The Royal by Susan Stoker

3 Stars

Callum is asked to check out a stalker issue his cousin’s girlfriend is dealing with. When he shows up he figures out there is no stalker but he does fall for the stepsister Juniper. He sees how she’s treated and wants to help her even if she doesn’t want to be with him. He’s too scarred to be with her anyways. Can she finally blossom into the woman she’s meant to be and will she choose him?

I have a feeling this series is not going to be my favorite. Insta love and just the perfect life once the prince saves Juniper from her evil stepmom and sister. Callum is a literal prince. You don’t really see them getting to know one another just kind of meet and attraction to lets live together. Callum is all about taking care of her from the get go. I also felt like things weren’t really resolved. Like what ended up happening to the stepmom and sister. Where is the justice for Juniper for what she went through because of them. It was just ok.

Book 2 Game of Chance

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Deserving Henley by Susan Stoker

3 Stars

Henley has spent her years and life to shape her into a conscientious psychologist. She spends her days at the Refuge helping victims with their trauma and her nights with her daughter Jasna. She has a very fulfilling life if not lonely. She loves her bosses, even the most standoffish one Finn “Tonka” Matlick. He had his coast guard career end and spent the last several years building up the Refuge. When life brings them together, they think they are finally getting everything they want. What they aren’t aware of is someone who’s out to get Henley. Will they figure it out before it’s too late?

This one wasn’t one of my favorites. I didn’t feel the connection between FMC and Finn. The bad guy was an interesting choice, and I would have liked to see it fleshed out more. Without spoilers I don’t know if they weren’t fleshed out because of who they were or if that was how Stoker intended them to be. The final confrontation with him was very anticlimactic. I liked the idea of this book but that’s about it.

Book 2 The Refuge

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Finding Monica by Susan Stoker

4 Star

Monica spent years dealing with her father’s abuse. This has taught her not to trust men, particularly military men. Once she escaped her father she decided to build a career as a nanny. Her current assignment is for the US Ambassador. When there is unrest in the country, and they are being evacuated she is forgotten by everyone but the little boy. He is so insistent that Stuart “Pid” Hall agrees to go to their house to see if she’s there. When he and his team members get there the house has already been ransacked but they find her unscathed and get her out. The problem is she saw someone there who she shouldn’t have seen. Now she has to go back to Hawaii to help them find their man. Will Pid win her over and prove to her that not every military man is evil?

I enjoyed this one a lot. Monica was relatable and Pid was super sweet to her. I loved that he was willing to work with her to overcome her fears and that she was willing to work on them. I am curious by how the bad guy knew where she was and that she had seen anything. If you like all the other books by Stoker you will like this one.

Book 4 SEAL Team Hawaii

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Protecting New York by Lainey Reese

 

2.5 Star

Cheyenne and Dude are in New York for a holiday when their past comes back to kick them. Will a group of Doms and their subs help them save the day.

I wanted to like this more, but Susan Stoker’s books don’t include hardcore BDSM. This included Susan Stoker’s characters Shy and Dude It was not what I was expecting when I read this one as the original story wasn’t this descriptive. I am also surprisingly really tired of people blaming Shy for the action of the bombers. Overall, this didn’t add anything to the original story and it won’t matter if you skip it.

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Shielding Sierra by Susan Stoker

 

4 stars

Sierra was kidnapped by insurgents, and she thought she was never going to get free. She regretted not getting to know Grover better and not being able to see her family one more time. When Grover is thrown into the cell next to her, she is happy to see him but also devastated that he is there. He and his team are able to get her home but is she truly safe?

I’ve been waiting forever for this book. Sierra has been held for a year by terrorists and Grover saves her and she repays him. I loved the fact that Stoker showed them working through this trauma before getting together. I loved how Sierra saves the day in the end. Stoker also included an epilogue that goes out several years and I love seeing where Stoker sees her character in the future.

Book 8 Delta Team Two

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Finding Kenna by Susan Stoker

3.5 Star

Since their first meeting Marshall “Aleck” has wanted to learn everything about waitress Kenna. Kenna is mortified over jumping on the back of a SEALs back thinking he was in danger and wants to make it up to him. When he shows up at her restaurant to ask her out, she’s not sure about dating a SEAL but she is willing to give it a shot. When there is a dangerous situation pops up will they both make it out alive?

I was not a huge fan of Kenna. She was very judgmental person and doesn’t really change. She was a waitress and hated anyone with money and it got old fast. I wanted to like Kenna and Marshall as a couple as they had a really “meet cute” story but I just didn’t. This is the third book in the Hawaii series, and I’ve not really liked any of them. The women have all kind of sucked. I don’t even think I finished book two as I figured out how it would go. I still love Susan Stoker’s books just not so much this series.

