SEAL of My Dreams

Southern Roads #3.5

by Jami Alden, Cindy Gerard, Stephanie Bond

True heroes who will win your heart.

Honor, duty, courage, passion . . . the men of the Navy SEALs are a special breed of hero, and in these stories by eighteen top romance authors the SEALs are celebrated not only as symbols of devoted service to their country but as the kind of man every woman wants to love. They'll rescue a damsel in distress and her lap dog, too. They'll battle hometown dramas and international bad guys. When it comes to giving away their hearts, they'll risk everything.

All proceeds from sales of SEAL of My Dreams goes to the Veterans Research Corporation, a non-profit fundraiser for veterans' medical research.

Among them, the authors of SEAL of My Dreams have won dozens of writing awards including multiple RITAs from Romance Writers of America. Their nearly 600 published novels have sold at least 25 million copies worldwide. The SEAL of My Dreams roster includes many of the best-known authors in modern romance fiction. In addition, many have strong family connections to the servicemen and women of our nation's military, and many specialize in novels featuring heroes and heroines from all branches of service.

Visit the authors at www.sealofmydreams.com.

Contents:
Foreword by Robyn Carr
Coming Home by Jami Alden
Baby I'm Back by Stephanie Bond -- Southern Roads #3.5
SEALed Fates by Kylie Brant
Going Dark by Helen Brenna
Finding Home by HelenKay Dimon
SEALed With a Kiss by Cindy Gerard -- Black Ops #6.5
Panama Jack by Tara Janzen
Wrapped and SEALed by Leslie Kelly
Worth the Risk by Elle Kennedy
Twenty-one Hours by Alison Kent -- The Dalton Gang #0.5
Not Waving But Drowning by Jo Leigh
Her Secret Pirate by Gennita Low -- Crossfire #4
SEALed by Fate by Marliss Melton
Signed, SEALed, Delivered...I'm Yours by Christie Ridgway
Dog Heart by Barbara Samuel
Whirlwind by Roxanne St. Claire
Holding On by Stephanie Tyler -- Hold Trilogy #3.5
Letters to Ellie by Loreth Anne White

Genres: Romance, Anthologies, Military Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, Short Stories

430 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 11, 2011

About the author

Like so many romance readers, my first romance novel was by Kathleen Woodiwiss - The Flame and the Flower, to be exact. I was thirteen. I spent the next month working my way through her entire back list. Shortly thereafter I discovered Judith McNaught, Johanna Lindsey, Karen Robards, Catherine Coulter, Shirlee Busbee among others, and devoured their lavish historical epics full of overbearing alpha males and the women who brought them to their knees. I was hooked. My high school teachers marveled at my ability to read romance novels under the desk and still score straight A's. I started to imagine myself, living in a cabin in the mountains somewhere, writing romance novels.

It took me quite awhile to pursue my dream. After graduating from Stanford with a degree in English Literature, I worked in a variety of soul sucking admin jobs before I began my career in marketing. It wasn't exactly my dream job, but at least my writing appeared on several web sites and in many software marketing brochures. Unfortunately I wasn't able to fit the phrase "and her loins melted like hot wax" into any of them.

During my stint as the world's surliest receptionist, I took my first stab at writing. The result was a very melodramatic western historical which reads like a bad Elizabeth Lowell rip off. Its currently languishing on my hard drive, forever stuck on page 330.

Then in fall 2001 I had an incredible stroke of luck and got laid off from my marketing job. I decided it was time to stop saying I wanted to be a writer and to actually give it a serious go. Fortunately my husband, a socially well adjusted alpha male, is a very generous patron of the arts.

Four years later, I sold my first book and I'm pretty much living the dream of getting paid to write romance. I don't live in a cabin in the mountains, but I do live in a rural-ish town near San Francisco (hey, we have deer and bunnies in our yard, along with the occasional coyote) with my husband, sons, and two dogs who patiently listen to my dialogue and help me work out plot points. When I'm not writing sexy romance, I enjoy running, reading, yoga and watching Food Network and bad reality TV.

Reviews

[UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note - All proceeds from the sales of this anthology have been pledged to the Veterans Research Corporation, a non-profit foundation supporting veterans medical research.

I ’m going to be honest here; SEAL of My Dreams is one of only two anthologies of which I’ve actually read every single story in the book, and certainly my favorite anthology of the two. With this collection I've discovered new authors, revisited favorites and enjoyed every minute of it! Some of the stories were a little emotional, while others were lighthearted and sweet, but they all had one thing in common – honorable, romantic, sexy SEALs who always do the right thing, regardless of the cost to themselves.

I want to start by talking about the Foreword by Robyn Carr – I seldom even bother to read the foreword in any book, but of course I had to do so this time because Robyn Carr is such a wonderful author and a truly great lady. I had tears in my eyes before I had even read the first story because of Ms. Carr’s words, her feelings echoing mine to the letter. Here, in part, is what she had to say:

I seem to be spending a lot of time in airports lately, and I use much of that time approaching military men and women traveling in battle dress uniform and wearing suspiciously dusty, beat up boots.

With mist clouding my vision and a lump in my throat, I thank them for their service and, when I do so, because I’m not intimate with unit insignias, I have no way of knowing if their job has been to take out the free world’s worst enemy or count paper clips. And in point of fact, what is important to all of us is that our faithful men and woman who serve are there for us, defending our freedom and liberty, in whatever capacity they are able. What matters is this—every single job in the Armed Forces is essential, is honorable, is worthy of the highest praise and deepest gratitude. Every raised voice is needed, every hand lent to the task and every heart committed.

Which brings me to this—while the volume you hold pays tribute to the Navy SEALs, the proceeds from these works of the heart will benefit all military men and women. No one involved in this project will profit except the Veteran’s Research Corporation, a non-profit foundation supporting medical research for veterans. The money this project earns will directly benefit our veterans from all branches, all units, all missions. God bless and keep them, one and all.

S omething else I seldom do when reading anthologies is write a review for each story, but each story in this book deserves one, because while the names and places might be fictional, I know beyond a shadow of doubt, that these things have happened to someone, somewhere. Some of the quotes might make no sense to you, but for one reason or another, mean so much to me. There are actually no spoilers here, but I'm tucking away the quotes and my thoughts into a "spoiler tag" because if I didn't, this review would be feet long.

W ithout further ado, I offer my thoughts, for what they’re worth, though nothing I say can do the real men and women who have lived these stories honor.



1. Coming Home by Jami Alden - This is a sweet, sometimes sad story about the importance of forgiving, forgetting, and letting yourself love.

It had taken ten years of heartbreak and shared tragedies to bring her back to his side, and no way was he ever letting her go.

2. Baby, I’m Back by Stephanie Bond - Okay, this one made me cry, both tears of joy and tears of gratitude. A great story about friendship, love, life in a small town and US Navy SEAL Dogs.

3. SEALed Fates by Kylie Brant - I enjoyed this story a lot, but I do think it would have worked better as a full length novel, or a novella because the subject matter was just too much to deal with in a story this short and have us be completely invested in the characters. That said, I have to share this quote, one that when read with the entire scene had me laughing.

“I can’t see . . . wait!” The girl’s next words were laced with disappointment. “That’s not a seal, Matt. It’s just a man.”

“Is too a seal.”

“Where’s his ball, huh? A seal can sit a ball on his nose, and . . . and clap his flipper things. Where’s his flippers?”

With a bit of maneuvering Cort went down on one knee and studied the thin tube of black plastic sticking out from the fence.

“Not that kind of seal, dummy. A seal is like a soldier. He can blow stuff up and jump out of helicopters.”

Maybe once, Cort thought. Not anymore. That part of his life was over. And he still didn’t know what the hell he was going to fill the emptiness with.

4. Going Dark by Helen Brenna - This story started off on a sour note for me, so I had a hard time connecting with this heroine who ditched our hero when she’d gotten what she wanted from him. Over time we learn that she had good reason for it, but I didn’t have enough time to forgive her for hurting him.

5. Finding Home by HelenKay Dimon - I enjoyed Hal and Megan's story. It was action packed, romantic and left me wanting to know more about their relationship.

6. SEALed With A Kiss (A Black Ops., Inc. story) by Cindy Gerard - I am a huge Cindy Gerard fan, and so this revisit to the BOIs was a real treat. It was heartwarming, romantic and just what I need to tie me over until the next book. I sure do love me some “Doc.”

“And put some swim trunks on, would you?” she added when he still hesitated. “I don’t want any curious fishies mistaking my favorite dangly parts for dinner.”

He laughed and pushed to his feet. “Since they’re my favorite dangly parts, too, I’m happy to oblige. Be right back.”

7. Panama Jack by Tara Janzen - Okay, this story didn’t grab me, and I actually found myself skimming. Remember when I said that some of the quotes would mean nothing to you, but would mean something to me? This is one of them:

“Powell,” she said, obviously coming to a decision about him. “Alanna Powell, but you can call me Lani.” She stuck out her hand.

“Lani.” He took her hand in his and gave it a firm shake, grinning. “Corday. Squidbreath Corday, but you can call me Flipper.”

