A SEAL's Struggle

The SEALs of Chance Creek #9

by Cora Seton

She broke his heart. Now she’s back.

When Win Lisle walked out on him five months ago, Angus McBride hardened his heart and committed to marrying a stranger to save Base Camp, the sustainable community he came to Montana to build. Now there’s just over a month until his wedding, he knows he can never love his backup bride, Leslie, and Win has come back—pregnant with his baby. What’s a Navy SEAL to do?

Five months ago, Win panicked. Faced with a positive pregnancy test and a choice—Angus or her family—she chose her family. After all, they once gave up everything for her. She’s regretted the decision ever since, and now she’s back, ready to commit to Angus forever—but Angus has a new fiancée who’s got no intention of giving him up.

Angus wants Win—bad, but Leslie wants her happily-ever-after and she’s not afraid to play dirty to get it. In this race to the altar, will anyone find happiness?

Genres: Romance, Military Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Military Romance

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2020

About the author

With over one million books sold, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cora Seton has created a world readers love in Chance Creek, Montana. She currently has thirty novels and novellas set in her fictional town, with many more in the works.

Like her characters, Cora loves cowboys, military heroes, country life, gardening, jogging, binge-watching Jane Austen movies, keeping up with the latest technology and indulging in old-fashioned pursuits. She lives on beautiful Vancouver Island with her husband, children and two cats.

Visit www.coraseton.com to read about new releases, locate your favorite characters on the Chance Creek map, and learn about contests and other cool events!

Reviews

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is number nine in the ten-book series about a group of former SEALs who are trying to make a sustainable community on a ranch in Montana. I've got to say that the story lines are getting rather boring, but I'm not a quitter. That may be the only reason I'm still reading this series, because it certainly isn't for the plots (tired), sizzling romance (boring) or the original characters (not).

Angus McBride is up this month to find a bride and get married or the group will lose Base Camp as the evil billionaire will bulldoze it and put up a housing track. Horrors! He lost his heart to a millionaire heiress months ago and was devastated when she left Base Camp to return to her privileged life. She's Baaack and pregnant. Hooray! This one is a slam dunk for Angus - he still loves her. Hold on, the evil billionaire doesn't care about true love he is concerned that the "Backup Brides" will cause trouble with the advertisers and has decreed that Angus must court one for 30 days and Backup Bride, Leslie is determined to win Angus as her own. Who cares about the pregnant Win or true love? Not the focused on the prize Leslie, that's for sure.

Five months ago, when Win Lisle found out she was pregnant, she was ecstatic. She loved Angus and he loved her. They would get married and Live Happily Ever After at Base Camp. Then her father calls and she chooses to leave to nurse her sick mother. Well, when she returns, she finds some stiff competition for Angus and a specter from the past comes to Base Camp and Win's deepest fears are again reality.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cora has done it again! Somehow even though this is book number 9 in the series (and I recommend reading the books in order), each book has a unique plot as each SEAL manages to find love while still fulfilling the rules set out for the reality show. This time it is Angus' turn to marry and he has his heart set on Win who left him months ago. But now that she is back, things still aren't easy for this couple. As much as I enjoyed reading about this couple, I must admit I am looking forward to Avery and Walker finally getting their story.

[Izzie d · Rating 3 out of 5]

The situation, the eco homes, ex military, tv show, Jane Austen, commitment to marry when you draw the short straw is somewhat bizarre.
I think if it was just the ex military eco home, tv show, commitment to marry when you draw the short straw I would be fine with it, the Jane Austen thing I find a bit wierd, but it means the women are tied there too so I just go with it.

The reasons for the heroine leaving are understandable but I did think she handled it badly and other than changing her mind, I'm not sure the Hero wouldn't continue to feel second best.

The backup bride situation just gets ridiculous. Honestly, I understand we have 5 minutes of fame mentality but she was so OTT.

Here are no intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.

Breadcrumbs dropped for the last couple in the next book and I'm not sure if the author is hinting at a further book after that or a spin off regarding a film to be made.

It's well written, interesting eco world ideas but the concept of the men and women and the TV show and the marriage in 30 days is just too much.


ARC.

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of retired navy Seals decide to build an environmentally sustainable community. To get the money necessary ,they accept to participate in a reality television show funded by Fulsom, an eccentric billionaire.. The men have to marry, within a year and produce at least three children . To decide whose turn it is to be married, they draw straws.
They share the land with a group of women who manage a Regency themed
B&B.

