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Rescued – Holt Agency Book 1 by Becca Jameson
November 25, 2022 carolkittie Leave a comment
Holt Agency Book 1
USA Today Bestselling Author
Becca Jameson
Colette, a PhD student studying abroad, is tired of the constant barrage of bodyguards her father has assigned to her for most of her life. As a politician, his notoriety has always put her at risk. When Colette finds out she's pregnant, she'll do anything to keep her baby a secret, even from her father.
Tavis is a former Navy SEAL. He's not a babysitter. But when the Secretary of State hires you to guard his daughter, no is not an acceptable answer. Starting a relationship with the woman he's supposed to protect would get him fired. It would also leave her vulnerable.
Falling for each other was never the plan. Tavis's protective instinct has him questioning the course of his life. Colette has a lot of decisions to make, none of them easy. The challenges could either tear them apart or bring them closer together. And when Colette's life is threatened, Tavis must not only protect her.
Becca Jameson and KaLyn Cooper are at it again. If you enjoyed Shadow in the Desert and Shadow in the Mountain, you met the men of The HOLT AGENCY.
Tavis was about to board a plane home from Uganda when his boss Ajax calls and tells him to stay put. His next assignment was arriving the next day. The Secretary of State's daughter is working on her PhD in epidemiology, and she isn't pleased about her father's interference by getting her a bodyguard. As such she's flying in with quite the hangover from the night out with friends.
Colette was used to her father's heavy handedness and wasn't going to be a cooperative subject. The first thing she does is sneak out early that first morning. Much to Tavis' dismay and guilt at falling asleep.
When she shows up before he can go out after her, there's quite the conversation.
He groaned inwardly at having been caught with his computer in his lap, probably open to an article about her or her research. "How were you so chipper and awake so early in the morning? When you dropped into bed, I thought you might sleep through this entire day."
She chuckled. "I don't need much sleep."
"You were also hungover, weren't you?"
She dropped the apple core in the trash can, set her hands on her hips, and cocked her head at him defiantly. "So now it's a crime to go out drinking with friends? You do realize other grown adults in their late twenties also go out at night, they just don't get followed by the paparazzi and end up on the front page of every fucking tabloid in town."
She had a point. He narrowed his gaze in this odd standoff. "Look, I don't know you. Well, that's not true. I know everything the tabloids, your social media, and your university have to say, but I don't know enough to judge you. I find it hard to believe you're the sort of person who regularly parties hard and needs a keeper. It doesn't fit with the rest of your bio. Which means I have to believe either your parents don't trust you for some reason, or they refuse to let you grow up, or— and this is the part that worries me— there is an actual threat to your life that has landed me here as your protection."
At least she flinched. "There is no fucking threat. My father is overprotective. He imagines threats. He makes them up. He has for my entire life. In fact, he's gotten worse in the last few years. And you're right about me regularly partying. I don't. How could I even if I wanted to? Someone would follow me and report back to my father."
Tavis took a deep breath. "I think we got off on the wrong foot. How about we start over."
"Nope. We didn't get off on the wrong foot. We started right where I wanted to start. Me making sure you understand that I don't need or want you following me around. I believe I even offered to pay you to stop and give it up."
"Well, that's not an option, princess, so you're going to need to get over yourself. I was hired to keep you safe, and I intend to do just that. Which means if you ever pull a stunt like you did this morning again, I'll assume you have no respect whatsoever for me or my job and take action to ensure we're super clear."
"What are you going to do? Handcuff me to my bed at night?"
"Is that something you enjoy?" He lifted both brows, challenging her.
She flinched. "Of course not. Don't be ridiculous."
He shrugged. "It was your idea. It hadn't even occurred to me. I've never been assigned to be someone's babysitter before. This is new to me. You'll have to let me know what your previous keepers did to ensure you didn't step out of line. I'll take a page from their handbooks. Hey, maybe I can get references from your father and ask them myself."
She narrowed her gaze. "Don't you dare. And I'm not a fucking baby, Rambo. I don't need a sitter or a keeper."
"It would appear you do. If that's the attitude you intend to carry around. This isn't Pennsylvania, princess—"
"Stop calling me that," she shouted.
"I like how it gets a rise out of you. Anyway, as I was saying, this is a third-world country we're in. You shouldn't go off half-cocked by yourself under any circumstances, even if no one knew who you were. You don't know enough about this area to take off in the early hours of the morning alone."
"Don't be so dramatic."
"I'm not. I'm being realistic. And you're proving to me that you do indeed need a keeper. So, from now on, don't fucking go anywhere without me, understood? If you do it again, you won't get to have your own bedroom anymore, because trust me, princess, I will not hesitate to use the handcuffs you've suggested. And then I'll sleep in the same room just in case you're also Houdini."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Try me." Boy, did she make his blood pump. On top of that, it was hard to keep a straight face. This conversation— if one could even call it a conversation— had deteriorated to the point that it was almost comical. He was afraid she might haul off and slap him if he laughed out loud though.
Damn, she was feisty. And she was under his skin. Not just in a bad way. She was sexy when she got all flustered, especially when he threw her off balance. It was fun.
Suddenly this job didn't seem as bad as he'd been thinking earlier while she'd been AWOL. This banter might actually be fun. She was cute when she got all hot and bothered, making him wonder what she might look like if she were hot and bothered in a different way.
The way she'd reacted to the handcuffs left him curious to know if she'd truly been horrified or if she had a kinky side. And if she had a kinky side, had she ever acted on it or was it just in her imagination and dreams?
He shook those inappropriate thoughts aside. He was here to protect her, not sleep with her.
"Are we done here, Dad?" she asked.
Her tone and choice of words made his breath hitch. "How old are you again?"
She groaned and stomped past him, heading for the stairs.
He watched her as she jogged up them. "By the way, princess, I checked the windows up there. They all have permanent bars on them, so don't get any ideas about climbing onto a tree limb and shimmying to freedom."
She growled as she reached the top and then slammed the door to her bedroom.
Oh, yeah. This was going to be fun.
Becca Jameson. Rescued (Kindle Locations 247-291).
What Colette didn't expect is an unfortunate outcome to her wild night on the town or her attraction to her bodyguard.
This is quite the tale, filled with intrigue, romance and surprises!
I know for a fact I will be getting the next book in this series. As two of my favorite authors I can't wait to read what KaLyn Cooper has in mind and Becca Jameson does next.
5 Contented Purrs for Becca!
Becca Jameson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books. She is most well-known for her Wolf Masters Series, her Fight Club series, and her Club Zodiac series. She currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and Goldendoodle. Two grown kids pop in every once in a while too! She is loving this journey and has dabbled in a variety of genres, including paranormal, sports romance, military, and BDSM.A total night owl, Becca writes late at night, sequestering herself in her office with a glass of red wine and a bar of dark chocolate, her fingers flying across the keyboard as her characters weave their own stories.
During the day–which never starts before ten in the morning!–she can be found jogging, running errands, or reading in her favorite hammock chair!
…where Alphas dominate…
@beccajameson@KaLynCooperbook
Shadow in the Daylight – Shadow SEALs Book 14 By KaLyn Cooper
August 24, 2022 carolkittie Leave a comment
Shadow in the Daylight
Shadow SEALs Book 14
KaLyn Cooper
He was done with missions…
but Charley wasn't done with him.
After he left the Navy, stripped of his SEAL Trident and his pride, Andrew did a quick covert job for Charley before parting ways. As the Security Officer aboard a cruise ship, he invited several SEAL friends to travel as his guests through the Panama Canal. He never imagined he'd need his highly trained skills for another of Charley's missions in the middle of the cruise.
Kendra had worked her way up the male-dominated bridge crew, first in the U.S. Navy then for Monarch Cruise Lines, to Staff Captain, second in command of a huge cruise ship. Her crew was well trained and respectful…except for the too sexy, bossy Security Officer who reported directly to her. After succumbing to him, she discovers she enjoys their life together.
When all hell breaks loose, and Charley needs both of them for her next mission, will Kendra be able to keep him in her life with all the odds stacked against them?
If you've been reading this series, you'll know what happened with Andrew and the Navy before you read this one. Andrew Buchanan is now working as head of Security for Monarch Cruise lines. It's a great job for him to begin transitioning to civilian life. This is the last cruise in his contract, and he's invited a few SEAL friends to join him. He needs to do something for these men, and this is something special.