8. Wrapped and SEALed by Leslie Kelly - This was a great little story! So sweet, romantic and funny! I always swoon for these big, bad SEALs when we watch them brought to their knees.

Tanner Boudreau wasn’t intimidated by much.

He’d endured the seven months of grueling torment that the U.S. Navy called BUD/S training, capped off by a hell week to rival Dante’s. He’d swum waters frigid enough to stop a man’s heart. He’d seen battle. He’d leapt out of planes and dangled from helicopters and crawled through caves as dark as a demon’s soul. And while all of those experiences could—and had—caused a twinge of anxiety here or a moment of concern there, none had ever really scared him.

But this? This intimidated the hell out of him. “Gram, I just don’t—”

“Oh, Tanner, it would mean so much to me,” his elderly grandmother said, casting him one of those melting, I’m-just-a-weak-old-lady looks. “I’ll be so disappointed if you say no.” And that was it. He was done for. Because she’d dragged out the “d” word.

And I’m not going to tell you exactly what his assignment was, suffice it to say, Tanner would probably have chosen the hell of battle to what his grandmother was asking of him!

9. Worth the Risk by Elle Kennedy - I really enjoyed this story, and it’s because of Jason, a man devoted, a man so in love, that he was willing to spend years waiting for the woman he knew was ‘the one’ to figure out that he was her ‘one,’ too.

10. Twenty-One Hours by Alison Kent - There are quite a few romantic suspense authors that I haven’t read before, and this anthology introduced me to many of them. Alison Kent is one of those who is new to me, but I’ll definitely be reading more of her writing. I enjoyed this story, another one about loving someone so much, you’re willing to wait years and years if that’s what it take to be with them.

“I’ll be here a few more days. We’ll talk. Make a plan. We’ve got time.”

He shook his head. “I wasted sixteen years. I’m not wasting a minute more. You know that, right?”

“I do,” she said.

It hit him, then, like a shot to the center of his chest, that he wanted to hear her say that while their friends and families, and hell, even his team, looked on, while she wore a long white dress, flowers in her hands and in her hair.

He brought her to him, kissed her hard, fierce and possessive. “I love you, Teri. All these years. I kept you with me.”

“Oh, Shane. I love you, too. I never forgot you. Not for a minute.”

“I’m going to make sure you never do.”

11. Not Waving But Drowning by Jo Leigh - This story was okay, not one of my favorites, though I do love me some tormented and tortured heroes. In this one, though, the heroine, Renee, made the hero, Dan, seem weak to me.

12. Her Secret Pirate by Gennita Low - This quote had me laughing because no matter how hard I try, when I think “Pirate,” I think Captain Jack Sparrow.

The first order of the day was to follow instructions, go with his team to get the pirates before they turned on the news and found out Rebecca Powers was the Ambassador’s daughter. That was what initiated the “imminent danger” decision; the media was naming names and in this day and age, it seemed that even pirates checked their Twitter accounts while terrorizing the seas.

13. SEALed By Fate by Marliss Melton -

Operation “Dumb Broad” was underway.

Marliss Melton is one of my favorites when it comes to Romantic Suspense. She can write a story like nobody’s business, one that leaves you wanting for more, and this one did exactly that. If Sam and Madison don’t get a full story, I’ll be one unhappy camper!

If not for her, he’d be headed for Malaysia now as part of the team tasked to take out an infamous Malaysian arms smuggler. Instead, he was playing nursemaid to a humanitarian aid worker who didn’t have any sense of self-preservation. This mission had “Complete Waste of Time” stamped all over it, damn it. Sam hadn’t fought to become a SEAL so he could waste his time. He’d done it to be part of something meaningful. And this was so not it.

What annoyed him most was if Miss Scott were anyone other than the daughter of the President’s golfing buddy, Sam and his squad would be well on their way to Malaysia right now. He’d renamed this mission “Operation Dumb Broad” in honor of her idiocy.

14. Signed, SEAL’d, Delivered…I’m Yours by Christie Ridgway - This story had some funny, sweet scenes written by another ‘new to me’ author. After reading this story, though, I checked out Ms. Ridgway’s backlist and will definitely be reading more of her books!

“I think my dad is eating all the stuff you baked for me.”

She had the cutest dimple in her right cheek. “There’s more where that came from.”

“There’s more everything,” Josh promised. “I love you.”

Mandy nodded, and reached into her pocket to pull out a fat, loopy gift bow that she balanced on the top her head. “I love you, too. Merry Christmas, Josh. I’m yours.”

The words sounded like music to him, and then he realized they were. Holding her close again, he whispered into her ear. “Right back at you, sweetheart. Signed, SEALed, and delivered.”

15. Dog Heart by Barbara Samuel - This story was another one about US Navy SEAL Dogs, and such a heartbreaking one. I wonder why it is that we never hear about the canine soldiers who are so devoted to their handlers that they’d never balk at giving their lives to protect those who need protecting. I found this to be a beautiful story of healing bodies and hearts.

16. Whirlwind by Roxanne St. Claire - Roxanne St. Clair is another author whose writing I love, and this story was no different. It's got to be hard to pack so much story into a so few pages, and while I enjoyed this one, I would have loved it more had it been a full length novel.

17. Holding On by Stephanie Tyler - This was a funny, heartwarming revisit with the heroes of her Hold series, taking place six months after the end of Hold On Tight.

“Rough trip home?”

“Not so bad,” he said.

“Why are there chicken feathers coming out of your pocket?”

“Just be grateful the walk home in the storm washed away the smell.”

“Most of it,” she teased.

18. Letters To Ellie by Loreth Anne White - What a way to end the book. This one had me sobbing with its heartbreaking story of a hero who was so wounded he was almost beyond help, and another hero who didn't make it home. These are the stories that break my heart, because I know they’re true, and like Max, I hope that the men who have lived through what he has, have someone like Ellie to come home to.

I want to thank all of the authors who contributed to this book. Your stories touched me, made me laugh, made me cry, and made me sigh. But most of all, they've given me a chance to publicly thank the men and women who serve:

Y ou risk your lives on a daily basis for people you might never meet, and people who may not even appreciate your sacrifices. The things you do may go unnoticed or unwanted now, but generations to come to will remember you and thank you, the men and women who they never met. God Bless and keep you all.

I 'm going to close with some words from Ellie, the incredibly strong, devoted and loving heroine from the final story in this anthology, Letters to Ellie.

“While the goal is to leave no man behind, the reality of war is that sometimes our heroes don’t come home. Sometimes our soldiers go Missing in Action, become Prisoners of War. Their fate unknown. But we dare not forget them.” She paused, struggling to keep the huskiness of out of her voice. “We dare not stop trying to bring them home...”

[Auntee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I tried, and I almost made it. But after reading 14 out of the eighteen stories in this Navy SEAL romance anthology, my heart just wasn't in it anymore. The stories were starting to sound the same and were losing their impact for me. And that's not fair to the authors, or to me as a reader. So I decided to take a break and pick up the missing stories at a future date. Most of them were quite good, but there were a few "forgettable" ones. Nothing awful, mind you, just a few that I already have a hard time remembering what they were about.

SEALs in training...


As for my favorite? Hands down "SEALed With A Kiss" by one of my favorite RS authors, Cindy Gerard. Twenty-four pages (Is that all it was?) of sexiness and suspense, as we get to experience Luke (Doc) and Valentina's (With No Remorse) much needed little vacation on one of Palau's remote islands. The vacation starts out playful and sexy, but soon turns near tragic when Doc nearly drowns, and Val has to save the day with her heroics. A nice little twist there with Val being the hero. I absolutely loved seeing Doc and Val again, and enjoyed meeting up with the BOIs once more in the final chapter. Don't know if this was such a standout for me because I already knew and loved these characters, or because of the plot and CG's writing skills. I'm thinking it was a combination of all three.

More SEALs...


The biggest tear jerker/saddest? Had to be the last story in the book, "Letters To Ellie" about a radio DJ whose Navy SEAL fiance has been MIA for nearly 15 years. This 21-page story packed quite an emotional punch. And those letters that were written...*sigh*

My suggestion for tackling this book? If you're like me and get tempted by what's sitting in your TBR pile, don't try to read these all at once--space them out for when you're in the mood for some military 'quickies'. I think if I had read a few at a time in between books I might have gotten more out of them..



My 5 star stories: SEALed With A Kiss by Cindy Gerard
Letters To Ellie by Loreth Anne White

4 stars: Panama Jack by Tara Janzen
SEALed By Fate by Marliss Melton
Going Dark by Helen Brenna
Wrapped and SEALed by Leslie Kelly
Holding On by Stephanie Tyler

Hoping to read the stories by Allison Kent, Jo Leigh, Gennita Low, and Barbara Samuel in the near future.

*If you want a complete run-down on all the stories, I suggest you check out the wonderful reviews by Uniquely Moi *Dhestiny* (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...) and Baba (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... ladies put in a lot of effort to describe and review every story in this anthology!

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book....






This is a book full of short stories about Navy SEALs by a bunch of really great authors. The stories are heartwarming and full of romance and just make you feel good.








