SEAL of Approval

SEAL #1

by Jack Silkstone

Mike Saunders is a SEAL dog handler with a knack for picking the wrong women. So much so that his SEAL buddies have planned a Girlfriend Selection Course to test the character of his next love interest. When he falls for the veterinarian rehabilitating his wounded Military Working Dog, things rapidly spiral out of control.

SEAL of Approval is romance meets action in a light-hearted love story with a serious twist. It is dedicated to the Military Working Dogs who have served, loyal and steadfast, alongside their handlers in the world’s deadliest conflict zones.

Jack Silkstone's background includes a career in military intelligence and special operations, working alongside some of the world's most elite units. A percentage of the sale of this book will be donated to a foundation that trains dogs to help servicemen and women who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Genres: Romance, Military Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Ebooks, Military Romance

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 6, 2016

About the author

I won’t lie, I’m just like every other guy on the planet. I love action movies, first person shooters, fast cars, technology, guns, cool kit and of course beautiful women. I grew up with Dirk Pitt, Jack Ryan, Jason Bourne, Doom, Wolfenstein, Commando Comics, James Bond, Rambo, The Predator and more. As a young man I have embraced Counter Strike, Half-life, The Bourne Series, Top Gear, Call of Duty the list goes on and on. Coupled with my military experience this seething mass of adrenalin-fueled testosterone has evolved into PRIMAL.

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A SEAL and his Dog

Mike is handsome, a skilled SEAL and all around great guy, but he has terrible taste in women. After his last break up, his friends decided that the next girl Mike dates should go through their own selection process to test her.

Axe, Mike’s working dog is injured in the line of duty, and Mike takes him to a very special veterinarian who helps dogs with PTSD. Not only is she skilled, but also very attractive.

This is an action-filled romance written by a guy. Who said men can’t write romance? There is danger, clean romance and a very cool dog that rounds this up to a four star winner!

[Olga 🌺 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh Dear... Where do I start with this one? 🤔

First, I want to thank my friend Gloria who, unbeknownst to her, lead me to this book. How? Well, because she liked the review of someone who read this book, ergo me reading it 😄
So Thank You Gloria.

Ok moving on.
What captured my attention is that, first, this book is written by a man. 😯 (intriguing)
Second, said male author is ex military 😲 (double intriguing)

Needless to say, the action part of this book is very good. Ironically though, being the thriller genre (especially military ones) junkie that I am, this dude falls short compared to female authors excelling at military language and action. Just dropping two unparalleled names in this genre, Brittney Sahin and Suzanne Brockman. (If you want military action-packed thriller with swoony romance, these two are your go-to)

And now back to the MMC.

Mike Mike Mike *sigh*

Typical macho man who only dates models with fake boobs who are either "lunatic bitches or bitchy gold diggers" (according to his friends not me 🤚)

He has a military dog who gets injured and almost dies the day his girlfriend opens her own agency. He's held up at the hospital because his dog, Axe, is undergoing surgery. His girlfriend goes ballistic on him for prefering a dog over supporting her career. 🙄 They break up, actually ☝️ she breaks up with him. He starts taking his dog to a veterinarian for rehab. His first impression of the vet, the MFC, is "she is not a stunner more like the girl next door, not my type." presumptuous a-hole. SUDDENLY, he decides he wants to ask her out.

BUT----------> After his last relationship fiasco, his military friends put his new girlfriend-prospect on a girlfriend selection course. They pull a few tests and pranks on her to know if she is solid material to be a military wife.

Some readers have felt offended of the things these friends have put the MFC through which to be honest I found funny and entertaining. I mean this is borderline rom-com and women have done much worse to men.. I did not find fault in these tests especially that the MFC passed them with flying colours.

The language was ok-ish. (Men were just men being jerks talking women, sex, boobs and ass) No character development, it was all very superficial. Clean Romance.

