Eagle: Force Recon Series Book One

by Holleigh Rae

EAGLE (Force Recon Series Book One)

Southern Heat & Hidden Loyalties

They grew up side-by-side on borrowed time and shared grief, the Marine and the girl he swore to watch over. For Nathan Ward, the only thing sharper than his sniper's eye is his duty to keep his little ward, Kris Jones, safe.

But Kris just traded her braces for confidence, and the high school diploma in her hand feels like a challenge to Nate’s hardened heart. She’s done being the little sister he protects; now she’s aiming her own sights on him.
When the lines between protector and partner blur, and the past starts whispering doubts, Nate's got a Stick to the safety of the line he drew in the sand, or risk his whole world on the girl who finally grew up right in front of him.

When duty calls and desire answers, will the sniper finally see the woman who’s been waiting in the crosshairs all along?


Genre & Tropes
• Primary Military Romance / Christian Suspense / Small Town Romance
• Key Protector, Hurt/Comfort, Found Family, Faith & War.

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2025

About the author

Holleigh Rae is a Southern small-town romance author based in Mississippi, known for stories rich in heart, strength, and the unmistakable warmth of country living. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she finds endless inspiration in her rural upbringing and the tight-knit communities that helped shape who she is today.

Her passion for storytelling took root in middle school, when she began crafting characters and building imaginary worlds that would later evolve into full-length novels. Before stepping into the role of full-time caregiver for a disabled family member, Holleigh dedicated 13 years to teaching mathematics in Southern Mississippi. During that time, she nurtured not only her students’ understanding of numbers but also their love of reading, often sharing books from her personal collection.

Now, she pours her lifelong love of literature into romance novels that honor love, family bonds, resilience, and the simple beauty of small-town life. Her heartfelt stories with a distinct Southern spirit are available on Kindle for readers who crave emotionally rich, character-driven romance.

Reviews

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

EAGLE by Holleigh Rae is one of those quietly powerful romances that sneaks up on your heart and settles in for the long haul. Tender, faith-filled, and deeply emotional, this story blends military devotion with small-town warmth in a way that feels both comforting and meaningful.

Nathan Ward has always been the protector—the Marine sniper who promised to watch over Kris Jones when life took more from her than it ever should have. For years, that role defined him. Kris was the girl he guarded, the responsibility he carried, the line he never crossed. But time has a way of changing everything. Kris isn’t a kid anymore, and the woman standing in front of him is confident, determined, and done waiting to be seen.

The heart of this story lies in that shift—from protector to partner—and Holleigh Rae handles it with care and emotional depth. The tension between duty and desire feels authentic, especially as Nathan wrestles with his past, his faith, and the invisible line he drew to keep them both safe. Their shared history adds layers to every interaction, making even the quiet moments feel charged with meaning.

What truly elevates EAGLE is the sense of found family and unwavering support woven throughout the story. Kris’s relationship with her brother is especially touching, offering grounding strength and genuine warmth. The surrounding cast brings heart and humor, reminding us that love doesn’t exist in isolation—it thrives in community.

This is a romance built on devotion, healing, and the courage it takes to choose happiness after hardship. If you enjoy military romances with strong emotional bonds, faith-forward themes, and a slow-burning love that’s been waiting years to finally come into focus, EAGLE is a beautiful place to start.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amelia Livermore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wholesome instalove

This was my first military romance ever so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I was very pleased to find a wholesome, emotionally safe story based around family, particularly a chosen family. It’s a nice, optimistic escape. The main character is desirable and is surrounded by a team of military ‘brothers’ to protect her.

It feels like Holleigh Rae has really done her research around the military here and those scenes felt authentic and realistic.

I feel that this would appeal to US based Christian readers who enjoy wholesome, emotive stories.

Ive awarded four stars as the story does not resonate with me personally. There was a culture gap which stopped me immersing myself fully. This is purely down to preference and should not reflect on the skills of the author.

Pepper scale 0/1 - sweet and emotive.
Pacing- Spot on. The whole thing flowed well.
Troupe deep dive- protective hero and family.

[Lisa Guerrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt and emotional read...

This small town romance had depth, scars and second chances. It was romantic with heavy suspense that had me buried deep into the pages of pain, loyalty and the amazing transformative power of love. This book left me with emotional scars that I felt that I so happily earned after finishing this compelling read. If you love books with second chance romance and enjoy a book with so much depth in a small town setting with hints of action and suspense with characters so layered, flawed and then healed. This is the book for you. You will not regret it.

Merged review:

Heartfelt and emotional read…

This small town romance had depth, scars and second chances. It was romantic with heavy suspense that had me buried deep into the pages that held me there with pain, loyalty and the amazing transformative power of love. This book left me with emotional scars that I felt that I so happily earned after finishing this compelling read. If you love books with second chance romances and enjoy a book with so much depth in a small town setting with hints of action and suspense with characters so layered, flawed and then healed. This is the book for you. You will not regret picking it up and diving in.

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start to this series. It had a great story and wonderful characters that you can connect with. This is Kris and Nathan’s book and they have known each other as Kris is the little sister of one of Nathan’s team mates and they have always had a secret crush on each other although neither has acted on that crush until Nathan decides it is time to stake his claim on Kris and they discover that it seems everyone around them is all for their union. At times the story is emotional and when you read it you will know why but it really is good to read a small town military romance that has charm and character.

[Charlene Alana Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author and it won't be my last, I loved reading every minute of Kris and Nathan's story. It's such a quick, cute, tender and amazing read.

They will steal your heart right out the gate. It's beautiful, deeply emotional and has wonderful characters, support and storyline.

Once you start you won't be able to stop. They have both known each other for a long time and both have a crush on each other, but never acted on it. That is until something happens and Nathan is ready to claim his one and only love.

It's full of action, love, supportive friends and family, faith and loads more.

I can't wait to read more, highly recommend!

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eagle is book one of the Force Recon Series.

This was a super cute story between Kris and Nathan. They have grown up together but secretly (not so secretly) harboured feelings for each other. When Nathan has an experience overseas he decides it is finally time he staked his claim on the girl he has always loved. We see a lot of love and devotion between them. A great supportive family behind them helping them navigate any tough times ahead of them. I loved her relationship with her brother. He was a great person for her to have in her corner.

[Alex Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childhood sweet 💕 Nathan/Nate Ward and Kristen/Kris Jones were extremely close (their relationship kind of reminded me of Derek and Penelope from Criminal minds) he protects her with all he can. I could not get enough of the protector and protectee aspect of this book. Holleigh is definately going to be added to my TBR Author list for 2026. Book 2 can't come fast enough.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Clara Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Eagle: Force Recon Series Book One by Holleigh Rae. It’s emotional, well-written, and full of heart. The connection between the main characters felt real, and the protector-to-love journey was handled beautifully. The mix of romance, faith, and tension kept me hooked all the way through.
A truly satisfying read I’d gladly recommend it to anyone who enjoys heartfelt, character-driven romance.

[Author Terra Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storyline, realistic action and a sweet love story that kept me turning the pages! Looking forward to book 2 in this series.

[R Greyta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story brought a lot of realism into it brought me back to my own life. Well done recommending this book.

[Tami Willard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean Standalone Romance Interconnected Series

This is the first book of an interconnected series. While it could be read as a standalone some of the characters overlap with other books.
Blended family
Childhood crushes