Book 3 SEAL TEAM Hawaii

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Shielding Ember by Susan Stoker

 

3 Star

Delta Team 2 is sent to the Olympic Games to keep people safe from threats.  Craig “Doc” Wagner has actively avoided the spotlight since he was a child and there were issues.  When the team gets to the Olympics, they run into Ember who is always in the spotlight on social media.  She looks like she’s in need, so he brings her over to sit with the team. 

It was an interesting story and I enjoyed it.  Not one of my favorite books by her but it was good. The best part of the book was literally the last page and makes me wish it was January so I could read the last book in the series.

Book 7 Delta Team 2

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Trusting Molly by Susan Stoker

4 Star

Molly has always had bad luck.  When she’s in Nigeria she’s kidnapped with a hundred schoolgirls.  Shoved into a hole and left to rut she doesn’t expect to get out alive.  When Mark “Smoke” Chamberlin and his team go into Nigeria to rescue the schoolgirls he literally falls into the hole with Molly.  Once they had rescued everyone Molly finds out her only family had died while she was being held hostage so she opts to go home with Mark to figure out what she should do with her life.  As they get closer there’s someone else out to get her.  Will Mark be able to keep her safe?

I really enjoyed this book.  I enjoyed Molly’s inner dialogue and how she does pick herself up to keep moving.  It was interesting to see how Molly and Mark would work out with her stalker.  One of the best parts of the book is that Molly saves herself.  Overall, it fits well within the series and I enjoyed it a lot.

Book 3 Silverstone

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Shielding Devyn by Susan Stoker

 

3.5 stars

Devyn lifther job and her family to move closer to her brother and getaway from her other brother. She's not sure if she will be staying or moving on somewhere else. Her brother's friend and teammate Lucky hopes she stays. He's willing to take it as slow as she needs but isn't willing to walk away. Will he be able to keep her safe ?

I struggle with reviewing this book. I liked Lucky and Devyn but I wasn't in love with the story. Devyn ends up kidnapped because of her brother. The brother knows she's been taken but doesn't Call anyone or does anything. She ends up held longer because of this and it frustrated me. On top of this the guys all come together to get the 50,000 the brother needed to pay off his debt. This is great but the legality of handling it themselves verses working with the police just rubbed me the wrong way. Then Devyn lets her precious brother get all sorts of attention leaving her to deal with the fallout of her kidnapping. For me this all made the book meh for me.

Book 6 Delta Team Two

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Finding Elodie by Susan Stoker

 

3 Star

This review contains spoilers...huge spoilers

Elodie loves to cook.  When she took on a job as a private chef she is over the moon.  That is until her boss asks her to poison a guest.  This is when she finds out her dream job is working for a mob boss.  On the run she takes a job on ship that travels all over the world.  Everything is great until the boat is boarded by pirates.  She is able to hide from them and is rescued by a SEAL team.  She feels an instant connection to Scott "Mustang".  He gives her his number but she loses it begore she can call him.  All she knows is he's in Hawaii so after getting a payout from her employer she uproots her life to track him down.  When she finds him will the spark still be there?

I just liked this book.  Wasn't a huge fan of Elodie.  She is way too naïve and bit ridiculous throughout this whole story.  At no time did she consider going to the police for help.  Ok fine not sure who might be in his pocket so she joins a ship that's taken over by pirates even without seeing Scott she is instantly attracted to him.  It was a lot.  Genius that is Elodie she decides to take a job on a charter boat which is hired by everyone.  This bares repeating...the boat is hired by everyone. So the mafia is after you and you don't consider they might find you and hire your boat thus taking you and anyone else on the boat out? Other than the plot issues the writing was spot on I just couldn't get past some of these issues I had with the story.

Book 1 SEAL Team Hawaii

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Trusting Taylor by Susan Stoker

 

3 Star

Kellan “Eagle” Trowbridge never forgets a face.  When he's forced to go shopping for the crew he meets Taylor Cardin who never remembers a face.  She witnessed an assault at the grocery store and he sees her looking upset and wants to help.  This starts a friendship between them that grows into something more.  What neither of them knows is someone else saw her at the grocery store and doesn't want a friendship but something much worse.  Will Kellan be able to keep Taylor safe?

I usually like reading Susan Stoker books.  This one was like all her others.  It was well written and the story flowed nicely.  The issues I had with the book was there were some very graphic scenes that just didn't seem to be necessary and kind of skeeved me out.  They took me out of the book and I had to put the it down to take a couple breaths.  Overall, it was an ok book but not one of my favorite book by Susan Stoker.