The best part about buying this book, in my opinion, is that all proceeds go to the Veterans Research Corporation, a non-profit foundation supporting veterans medical research. It was money well spent.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Only Easy Day was Yesterday"

Coming Home Jamie Alden
3.5 stars.

Baby I'm Back Stephanie Bond
4 stars.

SEALed Fates Kylie Brant
4 stars.

Going Dark Helen Brenna
3 stars.

Finding Home HelenKay Dimon
5 stars.

SEALed With A Kiss Cindy Gerard
5 stars.

Panama Jack Tara Janzen
4 stars.

Wrapped & SEALed Leslie Kelly
4 stars.

Worth the Risk Elle Kennedy
3 stars.

Twenty One Hours Alison Kent
4 stars.

Not Waving But Drowning Jo Leigh
4 stars.

Her Secret Pirate Gennita Low
5 stars.

SEALed by Fate Marliss Melton
4 stars.

Signed, SEALed, Delivered...I'm Yours Christie Ridgway
4 stars.

Dog Heart Barbara Samuel
4 stars.

Whirlwind Roxanne St. Claire
3 stars.

Holding On Stephanie Tyler
4 stars.

Letters to Ellie Loreth Anne White
5 stars.

Loved this read!

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cindy Gerard's SEALed With A Kiss only

Haven't got the chance to read any of the other stories at the moment but will come back to it and read the rest in the near future.

I really like Cindy Gerard and of course I love all of her BOI characters so it was nice to catch up with Doc & Val. At the end of his story in the BOI series we obviously see Doc & Val get their HEA but this takes it a little further in that they are married and on holiday/honeymoon. Because of the limited amount of pages in which to get the story onto this one is not a RS but still good to read and was a good little story.

[Jae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just WOW! Totally blown away and a little overwhelmed with the depth of impact the SEALs made on their loved ones. And whoever the man in the photo was, the scar on his back just says it all.

-those who make the ultimate sacrifices to guard our very existence.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.co...


I don’t know if you’ve heard of this anthology or not, but all proceeds from sales of SEAL of My Dreams go to the Veterans Research Corporation, a non-profit fundraiser for veterans' medical research. How wonderful a concept? And that cover? Yep, a real Navy SEAL, you may even recognize that photo from the newspaper or internet.
Almost all of these authors were new to me, and I really had a good time reading this anthology.

I was a little reluctant to pick this book up for a few reasons.
1. I don’t actually read contemporaries that often
2. An anthology with this much hype? Wasn’t sure it would live up to said hype.
3. I don’t read about SEALs so this was very new to me.

But it was a great book. It’s rare an anthology has me riveted with each story, but this one hit the mark. I am now hooked on real-life heroes Navy SEALs and I am so excited to have picked up several of these authors’ backlist.

One thing I really enjoyed about this anthology was the variety of authors, and the length of the novellas. All were very quick and easy reads, ranging from the sweet, heart-warming type, to the action/adventure type.

I was going to break down each story but I gave almost every one in this book a 4, plus with the length of each, I’m afraid if I reviewed them, it would ruin the story for you. I teared up several times throughout this anthology, and each story is a different take on a SEAL hero. In one, our hero lost his partner-a dog. That was a tearjerker. In another, the heroine saved the SEAL, quite a twist. All were wonderful, and all worth the read.

I received this eARC through netgalley, but I have ordered the paperback so I feel like I helped, just a little. I hope you will each go buy a copy.

This is the original NY Times article where the photo was first spotted:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/05/wor...

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

SEAL of my Dreams is that very rare breed of anthology where every story is actually good. Really good.

I finally pulled this one out of the virtual pile thinking that it might be a good refresher for between books – one short from SEAL of my Dreams for each novel read. Well, that didn’t work. At all. I ended up reading this one cover to cover and was still left wanting more.

SEAL of my Dreams has something for everyone. Laughter, tears, suspense and everything in between, and above all, great romance. With eighteen stories all featuring a SEAL hero, you can be forgiven for thinking this might become a little repetitive, but each story is different and fresh.

I was lucky enough to get this one from the publisher through NetGalley, but I am sorely tempted to get my hands on the paperback version. Not only would I be happy to read it again, the proceeds would go to the Veterans Research Centre supporting veterans medical research and I would get to respectfully ogle the cover featuring a real deal SEAL. It’s a win-win.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you think about real heroes, not the ones with super-powers and capes who fly about compromising the plots of ugly villains but genuine and honest human beings who fight to uphold the values we hold dear, what comes to mind? Some of you might think of the police officers who work in the streets day and night, providing us with a certain measure of security, while others may be reminded of those who respond to emergency situations, like firefighters and paramedics. How many of you are reminded of the men and women who serve as members of the military forces both here and around the world? I suspect that for many of you these are true heroes, valiant and full of courage. These are very real people who risk their own lives to provide us with peace of mind in a violent and uncertain world. And, as most of you know, there is a special sort of hero among the ranks of military soldiers in the American armed forces. They are the Navy SEALs, highly trained and ultimately dedicated to their line of work. But what does it mean to live the life of a Navy SEAL? Now, you can get a taste...
...Not always is romance associated with military service, but believe me when I say that many women would appreciate the opportunity to love a Navy SEAL. After all, it takes passion to stay on such a demanding course, and what woman would ever fail to appreciate that in a man? Now, eighteen popular romance writers are taking on the challenge of writing fiction that gives you a sense of what it means to experience that passion, and many of them know from firsthand experience. The book is SEAL of My Dreams, and many great romance authors have a part to play in this. The authors who contributed to this impressive collection are as follows: Robyn Carr (who provides the foreword), Jami Alden, Stephanie Bond, Kylie Brant, Helen Brenna, Helen Kay Dimon, Cindy Gerard, Tara Janzen, Leslie Kelly, Elle Kennedy, Alison Kent, Jo Leigh, Gennita Low, Marliss Melton, Christie Ridgway, Barbara Samuel, Roxanne St. Claire, Stephanie Tyler, and Loreth Anne White. Many of these romance specialists are award-winning, highly acclaimed writers, and some of them even have family members who have served or currently serve.
These stories, some of which read more like novellas, are exciting and full of energy but come with that characteristic sensuality that so often is the pursuit of romance fanatics. If you happen to be a fan of romance-style fiction with a touch of the patriotic, then this is definitely the collection for you. And, in case you need another reason to invest in SEAL of My Dreams, here it is: all proceeds will go to the Veterans Research Corporation, a non-profit group that provides financial support for veterans medical research. For more information about this collection and the authors who provided their work to it, visit the following web address: http://sealofmydreams.com/wordpress/.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming Home by Jami Alden - 4 stars
A cute story about a SEAL returning home to his childhood girlfriend. There were only slight stirrings of angst and sexiness, nothing deep or mindblowing here. I like this author's suspense series, but this was rather forgettable.

Baby I’m Back by Stephanie Bond - 4 stars
I didn't love the characters or the story in this one, but I did love the depth of the characters. They were three-dimensional and interesting. An injured SEAL returns home to the girl he used to tease, she treats him, they end up together. A little wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am, but was okay.

SEALed Fates by Kylie Brant - 4 stars
Kind of cool. The fact that he is a former SEAL is not a major point of the story. A woman and her kids are hiding out from her deranged mother-in-law. I had some serious doubts about the intelligence of her plan before the hero intervened, and that made me not like the heroine so much. Supposedly a killer is after her and her kids, but all she does is move somewhere, KEEP HER NAME, and install a big fence (BY HAND, she does it herself). All this against a hired assassin, hmm. And the whole I-love-you-forever-and-ever bits came a little fast for me. I liked the hero, but he could've done better.

Going Dark by Helen Brenna - 4 stars
The plotline of this was unique, which I appreciated. For that reason, and also because the characters were well-drawn, I remember this one well. The sex part wasn't believable. Supposedly these two middle-aged people spent like 28 magical, wonderful days falling in love and lust at a resort... but they had no sex. Really!? Nothing beyond a few kisses. Shit, I went further than that in high school. Maybe middle school. And then when they finally did have sex, in the story, it was skipped over. So I won't be continuing reading this author, but it was a good story.

Finding Home by HelenKay Dimon - 2 stars
I had a really hard time remembering this one, even after reading the snippet on their website. That should tell you all you need to know about my thoughts on it. I actually re-read it just to see if I'd missed it, but no, I caught a few parts there. It just wasn't...anything special.

SEALed With A Kiss by Cindy Gerard - 5 stars
This was one of the strongest in the bunch. It was a follow up to a couple in a previous book, though I hadn't read the book. It takes place on their honeymoon and for that reason, I really didn't think it'd be interesting, but it was. Again, the fact that he is a SEAL was barely relevant to the story at all. However, the characters were VERY well fleshed out, they leaped off the page, probably because a whole book or books had already been written about them. I enjoyed this and I've been meaning to pick up books by this author anyways, so I will definitely do so.

Panama Jack by Tara Janzen - 4 stars
This one was cute. The story line was a little bam-bam-bam. It kept the suspense going in the moment, but with so much intrigue and all, I'm not even sure where the plot went. The characters themselves were cute and clever, and I enjoyed it for that reason. I would've appreciated a little more time with the two of them one-on-one and a little less action.

