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Guardian SEALs #5

Guarding Brielle

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Brielle Wilson may be home safe and sound but being kidnapped while on vacation has left her a broken woman. Every day is a battle. When her therapist suggests she take a trip, she suffers an anxiety attack in the office. Go on another trip? No thank you, not after her last one. But fate gives her the push she needs when a college girlfriend calls and asks her to attend a wedding on the other side of the country. She only hopes she won’t regret her decision.

After a couple of harrowing missions, Navy SEAL Tim ‘T-Rex’ Exeter is ready for some down time. When he recognizes a blonde at a bar, as the woman he rescued on a recent assignment, he’s intrigued and drawn to her in a way he never has been before. When she experiences a PTSD attack, he’s compelled to help. Under the worst of circumstances, he finds himself wanting to protect her and keep her close by his side.

Will spending time with Tim be a constant reminder of the horrors she only wants to forget, or will he give her the strength to move forward? When the threat against Brielle’s life becomes real again, Tim will do everything in his power to bring her home, no matter what the cost.

164 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 26, 2018

353 people are currently reading
104 people want to read

About the author

Nicole Flockton

116 books507 followers
USA Today Bestselling author Nicole Flockton writes sexy contemporary romances, seducing you one kiss at a time as you turn the pages. Nicole likes nothing better than taking characters and creating unique situations where they fight to find their true love.

On her first school report her teacher noted "Nicole likes to tell her own stories". It wasn’t until after the birth of her first child and after having fun on a romance community forum that she finally decided to take the plunge and write a book.

Apart from writing Nicole is busy looking after her very own hero – her wonderfully supportive husband, and two fabulous kids. She also enjoys watching sports and, of course, reading.

VISIT ME ON FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/NicoleFlockton/

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Also, stop by and check out my Reader Group: Nicole's Ninjas on Facebook!

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5 stars
222 (53%)
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142 (34%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Bec.
1,660 reviews42 followers
August 11, 2018

Review Posted at HarlequinJunkie.com

Brielle Wilson has struggled to get back to enjoying life ever since being kidnapped while on vacation. So, when her therapist suggests she take a vacation, she decides to accept a friend’s offer to attend a wedding. Yet, she never imagined that she’d run into Tim ‘T-Rex’ Exeter; the man whose SEAL team rescued her from the harrowing kidnapping situation she’d found herself in. Spending time with Tim is no hardship, but when Brielle learns there’s another threat to her safety, will she be able to put her complete trust in Tim to keep her safe or will she lose her shot at happy ever after because trusting someone isn’t easy after all that she’s been through? Read More
Profile Image for Dana Busenbark.
2,801 reviews29 followers
June 26, 2018
We get to watch Tim 'T-Rex' Exeter in his prime with this book. When he and his team are sent out on a rescue mission, we get to meet Brielle. Who is she? Who is her family? Where was she when she was taken? Why was she there? Who has taken her? What does her kidnapping do to her mentally and physically? What happens during the rescue that she feels sad and safe at the same time? Who is Gemima and what does she ask Brielle to do? Where/when does this activity take place? What happens while she is there? Who comes to her aid? When Brielle gets called to the base in Virginia, who does she run into and what is she doing there? When she goes out for coffee, something is said that causes her to run. What is it? Where does she go? How is she found? Wow, my mind is blown finding out who was behind everything. This book is definitely full of action. Even more mind blowing is the bombshell that gets dropped right near the end of the book that we learn. I see another book coming!

RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
Profile Image for Sue.
4,376 reviews5 followers
July 4, 2018
Loved Brielle's story. Tim (t-rex) and his team rescured her from a hostage situation in India. They meet up again in San Diego when he sees her on base and finds out the one who kidnapped her is after her again. There is a lot of drama, action and getting to know the team and 2 of them women they are married to. An excellent book.
Profile Image for Vickey Mcgee.
748 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2018
Another Winner

Wow! I haven't read too many of this authors books but each one is a number one read. Great writing style along with characters that are memorable and stories that grip you from start to finish. Each is a winner. Once you start you won't want to put it down. There is sexual content but it isn't overpowering like so many books. Great story!!
174 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2019
Adorable Tim!

