Dagger

SEAL Team EAST #6

by Zoe Dawson

He failed to save his brother. Now he’s risking everything to protect the woman they both loved.

When an elite architecture firm is contracted to build the new U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, a SEAL team is deployed to provide protection. But this isn’t just another mission—it’s a personal reckoning.

Architect Quinn Cole, the fiercely talented owner, is a widow navigating the shadows of grief, guilt, and ambition. Her late husband, a DSS operator, was killed in this very city—and the man now tasked with guarding her is his brother. Navy SEAL Kade “Dagger” Hollis.

Their past is a battlefield. Their chemistry? Unforgivable. She blames him for everything she lost. And he’s never stopped loving the one woman he was never supposed to want.

Caracas is a powder keg of rebel violence and political corruption, and Dagger’s team is the only shield between Quinn and chaos. But protecting her is more than a job. It’s a second chance—at redemption, at love, at everything he thought he’d buried.

As danger closes in, the lines between duty and desire blur. Quinn is determined to prove she’s not broken anymore, even if it means confronting the man who makes her question everything. Because in a world full of enemies, the most forbidden love might be the only thing worth saving.

Steamy, emotional, and packed with heart-pounding action—Dagger is a pulse-racing military romantic suspense featuring a protective alpha hero, a strong heroine, and a love story born from heartbreak and healing. Perfect for fans of Navy SEAL romance, bodyguard romance, and emotional slow burns with edge-of-your-seat intensity.

357 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2025

About the author

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Zoe Dawson, the author of 40+ books had always dreamed of becoming a full-time romance writer. Her other passions include traveling the world, owning a beach house (she believes she was a mermaid in another life), and seeing her books in movies. When she’s not writing, she’s painting or killing virtual MMORPG monsters in World of Warcraft. She lives in North Carolina with her two grown children and one small, furry gray cat.

Reviews

[Cheryl Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't imagine the level of grief that Quinn is suffering with. To completely lose yourself to the point that you lose everything, must be crushing. Dagger is quite possibly the strongest man I have ever encountered. While dealing with his own grief and guilt of not being able to save his brother. Having the one woman he loves above all, hate the very sight of him plus blame him for her life falling apart still be able to step in and take care and raise Quinn's two sons while she spirals into her grief. Yet still be the man who puts himself in between the scum of the world and the people he feels the deep need to protect, along with his Seal team brothers. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My favorite part of this story is the antics of Dagger and his Seal team and their textbook execution of team dynamics while running 5 miles of PT, bruises and all. Interesting way to cut loose,lol. I love how Zoe goes into such an indepth look into her characters emotions and thoughts. After I read "Dagger", I felt such a strong connection to Dagger and Quinn. They aren't just characters in a book, they are my friends. I care about what happens to them. I laughed with them and cried with them. I have a vested interest in their lives. Highly recommend!!!

[JustJeri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dagger and Quinn, are trying to move forward after a tragic loss. Quinn’s husband, who is also Dagger’s brother, has died. Quinn owns an architectural company and has a project in Venezuela and Dagger’s SEAL team is sent to protect her crew while there. This is a very heart wrenching, emotional story of trying to move on in your life after a tragic loss. Dagger helps Quinn manage her children while she can’t pull out from her grief spiral. These are incredible characters with emotional heartbreak trying to maneuver daily living which is filled with drama and tests their resilience and determination. If you enjoy drama, suspense, twists, turns and tension, plus romance, then this is the book and author for you. This author does not disappoint as she weaves her story, while skillfully pulling the reader into each scene. I received a complimentary ARC, but I am voluntarily offering my personal opinion.

[Ann C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book, nor did I like the previous 3 books in the SEAL series. It was too emotional. This series has just run its course. I have no more interest in it.

Quinn wanted her children back. Yet, she goes off to Venezuela for several months. Dagger is in Venezuela for several months. Where are the kids? Who is taking care of them? That would not be healthy or stable for the kids.

Brawler goes off to Vegas with the team and dog to get his brother. What does that have to do with the story?