Kendra Benson was once Navy she worked her way up the ranks there and now is Staff Captain aboard this Monarch Cruise ship. Her next cruise will have her as Master Captain of her own ship.
There are a few interesting interactions before the cruise hits the approach to the Panama Canal but to be honest, I loved reading about the canal and going through the locks. It's a dream of mine to do this.
Okay so as they are readying to go through to Gatún Lake there's an explosion in the lock behind them. This is when all the excitement begins as Andrew rushes to the Bridge.
Before Andrew reached the bridge, there were several more blasts but since he was pounding his way down the hall, yelling at people to clear a path, he had no idea of the direction of the explosions.
At the top of the stairs Andrew stopped. Depending where people were standing on the bridge, someone might see him through the glass in the bridge door if he opened the staff stair door.
He cracked it a fraction of an inch, just enough to peek one eye.
Dammit. He couldn't see anyone on the bridge. Not even a shadow.
Opening the door enough so he could slither through and plaster himself against the wall, he made sure the heavy-duty door closed with only a whisper. He bent and crab crawled under the window to the bridge so he could get a better angle. Peeping in, he saw that the two men who entered with the pilot had their guns pointed at Captain Phillips.
His men each had their tasers pointed at a Panamanian soldier.
Andrew needed to get in there and deescalate the tension on the bridge. He needed to enter in full view of his men, so he crawled back under the window and crossed to the other side of the ship. Opening the door without a sound, with the soldiers' backs to him, he stepped in and immediately hand signaled to his men.
"Did any of you see that container ship blow up?"
The soldiers spun their heads and guns toward him. Both of his men pulled the trigger, sending the taser points directly into their targets. Within seconds the soldiers were writhing on the floor. In one large step, his guards grabbed the guns and had them pointed at the soldiers' heads.
Andrew quickly took the pilot down to the floor, face first, his hands behind his back. He had zip ties around the man's wrists then grabbed his ankles, lashing them together before moving to the jerking and drooling soldiers.
"Kendra, what the fuck happened here?" He knew she would give the most precise accounting.
"We were moving into our hold position when the first bomb went off. The percussive wave rocked the ship. The soldiers obviously didn't have sea legs and stumbled. They must've thought we did it on purpose and pointed their guns at Captain Phillips. Your men immediately pulled their tasers and aimed them at the soldiers. The pilot spoke to the soldiers in Spanish, but I couldn't understand them. I don't believe Captain Phillips could either." Kendra looked at each bridge officer. "Did any of you understand what they'd said?"
Everyone shook their heads.
The pilot rolled over onto his back and sat up. "As she said, they thought you had rocked the ship on purpose. They are very young, inexperienced soldiers who were awakened in the middle of the night and brought to the locks to protect us pilots. Neither of these two had ever even been on a ship." He glanced at the soldiers before returning his gaze to Andrew. "What are you going to do with them?"
"Put them in the brig." It was an answer to the pilot's question as much as an order to his men.
He had a dozen questions for the pilot but waited until the soldiers were off the bridge. "What are your orders?"
"Same as always, coordinate with the fore and aft tugboats to get you into position in each lock, make sure they keep you straight from one lock to the next, then guide you into Lake Gatún so you can anchor close to the dam. We always anchor cruise ships over here because it's close to the marina where you can dock your lifeboats and they can get the buses close."
Andrew had done a lot of interrogating during his time as a SEAL. The man seemed to be telling the truth. Besides, they needed him. He knew the lake.
"Do you know if the locks received any threats in the last twenty-four hours?"
The pilot shook his head. "If they did, they wouldn't tell me. I'm just a local pilot. I wondered if they weren't overreacting, but it seems as though calling out the Army was necessary." He held Andrew's gaze. "Did you say the bombs were on that Chinese container ship?"
"All I know is that a plume of smoke came from the container ship." He wondered how much he could say in front of the pilot. "Captain Phillips, Captain Benson, a word, please." His gaze returned to the pilot. "Navigate us to the usual holding spot."
Once again, the three of them went into the glass office.
"What aren't you telling us?" Kendra asked as soon as the door closed.
"Shortly after the explosion, hundreds of armed Chinese soldiers threw ropes over the side of the ship and started shooting Panamanian soldiers and lock workers." Andrew wasn't going to sugarcoat it. "This is an act of war against the Panamanian government."
He knew he'd better call Charley fast. Given how many cruise guests were taking videos of the explosion, and most likely posting them to every social media possible, she probably already knew. Andrew also knew what he wanted to do next.
"Sir, with your permission, I want to take one of the lifeboats and check if we can still get out on the Pacific side. I have no idea where the other explosions came from."
"Sir, I'm going with him," Kendra announced. "As master of this ship, you are responsible for all the souls aboard. As a former Navy officer, I'll be of more help to Andrew. That way I can stay with the boat if he has to go overland to get a better look."
"Excellent idea." Captain Phillips glanced to his bridge. "I'm not sure what to do next."
"Drop anchor. Act as if none of this ship's plans have changed," Kendra said with authority.
The three of them stepped back onto the bridge. "Prepare the lifeboats as though we're going to take people ashore for their excursions. We're going to pretend as though nothing is wrong," Captain Phillips announced to the bridge crew.
"Sir, we can't send people ashore until we know what's happening back there." Lieutenant Commander Adams stood in front of Captain Phillips with his hands on his hips.
"Lieutenant Commander, I do know what's happening back at the locks. I am the one who is responsible for every person on this ship, and I do not take that obligation lightly." He looked over at Andrew and Kendra. "That's why Captain Benson and Commander Buchanan are the only ones leaving the ship in a lifeboat. But we want all our guests to believe that everything will be fine."
"You're going to lie to our guests?" Lieutenant Commander Adams huffed.
"Hell, yes." Kendra got in his face. "The last thing we need is a ship full of people panicking, guests and staff. We want to keep them doing normal things."
Captain Phillips picked up the ship wide intercom. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Phillips coming to you from the bridge. It looks as though there was a little excitement at the locks but we're not going to let that disturb our enjoyment of today. Everyone going on an excursion, please check your ticket at this time for the meeting place. While the crew gets the lifeboats ready to tender you to the marina to meet your buses for your excursions, I suggest that you enjoy an early lunch. Please meet at your designated time and place for your excursion. For those staying on board, it may be several hours before we are assigned our return time to go back through the locks. We'll keep you informed."
"Excellent job," Andrew told his boss. "We're going to go change while they lower our lifeboat." And Andrew would make that call to Charley.
KaLyn Cooper. Shadow in the Daylight (Kindle Locations 1115-1173).
There is pretty much nonstop action from this point, from the bridge to the locks, to lifeboat recon, to an aircraft carrier, and back again.
I love Kendra and Andrew their relationship which is already sizzling grows stronger throughout this harrowing experience.
I can't wait to read the next book in this multi-author series!!
5 Contented Purrs for KaLyn!
KaLyn Cooper's romances blend fact and fiction with blazing heat and heart-pounding suspense.
Twenty-two years as a military wife has shown KaLyn the world, and thirty years in PR taught her that fact can be stranger than fiction. She leaves it up to the reader to separate truth from imagination.
She, her husband, and Little Bear (Alaskan Malamute) live in Tennessee on a micro-plantation filled with gardens, cattle, and quail. When she's not writing, she's at the shooting range or on the river.
Black Swan Ladies Book Club
@KaLynCooperbook
Elite Justice – Guardian Elite Book 2 by KaLyn Cooper
Elite Justice
Guardian Elite Book 2
The terrorist plot discovered by the new assistant manager at the Dallas Guardian Security Center is real, but she's not what she seems.
Jonathan O'Neil, new to the Dallas Guardian Security Center, knows a terrorist plot when he sees one on the tempting waitress' computer. To find out the details of the plan and to stop them, he sets out to seduce her, only to find that nothing is what it seems.
Gwen Shaw overhears refugee teenagers discussing a plot to rival 9/11, but her Arabic is rusty. Besides, who is going to believe the sketchy information from an apron-wearing newcomer, even though she'd recently left the Army as a seasoned officer?
ELITE Justice, the second book in the Guardian Elite series, features the sexy men from KaLyn Cooper's Guardian Elite series in a heart-pounding romantic suspense of mistaken identity of a strong heroine.
This book was previously published as Justice for Gwen. It has been deeply edited and expanded to become part of KaLyn Cooper's rebranded Guardian ELITE series.
