Badger

SEALs of Steel #1

by Dale Mayer

When Badger Horley, a SEAL, and the rest of his eight-man unit hit an antitank landmine on a routine reconnaissance mission, all were badly injured, but one of his men died. Having only joined a year before, he'd been the youngest member of the squad. Mouse left behind unanswered questions about his life…along with seven team members who aim to see that his tragic death is brought home to those responsible.

Badger's path back to health is a long and difficult one, but revenge drives him out of bed every single day of his life. Someone modified orders the morning of the incident, sending his unit straight over that landmine. At the time the altered route had been given to him, he'd been curious but not unduly concerned. What happened to his squad has brought unwavering clarity: Those last-minute changes and the explosion that shattered his team were deliberate--and he means to catch the perpetrator if it's the last thing he ever does.

Kat Greenwald watches the man she's falling in love with fester a little more each time they're together. Refusing to give himself time to heal, not surprisingly he hasn't taken to his prosthetic well. As a prosthetic designer, she's dealt with men and women in endless physical and emotional states. Badger is different. He's driven, determined and deadly, but she can't help her feelings despite the negatives. She's hooked on a man whose sole concern seems to be in getting retribution for the incident that left his team in
shards…while all she wants is a future happily-ever-after with him. Kat has a long road ahead of her to convince Badger a life filled with love is always preferable to answers that can only be gained at the risk of dying to get them.

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

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2018

About the author

Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second Chances, SKIN), her thrillers will keep you guessing (By Death series), and her romantic comedies will keep you giggling (It's a Dog's Life and Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy series).

She honors the stories that come to her - and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres!

To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format.

To find out more about Dale and her books, visit her at http://www.dalemayer.com. Or connect with her online with Twitter at www.twitter.com/dalemayer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dalemayer.author. If you like Dale Mayer's books and are interested in joining her street team, sign up here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/40238...

Books by Dale Mayer

Psychic Vision Series
Tuesday's Child
Hide'n Go Seek
Maddy's Floor
Garden of Sorrow
Knock, Knock...
Rare Find
Eyes to the Soul - fall/winter 2014

By Death Series
Touched by Death - Part 1 - Free
Touched by Death - Part 2
Touched by Death - Full book
Haunted by Death
Chilled by Death - fall/winter 2014

Second Chances...at Love Series
Second Chances - Part 1
Second Chances - Part 2
Second Chances - Full book

Novellas
It's a Dog's Life- romantic comedy

Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy
Broken Protocols #1
Broken Protocols #2
Broken Protocols #3

New adult/adul crossover Books
In Cassie's Corner
Gem Stone (a Gemma Stone mystery)

Design Series
Dangerous Designs
Deadly Designs
Darkest Designs

Family Blood Ties Series
Vampire in Denial
Vampire in Distress
Vampire in Design
Vampire in Deceit
Vampire in Defiance

Non-Fiction Books
Career Essentials: The Resume
Career Essentials: The Cover Letter
Career Essentials: The Interview
Career Essentials: 3 in 1

Reviews

[Eva · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book should have had like 3 chapters at the beginning, to install the plot.
Problems with the characterization of Badger and Kat, who are inconsistants. Kat don't speak like she studied 12 years to be prosthetic designer. Badger is full of rage at the beginning, and suddenly, he's laughing and flirting with Kat. They often said platitude.
And... at the end, we don't know who is responsible of the accident 2 years ago. I understand that the answer will be in the next books, but since I don't plan to read next books... I was a little irritated at the end.
And... I'm sure secret agents don't have an ID card telling they work for the MI6!!!

[Bea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just Okay

This was not a great read. There was no chemistry between the characters and at times, the story was fragmented. Kat and Badger are not memorable and the overall plots were superficially done.

I will not continue with this series.

[Judy Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betrayal

Badger finds out that the IED that destroyed his men was an act of betrayal. Dale Mayer has started us on another mystery of betrayal that leads to romance.

[Jo-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this great suspense by Dale Mayer, there were two compelling mysteries to solve and lots of secrets to reveal. When a last minute change of orders re-routed Badger's team when on active duty, their truck was blown up, killing one man and changing the lives of the other 7 forever. Two years later, Badger still couldn't let it go. He HAD to find out who changed the orders. His body was still healing but he wouldn't slow down enough to let it actually finish the healing process. Because he lost a leg in the blast, he was fitted with a prosthetic. Kat was the designer who developed the prosthetic so she worked with Badger to make sure it fits properly. She encouraged him to have another surgery before it was too late. But he didn't want to give up on his mission to get revenge and find out the truth about what happened to change their orders. As Kat began to care for Badger, she was worried about his physical and mental health.

