Protecting Her

by Scarlett Ray

I have never been so angry and so turned on at the same time…

She is stubborn, crazy smart and as drop dead gorgeous as ever.
How she ended up in the middle of a war zone looking me straight in the eyes, deep into my soul?
FATE.
She has haunted me and filled my dreams for so long, it feels as if I never left her.
But I did.
It was the only way I could keep her safe.
I can’t control myself when I am near her, she makes my beast go wild with anticipation of taking her body and soul.
Holly has always been my one true mate.
And she always will be.
Protecting her is all I can do, from the dangers of war, the truth and most importantly…
FROM ME.
Will she ever forgive me, trust, share her life with me…and our unborn child?

WARNING: Steamy Shifter Scenes Inside - +18

ebook

Published September 10, 2020

About the author

Scarlett Ray is passionate about life and this zest is what fuels her creative writing of Paranormal Romance novels. Steamy, sexy alpha males with an intense desire to protect and perform for the heroines they crave. Scarlett’s books are tantalizing with twists and turns, cliff hangers and of course…always a happy ending. When she isn’t writing these delicious, sensuous tales she is nestled in a cedar grove perched over the ocean in a tiny town on little island in the Pacific Northwest, spending time with those who are dearest to her heart.

Reviews

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written second chance romance of Seth a bear shifter and Holly his high school sweetheart! This was fast paced filled with some drama, a situation a bear could only pull off, and some steamy. Everything was well written, flowed along with some laugh out loud moments. Seth's brother can easily be a favorite secondary character, no doubt about that! I loved the ending my smile almost hurt. I would definitely recommend this book!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annette Drewett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable storyline with a few twists to keep your interest from start to finish. Seth left Holly and their hometown ten years ago to join the marines. When she ends up in Afghanistan, as a doctor with the Red Cross, they cross paths once again. Will this meeting give them closure, or spark off a second chance relationship? This book is well-developed and the danger from the insurgents adds to the excitement of this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Karen Nastasio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young love is wonderful until it all goes wrong and 10years later you still don’t know what happened, that’s Holly’s and Seth’s story but with a lot of stuff going on in between. Holly Harper has always loved Seth Denton until prom night when he told her he was joining the marines and just walked away leaving her a total mess. Fast forward 10yrs Holly is a Doctor and is now in Afghanistan helping out when a young man is brought in with a gun shot wound so holly jumps into action to save his life when a very loud rude man comes in and shoves his hand in his chest a pulls out the bullet and then try’s to walk away until Holly realizes it’s Seth and calls after him he stops makes small talk with her and leaves. Seth Denton has always loved Holly Harper until his life changed and he felt he had to leave so he wouldn’t hurt her but ended up doing it anyway, god she is so beautiful he thought to himself, no he’s not letting himself want her again it will only end up badly for both of them. While treating Charlie Seth’s brother Holly wonders if Seth still feels something for her because she still loves him even though he hurt her when he left, god he is still so sexy. So what happens when two people that should be together with the chemistry ready to explode between them but cannot with one holding back and one want to move forward and when clearly everybody else can see it as well. There are some dramas in this book that may prevented they from getting there HEA but you’re going to have to read it to find out.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ellen Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awh I loved this shifter love story & it's wonderful characters. Although Seth left Holly 10yrs ago meeting him again when she was seeing to his injured brother Charlie at a hospital camp in Afghanistan was like fate had brought them back together but just as fast as they got together he left her again. After her attack the hospital sent her back home yo the US but then she found out she was pregnant when she got back home she knew she had to tell Seth so she called him about meeting up when he was back in US which he had just landed in fir his Dad's funeral. Intending to tell him about the baby when they met he side tracked her telling her he wanted them to be together again but then before she could tell him her secret he had to tell her his big secret too. She drove off after he told her but not because she was scared but needed it to sink in but was then in an accident which brought them closer together both happy now their secrets were revealed to each other. Charlie loved the fact that Holly & Seth were back together because he told Seth to man up & tell Holly their secret, the 3 of them had known each other since being kids but this was a part of them that she never knew about & Seth left because he was afraid to tell the woman he loved afraid of hurting her but they were now where they were meant to be.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amy Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic and an amazing way to start this new series! Seth, a bear shifter, walked away from his girlfriend, Holly in order to save her from him. Afraid he'll hurt Holly like his father hurt his mother, he thinks it's what's best for her. It left her broken hearted and ten years later, the two walk back into each other's life in Afghanistan after his brother Charlie takes a bullet to the chest. She's there working with the Red Cross and at first he tries to keep his distance. When she is kidnapped while they are aiding villagers, Seth and his bear go after her without a second thought. His bear saves her and a night spent in the truck to avoid a sandstorm will rekindle old passions. He tries to walk away again but a surprise and the death of his father will bring him right back to her. A secret revealed will lead to an accident that will make Holly realize that Seth deserves another chance. The two move forward from here to their happy ending, little boy bear cub included.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seth Denton and Holly Harper were high school sweethearts. Seth broke off their relationship for unexplained personal reasons, breaking her heart, and left to join the marines. Holly is now a doctor with the Red Cross working in Afghanistan when a wounded soldier is brought in. The man is dying until another soldier runs in, clears the room except for Holly, and pulls a bullet out of the man’s chest with his fingers! She of course recognizes Seth, and her patient is Seth’s brother, who within minutes begins to heal! Headstrong and stubborn, Seth storms out of the tent and refuses to answer questions, so Holly runs after him. Will Seth use this opportunity to explain some things to Holly? She is actually his mate and deserves to know why he left her. They both still have feelings for each other. Could they welcome this second chance to be together?

