For the Love of Military Romance

New Release! Romanced by a SEAL (Hot SEALs series) by Cat Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 10:52:00 +0000

As a SEAL, Jon Rudnick dodged copper and lead without flinching, but just the thought of one tiny gold band around his ring finger sends him into a cold sweat. Love is one thing, but marriage is another. He’s not sure he’s ready for that just yet. . . until a near miss serves as a wake-up call he can’t ignore. Now he’s ready, but his girlfriend Ali has gone from rushing him toward the altar, to running in the opposite direction at full speed. Hell if Jon can figure out why, but he knows one thing. All’s fair in love and war and he’s not going to rest until he makes Ali his again. This time for good. 

Get ROMANCED BY A SEAL today in eBook and print

iBooks http://apple.co/1RclGD1

BN http://bit.ly/1MbKgFJ

Kobo http://bit.ly/1Sy8dna

ARe  http://bit.ly/1MaWMoN

Google http://bit.ly/28SlUB4

Amazon http://amzn.to/29Bc2ur

More at http://catjohnson.net/series/hot-seals/romanced-by-a-seal-hot-seals/

"ROMANCED BY A SEAL was a very suspensy SEAL romance! Will Ali finally get her Happily Ever After with Jon??? Run to your nearest amazon to find out!" ~ Bianca, BJ's Book Blog

The Hot SEALs Series

Night with a SEAL 

Saved by a SEAL 

SEALed at Midnight 

Kissed by a SEAL 

Protected by a SEAL 

Loved by a SEAL 

Tempted by a SEAL 

Wed to a SEAL 

Romanced by a SEAL 

Rescued by a Hot SEAL

...more to come. Stay tuned! 

Sign up for new release alerts at catjohnson.net/news

ALEX IS FINE. HE'S MINE, BUT HE'S GOING TO BE YOURS SOON!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 24 May 2016 11:29:00 +0000

One of the great things about writing my SEALs in a series, is I get to bring in old characters from previous books. My world is set. The missions are different, and the heroes or heroines are different in each book, but repeat readers are treated to appearances by loved characters from previous books.

My new book, Alex, is Book 2 in the Band of Bachelors series. But there are plot lines I collected from previous books. For example, the team is asked to go on an emergency rescue mission to save Ali, the little Iraqi boy Danny Begay in SEAL's Code, rescued and befriended, and wanted to take home and adopt. Paperwork and bureaucracies being what they are, it's been a year, and the little boy, now aged 5, is still languishing in an Iraqi make-shift orphanage, tended to by U.N. Aid workers who are now being asked to leave or risk the ire of now ISIS held territory.

Danny gets to have a minor role, but an important one as the two are reunited. And Alex, one of the hardened bachelors, has fallen head over heals for a beach volleyball player four inches taller than he. And then we have "Coop" Cooper playing medic Dr. Frankenstein with a garbage bag. We discuss camel spiders and all sorts of things.

And of course, continuing with the Bachelor themes, we're going to have some fun at a Bachelorette party on launch day, June 14. I hope you'll join us. To get you ready for Book 2 in this series, you might consider reading Book 1: Lucas.

Developing rich story lines is hopefully what you will enjoy about my books. I like humor too, both in action drama scenes and in love scenes. This new book of Alex is no different.

Today, I'm doing a promo event where several of my books are on sale. You can find them all here on my website: authorsharonhamilton.com. I also have snippets of audios, interviews of characters, YouTube trailers and excerpts, as well as all the buying links for every device they're sold on.

And while you're at it, why not sign up for my newsletter?

Sharon’s NYT and USA Today bestselling novels are almost-erotic Navy SEAL stories of the SEAL Brotherhood. Her characters follow a spicy road to redemption through passion and true love. All of her SEAL Brotherhood Series are available in audio book. She has maintained an Amazon top 100 author status in Romantic Suspense since the end of 2012.

Her Golden Vampires of Tuscany are not like any vamps you’ve read before, since they don’t have to go to ground, and can walk around in the full light of the sun. Honeymoon Bite, Book 1 of the Golden Vampires of Tuscany Series, has earned the Amazon designation of #1 Gothic Romance. It and Book 2 in the series, Mortal Bite are both available on audio as well.

Her Guardian Angels struggle with the human charges they are sent to save, often escaping their vanilla world of Heaven for the brief human one. You won’t find any of these beings in any Sunday school class. All three books in this popular series are also in print and audio formats.

A lifelong organic gardener, Sharon lives with her husband in the Wine Country of Northern California, where most of her stories take place. When she’s not writing, she’s getting verra verra dirty in the mud, or wandering Farmer’s Markets looking for new Heirloom varieties of vegetables and flowers.

Sharon Hamilton

Life is one fool thing after another.

Love is two fool things after each other.

Author Page ** Sharon's Blog ** Sharon's Website ** Facebook**Twitter

Sharon’s Newsletter

CELEBRATING MY BIRTHDAY SEAL AND COMMANDO STYLE!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 19:06:00 +0000

Okay, not really. Join me all week for a stellar lineup of authors from Monday through Friday, including many of the authors on this blog.

Giving away a Kindle Fire to one lucky commenter, and a bunch of other prizes. You won't want to miss this! Love to have you join me to celebrate my birthday.

https://www.facebook.com/events/383003911903375/

New Release Excerpt! Wed to a SEAL (Hot SEALs) by Cat Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 16:00:00 +0000

WED TO A SEAL (HOT SEALS)

Marry her. It was a crazy idea… and the more he thought about it, the better he liked it.

In his career as a Navy SEAL, Rocky Mangiano has been called a Jersey boy, and a Yankee, and a few other choice names he shouldn’t repeat in mixed company, but never has anyone called him daddy. If the bundle of joy he finds on the doorstep is any indication, things are about to change and he has no clue what to do about it.

When the baby’s single mother enters the picture things get even more crazy, but given the fringe benefits that come along with the complications of their marriage of convenience, Rocky’s not complaining. Not one little bit.

Get Wed to a SEAL today in eBook & Print at:

AMAZON US ~AU~ CA ~UK~ DE

Nook~ ARe ~ Google ~ iBooks ~ Kobo

Wed to a SEAL Excerpt

He’d been at the club for fun countless times, which made it particularly odd being there today for this self appointed close personal protection assignment.

Enlightening was an even better word than odd.

Rocky usually thought of himself as more observant than the average person. It came with the job. But it was becoming more than obvious that he sure as hell didn’t employ his skills of observation when he came to the club looking for mindless pleasure.

How many hours had he sat in this very room and never noticed the security cameras? And was the music always so god-awful and so loud?

His phone vibrated in the pocket of the jacket he wore to hide his shoulder holster. He pulled it out and saw Rick’s name on the readout.

He hit the button to answer and pressed it to his ear. “Hey.”

“Where are you?” Rick asked, though it was damn hard to hear him.

“I’m still at the club. Her shift’s got another two hours or so.”

“Any sign of Isabel’s Latin lover yet?”

Rocky hated that reference. It reminded him too much that a man who didn’t come close to deserving Isabel in any way had already had all of the pleasures with her that Rocky could only dream of experiencing.

“Nope. Just a handful of young sailors with their attention glued to the girls.”

And the three minutes that Isabel had been on stage in front of the leering boys had been pretty damn stressful . . . for both of them.

She’d kept her eyes on the audience, no doubt watching for Tito. Rocky had done the same, while keeping just as close an eye on the kids from the base to make sure none of them got out of line with her.

Then there was the other thing that he had to deal with—trying not to leer himself.

He couldn’t believe he’d never noticed Isabel before, because she was exactly his type. A dark-haired beauty rounded in all the right places.

Of course, he’d been away a lot and she had to be new here given the fact she’d had Lola only a few months ago.

“Tough job you assigned yourself there, bud.” Rick’s displeasure at the division of labor came through clearly in his tone and brought Rocky back to the conversation.

Even if he hadn’t heard the baby crying in the background above the sound of the music in the club, Rocky would have known Rick was unhappy.

“What’s up with Lola?” he asked.

“No clue. Darci and Ali changed her. Fed her. Danced around with her while singing songs. We’re running out of ideas here.”

“Not that I know what I’m doing any more than you do, but did you burp her?”

“I’ll pass that question on to the girls and see if they did.”

“I can grab Isabel and ask her if you really need—”

“Nah. Don’t bother her yet. She’s got enough to worry about. If we can’t get the baby settled down soon, I’ll give you a call back. Maybe I’ll call Thom.”

Rocky laughed at that. “I think you should. Why shouldn’t he get to share in the fun?”

“Right. Oh, and Jon just left. He said he’s going to keep an eye on the club parking lot. Make sure Tito’s not hoping to get to her there.”

“Good idea.”

Rick snorted. “My opinion? He just wanted to get away from the babysitting duty but yeah, it was a sound enough plan I couldn’t stop him from going. And there’s no way Darci will let me or Chris leave when she and Ali are stuck here with the kid.”

“Chris is there too?”

“Yup. One of the duties of dating my sister. He has to do what she says. But he’s as useless when it comes to babies as the rest of us.” Rick paused. “Oh thank God, she’s quiet.”

“What did you do?”

The sound of Rick walking was followed by a soft laugh. “It looks like Chris got the idea to put her on top of the dryer while it’s running.”

“Jesus. Is that safe?”

“She’s strapped in the car seat. We’ll have to watch and make sure the seat doesn’t vibrate off but hell, that’s worth it for some quiet.”

Rocky cringed at the image of Lola and the seat toppling off the machine. “Please don’t let her fall on her head.”

“Dude, I think four adults can handle one tiny baby.”

Rick hadn’t sounded so certain of that just a few minutes ago, but Rocky let it go. “I’ll call to check in later.”

“You just worry about Perez. We got it covered.”

“I’m calling anyway.”

“Fine. Talk to you later.” Rick disconnected and Rocky tried to not worry.

“Another water?”

Rocky turned to the bartender and saw the unhappy expression on his face. He reached for his wallet and pulled out a bill. “You can make it a diet soda this time. I’m sorry. I’m not drinking today.”

The hulking older man reached for a glass as he eyed Rocky. “You’re not watching the girls all that much either, so what are you doing here?”

“Just helping out a friend.”

The man glanced around the bar. “Well, you were here before them.” He lifted a chin in the direction of the seamen, all clad in NAVY T-shirts. “And they don’t look like they need any help from you, so I’m figuring it must be one of my girls.”

“Your girls?”

He tipped his head. “Yup. I’m the owner of this club.”

“Oh.” He turned to face the man more fully and extended his right hand. “Rocky Mangiano.”

The man gripped his with his own beefy hand. “Pete O’Neill. You Navy?”

No use denying that. It was on the damn bumper sticker on his truck in the parking lot. He should probably peel that thing off but for now, he nodded. “Yeah.”

“You involved with one of my dancers?”

“No. Well, yes, but not in the way you’re insinuating.”

“Wasn’t insinuating anything. I’m outright asking.” The man’s gaze was steady as it held Rocky’s.

Rocky was usually a pretty good judge of character and this man struck him as trustworthy. “Isabel.”

The man’s brows rose. “Since you know the name I cut her checks to and not her stage name, I’m going to take that as a yes, you are involved.”

“It’s not as simple as that.” Rocky leaned in, keeping is voice as low as he could and still be heard over the pounding dance music. “You know she has a kid?”

“I think I’ve heard that, yeah.”

“Well, I’m here to make sure both Isabel and Lola stay safe.”

“Safe from whom?”

“Someone from her past who’s bad news.”

“The kid’s father?”

Surprised he’d guessed, Rocky said, “I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.” The bartender leaned closer. “I figured there was some reason she showed up here looking for a job. We get all kinds of girls working here, but not usually like her.”

“Meaning what? What’s she like?”

“Shy. Timid almost.” He shook his head. “Her audition was so bad, I honestly only gave her the job because I felt sorry for her.”

Rocky frowned. “She didn’t look so bad up there today.”

“That’s because the other girls took her under their wing. Taught her. She’s a quick learner and a hard worker. Now she’s got a couple of months here, you’d never know she was so completely wrong for this job when she started.”