Kat has her own problems. Someone wants her dead! I liked that the other men from the team were there when she was kidnapped, jumping right in to save her as SEALs do.

I loved that Ms. Mayer has skillfully penned a crazy good mystery as her writing kept me attentive, on-edge, and highly curious. Even though I enjoyed this book, there was something I didn't like. That was that one of the mysteries was not solved. You have to read the next book to find out what happens. I really don't like cliffhangers. If you don't mind them, then you will love this book.

[Dana Wood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just ok for me. The two different threats going on, one with the doc and then the main plot point didn’t flow right. The romance between the doc and Badger was so lukewarm that I was shocked that they even liked each other. It just didn’t cut it for me.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit of everything, military edition

A little romance, intrigue, conspiracy, sabotage, betrayal, family and friendship. This story has it all and it flows together fantastically.

The background of the story where all the characters have missing limbs due to a variety of reasons is intriguing and unique. It shows how the world can look at people with amputation, but it also shows how having an amputation does not hav to stop you from thriving and being a bada**. The seals are tough and fierce and the doc is an MVP. The idea of the designs and purposes was fascinating and brought an interesting science aspect to the story.

There is a HEA but I still had questions about the final surgery, the next designs, and I have my suspicions on who the betrayer of the unit was!! I hope I am wrong, but somethings were causing little bells to go off! I am most certainly excited to read the next book in this series.

[Annette Drewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to this offshoot series. Badger and his team as all damaged characters, who are still looking for answers two years after their ‘accident’. Kat’s job is to get these men mobile again. When she falls for Badger, she is fighting not only his injuries but his revenge. How Badger and his friends help keep her safe when she is being threatened, makes for a wonderful storyline with action, danger, secrets and romance. I loved this book and am looking forward to the rest of this series.

[bex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Low 3

The epilogue is really ch 1 of the next book. There was plenty of hook without it and a more satisfying closure. Overall there's an arc on the MCs but a lot of plot is contiued to next one. Liked the characters and it was character driven more.

[D. Harley Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Badger - Dale Mayer

I kindly received this book as an ARC & am happily posting a review for the same. Ok, wow, this is a first book in a break series from another of Ms. Dales series (if you’ve not read them you may not understand the references to Levi & Ice or Mason & Tesla. I do recommend reading her other series in order. Back to this book. Well from a relationship standpoint it’s believable as Kat (Doc) & Badger have had a professional relationship in that she’s his prosthetist. Backstory is he’s a medically retired SEAL who’s team was diverted over an anti-tank landmine. Out of the 8-man team 1 dies, 7 are left with horrible, life-altering injuries; mostly involving missing limbs.

Ok - now to the non-believable parts (I am speaking from experience, background, & my own personal tragedy..) I’m a medical professional, who was a high activity athlete, & I am also a high-above knee amputee. I also have worked with soldiers & can’t say much more on that. Kat is an MD/prosthetist; thus, its illegal for her to be involved with a current patient or a patient that hasn’t been discharged from her service for at least 1 yr & 1 day. Not sayin’ it doesn’t happen (for real), but as women we’ve had to work so blasted hard to achieve 1/2 what men get; so it’s doubtful she’d blow it all up for a guy. Also, VERY few amputees get prosthetics. The reasons vary from cost ($50-130k each!) To issues with the residual limb (Ms. Dale did very well to describe some of the issues for Badger- poor wound healing, infections (huge problem), poor muscle coverage over the bone(s)). One big issue she missed is bone spurs (God they’re horrible) & most blast-injured amputees & amputees from infections suffer from chronic bone spurs. (Think of having a set of deer antlers at the tip of your residual bone & that’s rubbing all over the rigid plastic “cup” of the prosthetic & it’s to hold your weight?! Ouch.) The other issue I had is, an above knee amputee cannot swim (not enough weight on the amputated side) so the swimmer looks like a drowning doodle bug. But, from a romantic/dramatic view I suppose it played well... last critique, a regular prosthetic (like the well known C-leg -computerized knee joint) cannot be used for running! Try explaining to your insurance company how you broke a $70k leg! (That’s if you’re lucky enough to have insurance that covers prosthetics. Most cap out at $2-3k for life!)