This book opens as Jonathan O'Neill enters the diner Up In Smoke, to meet up with Quin the manager of Guardian Security in Dallas. Jonathan is the new assistant manager, and they are having a 'get to know you' lunch. The atmosphere is light until a woman shows up with a gripe about credit cards not working, confronting Quin with the accusation. That gets settled by the police chief who was seated at the next table.
Then we get into the meat of this tale. A group of teenagers come in and settle at a booth, speaking arabic. Instead of the normal teenage complaints they were discussing their dissatisfaction with not being allowed to help plan or execute an attack.
Gwen spent a couple of tours in Afghanistan and she starts documenting their conversation. Although her Arabic isn't the best she definitely got the drift of the conversation. The question was who to take it to.
Jonathan comes at around 10 PM late for some but for him it was breakfast. He gets a glimpse of her notes before she shuts the laptop.
Stepping onto the sidewalk in front of his hotel, the tall buildings cast long shadows, filling the street with the pretense of night. This was Jonathan's fourth graveyard shift in a row. As the newest of the three assistant managers, he'd been assigned the twelve hours from ten at night to ten in the morning. He'd awakened several hours ago and hit the local gym since this Guardian office didn't offer one yet. After showering and changing into his uniform, he'd headed out to find food.
A man-sized breakfast is what he needed. Steak and eggs, maybe. He remembered Up In Smoke served the meal all day and turned in that direction.
He couldn't wait to move into the new building where he'd have his own quiet apartment rather than the outdated hotel with thin walls where he and Quin currently lived. He was sure the room above him had been rented to a knuckle-dragging gorilla who had bounced on a hooker for hours last night. She had to have been a purchased lay because no woman he'd ever fucked sounded so fake.
Thoughts of sex shot to memories of the unsuccessful pub crawl with Quin. They'd started at a strip club where the women were too skinny but all of them had nice racks. Fake, but huge. Next, they moved on to a hopping nightclub. A pretty little brunette had sidled up to him, but she was more interested in the gun Guardian required him to carry at all times— even off-duty since he could be unexpectedly called to an emergency— than she was in him.
Quin had danced with several drop-dead gorgeous women before he found a model-perfect blonde. When they had returned to the bar, Roxie had introduced Jonathan to her friend, Babs. He'd thought of her as Big-Boobed Babs when they first met, but after an hour of strained conversation, he had designated her Brainless Babbling Babs. He'd considered it a bullet dodged when she'd seen several other friends and joined them on the dance floor. He'd taken advantage of the opportunity and quietly slipped out.
Jonathan heard his boss return to the room next door around three in the morning, sure he'd scored given the satisfied look on his face the next day in the office. He hadn't been envious of Quin, simply resolved. None of the beautiful women he'd seen and talked with sparked a flicker of interest in him.
As Jonathan strode toward the little diner, he realized why he'd slept alone that night. He'd compared every woman to the sassy, take-charge Gwen. Rich brown eyes, a no-nonsense haircut, and very little, if any, makeup was more beautiful to him than any of the scantily dressed women with overly-dramatic eyes he'd seen replicated in every bar he had visited. He quickened his steps, hoping she was there.
Gwen sat at the counter typing on a laptop as he entered. Jonathan let out a long breath, pleased at the sight of ass-hugging jeans and a tight t-shirt. His gaze instantly scanned down her legs. Strong. Toned. They would look perfect bare and wrapped around his waist.
Yeah. This was the image he'd jerked off to the night he'd gone out with Quin as he showered away the stench of beer, clashing perfumes, and raging pheromones.
Without asking, he slid onto the stool beside her. "Please tell me I can get steak and eggs this time of day, Gwen."
Her initial look of surprise softened into a genuine smile that made the gold strands in her brown eyes sparkle. He wondered if they came to life or disappeared completely when she was aroused.
"You most certainly can." She cocked her head. "You have an advantage over me. You know my name, but I don't know yours." As she scraped her gaze over him, the corner of her mouth twitched up before she controlled it. "Calling you New Guardian Guy, or Quin's friend from work just doesn't seem right. I like to know who I'm talking to."
"Jonathan O'Neil." He held out his hand. "And I am Quin's friend, but I'm also his employee. I'm the newest assistant manager at this center."
She took the proffered hand and gave it a firm shake. "Nice to meet you, Jonathan O'Neil. How would you like that steak cooked? And the eggs?"
She reached down to her waist and confusion was chased by the realization that she wasn't wearing an apron. With a self-deprecating smile, she stood and slid around the corner of the counter. Grabbing an order pad and pen, she looked at him expectantly.
"I like my steak rare and my eggs sunny side up."
"Home fries, French fries, baked potato, or one of those?" She pointed to a list of sides on the board above the kitchen window where a Latino man watched them carefully.
Jonathan didn't bother looking. This was breakfast for him. "Home fries."
"Coffee?" Gwen's raised eyebrow was one of the sexiest things he'd seen.
"Definitely." He looked around for a coffee cup, but they sat ready only on the set tables. She reached under the counter and pulled out a mug.
Leaning back, she reached out to the machine behind her, then turned around to him. "Leaded or unleaded?"
"Fully leaded, please." He smiled when she grabbed the black-bottomed pot and filled his mug. "Sweetheart, you have just earned my undying gratitude."
Just as she slid the order under the clip and spun it toward the kitchen, the restaurant phone rang. She snatched the portable handset from beside her computer. Frowning at the display, she said, "Excuse me." She disappeared into the back, leaving him alone to enjoy his surprisingly delicious coffee.
Jonathan glanced around the nearly empty diner. A middle-aged couple sat in a booth along the back wall, hardly talking, concentrating on their pie. They'd probably been married for over a decade, catching a late supper together after a long day at work if he had to guess given the man's suit jacket lying on the seat next to him and her dress pants, flattering blouse, and short heels. He'd been taught to sum up people and situations quickly. They were no threat.
As he swept his gaze over the restaurant, his eyes fell on Gwen's computer. Three words jumped out at him. Big like 9/ 11.
Put Ams in their place.
Holy shit. What was she into?
The lid suddenly closed, and very feminine fingers splayed over the blue case.
"Your order should be up soon." At Gwen's terse words, his eyes met hers. Yeah. He'd been snooping, and he needed to dig further.
He hoped his smile put her at ease. "Writing a book?" It was a plausible explanation.
She slid the laptop off the counter, placed it underneath, and drew out a mug. She turned her back on him and poured a cup of decaf. "I'm no author." She came around to his side and, once again, took her seat. "I hated writing papers in college."
"Where did you go to school?"
Any information she was willing to give him would help. She just stared at him for the longest time, as though trying to read his mind or decide if she could trust him.
To start the give and take necessary to build a solid foundation for a friendship, he offered, "I graduated from the University of Florida."
"You're a gator." She smiled.
"Yes, ma'am." He sipped his coffee. "I wanted to get out of Miami but not too far from my folks." He shrugged. "Besides, the school had Navy ROTC and I had a scholarship."
"You were in the Navy?" There was more than a spark of interest in her question.
"Marines." He was used to women gushing at this point and mentally prepared for the onslaught of military questions.
"I was Army."
She couldn't have shocked him more if she'd said she was an alien. He set the cup down and stared at her. Really looked at her, as though seeing her for the first time. It was there. That hard edge that said I've seen too much.
Jonathan wanted to take her in his arms and protect her. He'd hold her until all the sharp angles melted into smooth, round curves, erasing the bad things she'd seen, replacing those memories with the sweet life she deserved.
And, maybe she'd do the same for him.
"When did you get out?" He managed to ask.
"Six mon—" Her gaze flew to the door as a bearded man all but fell through. "Kane." Concern saturated the single word.
She jumped up and grabbed the man around the waist and placed one hand under a bent elbow. Half-carrying, half-guiding him to the back, the two spoke so low Jonathan couldn't hear.
KaLyn Cooper. ELITE Justice (Kindle Locations 390-459).
He also meets Kane who will be important later. For now though Jonathan is concerned because he's unkempt and smelly and appears to be in some kind of withdrawal. What's really going on surprises him.
He and Gwen have a definite attraction and he uses that to get information off her computer. Bad move, sneaky move, but he gets what his company needs. It's just a small part of a big picture.
I love the way things twist and turn and the romance that sneaks in with just the right amount of sizzle.
I can't wait to read all of these newly revised books.
Fall of the Trident -Special Forces: Operation Alpha – Seasoned SEALs Book 3 by KaLyn Cooper
November 9, 2021 carolkittie Leave a comment
Fall of the Trident
Special Forces: Operation Alpha – Seasoned SEALs Book 3
Can the love of your life happen twice?