Rocky wasn’t sure if Isabel being such an accomplished stripper now was a good thing, but he could agree completely she was bright and a hard worker. He could see that himself.

“You know, I pride myself on making sure my girls are safe.”

“I didn’t mean any offense that you’re not doing a good job, but we’re not talking an overzealous admirer here.”

“I guess not or she wouldn’t need hired muscle.”

Rocky snorted. “Since she’s not paying me, I’m not exactly hired muscle.”

“No. You’re just a friend.”

Rocky nodded. “Yup.”

The bartender pulled his mouth into a crooked smile. “Okay. Got it. And if she needs any time off to deal with this situation, she’s got it. The girls are good about taking extra shifts.”

“Thanks. That’s helpful. I’ll tell her. She was worried about taking time off.”

“No problem. Oh, and by the way, your friend is about to take the stage again.”

Rocky spun toward the raised, spotlighted wooden runway as the bartender chuckled behind him.

At the moment, he didn’t give a shit what the club’s owner thought. Besides, the man was right. Rocky wanted to be much more than Isabel’s friend . . . particularly now as she strutted her stuff across the stage.

He’d never felt so torn in all his life. Half of him wanted to wrap a blanket around her to hide the costume that showed much too much skin. He’d love to jump up on that stage, toss her over his shoulder and take her far away from all the gawking eyes on her now.

The other half of him had gone dry in the mouth as he watched her bend at the waist and stick her tempting ass high in the air. That half wanted to jump on stage too, but not to cover her up. Rather to strip her down and take what she so artfully offered.

It was just a show, he reminded himself. That offer wasn’t real at all and it wasn’t for him. It was for every man in the room willing to part with a dollar—or twenty—so she could pay her rent and support her daughter.

That thought brought him back around full circle and he wanted her off that stage and back safe at Rick’s place with Lola.

He noticed the icy glass of soda the bartender had set on the cocktail napkin by his elbow on the bar. Rocky drew in a long slow sip through the straw.

Maybe he should order a drink. Between the guilt, the desire, and the hard-on pressing against the zipper of his jeans he sure as hell felt like he needed one about now.

The guilt wasn’t enough to keep his eyes off the stage though, or his mind from slipping into lurid thoughts of Isabel.

He should probably just go sit with that group of drooling sailors who were now standing so they could better shove dollar bills into the very few items she still had on.

Rocky curled his hand into a fist and drew in an angry breath.

The bartender’s laugh had him glancing at the man, who grinned and shook his head. “It takes a lot of strength to be able to handle falling for a girl in this profession.”

He opened his mouth to say he hadn’t fallen for her, until he realized he didn’t believe his own bullshit, so there was no way the bartender was going to.

Instead, Rocky tipped his head. “Yeah. I’m starting to realize that.”

What's next in the Hot SEALs series? Check out ROMANCED BY A SEAL, on preorder now for a July 12th eBook and paperback release.

To see the entire Hot SEALs Series Click Here

True Blue SEALs: Zak is here

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 06:13:00 +0000

It's out now!! True Blue SEALs: Zak is out now on all retailers. This is a continuation of Zak and Amy's story in True Navy Blue, the novella that came out in December.

What's next? Band of Bachelors: Alex. Then I have a surprise for you...but you'll have to check back in March to find out.

Are you in the Tucson area? I'll be at the Tucson Festival of Books starting 3/11/16, both Saturday and Sunday. I'll be giving a Tent Talk at the Author Pavillion on Sunday. Love to meet you there!

And thanks to all who joined us Saturday for Romancing The Vines book signing event. We had over 100 readers show up with 13 great authors signing books and interacting with all of you.

Life is good!

TRUE BLUE SEALS: ZAK is nearly here!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 14:23:00 +0000

Just in time for Valentine's week, True Blue SEALs:Zak is the 12th book in the SEAL Brotherhood Series, and is now on preorder.

You loved Zak and Amy's story in True Navy Blue, my novella that first appeared in an anthology and is now available in all formats, including audio. This is a continuation of their story, beginning with an intimate quickie wedding, and his first deployment to North Africa. Their SEAL Team 3 is tasked with providing security for the Secretary of State on a super secret diplomatic mission.

Zak and Amy will have some things to work out when he returns injured. It will be a true test of their marriage, their love, their future together.

Blurb:

Zak and Amy are destined for each other. After successfully passing the BUD/S training, and helping to stop a San Francisco terrorist attack, Zak goes to the arena of war with the rest of his SEAL Team 3 buddies, to return a changed man. Amy will have to negotiate the pain in her heart as she works to discover the man she loved going off to war is still the man of her dreams, and only if she can convince Zak he still is that man.

Here's a short excerpt:

His hands smoothed up and down her upper arm as he stared at the ceiling. He’d made the first step to do something important with his life by becoming a Navy SEAL. His new family, the Brotherhood, healed and filled so many holes in his soul. He felt the honor of serving with men who would gladly die for him, without thinking about it. He was indeed one of the lucky ones. Now, he was about to do the next big thing in his life. He was “securing the target,” bringing Amy into his life not just as a girlfriend, but also as a mate and life partner. He’d even been honest with her. If she couldn’t take the intensity of his family now, couldn’t deal with the stress and loss and tears that sometimes came with the job, along with the joy of doing something more important than all of them, he’d have to walk away.

And, as hard as it would be, he’d do it. He’d make sure he didn’t give up on his shot to become one of the best of the best, and to serve his country proudly with honor.

They were to meet Carter at an omelet house for breakfast. He and Amy noodled around in the shower until they were going to be very unfashionably late. He was always the one to have to turn down the heat so they could keep to a schedule. Amy would have been fine just staying in bed the whole time.

She made a point of showing him she wasn’t going to wear panties, “just in case.”

“This is going to be a painful day for me, I can see.”

“I have the cure for that pain,” she whispered.

“Indeed you do.” Her hopeful face was seeking out a message he wasn’t going to give her. “You’re here to learn about my community. And before you tell me you learned all you need to know in that bed,” he pointed to the tussled sheets behind him, “I need to show you things. Things that are important for you to know. I’m doing this for you, Amy.” He added a smile he’d almost forgotten to show.

She got that little flighty look as she continued dressing and then examining the floor, turning her head from side to side, the pouty smile on her face, just reminding him that he really wasn’t in control. “Zak, I hope you’re not tired of me already,” she whispered to her bright red toes.

“Not a chance, sweetheart.” He grabbed her and held her tight. Lifting her lips with fingers gently under her chin. “Stay just the way you are. Insatiable.” He kissed her. “Sexy as hell.” He kissed her again. “Riding my cock all night long like last night. I’m going to be ruined when you have to go back.”

“Then keep me here.”

Her clear brown eyes were honest, unflinching. He knew she was ready to take that step through the doorway with him. As long as everything else worked out for these next two days, he’d be able to convince her to get married before he deployed. That was the mission. That was the target to be acquired.

Sharon Hamilton is a NYT and USA/Today bestselling author most known for her SEAL Brotherhood series. She also writes Golden Vampire and Guardian Angel series.

Sharon Hamilton

Life is one fool thing after another.

Love is two fool things after each other.

Author Page ** Sharon's Blog ** Sharon's Website ** Facebook**Twitter

Sharon’s Newsletter

NEW Hot SEALs Release! Tempted by a SEAL Excerpt

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 14:20:00 +0000

TEMPTED BY A SEAL (Hot SEALs) by Cat Johnson

Loner. Biker. SEAL.

Known only as Mack to his SEAL teammates, he’s a stone cold killer when he needs to be, but he’d rather just straddle his Harley and escape from everything and everyone.

The only person who calls James MacIntyre by his given name is his father, the one family member he has left . . . that is until his widowed father meets a divorcee and decides to remarry. Suddenly, this woman and her daughter are Mack’s new family, all calling him James whether he likes it or not.

The problem is he’s starting to like hearing his name on the lips of curvy co-ed Lydia.

Enjoy this Excerpt from Tempted by a SEAL (Hot SEALs)

The bartender paused in front of Mack. “Another one?”

Mack raised his gaze from the now empty glass he’d been hunched over, partly because he was mentally and physically exhausted, but mostly so no one would bother him.

He wasn’t there for small talk, but he was there for the booze.

“Yeah. Thanks.” Mack nudged the empty tumbler forward with one finger.

As he leaned back while the bartender upended a bottle over the glass, he glanced around and took in his surroundings. The place had filled up a bit more since he’d arrived.

It looked like the usual late night crowd, most a good ten maybe twenty years younger than the patrons who came in during daylight hours.

Mack was more than a bit familiar with the comings and goings of the establishment’s customers.

That wasn’t just because he lived directly across the street and had a view of the place from every one of his apartment’s windows. It was more because he had frequented the bar during all hours of the day and night himself.

Working vampire hours a lot of the time had made him an equal opportunity drinker. Daytime. Nighttime. Anytime.

He didn’t judge anybody else, so he figured they had better not judge him either. Not if they knew what was good for them, anyway.

The one whisky he’d downed hadn’t improved his mood any. Maybe he’d have better luck with the second.

Mack pushed the change he’d left out from the first round closer to the bartender. “Take it out of there.”

The bartender nodded and grabbed a bill from the stack.

They’d done this dance many times. Mack knew the next round would be free. He would down it and leave the remaining cash on the bar as a tip before making his way across the street to his bed.

Three drinks, straight with no ice to water down and ruin the whisky—that would hopefully keep the nightmares away. For tonight, at least.

Tomorrow would be another story.

In the morning he had that waking nightmare of meeting Daddy’s new wife and her daughter. What fun.

Mack felt the guilt niggling at the back of his brain. He should be happy his father had found someone to make him happy after the loss of his mother.

He wasn’t.

Pressing the glass to his lips, Mack downed a large swallow and relished as it burned a path down his throat.

He felt the fire all the way through his chest. Clear to where his cold dead heart was lodged, still beating away somehow when so many others no longer had that luxury.

Funny that he had plenty of heart when he was fighting. Hell, maybe all that took was balls, not heart. Maybe he was as far past caring as he suspected he was. He didn’t seem to be able to feel all that much for other people at the moment.

“I said no!”

A voice that rose above the usual volume of the din of the bar had Mack twisting in his seat to get a better look.

He zeroed in on the source of the annoyed-sounding exclamation and saw the woman he’d noticed briefly before when he’d surveyed those around him.

Okay, he’d noticed her because her ass, round and firm as she perched on the bar stool, had looked particularly enticing.

Nothing he liked more than a woman with generous curves. Another time, he’d be more than interested in an ass like that, but he was not interested in this particular woman.

First of all, she looked painfully young. Young enough that he hoped the bartender had taken the time to check her ID and verify she was allowed to be drinking that bottle of light beer. The bottle that was giving him ideas he shouldn’t be having as she pressed the longneck against her lips.

Staring straight ahead at the shelves of bottles behind the bar, she was making an obvious attempt to ignore the sleazy guy next to her.

The lowlife—a snap judgment on Mack’s part that he was standing behind even if it was made just by looking at him—leaned closer.

The young woman planted the bottle on the bar and turned to face the man. “Look. I said no thank you.”

Mack didn’t hear the bastard’s response but he could only imagine it wasn’t good since the chick grabbed her purse from the bar and moved to climb off the barstool.

When the guy grabbed her arm, Mack decided he’d had enough.

He was behind the guy and had him in a headlock before anyone knew what was happening, particularly the douchebag himself.

Ignoring the shock on the brunette’s face, Mack leaned down close to the guy’s ear and hissed, “She said she wants to be left alone. So how about you listen to her and go somewhere else?”

The guy looked torn between pissing his pants and wanting to break free and take a swing at Mack.

Mack wasn’t sure about his first prediction coming true, but he knew the second wasn’t going to happen as long as he was living and breathing. He tightened his hold just enough to scare the guy.

If this went on any longer, he’d be perfectly comfortable choking out the guy. It wouldn’t kill him. He’d wake up eventually and Mack had no doubt that once this asshole was blissfully unconscious he could leave him to recover on the floor in the back hall by the bathroom and the bartender wouldn’t have a thing to say about it.