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this first book of Dale Mayer’s new series very absorbing. The basic premise is that a unit of eight SEALs hit a landmine. One man dies and the rest are severely injured. In this book, Badger, and a few other men from his team, decides to avenge the death of their teammate. They plan to discover who altered their direction toward the mine.

Unfortunately, this incident hasn’t been that long ago, and Badger is still having problems with his prosthetic leg. He needs more surgical work on his stump in order to enable a prosthetic leg to fit properly and comfortably.

Kat is a doctor, and engineer, who spends most of her life perfectly fitting proper prosthetics on people based on their needs. She also studies, invents and creates new and unusual types of prosthetic that could meet different needs. Kat, herself, has worn a prosthetic for most of her life.

These two imperfect people are very attracted to each other. However, Badger is on a mission to revenge the death of his teammate, and that is his is only concern. This is in spite of the fact that he is warned that if he doesn’t take care of his leg soon, it will be too late, and he will spend the rest of his life on crutches.

Unfortunately, Kat is kidnapped. Even though she is saved by Badger, she is in severe danger and must be protected until they can find out who is after her and why. This, then, is the immediate plot in this particular book.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Kat and Badger, who seem to fluctuate back and forth between whether they should attempt a relationship or give up. However, I also appreciated the respect and close friendship between Badger and his three SEALs teammates. Plus, the way they enclosed Kat into their circle of protection reflects the trust and affection these men have for each other.

By the end of the book, the reader discovers the answer to Kat’s problem. However, to my delight, it is only after the author plants many roadblocks and detours along the way to confuse the reader.

However, as suspected, the bigger question of who caused them to hit the landmine is still unanswered at the end of the story. Ms. Mayer drops a few pitiful clues in this book. However, I have a feeling that we will have to wait a while until we find out the answer to that question.

I can’t wait to read it!

[Kathie Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

SEALs of STEEL is a new series recently begun by Dale Mayer. It differs from the SEALs of HONOR and HEROES FOR HIRE in that each SOS book contains clues and information that will come together in a later book to solve the mystery and identify the villain responsible for the crimes identified in the individual books.
BADGER, Book 1 of SEALs of STEEL
Badger is a member of an eight-man SEALs unit that was decimated when their truck hit a landmine two years ago. One member of the unit, Mouse, was killed. The remaining seven members have spent the past two years healing from wounds and injuries that have left them with missing limbs and internal organs, plus pins and plates supporting the bones and muscles with which their bodies now function. Because of their wounds were so severe and specialized, the individual members of the team were rehabbed in hospitals all over the United States. Three have now come together in Santa Fe, NM, where Kat Greenwald, a genius prosthetic designer who herself has a prosthetic leg, continues to provide new and different supports that improve Badger’s, Erick’s, and Cade’s ability to live as normally as they can. They all love Kat, but it is Badger who is in love with her. When Kat is stalked and kidnapped by hired hit-men, Badger and his cohorts rescue her and set about finding the person who wants to kill her.
Badger reveals to Kat, Cade, and Erick that over the past two years he has harbored suspicions that the “military accident” in which they were so badly injured may have been intentionally set up. Instead of keeping off his mid-thigh stump so he can use his prosthetic leg without pain and the risk of infection, he decides that keeping Kat safe requires that she accompany the group of them to London to meet up with 4th unit member Talon and an informant. From here on, it’s continuous excitement that builds in each book. (Book 2 Erick will be released on May 22, and Book 3 Cade will be released on June 5.) Can’t wait to read them all. For those of you who need instant gratification, especially in the first book of the series, the SEALs of STEEL will solve Kat’s mystery, though you will need to read the book to find out how.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great new start to a new series by Dale Mayer featuring men of a SEAL team that was betrayed while on active duty. The force of that betrayal left one of them dead and the other 7 badly injured and not just the physical injury but also mentally for some. Badger was the team lead and even after 2 years he wants justice for the man he lost and the only thing holding him back for so long was his leg, which he lost when his team was betrayed. During his physical healing he meets Kat, who happens to be the one fitting and developing a prosthetic leg that suits him, problem for her is if he doesn’t get the proper treatment for what’s left of his leg, there won’t be any prosthetic leg that will help him. His need for vengeance, revenge and finding out the truth is the only thing driving him forward. Can Kat help him in more ways than one.
What an AMAZING read with action, suspense, some steam, a slow build up between these two but during that time the sparks are flying. I loved loved loved Kat, she was beautiful, strong, very very smart, kind, gentle and she had no problems standing up to Badger giving him brutal honesty and feistiness. Not only that but she lost something as well, which makes her empathetic and easy to sympathize with Badger and with anyone who has lost a limb.
I love the title SEALS of Steel as it has a huge significance in describing each of the men and this first book not only describes Badger physically but also his personality until he finally opens up to Kat and shows her more than the angry stoic emotion he has going on. I loved how protective he became of Kat when she was being threatened and how little drama was between them, how there were no others coming between them or jealousies getting in the way. I also loved the ending between them, no playing games, no humming and hawing or over thinking their relationship. Now I can’t wait for the next book starring Erick and his story !