Wrapped and SEALed by Leslie Kelly - 3 stars
This was rather blah for me. The H and h met once years ago in a chance meeting out in the field. Then they meet again at a nursing home where he's playing Santa and she works as a nurse. I can't even remember what the circumstances were that made it come together like that, but it seemed to fantastical. And despite the fact that they were meeting for the second time, the whole thing felt too superficial. It was all "you're the one" but based on nothing really.

Worth The Risk by Elle Kennedy - 2 stars
Ugh, this one bugged me. I like Elle Kennedy's other stories and so I had expected to like this one. It did have her usual accessible writing style, but the characters were less than interesting. The heroine is prickly with little-to-none redeeming qualities. She works at a store she hates, dreams of being a writer but has literally written not a single page (some dream). She claims she is doing all this to take care of her aunt, but when the hero strolls into down, she dumps her aunt and takes off, so she clearly didn't give a shit anyways. The hero and her had been together way back when, but he dumps her and takes off WITHOUT A WORD. Bad stuff. I'm down with that. People make mistakes and I love a good hero grovel. Except he strolls back into her life, insists she leave with him to explore the world THE NEXT DAY. I think he might have given an "I'm sorry, but.." excuse, but there was NO grovel. Just the expectation that despite him being a total asshole, if she really ever cared about him or was a strong woman, she would drop her entire life and go with him. I really wanted her to refuse. I would have respected her more, and it would have been a lesson he needed to learn. Instead she went together and I didn't buy their HEA for one second. Things got stressful and he bailed on her years ago, what's to keep him from doing it again?

Twenty-One Hours by Alison Kent - 3 stars
The hero played a part in some cruel childhood teasing of the heroine. Now they are all grown up. Well, it was a cute story. That's about all I can say about it. I'm not eager to repeat the experience. The sex left me very lukewarm.

Not Waving But Drowning by Jo Leigh - 4 stars
This one was not a romance, for one thing. However, it was really interesting and well-written. It was more like a character study. Less than that, a character glimpse. But since the characters were very interesting, very lifelike, I didn't regret reading it. I would read this character again, if I could be assured it was a true romance, and not this.

Her Secret Pirate (A Crossfire SEAL Story) by Gennita Low - 5 stars
This one was a nice surprise. The storyline is very traditional SEAL, with an ambassador and a rescue, etc, but what makes it pop are the characters. They are charming and likable and I wanted to read more. I'll probably be looking up this author.

SEALed by Fate by Marliss Melton - 2 stars
Ugh. I've read one Marliss Melton book already and it's such a bummer that I don't like her more. She is a decent writer and storyteller, but her characters need some serious slaps upside the head. Particularly her heroines. This heroine was nicknamed "Dumb Broad" because she was stupid enough to stay in a dangerous zone with no protection, and the nickname might have been funny if I didn't agree with it. She WAS dumb, endangering her life just so she could "protect" the girls at the school. Except she doesn't get a gun or security or even adequate locks. She just goes to sleep, because, whatever, right? Huh!? She is painted as a Pollyanna but I just found her annoying. In fact, the hero found her annoying too, and I was with him on that. And they didn't even end up together. He left. There was just a vague mention that they might see each other again someday. *rolls eyes* No, thanks.

Signed, SEALed, Delivered…I’m Yours by Christie Ridgway - 2 stars
This one felt thin. I never really connected with the heroine, who is stuck in the middle of an attack. The setting of why she's under attack was not clear to me, and it sounded as if she'd kind of brought it on herself, thereby endangering the SEAL who came to protect her. They lust after each other pretty quickly and I just couldn't buy any sort of real relationship based on a few moments of terror that way.

Dog Heart by Barbara Samuel - 5 stars
What a beautiful story. I've been meaning to read this author and, wow, this was great. Such depth and emotion. We hit the I-love-you stage pretty quickly, even considering that these two already knew each other, but I didn't mind. It was heartwrenching, even so short. By the way, this one had a heckuva lot of editing errors. When I encountered the first few, I almost quit reading, but I'm glad I didn't because of how good it was. Still, it was annoying.

Whirlwind by Roxanne St. Claire - 4 stars
This one was a bit of a let-down just because I have read and liked this author before. The setup was interesting, but it wrapped up way too neatly and magically, and I just couldn't buy it at all.

Holding On by Stephanie Tyler - 2 stars
Like the Cynthia Eden story, this was a follow-up, but I just could not get into it. Only read like half, but what I read was just name-dropping soup. I couldn't really keep everyone straight, but more importantly, I didn't care to. There was just banter that wasn't witty and... that was it. This is another author that's been on my to-be-read list for awhile, except she's getting bumped down.

Letters to Ellie by Loreth Anne White - 5 stars
Wow, just wow. This one BLEW ME AWAY. It was gripping from maybe the second paragraph up until the end. It was bittersweet and tender and heartbreaking and just holy shit. This whole book might be worth a read just for this story alone. After almost getting burned out on SEAL stories and the horrible Stephanie Tyler story, I almost quit early, but so glad I didn't. It wasn't a traditional HEA. I mean, they end up together, I just don't believe it will be "happily" ever after. This is the story of a lonely, grieving woman and a broken, broken man finding comfort with each other. But it was a beautiful thing.

[Ann Lorz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog:
http://romancingthereaders.blogspot.c...

Anthologies like this are some times hard to review. With some many stories (18) in one book, my review would be way to long. So I'm going to try and keep this story but hit all the good points.

For the most point I really enjoy the book as a whole. Some stories stuck out more then others but for the most part they are all pretty good.

As you can tell from the title the common thread of the book are Navy SEALs. How hot, right? Some of the stories are when they are active, others when they are now starting a new chapter in their lives. There are even a couple holiday themed ones.

SEAL Of My Dreams has something for everyone. You won't be able to say you didn't like some unless your not a fan of military stories and in that case why the would you have even tried it?

A few of my favorites of the series is Baby, I'm Back by Stephanie Bond also Signed, SEALed, Delivered I'm Yours by Christie Ridgway. I really loved these two. One that I was not the happiest with is SEALed by Fate by Marliss Melton. It wasn't a complete story. It read more like a prologue. Wasn't happy. Or I should say that I was happy till the end.

All the rest of the story fell in the good to okay pile. I liked them but wasn't jumping for joy. I'm glad I finally took the time to read this one and it's well worth you trying.

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[Jen_C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming Home by Jami Alden - 4 stars.
Baby I’m Back by Stephanie Bond - 3.5 stars
SEALed Fates by Kylie Brant - 3.25 stars
Going Dark by Helen Brenna - 3.5 stars
Finding Home by HelenKay Dimon - 3ish stars
SEALed With A Kiss by Cindy Gerard - 4.5 stars
Panama Jack by Tara Janzen - 3 stars
Wrapped and SEALed by Leslie Kelly - 3.75 stars.

Worth The Risk by Elle Kennedy - 3 stars. I didn't particularly like Jason or Callie. He pulled a douche move and then he can't even give her a couple days to make arrangements? She seemed like a scared pushover.

Twenty-One Hours by Alison Kent - 3.25
Not Waving But Drowning by Jo Leigh - 3 stars
Her Secret Pirate (A Crossfire SEAL Story) by Gennita Low - 3 stars

SEALed by Fate by Marliss Melton - Barely 3 stars. "Operation “Dumb Broad” was underway." Do-gooder rescued against her will by SEAL team.

Signed, SEALed, Delivered…I’m Yours by Christie Ridgway -

He looked down at his love, the beginning of a new part of his life. “I think my dad is eating all the stuff you baked for me.” She had the cutest dimple in her right cheek. “There’s more where that came from.” “There’s more everything,” Josh promised. “I love you.” Mandy nodded, and reached into her pocket to pull out a fat, loopy gift bow that she balanced on the top her head. “I love you, too. Merry Christmas, Josh. I’m yours.” The words sounded like music to him, and then he realized they were. Holding her close again, he whispered into her ear. “Right back at you, sweetheart. Signed, SEALed, and delivered.”

Dog Heart by Barbara Samuel - 3 stars

Whirlwind by Roxanne St. Claire - 3.75 stars

“She can’t be far,” he said, putting two hands on her shoulders, not as a threat this time, but to ease her back into the shelter of the trailer. “I’ll get her. What’s her name? Nutcase?”
She almost smiled, but tears filled her eyes. “Nutmeg. Please. Please find her.”

She yanked his head closer, kissing him with all the fire and joy and relief and gratitude that rocked her with more force than the hurricane winds. And he kissed her back, opening his mouth, transferring the same tsunami of emotions, the same amount of need. “I’ve been hiding from him for months,” she whimpered into his kiss. He eased her up, so close that she could see cuts on his face, evidence of what he’d just battled to save her.
“I knew it,” he said softly.
“You knew I was hiding from him?”
“I knew you wouldn’t run with my watch.”

“There’s nothing here I want.” She glanced around at the rubble, but her gaze settled on him.
“Except I kind of like the guy who saved me.”
He grinned, reaching to tunnel his hand under her hair and guide her face up to him.
“And I thought you were Annie Oakley trailer trash.”