Mack didn’t tell people what he did for a living but in this area—just a few miles from the base—it was easy enough for the locals to pick out the Navy guys among them.

His disappearing for months at a time didn’t help hide Mack’s occupation. Neither did the fact that he could take out this asshole so easily, so quietly, no one would notice except for the sweet, curvy young thing watching him with her big brown eyes wide with surprise.

“We gonna do this the easy way or the hard way?” Mack asked, low and close.

“I wasn’t doing any—”

Mack squeezed a bit tighter. “See, now that wasn’t the question. Wanna try again? You’re going to leave the lady alone. You can do that under your own power, or mine. Your choice.”

“Fine. I’ll go.” The guy’s reply was more of a wheeze.

Mack probably shouldn’t take such great satisfaction at that, but hell, sometimes little things made him happy.

“Good boy.” Mack waited a second before easing up his hold, all while watching for any move the dickhead might make to indicate he wasn’t going to go quietly.

The guy would have to be pretty stupid to try anything.

Dickhead proved to be stupider than Mack anticipated.

It was the smallest shift in posture, but Mack was skilled in reading body language. Just as the guy pivoted and drew back his fist, Mack sprung into action.

He had the guy face down on the ground, arms secured behind his back, all before the first punch was ever thrown.

Mack sighed. There was no hiding the conflict now. The others were starting to notice his knee in the back of a man whose face he was grinding into the dirt of the bar floor with one hand while holding his wrists in the other.

“Need a little help?” The bartender’s black pants and shoes came into Mack’s line of vision.

Mack twisted his neck and glanced up. “Does it look like I need help?”

“Nope, but if you hurt him the police are gonna get involved, then there will be reports to be filed and I ain’t got the time or patience for that. So how about I take over and you can sit down and relax?”

Mack pursed his lips. He had no dog in this fight. He’d just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. And for some reason had felt the need to get involved.

That was pretty unlike him, actually. When he was in civilian mode, usually all hell had to break loose before he bothered to take note and even think about intervening.

The bartender was right. Maybe it was time he got back to his brooding.

“Well, I would like to finish my drink.” He shot the bartender a crooked grin.

The burly man, who probably owned the place given he was there so often, snorted out a short laugh. “Yeah, I figured.”

They swapped positions, the bartender taking over dealing with stupid ass and dragging him up off the floor.

The kid looked happy to be standing or maybe he was just grateful to be away from Mack. At this point, Mack didn’t know and couldn’t care.

Mack glanced at the girl. “You okay?”

She watched him for a second before nodding. “Yes.”

He dipped his head in a nod, not bothering with more conversation. He had his answer, so he turned to move back to his spot and his drink.

“Wait.” She scurried after him, arriving just as his ass hit the barstool.

He cocked one brow. “Yeah?”

“I uh wanted to say thank you.”

“No problem.” He lifted one shoulder and reached for his glass.

He didn’t quite make it before she stuck her hand out to him. “I’m Lydia.”

Yes, she was cute. Yeah, he hadn’t gotten laid in far too long. But this close up, and under the light above them, his initial impressions were confirmed. She was young.

Young and naïve and sweet and everything he had no interest in and no business touching.

Completely ignoring her and her gesture would be rude. Since that wasn’t an option he liked, he turned his body enough he could extend his right hand out to her. “Mack.”

The corners of her mouth lifted in a smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“Yeah. You too.” He dropped his hold and turned back to reach for his glass.

Get Tempted by a SEAL today in eBook or Paperback

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Read an EXCERPT of SEALed at Midnight (Hot SEALs) by Cat Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 14:02:00 +0000

SEALED AT MIDNIGHT (Hot SEALs) Cat Johnson

As a combat hardened Navy SEAL, Thom Grande has fought terrorism around the globe, but he can’t fight is his ex-wife. Or her lawyer. Or the alimony payments. Just when he thinks his life can’t get any worse, bad luck smacks him up side the head—literally. Now he’s got a traumatic brain injury and can’t remember his own name. The good news? He can’t remember his ex-wife or the woes she’s causing him either.

Virginia Starr has the worst luck ever with romance. But maybe her luck is changing because one hell of a hot man just showed up at her door in the middle of the night. One problem—he can’t remember anything, including who he is. The more Ginny sees, the more she realizes, that might not matter all that much.

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Enjoy this EXCERPT from SEALed at Midnight (Hot SEALs) by Cat Johnson

“Virginia! This is your mother. Where are you? Call me back.”

Ginny listened to the voicemail, not breathing as she heard the familiar and far from melodic voice.

An irrational fear had her worried her mother would somehow sense she hadn’t picked up because she’d seen who was calling, even though that was exactly what had happened. A not so irrational fear had her more afraid she’d accidentally hit the button to return the call while retrieving the voicemail.

She heard the click as her mother hung up the receiver of the old wired house phone her parents still owned. Then the message ended. Only then did Ginny dare to breathe.

Caller ID saved her multiple times daily. She’d like to give whoever invented the means for her to screen her calls a great big kiss.

She loved both of her parents, of course, but a girl could only be berated about the same things so many times before instinct kicked in.

Given the choice of fight or flight, when dealing with one’s mother choosing flight seemed safer for everyone.

Her lack of a steady boyfriend. Her lack of what her mother considered a real job. She didn’t visit enough. She was too far away. A young woman shouldn’t be living alone . . .

There were more topics but those were her mother’s current favorites.

She’d call her mom back—eventually. But right now, she just wanted to enjoy her cup of hot tea undisturbed.

Ginny had just lifted the steaming mug to her mouth when the ringing of the cell began again. She sighed. She might be farther away from them until March first, but she wasn’t so far that calls couldn’t reach her. Maybe she should look for a house sitting gig someplace like the South Pole next year.

She reached down and lifted the phone. Seeing Molly’s name on the screen, she hit the button to answer. “Hey.”

“About time you picked up. I was starting to wonder what the heck you could be doing on Christmas Eve up there in no-man's-land where there’s nothing but woods and wildlife.”

“Sorry. I was waiting to see who it was.”

Molly laughed. “Are you screening calls again? I guess I should be grateful that I made the cut.”

“You should be. My mother didn’t.”

“Ginny, it’s Christmas Eve. The least you can do is talk to your mother on the phone.”

“This coming from the girl with the sweetest mother on earth.”

“That’s no excuse. Virginia Starr, call your mother!”

“Oh my God, you sounded just like her. Stop that. You’re giving me heart palpitations.” Ginny pressed her hand to her chest.

“That’s not palpitations you feel. That’s guilt and you deserve it.”

“Is she paying you to torture me? Come on. Tell me. What did she promise you? My grandmother’s secret plum cake recipe? What? Spill.”

“We had a lovely conversation this morning but no, she promised me nothing. I bug you without compensation. Just for the sheer joy of it.”

A lovely conversation this morning?

Zeroing in on Molly’s words had Ginny frowning “Wait one minute. You talked to my mother? Today?”

“Yup. She’s so sweet. She called to thank me for the Christmas card I sent her.”

Ginny groaned. “Let me guess what she said next. How horrible it was that I didn’t bother to send cards this year.”

“Nope. You’re wrong. We talked about what she’s cooking for dinner tomorrow night.”

Ginny blew out a frustrated breath and glanced out the window at the snow that had started falling about an hour ago. “She’s really going to freak when she hears I probably won't be able to make it home. Not with the way this snow is falling.”

“It's snowing by you? Aw.” Molly sounded annoyed. “There's not even a hint of a flake here. You're gonna have a white Christmas and I'm jealous.”

Easy for Molly to say. She lived in a condo where some nice hired maintenance man shoveled, plowed and sanded the walkways before Molly even woke.

Ginny glanced out the window again, taking particular note of the length of the driveway she’d have to shovel before she’d be able to get her car out.

There was a snow blower in the barn, but she’d be damned if she knew how to start it. Besides, the giant exposed blade in front scared the bejeesus out of her.

People should know their limitations, and she knew she wasn’t cut out for operating equipment with big sharp spinning parts.

A white Christmas as an adult was definitely not as much fun as it had been when she’d been a child. If she was still eight years old, Ginny would be jumping for joy. Getting out the sled and the makings for a snowman. Running inside wet and cold for hot cocoa with tiny marshmallows.

Being twenty-eight meant she’d be breaking out the shovel and the bag of ice melt instead of marshmallows.

The snow changed from tiny flakes that drifted down slow and serenely before disappearing, to fat juicy lumps that pelted the ground with a big splat of white.

“It's snowing like crazy.” She glanced at the rapidly disappearing driveway. “It’s sticking too, even on the blacktop.”

Molly hissed in a breath. “That doesn’t bode well for driving. But maybe it will stop soon and the crews will have all night to clean up the roads. Then by tomorrow you’ll have a beautiful clear drive.”

“Maybe.” And maybe Molly was the biggest optimist she knew.

Given Ginny’s own propensity for pessimism, it was a wonder they’d been friends since grade school.

Pessimist or not, this time she couldn’t help but hope Molly was right, because her mother would never let her hear the end of it if she couldn’t get home for Christmas dinner.

Sometimes being an only child was a lot of work.

On a brighter note, Ginny had to admit, though begrudgingly, that it really was getting pretty outside. Snow totally covered the ground and the thick wet flakes stuck to every tree limb and surface.

If she had nowhere else to be, it would be perfect. Quite the makings for a picturesque scene . . . then the lights flickered.

“Uh, oh.” Ginny eyed the table lamp, waiting for the worst to happen, but the bulb stayed illuminated. For the time being anyway.

“What’s wrong?” Molly asked.

“I’m worried I’m going to lose electricity.” And along with it, the heat and hot water.

Then what would she do?

She was all for women’s equality and independence but at times like this she regretted not having a man around. If not a boyfriend, then at least a hired handyman to build a fire and bring over a generator.

Ginny needed to face it. She was, and always should be, an apartment dweller. Then she could make a single phone call and pass problems such as no electric to somebody else—like a nice twenty-four hour on-call building superintendent.

But when she’d taken this job as a house sitter, she supposed she'd become the twenty-four hour handyman.

She probably should have thought this over better before taking on the responsibility of a whole house, five acres and a barn in Massachusetts in winter.

Hindsight always had been Ginny’s strength. She sighed and turned her mind to brighter thoughts. As long as the lights stayed on, everything would be okay.

“So what are you doing for Christmas Day?”

“Marco is taking me to the city to see the tree at Rockefeller Center and look at the window decorations, then back to his place for a romantic dinner.”

It was Ginny's turn to be jealous.

Her friend not only had a great job, a fabulous condo, and parents who supported everything she did, but also a hot new boyfriend with an Italian accent to go along with his expensive Italian sports car.

“That sounds perfect. You better text and tell me what he bought you for Christmas the minute you open it.” Ginny might as well be completely green with envy and get it all over with at once.

“I will. Promise. Are you going to be all right up there by yourself if you get snowed in and can't drive home tomorrow?”

“Sure. There's food in the fridge.”

“But what if the power does go out?”

“There’s firewood on the porch and plenty of candles in the house. I’ll be fine even if the power goes out.” Ginny dismissed Molly’s concern, sounding more confident than she felt.

“Okay, but I'll make sure I keep my cell phone on in case you need anything.”

“Thanks.” Ginny didn't know what Molly and Marco were going to be able to do for her. If the roads proved so bad she couldn't drive south to Stamford, they wouldn't be able to drive north to Springfield either, but she did appreciate the offer.

The lights flickered again and she stifled a groan. She didn’t need Molly, in an attempt to help, reporting back to her mother that she was sitting alone in the dark. Her mom’s I-told-you-so would be more than Ginny could stand.

“I’m going to go. I think I’ll bring in some wood and make a fire.”

Even if the power didn’t go out, a cozy snowy Christmas Eve spent in front of a roaring fireplace seemed slightly less sad.

“That sounds nice. You should open a bottle of wine and enjoy your night alone.”

Spoken like a woman who had a boyfriend and didn’t have to spend any night alone if she didn’t want to. “Will do. Good night, Mol.”

“Good night and happy Christmas Eve.”

“Happy Christmas Eve to you too.” She disconnected before Molly could dispense any more holiday cheer Ginny wasn’t in the mood for.