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

BADGER... This new series needs to be read and experienced.

OMGooshness!! WOW!! I don’t think there are going to be enough words to convey how awesome this series is going to be… This series needs to be read and experienced. Right from the start, you will be drawn into the words, the emotions and intrigue that fills Badger’s pages.

It’s filled with compassion and a love that is slow building as both Badger and Kat find their footing, learning to listen, to see beyond the need for justice and learning to look after each other’s best interests. Learning to ask for help when you need it the most, that you don’t have to do everything on your own. But there will be a lot to learn and trust when trust is looking like its been compromised.

There is a major plot line that will carry out through the entire series but each book has it’s own sub plot and story that offers the characters more to deal with. Full of intrigue, dramatic suspense and action. Such wonderful, caring and compassionate characters that are reeling from horrific injuries and an injustice carried out. 



Dale delivers a page-turning sweet drama, intrigue and action - with BADGER. Highly recommended for those that love military based heroes and the women that capture their attention and love. It’s always wonderful to have other series book heroes/team members when you need help. That they have your back no matter what you are facing in life. Not only are they a team, they are family and will have your back no matter what. 



What happens when doubt is thrown into the mix? The plot thickens. I am so looking forward to reading this entire series and getting to know each man, how they overcome each trial they face both in how they learn to deal with a limitation that doesn’t hinder them in the least and how they fight for what happened to their team.

[Sue Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Dale Mayer Seal Story

The Doc (the female doctor who designs and makes limbs for the people who have lost theirs) is working with a seal team who were hit with a bomb. Eight men were in the trunk and one died while all seven who lived lost one or more limbs and had lots of other injuries. Two years later Doc has excepted three of them as her patients and has the files of others only one she had to turn down because she can't help him at this time. Badger is another one that to get her better designs has to have another surgery which he doesn't want but knows he needs it to get better. But he is looking for answers and knows he might not survive but also doesn't really care till his relationship with Doc changes. Not he still wants answers but realizes that his other team members do to and he is not alone. He needs the surgery now before his inflamed leg causes more damage than the Doc can fix. Now Doc is having trouble too. Threatening letters have been coming every Wednesday for seven weeks, she gets kidnapped getting to her car after work (luckily the guys realize something is wrong and go looking for her),. Someone shot up her house after they find her and she realizes that a hit has been put out on her life by someone she never would have expected to to something like that. She and Badger get closer while he stays close to protect her while he and his old team work to find the answers as they know she is a special doctor who they all need to keep around. They go to England and find even more trouble there till an MI6 guy does tell them they need to go home because they are leaving a trail of bodies even if they are not actually killing them themselves someone is when they are near. This is an exciting book with fun, a romance and a mystery to solve.

[Susan Swiderski · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eight-member SEAL team had a bad run-in with an explosion two years ago. One of them was killed, and the other seven lost multiple body parts and have endured numerous operations and grueling rehab ever since, and are now in various stages of recovery.

To make recovery more difficult, they are haunted by lingering questions, and Badger can't rest until he has the answers. Were they merely tragic victims of war, or was their suspicious last-minute change of orders that put them on a collision course with that IED pre-meditated? If so, who did it to them... and why?

In this book, Badger and several other members of his old team travel to London to meet with an informant, and they take their amazing state-of-the-art prosthetic designer Kat with them so they can keep an eye on her. Turns out she's become a target for danger, and these dudes are determined to protect her.