Holding On by Stephanie Tyler - 3 stars. This is an epilogue to a series. Story of a Navy SEAL/Cajun psychic/midwife who comes home from a mission (wounded) to deliver his own child with his brothers in the room as his wingmen. Words fail me.

When he opened his eyes, it was time to refuel. “Phone?” he croaked.
“Dude, you have an infection,” the medic told him.
“Dude, I need the phone.” Saint handed him one as the medic frowned and Chris dialed Jake’s number.
“Dude, where the hell are you? Because your wife pregnant is scarier than Saint,” Jake said in lieu of hello.
“Tell him I heard that,” Saint barked. “Comparing me to a pregnant woman.”
“Is she all right?” Chris asked, ignoring them both. “I’m six hours out.”
“She’s hanging in. Worried. A storm’s coming through.” Jake paused. “You hurt?”
“A little. I’ll be fine by the time I get there. Just keep her calm.”
“We’re all here for her, man. Just get your as$ home safely.”
“Tell her—”
“I know what to tell her. Don’t get all sappy with me,” Jake said.

Letters to Ellie by Loreth Anne White - Either super romantic or super creepy. Depends on your personal taste and definition of a stalker.

“Go ahead, Max, is there something you want our listeners to know?”
He cleared his throat, but when he spoke, his voice was still thick, gravelly, his words very slightly slurred. “I went MIA—captured in hostile territory almost fifteen years ago. I’d like your listeners to know that when you’re out there, being held in some enemy shithole, the simple belief that someone back home has not forgotten you, is still waiting, still loves you . . . ” he was quiet for a long moment. “It can keep you alive. It can bring you home.”
She stared dead ahead, hands pressing down on the top of her desk, her chest filling with an emotion so powerful, so painful, she barely registered Mitchell gesticulating on the other side of the window for her to axe the call, start wrapping the show. “I set a table for two,” she said, her voice going thick with emotion. “With a white linen cloth and a single red rose. I drape the POW/MIA flag over the back of his chair. I cook a special meal.” Her vision blurred. She pressed her hands down harder, struggling to go on. “Then I light a candle,” she said. “And I sit and eat with him . . . so he doesn’t have to dine alone. I . . .” Tears leaked down her cheeks and she was unable to speak. Mitchell quickly took over from his computer, fading in the pure, solitary notes of a lone trumpeter’s rendition of Amazing Grace, and as the music played, Ellie sat in her soundproof studio staring into nothing, tears sliding down her face.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am pleased to say that not only is this book for such a good cause, I found it difficult to put down. I had planned to read one or two stories a night but found once I had started I just had to keep going. The stories range from heartwarming to thought provoking; it makes you realize what a great job these guys do under the most difficult circumstances. The stories take you through a whole range of emotions from laughter to tears.

This is a collection of well written stories from both authors well known to me, and others that I have not read before. I am very keen to read more of their work. It is worth noting that all proceeds from sales of 'SEAL of My Dreams' goes to the charity, the writers themselves have not taken any payment.

I can't recommend this book highly enough.

[FicTalk Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This compilation of SEAL stories just brought me to tears, especially the last one, which made me sob and sob and sob.

All these stories were beautifully done. They really showcased how hard it is to be a SEAL, how hard it is to sacrifice your family, love, and life for your country. This novella really did a great service to the many men and women in uniform.

I definitely recommend people to go out there and show your support by buying yourself a copy of this book.

It's for a very worthy cause.

This book is released on 11/11/11.

5 Stars.

[Dannielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an awesome anthology! And for an even greater cause.

This book has a little bit of everything. Every story has a Navy SEAL and a lady for him. But other than that these stories cover a broad spectrum. Some are still active duty on a mission, others are retired or honorably discharged trying to get back to civilian life. A couple also focus on combat dogs. And of course a few are really emotional and bring out the waterworks.

If you love romance and hot SEALS then this book is for you. Every story is short and to the point, but they each are great in their own way.

[Melindeeloo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Change of pace for me and yet not - no fur or fangs but real life alpha males. In honor of Veteran's Day, this collection offers 18 stories by some pretty well known authors and all the proceeds go to a good cause - Veteran's medical Research. As someone pointed out, at 380 print pages, each author doesn't get very much space to tell a story but a few of the stories were decent short story length and even those that were really short were long enough to get the job done. There were less stories with SEALS on a mission here, than those with SEALs coming home and a few had wounded warriors, but the one with the MIA was the most touching.

Here's a quick blurb for each and the kindle percentages to give you an idea of length (I am making a stab and giving a rounded page count estimate based on the percentages - so they may not add up perfectly, just a FYI)


Jami Alden "Coming Home" - Coming home for the first time in nine years for his mother's funeral, a SEAL comes face to face with the reason for his long absence - pretty good (1% to 5% ~ 15 pages)

Stephanie Bond "Baby I'm Back" - Going back to the beginning, offers an ending and a new beginning for a SEAL - I liked it(5% to 8% ~ 11 pages)

Kylie Brant "SEALed Fates" - An ex-SEAL's special talents are going to come in handy when a childhood friend comes home and prepares for a 'seige' - I liked this one too (12%-18% ~ 23 pages)

Helen Brenna "Going Dark" - Will a SEAL who follows his instincts, stay on mission or choose to help the woman who played him? pretty good(18%- 26% ~ 30 pages)

HelenKay Dimo "Finding Home" - A rescue sparks the attraction between a SEAL and the diplomat he rescues - pretty good, since it doesn't try to offer more than the promise of a HEA (26%-32% ~ 23 pages)

Cindy Gerad "SEALed with a Kiss" - connected to her Black OPs, Inc - A surprising rescue, caps off the honeymoon for Val and Black Ops member, former SEAL medic Luke - I liked this one(32%- 38% ~ 23 pages)

Tara Janzen "Panama Jack" - there are references to Janzen's Steele Street in this one but it's been awhile since I've read any - this was pretty good (38%-44% ~ 23 pages)

Leslie Kelly "Wrapped and SEALed" - A SEAL finally finds the woman he'd never forgotten, now it remains to see that now that fate has brought them together if they'll have the chance that was denied them in the past - this was one of my favorite stories (44%-49% ~ 19 pages)

Elle Kennedy "Worth the Risk" - A SEAL who just can't go home, goes back for the woman he left behind - ok, considering the time passage, I didn't like the ultimatum(49%-54% ~ 19 pages)

Alison Kent "Twenty-One Hours" - A SEAL delivers a long needed apology and gains a second chance - the transition, and resolution were too quick, which made the steamy stuff feel wierd to me (54%-60% ~ 23 pages)

Jo Leigh "Not Waving but Drowning" - A good friend's support allows a man to be the SEAL he was before tragedy shook his confidence - This one just had the promise of more(60%-64% ~ 15 pages )

Gennita Low "Her Secret Pirate" - a Crossfire SEAL story - Zone is in on the rescue when his ex is kidnapped by pirates - this was ok(64%-68% ~ 15 pages )

Marilss Melton "SEALed by Fate" - A SEAL is sent to rescue a humanitarian - this is probably the only story that didn't portray a SEAL in a favorable light at least at some point in the story (68%-72%)

Chistie Ridgway "Signed, SEALed, Delivered ... I'm Yours" - What a woman 'wants' may change after she's rescued by a SEAL - quick but cute, I really liked it (72%- 77%~ 19 pages)

Barbara Samuel "Dog Heart" -Two survivors, SEAL and canine, need help to heal - I liked the setup but a longer story would have allowed the resolution to work better (77% -80% ~ 11 pages)

Roxanne St Claire "Whirlwind" - A family heirloom brings a SEAL to a woman on the run, just when she needs a hero the most (80% - 85% ~ 19 pages)

Stephanie Tyler "Holding On" - this is a nice little reunion for Tyler fans that falls just after Hold on Tight - Chris will have to fight his way home to make it in time for the birth of his child...(85%- 91% ~ 23 pages)

Loreth Ann White "Letters to Ellie" - For every MIA there are those who wait and hope... - This was a very moving short, with a hopeful ending.(91%-98% ~ 27 pages)

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a book put together by almost 20 authors. They all donated their efforts for free for a cause they feel is worthy. Some from what i read at the end of the book have family members in the military or previous military. You don't need a military connection though to want to support Veterans and our nations soldiers. If you're out today and see a veteran be sure to say thank you for their service. Tell them you appreciate them. Just say hello! As a veteran myself I was touched that a group of authors would get together and do this. I was excited to read the book because i love military heroes. Love to read about them. There were also a couple authors offering up stories that went with their on going series that i love and wanted to see what they were about. The stories were all well written some short some longer all in some way showing bits and pieces of what many veterans lives might be like. All riveting and gut wrenching at times. There's lots and lots of love in this book too though. I've never read a book like this but thoroughly enjoyed it and in the process found several new to me authors to check out. 5 out of 5 Modokker Book Pick Stars. Get this book. You can support veteran find new authors and get all those awesome military guys right at your fingertips.




