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West Coast Navy SEALs #2
Once a Seal
A Hero of Her Own
What woman hasn't dreamed of what it would be like to marry a Navy SEAL? Dan McCullum is everything Aria has ever imagined—sweet, strong, and sexy as hell. She just never expected how tough the SEAL life would be. Dan could be gone at a moment's notice and not allowed to tell herwhere he's going or when he'll be back.
Dan has never backed down from a challenge in his life. But this one is his hardest yet. How does he balance his duty to his country with a soul-deep love for Aria? It's going to require patience, ingenuity, and some of the hottest homecomings he can dream up. Because for him, this isn't a fling: this is forever…
What woman hasn't dreamed of what it would be like to marry a Navy SEAL? Dan McCullum is everything Aria has ever imagined—sweet, strong, and sexy as hell. She just never expected how tough the SEAL life would be. Dan could be gone at a moment's notice and not allowed to tell herwhere he's going or when he'll be back.
Dan has never backed down from a challenge in his life. But this one is his hardest yet. How does he balance his duty to his country with a soul-deep love for Aria? It's going to require patience, ingenuity, and some of the hottest homecomings he can dream up. Because for him, this isn't a fling: this is forever…
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
41 people are currently reading
443 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 11, 2013
“Did you have to learn several languages?”
“No, ma’am, we don’t go there to talk."
I chuckled at the above conversation between a reporter and SEAL I found when I searched for a quote about SEALs. Indeed, SEALs are romanticized for their unquestionable courage, what happens when they return home to their families, especially their spouses? Do they have the skills to speak the language of love, especially one that has endured a long distance relationship? Anne Elizabeth explores “the rest of the story” when a hero transitions from his SEAL team to life partner. From page one, I knew I was in the hands of a master - Anne Elizabeth conveys the bride’s excitement (but also hesitation) of marrying a Navy SEAL who is late (because of a mission) to his own wedding. She delivers a heart warming and heart pounding story of how the heroine, Aria, navigates the highs and lows of “married to the military”. Aria jumped into the SEAL community with no previous experience of the operational acronyms, nor any preparation on how to handle the acrimonious spouses she encounters along the way to her own “happily ever after” . The hero, Daniel, proves to be a hero inside and out as he comes to understand that Aria is a new member of his home team.
Recommended read for those who enjoy women’s fiction with a side of military nostalgia.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
“No, ma’am, we don’t go there to talk."
I chuckled at the above conversation between a reporter and SEAL I found when I searched for a quote about SEALs. Indeed, SEALs are romanticized for their unquestionable courage, what happens when they return home to their families, especially their spouses? Do they have the skills to speak the language of love, especially one that has endured a long distance relationship? Anne Elizabeth explores “the rest of the story” when a hero transitions from his SEAL team to life partner. From page one, I knew I was in the hands of a master - Anne Elizabeth conveys the bride’s excitement (but also hesitation) of marrying a Navy SEAL who is late (because of a mission) to his own wedding. She delivers a heart warming and heart pounding story of how the heroine, Aria, navigates the highs and lows of “married to the military”. Aria jumped into the SEAL community with no previous experience of the operational acronyms, nor any preparation on how to handle the acrimonious spouses she encounters along the way to her own “happily ever after” . The hero, Daniel, proves to be a hero inside and out as he comes to understand that Aria is a new member of his home team.
Recommended read for those who enjoy women’s fiction with a side of military nostalgia.
I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.
February 11, 2014
Good book with the bulk of the story happening after the wedding. Aria and Dan met and married after only four weeks. Their love was strong but both had some major adjustments to make. When Dan was nearly late for their wedding because he'd been off on a mission Aria wondered if their whole marriage would be like that. Dan loves Aria's strength and independence and expects that she'll have no trouble adjusting to life as a military life. Both have some issues from their pasts that affect the way they live their lives.
I liked both Dan and Aria, but I did have a few issues with them. Dan is basically a great guy. He has that whole strong and sexy thing going on. He adores Aria. He admires her independence. The problem I had with him was that during the time he was dating Aria he never bothered to introduce her to his friends' wives and girlfriends. This would have made her adjustment to military life easier, as they would have been able to clue her in about some of the challenges. Instead, he cuts their honeymoon short to take care of the various tasks of getting her set up as his wife, without actually explaining anything to her in the process. He commits her to a wives' get together and gives her only a few minutes warning. On the plus side, he supports her completely when she has to take custody of her teenage brother and is an excellent role model for said brother. He calls on his teammates to help move their furniture while she's sleeping. And when he has to leave on another mission he asks them to watch over her to protect her from a stalker. His life as a child had been one of danger because of his father so his life as a SEAL is a comfortable fit. It had also caused him to leave his family, except for his sister, behind making him long for a real family of his own. I loved seeing him accept the changes he needed to make and his determination to make their marriage strong.
Aria has had to be strong for most of her life. Her parents died when she was nine and her brother was a baby. They were raised by their bachelor uncle, but from the beginning Aria was the one caring for them both. When she was ready to go away to college she left her brother and uncle to take care of each other, then after graduation moved to California where she met Dan. Their connection was immediate and she happily said yes to his proposal. The opening scenes of the book, with his delayed arrival for their wedding, make her realize that she may have been a little unrealistic in her expectations for their life together. Because of that past with her uncle and brother, she does have some control issues, and we see her start things off by keeping her fears and questions to herself. I give her great credit for not hitting Dan with a frying pan when he pulled that wives get together fiasco on her. I have to say that I loved her steel backbone when she was confronted by that group. I also liked the fact that she quickly realized that the only way to survive her marriage was to make sure that she and Dan actually talked to each other. She applied the same principle to her brother when he came to live with them and it made a huge difference. I loved the scene when the wives of Dan's teammates invited her over, and what a huge difference it was from the other group. It was wonderful to see how quickly they made her welcome and filled her in on the things she needed to know. That kind of relationship was what she needed to help make her marriage to Dan strong enough to last.
Because the author is a military wife herself, what she has written is very realistic. She shows the good and the bad of living as a military family. I loved the glimpses of Dan's missions as they showed what his job is like, though there have been other SEAL books that do that also. What I really enjoyed was the good look at what it is like for the family back home. She showed everything from the needing of your ID card for everything, to being the one responsible for everything at home because the military member is gone. She said it perfectly here: "Being a military spouse isn't for everyone. It takes a daily dedication to the person you love and a commitment to stick it out and stay the course. But it is never easy. Most of us celebrate what we have when it is in our hands and stay the course -- hold the rudder -- when we're going it alone. Being happy or not being happy -- that's a choice that you make on a moment by moment basis. Decide what you want and go for it, but don't let your fear of being alone take away love. Remember, we're all here because we want to be."
The stalker storyline added a bit of suspense to the story. The identity was obvious from the beginning, so I'm not giving anything away by saying that I found Aria's "best friend" Mark creepy from the start. The more we learned about him the worse it was, especially when it came to her brother. I give Dan great credit for not killing him! I'm looking forward to the next book.
I liked both Dan and Aria, but I did have a few issues with them. Dan is basically a great guy. He has that whole strong and sexy thing going on. He adores Aria. He admires her independence. The problem I had with him was that during the time he was dating Aria he never bothered to introduce her to his friends' wives and girlfriends. This would have made her adjustment to military life easier, as they would have been able to clue her in about some of the challenges. Instead, he cuts their honeymoon short to take care of the various tasks of getting her set up as his wife, without actually explaining anything to her in the process. He commits her to a wives' get together and gives her only a few minutes warning. On the plus side, he supports her completely when she has to take custody of her teenage brother and is an excellent role model for said brother. He calls on his teammates to help move their furniture while she's sleeping. And when he has to leave on another mission he asks them to watch over her to protect her from a stalker. His life as a child had been one of danger because of his father so his life as a SEAL is a comfortable fit. It had also caused him to leave his family, except for his sister, behind making him long for a real family of his own. I loved seeing him accept the changes he needed to make and his determination to make their marriage strong.
Aria has had to be strong for most of her life. Her parents died when she was nine and her brother was a baby. They were raised by their bachelor uncle, but from the beginning Aria was the one caring for them both. When she was ready to go away to college she left her brother and uncle to take care of each other, then after graduation moved to California where she met Dan. Their connection was immediate and she happily said yes to his proposal. The opening scenes of the book, with his delayed arrival for their wedding, make her realize that she may have been a little unrealistic in her expectations for their life together. Because of that past with her uncle and brother, she does have some control issues, and we see her start things off by keeping her fears and questions to herself. I give her great credit for not hitting Dan with a frying pan when he pulled that wives get together fiasco on her. I have to say that I loved her steel backbone when she was confronted by that group. I also liked the fact that she quickly realized that the only way to survive her marriage was to make sure that she and Dan actually talked to each other. She applied the same principle to her brother when he came to live with them and it made a huge difference. I loved the scene when the wives of Dan's teammates invited her over, and what a huge difference it was from the other group. It was wonderful to see how quickly they made her welcome and filled her in on the things she needed to know. That kind of relationship was what she needed to help make her marriage to Dan strong enough to last.