The way men (in this case our male author) think women talk amongst each other about men and sex is ridiculous! To his thinking, women compare 🍆, every interaction is about "Did you bang him yet?", "have you hit that chiseled body or not?", "if you don't do it then I don't think my husband would mind me hitting that!".... 🙄

Yuppp (with a P pop), that's supposed to be the MFCs sister who has no filter (or decency) when she talks about the MMC.

Anyway, do I regret reading this book? Nope 🙂‍↔️
Would I keep reading more of his books? Nope 🙂‍↔️

It just helped me put everything into perspective.
That perspective being that, sadly men know chicken sh*t about romance. They wouldn't know what romance is even if it hit them straight in the face. Like this 🤦‍♀️

I've also read mafia romance written by another male author, Jagger Cole, and though I have to confess his writing is much better than this guy over here 👆 but his romance is also lacking.

3 🌟 for the action
-2 🌟 for the romance
5 🌟 for the dog
-5 🌟 for the "men and her sister's" language
That leaves the rating at 1 🌟


📝 ticking another Bingo square
68) "Orange Cover" [If you squint your eyes with no reading glasses and tilt your kindle (or paper book) 45 degrees to the right, you'll realise that the title is actually in Orange 🤓]
Squares Count: 66

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[Pamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was ridiculous. If my boyfriend and his friends put me through this, I would slap all of them upside their heads with an iron skillet. I honestly don’t know where all the five stars are coming from. I don’t see what they see.

[Coco.V]

💝 FREE on Amazon today (2/28/2018)! 💝

Blurb:
Mike Saunders is a SEAL dog handler with a knack for picking the wrong women. So much so that his SEAL buddies have planned a Girlfriend Selection Course to test the character of his next love interest. When he falls for the veterinarian rehabilitating his wounded Military Working Dog, things rapidly spiral out of control.

SEAL of Approval is romance meets action in a light-hearted love story with a serious twist. It is dedicated to the Military Working Dogs who have served, loyal and steadfast, alongside their handlers in the world’s deadliest conflict zones.

Jack Silkstone's background includes a career in military intelligence and special operations, working alongside some of the world's most elite units. A percentage of the sale of this book will be donated to a foundation that trains dogs to help servicemen and women who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

[Jadaris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the worst thing I’ve ever read, it started off cute then turned extremely obnoxious with these dumbass tests they put her through. Over all this was just meh and that’s what get for being a sucker for the dog on the cover lol

[Jen_C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Color me surprised! Most of the new-to-me authors I have tried recently have been a letdown, but this story had me smiling, laughing and melting a bit too.

The guys and their Girlfriend Selection Course are crazy and she ends up kicking butt and taking names no matter the challenge. Good times.

[D Call · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid military romance with humor. Good reading!

MY RATING SYSTEM
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good, won't read again
2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful

Do I need to read books before this one: no
Cliffhanger: no

SUMMARY
Mike (white) and Axe (Belgian malinoise) are in Coronado. Rick (black) and Ernie (Latino, married, 2 kids) are on his team. Leader TJ tells them they're flying out in 10 minutes to get the Butcher, a Mexican drug lord. Mike's girlfriend, Stacey, calls, demanding he be at her modeling agency's opening tomorrow. None of them like Stacey, not even Axe.

Alison is late for a date because an emergency case came in. Brian's critical of how she dressed. She excuses herself to the restroom, instead catches a cab. She calls her sister, Leonie; they meet for ice cream.

Axe gets shot saving Mike's life. The Butcher gets away, but Mike and Axe kill his brother.

Axe is in surgery in Coronado. Stacey calls. “Michael, he's a dog. This agency is my future. And what I'm hearing is that you think a dog is more important than my future?” “I can't leave until I know he's going to be OK.” “Then you and I are done.” Axe will live, might not walk normally again.