After putting the cell down, Ginny stared at the lamp for a few seconds. The light bulb glowed steadily, with no more visible flickers.

That was a good sign. Maybe it had been a false alarm, though she should probably locate some provisions in case the electricity did go out.

Even at only four in the afternoon, on a cloudy late December day in New England, it was nearly dark already.

Best to be prepared, that's what Ginny always said. Well, she never actually said that, but it sounded good. For this situation she settled on locating the flashlight.

That was preparations enough for the time being because her trip to the kitchen had made her realize she was hungry.

She opened the fridge and perused the choices. She had lettuce to make a salad, but that idea left her feeling cold.

There was chicken breast in the freezer. She could defrost that in the microwave and throw something together for dinner. Maybe with some homemade mashed potatoes, but that would all take a lot of time and more incentive than she had.

Ginny opened a cabinet and eyed the rows of cans. Laziness won out and she opted on a hearty bean soup. One quick turn of the electric can opener and it would be ready to cook, with only one dirty pot to wash after she was done.

As the soup heated on the stovetop, Ginny wandered into the master bedroom.

Choosing to ignore the time of day, she grabbed her pajamas from where she’d left them hanging behind the bathroom door. A cozy night in front of the fire would be even better in her soft flannel PJs.

Okay, it wasn’t technically night yet. It was still more late afternoon, creeping up to be evening, but what good was the freedom of working from home if she couldn't put on her pajamas when she wanted to?

Besides, for better or worse there was no one there to see or judge her for it, so Ginny tossed her jeans and sweater on the chair in the bedroom and pulled on her softest, and also oldest, red and white snowflake patterned pajamas.

The soup was hot enough to eat by the time she got back to the kitchen, so she flipped off the burner.

After poured the steaming liquid into a bowl, she grabbed a spoon and a napkin and carried the lot into the living room.

The dark gaping opening of the fireplace reminded her she’d meant to bring in wood and make a fire. She’d have to do that later. If she did it now, her dinner would get cold.

She should probably try to put in at least an hour on her book since she hadn’t touched it in days. She could do that while she ate.

Ginny put the bowl down on the desk and sat. Her laptop was still open, just the way she’d left it. She tapped a key to wake the computer from hibernation mode and watched the screen spring to life.

She clicked to open the file for her novel. The document appeared on screen, looking exactly how she'd left it—unfinished, stalled halfway through the first chapter.

Okay, maybe not halfway. More like a few paragraphs in.

She blew out a breath. Ginny had heard of writer's block, but her experience seemed more like writer's amnesia. Nothing spilled out of her brain and onto the screen and she started to suspect that what she'd already written might be crap.

A Colonial-era cozy mystery had seemed like such a great idea when she'd originally come up with it and done the research.

So why wasn't it working? She had no idea, but sitting and staring at the screen didn't help either her mood or her novel.

In her defense, she had an eight-page outline for the story and ten pages of research notes, so she was closer to being finished than it appeared at first glance in spite of the pitifully low word count.

All she had to do was write it.

Easy. No problem at all . . . She laid her fingers on the keyboard, but she’d be damned if she knew what to type.

Maybe if she opened the outline and went over that again it would help.

Ginny was just about to do that when an alert popped onto her screen, which reminded her she hadn’t checked her email since this morning.

She opened her inbox in a new browser and found it full. She’d definitely be able to concentrate better after she went through it. And it would be far easier to eat her soup while reading email than while trying to write her novel.

Decision made, Ginny clicked open the first email, grabbed her bowl and settled in.

The falling white flakes out the window in front of her caught her attention. She had to admit, there was nothing that put a person in the holiday spirit more than snow.

It was peaceful.

Too peaceful. The house, so far removed from the neighbors and the road, was too quiet.

Maybe that was why she couldn’t work. She was used to her apartment and all the noises that came with it.

She got up, grabbed the remote control, and turned on the television. Ginny flipped through the channels until she found an old black and white movie. She lowered the volume until it was a soft drone and went back to the desk.

A little background noise would make her feel more at home. She’d make quick work of the inbox and the soup, then get right back to her book.

An hour later, Ginny’s soup bowl and inbox were both empty.

The movie had ended and another began. She heard George Bailey’s familiar voice behind her and smiled. It's a Wonderful Life had come on the movie channel.

It was a classic. One she made sure to watch every Christmas, but she hadn’t seen it yet this year. Who knew if the station would air it again tonight, and if she was traveling tomorrow she could miss it.

Flipping the lid of the laptop closed, she stood. The book would still be there when the movie was done.

Maybe a couple of hours spent away from staring at the screen would rejuvenate her. Moving to the sofa, she flopped onto the cushion and grabbed the throw to pull over her legs just as the station came back from a commercial break.

One glance at the screen told Ginny it was the colorized version of the classic. She hated that. Black and white movies were meant to remain black and white, in her opinion.

In silent protest, Ginny reached for the remote and changed the channel. She’d rather miss the movie than watch the bastardized version.

The people who owned the home had every channel known to man, so she was pretty sure she’d be able to find something good to watch.

“Today’s topic is how to find a man.” The words of the male host of a show she didn’t normally watch halted Ginny’s channel surfing. “We’re here with relationship expert Ronald Pearl, also known as the Love Doctor.”

Just what she needed—some expert giving her advice, as if her mother didn’t do that enough.

She was about to flip again when the guest said, “Single women are alone because subconsciously theychoose to be alone.”

She paused long enough to scowl at the idiot on the television who’d just delivered the ridiculous statement.

The homeowner’s cat chose that moment to dart into the room. It sent a look of fear in Ginny’s direction and then skidded into the kitchen where the food and water bowls were.

If Ginny couldn’t even get the damn cat to spend time with her, how was she supposed to do it with a man? She’d love to ask this expert that.

Remote control still in her hand, she couldn’t bring herself to change the channel quite yet. Not until she’d heard what other bullshit this man had to say.

The Love Doctor, who she doubted was really a doctor at all, continued, “Think of where you choose to work, to live, to shop, to recreate. Are these places where you are likely to meet the man of your dreams?”

The doctor of course had spoken to a female audience member, but it seemed as if he addressed Ginny directly.

She thought over her choices, mostly to try and disprove his theory, but the more she thought, the more she realized he was right.

Rather than getting an office job, Ginny chose to work from home.

For the holidays, the busiest time of the year for shopping, parties and just generally being around other people, she traded her city apartment for a house in the country, hours away from her friends and family.

The only guy she’d be likely to meet while buried away here was the man who delivered the heating oil. She’d barely even caught a glimpse of the mailman since she’d been here because the mailbox was along the road at the end of the very long driveway.

And recreation? Even when she was home in Stamford, watching television and reading were her main past times, especially now that Molly had a boyfriend to keep her busy.

It was her own fault she remained alone. The epiphany sat heavy in her chest.

Her mother might be right. Just that realization alone shifted Ginny's entire perception of reality.

“So what do I do?” She whispered the question aloud as the woman standing in the television audience asked the Love Doctor almost the same thing.

“I want you to make a list of everything you want in your life. By writing down and acknowledging your goals, you’ll unconsciously take the steps necessary to achieve them.”

Tossing the blanket to the side, Ginny jumped up and lunged for the desk. She grabbed a pad of paper and a pen.

The audience member began to tear up. Ginny frowned at the reaction. Crying would do no good.

Then again, writing down what she wanted probably wouldn't do much good either, but at least it seemed more productive than sobbing on national television.

She began her list by writing at the top of the page What I Want in Life.

Ginny paused. What did she want? She tapped the pen against the pad of paper while considering the answer to that very important question.

Her lack of ideas wasn’t a very promising start. Did her writer's block extend to list making too?

Ah, ha! That was what she wanted.

“I want to get over my writer's block. I want to write a novel.” She wrote as she spoke and felt better the minute something went down on the paper.

On a roll, she went back and added the words and publish after the words to write.

Ginny thought some more and added the words bestselling before novel.

She reread the sentence with the additions.

To write and publish a bestselling novel.

As long as this was a wish list, she might as well make the wishes good.

Feeling as if she was finally off to a good start, Ginny continued to consider what she wanted in life.

She glanced outside at the snow and thought of another point for her list. She was tired of feeling helpless. She’d had enough of being unable to fix things that broke or start a snow blower.

I want to be able to take care of myself.

Independence was important, however, she didn't want to be alone all the time either. Ginny added one more thing to the list.

I want a man.

Hmm. Better be more specific than that. She started a bulleted list of criteria below that.

Young

Handsome

Unmarried

Smart

Honorable

After a moment of further consideration, she added two more.

Good in bed

Lets me be my own person

Glancing up, Ginny saw the woman on screen had finally wiped her eyes and started making her own list.

The doctor kept speaking, “Once you have your list, the points you’ve written become your destination. But you need a map to get to your destination. What steps can you consciously take to move you in the right direction to help achieve your end goals?”

Ginny supposed she could get out of the house more.

No wonder she was alone and had writer's block. How could she obtain any material to write if her entire existence consisted of this house, the television and her computer? She needed to get a life in order to write a book and land a man.

Molly and Marco met at the snack bar at their gym. Ginny had never belonged to a gym. She preferred exercise videos she could workout to in the privacy of her own home.

That was just one more way she unconsciously made the choice to be alone. Maybe she needed to join a gym. She added that as step number one.

She glanced at her list of male criteria. To find a man like that, she definitely needed to get out more, but not going just any old place would do. She supposed she could take day trips into New York City.

There she could visit museums and art galleries. Smart men would hang around there. Right?

Maybe she could sign up for some adult education classes at the local college. That would kill two birds with one stone. She could learn how to fix things and she might meet some cute guys at the school.

She wrote all those new ideas down as well, and then reviewed the lengthening list. She had a lot of changes to make in her usual routine.

The half hour show was wrapping up with the Love Doctor hawking his book. Ginny flipped the channel. She’d gotten what she needed from the show—a list of goals and a game plan on how to achieve them.

Since she couldn’t do anything about her plan on Christmas Eve, she put the list aside and decided not to think about any of it tonight. Tomorrow would be out of the question too, since it was a holiday.

In fact, with New Year's Eve just around the corner, after the first of the year might be a better time to start implementing the changes for her new life.

That seemed like the perfect time. After the holidays were over. When businesses were getting back to business as usual. And when the whole world was making resolutions for the new year.

Happy with that plan, Ginny scrolled until she found a Christmas movie she could live with, pulled the blanket over her legs again and snuggled in for the evening.

She’d call her mom and dad as soon as this movie was over. Maybe by then she’d have a better handle on how bad the storm was going to be.

~ * ~

Thom leaned toward the restroom mirror and evaluated his reflection. Aside from the darkened circles beneath his eyes, which were caused by lack of sleep not bruising, he looked back to normal.

His face had gone through a whole rainbow of colors since the November mission that had landed him in the hospital. During the worst of it, he’d even resorted to putting on makeup so the bruises wouldn’t scare his kids.

Now, finally, that night was just a memory. And a hazy memory, at that.

He balled up the paper towel he’d dried his hands on and tossed it across the room. It landed dead center in the trashcan.

Score.

His depth perception was back. So was his peripheral vision, and he hadn’t experienced memory loss in weeks. Proof that even an RPG-powered hatch to the face couldn’t keep a good SEAL down for long.

Thom tugged the men’s room door open and headed into the dimly lit bar toward the table where his friends sat.

Rather than take his seat, he dug into his pocket for his wallet and tossed a five-dollar bill onto the table for the soda he’d drank. “I guess I’m gonna get going.”

From his seat at the table, Brody frowned up at him. “You sure you wanna take that drive tonight?”

“I’ll be fine.” Thom dismissed his friend’s concern with the wave of one hand.

The team was used to working vampire hours, with most of their missions happening at night. Compared to infiltrating an ISIS stronghold, driving from Virginia to Massachusetts would be a piece of cake.

Brody’s brother Chris paused with his beer in his hand. “I don’t see why you don’t just hit the road in the morning instead. That way you can stay, have some beers with us, then start fresh in daylight.”