Because the author is a military wife herself, what she has written is very realistic. She shows the good and the bad of living as a military family. I loved the glimpses of Dan's missions as they showed what his job is like, though there have been other SEAL books that do that also. What I really enjoyed was the good look at what it is like for the family back home. She showed everything from the needing of your ID card for everything, to being the one responsible for everything at home because the military member is gone. She said it perfectly here: "Being a military spouse isn't for everyone. It takes a daily dedication to the person you love and a commitment to stick it out and stay the course. But it is never easy. Most of us celebrate what we have when it is in our hands and stay the course -- hold the rudder -- when we're going it alone. Being happy or not being happy -- that's a choice that you make on a moment by moment basis. Decide what you want and go for it, but don't let your fear of being alone take away love. Remember, we're all here because we want to be."
The stalker storyline added a bit of suspense to the story. The identity was obvious from the beginning, so I'm not giving anything away by saying that I found Aria's "best friend" Mark creepy from the start. The more we learned about him the worse it was, especially when it came to her brother. I give Dan great credit for not killing him! I'm looking forward to the next book.
October 21, 2013
Two things made me grab this book up when I got the opportunity to read it. I love finding out what happens after the happily ever after and this book is unique in that it begins with the wedding and the whole story is what takes place after the 'I Do'. The second thing was that this was going to tell the story of not just a Navy SEAL, but a Navy SEAL's wife and how they both have to adjust to marriage and how she must adjust to being a military wife. Totally had me hooked in and I'm thrilled to report that it was a most satisfying read from beginning to end.
Aria and Dan knew each other for four weeks and now they are married. Four weeks started and cemented a connection between them, but it in no way gave them more than surface knowledge of the person they were marrying when it came to their pasts, what made them tick and even simply daily likes and dislikes. It didn't prepare Aria for what would happen and how she would feel about military life and it didn't prepare Dan for knowing how to handle this new partner to which he had joined his life. Dan's job is shrouded in secrecy and he has to be up and gone at a moment's notice. Aria lost her parents and had to be in charge of herself and her brother from a young age while living with her uncle so she needs control.
The story rolls through the ups and downs of getting adjusted to married life: dealing with tragedy and big changes when Aria's uncle dies and her angry and hurting teenage brother joins them, Dan's dangerous job, Aria's loneliness and feelings of inadequacy, friends and so much else. In the end, it’s a matter of knowing what you can live with and what you can't. Dan is fearful that Aria will decided that she can't take on life with him and with all the other stuff that its too much. Aria wonders the same thing.
I loved how this plot blended so many things so there is depth to this story. It shows the exciting side of Dan's life as a SEAL, the daily down and gritty side of life as a military family, the tragedy and then the danger that touches the family and the passion between this pair. It's a romance through and through with a couple that isn't afraid to let go with each other in the bedroom, but it’s a love story too as their love grows so much more after the wedding. Dan and Aria had so many challenges in the beginning including the addition of a teenage boy who is going through the usual issues and then some after being uprooted from all he knew and living with a newlywed pair. So in a sense, it’s more than the story of a couple, but a family coming together. The secondary characters were a huge bonus in this one too. I laughed, I sighed and I nearly cried while I read this one.
This was my first time reading this author's books, but it won't be the last. I look forward to reading more of her Navy SEAL stories. Those who enjoy their military romances with a lot of spice and authenticity should definitely give this one a try.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Aria and Dan knew each other for four weeks and now they are married. Four weeks started and cemented a connection between them, but it in no way gave them more than surface knowledge of the person they were marrying when it came to their pasts, what made them tick and even simply daily likes and dislikes. It didn't prepare Aria for what would happen and how she would feel about military life and it didn't prepare Dan for knowing how to handle this new partner to which he had joined his life. Dan's job is shrouded in secrecy and he has to be up and gone at a moment's notice. Aria lost her parents and had to be in charge of herself and her brother from a young age while living with her uncle so she needs control.
The story rolls through the ups and downs of getting adjusted to married life: dealing with tragedy and big changes when Aria's uncle dies and her angry and hurting teenage brother joins them, Dan's dangerous job, Aria's loneliness and feelings of inadequacy, friends and so much else. In the end, it’s a matter of knowing what you can live with and what you can't. Dan is fearful that Aria will decided that she can't take on life with him and with all the other stuff that its too much. Aria wonders the same thing.
I loved how this plot blended so many things so there is depth to this story. It shows the exciting side of Dan's life as a SEAL, the daily down and gritty side of life as a military family, the tragedy and then the danger that touches the family and the passion between this pair. It's a romance through and through with a couple that isn't afraid to let go with each other in the bedroom, but it’s a love story too as their love grows so much more after the wedding. Dan and Aria had so many challenges in the beginning including the addition of a teenage boy who is going through the usual issues and then some after being uprooted from all he knew and living with a newlywed pair. So in a sense, it’s more than the story of a couple, but a family coming together. The secondary characters were a huge bonus in this one too. I laughed, I sighed and I nearly cried while I read this one.
This was my first time reading this author's books, but it won't be the last. I look forward to reading more of her Navy SEAL stories. Those who enjoy their military romances with a lot of spice and authenticity should definitely give this one a try.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 5, 2017
What happens after the HEA?
This novel starts on the wedding day: the groom is late coming back from a mission and may miss the ceremony; the bride's strung out with worry and anxiety about the wedding and also about their future. Through flash backs we learn that the courtship was short and that they are very much in love. We also learn that both Dan and Aria have a boatload of baggage that will make their relationship more challenging.
I admit I found it hard to get into the book to begin with. Jumping right into the sex without knowing the characters put me off. Once the wedding night was over and the day to day living began, I found myself chuckling at all the details of military life the author crammed in there: going from being someone to being a dependent is a shock; hurry up and wait for everything, especially paperwork; having all the responsibility of the home front while waiting for military spouse to come home; the bitchy military wives riding on their husband's rank; the support system that is always there to make things a bit easier, if only one reaches out.
Granted, I was Army so maybe some of the differences can be ascribed to this book being about Navy. Still, all things happening at once was a bit much. But that's just nitpicking. Overall, this one was a great look at what happens after the wedding and what it takes to keep a military marriage going strong. The stalker story? Unnecessary, imo, and makes the heroine took like a twit.
This novel starts on the wedding day: the groom is late coming back from a mission and may miss the ceremony; the bride's strung out with worry and anxiety about the wedding and also about their future. Through flash backs we learn that the courtship was short and that they are very much in love. We also learn that both Dan and Aria have a boatload of baggage that will make their relationship more challenging.
I admit I found it hard to get into the book to begin with. Jumping right into the sex without knowing the characters put me off. Once the wedding night was over and the day to day living began, I found myself chuckling at all the details of military life the author crammed in there: going from being someone to being a dependent is a shock; hurry up and wait for everything, especially paperwork; having all the responsibility of the home front while waiting for military spouse to come home; the bitchy military wives riding on their husband's rank; the support system that is always there to make things a bit easier, if only one reaches out.
Granted, I was Army so maybe some of the differences can be ascribed to this book being about Navy. Still, all things happening at once was a bit much. But that's just nitpicking. Overall, this one was a great look at what happens after the wedding and what it takes to keep a military marriage going strong. The stalker story? Unnecessary, imo, and makes the heroine took like a twit.
October 29, 2021
I should be giving this 2.5 stars. The only reason I’m giving it 3.0 is because my grandmother married my grandfather, an Air Force officer, when she was really young and reading this made me question how difficult it may have been for her to adapt.
This book had an intriguing premise but I didn’t like the writing style or the direction of the story. The best part about it was Jimmy and his relationship with his sister and brother-in-law. Aria was an interesting character but I think she fell flat. Dan could have been interesting, but ultimately wasn’t. I didn’t feel like he had a character arc. Aria’s fears and concerns were valid yet were largely left unaddressed as she adapted.
All in all, I would not recommend this book.
This book had an intriguing premise but I didn’t like the writing style or the direction of the story. The best part about it was Jimmy and his relationship with his sister and brother-in-law. Aria was an interesting character but I think she fell flat. Dan could have been interesting, but ultimately wasn’t. I didn’t feel like he had a character arc. Aria’s fears and concerns were valid yet were largely left unaddressed as she adapted.
All in all, I would not recommend this book.
September 26, 2013
ANNE ELIZABETH - ONCE A SEAL
• 320 pages
• release date - 05 November - 2013
• SEAL Series #2
• sexy military romance
★★★★ 3,9 Stars
MY THOUGHTS
The book starts kind of backwards - with the happy ending - the wedding!
After a very short courtship Navy SEAL Dan marries Aria in the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego. It's a very hectic wedding because Dan had to be flown in via helicopter - as he was on a last-minute mission.
Aria hopes that's not a sign that her marriage will be exactly like that.
The wedding is very romantic and pretty and Aria and Dan are very much in love and lust.
And after a very sexy wedding night - real life starts!
"WHEN YOU LOVE A NAVY SEAL - THE ONLY EASY DAY IS YESTERDAY"
And real life is not what Aria expected it to be. Dan is gone all the time and she doesn't know where he is and what he's doing.
Then her brother gets into trouble. And she doesn't get along with all the military wives in the neighborhood - but then she befriends the wives of Dan's team-mates.