The team decides they need to step in to help Mike's love life. TJ, “Rick, why is it that when a newbie joins the squad you know you can trust him?” “That's easy, bro. It’s because he's been through BUD and SQT. He's a damn frogman.” “Damn straight. If you want to make sure you've got a good woman, you've got to run her through a selection process, just like BUD.”

Axe has PTSD, won't let anyone touch him but Mike. He tells his team about it at target practice. Ernie knows a dog whisperer vet. Stacey calls. They shoot his phone.

The CO calls Mike in. Axe has to be put down. That night, they steal Axe from the Navy clinic.

The next day, Mike takes Axe to Ernie's vet. He finds Alison nice looking, but not his type. “Listen, I know you’ve been through a lot with Axe. But he doesn’t need your sympathy. He needs your leadership. He needs you to be strong, to tell him what to do.” She suggests Axe stay with her for a few weeks.

Ali and Leonie have coffee. “He’s arrogant, over-confident and military. Not my type at all.” “Handsome, fit, confident and a dog guy. No, you’re right. He doesn’t sound anything like your type.”

Mike's called in by the CO. “The good news is with Axe missing we’ve got more time to appeal his discharge and destruction. I’ve nominated him for a heroism award. That should assist the process. Now, if he could just stay ‘lost’ for a week or three that should give us enough time.”

The Butcher vows to avenge his brother. He calls in Ramirez, who already knows it was SEAL Team 5 in Coronado. “I want you to find the man who killed my brother. Then, when you do. I want you to kill someone he loves… before you bring me his heart.”

EVALUATION
I enjoyed laughing. So. Much. These men remind me of the young men I've worked with, and of my sons. They pull pranks, work hard, and have each other's back. Mike must be young or new because he lets the others do these tests, even when he's uncomfortable with it.

I enjoyed the action. I expect a book with military, police, firefighters, etc, to have real action because it's a significant part of who they are. This story had missions and training. Perfect!

I also enjoyed the romance. Though the story is written by a man, Alison has real reactions, and her interactions with Leonie are spot on.

I'm not as attached to these characters as I am to those in other romances, but, I feel the action, the suspense, and the camaraderie more than make up for it. These guys!

The denouement is perfect. Brilliant.

RECOMMENDATION
Everyone who enjoys action with romance. I'm recommending it to my teen son

FAVORITE QUOTES
Look, Ali. If there's one piece of advice I can give you it's to follow your heart. There were plenty of things that got in the way of Steve and I. But we still made it through and now look at us. Two beautiful terrors… and no sex.

CO's aide, “I tried to call you but your number’s disconnected.” Mike scowled at TJ. “Yeah, my phone’s shot. I’ve got to get a new one.”

POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)
Sex: yes, off page; Leoni talks about it
Language: 16 F words, 22 Lord's name in vain, 35 S words
Violence: gun fights, kidnapping, no gore

[AWolf · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading the Primal series, which I rate 4 stars overall, I gave this a try. Verdict: A very generous 2 stars. Silkstone, don't give up your day job if this is what you are going to write.

If you like romantic comedy, you might like this. If it's Thriller/SpecOps you are after, don't bother. A silly little story with limited, poorly scripted action. The only character I liked in the book is Axe, the military dog. Because I like the Primal series, I'll try the 2nd book in this 3 book series.

[Laura Witte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun

This was a fun light read. I really enjoyed the humor and the military aspect. Good character development, although parts of the plot were very obvious. Overall a good read. I look forward to the next one.

[Debbie Oxier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I have to admit I was skeptical when I saw it was written by a man. I've been burned before and tend to steer clear of those. So I read some reviews and they were all so positive I decided to chance it. Mike was a Navy SEAL. On a mission gone wrong, his dog, Axe, takes a bullet meant for him, saving his life. At first it's touch and go for the dog but he manages to pull through. However, his personality has been altered by the trauma and he has PTSD, which I never considered a dog having but it makes sense that they could be affected by trauma same as a human. When the vet recommends Axe be put down, Mike and his team know they can't let that happen. Axe is one of them, and a hero to boot. They know they have to do something to stop it. They actually spring the dog from the vet's and Mike ends up taking Axe to Alison. She too is a veterinarian but with a gift for working with troubled dogs.