WWW.SealofmyDreams.com

[RLC · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars with a round up for the Veteran's charitable cause this book benefits

I am admittedly a sucker for Navy SEAL stories, and this collection of short stories is exactly what I expected them to be. Each story is about Navy SEALs saving the day while falling deeply in love with the person they rescued who in turn falls for them (how can they not - yowsah!) and all with a happy ending. The stories all have a little cheesy romance, Harlequin-like slant, with some stories better than others, but they're not bad and certainly serve a purpose for quick easy HEA romance seekers. I personally love hearing about their missions and what they do, so for me that was an added benefit. The fact that this book's proceeds serve a noble cause benefiting Veteran's healthcare research earns it an extra star in my view. Kudos to the authors (many of whom are notable Romance genre writers as well as from military families and know the sacrifice first hand) for stepping up to this cause. Buy the book for the feel-good content, insight into the SEAL's daily sacrifices and the cause it serves.

[Natasza Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sigh...What happens when you bring the best writers together for a good cause and a tempting taste of Navy SEALs? This book of course. Thanks ladies for these lovely stories. I'm a sucker for service dogs, and the two stories on this subject (without giving anything away) were my favorite. Letters from Ellie still haunts me for some reason, especially the hero. To think that in so few words Loreth could grab me, and shake me up shows how truly gifted she is. My only complaint is that all these stories were too short. A novella or novel on each one would have suited me just fine.

Love, hope and faith
Natasza
http://voicebetweenthelines.com/

[~ Becs ~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short military romance stories and all in a worthy cause. Great for downloading to your phone and reading when you have a few spare minutes during the day when you're out and about.

[AliciaJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, it's unusual to read an anthology and enjoy every single story within it. Well done ladies.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A beautiful anthology written with amazing tributes to our soldiers."

Full review on Single Titles
http://singletitles.com/?p=6595

[James Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part 1 of my review is located here: http://thebookpushers.com/2011/11/09/...
Part 2 is located here: http://thebookpushers.com/2011/11/11/...

Publisher: Bell Bridge
Publish Date: November 11th
How I got this book: NetGalley

Everyone here knows what a sucker I am for a great romantic suspense book, especially if the hero is a sexy military man in uniform! When I saw the details for the SEAL of my Dreams anthology, I couldn’t wait to dive right in. Before going through the first few stories, I want to take the time to tell you all a little about this anthology.

First, all the proceeds from sales of this book will go to the Veterans Research Corporation, a nonprofit that raises money for veterans medical research. In addition to the authors donating their sales, the copyediting was donated, the licensing fee was discounted and the wonderful cover art was donated as well. Speaking of the cover, the picture used is of an actual SEAL, preparing for a night mission in Iraq. I think it is an incredible picture and design.

This anthology has 18 stories of men who have dedicated their lives to the service of our country. They are all SEALs, and romantics at heart. This is Part 1 of my review, and will over the first 8 stories in the anthology.

Coming Home by Jami Alden
Alden is a new-to-me author. This story features Nick, on leave to attend his mothers funeral. There he runs into his long time sweetheart and ex-fiance, the woman of his dreams and the one who couldn’t handle his decision to become a SEAL. As they spend some time together, they each realize how much the other has changed and get a second chance at love. I enjoyed this one. After all, who doesn’t love second-chance romances? B

Baby, I’m Back by Stephanie Bond
Bond is also an author I’ve never read before, although I plan to pick up a book or two by her. Barry lost a leg and so many of his friends in the service. He is back in his hometown for a short-time, but when he meets a girl he made fun of in school, he is smitten. Lora is a physical therapist, and ends up working with Barry to get more mobility back and along the way helps to heal his heart. I love when the ugly ducking becomes the swan, and Lora ends up being beautiful both in and out. A

SEALed Fates by Kylie Brant
Brant was yet another author I’d never read or heard of before. This story featured another wounded warrior. Cort is home licking his wounds when he stumbles on childhood friend Emma. Right away Cort can tell that Emma is preparing for a siege, and he knows he is just the man to protect her. Through the insanity of a possible threat, they become closer than ever before. Although I wasn’t a huge fan of the suspense part of the plot, the romance and chemistry between Emma and Cort was wonderful! B-

Going Dark by HelenKay Dimon
I have a Dimon book sitting on my TBR bookshelf, and OMG I’m not sure why I haven’t read it yet! LOVED this story. Nate is in the thick of things in a rescue operation when he finds the woman who strung him along for a week, then stole his heart. Carly is sure that her brother has been kidnapped and will do anything for Nate’s help. The two set off to search for her brother, and find out that their week together meant more than either expected. Love this author’s voice and storytelling. I will definitely be getting more of her stuff! A+

SEALed with a Kiss by Cindy Gerard
I absolutely love the Black Ops Inc books, so when I saw we got a chance for a sneak peak at Luke and Val’s honeymoon… *melt* The two are on a deserted island relaxing and playing. When Luke makes a bad judgement call and gets stuck in the water while the tide is rising, Val will have to face her fears to save her new husband’s life. This was a short and sweet story and I absolutely loved this little snippet!! A+

Panama Jack by Tara Janzen
Janzen was another newbie author (I’m starting to see a pattern. There will be a lot of romantic suspense reading in my future…). Lanni is in Panama on a CIA op and needs the protection of a SEAL. Jack fits the bill, and so much more. When her op goes sideways, Jack covers her six and does what he does best — saves her life. While the action was wonderful in this one, I had a hard time buying into the romance. C

Wrapped and SEALed by Leslie Kelly
I’ve read and enjoyed Kelly in the past, and although this story wasn’t my favorite of hers, I still really enjoyed it. Tanner is home for the holidays, planning to announce that he is going to be getting out for good. He has been looking for Jessica, the one woman who he can’t stop thinking about. Jess is working with vets in a nursing home, and when she sits on Santa’s lap and finds Tanner, she is floored. After one date they were hooked, even though a disaster ripped them apart before even learning each other’s full names. Now back together, neither one is willing to let that happen again. B-



So far I am really enjoying this anthology. I’ve read some great shot stories that have warmed my heart and brought tears to me eyes. I’ve discovered a ton of new authors I can’t wait to read more from. I’m looking forward to the next half with stories form Roxanne St. Claire, Stephanie Tyler and Jo Leigh, as well as quite a few more new-to-me authors.


PART 2:
Worth the Risk by Leeanne Kennedy
The only thing Jason ever wanted was to get out of his hometown with the girls of his dreams. But Callie couldn’t envision leaving her sick aunt, so Jason left and joined the SEALs one morning without looking back. Now he is in town to convince Callie to leave with him, despite their years apart. I thought this was a cute 2nd chance story. B+

Twenty-One Hours by Alison Kent
A wildfire is threatening to burn down Teri’s family home with her parent’s business as well. She rushes back to help evacuate and runs into her old best friend Shane. Teri was always a little in love with him, and endured horrible bullying in high school in order to be his friend. Shane always regretted not doing more for Teri, and now that he is back taking care of his half-sister, he wants the chance to make up for their lost time. I loved this story. It was short and sweet very well written. A

Not Waving by Drowning by Jo Leigh
Dan just went through a horrific ordeal overseas and is back home helping his best friend Renee fix up an old cabin. Although Dan denies anything is wrong, Renee can tell something is eating away at him. The two have been best friends for years, and while they don’t have a physical relationship, Renee is willing to do anything to be Dan’s rock and help him through this time. I was not a big fan of this story, the romance didn’t work for me and I didn’t feel as if I really connected with either character. D-

Her Secret Pirate by Gennita Low
I will definitely be checking out more of Low’s work. When Zone first started secretly dating the Ambassador’s daughter, he never imagined he would one day have to rescue her from pirates. When Rebecca’s humanitarian-aide ship is boarded by pirates, Zone must find her before it’s too late. Oh I adored this one, I really did! Great romance and suspense. A-

SEALed by Fate by Marliss Melton
I really wanted to like this story, because it started right in the thick of the action, however there were quite a few things I didn’t like about this one. Sam has been tasked with an extraction mission, pulling a senator’s daughter out of a hostile country, even after she had been told to evacuate. Both Sam and Madison are hostile and rude to each other, and I was not a fan of their interactions at all. F

Signed, SEALed, Delivered… I’m Yours by Christine Ridgway
Ridgway is another author I had heard about but never read. I will be rectifying that soon! Mandy is visiting her uncle in what was a stable country for Thanksgiving. But rebel forces change all that and Mandy hides. Josh is sent to find and keep Mandy safe, and their time together hiding from the rebels brings them closer together. I absolutely ADORED this story! A+

Dog Heart by Barbara Samuel
While I’ve always known that some soldiers come back more broken then ever, I never knew that the dog soldiers could come back the same way. This story focuses on Jessie, the dog trainer who is trying to help Marcus and his dog Sargent Thor both get over their PTSD and adjust to civilian life. With Marcus and Jessie’s history, that makes things a little more complicated. I loved the story, but didn’t really relate to the romance aspect. C

Whirlwind by Roxanne St. Claire
This short story is set in the world of St. Claire’s new series. Billie is on the run after witnessing a murder. She’s hoping that the hurricane blowing through will keep the killer off her trail for a few more days. Thankfully, Rick stone is looking for something that Billie needs to sell, and is trained to take out even the most ruthless killers. While I liked the story, I was expecting a little more from St. Claire. B-

Holding on by Stephanie Tyler
Tyler’s Hold series is a favorite of mine, and we get the chance to be with Chris and Jamie as they welcome their son into the world. It’s Christmas and Jamie is pregnant, set to pop at any moment. The boys are all home except for Chris. The only thing that can make their Christmas even better is if Chris makes it home in time to deliver his own son. It was great to get a glimpse at what these guys are up to. A

Letters to Ellie by Loreth Beswetherick
Ellie’s fiance and love of her life went MIA over sixteen years ago. She has waited for him ever since. When someone calls to her late night radio show with a story of being MIA for years, Ellie gets her hopes up. Max went MIA with Ellie’s love Flynn. Through their captivity they talked about her and Max found himself falling in love with her as well. Once he got home and safe he hunted Ellie down to give her the letter than Flynn had dictated to him. I wanted to love this one, but didn’t really feel Max and Ellie’s connection. C

So there you have it. Overall, I absolutely adored this anthology. There were a few stories that didn’t work for me, but the others made up for it. And with the proceeds going to such a wonderful cause, I hope you all take a chance and head out to get this one!