We go back in time a few times to see what happened to Dan when he was a kid and how Aria met Dan. Aria didn't have a nice childhood either - her parents died when she was 9 and her brother was just born - and they were raised by their uncle.
The whole book is written like the diary of a newly married military couple with all it's problems and complications. Maybe a bit like a tell-all - or how-to guide for future military wives ☺
There will be sexy parts - suspensy parts - sad parts - moving parts ....
Will there be a happy end - or will the stressful military life be too much for Aria? Will everybody survive the book? ☺
I'm not telling you, of course ☺
I don't want to spoil your reading pleasure ☺
___________________________________
I WAS SOOOO LOOKING FORWARD TO READING THIS BOOK!
Everything that has the word SEAL in it - just give it to me - I will love it!
BUT - this book - phew - I don't even know what to say. It's not really a book/novel/romance ... I would call it the diary of a newly married couple with a few nice sex scenes thrown in. There are too many unnecessary details describing things or actions we don't need or want to know about. And when we meet people - we are introduced to ALL of them by first name, last name and rank! Those people don't have anything to do with the story though.
Nothing really happens in the book. It's just 'normal' military life. It's more like a reality show in the style of Army Wives or The Unit (and I LOVED those shows!)
We have the SEAL who loves his guns and needs to have 30 of them at home!!! - and his new - slighlty naive wife - what did she think life would be like, being married to a SEAL??? He will be home every night for dinner and they will have breakfast together at 8am every morning? Yup, probably.
This book may be interesting for future or present wives of military guys - but for non-military readers - and especially NON-american readers - this book is not really all that interesting. If it weren't for the sex scenes and the moving stuff that happened - I think I would've stopped reading.
And I'm sooooo sorry to say that.
I love SEAL stories - I read a million of them - but I just couldn't love this one - I couldn't even love the 2 main characters - Dan is just so - I don't even know what he is - I wanted to love him, but I couldn't. And Aria - I really thought I could like her when the book started. But I couldn't really connect with her either :(
I'm soo sorry Anne - I really wanted to love the book - but I only liked it.
It wasn't all bad - it was a nice romance - but there was just not enough story in it for me. The second part of the book was better - things started to happen..that was really so much better ☺
I know you're a SEAL-wife - so this all has lots of meaning for you of course - and I totally respect that - but it just wasn't for me :(
But it wasn't really as bad as the first half of the book suggested - I was really glad I didn't stop reading ☺ There were some really interesting things in the book - about how a navy SEAL's wife has to cope while he's gone. But it just didn't caught my interest - there was no suspense...only a bit at the end. It would've been better if the whole story about Mark would've been made more interesting in the beginning - I just thought he was her gay best friend. There was nothing that made me say: oooh I can't stop reading - I wanna know what happens! The only thing I wanted to know was - will Dan survive this book or will she kill him off on a mission..
BUT - I did cry a few times - it wasn't all bad ☺ It's really a nice story -
just not my thing - the writing style wasn't my thing either... the first 2 sex scenes for example. I have NEVER heard that expression that is used ☺ probably my fault - but it sounded so very weird!
Oh and another thing - again just my personal taste - the guy on the cover - why does he have to look so mean and un-nice? I would've cut off his head and only left his body on the cover - would've been better ☺ He kind of looks like a russian spy ☺
But - if you like military romances - and you want to know about the hard daily life of a newly married military couple...
GO GET IT! ☺
March 24, 2018
Great reading. Enjoyed the storyline and all the characters. If romance is what you enjoy these books
are perfect reading.
are perfect reading.
June 28, 2018
A good story. It starts off on their wedding day and then deals with the issues of having got married quite quickly and living a life with the military.
April 5, 2025
this was dumb as hell.
November 19, 2013
As the wife of a former Navy SEAL, Anne Elizabeth has insight into the culture and life of a military families that most author's can't even fathom. Her book, Once a Seal has an authenticity about it that can't be faked. She knows exactly what she's talking about! In this story about life after the happy-ever-after, readers get a taste of the everyday life of a military wife. The waiting, the uncertainty, wondering if every day with her husband may be her last. Elizabeth does the military proud with her portrayal of a strong, courageous SEAL and the woman he leaves behind while he saves the world. A great military romance!
There are so many goods things about this book, it's hard to know where to start. First of all, I really appreciate the fact that Anne Elizabeth wanted to portray the men and women of the Armed Forces in a way that shows their courage and abilities on and off the field of battle. She understands how important it is to be accurate and factual about certain details, while having literary license with others. She doesn't compromise military protocols or tell too much about specific SEAL team procedures. She gives the right balance of details to keep the reader interested but not to jeopardize or challenge the perception of the military in any way. To me, that sounds a little on the difficult side and I liked the way Elizabeth was able to pull that off.
I also enjoyed the fact that this story begins where most romances end. Aria already has her happy-ever-after. Following a whirlwind, three month courtship she is marrying the man of her dreams, Dan. But Dan's career as a Navy SEAL is far from the average 9 to 5. This book is all about what happens next. The day to day grind of a military wife. The danger and intrigue of her husbands missions and how the time together and away from each other shapes the story of their lives.
I think a lot of readers are going to look at the cover of this book an expect a romantic suspense novel, but that's not the direction Anne Elizabeth is taking readers in this one. She is showing how a young woman adjusts to the rigors of military life. How her husband fears she won't stay. How they make each moment together special. It's a wonderful story that I think readers of military romance will really enjoy if they throw out their ideas of what a military romance should be like. Elizabeth was thinking outside the box with this one and it really works.
There may not be quite enough action for some readers, but I think it has a great balance between Dan's life as a SEAL and Aria's life as a wife. Dan is a passionate man. SEAL's are confident, strong, courageous and they understand their limits and their abilities. He is that way in his career and in his life. When a SEAL comes home, he doesn't become a different person. It's a hard adjustment for him and his family and that's what Elizabeth was going for here. I loved the parts detailing Dan's missions but the crux of the story hinges on how he and Aria can reconcile what he does when he's on a mission with everyday experiences and life. Dan is a great character and he works very hard at letting Aria know how important she is to him despite the fact that he is away so much.
Aria isn't a damsel in distress. She may not have understood exactly what she was getting into when she marries Dan, but she's a fighter in her own right. She knows that he will be in danger and she will be expected to hold down the fort at home. I think the women behind the men are just as important as they are. Military wives do not get near enough praise for what they have to do at home. I think Elizabeth did a great job with Aria and showing the ups and downs of military life at home. The blend between the two extremes of Aria and Dan's life is what makes this book good.
I loved the romantic tender moments and felt like Elizabeth understood the reason for some sizzle in the bedroom with these two. If your husband was off fighting for the safety of the country and you worried and fretted over him and only got to see him for brief periods of time, I think you'd have some pent up emotions, as well as, passions. This book is more about the every day love between two people and not the firery part of the courtship. I liked that. It was different and it was realistic.
If you love military romance, this book is definitely a different take on it. Something different in a very saturated, sub-genre. I liked it and I think you will too!
There are so many goods things about this book, it's hard to know where to start. First of all, I really appreciate the fact that Anne Elizabeth wanted to portray the men and women of the Armed Forces in a way that shows their courage and abilities on and off the field of battle. She understands how important it is to be accurate and factual about certain details, while having literary license with others. She doesn't compromise military protocols or tell too much about specific SEAL team procedures. She gives the right balance of details to keep the reader interested but not to jeopardize or challenge the perception of the military in any way. To me, that sounds a little on the difficult side and I liked the way Elizabeth was able to pull that off.
I also enjoyed the fact that this story begins where most romances end. Aria already has her happy-ever-after. Following a whirlwind, three month courtship she is marrying the man of her dreams, Dan. But Dan's career as a Navy SEAL is far from the average 9 to 5. This book is all about what happens next. The day to day grind of a military wife. The danger and intrigue of her husbands missions and how the time together and away from each other shapes the story of their lives.
I think a lot of readers are going to look at the cover of this book an expect a romantic suspense novel, but that's not the direction Anne Elizabeth is taking readers in this one. She is showing how a young woman adjusts to the rigors of military life. How her husband fears she won't stay. How they make each moment together special. It's a wonderful story that I think readers of military romance will really enjoy if they throw out their ideas of what a military romance should be like. Elizabeth was thinking outside the box with this one and it really works.
There may not be quite enough action for some readers, but I think it has a great balance between Dan's life as a SEAL and Aria's life as a wife. Dan is a passionate man. SEAL's are confident, strong, courageous and they understand their limits and their abilities. He is that way in his career and in his life. When a SEAL comes home, he doesn't become a different person. It's a hard adjustment for him and his family and that's what Elizabeth was going for here. I loved the parts detailing Dan's missions but the crux of the story hinges on how he and Aria can reconcile what he does when he's on a mission with everyday experiences and life. Dan is a great character and he works very hard at letting Aria know how important she is to him despite the fact that he is away so much.