When Alison first meets Mike, she's impressed with his good looks and muscular build. His personality, not so much. He seems too cocky and sure of himself. A tad bit on the arrogant side. However, the longer she works with Axe and thus spends time with Mike, she changes her tune. She finds she actually enjoys being with him. Mike feels the same about her but due to his poor track record with women, his SEAL team comes up with a selection process to help Mike decide if Alison is right for him. For starters he takes her on a hike up a mountain to see if she complains about it. When they get to the top, he has a picnic for them. When his friends give him tainted candy and he gets sick, he and Alison have to spend the night on the mountain. She more than proves herself by starting a fire and making camp while taking care of Mike. From then on, every date they have becomes a test.

Alison is no dummy. She has her suspicions but nothing she can prove. Even so, she doesn't let it bother her. Until she finds out his whole team is involved and if she fails one of their tests, she's out. She decides to teach Mike a lesson but things backfire when she's kidnapped by the head of a drug cartel looking for revenge on Mike and his team.

This book was loaded with action and gives you a real look into the SEALs. The romance is also well written and the characters really appealing. I loved how Alison was so perfect for Mike and was up to any challenge Mike threw her way. She was funny and kind and the interaction between Alison and Axe was great as well. I also liked Mike's relationship with Axe and how emotional Mike was when the dog got shot. He refused to leave him until he made sure Axe was okay. It made Mike seem much more human and someone you could relate to. His camaraderie with his teammates also contributed to the book's appeal although if I'd been Alison I would have been tempted to kill them all after what they put her through.

I truly enjoyed this one and really hope the author will write another one about the team, thus starting a series. With his knowledge of the military it made for an interesting and entertaining read. Definitely recommend.

[Kristiej · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished the reread i enjoyed it once again and nothing really to change or add. This is the first in a three book series and I want to keep going with it. That’s always a good sign. I recommend this book with two happy thumbs up.




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I got this one because (I think) it was a freebie. I don’t normally read Seal books. I read many of Suzanne Brockman’s books back in the day but it’s not a genre I really stuck with – but as they say, the price was right.

I was part way through it before I clued in it was written by a guy. I will admit now that I’m biased. There aren’t many romance books written by men and I tend not to read the ones that are. If I had stuck with that, I would have missed a book I ended up enjoying.

Mike Saunders is an elite SEAL. He and the rest of the team work closely with a Military Dog, Axe. While on a mission, Axe is gravely wounded saving Mike. And this changes Axe’s personality. He becomes vicious with just about everyone and therefore is slated to be put down. This is completely unacceptable to Mike and the rest of the team as Axe was shot while saving Mike and Axe is just a much a member of the team as the SEALS.

They plan a heist and break him out of the vet and end up taking him to Ali, a young woman who works with traumatized animals. She diagnoses Axe with PTSD and begins to work with him.
Now amongst his buddies, Mike’s dating life encourages much hilarity among his fellow SEALS. He tends to fall too quickly and with the completely wrong kind of women. His friends keep telling him this but up until he meets Ali, he doesn’t really listen to them. But even though she’s totally not his type, he’s becoming more and more attracted to her he gets when visiting with Axe. When his friends realize how serious he’s getting, they arrange for a number of tests to see if she could be an appropriate partner for a SEAL.

I’m glad I found out early enough that the author is a guy ‘cause it explains some things. The romance isn’t the strongest part of the book. It’s definitely a ‘one foot on the floor’ type of romance and I’d be almost be pressed to give it a warm rating. Reading it, it seemed the author was almost embarrassed writing sex scenes because there really aren’t any to speak of really.
And while the tests the ‘boy’s run Ali through, they are such a ‘guy’ kind of thing. They were funny though.