[Ren Puspita · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 and half stars

Read Indonesian's review here : Ren's Little Corner

Win this from blog As The Page Turn

This anthology is a collection of story about NAVY SEALs, both retired and still on mission. For a complete rundown, you can read UniquelyMoi Dhestiny's review here : http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

My short opinion and brief synopsis:

- Foreword from Robyn Carr
Yes, just a foreword. But a good ones, LOL! I hope she write the story too :)

- Coming Home by Jami Alden
Umm, this one have potential. A SEALs coming home to attend his mom's funeral and meet with his-ex. ALAS, the story is too short, just 3 chapter =(

- Baby I'm Back by Stephanie Bond
A retired Navy whose leg was injured,then met with his childhood friend. While undergoing rehab turned out the coach is that girl. There are eight chapters, so quite a long story

-SEALED by Fates by Kylie Brant
A retired SEALs who became cowboys and help the neighbor lady who was once his brother's friends. To face her former cruel stepmother and defend her child.

- Going Dark by Helen Brenna
The mission in Somalia to rescue the US medical team. An officer met the girl who had left him, and she was now a prisoner. The girl asked the officer to rescue her brother, who become prisoner too.

- Finding Home by HelenKay Dimon
A woman working at Erites embassy and the embassy was attacked. A NAVY SEALs rescue her, and they have stockholm syndrome (well the story is simple like that).

- SEALED with a Kiss by Cindy Gerard
This is part of the Black Ops, Inc series. So I a little bit unfamiliar. This is one of my favorite story. A NAVY SEALs on their honeymoon with his wife in Republic of Palau. Surprises that had planned instead turned into a disaster.

-Panama Jack by Tara Janzen
The most weird stories, IMO. Or maybe Tara Janzen's writing just not for me. Too short, but fast flow, make me confused when reading it,LOL. About a woman secret agent that working with a SEALs to secure an important object.

- Wrapped and SEALED by Leslie Kelly
A SEALs remember his past, once he met a woman on the battlefield and can not forget it. Unexpectedly he met the woman while on duty to be Santa Claus at his grandmother's house!

- Worth the Risk by Elle Kennedy
A SEALs went home and asked his childhood friend to travel with him, but the girl has no power to leave her ill aunt.

- Twenty One Hours by Alison Kent
Forest fires requires rapid handling of fire fighting units, and one of its members who are also SEALs met his high school friends. He only had 21 hours to win her heart.

- Not Waving but Drowning by Jo Leigh
A SEALs visit to his best friend ( a girl). Later they ended up lovers (simple again,LOL!)

- Her Secret Pirate by Gennita Low
A SEALs assigned to rescue the daughter of an important person in the USA. Apparently it was his girlfriend's who he must rescue.

- SEALED by Fate by Marliss Melton
A SEALs Team must rescue the daughter of a senator. This task is considered annoying by one of its members. But when he met with the senator's daughter, he felt they would often meet.

- Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours ... by Christie Ridgway
The background is Thanksgiving and again about a rescue mission by the SEALs. An officer rescued a woman at the request of her uncle. But unfortunately they were together only briefly, because the SEALs should return to duty.

- Dog Heart by Barbara Samuel
An officer SEALs and his best friend's dog fighter (who had killed), have a same condition, both are crippled. Together they try to organize their life with his ex-girlfriend try to help them. The story is quite unique, because there are elements of the animal, where we can know an animal can also fight in the battlefield (FYI, the name of the dog is Thor, remind me of Chris Hemsworth!)

- Whirlwind by Roxanne St. Claire
A woman who is an eyewitness, hide from her pursuit. When the storm arrived, an unidentified man knocked on her door. The man who turns SEALs wanted an pocket watch that inherited by his grandfather's, turn its owned by that woman, while the woman race against time trying to avoid the killer.

- Holding On by Stephanie Tyler
Part of Hold series. So I am again not familiar. Is arguably the "after story" type. I so want to read the original book, because it sounds interesting.

- Letters to Ellie by Loreth Anne White
The saddest story in this book. A woman waiting for her fiance that MIA (missing in action) for 15 years! Suddenly, a friend of her fiance who turn up already dead, sent letters that written by her fiance. That man says that he loves her, after writing the letter to her.

Final Words

My conclusion after reading this series is, how the stories has a very little variation, and everything almost the same .Although the writing style is definitely different. There is a satisfactory solution, there is also a "the story end enough here" only. I see the pattern of the story there are 4 major themes, namely whether the hero was still active or retired SEALs, the story about them after discharge or in the rescue mission, meeting with a childhood friend / past and become lovers, and the latter falls in love with a rescued aka stockholm syndrome.

What are unique and probably my favorite story are SEALED by a Kiss by Cindy Gerard, Dog's Heart by Barbara Samuel, Whirlwind by Roxanne St. Claire, Holding On by Stephanie Tyler and the story that makes me almost cry, Letters to Ellie. For other authors, overalls its okay, though not variative. Some of the stories I was also quite liked. Unfortunately the good ones are placed almost in the end of this book

Seeing the seriousness of this authors to make this book, once I think in my mind, when Indonesia romance author will make a story about our troops? If I notice, usually the story is just about everyday life, socialite life, frenetic city of Jakarta and its surroundings. But why have not find any to tell the story of our troops. Well, maybe because we not too familiar with our army, the different culture and my country's condition (corruption, etc). I'm not say US army are perfect, but if the Indonesian author wants to write about the Indonesian army forces, especially from the romance POV, well that's definitely so cool! To could see that though soldiers from another angle. And would probably make us more respect to them. Because who else does that keep our country if not the nation's army?

Well hopefully my wish that someday Indonesia romance author writing romance of our troops in Indonesia could become a reality.

Favorite Quote :
I have so many, but I will write one that make me always smile when read it :

Lord, thank you
Life is good
It's turned out just
The way it should
(SEALed by a Kiss - Cindy Gerard)

[Lucy Felthouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

SEAL of My Dreams is a collection of stories about, yes, you've guessed it, Navy SEALs. Each tale is written by a different author, and the proceeds from the anthology go to Veterans Research Corporation - a worthy cause indeed.

Once I got started reading this collection, I found I had to keep taking breaks between stories because, given the unifying theme, they were in danger of being too similar. Despite this, the book is a great read with some really fantastic stories. As is pretty much always the case with anthologies, some stories were better than others - but that's just a matter of opinion. Overall, for fans of military romance, this is a book worth reading, particularly given the charitable goals.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

SEAL of My Dreams is a terrific anthology with a timely theme. Every story in this book features Navy SEALs as protective alpha males who are also tender romantic heroes. Each and every one is rewarded with their own, extra-special happy ever after, just in time for Veterans' Day.

There are 18 stories in this collection. Some are short. Some are novella-length. Some of the stories stand completely on their own, and some are part of the author's ongoing series about men in uniform. Of course, I have my favorites.

The two I enjoyed most are about wounded warriors, the women they left behind, and the brave soldier dogs who served with them. And, like so many of the stories in this collection, both mix a little bitter in with the sweet. And one story just gave me the chills.

Baby I'm Back by Stephanie Bond is about a wounded SEAL's return to his old hometown of Sweetness, Georgia. Seaman Barry Ballantine returns after a long absence to find that the ugly-duckling that he and his high school friends teased has turned into a beautiful swan--and that she is the best physical therapist he has ever met. Which is an excellent thing, because he needs her to help him adjust to the prosthetic lower leg he acquired while on his last assignment. He's only planning to be in town long enough to perform one last service for a comrade, then leave. But his attraction to that therapist, plus the connivance of his old friends, mean that fate has another plan for him. Did I mention there was a dog?

