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Hot SEALs #5

Protected by a SEAL

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As a Navy SEAL, Rick Mann fought his way to hell and back, but he's never faced a challenge quite like protecting the rich and famous actress Sierra Cox. She's spoiled, she's annoying and he's never wanted a woman more. That's a problem for so many reasons. At the top of that list is that he needs to keep his head in the game because even though Sierra doesn't take Rick seriously, the threats on her life are very real.



Don't miss Rick's SEAL brothers in Night with a SEAL, Saved by a SEAL, SEALed at Midnight and Kissed by a SEAL, available now in the USA Today bestselling Hot SEALs series by New York Times bestselling author Cat Johnson. Each story in the series is a standalone.

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2015

249 people are currently reading
478 people want to read

About the author

Cat Johnson

364 books1,765 followers
📚Find Series Reading Order and Book Lists at Cat's site CatJohnson.net

🎥 For Film/TV Inquiries Email Cat@Catjohnson.net

It all started in first grade when Cat Johnson won the essay contest at Hawthorne Elementary School and got to ride in the Chief of Police's car in the Memorial Day Parade...and the rest, as they say, is history. As an adult, Cat generally tries to stay out of police cars and is thrilled to be writing for a living. She has been published under a different name in the Young Adult genre, but released her first romance in 2006.

Today, she is a NY Times & USA Today best-selling, award-winning author of contemporary romance. A promo ho, she's sponsored real live bull riding cowboys and promoted romance using bologna.

--from the author's website

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5 stars
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253 (29%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for ✰ Bianca ✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰ .
2,329 reviews1,337 followers
October 26, 2018
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Sierra Cox - Hollywood superstar is currently on location in Virginia...when she receives a disturbing letter with pictures of her - pictures of private moments. Moments where she thought she was alone.

Her manager immediately hires a security team.

Enter Rick Mann.

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The former SEAL has been bored with his life lately.
He had to quit the teams because of a knee injury, and his security job at the nuclear plant is way too unexciting for the adrenaline junkie military man.
But it's too soon to quit and join his buddies' GAPS Security company -

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he wants to wait until they have enough jobs for them all to work there full-time.

But now that he has some days off, he's super excited to be handed a case.

BODYGUARD!!

He probably thought he'll get to protect some old and boring Washington senator or something like that - but nope - he'll get Hollywood royalty ☺

They both pretty much hate each other on sight ☺
But what would be the fun in falling in love if you didn't have to fight for it?

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO SIERRA & RICK???
WILL THE TWO OF THEM GET THEIR HEA???
OR WILL THE STALKER KILL THEM ALL???
WILL THERE BE A CLIFFHANGER??

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I'm not telling you that of course ☺

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noo - no Cliffy - it's a standalone romance..
_____________________


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This was another perfect book in this great SEAL-Romance series!!

I am such a huge fan of everything Navy SEAL!!!!!
Total fangirl!!!

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I pretty much read the book in one afternoon and I loved every second.

It's funny and sexy and suspensy and it has LOTS of hot former and current Navy SEALs for us to drool over ☺ ☺ ☺

PROTECTED BY A SEAL was another perfect romantic suspense story in the Hot SEALs series! You’ll sooo want your own body to be guarded by Rick and his buddies after reading it! ☺

I WOULD SOOO LOVE IT if someone would make a movie/tv-series out of this series - just so we could stare and fangirl at hot SEALs all day long!!!!

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I'm ready now for the next hot SEAL ☺☺☺ LOVED BY A SEAL ♥

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Smokin Hot Book Blog Email

Profile Image for Jen (That's What I'm Talking About).
1,725 reviews313 followers
August 5, 2015
Forced into an early retirement after injury while serving as a Navy SEAL, Rick Mann is bored of his day job and misses the action. Although he likes the private security firm, GAPS, that he started with his former teammates and best friends, Rick has yet to experience time in the field. So when GAPS is offered a job providing private security, Rick jumps at the chance to take the job without knowing any of the details.