Aria isn't a damsel in distress. She may not have understood exactly what she was getting into when she marries Dan, but she's a fighter in her own right. She knows that he will be in danger and she will be expected to hold down the fort at home. I think the women behind the men are just as important as they are. Military wives do not get near enough praise for what they have to do at home. I think Elizabeth did a great job with Aria and showing the ups and downs of military life at home. The blend between the two extremes of Aria and Dan's life is what makes this book good.
I loved the romantic tender moments and felt like Elizabeth understood the reason for some sizzle in the bedroom with these two. If your husband was off fighting for the safety of the country and you worried and fretted over him and only got to see him for brief periods of time, I think you'd have some pent up emotions, as well as, passions. This book is more about the every day love between two people and not the firery part of the courtship. I liked that. It was different and it was realistic.
If you love military romance, this book is definitely a different take on it. Something different in a very saturated, sub-genre. I liked it and I think you will too!
February 2, 2014
Being a military wife/husband is hard; it takes a very strong woman/man to be able to handle that kind of life. It’s hard especially when their in Special Ops and you have no idea when they are going to be gone, where they are going to be or for even how long they will be gone. Only that these people make our home a safer place to live.
I love reading books that have to do with military men. I love to read about their missions and how military life is period. I love men in a uniform. What was special about this read was the wedding ceremony and how nervous Aria was because Dan had been gone on a mission. He was late for his own wedding but he made it, even if they jumped from a Helo into the ocean and swam to land. Then the wedding vows made this story a happy read. I love when the story starts off with a happy start and the book has to do with adjusting to married life, learning who they are but most of all learning that they need to support each other. Dan needs to support her when he is home and Aria needs to support him when he goes on his missions. He needs to leave knowing that everything will be okay so that their mind is not filled with bad thoughts and for something to happen because of that.
From the moment that Chief Petty Officer Daniel McCullum and Aria Kavanagh met it was love at first sight. I could not believe that they were marrying after only knowing each other for four weeks. That is amazing how they just knew that they were meant for each other. Only Aria had no idea how it was really going to be married to a SEAL how one minute he might be in her arms and they next he is packing to leave on a mission. Dan wasn’t able to explain military life to his wife and he could see that she was fuming because they actually cut their honeymoon short. He is not able to talk about his missions because of the secrecy but he does try to explain what he can.
Aria lost her parents and had to take care of her younger brother. Yes she did leave her brother with her uncle but not because she didn’t want him but because she was trying to get an education and get a good job to help them out. Now as for Dan he has a dark past where he had to learn how to defend himself at a very young age. He had to make sure that his sister was safe also and he knew that he needed to tell Aria his story.
One day Aria gets a phone call that her uncle had passed away and she will have to take in her younger brother Jimmy. Jimmy is having trouble with communicating with his sister and is acting out. Aria is trying not to only adjust with Dan being gone all the time but also being a mother figure to her brother. How much more is she going to be able to take?
This is my first read by Ms. Elizabeth and I have to say that I loved this story. I gave me a little insight on how a military spouse may feel when left behind. It’s hard when you might not have any friends, family in the area when you need help, when you need someone to tell you everything is going to be fine. The book is well written and like Ms. Elizabeth’s writing style. The story flowed wonderfully and loved how it not only showed what Aria went through while Dan was away but what Dan went through in his missions or trainings. I felt so bad for Aria for everything that she was going through and I’m happy that she was a very strong woman. All of the problems that the characters were going through made the story go faster.
Since this is my first read by Ms. Elizabeth I’m going to have to read the first book in this series and can’t wait for more. I totally recommend this book to any reader.
Thanks to NetGalley who provided me a copy of this ARC for an honest review.
I love reading books that have to do with military men. I love to read about their missions and how military life is period. I love men in a uniform. What was special about this read was the wedding ceremony and how nervous Aria was because Dan had been gone on a mission. He was late for his own wedding but he made it, even if they jumped from a Helo into the ocean and swam to land. Then the wedding vows made this story a happy read. I love when the story starts off with a happy start and the book has to do with adjusting to married life, learning who they are but most of all learning that they need to support each other. Dan needs to support her when he is home and Aria needs to support him when he goes on his missions. He needs to leave knowing that everything will be okay so that their mind is not filled with bad thoughts and for something to happen because of that.
From the moment that Chief Petty Officer Daniel McCullum and Aria Kavanagh met it was love at first sight. I could not believe that they were marrying after only knowing each other for four weeks. That is amazing how they just knew that they were meant for each other. Only Aria had no idea how it was really going to be married to a SEAL how one minute he might be in her arms and they next he is packing to leave on a mission. Dan wasn’t able to explain military life to his wife and he could see that she was fuming because they actually cut their honeymoon short. He is not able to talk about his missions because of the secrecy but he does try to explain what he can.
Aria lost her parents and had to take care of her younger brother. Yes she did leave her brother with her uncle but not because she didn’t want him but because she was trying to get an education and get a good job to help them out. Now as for Dan he has a dark past where he had to learn how to defend himself at a very young age. He had to make sure that his sister was safe also and he knew that he needed to tell Aria his story.
One day Aria gets a phone call that her uncle had passed away and she will have to take in her younger brother Jimmy. Jimmy is having trouble with communicating with his sister and is acting out. Aria is trying not to only adjust with Dan being gone all the time but also being a mother figure to her brother. How much more is she going to be able to take?
This is my first read by Ms. Elizabeth and I have to say that I loved this story. I gave me a little insight on how a military spouse may feel when left behind. It’s hard when you might not have any friends, family in the area when you need help, when you need someone to tell you everything is going to be fine. The book is well written and like Ms. Elizabeth’s writing style. The story flowed wonderfully and loved how it not only showed what Aria went through while Dan was away but what Dan went through in his missions or trainings. I felt so bad for Aria for everything that she was going through and I’m happy that she was a very strong woman. All of the problems that the characters were going through made the story go faster.
Since this is my first read by Ms. Elizabeth I’m going to have to read the first book in this series and can’t wait for more. I totally recommend this book to any reader.
Thanks to NetGalley who provided me a copy of this ARC for an honest review.
November 20, 2013
As reviewed for THE READING CAFE 14 Nov 13!
http://www.thereadingcafe.com/anne-elizabeth-once-a-seal-interview-review-giveaway/
4 out of 5 for this reader folks!
Once A Seal by Anne Elizabeth can be classified as a contemporary romance. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I have to say she shows promise. Her story held absolute realistic characters and a extremely realistic storyline. I totally related to this story on a personal level having served many years in the Canadian Forces myself, and I often found myself nodding in agreement, cringing as I read about a civilian trying to adapt to the regimented life of military members and praying that this marriage between our main characters will survive all the stress.
Our story starts off with a bang. Our leading lady Aria is on a beach, in her wedding gown, eager for her soon to be hubby (that would be our main man Dan) to arrive via helicopter. As much as I would of loved to believe this was romantic, it was far from it. Dan is a Navy SEAL who is time crunched after completing a mission. Though he was late to his own wedding he marries Aria and off they go to start their life together.
While honeymooning near the base, Dan is called away to tackle some military tasks and immediately Aria is thrown into life as a military wife. After only having known Dan a few weeks prior to marriage, she is shocked to find all the things she needs to know to be a successful military wife. It seems Dan explains things on the fly just expecting Aria to comply and accept her new life. I was completely overwhelmed for her.
While trying to adjust to military life, Aria begins to get upset at how little Dan is home and how she is required to do all on her own (all meaning set up house, adapt to military life and even attend military wives functions). Throw in unplanned guardianship of her younger brother who after much lose is rebelling, Aria is scarcely keeping it together and often is questioning if she should of married Dan. Dan on the other hand seems to think that Aria will conform without complaint like a good little military wife. Add present dangers for them both due to Dan's occupation, and both healing from troubled pasts, it's no surprise when things start to fall apart between these two.
Okay ... so as I mentioned earlier, this is an absolute realistic story. I was impressed with the little details that Anne Elizabeth included with regards to military protocol. Clearly she has either served, has been a spouse of a service member and/or has friends who serve. She also dove into some action scenes of Dan and his fellow SEAL's engaged in dangerous missions. The camaraderie of SEAL brother's and SEAL wives was evident as well. I will say though that this book tended to drag a little. I became bored a few times while reading prolonged descriptions that really could of been edited out. I think that disturbed the natural flow of the story.
So, the big question is. Does Aria have what it takes to be a SEAL wife? Can she adjust and will Dan understand that she needs time to understand all the protocols, rules and his frequent absence? What is Dan willing to risk to keep Aria? You'll have to check it out for yourself ...LOL
HAPPY READING!
http://www.thereadingcafe.com/anne-elizabeth-once-a-seal-interview-review-giveaway/
4 out of 5 for this reader folks!
Once A Seal by Anne Elizabeth can be classified as a contemporary romance. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I have to say she shows promise. Her story held absolute realistic characters and a extremely realistic storyline. I totally related to this story on a personal level having served many years in the Canadian Forces myself, and I often found myself nodding in agreement, cringing as I read about a civilian trying to adapt to the regimented life of military members and praying that this marriage between our main characters will survive all the stress.