This is a fast-paced story with likable characters. With the war around them, Seth will do everything possible to protect Holly. Perhaps they will even learn to trust each other again.

[Debbie Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Scarlett's shifter romance and this one is no exception throw in the military theme and it ticks all the boxes A story that flows well and keeps you engaged until the last page

Seth Denton and Holly Harper seemed like the perfect couple when they where attending high school together until suddenly he up and left to join the marines breaking her heart in the process. Now years later she works for the red cross and a wounded soldier has been brought into her ward. Before she can start to treat him Seth rushes in throws everyone out and extract the bullet from his chest with his bare hands. The patient is his brother and he knows as a bear shifter he will be able to heal himself if the bullet is out of his body Will he explain that his shifter side is why he left her behind and will she be able to handle his secret and will he finally tell her she is his mate. you will have to read to see

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seth and Holly are high school sweethearts but Seth ends things between them breaking her heart. Now years later they reunite overseas while he is in the military and she's working with Red Cross. Sparks reignited between them but Seth still fights his feelings. However when Holly is in danger he is the first one to go help her. Things heat up between them but Holly gets sent home to recover from what happened. Its not long before she learns that she brought something back from overseas. When Seth is back in town will she get a chance to tell him her secret? Will he finally share his secrets with her?

This is a great story that will captivate you from beginning to end. The chemistry between them is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protecting Her (Marine Corps Bears: Book 1) by Scarlett Ray is a fast paced,intense,steamy and enjoyable..A shifter romance story of Chase and Margo..Chase is a Marine and a Bear Shifter..Margo is a sweet,kind,curvy and works at the spa..They grew up in the same town and also highschool..Seth family has a secret that they didnt want others too know, and when Seth traso is didnt knew what happed,roaming in the forrest,devastation and the killings free of the animal he killed and eat and all the anger he felt, hes afraid that hes going to hurt Holly like his father to his mother and he doesnt want that,eventhough its hurt and the pain that Holly going to felt;he just ignore it.;Untill he saw the doctor whos looking after his brother when he got shot. when a terorist kidnapp her,now he knows that shes his mate and he will do antything to save her..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katherine Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will say that if you are going to use military rank in a book you should know what each rank is, if you salute a Sergeant they will jump down you throat and tell you they work for a living. A Sergeant Major is not an officer they are a Senior enlisted member who directs junior officers and junior enlisted members. Their proper address is Sergeant Major not Major.
That being said I enjoyed the book I always enjoy books that have military men and women in it. I liked the story and having a shifter in the current war is a wonderful concept. The ups and downs of the main characters relationship are really what happens, minus the shifter thing. I enjoy the books I read by Scarlett Ray. This is another well written book worth the read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last person Seth expected to see as he rushed into the field hospital was ex-girlfriend Holly.
Doctor Holly Harper noted that the gunfire and explosions had died down as the wounded soldier was brought in screaming with the pain. Yelling at a nurse to put dressing on the chest wound and apply pressure. After querying how the wound had happened she gets two of the soldier to lift him so she can cut his clothes and see if there is an exit wound. Realizing the bullet had not exited she tell the nurse to get blood transfusion going as quickly as possible.Holly hears a strangely familiar voice yelling asking where he is and into the room erupts her high school boyfriend Seth Denton stating the injured soldier is his brother.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable book to read and review and this story about Holly and Seth who were high school sweethearts until Seth decided to join the Marines which broke them up. Years later Holly a Red Cross doctor is assigned working in Afghanistan. When a injured soldier who is dying with a bullet wound comes in, Seth rushes in and removes the bullet and the soldier who is Seth's brother begins to heal. Holly has a million questions and pursues Seth for answers. With help from their friends, will they have a happily after ever? Loved Holly and Seth characteristics, the supporting characters, the romance and the story line of finding love in a war zone. The only minus is being raised in the military is the rank is off but this is a "fictional paranormal romance". I volunteer to read and review this ARC via the author and Booksprout.