For the most part, this is an exciting fast-moving book with lots of action and very likable characters. The author does a good job capturing the tight relationship between the members of a SEAL team. The details about prosthetic limbs was interesting, but in some instances, it feels like an info dump and may be a little too much for some readers. The developing romance between Kat and Badger is heart-warming, but some of their dialogue pegs the sap-o-meter on this high side.

Bottom line, this is a very enjoyable book. And, let me tell ya, the author is one smart cookie. She's offering this book on Amazon for free. The rest of the books in the series will cost ya. And me. (sigh) What can I say? I'm hooked. Now I want to know what happens to these characters. My bet is, you will, too. Like I said, that author is one smart cookie.

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

A last minute change of orders forever changed the lives of an eight-man SEAL team. Seven men came home, none of them whole, and Badger is determined to get to the bottom of things. Finding answers and exacting vengeance, that’s what drives him, and he pushes himself too hard. Incomplete healing and the need for more surgery on his amputation keep his prosthetic device from working properly, which means its designer, Kat, has her hands full with Badger. Not only does he frustrate her because he won’t take the time to do what his body needs, she’s afraid his need for vengeance will get the man she’s come to care for killed. When Kat is endangered, Badger and some of his teammates step in to keep her safe.

Dale Mayer knows how to do SEAL romance, so I was glad to read an early copy of Badger’s story. In no time at all, I loved every one of these big, tough, strong, over-protective, damaged men and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series to find out more about who changed those orders. Kat was an amazing heroine! She's ridiculously intelligent, tough, strong, and can hold her own with the bad guys. And she designs some high-tech, very crafty prosthetic devices. Kat and Badger get a definite happy for now and are securely on the way to their happily ever after, so it will also be fun to check back in with them in future books. Grab this book and read it now so you're ready for the next book in this phenomenal new series.

*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

[CarolKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first discovered Dale Mayer in a wonderful group of authors telling a connected tale in Sleeper Seals. I loved that book so much I had to go find more by her.

Badger is first in the SEALs of Steel Series, and even though it is kind of connected back to the SEALs of Honor Series, I thought I'd start here and then go back. These are going to come fast and furious over the next few months, so here's my take on Badger.

Kat Greenwald is a prosthetic designer, and she has been working with Badger and his team to get them all functioning as normal as possible. Even though she finds herself falling for him, she fights giving in. Badger is on a quest of sorts, and isn't listening to the medical professionals around him. This is detrimental to his physical well-being and Kat can't seem to break down his resistance to the facts.

Badger and his team lost limbs and one lost his live when a landmine blew up their truck two years ago. Now some of his team is doing much better, he however is not doing as well. He keeps pushing too hard, too fast and if he doesn't start behaving and doing the right thing he could lose his chance at having a prosthetic, forever.

Problem is, something really stinks about what went down that day and finally some things are shaking loose.

After her brother has her kidnapped and wants her dead, Badger decides Kat should accompany him to England. Perhaps not the brightest of moves but it will give them time together and keep Kat mostly out of harms way.

Things really heat up in more ways than one in England. I couldn't put this book down as it weaves into a tale full of intrigue and romance.

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

This is the first book of the series. However, you will understand more if you’ve read two of the other series by the author before you read this one.

If you want to read what the book is about, read above the reviews.

Our hero in this one is a man who was a soldier and is now medically discharged. His whole team of SEALs hit an IED. He lost one teammate and all the others were injured in some way. They’ve lost limbs, internal parts and most important confidence. As the leader, our hero needs to know he can trust the others to keep going when he can't.

Our heroine is a person who helps people who have missing limbs by designing and helping them with equipment which helps them live their lives. In fact, our hero and his teammates have moved to the area because of our heroine and her skills. However, over the past two years, the team hasn’t been together very often because they’ve all been trying to survive their injuries. You can feel her frustration at him because all he cares about is revenge but all she wants is for him to be the best he can and take care of himself.

However, when the heroine is taken, our hero and two of his teammates, help to get her back. What they then realize is they all know something isn’t and wasn’t right about their accident where they were injured. When they start to look into it, they have more questions than answers and each answer they get lead to more questions.

The plot is one where it sucks you in and you just want to find the answers out but while you get a few answers you must keep reading to find out more.