“There’ll be less traffic driving at night. Besides, they’re expecting me in the afternoon, but I kinda wanna surprise my parents and be there when they wake up in the morning.” Thom couldn’t be with his kids on Christmas morning, thanks to his bitch ex-wife’s rules, so he wanted to be with his parents.

He would have left earlier today, but he’d only been allowed to have his son and daughter for Christmas Eve dinner. He couldn’t miss that, so it delayed his departure.

Thom had three-days leave and he was going to make the most of it. If that meant driving at night to maximize the time he had with his family in Massachusetts, then that’s what he’d do.

Brody pushed back his chair and stood. He extended his hand to Thom then reeled him in to deliver a slap on his back with the other. “Safe trip and Merry Christmas.”

“Thanks.” Thom turned and got the same treatment from the other Cassidy brother.

Chris pulled back and said, “Be careful driving up there. I saw talk of a snowstorm on the news.”

Thom laughed. “Don’t worry. We Yankees know how to drive in the snow. It’s only you southern boys who think a few flurries warrants a winter weather emergency.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Chris rolled his eyes. “Just be careful and Merry Christmas.”

“Same to you.” Thom tipped his head. “See you in a few days.”

“You got it.” Brody’s voice followed Thom as he turned for the door. “And don’t forget, New Years is at Rick’s place again this year.”

Thom raised an arm in acknowledgement as he pushed through the back door of the bar that led to the parking lot.

The cool air hit him like a bracing slap across the face. He was grateful for that after the overly warm air of the bar and his full belly from dinner with the kids. He had become a little too relaxed and kind of sleepy.

Luckily, when he’d stopped at the gas station to fill up before getting the kids this afternoon, Thom had picked up an energy drink. If he started to feel tired during the eight-hour drive to Springfield, he’d down that and be good.

Sliding behind the wheel of his SUV, he thought about what Brody had called to him as he’d been leaving. New Years Eve was next week. Yet another holiday to remind him of his divorce.

He’d negotiated to get the kids on New Years Day this year so he couldn’t get shitfaced at the party the night before. Even so, it would be good to be at Rick’s place with his buddies.

Of course, it wouldn’t just be the guys. There’d be a few females. Rick’s sister Darci would be there and Ali too since she and Jon were a couple now.

Even Zane had settled down with one girl, amazingly enough. And of course, Grant and his wife would probably come.

One day—maybe—Thom would be interested in going down the dating road again. Since thoughts of his ex-wife still had his blood pressure rising into the danger zone, that day had obviously not come yet.

Hell, she’d turn him so completely off women he hadn’t had sex in—what? A quick calculation told him it had been over eighteen months since the divorce had been finalized and he’d gone out on a drunken rebound-sex spree.

That had been more about revenge and anger at his ex than pleasure for himself.

Christ, that woman had messed him up good if even sex hadn’t held any appeal for him for a year and a half.

Steering onto the entrance ramp for the highway that would lead him north and home, Thom decided this holiday was a good time to forget about everything bad in his life. A time to enjoy his family, the beauty of his hometown in winter and some much needed time off.

He might even run into one of his old girlfriends from high school. A one-night reunion with a woman from his past might be just what he needed to break out of this funk he was in and end his dry spell.

Some quick, easy sex might get him back on the horse, so to speak.

Still, somehow that idea left him cold.

Even with as bruised as he was from the divorce, damned if he wasn’t still a romantic at heart. He should probably work on that.

Thom realized it was going to be a long night if he kept second-guessing his life and loves the whole way.

He spun the dial on the radio louder, hoping the music would fill his head rather than his own thoughts.

With a dry, open highway ahead of him, he set the cruise control for ten miles above the posted speed limit and reached for his energy drink, settling in for the drive.

Next stop, Massachusetts.

CHECK OUT THE HOT SEALS SERIES BY CAT JOHNSON HERE

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Thanksgiving Wishes For Our Troops, For Our Homes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 14:21:00 +0000

This Thanksgiving, I got a small taste of what it would be like to have Thanksgiving all alone. As luck would have it, all the kids are scattered off all over the country. My husband decided to go up to Seattle to purchase a new truck, and ran into some weather issues, and may not be home at all for Thanksgiving. My oldest needs to work. My youngest daughter might not be back from her travels to the Pacific Northwest with a friend.

It was looking like it would be just me and the dogs.

Soldiers serving overseas don't have their families around them at the holidays. I began to imagine how they would feel, perhaps leaving a pregnant wife, or new bride, a baby born just before deployment or during, the elderly parent or grandparent who is in frail health, or who passes or has just passed away. I can only imagine what it would feel like to be stuck in a foreign land where not much of the language is understood. Weather and landscapes vastly different from that place that we call home. Their jobs don't stop for a holiday like Thanksgiving.

It has to take a personal toll, being so disconnected from their family and their country.

My heart goes out to all those who didn't return, or will never return, to the families who mourn for them. To the soldiers who miss home, mom and apple pie. Who even miss the little arguments that can happen around a dinner table at Thanksgiving. Who assemble relying on their new, perhaps temporary family, and the grace and decency of their superiors. Who do this thing we call military service day in and day out. They do it for us.

Thank you. My wish is that you know how deeply thankful I am for my freedoms, and for the way
you have protected me so I could live this crazy life. Know that there are far more people who love and support you, than you ever knew existed.

And God Bless you all.

Sharon Hamilton

Life is one fool thing after another.

Love is two fool things after each other.

Author Page ** Sharon's Blog ** Sharon's Website ** Facebook**Twitter**Sharon’s Newsletter

John F. Kennedy and the Navy SEALs. Thank you for your vision.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 17:59:00 +0000

Posting early because of what today is. John F. Kennedy was the president who signed into legislation the formation of the U.S. Navy SEALs in 1962. President Kennedy was shot on November 22, 1963, in Dallas Texas.

Although his presidency was mired in controversy and often criticized, he did bring us two great ideas: We put a man on the moon. He created the Navy SEALs. For these I will forever be grateful.

Just wanted to reprint my blog of today for those who are interested in military history. We write about hunky guys. I guess today I'm a little nostalgic about the loss of life many military men and women and their families have endured over the years. Maybe I'm feeling a bit sad today about the loss of Camelot.

History marches on. We write what inspires us, and the SEALs certainly do inspire me. On a day when we are posting hunky pictures of half-naked men, I just wanted to bring some background and history, I guess a little reality, and a very quick glance at a time, not unlike today, when things seemed very dangerous. We survived, didn't we? There was a cost to this, of course, but we survived.

If you feel like it, go over to my blog today and learn more about John Kennedy and the early formation of the Navy SEALs.

http://sharonhamiltonauthor.blogspot.com/2015/11/john-f-kennedy-and-us-navy-seals-new.html

Contest For SEAL-loving readers!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 19:41:00 +0000

Vote for your favorite cover and best blurb.

Enter to win a $100 Gift Certificate.

All in one place!

http://www.prizesforreaders.com

ENTER Today!

Meet the Men and Women of Elite Recon #EliteGhosts #MarineRomance #NewRelease

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 12:00:00 +0000

Amazon | Nook | All Romance| Kobo | iBooks

Six novels from some New York Times, USA Today and award winning bestselling authors! Six individual novels that create one giant book! One story leading into the next into the next! This is a continuation in the hunt for Red Wolf including all the characters you love from Elite Metal!

Target: Tungsten – Heather Long
Zinc's Heart – Rebecca Royce
Lithium's Rescue – Sabrina York
Thallium's Submission – Anna Alexander
Nickel's Wounds – Saranna DeWylde
Titanium's Sacrifice – Jennifer Kacey

Elite Ghosts
For more than two years they've been ghosts. Nothing but names on empty tombstones. Men and women forced to fade into the background after being pulled from the rubble. Dead Marines saved from a fate worse than death, but ordered to stand down while their lives disappeared all around them.

Some knew it could happen if a mission exploded. Double crossed by more than just Red Wolf. But now is their time to be reborn from the flames of a Phoenix. No longer imprisoned in the shadows. A half-life between them and their future. To make things right coming back to life is their only option.

Loyalty is their salvation but damage is always more than skin deep.

A new hope. A new family. Elite Ghosts.

Target: Tungsten by Heather Long - Bradley "Tungsten" Peck. Marine. Lover. Friend. He's the man who can get anything, find anyone, and accomplish every goal. At least he was, before he lost the only woman who mattered...he won't stop until he gets her back or she puts a bullet in him.

Sneak Peek at Target Tungsten:

Today

The black-garbed, anonymous soldiers who picked them up and dragged them back to the team moved forward. Three stood next to Poppy, the other four were beside Titanium.

How the fuck is he even alive?

“It’s time,” Titanium announced.

One by one, the ghosts removed their hoods—revealing face after familiar face.

Silence.

As if a nuke obliterated all thought in the room, everyone stood frozen. Waiting to wake up. Maybe waiting for the shock to sink in.

Zinc, Tungsten, Tin, Nickel, Thallium, Lithium and Uranium were alive. Everyone who had “died” in Russia stood side-by-side. Everyone but Gold.

Tungsten stared at Copper. Their eyes locked before he slid his gray-green gaze to Gabriel then back to her.

Gabriel palmed Copper’s shoulder, the weight of his fingers grounding her as the world seemed to slip sideways. Merc moved in front of her a half step. Brad? Her mind couldn’t process the data she’d received. Brad. Alive.

Alive.

Brad isn’t dead.

No. He died. When she’d stood inside the casino and an explosion tore it apart, silence accompanied the roar. A silence so profound, it threatened to swallow her. She remembered the first time the world swallowed her. When it spit her back out, Brad and so many others were dead. The second time, she’d woken beneath rubble and debris atop Cobalt—alone in the dark with a dead man.

No fire accompanied the second detonation, but the silence exploded all around her. Merc shifted more, breaking her line of sight, then the sound rushed in, flooding her. She couldn’t breathe.

She couldn’t be there.

I can’t do this.

Chrome’s voice pulled the pin on the grenade. “What. The. Fuck…”

Jerking her shoulder away from Gabriel’s touch, she turned on her heel and walked away. Someone called her name, maybe Gabriel. Maybe Merc. Maybe the dead men. Who knew? She kept walking. A hand landed on her arm, but she twisted free.

They grabbed her again, but she slammed her foot down on the instep and then her elbow against the face of whoever it was. She couldn’t see anything. Didn’t hear anything. Didn’t care.

She had to go.

As soon as she hit daylight outside the hanger, she turned to her Triumph. One minute walking, the next she all but ran. Her heart hammered like bullets fired from a modified Remington 700.

Somehow, the engine started, and she burned rubber accelerating.

The dead man suddenly blocked her escape. She swerved to avoid him then continued through the gate and to the main road.

The world swallowed her again. It had to have.

Band of Bachelors is here - next series in the SEAL Brotherhood Series

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 09:43:00 +0000

Happy to be able to write what I love, and feeling very humbled and grateful. I've been writing Navy SEAL stories since 2011, now with my 11th book in the series: Band of Bachelors: Lucas.

I've divided the Brotherhood into sub-sets, coming out last year with The Bad Boys of SEAL Team 3. But readers wanted to hear more about the older SEALs in my earlier books, so Kyle, Coop, Fredo, Armando and others show up and make appearances in most the other books. With the Bad Boys, this series focused on totally new men, even though there were appearances by the others, especially Kyle, their LPO. I wanted to set up a series that was completely stand alone. I think I succeeded. Some people begin the Brotherhood with Book 1, Accidental SEAL (which is free) and others begin with Book 7, SEAL's Promise. That is a three book series, ending with SEAL's Code. But there will be more.

For Band of Bachelors, I decided to have a group of 5 guys living together, all of them either divorced or single. I wanted them one by one to fall, for the right woman. These guys are a little rough around the edges. Maybe not the squeaky clean types, not bad boys, but sort of screw-ups. Not good with their spouses. Or making wrong choices in girlfriends and spouses.

Lucas starts out convinced that Connie, his wife, is going to ask him back. He made some unfortunate mistakes as far as having his picture taken with a dancer at a bachelor party, and someone posting it on Facebook, where his wife got the wrong impression and poor Lucas never got the chance to explain himself. He's convinced he will be back in her good graces. The other bachelors, perhaps more hardened, think otherwise. And they'll be right.