Tim is close second to my favorite SEAL and he is absolutely adorable. From when he protected Brielle to the reason why his nickname is T-Rex, you cannot help but fall in love with this big guy! Brielle might be portrayed as fragile because of her experience but to go out and face the world and trust people takes guts and I'm glad that Nicole created a perfect guy for her!
Profile Image for Kim  Brewing.
3,630 reviews37 followers
April 5, 2019
I think this is my favorite of the series so far. This series follows a formula (alpha meets his one, ends up needing the team to rescue her and they live HEA) but it totally works for me. In this one I loved that they had an earlier connection and how he was so there for her.
Profile Image for Tangled222.
46 reviews
July 22, 2018
Guarding Brielle by Nicole Flockton (2018)

Guarding Brielle is the fifth book in Nicole Flockton’s Guardian SEALs series. I didn’t know until I started reading Guarding Brielle that this book exists within the world of military romantic suspense created by Susan Stoker. Guarding Brielle is adjacent to Stoker’s SEAL of Protection series and brushes against her Delta Force Heroes series. Also, be aware that this book is part of a larger Kindle Worlds series—Special Forces: Operation Alpha World (there’s a handy list in the back of the book identifying the titles in this series). Had I known all this going in, well, I might have made a different buying decision. Which is to say, I’ve always been lukewarm where Stoker’s novels are concerned. In short, if you have read Stoker’s novels, know that Guarding Brielle will deliver more of the same, and from there you can decide if you are totally down for more of the same or you’ve already had enough. If it’s all new to you, don’t worry. Guarding Brielle can be read as a standalone book. Also, if you are the kind of reader who prefers romance novels more on the sweet side of the spectrum, this book may appeal to you. It is definitely not a racy read. But…Guarding Brielle isn’t one of my recommended reads and honestly, I have no intention of going back to read any other books in this series. Before we dive into what this book is about, here’s another warning: if you are the kind of reader who is easily annoyed with typos, you’re going to want to take a pass on this one because I’m sad to say the book is poorly edited. Okay, that’s all the preliminaries, I think. Moving on.

This is the story of Brielle Wilson and Tim “T-Rex” Exeter. Just as the back cover copy of the book says, Brielle was kidnapped while on vacation in India. Because of who she is (the daughter of a billionaire who owns diamond mines and the niece of a U.S. Senator—read: well, you know what I’m saying here, right?), a Navy SEAL team is sent to rescue her from her captors. We learn early in the story that Tim is the man who saved her (of course). After her return to her life in the States, Brielle is advised by her therapist to take a vacation in order to help her overcome the anxiety attacks she’s been living with ever since the kidnapping. She is reluctant to take her therapist’s advice, but when she gets a call from a sorority sister inviting her to her wedding in San Diego, Brielle decides to take a chance and makes her travel plans. Turns out, the bachelorette party ends up at the same bar where Tim and some of his other Navy SEAL friends are having drinks. Tim is in San Diego for a short vacation trip himself, and when he spots Brielle and recognizes her as the woman his team rescued in India, his interest is piqued. Then he notices she’s having an anxiety attack, and when her friends don’t notice what is happening, he jumps in and helps her through the attack as best as he can. The two go on a date while they’re both in the city, but afterward they both return to their separate lives in Virginia. Only, their paths cross again when Brielle and Tim both find out that the man who kidnapped her still poses a threat to her.

I’ve had a run of bad luck recently where romance novels are concerned. Though Guarding Brielle doesn’t break that streak, I have to point out that Flockton does get a few things right in this book, which is why it gets the benign rating of three stars from me. The meet cute happens in the first chapter of the book (please, save me from romances where I have to wait until the third or fourth chapter for the meet cute to happen). Though a bit bland (okay, more than a little bit bland?) both characters are generally likable. Rather than being fully developed, Brielle and Tim are flat, two-dimensional characters. The story is told from both Brielle and Tim’s alternating third-person point-of-view, and each character’s voice was engaging enough to keep my attention. Perhaps the best thing about the book is the way it delivers the sense of family and camaraderie that is a typical convention found in military romantic suspense series.