So, finally we learn why Win left Angus back at Base Camp.
Win’s family is EVIL! When she understands the extent of their evilness, she goes back to the man she loves. But, new rule, to appease the prospective brides, Angus has to date one of them for 30 days.

I liked this story an the way Win evolve as a character. Angus mother deserted him when he was a child, therefore he doesn’t trust Win resolve to stay and commit to him. But, of course, love prevails.

Sadly, there is only another story in this series, I can’t way to read it!!!

[ZETTER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reclaiming Her Future!!!

After Greg and Renata got their HEA in the previous book, A SEAL'S DESIRE . It was Angus McBride's turn to get married. He met his dream girl five months ago but she left him with a broken heart. Now he had a backup bride, Leslie Baker whom he had to get to know when all he wanted was to be with the one he loved, Winifred "Win" Lisle.

Winifred "Win" Lisle came to Montana for her friend Andrea's bachelorette party, she met the men of the popular show Base Camp and was intrigued by one, Angus McBride. The feeling was mutual. She decided to stay in Montana even after her friend's wedding. Things between her and Angus were going great then one day she got some unexpected news.

Being the daughter of a congressman who was up for re-election, her parents didn't like the idea of her being on a pro-environment show especially when his backers were very interested in fossil fuel. With everything she had going on, she wanted to share her news with the man she loved. But she never got a change.

Now she was back at Base Camp, pregnant with the love of her life's baby. And he had to spend 30 days dating a stranger or all the hard work he and his friends did will be for nothing. They could lose their sustainable community. What was a woman to do?!

Angus hated the fact that he had entertain Leslie for a month instead of spending that time with Win. The woman he loved and the mother oc his child. He knew that things wouldn't be easy but to be so close yet so far away from his beloved was killing him.

Win's world was turned upside down when she learned some disturbing things about her parents. But she had the love and support of the women and men of Base Camp. Despite the hurdles that were put in front of her, she was able to reclaim her love.

It was great to catch up with old friends, I didn't like how Boone talked to Win, he came off sounding like a total jerk. But after what he went through with Riley, it was understandable. I've enjoyed all the twists and turns.

A SEAL'S STRUGGLE is the ninth installment in Cora Seton's SEAL'S OF CHANCE CREEK series. It was intriguing, bittersweet and heartwarming. I'm so in love with this series. Cora Seton did a magnificent job! 5++++

****I received this book, without any obligation to review.****

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 9th book in the series telling the story of Win's return to Base Camp to reunite with Angus. There is however, a spanner in the works as the backup brides have found a way in. Angus must spend 30 days giving Leslie a chance and she is determined that Angus is the one for her.

This was another good book in the series but for the last couple of books I have been eagerly awaiting Walker and Avery's story. Roll on book 10!

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I stopped reading at chapter five.

I haven't read any of the prior books in this series. I picked it up because I generally like military heroes. I found this book to be bizarre.

Angus, a former SEAL, is part of a TV reality show. He and his fellow teammates are building a fully sustainable community out west. The show involves them wearing regency clothes, drawing straws to see who gets married in 30 days, and then producing a baby in a year.

Angus and his lady love, Win, have a good thing going. But then Win gets pulled into some family drama back in California. She leaves Angus, shortly after finding out she's pregnant, and returns home without telling him about the baby. Months later, with more family drama brewing, Win returns to Angus and the reality show. Then there is something about Angus needing to fake date a "back-up bride" because of ratings and sponsors while a miserable and pregnant Win looks on. That is pretty much when I stopped reading. I just thought the whole plot was ridiculous.

[Natasha Hawke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book had my emotions going up and down right until the end! It had everything I have come to love from Cora’s books, drama, suspense and so much love! Base camp keeps growing and the members living there now are faced with how they have changed, and what they are lacking thanks to the unbelievable demands of one man, the fact that love could be denied because of this man and a few unreasonable women makes the mind boggle! Fortunately love wins in the end, but there are many large bumps to overcome. I read Angus and Win’s story in a few hours, I couldn’t put it down. I’m so looking forward to Walker and Avery’s story and hoping they get their happy ever after, it’s been a long time coming, but knowing the end of this series is coming makes me sad! I have truly enjoyed reading these Navy Seals falling for their amazing women.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick recap:
Boone, Clay, Jericho, and Walker were 4 Navy SEALS in Yemen. Witnessing the horrors of the destruction caused by civil war and climate change, they made a pact that together they would create a sustainable community when they returned to the USA. Enter four women living in the Jane Austen Regency period, a reality television series and this is not going to be your average Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. Enter also 6 additional Navy SEALS to help the original four try to make this a reality.