I also did what I've done before, incorporated some things from the news about local terrorist training camps, and the SEALs involved as far as intelligence gathering. We know (assume we know, anyway) that they wouldn't really do this in the US. But, if they did, this is my fictional story of what would happen. You know I take lots of poetic license, right?

I hope you enjoy the Sound Cloud and the YouTube trailer. I sure had fun writing Lucas and Marcy's story. Looking forward to writing more of it later, when they get married and take over cleaning up the rest of Lucas' messes. He did leave a bunch of them behind, but then, that's life. Enjoy my wonderful narrator, Mr. J.D. Hart:

Book Trailer, Band of Bachelors: Lucas

Sound Cloud snippet, Marcy and Lucas begin to spark

Sharon Hamilton is a NYT and USA/Today bestselling author most known for her SEAL Brotherhood series. She also writes a Golden Vampire and Guardian Angel series.

Sharon Hamilton

Life is one fool thing after another.

Love is two fool things after each other.

Author Page ** Sharon's Blog ** Sharon's Website ** Facebook**Twitter

Sharon’s Newsletter

The Next Hostage Rescue Team Book Is Here!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:00:00 +0000

Cruzie's story is here! Exposed is book 6 of the Hostage Rescue Team series and I'm hard at work on book 7 right now.

Hope you guys love Cruzie and Marisol together. I enjoyed writing this one a lot, especially the villain. Fingers crossed that I catch you off guard with the twists and turns in this one :).

Sometimes the one you were meant to be with…

Marisol Lorenzo landed her dream job as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and is working on the case that could make her career; now she’s determined to put away the most dangerous drug lord in the country. But his incarceration has opened up a lethal turf war among his lieutenants. Their enforcers are out hunting their enemies, and anyone who gets in their way. When one of them sets his sights on Marisol, she turns to a man she grew up with and has wanted for years—a member of the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team. Even though she thinks he’ll break her heart when he leaves town, it’s a risk she’s willing to take.

Has been right in front of you all along.

Special Agent Ethan Cruz is back home in Miami with his team to take down a dangerous fugitive linked to the case Marisol is working on. He’s focused on his job and not looking for a relationship, until she captures his attention so completely that he’s consumed with the need to make her his. Though he knows he should keep his distance, the explosive attraction sizzling between them makes it impossible. He’s always had a soft spot for her but now his feelings are so intense he can’t shut them off. What starts off as desire quickly runs deeper, becoming something more powerful than he’s ever known. And when Marisol winds up in the crosshairs of the most lethal enforcer of all, he’ll put everything on the line to save her.

Buy Links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Nook

iBooks

Kobo

Google

Paperback

In other news, Danger Close (Bagram Special Ops book 4) just won the Write Touch Readers' Award! Congrats to Wade and Erin.

And, Hunted is currently a finalist in the Aspen Gold Contest, and it won the Colorado Award of Excellence Contest. Go Bauer and Zoe!!! (You guys know how much I love Bauer. *shiver*)

Rekindled, Titanium Security series #5 also finaled in the contest, but I guess I can't be too sad that it lost to another of my books, right?!

Happy reading,

Kaylea Cross

Blue Star Moms

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 21:18:00 +0000

Sometimes it's better said by others. I'm a writer, and a member of this organization. But I think Lynnette says it better than I ever could.

What is a Blue Star Mother?

I was asked by a very good friend what is a Blue Star Mother?

I was like you know we are a group of moms from all branches of the Military that have children serving or have served our country. We send care packages to the troops all over the country, and we help out Veterans.

Truth is we are so much more than that…..

We are moms who have been given this title the day our son or daughter signs that dotted line, at Meps, from that moment we have to cherish this title. How do we do this? We do this by supporting our children in all ways possible, we seek out other Military families to gain support for each other, we share our pain and our joy with them, as they really understand what we moms go through since they are going though it too!

This is where the Blue Star Mom organization comes in…if you are lucky to have a group in our area we join and we ban together to help each other though the daily life of a military mom. We do this by supporting our troops, as well as our veterans. We hold packing parties and fundraisers all year long! We work for months gathering all types of items, all donated from our community. We send out 100’s of boxes to the troops all packed with loving hands from blue star moms and members of the community. We provide support to Veterans organizations; we are available to assist in volunteer efforts to help our country remain strong. We are at the Airport when a hero comes home with our banners, balloons, signs and lots of loving hugs, and telling them thank you for their service. We are at the Airport when a fallen hero comes home, only this time supporting that Blue Star family that has just be given the Gold Star family title, sharing their pain, sorrow, offering our support for any of their needs and letting them know they will not be forgotten. Thanking that family for their sacrifice. A title we all hope not to have placed on us but we know it could happen any day, any time. We are a group of moms that love our country more than words could ever express. We are a group of moms that wait by our phones diligently hoping for a call. We hide our tears and hold our chins up high when we watch our children leave to the unknown land of where they are deploying, because we want them to be strong and not worry about us… they have enough put on their shoulders. We are a group of moms that cry just reading cards or letters from our troops and at the National anthem being sung because of our patriotism. We are the group of moms that will tear you apart if you speak ill of our troops, because that’s our babies your disrespecting and mama bears have to do what mama bears do! We are a group of moms that understand sometimes we won’t see our children for months at a time; we will miss holidays, birthdays, and special events with them but know it’s their job and we have to let it go. We are a group of moms that have more red white and blue clothing then anyone on this earth…and more branch apparel then we need, yet we keep buying more because it makes us feel close to them, when we can’t see them, touch them, hug them. We are a group of moms that LOVE our title and we will go to great lengths to support our Military families in whatever the need. We are a group of moms that serve our country with pride, and we are a group of moms that understand the sacrifice our Men and women have made to serve this great country. Whether it’s our own Son/s or Daughter/s or someone else’s, the men and women who serve in our Military are all part of our family the day we become a Blue Star mom. I’m sure there is a lot more I’m missing but this is what a Blue Star mom is to me. I title I wear with pride, and hold dear to my heart.

Written by my dear friend & sister-mom, Lynnette McCallister of Sacramento Blue Star Moms

For more information or if you would like to donate or join, please contact us athttp://www.sacramentobluestarmoms.org/

Sharon Hamilton

authorsharonhamilton.com

Loved by a SEAL (Hot SEALs) Deploying 22 September (EXCERPT)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 18:38:00 +0000

Loved by a SEAL

(Hot SEALs)

by Cat Johnson

Brody Cassidy. Navy SEAL. Southern charmer. A guy's guy. He likes beer and barbecue and the occasional visit to the strip club just off base, but Brody doesn't realize that a woman from his past is about to turn his future upside down.

in eBook & Print Sept 22

Preorder now at:

AMAZON US ~UK~CA AU

ARe~GOOGLE~iBOOKS~KOBO~BN NOOK

Hello, all! I'm happy to report that the next Hot SEALs book arrives a week from today. One of the things I love about writing military men is the sense of brotherhood, and how they give each other a hard time, even while being willing to kill or die for their fellow soldier. Please enjoy this all new excerpt from Loved by a SEAL below, which I think gives the reader a little peek into that mentality. And remember to sign up for new release and sale email alerts at catjohnson.net/news !
~Cat Johnson

EXCERPT from Loved by a SEAL

“So I glance over and Rocky is literally face to face with this huge snake that I swear is looking him right in the eye, like they were in some sort of staring contest.” Thom’s recount of the story to the guys back on base got more animated with each telling, though Brody had to admit it had been pretty funny. “I swear, dude, this snake was like six inches away from the tip of Rocky’s nose.”

Eyes wide, Jon glanced at Rocky. “What the fuck did you do?”

Brody laughed. “Probably shit his pants.”

Rocky frowned. “Did not. And let’s see how you’d react.”

Thom wasn’t about to let the story go unfinished just because Brody and Rocky were bickering. He launched into the next part, saying, “So he was in the middle of checking in at the time. So command is freaking out on the radio because all they hear is Rocky cursing and then dead air.”

Grant rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t freaking out, but I was starting to think my star team—the ringers I hand-picked and flew in just for this freaking op—had gotten ambushed.”

“Aw, we’re your stars? That’s nice.” Brody grinned, teasing Grant.

Grant cocked a brow. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

Undeterred, Thom forged ahead. “So this is the best part. Mack reaches over, as calm as anything. You know, as if this shit happens to him everyday. He snatches the snake, lops off its head with his KA-BAR and then goes back to manning his rifle.”

“It was no big deal.” Mack shrugged. “But that species is deadly so if it had bit him, that would have been a big deal.”

Rocky let out a visible shudder. “Ugh, I hate snakes.”

“We all have our little quirks.” Grant smiled.

Catch up with all the Hot SEALs HERE

~

Coming next to the Hot SEALs:

Tempted by a SEAL – James “Mack” MacIntyre (Jan 12, 2016)

Wed to a SEAL – Rocky Mangiano (April 12, 2016)

Protect and Serve - New Anthology Out Next Month

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 07:30:00 +0000

Readers have enjoyed new series in Kindle Worlds, such as Cat Johnson's Hot SEALs, and in Anthologies and Boxed Sets. It is a way for a reader to visit many different authors with a minimum of expense.

We have Protect and Serve coming out on the 14th of September. Many of these authors I haven't worked with before, and some are old, familiar favorites of mine, and many of the readers here.

My contribution will be a novella that will become a full length novel in November of this year, True Navy Blue. The new series will be called True Blue SEALs.

Here's the blurb for the novella: Zak Chambers grows up in the shadow of a home grown hero he’s always being compared to. But even heroes can be unlucky, and when the legendary SEAL sacrifices his life overseas, Zak is moved to follow in his footsteps.

His fast and furious fling in high school, Amy Dobson, is still the wild child daughter of the local Chief of Police, doing her best to excise her demons by partying with half the male population of their town. She barges back into his life and Zak finds he is powerless to resist her. They explosively reconnect one last time before he ships off to the Navy.

But will he arrive in time to save her from a terrorist cell?

Here are the other authors and their books:

Introducing Protect and Serve, a collection of EXCLUSIVE, NEVER RELEASED novellas from 11 amazing authors, including NYT and USA Today bestsellers! From rookie cops to special ops, this collection celebrates all that Protect and Serve. J.M. Madden - Her Secret Wish Sharon Hamilton - True Navy Blue Amity Cross - Rebel (A Men of The Underground Novella) Stacy Green - Shots Fired - A Cage Foster/Delta Detectives novella Jamie Lee Scott - Uncertain Blue (an Uncertain Novella) Allie K. Adams - Brace for Contact Hildie McQueen - Tea, Theft and Scones Cheryl Bradshaw - Dead of Night Carra Copelin - Lilah By Midnight Jenna Bennett - Overcome Danielle Stewart - Running from Shadows

Worlds and Boxes of SEALs Oh My!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 24 Jul 2015 04:52:00 +0000

Band of Bachelors: Lucas will
debut 8/4/15

Continuing on with Cat Johnson's post from earlier this month, I was honored to be invited to be a launch author in her Kindle World series, Hot SEALs. I was really excited to be part of this project. Unfortunately, I have had to pull out. But my novella, will be released in early August anyway, but just under my name, not the World name. I wish Cat and the ladies all the success they so richly deserve! They've been super to work with.

Cat and I first worked together a couple of years ago, but last year we also did Hot Alpha SEALs, which made all the bestseller lists.

Band of Bachelors is my new SEAL Brotherhood Series. It chronicles the plight of five bachelor SEALs who are the best of the best at what they do on the battlefield, in training and in the bedroom, but totally suck when it comes to relationships. Here's a quote from Connie, (my hero's soon-to-be-ex-wife), describing her SEAL husband, Lucas Shipley:

"I got tired of being all alone and scared to death while he was overseas. And then when he came home, it was either he wanted to screw day and night, or he wouldn’t want to do anything. He’d just watch T.V. The kids would be screaming and he’d be like comatose. And the staying out late, drinking with the guys. Marcy, he was married and hanging out with all the single SEALs, and getting into trouble. He’s got these loser friends who have messed up their marriages too, bad influence on him. He didn’t like to talk about feelings, especially my feelings. He was like, “So, join a gym, or why not take up a hobby, like quilting or gardening? I mean, really? I’m trying to raise two kids all my myself, and he’s streaking out there clear across the world from me, and doing who knows what he couldn’t talk about – Marcy it was all just too much.”