Sierra Cox works hard and respects her bosses, so she doesn’t want to have any time away from her job as an actress. However when it looks like Sierra’s stalker may want to harm her, GAPS insists she gets away for a while. Spending alone time with her sexy bodyguard, Sierra ponders the benefits of a fling with Rick.

Overall, I enjoyed Protected by a SEAL, even more than I thought based on the blurb. I was worried that Rick and Sierra would spend a lot of time picking on the stereotype of the other. But other than some mild generalizations, each was respectful of the other's occupation, which made the story more pleasurable (although around the halfway point, Rick does start to refer to Sierra as “princess,” which annoyed me). However, the pair has wonderful chemistry, and I found myself cheering for them. And while it’s not a complex story, there is enough character development and plot to make it interesting.

I did have one thing that really bothered me about the story. When the pair finally have sex, although it was hot and steamy, and the fact that he’s her bodyguard aside, Rick doesn’t bother using a condom. He made assumptions that frankly, were unprofessional and I felt went too far, which kind of ruined the scene for me.

Apart from that instance, generally, the story flows well. The action and romance make for a quick and entertaining read. Like the previous stories in the series, Protected by a SEAL has more of an HFN (happily for now) ending than an HEA (happily ever after). Sierra and Rick’s romance isn't over, and it may never work, but for now it is sweet, sexy, and passionate. I have to take the story at face value and enjoy it for what it is, rather than think about the long-term. It’s tough because I wonder how will they ever make it work with her high-profile, high-demand job and his work in a different state. Putting my “what ifs” aside, Protected by a SEAL is worth the afternoon read, and it left me with the happies.

My Rating: B, Liked It
Originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by author.
Profile Image for Claudia.
28 reviews
June 17, 2016
I'm sorry, but this one was the worst one yet.
And I don't understand how you can rate it four stars, let alone five.

The female main character was the worst. Shallow, arrogant, selfish, ignorant, and acting like some spoiled brat (which is irronic, since she apparently wasn't raised that way). The last fifteen or so pages jusrt couldn't make up for the crap that happened before. At times I even had to make myself to keep reading. Mainly because it wasn't a long book to beginn with and because I wanted to have read the whole thing before I went and said 'I didn't like this' and why.
Yes I know, I still gave it two stars, because the writing was still good and the whole 'protecting a starlet' idea wasn't a bad one. But that's it.

Sierra Cox - anyone else think stripper name here?
But hey, it fit the character. The bitchy girlie kept thinking how she isn't stupid, but she not once acted that way. Instead she didn't take anything serious. She's freaking out enough over an envelope delivered to her trailer, but at the same time she doesn't think the person who sent it could be dangerous. She accepts her friends idea to hire security, but doesn't take anything Rick or anyone says seriously or do as they say. And lets not forget that Rick apparently makes up being shot at just to scare her, in her oppinion. And her derogatory and disparaging thoughts about a man (men) she doesn't even know.
That girl was a grand A bitch.

Now Rick.
At the beginning of the book I was happy for him to finally be getting some kind of action and it was fun how he just jumped at the idea to play bodyguard to some actress; anything to get out and do something. That poor guy was spiraling towards depression there.

And thumbs up for him mostly ignoring whatever bitchy girl said and wanting to to his job there.

The Ending:
Even though that was actually my favourite part, like the beginning of the book, the 'now we're a couple' thing happened completely out of the blue. Their decision to get into the whole girlfriend/boyfriend relationship was based solely on the fact that they find each other hot and have great sex. And they apparently enjoy egging eachother other on. But that's it. They don't even really like eachother.
There was absolutely no development in Sierra's character that would have made that move anywhere near logical.

The best part of the book was that he other guys got included more than in previous books. If they weren't there they at least got mentioned. Except for Thom that is. Which makes me wonder if the auther forget about him, because he only get mentioned once in the last book as well, let alone be seen. Hmm...

One things for sure, I can totally survive the next book(s) if I never have to come across the name Sierra ever again.


So yeah, only thing going for this book in the series is the still good writing and the appearance of the other guys.
Hope the next one's better again.
18 reviews12 followers
February 4, 2017
Just...no.