Vice Admiral Cade Lister had continued to function for five years after losing his much-loved wife to cancer, but he hadn't been living. His work hadn't changed so it had become his life. He went from one command to another, wherever the Navy sent him.
His world was focused on the SEALs he commanded…until the day in his exuberance over a highly complicated operation, he hugged his administrative assistant.
Marta Merkel had been a force to be reckoned in the SEAL world. For over twenty-five years, since her SEAL husband had been killed on active duty, she could make or break a career.
Even though they were single adults past fifty, she worked directly outside his office, controlling his work life.
With years of baggage, could they make this work?
There is much that is happening in this book, I loved the way it opened with us in the ops room as Dylan's team is involved in a final rescue mission in Afghanistan. Marta is there along with the commanders as she had just brought in food as things started to go down.
After passing along the vital information to other teams in the area, Dylan had gotten the woman and her five children on their way to safety. He and the remainder of his team had reconned the school and developed a strategy to rescue all the captured men but needed reinforcements to implement the plan.
Lieutenant Chaney is going places, not just because he's the father of Evan's grandson, but he's a damn good officer.
The door to the conference room opened and Marta Merkel, administrative assistant extraordinaire, at least in Cade's opinion, slid in with trays of food stacked three high.
The woman was his lifesaver. She certainly knew what she was doing as the civilian assistant to the commanding officer of Naval Special Warfare. Sure, she had worked in that office for over twenty-five years, the last decade at the desk directly outside his office, but the woman knew his job better than he did. He was her fourth NSWCO and regularly shared her experience making him look fucking good.
Marta set the trays on a credenza and had just turned back toward him when Dylan announced, "Blue one-seven alpha, two-niner alpha, and two-five charlie ready and in position. Do we have a go?"
Cade felt her gaze on him. That's Dylan, she mouthed. May I… She pointed to her feet. He gave a slight nod knowing this wasn't her first experience watching a team in live action. Her security clearance was equal to his. Besides, as best friend to Evan's new wife, Genevieve, she personally knew Dylan and his four-month-old baby, Ian.
"Blue one-seven alpha, two-niner alpha, and two-five charlie, you have a go. I repeat, you have a go."
Everyone's attention went to a side screen where the eerie green of night vision technology made it difficult to discern images.
"On my count." Dylan counted backwards followed by an explosion that rocked the building in front of them. Someone pointed to the drone footage that showed explosions at the four outer doors.
The barrage of bullets was so loud Cade felt as though he was in the building with his men.
Shouting in English and Pashto filled the air when not drowned out by the echo of gunfire. It took less than a minute to sort out that every local man was on their lists as HVTs.
What felt like a lifetime later, which in truth was less than six minutes, men moving in a line could be seen through the green haze on the screen. Once outside, Dylan reported, "Blue one-seven alpha, two-niner alpha, and two-five charlie, moving to extraction site. Eight targets down. No casualties."
The conference room erupted. The four team commanders present leaped out of their seats shouting and pumping their fists in the air. His relatively new Executive Officer, Rear Admiral (lower half) Paul O'Connor, joined in the excitement.
Cade realized he was on his feet when he was embraced in a bear hug by his friend, Captain Evan Hubbard. When the big man turned to congratulate someone else, Cade watched Marta trying to hold in her jubilation, smiling ear to ear. Caught up in the excitement, he turned to his administrative assistant and wrapped his arms around her picking her up off the ground.
"He did it." Marta threw her arms around his neck. "Dylan did it."
"Damn straight he did." Cade leaned back to look at the beautiful woman in his arms. He hadn't held a woman in over five years. It felt so fucking good. Leaning forward, he placed an excited kiss on her lips.
Heat rushed through him, awakening body parts that had been dormant for years. His cock twitched as it started to fill.
What the fuck? He hadn't had an erection since his wife had passed away. Not that it was anywhere close to its full size, it had still shocked him.
Setting Marta back on her feet, he made sure she was steady before he released his arms from around her.
Suddenly realizing what he'd done, Cade quickly glanced around to see if anyone had seen him kiss her.
Whew. Everyone else was caught up in their own excitement.
The stunned look on her face made him take a step backward. He couldn't read her eyes because his gaze was darting everywhere reassuring himself that no one had seen his moment of indiscretion.
He was the fucking commander of all Navy SEALs, West Coast to East Coast and those stationed around the world. It was his job to set an example and kissing his administrative assistant was completely unsatisfactory. Hell, she could stride back to her desk and write up an EEO complaint against him, and rightfully so. He could be court-martialed for several things starting with conduct unbecoming an officer and ending in sexual assault.
One glance back at Marta told him everything he needed to know. She was in shock. She hadn't moved since he'd let her feet touch the ground. Her fingertips were at her lips as though holding in a scream.
He stepped close enough to her so only she could hear. "Marta, Ms. Merkel, I don't know what overcame me. I sincerely apologize. I am so very sorry."
She blinked and it was as though she had regained all her senses. "Don't worry, Admiral, I'm equally at fault. I was caught up in the moment." She then smiled at him but it wasn't her normal admin to boss show of white teeth. "And I'm not a damn bit sorry." She winked at him before turning on her heel and striding up out of the room with a little bit more swing in her step than he'd ever noticed before.
KaLyn Cooper. Fall of the Trident (Special Forces: Operation Alpha): Seasoned SEALs, Book 3 (Kindle Locations 103-148). Aces Press, LLC
This is just the beginning of things for Cade Lister and Marta Merkel. There's quite the attraction there and they both get a bit conflicted because of their jobs.
The main plot focus is on those human traffickers, they've taken down much of it but haven't gotten the head honcho. That SEALs were involved and that there are hints of people high up in command have everyone on edge and wanting it all resolved.
Things start coming to a head when Cade travels with Marta to Little Creek to welcome the teams home.
I couldn't put this book down, there is always something happening that either answers a question or creates a new one. The slow but steady development of the relationship between Marta and Cade is perfect and definitely sizzling.
I can't wait to see what KaLyn has up her sleeve for her next offering in this world!
Shadow in the Mountain – Shadow SEALs Book 4 by KaLyn Cooper
August 10, 2021 carolkittie 2 Comments
Shadow in the Mountain
Shadow SEALs Book 4
Another mission into the shadows was the last place he wanted to be. Last time it ended his career. This time promises death or salvation.
Ryker Tufano has spent the last several months drowning his survivor's guilt—and unexpected ejection from the Navy—in alcohol and self-loathing. His entire SEAL team, and his memory, were lost on their last mission. A phone call from the mysterious Charlie changes everything. It was all a lie.
When he discovers that his foster brother and SEAL teammate, Ajax, is alive, they must head back to Ethiopia to rescue the rest of their team.
Xena Riggs is angry with her bosses in Washington DC. They were willing to let an entire SEAL team be erased for their mistake…her mistake. Offered redemption and retribution if she helps two of Charlie's newest employees, she jumps at the chance.
As Ryker follows his guide into the mountains of Ethiopia, he's not sure if she's Xena Warrior Princess, GI Jane, a wet dream…or walking him into an ambush.
Xena is having trouble keeping her heart out of this mission. Lust doesn't belong in these mountains. If Xena survives this assignment without being captured and killed by the enemy, there's a good chance Ryker will kill her himself once he discovers the truth.
This book opens with Ryker Tufano growing impatient waiting for Charley to show. Instead he gets the shock of his life when his brother and teammate Axel walks in. They both believed the other to be dead along with the rest of their teammates. Neither of them can remember the events of that last mission having woken up in the hospital.
Serena, Charley's assistant leads the meeting with Charley on the phone. When they realize they are going after their teammates there is no question they are in.
We get our first glimpse of Xena Riggs as she is trying to ascertain the location of the captive SEALs, quite an interesting scene as we meet part of her team.
Once back in Ethiopia Ajax, Ryker and Serena meet up with Xena. Ryker wants answers gets a bit condescending and Xena lets him have it. I do love strong women and Xena definitely qualifies in more ways than one.
I almost choked when I realized Xena would be teaming up with Ryker and seriously started to worry for his health and well being as I chuckled. Unfortunately they still haven't found all of the SEALs, though Xena has folks looking for them.
They have to detour first to attend an Embassy dinner with Xena's mother. Ryker would learn a lot at that dinner. The most fun starts the next morning at Xena's family compound 'Eden'.
