in her profession and in her personal life. After being left at the altar by the only person she's ever loved, the very last thing she's looking for is a relationship—especially the insane brand an arrogant Navy SEAL is offering. Hesitant, yet trusting to a fault, she gives in.
She knew she shouldn't take the chance, especially a second time, but love is irrational and their love is perfect, infallible. Or so she thought…
The fuck is this nonsense? What's the plot of your book?! I've seen back covers to Tom Clancy books that give you more of the plot of the book than this and they're just pictures of Tom Clancy.
Love doesn't die. No matter how many bullets you put in it.
Mace returns home angry. Believing his injury destroys their future, unable to pleasure any woman, especially one like Nina, he tries to sever their relationship.
Mace has a lot of Challenges to face: he was injured in Syria,in the most devastating place a man can be hurt. His recovery is not progressing as he would like. Physically, he need to re-qualify for the teams.
On a cycling tour through the Swiss Alps, CIA agent, Olivia Simpson, meets handsome Navy SEAL, Darryl Jennings. Her lust shifts into overdrive for this man on leave from missions he won't discuss. A one night stands leads to a blissful week traveling the Amalfi Coast. Because of their secretive careers, their love affair is destined to end
Oh yeah, Navy SEALs are loath to tell anyone about what they do.
*nods*
Czech Mate (Navy SEALs of Valor 2) said:
When Nathan is ordered to take medical leave, he decides to meet up with his best friend and SEAL teammate Darryl, and his new love, Olivia, in Prague. But only if he can persuade Baylee to join him.
You know what? New drinking game: Take a drink every time someone goes on leave.
Prince Joe (Tall said:
Veronica St. John is facing the challenge of a lifetime. The media consultant has two days to teach a rugged Navy SEAL to impersonate a European prince who has been targeted by terrorists. It's a tough assignment, but Veronica is sure she's up to the task -- until she actually meets Joe.
Despite his physical resemblance to the handsome prince, Lieutenant Joe Catalanofto is nothing like the stuffy aristocrat. Everything about the combat-hardened Navy SEAL -- from the arrogant gleam in his eyes and streetwise attitude to the New York accent -- says regular guy, not royalty.
This is just a gender flip retread of Miss Congeniality isn't it?
One conversation and Veronica knows nothing could turn this military man into nobility. Joe, on the other hand, is confident he's got what it takes to complete his duty.
But neither of them expects their assignment to include falling in love . . .
Dominic Castillo loves his SEAL team like brothers—except one, who made sure Castillo was left behind during the latest mission. But when his rival is kidnapped by a vicious drug lord, Castillo receives a black ops mission of his own: protect his rival's sister.
Woah hold up. If a dude makes sure you get left behind on a mission, pretty sure he's not a rival there book. He's a traitorous dickhead.
Also why are they protecting his sister? Aside from him getting to have sex with her for arbitrary plot reasons I mean.
Out of Control (Troubleshooters #4) said:
Savannah von Hopf has no choice. To save her uncle's life, she goes in search of Ken "WildCard" Karmody, a guy she barely knew in college who is now a military operative.
I am 18 books through this list and I can't help but notice all these assholes have names like this.
She must convince him to help her deliver a cache of ransom money into the hands of terrorists halfway around the world. What she doesn't expect is to end up in WildCard's arms before she can even ask for his help.
WildCard has always had a soft spot for beautiful women. But when he discovers Savannah's hidden agenda, he is determined to end the affair. But Savannah is bound for Indonesia with or without his protection, and he can't just walk away. When her plan goes horribly wrong, they are trapped in the forsaken jungle of a hostile country, stalked by a lethal enemy.
But afterward, when things got more intimate, she had to write it off to an adrenaline rush. After all, she was looking for an ordinary guy---and Cowboy was anything but. Too bad their encounter left Melody with more than just memories...
Then Cowboy paid Melody a surprise visit and saw her burgeoning belly. That did it---he had to convince her that they were meant to be together!
Like, at least this one promises wacky Kindergarten Cop esque shenanigans where he's trying to convince her that he's an ordinary guy and not some SEAL *rays of light from heaven*
Forged in Fire (Red-Hot SEALs #1) said:
Beth Brown doesn't believe in premonitions until she dreams a sexy stranger is gunned down during the brutal hijacking of a commercial airliner. When events in her dream start coming true, she heads to the flight's departure gate. To her shock, she recognizes the man she'd watched die the night before.