I cannot believe this series has held me in its grip since 2017. I have resolved that 2024 is the year I shall finish the last books in the series.

It is book 9 and this is Win and Angus's love story. Angus, the sustainable communities' resident cook and gardner loves his adopted homeland. Immigrating with his family from Scotland when he was a child and seeing the horrors of war as an adult, Angus wants to build a future with the love of his life and keep Chance Creek beautiful. The only problem is that Win Lisle broke his heart and chose her rich family over a life with him months ago. Imagine his shock and everyone else's when Win appears on the night of Greg and Renata's wedding(Book 8) determined to win back Angus's heart and pregnant with his baby. But the demands of the reality series plan to make it difficult for a swift happy ending.

It was wonderful to be back in the fictional town of Chance Creek with all my favorite characters. I liked the story a lot and the hurdles that Cora Seton puts her characters through. There was no shortage of villains and I was so happy that someone FINALLY stood up to Boone( main protagonist of book 1). I am also glad that the door was opened to other people joining the community aside from the ten Navy SEALs of the series. With one book left in the series, I cannot wait to see how this is all going to end.


Goodreads review published 13/03/24

[CarolKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's down to Angus and Walker, they are the last two that need to fulfill the marriage requirement set by Fulsom. Both men have obstacles to make it to the alter.

For Angus, he's still in love with Win. She told him she was leaving because her mother was ill, but it was so much more than that.

For Walker, he's still annoyed about Avery stealing things, but there's also the problem of an arranged marriage to be solved.

Of course Fulsom has added a requirement, whoever gets the short straw this time, has to date a 'backup' bride and give her a real chance to become the bride. The woman has already been chosen and would arrive the day after Renata and Greg's wedding.

Angus drew the short straw, with Win gone he really doesn't have much of a choice, he's going to date the backup bride Leslie and if need be, marry her.

It's at the wedding reception that things look up, Win is back. However there is still the back up bride and Angus' agreement to date her for thirty days. If he doesn't they lose everything.

When we meet Leslie let me just say I wanted to slap her silly and not only because she's there to marry Angus, the woman doesn't stop talking.

Her first meeting with Win was as interesting as it was one sided, on Leslie's part. The woman can babble like there's no tomorrow. The woman is also determined to get Angus to the altar.

Plenty of twists and turns add to the story and the undeniable love between Angus and Win just keeps shining through. A couple of major surprises and of course there's plenty of heat.

In spite of the fact this series will be ending I can't wait for the next book!

[The Storylit Swoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A SEAL’s Struggle was one of the most emotional books in the Heroes of Chance Creek series because every major character had something meaningful to lose.

Five months after Win broke his heart, Angus has accepted that he’ll marry someone else to protect Base Camp. Then Win returns…pregnant with his baby.

What I liked most was that the story never gave easy answers. I understood why Angus felt obligated to honor his commitment, but I also understood why Win left in the first place. Even Leslie, who could have easily become the “other woman,” had believable reasons for fighting for the future she thought was finally hers.

The romance isn’t about whether Angus and Win still love each other. They clearly do. It’s about whether they can forgive the choices that separated them and rebuild the trust they lost.

By this point, Base Camp truly feels like a family, and that sense of community adds even more warmth to an already emotional story.

If you enjoy second-chance romance, surprise pregnancy, emotionally layered love triangles, and stories about forgiveness and rebuilding trust, A SEAL’s Struggle is one of the strongest emotional entries in the series.

[Cullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angus and Lisle

They had made a deal to live off the land marry and have children . If they did this the land would be theirs. Angus and Lisle were in love. They were just waiting for a short straw to be drawn so they could marry. Lisle had just found out she was pregnant, when she got a call from her father wanting her to come home. Her mother had cancer. She needed her. Remember she was there for you. She finally agreed. She thought it was the best way. She went home to her parents mansion. She missed Angus but still believed it was the best way to handle things until she found out that her parents were lying to her. Her mother wasn't sick. Her treatments were really trips to an exclusive health spa. She was determined to go back to Amgus. But the show has added in another bride to take her place. They had to give her 30 long torturous days.
A good story with twists and turns.

[Teresa Christianson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story

Win and Angus had had feelings for each other since the day the met and have spent as much time as possible together. Then she finds out she is pregnant but before she can tell him, her father calls and tells her that her mother has cancer and might die. She is into going back home indefinitely. But she didn't realize she was being manipulated by them yet again. Now she is back very pregnant but Angus has agreed to give the backup bride 30 days but he know he won't fall in love with her. But Leslie make their life unbearable. All they be able to make it until the 30 day are up to be together? What happens when Leslie brings in a backup husband for Win who turns out to be Angus' cousin that is almost identical to him? When won is kidnapped, will Angus get to her before it is too late?