But where the book really shone for me is the relationship between Mike and Axe. Mr. Silkstone did an excellent job in showing the close relationship between handler and military dog. Even though it’s a made up story, I’m so glad how things worked out. And equally well-done is the relationships, teasing and ‘man speak’ between the SEALS.

Overall I was most impressed with this romance written by a guy

[Gabriella · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was the first time I read a romance book written by a man. Figures it would suck.

The book started quite good and went downhill fast.
I hoped, I'd get a good story about a military working dog, his handler and the vet he falls in love with. But no, I got a silly story that was more about Mike's difficulties picking the "right" girlfriend.

I mean, I can understand that Mike's co-workers/friends wanted to help him...but the Girlfriend Selection Course went too far. Way too far. The test were stupid and quite demeaning for Ally.

The suspense part was good and I wonder what this author could do, if his editor told him that women don't think about sex all the time and had him rethink some part of the book. Ally's sister had such a one track mind it was ridiculous. No surprise that men (Mike and his coworkers) don't think about much else. Stereotypes...meh...don't make good characters.

Oh and this was the first book where I wanted to hit the "hero" because he was such a doormat when it came to his friend's stupid ideas.

[Gina Lorax · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was stilted and jagged. The author kept telling us how close the Seals are to each other but didn't show it. The characters' actions were more like acquaintances and not men who depended on each other to live. As far as the women characters, I think he got their personalities from a stereotype generator on what to expect from bad romance novels.

The whole book was written like it was a dare and not something the author actually wanted to write. I did finish the book (that was not a guarantee) so it's not a 1 star, more like 1.5. If it's free and you have nothing else to read or if you want to read something so you know how Not to write a story, then this one is fine.

[Patti Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent

This was another free book deal I saw, so I gave it a shot. Quick, easy read. It had a good premise and some cute moments but lacked depth. I just wasn’t invested on any real level with the characters or plot.

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 4 out of 5]

military romance blooms when a SEAL handler meets the vet caring for his wounded dig. complicated by a threat of revenge against the SEAL and the SEALs stupidity in affairs of the heart.

[Sue Moss · Rating 2 out of 5]

A couple of good moments but otherwise predictable plot and run of the mill characters.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick, easy read. Also, predictable, cheesy, and problems were solved too easily.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

SEAL of Approval (SEAL, #1)
by Jack Silkstone (Goodreads Author)

This is more of a short story than a "book", so I didn't resent the lack of character development that others thought was missing.
According to the storyline, Mike "has terrible taste in women" so his teammates decide that they are better judges of girlfriend potential than he is and devise a "Girlfriend Selection Course" of tricks, tests, and pranks to test the new girl, the vet treating Mike's military dog.
1. Mike is a Navy SEAL. These guys are tested for analytical thought and decision-making skills, as well as physical skills. Yet Mike can't say 'No' to his teammates' tests and tricks when he decides he likes the vet?
2. Alison, the vet, shines in every test. She keeps pace or outpaces him hiking, starts a fire using hand sanitizer and something else, doesn't complain about spending the night on the mountain, and doesn't run away when she 'finds out that he's loaded with debt and can't pay his bills'. Mr. Silkstone, I've got news for you. Even non-golddiggers will run from a guy who can't handle his money. No one wants to take on a spendthrift who will go through her hard-earned money.
Oh, and don't forget that she just happens to know how to drive a front-end loader to help save the SEAL team from a Siniloa Cartel assassin at the end of the book.
3. When I said 'she shines in every test', I meant every test except the last one, where Rick tries to get her to give him her phone number when Mike stands her up for a date. Which she failed on purpose because she was rightly pissed when she figured out all of the date "mishaps" were actually tests. And don't tell me guys would not have been just as pissed.