Oh fuck its free, I'm going to have to dive into this later aren't I?!
The Admiral's Bride (Tall said:
HIS MISSION...
...was to pretend that Zoe Lange, beautiful young scientist--nearly half his age!--was his new bride. Former Navy SEAL Jake Robinson was sure that his romantic years were behind him, but for God and for country he would look into Zoe's beautiful dark eyes, kiss her senseless, hold her as if he would never let her go...and then, when the job was done, do just that.
The only problem was, with each hour in Zoe's company, the stakes were becoming higher. The game more real. And the dangers within their "honeymoon" chamber more and more apparent...
Why is every woman a scientist? Why do they always have to jam them into Wacky Scenarios and why does the last line sound like this dude has a heart condition and an erection lasting longer than 4 hours?
Born Wild (Black Knights Inc. #5) said:
She's got three rules:
1. Trust no one… Eve Edens has been abandoned, used, or manipulated by almost everyone she's ever met. Born into ridiculous wealth, she's dealt with the petty jealousies and sordid little resentments for nearly thirty years. But after three botched attempts on her life, she can no longer ignore the truth. Someone wants her dead.
Eye of the Storm (Security Specialists International #1) said:
Keely Walsh has three doctorates, five older brothers and has never met a situation she couldn't handle. While consulting with the NSA, she discovers sensitive government information indicating her brother, a private security operative, is in danger.
I like how I've been conditioned by 33 book jackets to the point I was worried this was an incest book.
Ren Maddox, co-owner of Security Specialists International, a security firm that works for large corporations and governments, is on an intelligence-gathering mission for the US government when a petite strawberry blonde armed with a Bren Ten and an attitude ten feet tall pops out of the Argentine jungle with a warning of imminent danger. The fact she is one hundred percent correct shocks him to his socks
1. Trust no one… Eve Edens has been abandoned, used, or manipulated by almost everyone she's ever met. Born into ridiculous wealth, she's dealt with the petty jealousies and sordid little resentments for nearly thirty years. But after three botched attempts on her life, she can no longer ignore the truth. Someone wants her dead.
I can only conclude from the fact the guy has a Canadian tattoo on his chest that his "liaison" was part of some sort of prank played out between the members of NATO.
Somewhere a Canadian JTF2 Operator is waking up to lipstick stains on his face and a giant Union Jack stamped above his crotch.
I can only conclude from the fact the guy has a Canadian tattoo on his chest that his "liaison" was part of some sort of prank played out between the members of NATO.
I'm stuck at home all week waiting for my pink eye to clear up and I laughed so hard at this shit I'm pretty sure I just contaminated half my apartment.
1. Trust no one… Eve Edens has been abandoned, used, or manipulated by almost everyone she's ever met. Born into ridiculous wealth, she's dealt with the petty jealousies and sordid little resentments for nearly thirty years. But after three botched attempts on her life, she can no longer ignore the truth. Someone wants her dead.
The stubborn, continued pursuit of a very bad idea certainly confirms that Moira is a Marine at heart.
1. Trust no one… Eve Edens has been abandoned, used, or manipulated by almost everyone she's ever met. Born into ridiculous wealth, she's dealt with the petty jealousies and sordid little resentments for nearly thirty years. But after three botched attempts on her life, she can no longer ignore the truth. Someone wants her dead.
Apparently, she's only used to petty jealousy as opposed to grand jealousy. Also, the typical rich person response to attempted murder is to hire actual bodyguards.
Two Weeks with a SEAL (Wakefield Romance #1) said:
In her small town of Wakefield, Virginia she lives the life she has been given, but loving your older brother's best friend is always a gamble. For Rhea, it's an unspoken truth.
These are always the most lukewarm forbidden romances ever.
"Oh my god, do I dare love my brother's friend?!"
Also a lot of them are like this. Take a drink every time its a friends relative.
"After a near-fatal head injury, Navy SEAL lieutenant Tom Paoletti catches a glimpse of an international terrorist in his New England hometown. When he calls for help, the Navy dismisses the sighting as injury-induced imaginings. In a last-ditch effort to prevent disaster, Tom creates his own makeshift counterterrorism team, assembling his most loyal officers, two elderly war veterans, a couple of misfit teenagers, and Dr. Kelly Ashton.