Our story starts off with a bang. Our leading lady Aria is on a beach, in her wedding gown, eager for her soon to be hubby (that would be our main man Dan) to arrive via helicopter. As much as I would of loved to believe this was romantic, it was far from it. Dan is a Navy SEAL who is time crunched after completing a mission. Though he was late to his own wedding he marries Aria and off they go to start their life together.
While honeymooning near the base, Dan is called away to tackle some military tasks and immediately Aria is thrown into life as a military wife. After only having known Dan a few weeks prior to marriage, she is shocked to find all the things she needs to know to be a successful military wife. It seems Dan explains things on the fly just expecting Aria to comply and accept her new life. I was completely overwhelmed for her.
While trying to adjust to military life, Aria begins to get upset at how little Dan is home and how she is required to do all on her own (all meaning set up house, adapt to military life and even attend military wives functions). Throw in unplanned guardianship of her younger brother who after much lose is rebelling, Aria is scarcely keeping it together and often is questioning if she should of married Dan. Dan on the other hand seems to think that Aria will conform without complaint like a good little military wife. Add present dangers for them both due to Dan's occupation, and both healing from troubled pasts, it's no surprise when things start to fall apart between these two.
Okay ... so as I mentioned earlier, this is an absolute realistic story. I was impressed with the little details that Anne Elizabeth included with regards to military protocol. Clearly she has either served, has been a spouse of a service member and/or has friends who serve. She also dove into some action scenes of Dan and his fellow SEAL's engaged in dangerous missions. The camaraderie of SEAL brother's and SEAL wives was evident as well. I will say though that this book tended to drag a little. I became bored a few times while reading prolonged descriptions that really could of been edited out. I think that disturbed the natural flow of the story.
So, the big question is. Does Aria have what it takes to be a SEAL wife? Can she adjust and will Dan understand that she needs time to understand all the protocols, rules and his frequent absence? What is Dan willing to risk to keep Aria? You'll have to check it out for yourself ...LOL
HAPPY READING!
February 16, 2014
See this review and more at My Two Cents
I had a tough time getting into this book. It starts out as if it's already in the middle of a story, one that you haven't had the chance to catch up on. A few chapters into this book and I was checking Goodreads to make sure that I hadn't missed the first book and started a series half way through, which I hate doing.
Although, I didn't come into the series late, it definitely read like I had which had me a little perturbed. There were aspects of the relationship between Aria and her man that were hard to understand because of the starting point in this book. And as it goes on, these aspects get only a little easier to understand, as a great deal of the background between these two isn't revealed.
The plot is slow moving at first, showing Aria struggling to come to terms with a new life as a Navy Seal wife, to which she isn't sure she can handle, because she didn't quite know what she was getting herself into.
It was hard for me to continue reading at first, there was a lack of suspense, or action in the beginning. Toward the middle when the action started to pick up, I felt a little bit let down by the lack of build up towards the tension.
Although the day to day aspect of Aria finding herself, dealing with loss, and taking on this new life was well written, there seemed to be little in the way of how the relationship between husband and wife was challenged, and how they overcame these challenges together to grow as a couple. I saw and excellent amount of character growth in Aria, but the absent husband aspect let me wondering.
When the action did pick up, and the tension did finally start to build, the excitement didn't seem to last. It seemed to be over and solved with too quickly. Which was a little disappointing.
I did like how the author had strong characters from the beginning, you knew who these characters where and how they worked, and you did see them grow as people. Although all the growth was done individually. Even some of the secondary characters, the other Navy Seals and Wives, that were introduced as a support system for Aria where shown to be individual characters, each one standing out, and each one showing a little growth and depth along the way.
Even though I found the plot to be a little lack luster, the danger a little missing, the romance, lust and love between these two was undeniably there, and growing stronger as I turned the pages. This is one of those books I feel as though centered around the hot and steamy activities of Arias and man, and fell a little short in other areas.
I had a tough time getting into this book. It starts out as if it's already in the middle of a story, one that you haven't had the chance to catch up on. A few chapters into this book and I was checking Goodreads to make sure that I hadn't missed the first book and started a series half way through, which I hate doing.
Although, I didn't come into the series late, it definitely read like I had which had me a little perturbed. There were aspects of the relationship between Aria and her man that were hard to understand because of the starting point in this book. And as it goes on, these aspects get only a little easier to understand, as a great deal of the background between these two isn't revealed.
The plot is slow moving at first, showing Aria struggling to come to terms with a new life as a Navy Seal wife, to which she isn't sure she can handle, because she didn't quite know what she was getting herself into.
It was hard for me to continue reading at first, there was a lack of suspense, or action in the beginning. Toward the middle when the action started to pick up, I felt a little bit let down by the lack of build up towards the tension.
Although the day to day aspect of Aria finding herself, dealing with loss, and taking on this new life was well written, there seemed to be little in the way of how the relationship between husband and wife was challenged, and how they overcame these challenges together to grow as a couple. I saw and excellent amount of character growth in Aria, but the absent husband aspect let me wondering.
When the action did pick up, and the tension did finally start to build, the excitement didn't seem to last. It seemed to be over and solved with too quickly. Which was a little disappointing.
I did like how the author had strong characters from the beginning, you knew who these characters where and how they worked, and you did see them grow as people. Although all the growth was done individually. Even some of the secondary characters, the other Navy Seals and Wives, that were introduced as a support system for Aria where shown to be individual characters, each one standing out, and each one showing a little growth and depth along the way.
Even though I found the plot to be a little lack luster, the danger a little missing, the romance, lust and love between these two was undeniably there, and growing stronger as I turned the pages. This is one of those books I feel as though centered around the hot and steamy activities of Arias and man, and fell a little short in other areas.
December 21, 2015
Once a SEAL by Anne Elizabeth
Book #2: West Coast Navy SEALs Series
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 2½/5 stars
My Review:
Once a SEAL, round two of Anne Elizabeth’s West Coast Navy SEALs series definitely fell into the sophomore slump category for me. Here’s the skinny:
Plot: Dan and Aria are a love-at-first-sight couple who are marrying after just a month of dating. Aria’s life has been turned ass over tea kettle many, many times and marriage to a SEAL team member isn’t going to be easy but she loves Dan intensely. Until Aria, Dan has only ever been focused on his career and team members but Aria is a game-changer and he is so looking forward to married life. Married life is hard even under the best of circumstances but SEAL life isn’t the best of circumstances and Aria finds out quickly exactly how often she will be left to fend for herself.
The Drama: Oh, this read is packed full of drama from the moment the book opens to the damn-near the very end. Dan’s nearly late for the wedding, Aria is almost constantly struggling to fit into the SEAL community, Aria’s uncle dies unexpectedly leaving her younger brother in her care, there’s that way creepy friend, and Dan and his team are chasing down some very dangerous demons from the past. The feels in this one go from hot and steamy to anger to pure joy to fear to silliness and happiness to pure sadness. This one is a roller coaster ride.
The characters: This is where this book takes a real tumble for me. I am a big fan of character-driven reads and I absolutely and without reservation disliked Aria from the moment the book began right up to the very last page. I tried on so many occasions to like Aria and constantly reminded myself of all the things she has endured in her life but nothing worked. Dan is a moderately better character but I found him to be a bit too soft for my liking. Oh sure, he’s an honorable man and physically tough but not quite the hero I expected.
The Bottom Line: Despite what the above looks like, there is one significant part of this read that I really enjoyed and thoroughly appreciated. Elizabeth spends a considerable amount of time delving into the SEAL community and the family that really is created within that community. Nearly every time Aria has a crisis she is helped by either the community as a whole or a few individual members. The sense of family and community is really the highlight of this read. Onward and upward . . .
Book #2: West Coast Navy SEALs Series
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 2½/5 stars
My Review:
Once a SEAL, round two of Anne Elizabeth’s West Coast Navy SEALs series definitely fell into the sophomore slump category for me. Here’s the skinny:
Plot: Dan and Aria are a love-at-first-sight couple who are marrying after just a month of dating. Aria’s life has been turned ass over tea kettle many, many times and marriage to a SEAL team member isn’t going to be easy but she loves Dan intensely. Until Aria, Dan has only ever been focused on his career and team members but Aria is a game-changer and he is so looking forward to married life. Married life is hard even under the best of circumstances but SEAL life isn’t the best of circumstances and Aria finds out quickly exactly how often she will be left to fend for herself.
The Drama: Oh, this read is packed full of drama from the moment the book opens to the damn-near the very end. Dan’s nearly late for the wedding, Aria is almost constantly struggling to fit into the SEAL community, Aria’s uncle dies unexpectedly leaving her younger brother in her care, there’s that way creepy friend, and Dan and his team are chasing down some very dangerous demons from the past. The feels in this one go from hot and steamy to anger to pure joy to fear to silliness and happiness to pure sadness. This one is a roller coaster ride.
The characters: This is where this book takes a real tumble for me. I am a big fan of character-driven reads and I absolutely and without reservation disliked Aria from the moment the book began right up to the very last page. I tried on so many occasions to like Aria and constantly reminded myself of all the things she has endured in her life but nothing worked. Dan is a moderately better character but I found him to be a bit too soft for my liking. Oh sure, he’s an honorable man and physically tough but not quite the hero I expected.