She was pissed for about 2 seconds when she and Mike finally re-connect at the end of the book. It felt like the author was in a hurry to wrap up the story and not follow through with the anger and repercussions of Mike's "girlfriend tests". I would have been pissed for a lot longer. He's supposed to be a SEAL, and because she "failed" one test, he was ready to walk away from her instead of making his own decision? Girl, please. That says more about Mike's immaturity than whether Alison was "girlfriend material".

The ending was cute, as Alison got back at Mike by getting him to dress up as a clown for her nieces' birthday party of screaming 6-year-old girls. And the dog recovered completely and was able to return to working with Mike.

[RoseVE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Passing the Test

Mike Saunders has a history of dating princesses. His SEAL team brothers decided it was time to give his next girlfriend a series of tests to see if she is really SEAL worthy. When Mike's K-9, Axel, gets shot defending Mike, they medi-vac him to the VA veterinarian who treats the gunshot wound, but Axel wanted nothing to do with the man. He recommended that Axel be put down. The guys break Axel out of the clinic, and instead take him to another veterinarian, Allison Taylor. She bonds with Axel in the first visit, and assures Mike that she can help him. She had worked with several animals who had experienced trauma and had PTSD issues. She could help Axel through it, too. Mike was attracted to Allison from that moment on. He came to the clinic every afternoon to see Axel, and if he was honest with himself, to see Allison, too. His buddies convinced him to ask her out on a date. Then they tell him she will have to go through a series of tests to make sure she is a worthy mate for him. This includes a first date at the shooting range, a hike up the mountain and Mike getting violently ill. So they had to stay there for the night. She was forced to look after two 4 year old "spawn of Satan" boys, and had them quietly listening to a story in the backyard. The guys were amazed by her and had one last test. She purposely failed it when she found out what they were doing. She gave her number to one of his friends she met at a bar and told him to call her. Mike was broken. When she was kidnapped by the brother of the man Mike had killed on a mission, she thought it was another test. She screamed that she hated Mike and never wanted to see him again. The kidnappers were confused by her actions. But they wanted Mike to see her killed and then kill him. They told him to come alone. But the entire team was there to get Allison back. When they had a chance to talk it all out, they decided to try again. But this time she had a series of tests to prove Mike was husband material. He was willing to endure various types of humiliating tasks to prove he was worthy. This was a great story of friends who cared about their brother and a woman who was tough enough to handle them all. I really enjoyed this book.

[Jo-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read the blurb and saw this book was about SEALs and a Military Working Dog, I couldn't wait to read it. Mike Saunders' is a dog handler whose dog was injured on a job. Mike didn't want to accept it when the military told him the dog couldn't work anymore and had to be put down. So when friends told him about a veterinarian who worked wonders with another dog, Mike went to her to see if she could do anything with his dog, Axe. As they saw each other more, their attraction grew. But Mike had a reputation for not picking the right women so his TEAM buddies were worried Ali wasn`t a good match for him. To find out if she was right for Mike, they planned a Girlfriend Selection Course. If Ali passed the course, they would accept her but if she didn't, Mike had to break up with her.

I liked this romance. It was funny for the most part but sad at times, too. The Girlfriend Selection Course was funny but the men who organized it were immature to have even come up with this plan. Boys will be boys. Even though it had me chuckling, I felt they took things too far with the last test. It was important to the men that Mike was dating the right woman but it could have backfired with the woman walking away. I liked the team and the exciting action when the bad guys were after Ali. I really liked Mike and Ali. Mike was the perfect SEAL, who was trained to handle any situation. Which he and the team did. But it was nice to see he was a softie when it came to Axe. Ali was too good to be true. Her skills with animals were terrific but she excelled in everything. The stunt she pulled at the end was entertaining but beyond believable. But Axe was the thing that pulled everything together. He was a great dog.

If you like action filled romance, you will like this book.

[Jo-Ann Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book of the series. I read this book and then couldn't find the rest of the series, which annoys me.