Flash is yearning over the female shadowguard. What does that have to do with the story?

Frankly I really don't care. I am through with the SEAL series. I own books in the other series by the author. I will give them a try and hope they are better.

[Arlene M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quinn Cole owns Cole Innovative her architectural firm. Dagger is Quinn’s brother in law. Brian is her husband.
Kade “ Dagger” Hollis is a Navy Seal and Brian’s brother.
David Langford works for Aegis Force Solutions.

Dagger and Quinn have been struggling with the death of Brian , but most of all Quinn has been drinking and
Neglecting her two boys his nephews and Dagger takes away until she can straighten out.
Can he help her and himself to move forward? Can they have a Happily Ever After?

This book has suspense, danger, drama , twists , turns and grief and angst.

Great Job. Zoe Dawson !!!
You never disappoint !!!!

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. I just never felt any sort of strong pull between Quinn and Dagger. It felt like they fell for one another in a time well before the book, so the reader only gets to read about them navigating the roadblocks of the relationship instead of the falling for each other part. I did enjoy the suspense part of the book and keeping up with the rest of the SEALs on the team. Some very interesting Shadowguards were also introduced in this book. I will definitely continue reading this series.

[Foodiegirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Dagger, Zoe's characters you love. Kade “Dagger” Hollis has been in love with the widow of a fallen brother in arms
Architect Quinn Cole is determined to show that she is no longer broken by her husband's death. When she has a chance for her company in Caracas this is her opportunity to move on. But a dangerous situation means Dagger and his team are all that can protect her. Quinn and Kade have to work together and admit to the attraction that is between them. A wonderful read that is totally Zoe Dawson with plenty of action and adventure.

[Kimberly Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dagger review

Daggers and Quinn are in an emotional rollercoaster. Grief is dealt with by each person differently which causes emotional chaos. The history and feeling they have for each other (good and bad) is captured throughout the story. The book was good, but not my favorite of the series only because I felt the emotion issues were overly repeated throughout the book. I would still recommend the book for a fun read with all the Seal action and comedy Zoey always shares.

[Kurtins R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has been on the radar for a while and it lived up to the hints and promises.
Dagger and Quinn were awesome when they finally both got passed their Guilt and despair regarding the loss of Brian - Daggers brother and Quinn's husband. These two really needed each other and this story really round out their journey while opening up new threads to new stories.

Can't wait for the next one.

[Alibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dagger and Quinn's story is an emotional minefield, that demonstrates just how much of a family the team is when it's all hands on deck to keep Dagger from losing everything. I'll admit, it took me a few pages to thoroughly get hooked, but once it grabbed a hold I was itching to find out where their path would lead. Once the danger, action, and suspense started I didn't want to stop reading. And I cannot wait to see where Flash and Brawler's stories take us.

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoe brings high octane, angst & emotional turmoil through Dagger & Quinn. The battles between love, duty & guilt absolutely tears through you. The fustrations at Quinn & the sympathy for Dagger gives you whiplash. The camaraderie & bond within the team is worthy of admiration. Unexplained entities send shivers down your spine. Fantastic!

[Donna Ferriola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dagger

This was a heart rendering love story as Quinn and Dagger heal and get their happily ever after. It took a lot of patience and help from his team to save her so they could find this love. I cannot wait for the rest of the stories about this SEAL team.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow!

That was the most amazing and deeply moving book I’ve read in years, I’m literally speechless, amazing, moving, emotional, just wow!

[Anne (Izzie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a read, the author has outdone herself again with this book, she writes so descriptively and with great emotion that you can visualise vividly exactly what she describes (the Shadowguards). This whole book is full of emotion, not only between Dagger and Quinn, but also of the brotherhood which exists between Dagger and his teammates. I found the book difficult to put down until I had finished it and now I want the next one please! Following the death of Quinn’s husband, who was also Dagger’s brother, Quinn struggled with life, drinking so much that she wasn’t caring for her twin boys and necessitating Dagger taking them away from her. Would she be able to get them back?