Why wouldn't the US Navy listen to a dude with a head injury that has a shakey visual ID on a terrorist?
"I saw Bin Laden working at the Wienerschnitzel!"
"Tom...1) Bin Laden is dead, you were there. 2) I'm pretty sure that Bin Laden is not a 30 year old Irish Immigrant Woman"
"Its the PERFECT DISGUISE"
"Thanks to Suzanne Brockmann's glorious pen, we all get to revel in heartstopping adventure and blistering romance."—RT Book Reviews
What? He only remembers what his clothing sizes are? Like, he can tell you his neck size but just stares at you dumbly when you talk about eggs?
Navy SEAL Mitchell Shaw woke up one morning with no clue as to who he was.And the items hidden in his possession were no help-- an address, along with a .22 caliber side arm.
In a last-ditch effort to prevent disaster, Tom creates his own makeshift counterterrorism team, assembling his most loyal officers, two elderly war veterans, a couple of misfit teenagers, and Dr. Kelly Ashton.
Why wouldn't the US Navy listen to a dude with a head injury that has a shakey visual ID on a terrorist?
"I saw Bin Laden working at the Wienerschnitzel!"
"Tom...1) Bin Laden is dead, you were there. 2) I'm pretty sure that Bin Laden is not a 30 year old Irish Immigrant Woman"
"Its the PERFECT DISGUISE"
Navy Seal Blue McCoy returns to his small hometown in South Carolina for his brother's wedding and quickly finds himself in a heap of trouble. After a very public fight at the engagement party, his brother is killed and Blue is the prime suspect. Rookie cop Lucy Tait is the only one who believes in his innocence, but will the attraction she feels for him get in the way of clearing his name?
Yes. Sleeping with the prime suspect then declaring him innocent, will in fact do that.
Like, duh?
Khost said:
1984. The Soviet Union is locked in a bitter war in Afghanistan against the Mujahideen. To make matters worse, they are losing. With little hope left, and all odds against them, the Soviet Union grows desperate. In response, they create an exotic chemical weapon with a single purpose: To enhance their soldiers on the battlefield.
To test their creation, a secret mission is underway, and they test it on a Mujahideen hold-out, a massive cave complex on the far eastern border of Afghanistan.
Alright, bit more backstory so far on this one. Bit more original, not a single sexy reporter/doctor/sister in sight!
2010. The United States is now at war in Afghanistan. To make matters worse, an elite team of Delta Force Operators have gone missing. There remains a lone survivor: Sergeant C. York.
In response, a top-secret CIA team is brought in. These are members of the elite Special Activities Division, the best of the best. Made up of Delta Force, DEVGRU and a famous Marine sharpshooter, they face sheer terror as they are sent in to do one thing:
Either this has been miscatagorized or there is some kind of sexy post human afghan warrior in there!
(Please be the latter)
Dangerous Secrets (Tall said:
Being a divorce attorney for the rich and famous isn't all it's cracked up to be. Julie Harrison has learned that love doesn't last, and she's sworn never to make the same mistakes as her mother, or her clients. She uses the games men play to keep them at a distance. The only man who managed to break down her walls was Luke Walker, a Navy SEAL who loved her and left her, and changed her forever.
Luke Walker, a name that she totally didn't come up with while watching Star Wars, just like her other protagonist: Lando Rissian.
But now, one of Julie's clients, a powerful judge, gets involved with a dangerous cartel, and his soon-to-be-ex wife ends up dead. Julie's next on the list, and she finds herself on the run from those who believe she knows too much, and counting on Luke to keep her alive. In the deepest, darkest moments of the night, passion will bring them together while danger threatens to tear them apart. Can Julie and Luke trust each other and find their happy ending before they find ... the end?
You know that one story could have been so much better if it focused on the fact that apparently they sent in Alvin C. York into Afghanistan, because Who doesn't love a good old story about a time travelling WWI badass sent to fight the war on terror?
You know that one story could have been so much better if it focused on the fact that apparently they sent in Alvin C. York into Afghanistan, because Who doesn't love a good old story about a time travelling WWI badass sent to fight the war on terror?