I liked how the dog partner was incorporated into the story. He was a main character which was interesting. You do get to know the group of guys our hero serve with which is good and interesting. It really does get you into the series. It lays out why many marriages break up with SEALs and other military personnel.

When the heroine arrives on the scene, when our dog partner needs help after getting wounded in action. In order to go back on the teams, he needs to show he can still do his job and the only one able to reach him is our heroine which our hero and dog find when they take some time off and head away.

When the guy who got away when the dog was injured track down our hero and dog, they don't even know it until they are tipped off. What will happen? Who will survive?

I liked the characters and plot but it seemed very here, there everywhere. Once you got use to that, you did well in understanding the plot and characters. The characters were likable but could only be related to if you, or someone you know, served.

It was really annoying to try and find the other books in the series and find nothing.

[LBennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Silkstone has perfected the action genre, and this shows in his first foray into romance, where falling in love is a risky business. Mike Saunders is a SEAL who keeps going for girls who are incompatible with his work, so his SEAL buddies decide to put his next girlfriend through a selection course. Alison, a vet with a talent for helping animals with PTSD, does a remarkable job helping Jack's working dog, Axe, who has been shot in the line of duty. They bond over their love of dogs, and soon Mike finds himself falling for the cute vetinarian. But things get complicated when his SEAL buddies start putting an unwitting Ali through the selection course, never mind a Mexican drug lord (who's a bit of a caricature, really) determined to take revenge on Mike.

There's great camaraderie between Mike and his SEAL buddies, and Ali's sleep-and-sex-deprived mother-of-two sister is a cracker, adding lighthearted humour to the book/series. Mike could probably have tried harder to stop his buddies putting Ali through the wringer, but it's all 'par for the course', so to speak and becomes the butt of jokes in parts 2 and 3 of the series.

If you love dogs, romance and action, then this is the book for you.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book by this Author ...

Totally worth it! Loved this novel Mr. Silverstone!
Mike amd Ali were amazing main characters, as well as Axe, without him there would be no Mike and Ali.
This book was simply a blast to read! No readers not a rom com, simply a terrific book written by someone who has a great grasp on humanity.
The story line was great, loved beginning with the cartel and almost ending with it. Ali was a kick axx female lead, not just a canine whisperer, but also not a cool, and willing to fight when needed! Mike was perfect for her, he needed her, after all hi vacuous, narcissistic, princesses previously.
From there it's a great read, I don't wish to give the story away, but the secondary characters, Mike's team, TJ, Rick and Ernie certainly shake things up.
However, Ali is no dummy, and actually shows her metal with the help of Axe when the situation becomes dangerous.
It was a completely enjoyable read and cannot wait to read the other's stories!
Paybacks , well we all know how that goes...

Loved it!
Karen

[DJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had everything I like in a military romance!

Jack Silkstone is a new author to me. I admit that even before I read the synopsis, I knew I would read SEAL of Approval! The cover art, featuring a hunky military man and a dog, intrigued me. Hot alpha males and dogs-- count me in! Yes, the cover art sold me on the book; however, as I read page one, I was totally hooked, not only SEAL of Approval but the whole series! I stopped reading and downloaded the series into my Kindle library.

The characters are well-developed, and the theme of "found family", along with the love and support shown to each member of the SEAL team and the women they love, hit a chord with me. The banter between the teammates and their pranks reminded me of my past military days.

I think that the real hero of this story is Axe, the military K-9. Jack Silkstone did an excellent job in portraying Axe's personality and his devotion to his handler and his team. Axe is a true "wonder dog" who I would be proud to serve with!

I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you can't pick the right girl let your buddies test her character with the 'Girlfriend Selection Course'!!!...