Book 2 Silverstone

Amazon

Securing Jane by Susan Stoker

 

5 Star

Storm North has scene two of his teams of SEALs find love and though he is old and jaded he wants that.  Jane Hamilton has lusted after him for years but he never saw her until he did.  She spent her life caring for her daughter on her own working in the mailroom.  When she finds a mysteries package Storm finally sees her.  They may finally get their happy ending except for the bomber who isn't too happy that the bomb didn't go off the way they wanted it too.

I really enjoyed this book.  The couple is older and established.  I liked seeing them come together and working through the bombing and melding their lives.  The bomber was interesting and I loved seeing all of the SEAL teams in this book.  Even though it is book 7 you can read it alone if you didn't want to read the entire series.  Definitely a good addition to the series. 

Book 7 SEAL of Protection: Legacy

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Promo: Susan Stoker

 

Securing Jane, an all-new Seal of Protection: Legacy Series Novella packed with danger and suspense from New York Times bestselling author Susan Stoker and 1,001 Dark Nights is available now!

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Susan Stoker comes a new story in her SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series…

Over the years, Storm North has witnessed two teams of Navy SEALs under his command find true love. He doesn’t expect the same for himself. He’s too old. Too jaded. Too set in his ways. Until a woman who’s been right in front of him for years manages to impress Storm in a way very few women—or men—ever have.

Jane Hamilton knows it’s ridiculous to have a crush on the charismatic and handsome commander. She’s the divorced mother of a twenty-six-year-old daughter. Too old for crushes. Too old for a lot of things. There’s no chance she’ll ever catch the eye of a man like Storm North.

Until someone delivers a bomb to the base.

As the civilian contractor in charge of the mail room, Jane finds herself in the direct line of fire, enduring a series of events that leads to a budding relationship with the very man she’s been longing for. She couldn’t be happier, and Storm feels the same.

The only one unhappy, in fact, is the thwarted bomber. Unhappy enough to do something drastic. Now Storm and Jane have to work together to save innocent sailors—and themselves—from an explosive situation threatening their happily ever after.

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About Susan Stoker
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She's married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.

She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.

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Shielding Riley by Susan Stoker

 

5 Star

Porter "Oz" Reed has had his life turned upside down.  A sister he was estranged from has died and left her son without anyone to care for him.  Oz now has to figure out how to care for a child while still being a Delta.  He turns to his neighbor Riley for help.  Recently out of an abusive relationship Riley steps up to help Oz out.  She knows how hard life is in the system and helps guide him.  Oz knows his nephew is keeping secrets and wants him to tell him what they are but will have to earn the trust while still completing missions.  When he finally discovers what the secrets are he will bend over backwards to make everything right.

I loved this story.  When you think all the bad to happen has concluded and they are in for some happily ever after you get thrown a curveball and more drama.  The book showed some struggles single parents have to deal with.  I loved seeing the rest of the team come together to help Oz out.  One of the only things that frustrated me with this book was the epilogue.  Susan Stoker wrote glimpses of future books and I need them right now! The first one isn't coming out until May so yay short wait but the hints of what will happen in that book built an anticipation I don't want.  The other book won't be out until January 2022.  It makes it so I want to wait to read the rest of the series until the last book comes out in January.  All that aside the book was one of the better books I've read from her and I really enjoyed it. 

Book 5 Delta Team Two

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Shielding Jayme by Susan Stoker

 

3 Star

Jayme had dreamed of owner her own bakery in Seattle.  When her boss decides to sell the bakery to someone else she quits and moves to Killeen, Texas to be with her grandma.  Winnie wants the best for her granddaughter and thinks the big strong helicopter mechanic Rocket is perfect.  Even though Jayme says she isn't interested Winnie manufactures a connection.  Will Jayme allow herself to reach for her dreams?

This was an ok book to read.  I wanted more about why Jayme had moved from Washington to Texas.  It seems like a drastic move just because her boss sold to someone else.  The conflict in the story wasn't anything major and was kind of meh.  There was also a ton of epilogues that went into their lives later and with the longer series I enjoy this but I wasn't feeling that big of a connection to care about their future.  The love story between Jayme and Rocket was good if not a whole lot of insta love.  The one character I loved the best was Winnie, Jayme's grandma.  She was awesome and we saw her in passed books.  It fit with the overall series just not one of my favorite books.

Book 4 Delta Team Two

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Trusting Skylar by Susan Stoker

 

4 Star

Carson “Bull” Rhodes and his teammates left the army after a mission went wrong.  They started a covert team hidden in plain sight behind a tow company, to take out bad guys when the legal route doesn’t work.  Since starting their company Bull hasn’t dated.  When the tow company is called out he meets kindergarten teacher Skylar Reid.  After giving her a lecture on making sure he was who he said he was Bull asked her out.  When Bull finally reveals what he does for a living Skylar isn’t sure if she can handle it.  When she faces a serious threat will Bull be there for her?