If you don't mind whiny, bratty, and unlikeable heroines, this book is for you. Entitled snarky diva with an IQ equivalent to her shoe size Sierra does everything she possibly can to make her bodyguard's job harder. Luckily for the hero she is super hot; hot enough to overcome a personality that makes you sort of glad she's in danger and wishing just maybe something would happen to shut her up. T & A and bitchy attitude are man catnip according to Cat Johnson.

Using the trite formula that proves the inverse relationship between personality and looks further degrades the plot. This author mistakes bratty for endearing sassiness and thinks a hero forced to endure this for his paycheck equals sexual tension. Sorry but there's no romance or chemistry when you want to tell the hero to grow a pair and run from this hot mess.

I was seeking a light easy no stress read and this was an epic fail. She was so bratty and moronic I developed a migraine from rolling my eyes.

The first book in this series was okay. Okay enough I read the one with Darci and now her brother Rick (this one). The first one was okay enough but the second read with Darci...blech. I wanted to pitch her overboard. I tried this one hoping it would redeem the series. But no.

So I'm bailing about halfway. Ain't nobody got time for this. No time for 7 pages in a short book dedicated to making coffee.

Yes Heroine ever so cleverly managed to find coffee and make a pot. For 7 pages. It was painful to skim. You'd think it was a Mr Coffee ad with a precocious five year old figuring out coffee to save a life.

It added nothing to the plot though it did further heroine's character...as an overindulged moron. I guess at least she made coffee instead of sulking until Enslaved Hero did it for her.

And...scene. That was my DNF point.

The guys are cute enough you wish the series could be good but it's not and it's impossible to like a guy with such low self-respect that he goes for girls who act like this just because hot.

So much no thank you.

Back to trying to find intelligent characters in a good read. It's a tough hunt in this paper jungle.
3,522 reviews40 followers
September 18, 2019
The new company GAP (Guardian Angel Protection) is starting to get clients and when starlet, Sierra Cox has a stalker, and needs protection, GAP is hired.
Rick Mann, whom we have met in previous stories, is not happy with his full time job in security, quickly volunteers to take the job. Little did he know he would have his hands full dealing with SIerra.
While for me, Sierra might not have been the most likable character up to date, I really loved Rick.
His sense of responsibility in keeping SIerra safe, while trying to please her, was sweet.
But of course the danger is always around the corner especially when least expected. Will Rick get his HEA or will Sierra be just a memory?
The audio and the narrator brought the story to life.
Profile Image for Jane.
Author 6 books88 followers
May 9, 2021
In Protected by a SEAL Sierra Cox, movie star has a stalker. Her manager hires GAPS for her security. Rich Mann retired Navy SEAL takes the job. When he shows up, Sierra thinks he is an over developed muscle man with no brains. The sparks fly along with the bullets as romance follows.
Profile Image for Diane (Books and Tequila Blog).
1,516 reviews72 followers
December 17, 2019
Rick Mann is a former Navy SEAL. He is bored in his current security job and misses the excitement and danger of his previous employment with the SEALs. Rick jumps at the chance to be busy with a job for the newly established GAP security company, but Sierra Cox might be more than he bargained for. This is definitely an “Insta-lust” story...hot, hot, hot!
I enjoyed this story on audiobook. Good narration kept me entertained.
-4 Stars!-
3,115 reviews
January 19, 2019
Sierra is an actress with a stalker. Her manager hires a bodyguard who was an ex Navy SEAL. Rick works for GAP a security firm and is a guard at a company. Sierra doesn’t really believe she’s in any danger and fights Rick the whole time. She’s snotty, sarcastic, and self centered. Poor Rick is still attracted to her even though she treats him like crap. When they believe they’ve got the stalker, Sierra goes back to her life without a look back until Rick is shot.
Really never gives you much information on the stalker. Sexy and suspenseful but not a fan of Sierra. I’m sorry but Rick was just too good for her.
* Read as part of the box set FEEL THE HEAT *
Profile Image for Dar.
4,496 reviews92 followers
August 29, 2015
I am stuck on this series, but none of the books are really wowing me. They are good, but they have a slight HFN feel more than a HEA feel to them all. This was no exception to that trend - meet, good mystery, not even a hint of chemistry until it bam, in bed together, then nothing really, then, okay, we'll date now

Don't get me wrong, I will keep reading the series for as long as it goes, but each book feels a little unsettled at the end, but they all do, so that is part of the series I figure!

