Smug

Se7en Deadly SEALs #8

by Alana Albertson

I don’t recognize the classy woman in the mirror staring back at me―sensible hair, nude lipstick, curves bound in the finest business suit. I have dedicated my life to uncovering the secrets of the SEAL Teams. Hoping one day, I’ll be able to find out who kidnapped my sister.
As a NCIS agent investigating the Teams, there is no margin for error. I have to maintain professionalism at all times. I didn’t count on being forced to work with the resident SEAL bad boy, Mitch Martinez. But opening up to Mitch is the key to unraveling the secrets of the Teams. Any sacrifice will be worth it if I can discover what happened to my sister. Mitch may tempt me, but I’ll never let him into my heart.

Smug is the first episode of Se7en Deadly SEALs, Season 2. This book is 22000 words and ends in a cliffhanger. The next episode in this season, Slack, will be released summer 2018. Season 2 can be read as a stand alone but does contain characters and information regarding Season 1. If you haven’t read Season 1, start the series for free! Conceit, Season 1, Episode 1, is free on Kindle.

Genres: Military Fiction, Romance

97 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2018

About the author

Alana Albertson is a multi-award winning author, current President of Romance Writers of America's Contemporary Romance Chapter and the former President of both Romance Writers of America’s Young Adult and Chick Lit chapters. Alana Albertson holds a Masters of Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford University. A recovering professional ballroom dancer, Alana currently writes contemporary romance, new adult and young adult fiction. She lives in San Diego, California, with her husband, two young sons, and four dogs. When she’s not spending her time playing with her sons, dancing, or saving dogs from high kill shelters through Pugs N Roses, the rescue she founded, she can be found watching episodes Homeland, Devious Maids, or Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team.

Reviews

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

First let me say that in order to understand fully the characters and the storyline I would suggest reading Episode 1 of the Se7en Deadly SEALs. It's not necessary to follow the main characters in this episode but you will have a better understanding of what is happening. Also this ends on a major cliffie so be prepared!
Ashley is NCIS and in order to solve the mystery of the SEALs team and what happened to her sister all those years ago, she will do anything to solve these cases.
Mitch is the ultimate bad boy of the SEAL Team. But when it comes to his children, he has a side that Ashley has never seen. Just when things are heating up between the two of them they get sucked into the mess that is the teams.
I love these kinds of plots that keep getting thicker and thicker, with twists and turns all along the way. I cannot wait for the next one!

[Priscilla Reinart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was so good! I love the way she writes!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mitch Martinez, a Navy SEAL and a man who can get most women to drop their panties for him with a smile. He is divorced from his high school sweetheart, and the father of two young children. He would do anything for his children and he would love to be able to see them more often, but his ex-wife took them and moved to Las Vegas after the divorce. He knows he can't have full custody with his job, but seeing them more regularly would be nice. 

Ashley Pierce, an NCIS agent who is like a dog with a bone when she believes something and is trying to get to the bottom of an investigation. She is still hung up on the case of Joaquin Cruz. She still doesn't think that the case is closed or that all of the people involved have been arrested or dealt with. She is now investigating the death of United States Navy Officer, Paul Thompson. She doesn't quit believe that he committed suicide.

Mitch and Ashley are reacquainted in Smug after their meeting in Season 1 when Ashley was posing as a stripper named Autumn. Now she has to investigate the death of a Navy Officer and Mitch was the one to find the body. Is he a suspect, should he be, or did he just happen upon the body? Ashely has to fight herself and her feelings for Mitch,  while trying to get to the bottom of Paul's death.

I missed a few books in Season 1 and now I have to go back and read them. This story brought back the steaminess of these Navy SEALs and their strength as a team. Ashley will have to work through some things in this series. She is going to find some things that will make her question a lot of her younger life, and she will have to overcome some doubts that she has for those around her. This book is well written and ends with a cliff hanger. It is a short read, but the story will keep you turning the pages to find out what will happen next. I look forward to more in this season to find out the answers to the questions this book left me with. 

Ms. Albertson knows how to write about sexy SEALs and steamy scenes. I have read a few of her books and have never been disappointed. I look forward to reading more. I give this story a 4.5 star review and can't wait until the next book with Mitch, Ashley, Grant, and Mia.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

So let me start saying i have been invested in this series from the beginning and i have not been disappointed. I loved grant and mia but i was very #teammitch always. So now seeing this other side of the bad boy is awesome. He may be a player a bad boy and living for the next rush badass but he’s also a man looking for love and a great father.

Then there is ashley. She was autumn in season one an undercover ncis agent posing as stripper. She has a chip on her shoulder and towards the end of last season she hated mia. In this book we find out why. Now this season the focus being on them their chemistry blows us away and we see more of them as people of careers that interfere with their personal lives and also as two lost souls who try to stay level headed while falling for each other. Now there are new issues arising and need to read the next installment to know who killed paul? Is mia ashleys sister? Why and how is april in hospital? Too many questions but omg while the suspense is killing me i have to say i love this series. As always the author with her exceptional writing had me sold on not only the plot but mitchs sex appeal and alphaness lol

[Stephanie Corbett · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars 🌟 - a tense start to the new series

If you are expecting a full book or novella, then think again. This is a serialised book, there were 7 parts to season 1, and I assume season 2 will be similar. It you don’t have the patience for the cliffhangers then it might be best to wait until the season is complete, but it will be worth the wait.

The storyline is exciting and tense, as with season 1, you can see that there will be plenty of twists and turns, the action is fast paced and the romance is steamy.

We met most of the characters in season 1, so if you want to get the most out of your reading pleasure then I would recommend reading that first.