[Iluvbks]

I do enjoyed this book. The story line was different yet familiar. Seth and Holly - a love story that was years in the making. Seth's past pain from family, has him not wanting to comment or share his secrets. Holly has been heart broken for so long over Seth. Fate would not let these two not be together. The story flowed so good. You got bits of past history of them. Past history of Seth as well. Yet it did not take away from the story, it just was apart of the story. The secondary characters really helped pull the story together. They added that balance that is needed rather than just reading about the two main characters. There was no fluff in this story. Just story and a good one at that ! Looking forward to book 2.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[sherri jones-teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chance love. When Seth left her saying he was no good for her Holly’s heart was broken. Now ten years later, and never getting over him, they re-connect and in the most unlikely place. Afghanistan. He’s a soldier and she’s with the Red Cross. But Seth is acting distant and she still wants to know why he left her after their senior prom. It isn’t until she is kidnapped by Afghan terrorist, and she and Seth are stuck together overnight that she believes she might get her answers. She thinks they are growing close again until he lets her go again. This is worse than ten years ago because now she’s pregnant with his child and he is still over there while she’s back in the U.S. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Sheryl Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. I just loved this book from the start to the finish and I was sorry when it was finished.
Who wants to be part of a war? Not me. Does anyone want to be Kidnapped as well. Again, not me.
Now, I hope you can see why I loved this book. I don`t want to give to much away about the book.
I just flowed for me from the start until the end.
The characters works so well together in this book and I had a fantastic connection
with them all.
I didn`t find any holes in the plot of this book or any spelling mistake at all.
I highly recommend this book to others that love shifter books, but you have to be over the age of 18+

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seth left Holly years ago and broke her heart. She was his one true mate but was worried about hurting her like his dad did his mom.

Seth left for the marines and Holly is a Dr working in the same camp as him.
His brother is shot and brought into her tent for treatment he is dying. That is until Seth walks in and pulls the bullet out of his chest. How to explain that to the good dr. yeah not happening. Can he continue to fight fate she still loves him after all this time.
You have action, kidnapping and we hope a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a NON-SPOILER REVIEW. Protecting Her by Scarlett Ray is the first book in her new Marine Corp Bears series. I enjoyed this read. Scarlett Ray has a knack for writing sexy (Mature Readers Only) and fun romps. Seth and Holly's story is a great series opener. While the story begins in a war zone, the focus is on this second chance at romance for the one(s) that (almost) got away. This is a fast paced read that has its fair share of humor, angst and sexy moments. A great cuddle up read for a rainy day!

This honest and voluntary review was made possible by reading a copy through Booksprout.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you are lucky enough to get a second chance but is there any way to get a third chance? Seth and Holly had been sweethearts growing up but on the night of the prom, he dumped her and took off to become a Marine. They meet up again in Afghanistan ten years later and it is clear they have never gotten over one another. They had such a great connection but when Seth puled back, I wanted to hit him upside his head. Holly was a caring person and did her best for her patients. She had always loved him so she is devastated when they separate again. They both have secrets to share and their future will depend on the outcome of revealing those secrets.

