Breaking Boundaries

SEAL Team Heartbreakers #5

by Teresa J. Reasor

Corporal Callahan Crowes returns home from Afghanistan missing part of a leg and haunted by guilt over the loss of his men. He pledges to live every moment of his life to the fullest and works to build a career in the only field he knows besides being a soldier: construction.

Reeling from her fiancé’s infidelity and their broken engagement, Kathleen O’Connor accepts a job far away from Boston and the suffocating pity of friends and family. She puts romance firmly behind her, and, armed with her shiny new architectural degree, launches her career with a commercial construction and design firm.

Her first day on the job, she sees Cal risk his life to rescue a fellow worker, and is shocked when his act of heroism triggers an unwarranted attack on him from her supervisor. When she learns Cal may lose his job because of his leg, Kathleen urges him to use social media to fight the decision, putting her own job at risk.

The public firestorm pushes Cal into the limelight in ways he least expects, but shows him a missing limb’s not the barrier to love he's believed it is. But there’s something besides business politics brewing at work, and when Kathleen’s life is threatened, she discovers there’s more to a man than two good legs—it’s the size of his heart that counts.

Genres: Military Fiction, Suspense, Romance, Contemporary, Disability

316 pages, ebook

First published July 1, 2015

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Teresa Reasor was born in Southeastern Kentucky, but grew up a Marine Corps brat. The love of reading instilled in her in Kindergarten at Parris Island, South Carolina made books her friends during the many transfers her father's military career entailed. The transition from reading to writing came easily to her and she penned her first book in second grade. But it wasn’t until 2007 that her first published work was released.

After twenty-one years as an Art Teacher and ten years as a part time College Instructor, she’s now retired and living her dream as a full time Writer.

Her body of work includes both full-length novels and shorter pieces in many different genres, Military Romantic Suspense, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance, Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, and Children’s Books.

MILITARY ROMANTIC SUSPENSE:
Breaking Free (Book 1 of the SEAL TEAM Heartbreakers)
Breaking Through (Book 2 of the SEAL TEAM Heartbreakers)
Breaking Away (Book 3 of the SEAL TEAM Heartbreakers)
Building Ties (Book 4 of the SEAL TEAM Heartbreakers)

PARANORMAL ROMANCE:
Timeless

FANTASY ROMANCE:
Whisper In My Ear


HISTORICAL ROMANCE:
Highland Moonlight
Captive Hearts

SHORT STORIES:
An Automated Death (A Steampunk Short Story) Paranormal
To Capture A Highlander’s Heart: The Beginning (A Highland Moonlight Spinoff)
Caught In The Act (A Humorous Short Story) Contemporary Romance

NOVELLAS:
To Capture A Highlander’s Heart: The Courtship (A Highland Moonlight Spinoff
Breaking Ties: A Seal Team Heartbreakers Novella


CHILDREN’S BOOK:
Willy C. Sparks: The Dragon Who Lost His Fire

Her next children’s book will be Haiku Clue a book of Haiku poetry for children. The poems will act as clues for the reader to guess what the creature is before they turn the page. It will be out in the fall of 2015.

ANTHOLOGIES HER WORK HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN:
Malice, Mischief, and Men (Breaking Free)
SEALed With A Kiss: Heroes With A Heart (Breaking Free)
Mystery, Murder, and Mayhem (Building Ties)

Reviews

[Coral · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot: 4/5
Characterisation: 4/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5

[Dana Busenbark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember Cal Crowes, from Zoe's job at the hospital as a physical therapist? This is his story in this book. Zach, a member of Hawk's team is Kathleen's brother. Small world when you run into military circles and families, especially special ops teams. See what happens that brings Kathleen to San Diego, and what Cal is doing now that he's finished with his physical therapy with Zoe. See what happens when Cal is judged by one of the high admin folks at the company he works for and what Kathleen, the new architect at the company does to help him out on the job! Day one even! Without knowing who each other is or anything about one another. Makes the book a whole lot more interesting that you're about half way in before the 6 degrees of separation syndrome hits you. Who is Paul Warren at the architect firm, why does he have it out for Cal? What happens when he sees Cal and Kathleen in the lobby of the building leaving at the same time? Man, the ending was NOT what I expected, as to who and why all the issues were happening for Cal at work. Not to mention why Kathleen is kidnapped.