Xena was so excited to see her father home and safe. She didn't care how terrible he smelled. He'd been in the far western regions of the country tracking down Nebil Yared, the second most powerful rebel, who supposedly had ambushed and captured the Navy SEALs and still had four in his possession.
Giving her dad one last squeeze, she stepped back. "You have good news?"
"Yeah," he said distractedly as his gaze swept the table, landing on her breakfast. He winced as though rejecting the local food.
"Professor Riggs," Zala said with a broad smile as she entered the dining room with arms filled with plates. "I'll bring your usual breakfast out in a moment."
As she began to set plates in front of Ryker, his eyes got wider and wider. Eight slices of French toast were stacked nearly a foot high on one plate. Eight pancakes covered another. Four eggs, cooked exactly the way he'd requested, sat atop eight slices of perfectly toasted bread. The last dish was covered an inch thick in bacon.
"Ma'am. This all looks wonderful, but I apologize. I didn't mean for you to make all of this food for me." Ryker looked devastated by his mistake.
Xena, Clint, and Van burst out laughing.
"You knew this was going to happen, didn't you?" Ryker glared at her, making her laugh even harder.
All Xena could do was nod her head up and down.
Ryker looked to Zala. "Ma'am, thank you for going to all the trouble—"
"Stop right there, son, before you upset the best cook in Western Ethiopia." Her father then spoke in Oromo, Zala's native language. He thanked her for the excellent meal she had prepared and asked her to bring him only fruit and juice.
"Yes, professor. I'll bring that right away." Zala spun on her heel and strode from the room.
Getting herself under control, Xena finally explained. "Zala comes across as fluent in English but in truth, knows very few words. She understood all the breakfast items and made them for you." She gestured to the plates of food.
"And since I saved your sorry ass, I'll take that French toast. I've been thinking about Zala's breakfast ever since yesterday morning." Her father grabbed the plate and slid it to the other side of the table where he sat beside Clint. He picked up his son's silverware and started cutting off pieces.
"Good thing Mom didn't see you do that." Van got up and poured himself another cup of coffee.
"Your mother would cringe at what I've eaten, and the way I've eaten, for the past week. Most of my meals were devoured at the tip of my Bowie knife. Nobody up in the damned mountains knows how to make decent injera." He shoved a huge forkful into his mouth, then closed his eyes, moaning as he chewed.
When his eyes opened, his gaze immediately went to Xena. With a small tilt of his head toward Ryker, his eyebrows raised. "Please tell me you didn't bring him home from the party last night."
She knew exactly what her father meant, but as a grown woman, she loved to torment him. She pasted on a guilty smile. "Actually, I did." She grabbed Ryker's hand and interwove her fingers with his. "He's such a great boyfriend, and Mom likes him. Since I was heading here to Eden, I brought him along." She tried to affect a dreamy gaze at Ryker— while trying to hold in a laugh at the terror in her dad's tired eyes.
Her father swallowed hard. He then set down his silverware and gathered himself. "You haven't brought a boyfriend here since your ship was stationed in the Indian Ocean. This must be serious." The older man wiped his hands on a napkin and stood, extending the right one across the table. "Adam Riggs. It's a pleasure—"
Xena couldn't hold it in any longer. She burst out laughing. "Daddy, this is Ryker Tufano. He's not my boyfriend, although he played the part very well last night at the embassy party. He's our new mission, from Charley."
Ryker immediately stood and grabbed her father's hand. "Sir, I assure you, nothing is going on between your daughter and me. I'm here to rescue the remaining members of my SEAL squad and that's all."
Disappointment ran through Xena. She had thought perhaps the kiss last night might be the start of something mutually beneficial. Then, when he'd appeared at her door in the middle of the night wearing nothing but low-slung sweats, she'd started to hope that Ryker might be interested in her body, at least. It had been a long time since she'd taken a man to her bed.
Her father sat back down at the table and dug into the French toast and bacon, consuming his breakfast almost as quickly as Ryker. Xena knew her father hated talking business during a meal, so she made small talk with her brothers.
Once her father pushed back from the table, that was her cue that he was done. "So, Daddy, you said you had good news."
"I do." Her father got up and poured himself another cup of coffee. "Over the past week, I've met with several rebel groups under the guise of selling them guns and ammo… for gold." He smiled at her before he sipped. "Thank you for that insider information. I'm still not sure where they're getting the gold, but I did get to see some of it. I'm quite sure if Neberu knew about it, anyone involved with the mining operation would be dead. As near as I can tell, it's coming from an old mine north of Dembi."
"Oh, for Christ's sake, please don't tell me they're talking about the Queen of Sheba mine." Clint downed the last of his coffee and got up for more.
"What's the Queen of Sheba mine?" Ryker asked.
Xena knew the way her father answered questions, like the professor that he was. He couldn't simply give her the name of the town or village. No. He had to first tell the entire story behind the answer.
Before her father could start a six-thousand-year history lesson, she quickly explained, "The oldest gold mine in existence is still producing near the Sudanese border. Oral history claims that it was the key source of gold for the ancient Egyptian Empire. Daddy has even found gold artifacts dating back six thousand years that chemically match the ore still being dug up over there. About ten years ago, a metallurgist matched the gold to that given by the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon of Israel three thousand years ago."
"Wow," was all Ryker said.
Detailed history lesson averted. Xena grinned with pride as she glanced toward each of her brothers. "Now, Daddy, I believe you were about to tell us where Ryker's teammates are being held hostage."
"Oh, yes. I followed leads all through the mountains for a fucking week. Thank God almost everybody knew the name Digger. Most were happy to tell me about the rebels, hoping that I would sell them better arms or begging me not to provide them with any guns and ammo. The government really doesn't do anything for those people."
Ryker often shifted in his seat, anxious for the location. She reached under the table to pat his thigh, just as he repositioned himself. Her hand slid dangerously close to his cock.
Their eyes met.
She hoped the look on her face said I'm sorry rather than I'm interested in what's behind your zipper. To reinforce her unsaid message, she patted his leg closer to his knee.
"I spent last night in Metu Zuria where a farmer swore they're in the foothills about ten miles south of Gore. They had been to Mettu University trying to recruit young men into the cause." Her father had finally given them the location.
"That area is surrounded by small farms that have been hit pretty hard this last year by the drought," Blade announced as he headed to the corner for coffee. "I could land a bird two clicks away and the rebels would never know it." When he glanced at Xena, she snapped her hand away from Ryker's leg. She didn't need him making assumptions.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ryker's glance bounce between her and Blade. What the hell was that about?
"You volunteering to fly in a team tonight?" Adam Riggs asked. Blade shrugged. "Sure. We should take Dell. He wants to play with his new drones. They can give us a heads up before we walk into a pile of shit."
Her father looked at her. "Roll your team out at midnight. That puts you on location around two. Recon only."
"I'll take the Poseidon up and do a few flyovers as soon as it gets dark." Van loved flying the newer Boeing P-8 reconnaissance plane with more gadgets and spy gear than analysts back at Langley would be able to analyze and comprehend within a year.
Although she really appreciated his offer, all she said was, "Thanks." She didn't want him to think it was that big of a deal because he would hold it over her head the next time he wanted something from her. Sibling rivalry was abundant in the Riggs family.
KaLyn Cooper. Shadow in the Mountain: Shadow SEALs Book #4 (Kindle Locations 1169-1238). Black Swan.
There's a lot of tension as they get closer to the deadline for finding the SEALs and find they've been moved yet again. They Axel's team and theirs have to strike at the same time or all would be lost.
Between Xena's brothers, her team, and surprise visitors, there is plenty of suspense, action and the sizzling romance with Xena and Ryker I couldn't put this book down.
Summer Heatwave – Special Forces: Operation Alpha – Seasoned SEALs Book 2 By KaLyn Cooper
April 6, 2021 carolkittie Leave a comment
Summer Heatwave
Seasoned SEALs Book 2
Sometimes life just throws two people together.
Commander Mike Gallagher was not looking for wife number three. In his mid-forties, he'd given up on love. But life kept him running into Special Agent in Charge Kameron "Kam" Hood of Homeland Security Investigations for Human Trafficking. She was one of the most prickly women he'd ever met and they had taken an instant dislike to each other.
Kam Hood was new to San Diego when she had lucked into a tip that led her team to make the biggest human trafficking bust on the West Coast. She was too busy establishing herself in her new job to think about men…except Mike Gallagher. She enjoyed throwing him around in her Brazilian jujitsu class and making him submit to her.