I'll be releasing this as a full length novel in September, but this novella will debut in Cat's Hot SEALs Kindle Worlds launch on 8/4/15. There is, unfortunately, no preorder button for it, but August 4th is close enough that you don't have to wait too long. To tide you over, I've got a little

audio snippet prepared by my world-class and awesome buttery-voiced narrator, J.D. Hart. I know you're gonna fall in love with Lucas, just like I have. This narration is a scene when the hero and heroine first meet.

J.D. Hart

Blurb: Special Operator Lucas Shipley thought his troubles were past him, when he discovers they’ve only just begun. Recently separated from his wife of five years, he gets some unwelcomed news. He thought his living arrangement, with four other separated or divorced buddies from SEAL Team 3, was temporary. Now, he understands he has to move on with his life.

Marcy Gelland is one of the smartest, most successful realtors in San Diego County. She’s hired by Lucas’ soon-to-be ex-wife to help her liquidate their joint holdings and help orchestrate a speedy departure from Lucas’ life. Based on what Marcy’s been told, Lucas deserves any amount of pain she or her client can dish out to him.

But when they are left alone together in the remote Northern California woods, they ignite a personal bonfire that threatens to burn down the whole forest. Marcy is forced to see she has been misled.

Amidst the backdrop of hardened bachelor SEALs with their unsolicited, anti-long- term relationship advice, and a criminal gang operating nearby, Lucas must do what he’s always done and never gotten proper credit for: be the hero that saves the day.

So, Hope you enjoy my new series, starting with SEAL Brotherhood, Band of Bachelors: Lucas. Enjoy!!

Sharon Hamilton

Life is one fool thing after another.

Love is two fool things after each other.

Author Page ** Sharon's Blog ** Sharon's Website ** Facebook**Twitter

Sharon’s Newsletter

More Hot SEALs Ahead from Cat Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:29:00 +0000

As the July weather temperatures rise, here comes another Hot SEALs release to ratchet up the heat a little higher!

PROTECTED BY A SEAL (HOT SEALS) by Cat Johnson

As a Navy SEAL, Rick Mann fought his way to hell and back, but he’s never faced a challenge quite like protecting Sierra Cox. She’s spoiled, she’s annoying. . . and he’s never wanted a woman more. That’s a problem for so many reasons. At the top of that list is that he needs to keep his head in the game because even though Sierra doesn’t take anything seriously, including Rick, the threats on her life are very real.

Some days Rick doesn’t know who he hates more—Sierra or the person trying to kill her. But he only wants to take one of them to bed…

eBook / Print July 21

BUY LINKS HERE

FIND ALL THE HOT SEALS HERE

And if you don't have it yet, Book 1 NIGHT WITH A SEAL is 99 cents thru July 21st

BOOK 1 BUY LINKS HERE

Avenged: Latest HRT Series Release

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 11:00:00 +0000

I'm thrilled to announce that the 5th book in the HRT Series is out now! Schroder's one of my favorite HRT heroes, right up there with Bauer, so I hope you guys love him as well. (Well, he is a former PJ, and you guys know how I feel about them!)

Blurb:

When the past and present collide…

Taya Kostas is a survivor. She’s clawed her way back from the hell she was subjected to at the hands of an undercover agent working for the U.S. government. Since then she’s dedicated her life to preventing the same from happening to anyone else. Now her story has come full circle. She’s about to take the stand as the key federal witness in the biggest terrorist case the country has seen in years. But even though the man responsible for her nightmares is behind bars, the evil she escaped is still hunting her. When fate places her safety in the hands of the man who saved her life once before, together they race to stay one step ahead of a lethal enemy.

He’ll risk it all to save her.

For five years Special Agent Nathan Schroder has been battling his inner demons, but lately it seems like he’s on the verge of losing that fight. Then Taya is suddenly thrust back into his life and in imminent danger, so he steps in to protect her. He’s never forgotten her or the way she held up under fire, and this time he’s not letting her walk away. The terrorists determined to prevent her from testifying will stop at nothing to silence her forever. She might be in official protective custody, but she’s way more than a job to Nate. When the enemy finally strikes and her life hangs in the balance, he’ll do anything to keep her safe.

Buy Links:

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon CA
Nook
Kobo
iBooks
Google
Paperback

Excerpt:

He opened the door wide a few moments later and stepped aside for her to enter. “All clear.”

She passed by him and into the room, her entire body buzzing with awareness as he shut the door behind her. The room was standard, with two queen-size beds and a small bathroom. She barely noticed any of it, too caught up with having over six feet and two-hundred-plus pounds of the sexiest man on earth standing just feet away from her. The skin along her spine buzzed with an almost electric charge, her entire body aching for his touch.

But then doubt suddenly overtook her. Compared to him she was ridiculously inexperienced at this. And she could just imagine how good he’d be in bed. While she was fairly certain he wouldn’t turn her down if she threw herself at him now, she didn’t want to seem pathetic and desperate, either. It was hard not to think about all the other women who called him.

Now or never, Taya. This could be your only shot with him.

She took a deep, bracing breath, and started to turn around. Before she could, two strong hands curled over the muscles at the top of her shoulders and squeezed. Taken by surprise, she smiled and let out a little groan of pleasure as her eyes slid closed. “Oh my God, that’s exactly the spot.”

His deep chuckle ruffled the hair at her nape as his hands kneaded her stiff muscles with firm, toe-curling pressure. “It’s cuz I’ve got magic hands.”

Oh, she had no doubt of that. Just the thought of them stroking over her naked body made her wet.

She turned to look up at him and the expression on his face stole the breath from her lungs. Hungry. Focused. Watching her closely.

Waiting. A hungry panther ready to spring.

Desire shot through her, her pulse thudding in her ears. When he reached up to pull the ball cap off her head and ran his hands through her hair, she couldn’t stop the moan that spilled from her throat.

Those gorgeous, skilled hands that were equally capable of taking a life and saving one tightened in the strands, his gaze locked with hers. A heartbeat later his mouth crashed down on hers.

She’d been waiting for it, even expecting it on some level, but the heated urgency of the kiss took her off guard.

Taya gasped and grabbed hold of his broad shoulders, her fingers sinking into the hard muscle there. That coiled strength beneath her palms had carried her when she’d been too weak to go on, was protecting her even now. The sense of security combined with the feel of his mouth moving over hers, setting her blood on fire.

She pressed against the full length of him, hungry for the feel of that strength wrapped around her. He made a low sound in his throat and drove his tongue into her mouth, sending a velvet shock to the center of her abdomen and between her thighs. Her nipples were hard, achy points against the lace of her bra as they met the hard wall of his chest.

His mouth was hungry over hers, taking complete charge of the kiss until her head spun and she couldn’t breathe. Raw need roared through her, growing stronger with every throb of her heart.

*end excerpt*

Whew! Man, I loved writing about these two together.

In other fun news, both Rekindled (Alex and Grace's story, Titanium Security #5) and Hunted (HRT #3, Bauer--gah, Bauer!--and Zoe) have both finaled in the 2015 Aspen Gold contest. I'm especially tickled about Alex and Grace, since there aren't nearly enough romances out there featuring main characters their age. Love it!

Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't sent out a giant thank you to all of you who purchased the Heroes In Uniform box set. We hit the USA Today bestseller list because of you guys!

Right now I'm hard at work on the next HRT book, Cruz's story. So far he's surprising me with how he's handling his attraction to the heroine. He's uh, not shy about taking matters into his own hands when necessary ;). After that I'll write Vance's story and finally Blackwell's, but I have one or two other surprise projects I'll be working on in the coming months as well that I'm pretty excited about.

Hope you all have a safe and fabulous summer!

Happy reading,
Kaylea

Navajo Code Talkers and Navy SEALs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:07:00 +0000

In my new book, SEAL's Code, which comes out Tuesday, I decided to create a hero character, Danny Begay, who is half Navajo. He's raised on the res until he turns 12, when his mother, of Miwok ancestry, moves him to her people in Northern California.

I've enjoyed spending time in the Tucson and Phoenix areas the last three years, attending the Arizona Dreamin' conventions, and the Tucson Festival of Books. This past year, I also spent time talking with good friends who have taught on the res, or have done FBI undercover work there. I wanted a character who was not okay with his roots. In fact, I wanted a character who was haunted by his past. And I want this character to discover that his past actually contributes to his becoming the best man he can be, a Navy SEAL. SEAL's Code Book Trailer here. SEAL's Code Thunderclap Campaign.

Here's an excerpt which shows his before state of mind:

The family gathered afterward at Wilson’s mother’s house which was on the res nearby. It was hard not to feel the eyes of his relatives on him, just as it was hard not to notice the pats on the back Wilson received. Lopez had been well coached and sought Wilson out to thank him for his service. Danny wanted to leave and told his mother so barely two hours into the get-together. He’d politely greeted all the relatives he recognized, and those who didn’t come up to him he figured didn’t want to be reacquainted. Not like Wilson.

As a youth, just hanging with Wilson would have been enough to make the afternoon interesting, but today with the frostiness between the two cousins, it was forcing him into a dangerous place even the sweet recollection of the night with Luci couldn’t heal. Making matters worse, Wilson made an off-color remark, about Danny’s activities last night which irritated Danny further.

The two ignored one another until, somehow, they wound up waiting to use the only restroom in the house.

“Your mom says you’re ready to go home,” Wilson said to his cowboy boots.

“That’s right.”

“I honestly don’t know why you came in the first place, Danny.”

Danny’s right eye squinted a little. “We never liked these things, Wilson. You know that.”

“You’ve been gone, what, eight years or more?”

“Twelve.”

“Okay, then. Twelve. And you can’t spend an afternoon giving these people the time of day?”

“I don’t belong here, Wilson.”

Wilson nodded his head. “Oh yeah. Forgot. You’re the one that got away. You trying to rub my nose in it, huh?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“So what are you saying?”

“I’m saying I don’t want to be here. I’ve done my farewells, and now it’s time for me to say adios.”

“You might consider your mother’s feelings.”

Danny drilled him with a return look that probably picked at a scab, inflaming Wilson further. “You hear the voices? Does the chanting get to you, Wilson?”

He could see his cousin was thinking about this carefully. It surprised him that Wilson didn’t give a quick answer no, which meant only one thing.

“Holy fucking shit, Wilson. You hear them, too. Just like I do.”

Emma Barnowl, one of his grandfather’s friends, opened the bathroom door and their nostrils were hit with room deodorizer, which did a poor job of masking the smell she’d left behind.

“Fuck me,” Wilson said under his breath. “I’m going out back.”

Danny followed his cousin, and within thirty seconds, was standing next to him, pissing on his aunt’s tomato plants just like they used to do when they were boys of five. To this day Danny hated tomatoes, especially home grown ones.

After they were done, they sat in metal lawn chairs. Wilson offered Danny a cigarette.

“I don’t smoke, and neither do you, or you didn’t,” Danny corrected himself.

“That’s funny,” Wilson said as he casually lit up and put his lighter and cigarettes back in his rear pocket.

“How come you didn’t wear your uniform?”

“It’s my choice. I didn’t think he’d like it.” Wilson took a long drag on his cigarette and blew it right at Danny’s face, but the wind carried it away.

“Thought you were proud of being in the Navy. Running little rescue boats around and shit.”

“I am. Got nothing to do with it. Kind of felt like it would be bragging or something, you know?”

Danny wondered about Luci, halfway expecting she’d drop by the gathering. Was he disappointed she’d stayed away? He couldn’t get the memory of her warm body against his out of his mind. This might be a reason to stay an extra day or two, but that would be a dangerous road, full of emotional potholes and entanglements. None of his liaisons ever lasted, so he figured it was better to remember her the way he’d left her. He remembered seeing her proud straight shoulders and those tight jeans, encasing her thighs and a world-class ass, as she walked toward her car and didn’t look back once. He knew the only good ones were the ones who didn’t look back.