The Bottom Line: Despite what the above looks like, there is one significant part of this read that I really enjoyed and thoroughly appreciated. Elizabeth spends a considerable amount of time delving into the SEAL community and the family that really is created within that community. Nearly every time Aria has a crisis she is helped by either the community as a whole or a few individual members. The sense of family and community is really the highlight of this read. Onward and upward . . .
November 6, 2013
2.5/3
First reviewed at Red Hot Books http://redhotbooks.com/2013/11/once-a...
After a 3 month whirlwind courtship, Aria Kavanaugh finds herself waiting at the altar for her soon to be husband, Navy SEAL Dan McCullum to get back from a last minute operation. Despite some niggling doubts about being able to live with Dan’s occupation, the wedding proceeds and on their honeymoon Aria is quickly introduced to military life. Just as she’s starting to get a bit stable, a family member dies leaving her brother in her care. The reader mainly follows Aria as she tries to adapt to being married to a man who is gone more than he is home and the trials and tribulations of being a military family.
Although Dan was, at times, overly effusive in his praise for Aria, he was a pretty straight forward no-nonsense kind of guy typical of a SEAL. Where the author’s writing really shone was with Dan’s missions. The scenes were well written, engaging and filled with the technical accuracy that I appreciate. I wish the book included more of this because it was the highlight of the book.
Though it was interesting to get a feel for what Special Operations spouses might go through, I couldn’t connect with Dan or Aria. While Dan is viewed through his missions and Aria through home life, with the absence of their courtship it is difficult to get emotionally invested in their relationship. The only time the reader really gets to experience them as a couple is the sex scenes which fall disappointingly flat. Aria comes off as a wishy washy damsel in distress who didn’t give a second thought about life before getting hitched to a man with a very specific lifestyle only 3 months after dating and then goes on to blame him for every hiccup they encounter.
I picked up this book because the premise was intriguing and the author is the wife of a retired Navy SEAL. Once again, the cover is a bit deceptive in that I thought I was getting romantic suspense but this was more of a straight up contemporary with some military action scenes thrown in and a very weak stalker plot. I hope the author will concentrate on romantic suspense in future books because that was clearly her strength here.
Grade: C-
*ARC provided by Sourcebooks via NetGalley
First reviewed at Red Hot Books http://redhotbooks.com/2013/11/once-a...
After a 3 month whirlwind courtship, Aria Kavanaugh finds herself waiting at the altar for her soon to be husband, Navy SEAL Dan McCullum to get back from a last minute operation. Despite some niggling doubts about being able to live with Dan’s occupation, the wedding proceeds and on their honeymoon Aria is quickly introduced to military life. Just as she’s starting to get a bit stable, a family member dies leaving her brother in her care. The reader mainly follows Aria as she tries to adapt to being married to a man who is gone more than he is home and the trials and tribulations of being a military family.
Although Dan was, at times, overly effusive in his praise for Aria, he was a pretty straight forward no-nonsense kind of guy typical of a SEAL. Where the author’s writing really shone was with Dan’s missions. The scenes were well written, engaging and filled with the technical accuracy that I appreciate. I wish the book included more of this because it was the highlight of the book.
Though it was interesting to get a feel for what Special Operations spouses might go through, I couldn’t connect with Dan or Aria. While Dan is viewed through his missions and Aria through home life, with the absence of their courtship it is difficult to get emotionally invested in their relationship. The only time the reader really gets to experience them as a couple is the sex scenes which fall disappointingly flat. Aria comes off as a wishy washy damsel in distress who didn’t give a second thought about life before getting hitched to a man with a very specific lifestyle only 3 months after dating and then goes on to blame him for every hiccup they encounter.
I picked up this book because the premise was intriguing and the author is the wife of a retired Navy SEAL. Once again, the cover is a bit deceptive in that I thought I was getting romantic suspense but this was more of a straight up contemporary with some military action scenes thrown in and a very weak stalker plot. I hope the author will concentrate on romantic suspense in future books because that was clearly her strength here.
Grade: C-
*ARC provided by Sourcebooks via NetGalley
November 21, 2013
Aria and Daniel have known each other for handful of weeks and decide to get married. They have a beautiful wedding on the beach with their friends and family. a surprising arrival by the groom. After their wedding both Aria and Daniel have to make some tough choices if they want their marriage to survive as unexpected events and missions puts pressure on their marriage.
I loved this book. Once A Seal is a great story! I think what really did it for me was that the story was about Aria Kavanagh and Daniel McCullum’s marriage and how their relationship worked. The main portion of the story is what happens after the wedding. Usually a story focuses on everything before the wedding. This was a great change. Once a Seal allows readers to see what happens after the couple gets married. The author takes the reader on a journey of what it means to be married to an active duty Navy Seal.
Aria is struggling with being a new wife…if that’s not enough…she is a military wife. That alone presents its own challenges. Aria has to make adjustments to being married to a SEAL. Things don’t always go as easily as planned; Daniel leaves unexpectedly for work, housing assignment, military wives drop by, etc. Aria really struggles at time with her feelings and expectations of not only her marriage but her husband.
Daniel is your typical hot Navy Seal. He is rugged and tough but he also has a soft underbelly. He loves Aria and really wants to make their marriage work. There are some things that he has to compromise on things and you can see that it is a struggle for him sometimes. He is so used to giving orders and having people comply that I think he forgot that he needed to discuss things with her.
Aria and Daniel are one of the sweetest couples that I have read. They both really want their marriage to work and both are willing to make compromises because of it. You can’t help be happy for them both. The author gives the reader a look at marriage…the good and the not so good. But that is what a marriage is…work and Aria and Daniel make it work! Once A Seal was one of the most enjoyable books I have read this year.
I loved this book. Once A Seal is a great story! I think what really did it for me was that the story was about Aria Kavanagh and Daniel McCullum’s marriage and how their relationship worked. The main portion of the story is what happens after the wedding. Usually a story focuses on everything before the wedding. This was a great change. Once a Seal allows readers to see what happens after the couple gets married. The author takes the reader on a journey of what it means to be married to an active duty Navy Seal.
Aria is struggling with being a new wife…if that’s not enough…she is a military wife. That alone presents its own challenges. Aria has to make adjustments to being married to a SEAL. Things don’t always go as easily as planned; Daniel leaves unexpectedly for work, housing assignment, military wives drop by, etc. Aria really struggles at time with her feelings and expectations of not only her marriage but her husband.
Daniel is your typical hot Navy Seal. He is rugged and tough but he also has a soft underbelly. He loves Aria and really wants to make their marriage work. There are some things that he has to compromise on things and you can see that it is a struggle for him sometimes. He is so used to giving orders and having people comply that I think he forgot that he needed to discuss things with her.
Aria and Daniel are one of the sweetest couples that I have read. They both really want their marriage to work and both are willing to make compromises because of it. You can’t help be happy for them both. The author gives the reader a look at marriage…the good and the not so good. But that is what a marriage is…work and Aria and Daniel make it work! Once A Seal was one of the most enjoyable books I have read this year.
September 5, 2013
*This honest review was done in exchange for an ARC through NetGalley.*
Let me start off by saying, what a HOT cover....
This story is about Aria who is swept off her feet by Dan a Navy Seal and they are married within a month of meeting. Aria is married into the Seal life and this story follows her learning how the military works, and how her life has changed not just by now being a wife, but by now helping raise her younger brother, and by adapting to the role of being married to a seal. Aria has to deal with outfitting her home, all without Dan who seems to be on assignment frequently and with little notice. Aria is also dealing with the lose of her uncle, dealing with a teen who is rebeling, and still grieving her parents even though they passed several years back. The story does have some action involved with it, as there is a back story of a stalker after Aria, and some of Dan's missions, but the story is really a glimpse into the life of being with the SEALS and married to a Seal.
This story was a little long for me, and I say that only because I believe some items could be left out or removed. For example: Aria accepts a cooked meal from another Seal wife. She proceeds to tell Aria how to heat it up, later on Aria tells the same thing to her brother Jimmy in detail again. Or when she takes Dan's temperature and we have to read about how she put the therometer away but not until she cleaned it with alcohol and placed it in the medicine cabinet, etc. Just some redundant items that could have been used for meater items in the book (i.e. more mission details of Dan and his Team, etc.) Overall, a good read for a glimpse into some of the daily issues, trials, and overall family unit of being part of a military unit.
Let me start off by saying, what a HOT cover....
This story is about Aria who is swept off her feet by Dan a Navy Seal and they are married within a month of meeting. Aria is married into the Seal life and this story follows her learning how the military works, and how her life has changed not just by now being a wife, but by now helping raise her younger brother, and by adapting to the role of being married to a seal. Aria has to deal with outfitting her home, all without Dan who seems to be on assignment frequently and with little notice. Aria is also dealing with the lose of her uncle, dealing with a teen who is rebeling, and still grieving her parents even though they passed several years back. The story does have some action involved with it, as there is a back story of a stalker after Aria, and some of Dan's missions, but the story is really a glimpse into the life of being with the SEALS and married to a Seal.