Mike Saunders is a 28yr old Seal and dog handler who picks the wrong women to date. When, in the line of duty, his dog, Axe, is shot whilst protecting him, his latest selfish bimbo fails him too.
His teammates come up with a 'Girlfriend Selection Course', a series of tests of character for his next conquest.
Enter, Alison Taylor, a dedicated vet. Susected of suffering PTSD, Axe, is in the firing line, quite literally, so the team kidnap him and Mike takes him to her.
Meanwhile, a cartel kingpin wants revenge for his dead brother. When he learns a member of a team of seals killed him, he's out for his blood and everyone he loves.
A quick knowledgeable read. Great camaraderie between the characters. Not much in the way of romance or gritty sex scenes and even with the storyline everything felt...light.
Ok read and great cover.

[John Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Author writes the excellent PRIMAL series, but this is a different series, aimed at having a more romantic side to it.

It tells the story of a SEAL named Mike and his working dog Axe, and how they come to meet a local vet Ali. Axe gets wounded in a raid, and the Navy plan to put him down. Mike steals Axe and takes him to see Ali, who works miracles and rehabilitates both Mike AND Axe. In the mean time, the head of the Mexican cartel that the SEALS raided and Axe got wounded by, wants revenge. He sends his men after Mike, and kidnaps Ali, after Mike's buddies have been "testing" her to make sure she is girlfriend material for Mike, who has poor taste in women. They end up saving her and killing all the bad guys, and capture the head of the cartel.

This was a really quick read, and I look forward to reading the next in the series.

[Loz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Amazon freebie I can ditch from my device. 3.5 Stars

SEAL Mike Saunders typically dates women not suited to the SEAL life. When he meets veterinarian Alison Taylor he's initially drawn to the 'girl next door' beauty for her devotion to helping his injured frog dog Axe. Ali is nothing like the princess's he usually dates, and in order to keep another disastrous relationship at bay, his team buddies decided to put her through a testing process, to make sure she's suitable and worthy.

With likable characters and the cute developing relationship, I though this was a fun read. Was it completely juvenile of grown men to make up a sort of dating test? Yes. But it's a story, and I liked it. Even the bits with her getting out of her bounds and driving that front end loader like a BOSS!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic beginning to this series

I have always loved mysteries, thrillers, and action packed stories/movies. I also love dogs, especially K9 working dogs (which there are not enough stories of!!). I've always had a healthy respect for all of the military branches, as well as all of the men, women, and K9's who have bravely served. So, when I saw this series, I knew that I had to read it!

It was a fantastic story with awesome characters, hilarious banter, crazy antics, action, suspense, and intriguing twists that will hook you from beginning to end. It's a definite must read book and series!

I would definitely recommend this book, series, and outstanding author.

For all of the warriors who have bravely served in the military ~
Thank you for your service and your sacrifices.

[Renee Harold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the read...and more than 5 stars!

I love military romance...we'll any kind of romance, but military always hits 1st for me. As a Army brat, I tend to gravitate to these books more than anything and I gotta say. I truly loved this book. I've never read a Seal book with a dog in the equation and I must say, I loved it. This book had action, the kind of military humor I love and miss. It even had a few sentiments that had me doing the sad gasps and the "oh Mo's not Ace!!! (You'll have to read the book to find out who Ace is and what happened...😁). If you like action, humor, HEA's and some pretty intense situations, then you'll really, really like this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next one, I'm hooked, line and sinker to Jack Silkstone's books.

[Bungluna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a light read that had bits that would push some people's buttons, so beware. Mike is lousy at picking girlfriends, so his team-mates make him promise to let them put the next candidate through a "girlfriend course". This is either cute or obnoxious, depending on your pov.

Mike's dog Axe gets injured in the line of duty and the dumbass army vet wants to put him down. The team liberate hims and take the dog to a civilian vet who rehabilitated a rabid Chihuahua. (I thought this was funny.)

Romance between the vet and the SEAL ensues. Again, enjoyment depends on how tolerant the reader is to interfering sisters-team-mates, etc.

I laughed enough to make me want to read another book by this author.