Still, the positive aspects of the book don’t outweigh the negatives for this reader. I’m fairly forgiving when it comes to typos, but this book was littered with them to the point where every time I found another I thought how much the author needed a good editor (or a better editor). First impressions matter. This was the first book I’ve read by Flockton, and the poor editing didn’t leave a favorable, lasting impression on me. I downloaded this book through my Kindle Unlimited subscription, so my book budget didn’t take a direct hit, and I’m glad for that because this book would have been a waste of my book dollars. Because I write romantic suspense, I’m always going to have a higher bar for books I read in this genre, and I’m okay with having high standards. Unfortunately, Guarding Brielle didn’t meet my expectations, and though I love a bit of brain candy as much as the next reader, my suggestion is to skip this one and keep on browsing.

Looking for more book reviews? Head on over to my book blog at https://endnotesbookblog.com/
Profile Image for Pam.
4,629 reviews69 followers
August 2, 2019
Guarding Brielle: Special Forces Operation Alpha: Guardian SEALS Book 4 is by Nicole Flockman. This book is great to read and takes only a short time so it is great for summer reading. The SEALS in Virginia and their counterparts in San Diego join up at times for specific missions. However, the men and their wives and families tend to be friends and make up a much larger group of rescuers.
Brielle Wilson had been kidnapped and taken to an obscure location in India where she was to be ransomed. Her Father was a rich owner of a diamond mine and had the means to pay it. Her Uncle was a senator and helped get the SEAL team in to rescue her. T-Rex was the one to actually draw her out of the hovel and talk her into being calm again. Once freed, she was trying to make her way back to being the person she was before the kidnapping. Her therapist suggested she take a trip so she ended up in San Diego at a friend’s wedding. At the bachelorette party, she had an anxiety attack but was rescued by T-Rex again. He was there taking care of his nephew and recognized her. Once more he rescued her and once more he went off without sharing names.
About a year later, she was headed for Commander Braise, when once more she ran into T-Rex or Ted. He affirmed that the terrorist who kidnapped her was threatening to do it again. This time Tim and his team would be there to protect her. Would it be enough? Can they figure out who the leader is in time to save her Father and her?
Profile Image for Erica Tyre.
107 reviews
September 3, 2018
Meh

It was slow and felt a bit stiff. I just didn’t connect with the characters or the story.

The obviously foreign words and phrases that sometimes cropped up made it obvious that this was written by someone not from the States and were weird to read about coming from characters that were supposed to be from there. It threw me out of the story a few times when one said “carpark” instead of “parking lot”, for example. It’s no problem when I see this in stories set in other countries (or characters from somewhere else), but here it just added to the sense of something being disconnected and not quite right somehow. It just felt like the author didn’t truly understand the subjects of her own story. The odd word choices just added to that.

Honestly, I need to just stick with Stoker’s original series because the spin-offs have all been disappointing.
Profile Image for Sherry.
583 reviews2 followers
December 23, 2018
Excellent!

Out of the 5 books in the Guardian Seals Series, I like Guarding Brielle the best. The storyline is great because the two characters come together after a highly stressful event. Tim is part of the team the rescues Brielle and she is drawn to his strength immediately. He helps her get past the PTSD she suffers from and she leans on him throughout the remainder of the story.
Profile Image for Meghan.
3,421 reviews8 followers
November 30, 2020
Where you least expect it

A SEAl and a damsel in distress. We first met this couple when Joker was shot on a mission. T-Rex and the team had rescued Brielle and now we see that a relationship is forming.