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M.Brennan.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky 13 received an ARC of this book in an exchange for an honest review. I have really enjoyed this series and the latest story does not disappoint. This can definitely be read as a stand-alone, and a brief appearance is made by some familiar characters from previous stories. Cal is a humble hero who wants to be known for his abilities, not his disability. I absolutely adore humble alpha males and this fits Cal to a T. Kathleen is intelligent, loyal, and hardworking, but has her own insecurities due to a cheating fiance’. They both must overcome their insecurities and trust issues to make the relationship work. Once they decide to take a chance and explore their attraction, the chemistry is explosive. There is plenty of drama and suspense as various forces attempt to sabotage the relationship. Various events will keep you guessing as to who are the friends and foes of Cal and Kathleen. In addition to the seriousness of war and its aftermath, there are some humorous parts to the book when we meet Kathleen’s overprotective Navy Seal brother and her well-meaning mother, who exacts some revenge of her own on Kathleen’s ex once she realizes what a scumbag he is. In summary, you just can’t help falling in love with Callahan Crowes. This is a five star read.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I started reading, I could not stop. Kathleen is tough and does not back down. She stands up for what’s right and she does not play games. She’s been hurt by her ex-fiancé and best friend. She’s a little leery of Cal since he’s so handsome and she feels frumpy. Cal is an ex-Marine who feels inadequate as a man because of his leg prosthesis. Together, they bring out the best in one another and strengthen those weaknesses. I really enjoyed reading Cal’s point of view. Usually the heroine is the one with the self-esteem issues. The hero shined thru as a true down-to earth hero. He’s suffered survivor’s remorse, jilted while still in the hospital and family wanting to treat him like a cripple. Not to mention depression and learning to live without part of his leg. Then the plot thickens. It seems it is a very small world. There were many twists and turns that kept me guessing to the end.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE! The mystery in this book kept me on the edge of my seat. When I was interrupted while reading this book, some people got the go to hell look. This is one of those that just cannot be put down. I loved to see Cal and Kathleen heal each others hearts and there is a couple of parts that are tear jerkers, nope not spoiling it. Cal lost his leg in Afghanistan and does not want to open his heart for rejection and heartbreak, while Kathleen is trying to heel from the betrayal of her former fiance. There seems to be someone who is after Cal and Kathleen, does not want them to be together and also someone who appears to be doing everything to get Cal fired from his job. This is a must read, mystery, suspense, steamy sex, family, it has it all.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Wynonna White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The way Kathleen dealt with Cal's amputation while still dealing with the infidelity of her ex and best friend was amazing. This a great love story of an ex military man dealing with losing part of a leg but still wanting to be " normal".

[Melissa Schaub · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The loved how they overcame all all of Cal's PTSD issues and Kathleen looked beyond his amputation to these beyond. This was a very intense books with several twists in the story. Highly recommended!!

[Lib · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in a series acne I did not realize that when I started reading it. I was still able to follow the story but now I want to go back and tag the first four. Good book that has a good balance between teasing, action and hotness.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I’m so enjoying this series. Each book just draws you in more and more. The characters are so familiar and each book is full of drama and intrigue. Fabulous series. Can’t wait for the next book

[Melanie Pinkerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overcoming obstacles.

Enjoyed the chemistry between Val and Kathleen, as well as the comradery between the military guys. Using a person who is an amputee reminds us that we can overcome obstacles and be productive members of society. Great book. Read it one sitting.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is part of the SEAL Team Heartbreakers series it felt different from the other books as Callahan Crowes  was not part the original SEAL team that this series has been about. Now dont take that to mean that I didnt enjoy it because I did and once further along in the story you find out there IS a connection to the SEALs team in more ways than one.

Cal was a Marine when his Humvee hits a IED in Afghanistan. All of his team is killed and he in bad shape and he eventually lost his leg below the knee. Doc/Zach O’Connor (part of the original SEAL team this series is about) is the SEAL medic that saved him and gets him out there. During his recovery Cal's physical therapist was Zoe who he also saved when a bomber tried to blow her up in the hospital (from a previous book).