Wilson’s voice snapped him back to reality.

“Look, Danny, I’m going to say this once, and then let you go. I’m sorry we got off to a bad start after so many years.”

“I was surprised you were around. Didn’t expect it.”

“So I was right, you’re not happy to see even me.”

“Again, putting words in my mouth.”

Danny looked down, eyes landing on Wilson’s scuffed cowboy boots, which were a mismatch to the clean suit pants and white shirt he wore. “I left this place with a lot of demons. I think I got just as many, maybe more than you, Cuz.” Wilson took a final drag, stomped it out on the patio, and then tossed the pieces into his mother’s vegetable garden.

A slight breeze shivered its way down Danny’s spine. A little group laughed from inside the house. He heard the tinkling of glasses and silverware, the sounds of cars arriving on the crushed rock roadway in front of his Aunt’s house, a doorbell ring, and the buzzing of a small plane overhead. The place looked, smelled and felt dangerously normal.

“I learned to tame those demons in the Navy, Danny. I’m not going to lie to you, but serving in the Armed Forces is giving me skills I can take out there in the real world.”

Danny found himself chuckling in spite of the fact that it was going to piss Wilson off. “Yeah, don’t see many rubber boats around the res, Cuz. You training to be a white water rafting guide in the Canyon? Shit, you coulda done that in high school.”

“Except I was getting stoned in high school, Danny. So were you. I heard you were a real mess.”

“Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. I look like a mess to you?”

Wilson abruptly stood. “No, Danny, you look like a fuckin’ hero just like your grandfather.”

His cousin left and joined the gathering inside the house.

Question for you readers today? Do you like to learn about history with your romance reading? Or is it all about the romance? What balance do you like to give? And do you enjoy learning about Native American, or specifically Navajo culture? I'll pick one winner and announce it here on this blog on my launch day, Tuesday, June 30. Won't you join us?

Sharon Hamilton

Life is one fool thing after another.

Love is two fool things after each other.

Author Page ** Sharon's Blog ** Sharon's Website ** Facebook**Twitter

Sharon’s Newsletter

Research, SEALs, and Presidents

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 12:00:00 +0000

I'm in the midst of writing PROTECTED BY A SEAL (a Hot SEALs romance), on preorder now for a Tuesday, July 21st print and eBook release. That means I'm also eyeball deep in research and articles and all things military because inevitably one search leads to an article that leads to another that leads to another... Before I know it, hours have passed, I've moved past Navy SEAL Close Quarter Battle training 30 minutes ago and I'm now reading an article about Teddy Roosevelt.

And who would I be if I didn't share the interesting tidbits that led me down that wayward path in the labyrinth that is the Internet. So here you go--The 4 Presidents With the Craziest War Stories.

Enjoy!
Cat Johnson

Navy SEALs vs. Cowboys: Sharon's Top Ten List

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 May 2015 10:28:00 +0000

David Letterman will be missed. Love him or hate him, with his goofy smile and mischievous irreverence for almost everything except entertaining audiences, in true funny man fashion, we laugh at things that are sometimes uber serious today.

So, in honor of Mr. Letterman and the vacuum he will create with his leaving the Late Night program, here's another one of my Top Ten lists.

TOP TEN REASONS NAVY SEALS ARE BETTER THAN COWBOYS:

10. Because a SEAL has just as much cool equipment as a cowboy but doesn't smell like a horse.

9. The hats are smaller, they can get dirty, and have cool patches like Punisher, (Hello Punisher for the ladies), skulls and crossbones.

8. Hard to jump from 13,000 feet on a horse, even if he's riding in to save the day.

7. He's equipped with high powered scopes, rifles and night vision goggles that would look funny on a cowboy.

6. Navy SEALs kill swamp things. They don't make them into boots.

5. Hard to get the horse on a SWCC boat, even if he is going to ride in to save the day.

4. SEALs have cool tats.

3. If there's trouble in the world, he'll be in the middle of it. He loves danger.

2. A SEAL can't tell you where he's been, and that's okay.

And the No. 1 reason a Navy SEAL is better than a cowboy?

A Navy SEAL can also be a cowboy, but not necessarily the other way around.

Now, I suspect Cat Johnson, J.M. Madden and others will have something to say about this list, so I lay down the challenge. You know I love them all, but my heart and soul will always belong to the SEALs and what they do for you and I every day.

Join Sharon and several of her writing buddies in upcoming anthologies this summer. Enjoy your ride and come play with us!

Hearts In Danger Heroes In Uniform Book Bites 2 SEAL's Code SEALs Of Summer 2

Sharon Hamilton

Life is one fool thing after another.

Love is two fool things after each other.

Author Page ** Sharon's Blog ** Sharon's Website ** Facebook**Twitter

Sharon’s Newsletter

To the best military spouse and mom around!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 09 May 2015 18:00:00 +0000

This post is going live a little later than I'd wanted it to. Sometimes life gets in the way. In this case, I've been traveling so much the past 2 months that my dog has developed an attachment disorder.

But I digress...

Yesterday was Military Spouse Appreciation Day and tomorrow is Mother's Day. And my blog post day falls squarely in between. So like any good daughter, my thoughts turn to my mother. Hey! I try to be a good daughter. I made the ultimate sacrifice of spending a long weekend in an oceanfront condo so that I could be with my mother on her birthday. If that's not a good daughter, I don't know what is!

I keep digressing...

By the time my parents married, my father had been in the Air Force for 10 years, well on his way to making it a career. As a college senior, I doubt she knew what she was getting into, marrying into the Air Force. Especially when, less than 2 years later, she had to move to Madrid with a 6 month old pain in the neck who turned into a toddler PITA (me). But she sucked it up and dealt with it, because that's what military spouses do.

This is my mom and dad in Spain (aren't they the best looking couple!). I'd tell you that this is a picture of my parents on their wedding day, but that would annoy my mother and as a good daughter, I'd never dream of annoying my mother. For the record, it was their second wedding.

Any way, about 3 months ago, I posted a picture of my brother. It was his birthday and as his big sister, it is my job to torment him relentlessly. I'm really good at my job.

The fun thing about old pictures is that they come with stories. So my mom told me the story behind this picture. It was my brother's 6 month birthday party. We had it when I got home from school because daddy was TDY...huh? what? Back up the train. Daddy was TDY? I don't remember Daddy being TDY after Tony was born.

And then it hit me. That's what military spouses do. They keep the family fires burning. The keep the routines in place. The keep the children living typical children's lives. When there's absolutely nothing normal about your parent being done for months or even a year at a time. But they suck it up and deal with it, because that's what military spouses do.

So here's to my favorite military spouse and the best mom ever - Liz Forella!

To all the military spouses and moms out there, grab your favorite book and enjoy!

Happy Reading!

Felicia

Win a SEALed at Midnight (Hot SEALs) Audiobook!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 11:39:00 +0000

My SEALed at Midnight (a Hot SEALs romance) is in Audio!

Readers, do you do audio? I have to admit, I never did until I had to start reviewing the files from the narrator I hired to record my SEAL series and now I enjoy listening to my stories come to life. Although it is still odd for me, as an author, to hear my own words read aloud, particularly the sex scenes!!

Anyway, to help introduce readers to audio, or feed the audiobook habit for existing audiobook lovers, I'll give 5 (yes, FIVE) lucky readers a FREE Audible.com download code for my SEALed at Midnight. It's a great way to give audio a try and see if you like it.

The Rules: Email me at cat@catjohnson.net to enter to win one free audible.com download code for the SEALed at Midnight audiobook. One entry per person please. 5 (five) winners to be chosen at random on April 17, 2015 at 9 am Eastern Time and posted here. International entries accepted however, the winner must be able to access either the Audible US or Audible UK sites to retrieve their prize download.

Here is a little teaser. Please note the audiobook only contains the sexy male narrator's voice. All the extra sounds in this video (footsteps, squeaking door, etc) were added by me because I discovered a cool sound effect tool in my MacBook's video editor and I was having fun using it!

Enjoy!
Cat Johnson

For the Love of Military Romance

New Release! Romanced by a SEAL (Hot SEALs series) by Cat Johnson

ALEX IS FINE. HE'S MINE, BUT HE'S GOING TO BE YOURS SOON!

CELEBRATING MY BIRTHDAY SEAL AND COMMANDO STYLE!

New Release Excerpt! Wed to a SEAL (Hot SEALs) by Cat Johnson

WED TO A SEAL (HOT SEALS)

Marry her. It was a crazy idea… and the more he thought about it, the better he liked it.

When the baby’s single mother enters the picture things get even more crazy, but given the fringe benefits that come along with the complications of their marriage of convenience, Rocky’s not complaining. Not one little bit.

Get Wed to a SEAL today in eBook & Print at:

AMAZON US ~AU~ CA ~UK~ DE

Nook~ ARe ~ Google ~ iBooks ~ Kobo

Wed to a SEAL Excerpt

What's next in the Hot SEALs series? Check out ROMANCED BY A SEAL, on preorder now for a July 12th eBook and paperback release.

To see the entire Hot SEALs Series Click Here

True Blue SEALs: Zak is here

TRUE BLUE SEALS: ZAK is nearly here!

*NEW* Hot SEALs Release! Tempted by a SEAL Excerpt

TEMPTED BY A SEAL (Hot SEALs) by Cat Johnson

Loner. Biker. SEAL.

Read an EXCERPT of SEALed at Midnight (Hot SEALs) by Cat Johnson

Thanksgiving Wishes For Our Troops, For Our Homes

John F. Kennedy and the Navy SEALs. Thank you for your vision.

Contest For SEAL-loving readers!

Meet the Men and Women of Elite Recon #EliteGhosts #MarineRomance #NewRelease

Band of Bachelors is here - next series in the SEAL Brotherhood Series

The Next Hostage Rescue Team Book Is Here!

Blue Star Moms

Loved by a SEAL (Hot SEALs) Deploying 22 September (EXCERPT)

Loved by a SEAL

(Hot SEALs)

by Cat Johnson

in eBook & Print Sept 22

Preorder now at:

AMAZON US ~UK~CA AU

ARe~GOOGLE~iBOOKS~KOBO~BN NOOK

EXCERPT from Loved by a SEAL

Eyes wide, Jon glanced at Rocky. “What the fuck did you do?”

Brody laughed. “Probably shit his pants.”

Rocky frowned. “Did not. And let’s see how you’d react.”

Thom wasn’t about to let the story go unfinished just because Brody and Rocky were bickering. He launched into the next part, saying, “So he was in the middle of checking in at the time. So command is freaking out on the radio because all they hear is Rocky cursing and then dead air.”

Grant rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t freaking out, but I was starting to think my star team—the ringers I hand-picked and flew in just for this freaking op—had gotten ambushed.”

“Aw, we’re your stars? That’s nice.” Brody grinned, teasing Grant.

Grant cocked a brow. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

Undeterred, Thom forged ahead. “So this is the best part. Mack reaches over, as calm as anything. You know, as if this shit happens to him everyday. He snatches the snake, lops off its head with his KA-BAR and then goes back to manning his rifle.”

“It was no big deal.” Mack shrugged. “But that species is deadly so if it had bit him, that would have been a big deal.”

Rocky let out a visible shudder. “Ugh, I hate snakes.”

“We all have our little quirks.” Grant smiled.

Catch up with all the Hot SEALs HERE

~

Protect and Serve - New Anthology Out Next Month

Worlds and Boxes of SEALs Oh My!

More Hot SEALs Ahead from Cat Johnson

PROTECTED BY A SEAL (HOT SEALS) by Cat Johnson

Avenged: Latest HRT Series Release

Navajo Code Talkers and Navy SEALs

Research, SEALs, and Presidents

Enjoy!Cat Johnson

Navy SEALs vs. Cowboys: Sharon's Top Ten List

To the best military spouse and mom around!

Win a SEALed at Midnight (Hot SEALs) Audiobook!

NEW Hot SEALs Release! Tempted by a SEAL Excerpt

Enjoy!
Cat Johnson