Dog Heart by Barbara Samuel is one of the short stories in the collection. Marcus Stone brings Staff Sgt. Thor to the best vet and animal therapist that he knows. Sgt. Thor had been a combat dog, attached to a SEAL unit on a top secret mission in Afghanistan that had gone very, very wrong. Thor was one of five SEALs badly injured on that mission, and Marcus was another. Thor's handler was killed. But the best animal therapist that Marcus knows is also the only woman he ever really loved. The woman who turned away from him when he enlisted in the Navy after college graduation. Can healing Sgt. Thor heal all of their hearts?

Letters to Ellie, by Loreth Anne White, simply haunted me. The story starts with Ellie Winters, a radio host, conducting a call-in show on National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The callers normally remember their loved ones, but the last caller stuns her. Ellie has been waiting for 15 years for word of the man she loved. Max and Flynn were prisoners together, but only Max made it all the way back home. Max brings Ellie closure, and grief. But Flynn and Max spent 15 years as POWs, and the only thing keeping both of them alive was the thought and memory of Ellie. Now that only one of them has come home, can Ellie make a future with a man who remembers loving her, even if he's not the man she once loved?

Letters to Ellie reminded me a lot of the poem from the Vietnam War. The one by that famous poet Anonymous. It ends like this:

There were lots of things I wanted to make up to you
when you returned from Vietnam.
But you didn't.

Escape Rating B+: The stories I enjoyed, I liked a lot. The stories that were part of ongoing series were not as much fun because I just wasn't into those series. But all in all, this is a collection that is well worth reading.

This book was clearly a labor of love. To quote from the foreword: "No one involved in this project will profit except the Veteran's Research Corporation, a non-profit foundation supporting medical research for veterans." The design work for the cover was donated, the copyeditor donated her time, even the licensing fee for the cover image was discounted.

I received my review copy of this book, as I do many of my review copies, from NetGalley. But on this particular occasion I'd like to give a special recognition to Bell Bridge Books for making this a "Read Now" title on NetGalley. This made SEAL of My Dreams immediately available to every single reviewer who requested. Thank you!

[Calisto · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's not to love about hot Navy SEALs?

COMING HOME by Jami Alden (3)
Nick comes home for his mother's funeral and runs into the girl of his dreams...and the one that broke his heart.

BABY I'M BACK by Stephanie Bond (4)
Barry is back home doing a favor for a friend and ends up doing physical therapy with the girl he went to high school with. - I will definitely pick up the others in this series. -

SEALed FATES by Kylie Brant (4)
Cort is a former SEAL home just in time to help old friend Emma keep her children safe. - Definitely wish this had been a longer story. -

GOING DARK by Helen Brenn (DNF - skipped)
- Personal bias against reporteresque heroines (even when they really aren't reporters, blame Lois Lane). -

FINDING HOME by HelenKay Dimon (3.5)
Megan works in an embassy attacked by rebels and is rescued by yummy Hal. - Would be 4 if not for the kiss during a mission. -

SEALed WITH A KISS by Cindy Gerard (4)
A working honeymoon turns into a life and death situation. - I will definitely pick up this series. -

PANAMA JACK by Tara Janzen (4)
CIA operative hooks up with a Navy SEAL and sparks fly. - Really enjoyable. I will look for more from this author. -


WRAPPED AND SEALed by Leslie Kelly (3.5)
Tanner gets roped into playing Santa when the woman he's been looking for over three years lands in his lap. - Very likeable. -


WORTH THE RISK by Elle Kennedy (2.0)
Jason comes back for the girlfriend he left behind. - Eh. -

TWENTY-ONE HOURS by Alison Kent (3.0)
Shane is back to his hometown in order to take care of his newly orphaned much younger sister, fight a raging fire, and make amends with the girl who has haunted his dreams since high school. - Good, but some of the dialog threw me off. -

NOT WAVING BUT DROWNING by Jo Leigh (4.5)
Dan goes to help his friend Renee fix up a mountain cabin. - Wow. I really liked this story. I wanted more, more, more! -

HER SECRET PIRATE by Gennita Low (3)
A US Ambassador and his daughter get trapped by pirates and its SEALs to the rescue. - Ok. -

SEALed by Fate by Marliss Melton (2.0)
Operation Dumb Broad indeed. SEALs have to rescued self-righteous senator's daughter. - Would have liked it better w/o heroine. -

SIGNED, SEALed, DELIVERED...I'M YOURS by Christie Ridgway (3)
Mandy goes to see an uncle for Thanksgiving and ends up being rescued by Josh. - Quite fluffy. -

DOG HEART by Barbara Samuel (4)
Combat dog and SEAL on the road to overcoming PTSD. - Could have been a really good full length story. -

WHIRLWIND by Roxanne St. Claire (3)
A killer, a witness and a SEAL looking for his grandfather's watch all come together in the middle of a hurricane. - Ok. Maybe I'm just not a dog person or at least not a little dog person 'cuz if my life was in danger, it would be, "Dog? What dog?"

HOLDING ON by Stephanie Tyler (3)
Touching base with characters from her series. - Well written and I think if I was following the series it would have been pretty awesome. As it is, I'm interested in reading more. -

LETTERS TO ELLIE by Loreth Anne White (5 stars)
Forever, I will wait. A MIA story that was all kinds of awesome and a perfect story to end the anthology. I will definitely be looking for more from this author.

Like all anthologies there are good and so-so stories, but overall it's more good than anything else. I will be looking for more from several of these authors. For someone who is lukewarm on anthologies, I have to say that I really enjoyed this set. I would definitely recommend it.

[The_Book_Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reivew that follows is a partial review--to view the full text, please visit:

http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspo...

SEAL of My Dreams is an anthology full of best-selling and well known contemporary romance authors, with the theme for every story being the brave Navy SEAL man and the woman he loves. The premise for both the anthology and the individual stories is very promising. However, the execution falls a bit short and leaves the reader wanting.













Even if it wasn't for the fact that this particular anthology has so many novellas inside of it, I couldn't give you a summary or review of each one even if I wanted to. They each seemed to blend into the next one. Just as I would start to get into the story and begin to enjoy it, I'd turn the page and suddenly it is the next story. So off I began again on another SEAL related adventure and then suddenly it's time for that one to abruptly end as well. I felt as if I was in some sort of class and every 15 minutes the instructor was yelling “Switch!”, at which point one story would disappear and I'd find the new one in front of me instead.










Yes, I understand that an anthology is merely a collection of short stories. And perhaps some would say I am wrong to base part of my review on the fact that everything was too short, but I've read many novellas and anthologies—I know the difference between a short story that is done so well the reader doesn't even feel that more story is needed and one where it reads more like an excerpt than anything else. This book, unfortunately, fell under the second category. Every story was too rushed—most of them, I felt, barely even had a storyline, and the others had great potential...until it was suddenly hacked off, almost mid-sentence it would seem.










It's pretty unfortunate when most of the stories in SEAL of My Dreams were literally forgettable for me. Many of them left my mind as soon as the next novella began, leaving no impression of memory of it behind. The others were forgotten not long after I read the final page of the book. It wasn't intentional, but rather it happened from lack of substance, and therefore each one blew away before I was even done with it. Shouldn't I have been left with something by the end? A favorite story or two, a few complaints about my least favorite ones—something? I should have been, but I wasn't.

...
~*~*~
Review property of TBQ's Book Palace

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Description courtesy of Goodreads

Honor, duty, courage, passion . . . the men of the Navy SEALs are a special breed of hero, and in these novellas by eighteen top romance authors the SEALs are celebrated not only as symbols of devoted service to their country but as the kind of men every woman wants to love. They’ll rescue a damsel in distress and her lap dog, too. They’ll battle hometown dramas and international bad guys. When it comes to giving away their hearts, they’ll risk everything.

All proceeds from sales of SEAL of My Dreams go to the Veterans Research Corporation, a non-profit fundraiser for veterans’ medical research.

Between them, the authors of SEAL of My Dreams have won dozens of writing awards including multiple RITAs from Romance Writers of America. Their nearly 600 published novels have sold at least 35 million copies worldwide. The SEAL of My Dreams roster includes many of the best-known authors in modern romance fiction. In addition, many have strong family connections to the servicemen and women of our nation’s military, and many specialize in novels featuring heroes and heroines from all branches of service

I love a good anthology, stories that I can read in between errands on an incredibly busy weekend? SCORE! Then you add in Navy Seals? Double SCORE! Don’t even get me started on Seaman Yummy on the cover (a real SEAL getting ready for a mission).

This is a great group of eighteen authors who got together to do a great thing to benefit Veterans Research Corporation. Even better for me is the fact that I’ve only read 3 of these authors previously so now I have a number of backlists to check out.

It’s got to be hard to write a story including enough history to grab the reader’s attention, develop characters that will jump off the page and include a plot of some sort in 25 pages or less. Some of these stories not only met that expectation, they blew all the way past it into “I can’t stop thinking about…” territory. Some of the stories may have worked better in a novel or novella length, but all of the stories were enjoyable for one reason or another. I find that rare in an anthology.

The stories are sweet, poignant, sad, downright heartbreaking and laugh out loud funny. Come on, you know you want to pick this up and help out a great cause, right?

ARC courtesy of Bell Bridge Books via NetGalley