We are back with the Seals and murder, deceit, betrayal and mystery are abound. It is fast paced and captivating... the only drawback is waiting for the rest of the books in the series.

I highly recommend this book and all the Se7en Deadly Seals stories.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read Conceit, book one in the Se7en Deadly SEALs: Season One series, but haven't gotten around to reading the rest of the series. I wish I had before reading this one. You could get away with reading this as a standalone series from the season one series, but the characters come from season one and there is mention a few times to things that happened in that series. I'm someone who really likes to have as much backstory as I can to what's going on. With all that said I still enjoyed this book very much. It does end in a cliffhanger so I can't wait until the next book comes out. There were two major things right at the end that now have me in suspense. In the meantime I think I'll be going back and reading the rest of the season one series.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. This is my honest review.*

[RoseyLovesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

NCIS agent Ashley Pierce is investigating a SEAL's death and agrees to a dinner date with sexy bad boy Mitch to get more information. SEAL Mitch Martinez craves something deeper than being a good time and has wanted the beautiful Ashley from the first time he saw her. But with intrigue swirling around the SEAL's death, Ashley is suspicious of Mitch's motives. Mitch finds it hard to turn off his training and when he does, disaster strikes. Note: this story ends on a cliffhanger

Alana Albertson delivers an action-packed, suspenseful and steamy story that's addictive. I can't wait to read Slack, Book 2 of Se7en Deadly SEALs Season 2.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

And the series by Alana Albertson rolls on with just as much fiery testosterone and hormones flying between its major characters. In this episode, it's all about the chemistry between Ashley and Mitch. What I like about not just this episode, but the entire series, is that the reader is emotionally taken through the various highs and lows of the characters in such a way that they can't help but either root for or against them. My only complaint, is that the episodes are too short and too far apart, but totally looking forward to the next one. This is a voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Hidden Gems Books.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome start to a contemporary SEAL mystery romance. Ashley has been called to the base because it appears one of the SEAL’s killed himself. She has questions about the dead SEAL so she agrees to dinner with him. Their situation is difficult because the has a loyalty to his team members while she works for NCIS. It’s sad that this has a huge cliffhanger as I seldom read those. I received a complimentary copy via Hidden Gems and chose to write a review. Ms. Albertson definitely keeps readers focused on not only the main story but the sub stories within this book.

[Melanie Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was impatiently waiting for the next part of this series and low and behold, it has arrived. This book was a great, short read leading to the new season. It can be read as a standalone but I do recommend reading the first season first. A lot of the characters and story are featured and it may get confusing. But, it's still a good start with great characters. Keep in mind, it does end with a cliffhanger.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

[Vivian Chrisman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why do I do this to myself?!? I know that this story will end with a cliffhanger( I don't like cliffhangers) but does that stop me from reading it? No. Ms. Albertson hooked be with Se7en Deadly SEALs Season 1 so I have to read Season 2. Right?! I have a feeling Mitch and Ash are going to provide for some great reading... even if they do have cliffhangers.

*I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book via Hidden Gems which I am voluntarily reviewing*

[Shelly Celli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashley and Mitch have been circling one another for a while. WHen he finds Paul, there are suspicions, but no proof as to actual cause of death other than suicide. Ashley goes out with Mitch to try to get answers from him, but chaos hits when his daughter calls about her mother. Now, his daughter is missing and he’s losing his mind. The first person he calls is Ashley to help him...

I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I’m voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Charity Chimni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agh! A cliffhanger! I guess I should learn to read the blurbs. I loved the story and the characters but wasn’t expecting the cliffhanger. I need to know what happens now! Mitch is the bad boy trying to prove he’s more while straightening up his act and Ash is the career minded girl trying to navigate to her feelings and her past. A great read. Just need the rest now!

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as part of an ARC review. To note that this is part of a serial series and would probably be better to read from the beginning to get all the background information. However, the author still manages to keep your interest and makes you want to keep reading. Although one should be aware that it is a cliffhanger ending which is expected in serial books.

[Kim F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, intriguing characters. I want to read more from this author. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[LORRIE · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic. I love the mystery of it all and can't wait for future episodes

[Sharilyn Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

Was this it I read this book in like an hour and then it just stops come on there was nothing to it

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn! This was on fire! Ashley and Mitch are explosive together.

[Michele]

Never be too smug to see beyond the story
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. This is my 9th book by Emma, and I love an author who writes in dual point of view. We previously met Ashley, an NCIS agent who was working undercover as Autumn in a prior book where a SEAL was being investigated for murder. Ashley is now investigating the case of an apparent suicide of a SEAL discovered on base. Ashley asks Mitch, also a SEAL whom she met while undercover to elaborate about the deceased. Mitch invites Ashley for dinner if she wants to learn more about the deceased. While on their date, Mitch’s ex-wife is hospitalized for an overdose and is in a coma. He immediately makes plans to get to Vegas to get his 2 children and Ashley goes with him. When one of Mitch’s children mentions that the deceased had been to visit them, it gets Ashley’s investigative skills going. Yet, her investigation is ruled a suicide, so Ashley joins Mitch on his Disney vacation with his kids. Ashley’s vacation is cut short to meet her new partner, and is stunned to be paired with Mia, the sister of the SEAL from her previous investigation. When glancing at a photo of Mia’s father, she remembers something from her past. Meanwhile, Mitch’s daughter goes missing from the Jedi Academy, and he sends Ashley a message saying he needs her now. The cliffhanger leaves you wondering can this all be connected to a suicide? Anxiously waiting for the next book…