Cal now works for a construction company after medically discharging. All he wants to do is his job and not be judged as a disabled person because of his prosthesis. After saving the life a fellow worker on the job he gets way more attention that he wants from it. Assisting in helping save his coworker he meets a woman that stirs feelings in him he hasnt felt in a while and also comes to realize one of the architects with the company he works for really has it out for him and he doesnt know why.

Kathleen O’Connor has come to San Diego from Boston for a couple of reasons. After finding her fiance in bed with her best friend she needed to get away from him and having just graduated with an  architectural degree, she takes job with a commercial construction and design firm in San Diego and is living with her brother Zach until she finds a place of her own. She is happens to be onsite and is the one that helps Cal save the worker that almost falls to his death. She too feels an attraction to Cal but its only been 6 months since her fiance's betrayal and she is still leery of trusting men. But she doesnt hesitate to defend Cal when one of the lead architects she is on site with makes derogatory statements about Cal and his disability.

For the most part this was a love story between two people that had been hurt both emotionally and physically in the past and the two of them working together to overcome their past demons to start a new relationship. But there was also a sinister sub plot going on that leads to a shocking conclusion. So by the end of the book things come full circle in many ways and there end up being more ties to the series than I first thought.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaking Boundaries: SEAL Team Heartbreakers Book 5 is by Teresa Reasor. Why is one person saved and others are not?
Corporal Cal Crowes was driving his squad in a Hummer in Afghanistan. They were in a caravan with SEALS and others. Cal’s three mates were wondering if someone could fix the air conditioning in their hummer. The next thing you knew, they had hit an IED and blown up their Hummer. Luckily for Cal, the SEAL team was right behind him. They moved fast and got Cal into the helicopter and on the way to the hospital. His three buddies were there in body bags. Cal was in for a long road back to recovery and would lose a leg.
When he gets better, he leaves home for San Diego because his family keeps looking at him like he is handicapped. He works as a construction worker and does not want anyone to know about his prosthesis
Kathleen O’Connor has finally made it out of school at MIT. Now she has her first job for Wiley Design and Construction. She is on a tour conducted by Paul Warren, project manager to see what they are doing. Also, to give him a chance to flirt with her. However, she has no time for romance since she just got out of a very messy breakup with her long-time boyfriend. While on the twentieth floor, a man is blown off the structure by the wind. Another man has caught him but is running out of room for strength to hold on. Kathleen steps in and the hanging man is saved. However, Paul Warren takes offense at her helping save the man especially since Cal was the other one holding on. Paul makes it very clear he has it in for Cal. But why?
Can Kathleen avoid Paul in the office and date Cal at the same time? What problems will it cause? Someone starts playing “tricks” on Kathleen. Why and who is it?

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It doesn't matter. Perception is truth."

An unfortunate truth that so many of us face, but none so much as Corporal Callahan Crowes when confronted by his career choice in construction after losing part of his leg to an IED.

Kathleen see pasts the walls he built around himself to the real man, but can she allow herself to trust again?

Their explosive romance paired against others with a hidden agenda is a must read for all romance lovers. Although this is the 5th Heartbreakers book, it can easy be read alone, but does have recurring characters from earlier stories that add even more to the story

Merged review:

"It doesn't matter. Perception is truth."

An unfortunate truth that so many of us face, but none so much as Corporal Callahan Crowes when confronted by his career choice in construction after losing part of his leg to an IED.

Kathleen see pasts the walls he built around himself to the real man, but can she allow herself to trust again?