It is a good quickie, little but of suspense, good sexy stuff, and gorgeous men fawning over their women, so nothing wrong with that!
Profile Image for Jo-Ann Fitzgerald.
753 reviews2 followers
January 26, 2018
This is the 5th book in the series.

In this one, we've met our hero in the past books. What's new is we find out just how unhappy he is at his work now that his SEAL days are over. He needs to work but he doesn't like what he's doing that's for sure. Anyhow, when an assignment comes up, he decides to use some time he's worked for others for the assignment hoping by the time the assignment is up, he'll be fulfilled again to go back to his dead end job.

What happens is he finds himself in a hotel suite with a hot woman who is being stalked. This woman also happens to be our heroine. They both grate on each others nerves and yet are attracted. When the stalker turns into harmful, its time to act and time to do things that are drastic. However, will they be able to put up with each other through the attraction and the stalker?

I liked our hero from the other books and felt for him with his work issues. The heroine took a bit to get to like, but I could see someone famous acting this way. The plot was a good one and I figured it was an insider and had an idea of who. I liked it was a surprise at the end.

It was a good book but not one of the better ones.
Profile Image for JigsawGirl.
4,109 reviews
December 23, 2021
The character of Sierra completely ruined this book for me. Rick was ok, even likable. Sierra was whiny, diva acting, bratty, obnoxious, and seemed to think nothing could or would happen to her. Not to mention she was stupid. It never occurred to her to find out about the background of people who would be guarding her.

This woman was unpleasant to the very last chapter. I had to question why Rick even wanted her. Had he been celibate for that long? I listened to the audiobook, and along with disliking Sierra, it seemed like the narrator used his whisper voice through a lot of the book.

I decided that I am not going to judge the series by this one book. I will try the first book and see how it goes.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,253 reviews51 followers
May 10, 2017
Audio review

"Another hit for this series"
What made the experience of listening to Protected by a SEAL the most enjoyable?
The story line was awesome and it just drew me in

Who was your favorite character and why?
Rick cause I've been waiting for his story and was glad to see him find a girl

What about Craig Jessen’s performance did you like?
how he does an amazing job with bringing the characters to live and remembers how he did their voices in previous books

Any additional comments?
This was so worth a credit and although a series you could listen to this one before the others but I would recommend you starting with book one so you can fall in love with all the guys.
Profile Image for Pamela Devereux.
1,032 reviews2 followers
April 15, 2019
Rick Mann has been hurt and now sitting on the sidelines. He has been offered a job as a Protector. First job, Sierra Cox. She is a movie star and someone is stalking her. Only her manager believes this person has crossed the line. Unfortunately Sierra doesn't take the threat seriously till the evidence comes to light. Hiding out with Rick should have been a nightmare but it wasn't. It was hot hot hot. Just when you think the person was caught and everyone can move on, the real stalker shows his true colors. You are going to love the ending!
885 reviews
April 28, 2020
Best one of the series so far

Liked Rick. It's an enemy to lovers so obviously Sierra was gonna be a pain. Typical Hollywood starlet heroine. IDK, I kinda liked her. She did have great GAPS acronyms. I also thought Rick and her had the best chemistry of all the couples so far.

The story flowed well and had a beginning, middle, and end so there is that.
It's the same HFN ending and I guess they have another book later in the series to continue their just started relationship. I'm not really a fan of that.
Profile Image for Doris Mahala.
372 reviews1 follower
August 30, 2020
This is my third time with this book and can still pick up any of the HOT SEALS series that I own to date and would love to meet Cat Johnson and ransack her books that involve the Hot Seals!
Rick is finally on a job!
Is this the job that could get Rick murdered because of Sierra Cox which by the way she is considered one of the most beautiful women and she has a stalker!
Will Rick survive and will Sierra leave Rick behind?
Will Sierra go to the hospital to see Rick and make a pack to date him?
Hmm, I say grab the series and read it for yourselves!