When Kam's life is threatened, Mike steps in to keep her safe.
But can he keep his heart safe?
With the success of the bust of the human trafficking ring involving some SEALs and many more, the tedious task of talking to the girls involved has begun.
When the Special Agent in Charge Kameron 'Kam' Hood calls Commander Mike Gallagher she doesn't identify herself she just announces she needs Dylan Chaney immediately. This leads to an amusing spiel from the Commander followed by the introduction she should have led with but not the reason behind it.
One of the girls, refuses to speak to anyone but 'her boyfriend' Dylan. Accompanied by the Commander and also Captain Evan Hubbard, Dylan goes to Homeland Security's Headquarters. Brought to the interrogation rooms by Kam, Dylan recognizes the girl as Tala, the girl he spoke with undercover, there was nothing untoward sexual or otherwise between them. He did promise he'd get her home though.
The information Dylan gets out of her also tells of another location where her friend is being held. Now they have to figure out where that one is. Tala won't go home without her friend.
In another line of priorities, is a change in fighting techniques. SEALs need to be on top of every manner of fighting in order to remain at the top of the food chain. Things get interesting here as Commanders are sent to various martial arts studios to find one that will be advantageous for the SEALs to learn.
This is where Mike is going to get a surprise, he's taking a Brazilian jujitsu class. The instructor is none other than Kameron Hood.
A few men with an obvious law enforcement swagger headed to the establishment. Like him, they were wearing shorts and T-shirts, so he quickly followed them in.
The reception area was extremely crowded as mothers pressed against windows on the right watching elementary-age children swing nunchucks. Some of the kids were very good. They had obviously been taking lessons for years. He would have loved to be involved in something like this at their age.
Unfortunately, his single mother could barely afford to feed him and his two brothers. He had to be happy with school sports. Recreational leagues were even out of their price range. When other kids were playing Little League baseball all summer, he was mowing neighborhood lawns while his brothers weeded landscaping to earn a few bucks.
After working in the sun all day, they would ride their bikes down to the lake and jump into the cool refreshing water. He'd learned to swim in that spring-fed lake. His mother saved enough money to put all three boys in the class taught annually by the Red Cross. She was adamant that they learned to swim well. How could she have known where that skill would take him?
Thanks, Mom. His eyes moved heavenward. She had tried so hard to give them a good base for their lives… before she was suddenly taken from them.
When his eyes dropped down, yells and thumps from the class on his right caught his attention. A dozen men who looked like they spent a great deal of time at a gym, sparred in headgear against the man in the middle of the circle, tapping in and out. The two wearing all black loose-fitting gi-style clothes, obviously the instructors, took on challenger after challenger. They were fast, never repeating the same combination of kicks. They could all easily be mixed martial arts competitors.
At the far end of the lobby, several women browsed through the small store while others sat on benches taking their shoes off and chatting.
He could no longer hear grunts and groans from the adult class as they went through several stretches in what Mike thought of as cool-down exercises. The kids, on the other hand, invaded the small lobby, quickly finding their parents who shuffled them out the door.
A man dressed in black with the school emblem embroidered on the right side of his chest emerged from the store. "The Brazilian jujitsu class will be taught in Gym A. Tonight, kickboxing will be in Gym B. Please enter the gym now so classes can get started on time."
The large room reeked of sweaty men. That was nothing new for Mike. Navy SEALs were pushed to their physical limits every day. It was actually kind of comforting in its familiarity. But when several women entered, light fragrances intertwined with the dirty jock smell, disturbing his chill.
Mike took off his shoes and set them along the side wall with the others then sauntered his way in to find a spot in the middle of the floor. As he glanced at the two instructors, he realized how slight the one was, yet they had both been throwing around huge men easily weighing fifty to a hundred pounds more.
When the smaller of the two removed the headgear, Mike gasped.
Kam Hood slid off the rubber band holding her hair and massaged her scalp before she scraped her hair up into a high bun. She wiped the sweat from her face and neck with a black terrycloth towel before grabbing a light purple water bottle.
Mike almost laughed. It looked so feminine and incongruous with the kickass woman holding it. Wouldn't that be great if she were staying for the Brazilian jujitsu class? He glanced to his side and saw there was room for her next to him.
When the tall man with broad shoulders and ponytail grabbed his gear and started to leave, Mike scanned the lobby for the instructor.
"Everybody, find a place on the floor where you have room to move. We'll begin with warm-ups before we pair off and practice the basic moves and counter moves." Kam stood at the front of the class facing the two dozen students, who were an interesting mix, from petite women to the large men he'd followed into the facility. From the tiny bit of conversation he caught, many were in law enforcement.
Mike knew the moment she saw him. Their gazes held a bit too long before she gave him what he thought was a small smile. It could also have been a devilish grin. He certainly didn't know her well enough to tell.
Ten minutes later, though, he was positive.
"Comman—" she stopped mid-word and corrected herself. "Mr. Mike Gallagher, would you be my partner tonight?"
He couldn't say no. Instead, he gave her one of his most panty-dropping smiles as he made his way to the front of the classroom. Although he was used to balls-to-the-wall hand-to-hand with his SEALs, he'd go easy on her.
For the next forty minutes, he was her test dummy. She had taken him down from a standing position to the ground so many times, in different ways, he'd forgotten the count. The fascinating part was, she always ended up on top. He wondered if that was her preferred sexual position, but since she was wired with a microphone, he didn't dare ask. What he disliked most was that she had forced him to submit by tapping out every time.
When the class was over, Mike was sure he'd never spent so much time on his ass in the arms of a woman without getting laid.
As soon as the microphone was shut off, she asked, "What the hell you doing here?"
After the torture she'd just put him through, he decided to play with her. "Why, Kam, fancy meeting you here. How have you been?"
She glared at him.
He smiled. "How's the investigation going?"
Her gaze swept the room as a few of the women approached her. "We're not done with this conversation, Commander Mike Gallagher." She glanced at the approaching women. "I want to know why you're here."
"Are you free after this class?" he whispered.
"Yes." Then she looked shocked as though she hadn't meant to say that out loud.
"Good. When you're done here, there's a nice little Italian restaurant around the corner. I'm starved and I'm sure you've burned enough calories to eat, too. I'll wait for you over here." Without letting her disagree, he walked away and took an inordinate amount of time putting on his shoes. After the last woman left, Mike waited for her at the only door.
"I don't date my students," she announced as she stepped into the lobby.
"Good thing I'm not one of your students, and this is not a date." He grinned, enjoying the light banter. "Think of it as a business meeting with food involved."
She stopped on the sidewalk a few feet from the door. "Did someone find out more information that you need to pass along to me?"
"No." Then he thought better about that answer. "Not that I've been told. But when it comes to this case, we are all mushrooms."
Kam's laugh was light and feminine, catching him completely off-guard.
"I haven't heard that saying in years." She smiled as though lost in a memory. "My dad used to—" She flicked her hand as though to brush away the thought.
He heard her inhale deeply and groan. "Donatello's smells delicious. The only reason I'm going with you is because I do need to eat. I also need to go grocery shopping because I don't have hardly anything in my refrigerator."
Mike didn't care why she was going with him, just that she was. He'd been impressed with the class and even though he'd ended up on his ass all too often, the fact she could put him there was reason enough to talk to her.
KaLyn Cooper. Summer Heatwave (Special Forces: Operation Alpha): Seasoned SEAL Series, 2 (Kindle Locations 637-696). Aces Press, LLC.
An interesting friendship develops between Kam and Mike as not only the investigation heats up again but also she begins the the paperwork and an example of the new training.
I love that Rocco, Gumby, Ace, Bubba, Rex, and Phantom are the first so we'll be seeing more of them and boy I laughed at Phantom, almost as hard as I did Mike.
Lots of suspense, intrigue, some action and let's just say Mike and Kam are explosive together. I think my kindle's still intact…
Spring Unveiled – Special Forces: Operation Alpha – Seasoned SEALs Book 1 By KaLyn Cooper
February 24, 2021 carolkittie Leave a comment
Spring Unveiled
Is a bittersweet tragedy
enough to bring exes back together?
Navy Captain Evan Hubbard returns to the West Coast to take command of Group 1 Navy SEALs at Coronado. His mission to clean up the team's tarnished reputation. When a sex trafficking ring involving SEALs comes to light, Evan must decide who he can trust to help him clean house and restore honor and pride. Before he can get started, an unexpected phone call with his college-age daughter and his ex-wife throws his personal life into chaos.