This story pulls on the whole team as well as Ghost and Tex. The kidnapping and danger is not over and we see it play out throughout the story. The romance is fairly uncomplicated and builds to a sweet conclusion and huge hint into why Robot and Antonia have tension.
79 reviews2 followers
June 3, 2022
Another great Alpha story!!! T-Rex see's Brielle at her friends wedding party and his Seal instincts tell him that she feels very uncomfortable and out of place from her first attack. Someone was after her father and she just so happened to be in the middle of everything without knowing. T-Rex and his team have to figure out a plan to keep Brielle and her father safe. Will they get there in time? That's up to you to figure out on your own! :)
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
423 reviews
January 2, 2019
When these SEAL boys fall, they fall hard. I am seriously loving this series. Tim has a way of making Brielle feel calm and safe. Since the kidnapping that’s what she truly needs right now. This was a very well written story that made me feel for all the characters. It’s exactly the type of book I needed. Not to mention we finally get a huge clue on what’s going on between Robot and Antonia. OMG!! I’m literally counting down the day till Guarding Antonia comes out.

Happy Reading 🖤
Profile Image for Val.
93 reviews1 follower
March 12, 2021
Good series

I wish I could find a reading order for all these books instead of just bits and pieces from different authors, but I am really liking them. I will be skipping the next book because I hate Antonia. She has been an immature beotch since her first appearance, I have zero desire to read a full book with her as the mfc.
Profile Image for Myst.
612 reviews16 followers
Read
July 13, 2018
Not bad was cool to see a bit of everyone from stoker's world like Ghost & Wolf.

Note: Don't expect much help through her site on what books are in her Guarding Seals in the Operation alpha kw. The site needs to be updated badly (only has book 3 listed) when book 7 is out now.
Profile Image for Susan.
2,482 reviews13 followers
July 16, 2018
Very Entertaining!

This book has the great characters, camaraderie, strength, and loyalty shown in these stories. There is great suspense and action and a great love story. Very enjoyable!
Profile Image for Jacqueline Kinion Falkenberry.
265 reviews10 followers
January 7, 2019
Very packed full of action. Brielle was very strong to push through her attacks like she did. It was great to see Tim helping her cope. Glad that they found their happy. Can not wait to dig into the next one when it comes out. Great Series.
Profile Image for E Reader.
1,016 reviews5 followers
February 17, 2019
Can she live again?

After her kidnapping she hid from the world. However when her doctor encouraged her to take a trip, she didn’t know what fate had in store for her. This was a sweet love story that was brought out of tragedy. Seeing Brielle take her life back was good as well.
Profile Image for Iris Hehe.
701 reviews9 followers
June 11, 2019
Good read

Brielle met Tim (T -Rex ) when she had been kidnapped in India. He was the one who carried her out and sat by her. She hadn't see or heard from him since then. At a bridal shower for her friend Tim sees her having a panic attack. And once again be rescues her
2,472 reviews32 followers
September 25, 2019
Guarding Brielle

This is a good story with interesting characters and a good storyline. Loving this series. Since this story is in the Special Forces Operation Alpha Tex, Ghost, Rayne, Wolf, Abe, Cookie all make appearances
Happy Reading!!!
Profile Image for Renee Johnson.
275 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2020
Great series

I have really enjoyed Nicole's guardian series. Even though they might be shorter, they are packed full, you get to know her characters and the added benefit of susan stokers characters too. Great read.
Profile Image for KDLediting.
1,766 reviews4 followers
April 5, 2021
5 stars

Another great Operation Alpha book from this author. I love that the heroine is able to ease thru her issues around the hero. She takes the issues from this heroine and makes them easily believable that they'll be overcome.
Profile Image for Charlene.
5,685 reviews2 followers
July 7, 2018
T-Rex Rocks

I enjoyed this one. I do understand that this is a “World” book, but there is as a lot of similarities between my Delta’s and my Seals.
Profile Image for Chris Fisk.
42 reviews
July 10, 2018
Sigh

Great story...didn't want to put it down. It would have been a 5 star review if there weren't spelling errors. Author needs a proofreader
Profile Image for Nikki Burgess.
402 reviews
November 23, 2019
Sweet story

The best part was the updates and intermingling of characters from other books. There was plenty of conflict but I couldn't feel the suspense. Still a good solid book
Profile Image for Lori Walsh, Guaresimo.
1,032 reviews10 followers
September 14, 2020
I'm reading the series and this one was really slow with the action it didn't pick up until the last few chapters. No extra drama which I like in books, the whole series is like that so far.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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