This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,923 reviews5 followers
October 9, 2021
Rick is ready for some action. He misses it now after he was medically discharged. He will even take on the spoiled rich actress.
Sierra Cox is an actress. She likes things the way she wants them. She has a stalker. Her manager has hired security and she is not happy. After they find the camera in her bathroom, it's time to move somewhere new.
Rick and Sierra are at an undisclosed location. Things heat up. Then they get the call all is clear. Rick isn't buying it.
Rick is injured after they get back. Will they catch the real stalker? Will Sierra and Rick continue what they started?
Profile Image for Jamoz23.
5,310 reviews46 followers
October 3, 2017
Rick becomes a bodyguard to a star.
This alieviates his boredom but he does not expect to fall for his client.
Sierra was rude and looks down her nose at Rick for most of the book. Refers to him as a wanna be mall cop, never asking about his qualifications. It is only right at the end after he is hurt that she learns the truth.
I didn't really feel these two connected. Rick felt something but Sierra was ignoring him until he gets hurt and then it was just oh, your the one.
Profile Image for Caroline.
785 reviews9 followers
January 2, 2020
Rick as a part of GAPS is hired to protect Sierra Cox from a crazed stalker. This leads to him taking her away from her cushy environs and out of her comfort zone. However, she is drawn to Rick despite her best efforts to resist the 'Neanderthal'. Still, he is there to protect her.
A good tale that has an interesting series of turns of events leaving you guessing to almost the bitter end. Well worth the read/listen!
Still a great narrator too!
1,003 reviews9 followers
May 12, 2020
I like the Hot SEALs series even more as it continues. While this is book 5 in the series, it can be read/listened to as a stand alone. There are characters from previous books, however they only make brief appearances.

I listened to the Audible version. I also like the narration by Craig Jessen better as the series goes on. I like the different voices he uses to differentiate between the characters.

#AudiobookObsession
Profile Image for April.
Author 12 books69 followers
October 12, 2020
This story reminded, me of first impressions ... they aren't always the best and in this case, completely wrong! Rick and Sierra were off to a bad and misunderstood start, but I'm glad they came to some agreements! Given the severity of the situation, I liked how Rick tried to keep some humor and smiles. Was a fun read! I read this story as part of "FEEL THE HEAT"

Profile Image for Lynda Watts.
250 reviews
November 18, 2020
This book started well and the middle was ok, and then it just ended! Very little suspense and intrigue. We never got to know the stalker and that could have been a chapter in itself. It felt like I had read half a book. It was just an excuse for a sexy/romantic read but no depth to the characters. Not for me.
829 reviews2 followers
February 22, 2022
Five stars for an amazing writer

I am really enjoying this series. Every book I read is better than the one before it. Cat Johnson is a gifted writer and does a great job creating storylines that keep the reader interested from cover to cover. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
Profile Image for Tracy.
1,573 reviews10 followers
January 25, 2019
3.5: Very quick read. I liked the excitement and suspense of this book, but Sierra never really showed to be more than a snooty princess. Maybe their relationship develops more in the next book. 🤷🏻‍♀️
362 reviews
March 22, 2019
(Hot SEALs) 5. Protected by a SEAL

A story with some adventure with the characters getting involved with someone trying to scarabs actress, aimed for her bodyguard when he was in the way.
Profile Image for Lisa Brumley.
313 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2019
The writing was fine. The story was lacking any kind of build up. Didn't really give me any time to attach myself to the characters before they were already in the sack. I like a hate/love story as much as the next romance reader, but this wasn't it.
2,208 reviews4 followers
November 12, 2020
Hot SEALs: Protected by a SEAL

Another wonderful story. Being a celebrity doesn't mean that it's always fun. Anyone having a stocker will be scared. Having a hot looking body guard helps.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews

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