[Kim Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seth is a bear shifter who fears he will be like his father, so he left his childhood sweetheart, Holly behind. He joined the marines, along with his younger brother. Holly becomes a doctor and is sent to the Middle East as a Red Cross Doctor. What will happen when Seth and Holly meet up again? How is Charlie, Seth's younger brother involved? What sends Holly home and what happens while she is there? This was a great read. It is fast paced and there is always something going on. I loved this book and can't wait for the next one. Thank you. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of the book.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off let me explain. I was expecting a wolf shifters boy was I in for a big surprise when he turns out to be a bear shifters. Guess that's what I get for not reading the title correctly. hehe. Scarlett sure knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats. In this heroic tale of love that takes place in the Afghanistan Desert during the occupation of American Soldiers. The story between Holly and Seth is heart wrenching and heartwarming all at the same time. To be able to follow their journey kept me on the edge of my seat as I turned the pages.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely fantastic second chance romance and book one in the Marine Corps Bears series and it does not disappoint! An on the edge of your seat read with a storyline that is engaging, well written, emotionally deep, and interesting. It is bursting with action, suspense, ups and downs, twists and turns, humour, witty banter, and a lot more. The characters are strong, stubborn, and the chemistry between them is hot. A really enjoyable read guaranteed to leave you wanting more. Definitely recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tara Heilman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seth and Holly were the perfect couple to open a series with. The two were an item in high school. Seth broke it off without reason. That decision broke both of their hearts. Years later, Seth is a Marine and runs into Holly on base, now doctor with the Red Cross. It doesn't take long for both of them to realize, those old feelings are still there. A wonderful second chance romance. If they get over the pain of the past. Action, steam and a touch of humor. A definite must read for shifter lovers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great second chance romance. He left her all those years ago. Now they're face to face as maybe fate had brought them back together.

Holly is a doctor working with the Red Cross. She is appalled when a giant of a man storms into the medical tent. She is shocked when she recognizes him.

Seth is in the Marines. He is shocked to see Holly all these years later. He walked away to protect her. Now she's staring at him like she saw a ghost. She is so beautiful, but he can't tell her his darkest secret, it would make her run.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protecting Her (Marine Corps Bears: Book 1) by Scarlett Ray is a wonderful story that I have had the privilege to read and give an honest review on. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new bear shifter story that I am so hooked on. I can not wait to read the rest of this wonderful series that I have fallen in love with. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about bear shifters, women's fiction and paranormal romance in their stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Seth and Holly's story . I just adored the second chance love that happens in this story ! Seth will do all he can to keep Holly safe and protected while Holly is trying her best to survive with everything going on ! This is a fast paced and well written one that once you start you will want to read until the very end ! There is drama , danger , laughing ( yep from me ! ) and LOVE !! Well written and recommended to all !

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seems to start in the middle, but you quickly catch on to all the backstory betweenSeth and Holly. The history between these two is so important, yet I am glad for the dual POV which gives the reader a better understanding of these characters. I enjoyed the supporting characters and how they each helped their friends/siblings with telling the truth and being honest above all else. Good start to a new series.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.

[Country Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seth did the only thing he could to protect Holly... leave her and his heart at the same time. It’s been years since he’s seen her. But to reunite in the middle of a war Zone in Afghanistan? He can’t think about that now. His new mission is to keep her safe and get her back home where she belongs.
Will be be able to let her go again? Could he finally stop running?
“I voluntarily received this arc book for an honest review”

[Cheryl Rosenwald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seth is a bear shifter that joined the Marines to get away from his family. Holly was his girlfriend, but didn't know of his shifter ability. Years later they met in Afghanistan and he saved her life after she was kidnapped. They still loved each other although neither let the other know. After coming back to New York they meet again and he tells her he wants to try their relationship again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashley Ploetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Couldn't put it down! An amazing book by Scarlett Ray. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down and I read it in one sitting. I LOVED Seth and Holly and the story of their relationship. It was very well written and parts of it made me laugh. Very happy ending! I highly recommend this book!

I received an Advanced Reader Copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holly and Seth were high school sweethearts. But Seth broke up with Holly joined the service. Ten years later Holly is also in the service stationed overseas. And who does she run into. Seth. All the anger and hurt come back. But so does the love. Does Seth feel the same way?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.