I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book sounded promising, but again I found myself disappointed and underwhelmed. The only thing that made this book less annoying was the fact it was free on iBooks. If I had had to pay I would have been pissed. But again if the other books in the series are better written because you pay then this is poor advertising of a series as a whole, not to mention a scam. Like “You only get the good writing if you pay out”, but hey I don’t pay if I’m not invested, an this book made it extremely hard to even care.

The main characters were bland and their relationship didn’t really change from first chapter to the last.
Also the plot was all over the shop. One moment the book was about finding out why the team was hit, and then BOOM! Coins, kidnapping and attempted/actual murder. Too much flip-flop between the two ideas as well, not to mention the mystery of her being targeted wasn’t much of a mystery and was solved when it started, they just had to track down the people involved which took WAY too much time given they had wanted Kat dead.
And then there was the awkward dialogue. Some seemed fine (if a little clichéd) and other times it was out of character and was grammatically (in the sense of how people naturally speak IRL) incorrect and awkwardly written.
But the cherry on top was that I basically had to make up my own POV (Point of View) character in my head in order to keep things interesting.

Most of the plot came from nowhere and there were several inconsistencies in information given during the whole kidnapping/coin crusade thing.

Not the authors best attempt, but I’ve also read worse.

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

SEALs of Steel indeed

Dale Mayer does a great job of writing SEALs romance. She captures the Special Ops mentality perfectly. Having married my own Special Ops hero, who was also a patient of mine, I understand that it sometimes seems as though the way they look at the world, is somewhat flawed. Dale gets that but also accurately portrays their sense of honor and duty that is like the air they breathe. And their bodies, well, it takes a lot of strength and muscle to do what they do. In Badger, book 1 of her SEALs of Steel series, her SEALs are part of a team of 8, all injured in the same mission, and all in need of prosthetics to make them whole again. It's great that she can show them growing stronger and getting on with their lives despite massive injuries. I especially like that Dale Meyers understands that it takes a strong , independent , but loving woman, to take on a Special Ops man. Their strong personalities and protective instincts can roll over a lesser woman. Yet, females in Dale Mayers books are no shrinking violets. This is especially true for Kat Greenwald, the prosthesis designer, doctor, engineer in this story. The romance between her and Badger the team leader for these men develops slowly but is definitely hot and steamy. There is an interesting main mystery which is the basis for the whole series. But what I really enjoyed was that there was a subplot involving Kat and her past that keeps you guessing until the end of the book. With this book, Dale Mayer once again shows me why she has a permanent place on my bookshelves, next to Nora Roberts and Mary Higgins Clark!

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Badger Horley was a SEAL and his 8 man unit were hit with an antitank landmine while on a mission leaving one dead (Mouse) and the rest of them with life changing injuries. Badger is going through a long and painful path to full health and can't get revenge out of his mind as he is convinced that their accident was deliberately set up through changed orders that morning. Kat Greenwald has to watch Badger every time she sees him - he pushes himself too hard and won't let his stump heal and so is not taking well to his prosthetic. Kat is the gifted doctor and designer of the prosthetic and in watching his struggle needing constant adjustments she sees him a lot more than most other clients. Can Kat get him to take notice to take care of himself and could she become a reason for him to actually want to take care of himself?

Oh wow. I loved this story which was very well connected to events that I can imagine happening for real around the brave men and women who fight in modern day conflicts. The growing friendship between Kat and Badger was sweet and I really liked the connection to something that I known is being done for real today by a great guy called Noel Fitzpatrick (not saying more but you will understand me if you ever watch or read about it). I loved the loose connection to the SEALS of Honor books which helped to add to the general community of people who are no longer in service. The book was well written and the story was charming. Left me with a big smile on my face at the end so I'm definitely looking forward to the next one.

[Beverly McCall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Badger is the first in Dale Meyer’s SEALs of Steel series. As the first in a series, Meyer introduces a cast of characters. We are introduced to lead characters—Badger Horley and Kat Greenwald. A chemistry exists between these two. Badger Horley, the leader of an eight-man Seal team, along with other team members, were severely injured when a land mind exploded under their vehicle. Now, stateside, and recuperating Badger is trying to come to terms with what happened during a routine assignment. Badger cannot shake the gnawing feeling that this was not an accident, but a sabotage. He is determined to investigate what happened. Can Badger get to the bottom of this mystery? Meanwhile as Badger pursues his investigative interests, Kat Greenwald, a top prosthetic design engineer, life is spiraling out of control. Mystery evolves around Kat once she starts getting threatening letters in the mail. Within a short time after these letters arrive events in Kat’s life accelerate. It appears that someone wants to kill her. Who? Why? Will Kate and Badger get together? Will they find happiness? To learn the answers to these questions you must pick up this book.