I really enjoyed this story.  It was both different and the same book by Susan Stoker.  I was not expecting her to write a book with the main character being an assassin but she was able to pull it off without it being over the top.  I enjoyed reading it.  One of the best parts was after Skylar found out about his profession and freaked out.  She ends up being talked to her neighbor and being sort of told off by her.  It was interesting how the neighbor explained things to her.  It was a good start to a new series.

Book 1 Silverstone

Marrying Caroline by Susan Stoker

 

Caroline is finally getting to marry Wolf.  They’ve had a wild ride so far so they were hoping for somewhat quiet wedding even if it is large.  But as everything else in their relationship plans don’t go the way they wanted them too.

This book can’t be read before you read the first three books.  I loved reading the scene about the Budweiser pin and why Caroline needs to take Wolf’s pin.  I also really liked the way Caroline was trying to make Cookie feel ok with a tiny wedding to Fiona as he really wanted a big bash but Fiona couldn’t handle it.  Overall, it was a cute story to see where everyone is.

Book 3.5 SEAL of Protection

Protecting Fiona by Susan Stoker

 

3 Star

Hunter “Cookie” Knox’s team was sent into the jungle to rescue a woman from a well-respected family.  When they get to her they find another American.  They can’t leave her, so they get her out but now have someone who has been trafficked 3 months ago and has been passed around and drugged.  Fiona was not expecting to get out of Mexico.  When her captors brought in another woman, she just thought it as another day until some men came to rescue her.  She almost didn’t say anything and would have been left behind.  With everything she had been through she didn’t want to slow them down while dealing with drug withdrawal.  When they all are states side again, she’s not sure what she’s going to do as she lost her job, her apartments, and her life.  Cookie is determined to help her get back on her feet.  When the SEALs are sent on a mission, she’s left alone for the first time and doesn’t handle it well.  Will the team be able to get to her in time? 

This book started out really good.  I was loving it but like I’ve said for other books Susan Stoker has written about rape she doesn’t handle after the rescue well.  With this book you need to suspend your expectation of help and care.  Instead of going directly back to base and sorting everything out half the team goes to a safe house with Fiona.  They patch her up and help her with the withdrawal she’s going through but it doesn’t sound like any medical personnel actually looked at her.  They also didn’t have anyone talk to her about what she went through until she had a mental break and ran away.  I don’t think starting a relationship with someone who was sex trafficked is someone you should start dating without extensive therapy.  I really liked Cookie and Fiona I just wish her mental health was handled better.  It’s not a horrible book but isn’t one of my favorites.

Book 3 SEAL of Protection

Protecting Alabama by Susan Stoker

 

5 Star

Alabama has struggled her entire life.  When she met Christopher “Abe” Powers she wasn’t sure what to make of him.  He was making all sorts of promises but everyone else has let her down so why should he be any different.  Christopher got his nickname because he won’t tolerate lies.  When their paths cross he thinks he’s found the one but Alabama is hesitant to rely on anyone.  When she’s accused of stealing from her work will he believe her and stand by her or will he let her down like so many people before him have?

I absolutely loved this book.  Alabama’s story is so sad, and she definitely deserved some happy.  I loved seeing Alabama and Abe together.  They have a very intense and quick relationship, and I was definitely hoping for the best for them.  The big conflict in the story was an interesting conflict.  There were actually moments reading parts of it that made me cry and made me hate Abe.  One of the things I loved best is the fact that Alabama didn’t just forgive Abe for being a massive ass.  He had to earn her trust back and even though all of the SEAL team were friends with Abe first they all stepped up to help Alabama to make sure she wasn’t alone.  This was an awesome addition to the series.

Book 2 SEAL of Protection

Protecting Caroline by Susan Stoker

 

5 Star

Matthew “Wolf” Steel and his SEAL teammates are heading to Virginia for some R&R.  When the woman sitting next to him offers him the aisle seat so he will be more comfortable he jumps at it.  He forgets all about her until she stops him from drinking his beverage.  Caroline works with chemicals everyday and something smells off with the drinks.  With Caroline’s help the SEALs are able to prevent the plane from being hijacked.  After they are all safe, they continue to talk until she goes missing.  Wolf will need to do everything he can to find her and keep her safe.

This book was amazing.  I really enjoyed seeing Caroline come out of her shell and protect the guys who are supposed to be taking care of her.  The relationship between Caroline and Wolf was awesome to read progress from seatmates to soulmates.  Caroline goes through hell and she still has a positive outlook on life and people.  I liked seeing the hints of where the series is going.

Book 1 SEAL of Protection