This story was a little long for me, and I say that only because I believe some items could be left out or removed. For example: Aria accepts a cooked meal from another Seal wife. She proceeds to tell Aria how to heat it up, later on Aria tells the same thing to her brother Jimmy in detail again. Or when she takes Dan's temperature and we have to read about how she put the therometer away but not until she cleaned it with alcohol and placed it in the medicine cabinet, etc. Just some redundant items that could have been used for meater items in the book (i.e. more mission details of Dan and his Team, etc.) Overall, a good read for a glimpse into some of the daily issues, trials, and overall family unit of being part of a military unit.
December 20, 2013
Copy received via Netgalley for honest review.
3.5 stars
Aria and Dan have their HEA at the beginning of Once a Seal. We meet them on their wedding day after a whirlwind courtship and romance.
I am sure more than one of us has had a fantasy of being with a Navy SEAL (I can neither confirm nor deny this for myself!), but that's what it is, a fantasy.
Once a Seal, though a romance, is not the average romance. It shows the side of military life that is glossed over in many books based around the military.
It shows the nitty gritty of being a military wife. The lonely nights. The worry that their man may not come home. The secrecy of their missions. The loss of one of a team.
It also shows us the sense of family amongst the team's families.
I found the first half of the book a bit hard to get into,and Aria felt quite naive. I know she was new to the military world but I felt her expectations of Dan were a little... I don't know how to explain it. It was like she expected Dan to have a 9 - 5 job and be home every night and she got shirty when he wasn't. I am sure the adjustment into being a military wife is a difficult one, but at times I just wanted to shake some sense into her and tell her to snap out of it.
I think Anne did a great job with the Jimmy (Aria's brother) story line. Though I felt that Mark's storyline could have been a bit more suspenseful (but this could just have been me!)
I really do like SEAL storie - it's like "you had me at SEAL" but with this I don't know... I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. I did like it though.
It was kind of like a "Military Wifes for Dummies" kind of book.
3.5 stars
Aria and Dan have their HEA at the beginning of Once a Seal. We meet them on their wedding day after a whirlwind courtship and romance.
I am sure more than one of us has had a fantasy of being with a Navy SEAL (I can neither confirm nor deny this for myself!), but that's what it is, a fantasy.
Once a Seal, though a romance, is not the average romance. It shows the side of military life that is glossed over in many books based around the military.
It shows the nitty gritty of being a military wife. The lonely nights. The worry that their man may not come home. The secrecy of their missions. The loss of one of a team.
It also shows us the sense of family amongst the team's families.
I found the first half of the book a bit hard to get into,and Aria felt quite naive. I know she was new to the military world but I felt her expectations of Dan were a little... I don't know how to explain it. It was like she expected Dan to have a 9 - 5 job and be home every night and she got shirty when he wasn't. I am sure the adjustment into being a military wife is a difficult one, but at times I just wanted to shake some sense into her and tell her to snap out of it.
I think Anne did a great job with the Jimmy (Aria's brother) story line. Though I felt that Mark's storyline could have been a bit more suspenseful (but this could just have been me!)
I really do like SEAL storie - it's like "you had me at SEAL" but with this I don't know... I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. I did like it though.
It was kind of like a "Military Wifes for Dummies" kind of book.
April 14, 2014
*3 big stars.*
(No major spoilers)
While I enjoyed this book and actually liked the fact that for once it was about more than just the falling in love and happily ever after. It was two people getting married and having to adjust to that which is even harder since he's a navy seal. They have to find their rhythm in everyday life and make everything work for both of them. And there's more than just them to deal with a long the way. While they have their problems there is obvious love between them and you get pages filled with romance as well. From the start you're thrown into Aria and Daniel and I really felt like there were some great foundations for their marriage even though the book didn't tell much about their start. Once a Seal gives you a realistic romance about life with a Navy Seal and how a Seal wife is coping with everything. I didn't love the book, but because of the fact that it was different and it showed the marriage and the struggles in there instead of them falling in love nad you just assume that everything is gonna work out. I really liked that you got to see what it was like and how Aria dealt with becoming a Seal wife and the other problems thrown her way. That kind is really different from what I usually read and it took some getting used to, but after a while I felt it was a good thing to for once read something like that. The writing was also good and felt that the book moved in a good pace.
*Copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
(No major spoilers)
While I enjoyed this book and actually liked the fact that for once it was about more than just the falling in love and happily ever after. It was two people getting married and having to adjust to that which is even harder since he's a navy seal. They have to find their rhythm in everyday life and make everything work for both of them. And there's more than just them to deal with a long the way. While they have their problems there is obvious love between them and you get pages filled with romance as well. From the start you're thrown into Aria and Daniel and I really felt like there were some great foundations for their marriage even though the book didn't tell much about their start. Once a Seal gives you a realistic romance about life with a Navy Seal and how a Seal wife is coping with everything. I didn't love the book, but because of the fact that it was different and it showed the marriage and the struggles in there instead of them falling in love nad you just assume that everything is gonna work out. I really liked that you got to see what it was like and how Aria dealt with becoming a Seal wife and the other problems thrown her way. That kind is really different from what I usually read and it took some getting used to, but after a while I felt it was a good thing to for once read something like that. The writing was also good and felt that the book moved in a good pace.
*Copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2013
Aria’s mom and dad died in a car accident when she was a young girl, they were hit by a drunk driver. Her mom dying after she was taken to the hospital and she gave birth to Aria’s baby brother, which Aria helped raise with her single uncle. Unfortunately, her mother passed after giving birth to Jimmy who is now 14.
When she went off to college in San Diego she was an excellent student with high honors as an Ad Executive which she loved and so she stayed. This is where she meets and falls in love with Dan. Dan is a Navy S.E.A.L. stationed there in San Diego. It was a whirlwind romance in a month they were married. Then wow does life change.
Try getting to know one another when one is leaving at the drop of a hat, gone for god knows how long, you moved on base, you have a job and a sexy ass husband you really are trying to get to know and be understanding about his job and know you love with all your heart and soul. Oh yeah, did I mention regular life tries to step in too?
Now let me warn you I almost walked away from this book because the first 45 pages or it seemed after he got there for the wedding was all about them and their wedding night and them having a less than 24 hour sex fest. Just when I was thinking about it, it gets really interesting. So, don’t stop, keep reading the sex part is not over the top it is a couple who really love one another working toward the same goal in a relationship and a long marriage is their goal.
Provided by netgalley.com
When she went off to college in San Diego she was an excellent student with high honors as an Ad Executive which she loved and so she stayed. This is where she meets and falls in love with Dan. Dan is a Navy S.E.A.L. stationed there in San Diego. It was a whirlwind romance in a month they were married. Then wow does life change.
Try getting to know one another when one is leaving at the drop of a hat, gone for god knows how long, you moved on base, you have a job and a sexy ass husband you really are trying to get to know and be understanding about his job and know you love with all your heart and soul. Oh yeah, did I mention regular life tries to step in too?
Now let me warn you I almost walked away from this book because the first 45 pages or it seemed after he got there for the wedding was all about them and their wedding night and them having a less than 24 hour sex fest. Just when I was thinking about it, it gets really interesting. So, don’t stop, keep reading the sex part is not over the top it is a couple who really love one another working toward the same goal in a relationship and a long marriage is their goal.
Provided by netgalley.com
October 20, 2013
Review: ONCE A SEAL by Anne Elizabeth
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated: 3 Stars
Blog Link: http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-LI
DESCRIPTION:
What woman hasn't dreamed of what it would be like to marry a Navy SEAL? Dan McCullum is everything Aria has ever imagined—sweet, strong, and sexy as hell. She just never expected how tough the SEAL life would be. Dan could be gone at a moment's notice and not allowed to tell her where he's going or when he'll be back. Dan has never backed down from a challenge in his life. But this one is his hardest yet. How does he balance his duty to his country with a soul-deep love for Aria? It's going to require patience, ingenuity, and some of the hottest homecomings he can dream up. Because for him, this isn't a fling: this is forever...
REVIEW:
This book was a true to life story of Navy SEAL newlyweds and their struggle to find rhythm in their new life together. The writing was good and honestly depicted their everyday life with some pretty hot romance warming the pages. The SEAL missions were a back story as well as some intrigue of Aria’s and I wish there was more involving them as a couple. For those wanting a realistic sweet romance that shows what life would be like as a SEAL wife, this book is for you.
*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated: 3 Stars
Blog Link: http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-LI
DESCRIPTION:
What woman hasn't dreamed of what it would be like to marry a Navy SEAL? Dan McCullum is everything Aria has ever imagined—sweet, strong, and sexy as hell. She just never expected how tough the SEAL life would be. Dan could be gone at a moment's notice and not allowed to tell her where he's going or when he'll be back. Dan has never backed down from a challenge in his life. But this one is his hardest yet. How does he balance his duty to his country with a soul-deep love for Aria? It's going to require patience, ingenuity, and some of the hottest homecomings he can dream up. Because for him, this isn't a fling: this is forever...
REVIEW:
This book was a true to life story of Navy SEAL newlyweds and their struggle to find rhythm in their new life together. The writing was good and honestly depicted their everyday life with some pretty hot romance warming the pages. The SEAL missions were a back story as well as some intrigue of Aria’s and I wish there was more involving them as a couple. For those wanting a realistic sweet romance that shows what life would be like as a SEAL wife, this book is for you.