I enjoyed Dale Meyer’s writing style in this suspense romance. I appreciated the way Meyer wove two plot themes together—one around Kat and the other around Badger and his Seal team—to create suspenseful tension in the rising action of her plot. Meyer continues this strategy by with a cliff hanger. This is a great hook to get readers to read the next book in the series. As this story unfolds, the action causes readers to ponder what will happen next, thereby, riveting readers. Meyer masters the art of dialog in this book. Readers learn a lot about each of these characters through their dialog as well as their internal dialog. This is further enhanced with the dual point of view Meyer uses. The descriptive language paints vivid and vibrant scenes. Readers feel the tension the characters experience in the life-threatening scenes. I enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading more books in this series. Happy Reading!

[Hazel Harkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dale Mayer has done a spectacular job of putting this book together with the real feelings of injured Navy Seals that are trying to figure out if their life altering injuries were simply a situation that happens in war or was it a set up which left 7 injured and 1 dead.

Kat Greenwald is a doctor that works with people that need prosthetic limbs. She specilizes in state of the art prosthetics and works closely with a lot of military personnel and since she is an amputee herself she knows a lot of how they feel as they try to adjust their lives to their loss and gain back as much a normal life as possible.

There is constant action on every page as Kat is kidnapped and Badger, Erick and Cade come to her rescue and end up taking her to England with them to keep her safe while the police try to figure out why someone is trying to kill her. She can meet with a doctor that is testing a new procedure on animals for attaching prosthetics via a metal rod inserted in the remaining limb tissue while they attempt to uncover information about the change of orders that got them blown up.

There are sparks between Kat and Badger and their relationship blooms as the story continues.

I loved everything about this book and recommend it to anyone that loves a good military mystery.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC of this book. I can't wait to read Erick (Seals of Steel book 2)

[Rachael Bromley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the seals line from Dale Mayer. It as great seeing some of her other characters in this book live Levi, Stone and Tesla. Badger is a retired seal, but as they say once a seal, always a seal. He was wounded with 6 other men 2 years ago but he feels something is off and his gut is telling him there is more to this than what they already know. Losing a limb isn't easy for anyone and it seems badger may have a death wish and won't get his stump seen to.

Kat is a brilliant engineer and doctor and make prosthesis for people who might need one, including badger and his team. In all of the good job she is doing it seems someone has it in for her. Sending notes tonner work place then a kidnapping and Badger wants to help.

This book was all action with Kat and Badgers story running side by side, hers regarding her late uncle and his regarding what happend on that fatefully that injured 6 and killed one. When Badger gets some intel on what happened and people start dying, he starts to question whether he can trust any of his team and friends as he tries to find the truth. Who is the person behind Kat's problem and what do they want?. A great start to the series and I am excited to read the upcoming books. Someone is a traitor but who can't it be? I received an advanced reader copy of this book

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

With Badger, Dale Mayer starts a brand new series while meeting, and exceeding, her reader’s expectations.
Badger is another book about Navy Seals. However, the story is fresh and original. The book is a tribute to war veterans. Instead of drawing on the traditional stereotype of the wounded and damaged individual, the story presents them as strong, powerful heroes. Men that have found the strength to overcome their severe injuries and go back to being fully active and even better professionals.
Men like them need to find very peculiar personalities as their counterpart.
Kat, the heroine of the story, is a very good example. Exceptionally skilled, and obviously very smart, she has a fascinating personality. She is strong, self confident and bright.
She is also generous and dedicated. Her witty exchanges with Badger are a pleasure to read.
Badger is an action packed book, with a rich plot and plenty of twists and turns. It is also a highly emotional, captivating story
Badger and his friends are an amazing new group of characters, and I can’t wait to read more about their adventures in the next books of this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Opinions and comments are solely my own.

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Badger is a recently injured SEAL who is bent on finding justice, and he’s forced to work with Kat, a doctor who specializes in custom-designed and fitted prosthetics. Kat just wants to see Badger get healthy, which he can’t do if his quest for vengeance distracts him from taking the steps necessary to rehab his leg.