[LitLover · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK ~ I'll admit it: for me, at the beginning, this was the 'weak link' in the series ~ I was a little distract-able with the first handful of chapters, whereas with the other books, that wasn't the case. However, Win's secrets and AWFUL PARENTS drew me in and I'm really glad I kept reading, but if Byron hadn't been there all along, I might have given up hope . . . . also wondering if we'll see Leslie and Douglas in the future ~ in some ways, I hope so, but in other ways, I hope NOT!!!

BUT WHERE IS #10?!?!?! WHAT WILL I DO??? I'm so hooked on this bunch of people ~ it would really BE a fun 'reality show'!!!! :-) Hoping a SEAL's Triumph is published SOOOOOON!!!!

[Sharon Dubuque · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story!

Angus was from Scotland but joined the Navy Seals. He also was interested is land sustainability. He was good in hydroponics, growing plants with water. They would have greens all year round. Win came from money, her father in politics. She was kidnapped at 13, and found out recently that her parents made that happen for hie publicity. So many lies. She met Agnes and fell hard. He for her too. She had to leave camp because her mother had cancer, another lie. So she came back, pregnant. Oh well, now things take a turn. So much drama. Read it, you’ll like it a lot.

[Donna Rutledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and this series. This book is about Win and Angus. Win has left Chance Creek because her mother has cancer. She left Angus and didn't tell him about their child.

Angus has drawn the short straw and he must marry within forty days but his love has left and he doesn't expect Win to come back. He must court a backup bride, Leslie for thirty days. Win is devastated. Win is carrying Angus's child and she wants him.

Angus doesn't know what to do he must court Leslie but he's still in love with Win.

[Helen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five months again Win Lisle walked out on Angus McBride and returned home. Now there is only one month remaining for Angus to find a bride and marry in order to save Base Camp. A back up bride, Leslie, has been brought in. Angus knows he will never love this backup bride. Now all of sudden Win has returned and she is pregnant with his child.

Win had what she thought were legitimate reasons for leaving Angus. But once she shares those reasons with Angus is there any chance that he will forgive her?

Leslie, the backup bride, wants her happily-ever after. So now the challenge is on.

[Anne Blyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book though I confess I may have strangled the back up bride. She was a tad over the top annoying though in the end it all worked out. Ultra rich parents from hell make me glad I came from a normal middle class family. I've always enjoyed Angus's wit and I loved that Winn was able to finally walk away from a life of wealth to find a loving home at Base Camp.

[Lifelongreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected plot twists and suspense aplenty!

Another excellent book in the Seals of Chance Creek. It was full of unexpected plot twists and suspense enough to keep me turning the have resent the interruptions to my reading! I'm looking forward to reading the last book in this series and finding another series by this author to read.

[Sylvia Sorensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Seal’s Struggle

Angus has been pining for Win since she left to take care of her mother who was sick. Win unfortunately found out her mother was not sick just a play to get her to come back home. Win left to come back to Base Camp to Angus the man she loved and the father of her child.
Read to all the problems that they have to overcome.

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angus & Win

It was good to get to know Win, she seemed spoiled and unlikable. Angus is trying his best for Base Camp, and the backup they choose is trouble for him. Leslie is pushy and talks non-stop.

[Pat Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ebook

She’s ready to marry the man she loves finds out she’s pregnant and her Mom needs her. She flees the ranch then realizes she’s been duped. Home to her love but someone else is trying for him.

[Annemieke Westerbeek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an other wonderful story in this series. Win left the basecamp to tend to her mother’s health. She is having cancer. After 5 month she is back and Angus has a backup bride. How is that going to end. I loved it

[Gerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put the series down. Waiting till the next one comes out A Seal's Triumph.

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Seals Struggle

Great reading. Once again I couldn't put the book down. Can't wait to find out more. Looking forward to the next book.Highly recommend reading.

[Janet Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good read!

I just enjoy all the characters in this series! Can't wait to read the 10th book. A Seal 's Triumph!

[Norma Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the chance creek series

I’m always waiting fo a new book from Cora seton
I also love the seals books.
She has interesting plots and of course the best love stories

[Janice Bold · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG IF I COULD CHOOSE MORE THAN 5 STARS I WOULD. LOVED THIS SERIES!

[Tammy Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this story. Couldn't put down until I was finished. Highly recommend.

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!
I couldn’t stop reading.
Recommend to all