Genevieve Hubbard has spent the last twenty-one years as a schoolteacher, nine as a single mom after her decision not to follow her husband's career to the other side of the country. While she never stopped loving her ex-husband, she's made a life for herself that doesn't include him.
Their daughter has been keeping secrets—the father's identity from Genevieve, and her pregnancy from Evan. When tragedy strikes shortly after the baby is born, Evan and Genevieve must work together to do what is best for everyone. Will they find love again, or will they lose everything that is precious to them?
Spring Unveiled is the first book in the Seasoned SEALs Series, featuring characters from Susan Stoker's SEAL of Protection Series.
Captain Evan Hubbard was surprised how quickly his promotion came through and the swiftness of his transport to San Diego. He's to take command of SEAL group 1 effective immediately. There's a lot of cleaning up to do none of which will be pleasant.
Moving back to the west coast brings back a lot of memories. His ex-wife still lives there with his daughter Kylie and he's hoping to get close to them again.
Genevieve still lives in the house she once shared with Evan. Kylie is now living there full time having returned from college pregnant and scared. Genevieve is driving Kylie to the hospital, when Evan calls his daughter. There's just one little thing, Kylie never told him she's pregnant.
"I'm ready to go," Kylie announced as she hefted her body into the passenger seat. "The contractions are four minutes apart."
Holy shit. This was it.
Gen inhaled the cleansing breath and exhaled slowly. "Okay, then, let's do this."
As she backed out of the driveway, the car indicated an incoming call. "Dad" appeared on the dashboard screen. It was Kylie's phone that was ringing.
Fucking great.
"Did you call him and tell him you were in labor? Is he getting on a plane to come out here?" Gen didn't like the way her daughter rolled her lips into a flat line then lifted her shoulders in a slight shrug.
"Well?" She pressed.
The phone rang again.
"Are you going to answer that?"
She heard Kylie gulp before she pressed to answer the call. When her daughter said nothing, Gen decided to take control of the situation.
"Hey, Evan, Kylie and I are in the car on the way to the hospital. Since we don't know how long this is going to take, you're welcome to join us there." She wasn't going to keep him from meeting his first granddaughter or grandson. Kylie had insisted on not knowing the sex ahead of time so Gen couldn't even tell him which to expect.
There was a long pause of silence.
"Evan? Did we lose you?" It sounded as though he was in a car. Maybe he was on the way to the airport.
"Won't that be a bit awkward with the baby's father there?" His reply baffled her.
"Kylie, did you tell your dad who was the baby's father?" Gen was instantly hurt that she wouldn't tell her the father's name but she'd tell her father. But if he knew, they could contact the father and let him know. Maybe he'd want to be there.
Their daughter sniffed, then broke out in tears. "I didn't tell him anything."
"Okay, so your dad doesn't know who the father is either?" Gen needed to clarify this point.
Kylie shook her head. "No. I mean I didn't tell him anything." She wiped her eyes with a paper napkin she found in the center console. Rubbing her belly, she confessed, "He doesn't know."
"Oh, Jesus." Gen stopped behind the cars at the red light. "Are you telling me your dad doesn't even know you're pregnant?"
Kylie shook her head and pointed to the dashboard indicating the still-active call. "He does now."
"Evan, I was just informed that you know nothing about the pending birth of your first grandchild."
"What-the-fuck?" His voice exploded through every speaker in her car. "Kylie is…my little girl…is pregnant?" He seemed to spit out the last word.
Their daughter arched her back and burst into tears, screaming. "It hurts."
"Ah-he, ah-who. Breathe through the contraction like they taught you in the class. Concentrate on your breathing, not the pain." Gen tried to keep her words calm.
"What the hell is happening? Why is she screaming?" Evan's urgent voice wasn't helping.
"Kylie is in labor. That's why we're headed to the hospital. Contractions hurt." Like a bitch. But Gen didn't want to encourage anymore screaming. "That's the part of our daughter's birth that you missed." She was being a bitch and knew it. They'd been out somewhere in the ocean learning to deep dive when she'd gone into labor. Kylie had already been born by the time he got back to shore.
"My baby is having a baby?" Incredulity laced his quiet voice.
"Yes." Gen didn't know who to be angrier with, her daughter or her ex-husband. She thought he and Kylie talked regularly, like every week or two. "Obviously, you haven't kept up with her in months."
But he'd seen her at Thanksgiving, although she hadn't been very pregnant at the time and probably wasn't showing much. She could have easily hidden it by wearing a long sweater, especially since Virginia would feel chilly compared to Southern California. Gen had noticed that her daughter had put on a little weight at Christmas time, but it wasn't until Kylie announced she was not going back to college that she realized why.
"I have." His voice was very defensive. "We talked just a few weeks ago and she didn't say anything about a baby."
"I'm sorry, Dad." Kylie blew her nose. "I knew you'd be disappointed in me and I didn't want to tell you."
"And you thought he'd never find out?" Gen accused. "You know better than to keep anything from your father…or me."
"Ky, you know I love you no matter what." He exhaled a long breath. "Vivi, what hospital are you taking her to?"
She couldn't speak.
It was as though he'd punched her heart.
He'd called her Vivi. She hadn't been called that name in years. The last time she'd heard it, the last time he'd set it, he'd begged her not to file divorce papers. Oh, Vivi, don't do this to us.
All she could manage to do was stare straight ahead and mindlessly drive toward the hospital over on the mainland.
Kylie's huge round eyes stared at her, frightened, as though she'd threatened to leave. "Mom's a little busy driving right now. We're headed to the Navy Medical Center in San Diego. I'm still on Tricare, your medical insurance. As long as I go to the base hospital, they'll pay for everything."
"That's good, Ky. Good thinking. Where are you?" Evan's voice was so controlled it was comforting.
Gen got her act together. "We're about to cross the bridge." She needed to cut her ex-husband a break.
This was all new to him. "Evan, I know I've had a lot longer to deal with this situation but it's happening now." It was a good thing Gen was used to driving in heavy traffic and knew the way to the hospital as she changed lanes on the bridge. "I don't know if you want to fly all the way out—"
"Vivi, I'm less than ten minutes behind you."
"You're here?" Her daughter's wide eyes were proof that she didn't know, either. "How long have you been here?"
Evan chuckled. "About four hours. That's why I was calling Kylie. I wanted to tell her the good news. I'm going to be the commanding officer of Group One. I'm here to stay for at least the next three years. Hopefully more."
And the hits just keep on coming. "What happened to Captain Desmond?" Not that Gen, or anyone she knew, would miss the man. He was a terrible person and a terrible commander, in her opinion.
"We can talk about that later."
That was code for either her situation or his was not operationally secure. She had a plain old cell phone through a national carrier. He probably had an encrypted phone that shot directly to a protected military satellite before it bounced down to earth.
"I'll meet you at the hospital. I need to cancel my plans with Vice Admiral Lister." He hung up without saying goodbye. Typical Evan.
Cooper, KaLyn; Alpha, Operation. Spring UnVeiled (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Seasoned Seals Book 1) (Kindle Locations 360-411). Aces Press, LLC. Kindle Edition.
Evan meets them at the hospital and helps smooth things over since everyone perked up when he walked in. Kylie hits them with a bit of a bombshell when she lets them know she's planning on adoption. She does concede to wait twenty-four hours before finalizing anything. Both Evan and Gen are more than willing to help raise the grandchild. Then the unthinkable happens.
This is where I start crying and don't stop for a while. Kylie's death devastates her parents, but there's a child who needs love and care.
Evan and Gen immediately start things in motion to get custody of their grandchild. No way would they let Ian go to a foster home. Even on bereavement leave, Evan starts things in motion to clean up his SEALs.
I found it interesting when Evan discovers who the father of his grandchild is. The circumstances of Dylan's break up with Kylie not an uncommon thought for a SEAL.
There is so much that happens in this book, from Baby Ian, to identifying SEALs involved in shady business, to Evan and Gen falling in love again.
I really can't wait for the next book in this series, I hope the wait is not too long.
Unending Love – Black Swan Book 7 by KaLyn Cooper
July 30, 2020 carolkittie 1 Comment
Military active duty women
secretly trained in Special Operations
assigned to governmental agencies
and the men who dare to capture
the heart of a Woman Warrior.
Unending Love
Black Swan Book 7
Their life together is not over.