While Badger is pursuing even the tiniest scrap of intel related to the attack on his team, he also picks up on an active threat to Kat. He keeps her close so he can sort out who wants her dead, while at the same time following up on every lead that brings him closer to finding the truth about his fateful mission. These two find an incredible chemistry along the way, learning to work together and rely on each other’s strengths.

This is an action-packed romance, with a lot of suspense and intrigue. I loved how the author writes strong women who can take care of themselves without detracting from the heroic efforts of the warriors they love. There’s a bit of crossover with the Legendary Security folks from the author’s previous series, cementing this new series in that familiar world. For fans of military romance stories, they don’t get any better than this. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Lisa Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well yet another Dale Mayer series to get hooked on!

Badger Horley is one seriously pissed off SEAL and is out for vengeance. Dr. Kat Greenwald is a prothetic designer who has tended to 1/2 of Badger's team as there were 8 in the team that ran over an IED and one didn't survive. Badger lost his leg and has other damage while his friends also lost body parts that Kat is designing prothetics for.

She is an amazing woman who is wicked smart and has a heart the size of Texas. She only wants the best for Badger but thinks he has a death wish. She wants him come home to her.

Badger is stubborn and determined a Navy SEAL through and through. He gets a lead from Stone, his buddy who is from Levi's Legendary Security Agency. This lead confirms his suspicions and sends him off to England with Kat in tow because her life is threatened too and he wants to protect her.

This book was fast paced and I really enjoyed Kat's banter with Badger, aptly named by the way. She is every bit his equal with a few tricks up her sleeve that allow her to be the rescuer for a change.

I am very interested to find out who betrayed them all and look forward to see the guys dropping like flies, just like Mason and Levi's group did. It won't be easy but reading about it will be fun.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Badger and his SEAL team mates were severely injured in their last mission in Afghanistan. Now two years later he has information that it was not an accident, but they were targeted. Now he is on a mission to find the answers to who and why. In the mean time he has his own injuries that need to be addressed. Not one of the team mates were left whole. Each lost a limb or two. His was not healing as fast as he needed it to. Kat is the prosthesis expert who is able to help those with this problem. Not only does she build the arms and legs that were lost she is also has a leg prosthesis due to her childhood. So she knows first hand what they need. She also has her own drama. She has been getting letters that had an ominous note. When he finds out his protective instincts kick in. When they end up together it seems that gunfire is also around. This is the first in the series of SEALs of Steel. And even though it ends with a HEA ending there is a cliffhanger of the mission that seems to be ongoing. So if you want to know what happened to the team in the desert you will need to read/listen to the next book/s. The narrator kept me listening to the very end. Can't wait to listen to the other books.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. A step up from the awesome seals series That Dale Mayer writes, and that is saying a lot. This one grabs you from the first paragraph with Kat adjusting a state of the art prosthetic leg. She is adjusting the leg for Badger. Badger whose team was hit with an IED on a last minute route change when overseas. Badger who won't let his leg heal as revenge is his driving force. I love reading about our military men and women, throw in some suspense, some romance and I am happy.
This exceeds all that. Kat with her fantastic trade has some crap going on in her own life. Badger and a few of his team are there to assist, then they go overseas to try and follow some intel on the last minute route change that killed one and maimed them all. There is fascinating information on prosthetics, and the future possibilities. There is suspense, romance and a plot line that will carry on to book 2, though never fear there is HEA for our main couple. Jump on board, you want to go on this ride. Thank you so much for the arc! I am ready for the next one in this fascinating new series.

[Niken Widyastuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new series from Dale Mayer. Well, not really new as there were quite lots of references and names from other series. A spin-off might be more suitable. So if you haven’t read her other series, you’d be left wondering why particular names being told familiarly without enough explanation to them. Not enough to deter from the main story though.

Well, as with other books from her, this one was packed with action and enough love drama. Quite a quick-read, not because the length but more due to Ms. Mayer way of storytelling that captivate me. Another delve into post-traumatic reaction, which I liked. Anger and the need for revenge became sort of lifeline for Badger. Kat was a strong woman, who I admired for her attitude.

My only problem was actually the romance relationship between a health professional and her patient. There’s ethical rules that forbid this kind of relationship. I think I know it quite well since I’m a med doctor myself. But, hey, this is a fiction!

I was provided a complementary copy by the author / publisher, but this in no way influenced my thoughts or opinions.