*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 19, 2014
Aria and Chief Petty Officer Daniel McCullum have a whirlwind romance that leads to marriage within the month of meeting. Aria is an orphan raised by her single uncle after her parents died in a car crash. Dan turned his back on his family’s wealth to join the SEALs and was disowned. Each craves a family of their own but neither has really had it. Adjusting to married life is difficult enough but marrying into the SEALs is even more so as Aria experiences right from start. Mac’s last minute jump from a helicopter into the ocean and swim to their wedding ceremony foreshadows the turmoil Aria will have to deal with. Just as Aria anticipates a quick yet romantic honeymoon, Mac is off to sign up for housing, get a dependent military ID and then off on another mission leaving Aria to fend for herself in an unknown world of acronyms, base politics, and personal tragedy. Can this marriage survive or will it become FUBAR?
Read the rest of my review at Night Owl Reviews at:
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Night Owl Reviews in return for an honest review.
Read the rest of my review at Night Owl Reviews at:
http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Night Owl Reviews in return for an honest review.
September 8, 2013
I received this ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
First let me say that this book was well-written. The action scenes were awesome, making me feel like I was there. If they were a bit long, it was because the action itself was time-consuming. As for the story, I really liked Dan and Jimmy, both separately and together. The storyline is like Army Wives meets Debbie Macomber's Navy Baby. As I have never been a wife and certainly never a military wife, I would never presume to comment on that aspect. However, as a person, I did not like Aria. Credit goes to the author for making me hate her. I just can't stand real-life people like her who can't make up their minds about what they want/need and expect others to provide reassurance all the time. Husbands have jobs too! She got a little stronger and gained confidence in the end, though. Another thing that bugged me was that both husband and wife used sex as a Band-Aid.
First let me say that this book was well-written. The action scenes were awesome, making me feel like I was there. If they were a bit long, it was because the action itself was time-consuming. As for the story, I really liked Dan and Jimmy, both separately and together. The storyline is like Army Wives meets Debbie Macomber's Navy Baby. As I have never been a wife and certainly never a military wife, I would never presume to comment on that aspect. However, as a person, I did not like Aria. Credit goes to the author for making me hate her. I just can't stand real-life people like her who can't make up their minds about what they want/need and expect others to provide reassurance all the time. Husbands have jobs too! She got a little stronger and gained confidence in the end, though. Another thing that bugged me was that both husband and wife used sex as a Band-Aid.
September 14, 2013
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in place of an honest review.
Aria and Dan have only known each other for four weeks, but they both know they are made for each other. Sure Aria has a lot to get used to being married to a U.S. Navy SEAL. With the help of his mates wives she can do it.
I can't imagine having to live everyday like this. To know that man that I love could leave at any minute and he just might not make it back home. It makes you take everyday as you get them and not take anything for granted. There is a lot of things that you have to just let go and don't worry about it.
I really enjoyed this book and it made me have a better understanding of a Navy SEAL. I know that this is a romance and that it isn't a real life circumstance. The author did a great job with this book and she has inside knowledge since she has lived the life. I can see myself reading more books by this author.
Aria and Dan have only known each other for four weeks, but they both know they are made for each other. Sure Aria has a lot to get used to being married to a U.S. Navy SEAL. With the help of his mates wives she can do it.
I can't imagine having to live everyday like this. To know that man that I love could leave at any minute and he just might not make it back home. It makes you take everyday as you get them and not take anything for granted. There is a lot of things that you have to just let go and don't worry about it.
I really enjoyed this book and it made me have a better understanding of a Navy SEAL. I know that this is a romance and that it isn't a real life circumstance. The author did a great job with this book and she has inside knowledge since she has lived the life. I can see myself reading more books by this author.
September 22, 2013
Got to read this arc for a review and very glad I did. First time in reading this author and it certainly fit on a genre and storyline I like to read-romance with military men and also special ops. But in this book it is different then most is the couple involved have already met and fallen in love and being he is a seal they have a military wedding and it begins. Aria and Daniel are the couple featured in this and the realism written in this storyline is really good-it seems you are a little birdy on their shoulder as they go on with their everyday lives with a twist. See how a military marriage and everything that goes with it and the ordeals this couple unique to their storyline face and how they handle it. It brings out a wide range of emotions as you read and does this marriage have any chance of survival. Love way backgrounds were given through out and there is some danger that does enter their lives other than his missions. Well written and a good choice to read.
October 27, 2013
I was not sure what to expect with this book. The cover gives the appearance of another hot sexy romance, and this book had elements of those. However, this book was really a tribute to Navy Seal wives and all they have to do. Aria, our heroine, marries a Navy Seal after knowing him only a month, and not having a background in "military". Dan wants a wife and you can tell her really loves her but his first loyalty is to the Navy. This set up an interesting storyline as the two find their way into married life. The first part of the book did not grab me and I admit I skimmed through the first third of it. But then I became invested in both Aria and Dan and truly enjoyed learning more about the Navy Seal way of life. This was an enjoyable read and I think most romance readers wold truly enjoy this book.
**Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for giving me this ARC to read and give an honest review?**
**Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for giving me this ARC to read and give an honest review?**
November 1, 2013
I enjoyed this story of a Navy Seal and his new wife. Daniel and Aria have a whirlwind courtship and he is deployed on a mission immediately after their wedding. Aria has a very difficult time setting up their home by herself, and it is further complicated when tragedy causes her to assume guardianship of her teenaged brother. Aria flounders, resents Daniel, and begins to doubt that their relationship will survive. She is uplifted by the wives of Daniel's friends when they find out what she is going through, and Daniel is finally able to come home and begin to turn their trio into a family.
I liked the characters in this book, but was a little surprised by how clueless Aria seemed to be over what it would be like to be the wife of a seal. She didn't seem to realize that he didn't have the luxury of just deciding to stay at home when she thought she needed him. I liked that by the end of the story, she seemed to have more realistic expectations.
I liked the characters in this book, but was a little surprised by how clueless Aria seemed to be over what it would be like to be the wife of a seal. She didn't seem to realize that he didn't have the luxury of just deciding to stay at home when she thought she needed him. I liked that by the end of the story, she seemed to have more realistic expectations.
November 9, 2013
As usual, Anne Elizabeth has offered readers a truly well-written book; one with a setting rich in detail, one with a storyline that starts where most romances end - with the wedding. I really liked having this chance to see how the Happily Ever After is achieved. Ms. Elizabeth has created a world in her SEAL romances that is inhabited by fully faceted men that have issues and failings, love and uncertainty, as well as all the characteristics that make them good at their profession. This book lets the reader become a fly on the wall, watching as a non-military woman tries to adapt to military life, and the struggles that are present in military marriages. Her characters were strong, the pacing even, the dialogue appropriate to the characters and situations, and the settings detailed. This romance, though a unique premise, was a truly satisfying read.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2013
A realistic look at the life of a military couple after the wedding bells have rung. Aria and Dan marry after a short courtship and realize after the wedding that they don't know a lot about each other and she really doesn't understand waht it means to be a military wife. After a family tragedy, Aria ends up as the guardian of her younger brother which add to her stress. Fortunately, in this book love does conquer all.
I thought it was intersting to see the story after the part where most of the SEAL romance novels end. Ms. Elizabeth is a military wife and she does a great job of explaining through the story about the added pressure the military life can put on a marriage but also what a tight knit community of support exists between the families. Aria seemed a bit unrealistic about her new life at first but she adjusts and Dan does his best to help her. I really enjoyed this book and have a new respect for what the families of active duty miltary go through.
I thought it was intersting to see the story after the part where most of the SEAL romance novels end. Ms. Elizabeth is a military wife and she does a great job of explaining through the story about the added pressure the military life can put on a marriage but also what a tight knit community of support exists between the families. Aria seemed a bit unrealistic about her new life at first but she adjusts and Dan does his best to help her. I really enjoyed this book and have a new respect for what the families of active duty miltary go through.
March 9, 2014
Aria & Dan barely knew one another; after only dating each other for a month when Dan proposes. He knows in his heart that Aria is the woman of his dreams and for him only & that she is stronger then she gives herself credit for. Together they face the challenges of being newlyweds, his duties as a SEAL & her learning her way to cope and deal with life's issues while Dan's away on an OP. They start their new life with a death in the family, an unexpected child and family dysfunction and a stalker--Can they survive?
Author, Anne Elizabeth portrays eloquently what life is like a military spouse; whose partner is gone 98% of the time and how hard it is to really, rely on yourself, first and to really embody "shared moments" and build a bond that is unbreakable for marriage. Brilliant writing & for me, a connection to the characters as I currently walk the path as a military wife!!!
5 STARS EASILY for this book!!!
Author, Anne Elizabeth portrays eloquently what life is like a military spouse; whose partner is gone 98% of the time and how hard it is to really, rely on yourself, first and to really embody "shared moments" and build a bond that is unbreakable for marriage. Brilliant writing & for me, a connection to the characters as I currently walk the path as a military wife!!!
5 STARS EASILY for this book!!!
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