Their explosive romance paired against others with a hidden agenda is a must read for all romance lovers. Although this is the 5th Heartbreakers book, it can easy be read alone, but does have recurring characters from earlier stories that add even more to the story

[C.A. Miconi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky 13 received an ARC of this book in an exchange for an honest review. I have really enjoyed this series and the latest story does not disappoint. This can definitely be read as a stand-alone, and a brief appearance is made by some familiar characters from previous stories. Cal is a humble hero who wants to be known for his abilities, not his disability. I absolutely adore humble alpha males and this fits Cal to a T. Kathleen is intelligent, loyal, and hardworking, but has her own insecurities due to a cheating fiance’. They both must overcome their insecurities and trust issues to make the relationship work. Once they decide to take a chance and explore their attraction, the chemistry is explosive. There is plenty of drama and suspense as various forces attempt to sabotage the relationship. Various events will keep you guessing as to who are the friends and foes of Cal and Kathleen. In addition to the seriousness of war and its aftermath, there are some humorous parts to the book when we meet Kathleen’s overprotective Navy Seal brother and her well-meaning mother, who exacts some revenge of her own on Kathleen’s ex once she realizes what a scumbag he is. In summary, you just can’t help falling in love with Callahan Crowes. This is a five star read.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaking Boundaries is a definite hit

This book has everything from the hero who was wounded by a IED, a jealous co-worker, a very protective older brother and a former fiance to the heroine who couldn't understand that one love is enough. Cal Crowed, is the wounded warrior, who after losing his lower leg, takes a medical discharge from the Marines, and goes back to building high rises. Kathleen is a new architect, who is designing the buildings that Cal builds. But she just moved from the east coast after finding her fiance and former BFF together. Throw in the jealous co worker, a boss that blames Cal for his nephews death and you have intrigue, mystery and a fantastic book. I hope there will be more in this series because each book Ms. Reasor writes is well worth waiting for.

[Laura Derose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner

I LOVE this series and these characters. Teresa makes me laugh out loud, cry, and jump up and down while reading this book. Cal is a strong character with a heart of gold. Kathleen is an independent women just struggling to trust in herself and her heart but without the excessive whining many female characters exhibit. Thank you,Teresa, for that; I really hate when authors make the female a whiney, weak women without the ability to make a decision! With every new book in this series I start over from book 1 because I can't get enough of these characters. Please keep them coming...I will be impatiently waiting.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Breaking Boundaries! This warm, hopeful, hot, and sweet novel of survival, hope, and growth is as exceptional as any of the Heartbreaker books. Teresa Reasor is amazingly gifted at drawing the reader into the hearts of her characters and at creating an edgy plot that keeps the reader glued to the page.

I was especially delighted to discover that not only is Doc's sister Kathleen our heroine,the hero, Cal, has not one but two earlier connection connections to the team.

[Suzanne Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaking Boundaries A+++++

Great story Cal has come along way from the disgruntled soldier that lost his leg in an IED accident. Just goes to show losing a leg is not the end of your life. Cal's determination and strength is a testimony to what can happen when you put your mind and heart into something. Kathleen is a great match for Cal. A great storyline and great characters makes this book a great read. Looking forward to the next book in this awesome series.

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so expecting this book about Cal's story. It was really good too, though not as enveloping as the other stories in my opinion. I did like how the author touched the subject about PTSD and about how all the heroes who come home with war wounds don't need people's pity. I liked the character of Cal, a very sweet guy and a true gentleman. Kathleen is an amazing character as well, strong, independent, and with a huge baggage as well. All in all a good book.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaking Boundaries is amazing

Teresa Reasor with her Seal Team Heartbreakers Book 5 has another hit on on her hands! I have been not so patiently waiting for Callahan's book. I was intrigued by him when he appeared in other books. Kathleen and Callahan make for an exciting book. So many twists and turns! Hang on for an exhilarating story!!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cal and Kathleen's story was amazing! They things they both went through in their lives just hurts your heart for them. But they are both fighters! The suspense in this story had me in it's grasp from the beginning. Teresa did an amazing job with this book, better yet she has done an amazing job on this whole series! I can't wait to read more!

[Mandy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, written with heart!

Cal is struggling to see all that he is and can give in as relationship, Kathleen is struggling to believe in men and their honour. Her brother sets a high standard, one she feels will never but matched....but she is wrong and so is Cal. They both have a lot to give and together they prove it.

[Patricia Mattingly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaking Boundaries

Another great book in the Seal Team Heartbreakers a must read, another people from the previous books are in it. Cal and Kathleen will make you fall in love with them.

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, really liked Cal and Kathleen as a couple

[Mandy Menasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read, love books about Seal's

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The who done it was little over the top but good story overall.