He has to believe it…or it will be.
Alex Wolf gets the call that every man dreads…there's been an accident and the love of his life is in the hospital.
As an active duty special operations officer, Katlin Callahan has an extremely dangerous job and she was the best in the world. In peak physical, mental, and emotional health, she took on anything Homeland Security asked of her. Until she's broken.
Katlin's traumatic brain injury sets their lives on a roller coaster ride that tests their love with every twist and turn.
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Katlin and her team are off on another mission, this one she's not actually in charge of, Jonathan Cummins is. He's a misogynistic arse and his men aren't any better. The ladies are winding down after a long night at an Embassy dinner with Jonathan's team. They weren't getting any intel and couldn't figure out why they were even there.
Jonathan shows up saying he has new intel on the new Hezbollah leader and they would be leaving in the morning. When questioned about routes and other intel he was less than forward. That begins this FUBAR mission which has the Black Swans flying top speed back to the states.
It would be okay. It had to be. He loved Katlin and she loved him. They were going to be married. When, he had no idea. He needed to lock Katlin down on that soon.
They needed to set a date. She needed to plan a wedding. Although Alex's first wedding was quick and inexpensive, Katlin's had been the total opposite. She and her mother had spent nearly a year planning everything, from renting guesthouses to transportation to the United States Naval Academy Chapel, then on to the reception venue. Her wedding to Ty was as orchestrated— and perfect— as possible.
If she wanted the big white dress and full Catholic Mass again, Alex would be sure she got it.
Glancing around the airplane cabin where his men slept, Alex decided it was safe for him to check the special app on his phone. Sliding in earbuds, he opened the program custom-made by his computer guru. A map of the spinning world began to hone in on her location, finding her unique tracking signal. It placed her over the Atlantic Ocean.
She was headed home.
Excitement filled him. He would see her soon. He clicked on the sound and listened to her heartbeat, the way he did every night as he fell asleep. It was his way of keeping her close. Her heartbeat was very slow which usually meant she was either sleeping or meditating.
Immediately, he speed-dialed her. He desperately wanted to hear her voice, and did, the recorded one. Alex hated leaving voicemail, but it was a good place to start with his explanation. Maybe they were between satellite signals.
Before he tried again, he booked his flight from L.A. to Washington D.C.. She would definitely beat him home, but he would be there as soon as he could.
Over the next several hours, Alex tried, and failed, to get in touch with Katlin.
While waiting in the private terminal for his flight to D.C., Alex's phone vibrated in his side pocket. Deep in conversation with a Fortune 100 CEO, he almost ignored the call. At the last second, he checked the caller ID.
GRACE flashed on the screen.
He swiped the answer icon and stood. "I'm very sorry. I need to take this." He stepped away and stared out the windows, seeing nothing, concentrating on her words.
"Alex," Grace said in a whisper before he could even say hello. "Don't say anything. Just listen. Katlin is being taken to Walter Reed Hospital in D.C. She's hurt… bad. Brain injury. RPG exploded next to the car on her side. I'm in the cockpit and being watched. I'll call you again as soon as I can, but that may be a while. We're all on lockdown."
"Lieutenant Hall." Alex heard a stern male voice in the background. "Are you finished with all your shutdown procedures? We need to leave. Now."
The connection ended.
Alex couldn't breathe.
He'd seen by her tracker that Katlin was moving toward the U.S.A. and anxiously waited for her usual call. As he saw her get closer, he was disappointed that she hadn't called yet, but he thought she might be the pilot on that leg, not that it'd stopped her in the past.
Alex had never considered that she couldn't call him. That she wasn't physically able to call.
Bad. Grace had said she was bad. Fuck, no. He couldn't lose her. He had so many plans for them.
He had to get to Washington D.C.. He would go straight to the hospital.
KaLyn Cooper. Unending Love: Black Swan Book Seven (Kindle Locations 576-579).
What Alex finds when he arrives at the hospital has his blood boiling. Apparently Jack Ashworth, Kat's boss and nemesis has declared himself her husband. Alex squashes that quickly and makes other arrangements once he finds out from their shared lawyer that he has Power of Attorney over her care.
This book had me in tears, furious at Jack's shenanigans and even more in love with Kat's team and their men. Alex and his Guardian team are totally awesome and Daniel has more than a couple of things up his sleeve when it comes to keeping Kat safe.
Don't miss this latest book in the Black Swan Series, it has just become my favorite in this series.
Unmatched Love – Black Swan Book 6 by KaLyn Cooper
April 27, 2020 carolkittie Leave a comment
Unmatched Love
A crashed airplane.
A deadly virus.
A lethal woman.
A love unmatched.
The Ladies of Black Swan must secure sunken cargo more deadly than the Russian submarine looking for it.
When the team is diverted to Turks and Caicos on their way home from a mission, the only woman celebrating is Lei Lu Sorensen, Lady Kite. The only man waiting for her at home is another (loser) possibility from her mother's matchmaker. Lei Lu is expected to settle down into the religious life like her parents and give them the grandchildren they crave, all before her thirtieth birthday.
Former SEAL Henry S. Morgan V is living his best life as Shakespeare, a dive shop owner on Grand Turk Island, thousands of miles away from the three-piece-suit life his wealthy family had planned for him on Wall Street. His biggest thrill on the sleepy tropical island is watching cruise ships bring new, scantily-clad beautiful women to snorkel and dive in the warm water. Until Washington calls him for one last mission.
As Black Swan's dive instructor, Lei Lu is forced to work with the laid-back beach bum who runs the local dive shop. But nothing is what it seems, from the retrieval of the downed airplane to the unexpected chemistry between Shakespeare and Lady Kite.
They can't let love interfere because if they fail their mission, the entire world suffers.
Unmatched Love is the sixth novel in KaLyn Cooper's Black Swan series filled with strong heroines and the alpha heroes who dare to capture the heart of a woman warrior. Each romantic suspense features one of the active duty women secretly trained in SpecOps and a member of the Ladies of Black Swan.
If you like edge-of-your-seat military stories, billionaires, matchmakers, scuba diving, and sizzling hot romance, buy Unmatched Love today.
Lei Lou is the only one of the Black Swan team still unattached. This is the book we've been waiting for and I think dreading since it could mean an end to the series.
As the book opens, Lei Lou has her first face to face kill and on top of that as they head home she's informed her parents are at her apartment with another possible husband for her. Her mother has engaged a matchmaker to find a 'suitable' husband for her.
Fortunately for Lei Lou, the team gets sent off on yet another mission before even reaching the US.
Henry S. Morgan V, known only as Shakespeare to the folks on Grand Turk where he owns a dive shop gets an unexpected call from the US Navy. A call he thinks is a hoax at first. He's been out of the SEAL's for over three years, and can't think of any reason the Navy would want him now. That is until General Lyons takes over the call.
He calls his friend Oli the island's police commissioner to provide security for the airport where a team would be landing, and to secure the hanger for their plane.
I think I started giggling from the moment Shakespeare sees Lei Lou and then it was full out laughter as they encounter the mailman with the delivery they are expecting.
While loading up the bags into the police vehicle, an open-sided mail Jeep pulled up next to them.
"Hey, my man Oli, hoping you can help me." Jacob, the island mailman, stepped out and rounded to the back of his vehicle. "You got any idea where I can find me a Captain L. Sorensen, U.S.A.F.? I got this suitcase for him. I thought the delivery note was crazy. It said he was going to arrive… tonight… at the airport. Crazy Americans. The airport is closed at night. But I'm absolutely supposed to deliver this tonight." Stressing the last word, he spread his arms wide and danced in a circle. "Grand Turk may be a little island, but it's a damn big one when I have to find me one American captain. I already checked all the hotels and he's not there." He dramatically threw his arms up in the air.
Jacob was known for his over-the-top drama… and gossip. It could take him all day to deliver ten pieces of mail and two packages. Spear had come to the point where he would often meet the mail plane at their tiny airport rather than endure the antics of their mailman.
"What am I to do? Oli, you know I can't afford to get fired. Mia's about to pop our next baby, any day." The man who was two inches taller than Spear fell to his knees, his arms outstretched. "Oli, you gotta help me, man."
Shakespeare wasn't sure who was more surprised when the black-haired little beauty stood in front of Jacob, who was still on his knees. Their eyes were almost level.
"Where's my box?" Her dark brown eyes darted to the Jeep then back to him.
When Jacob cocked his head, his dreadlocks swung to the side.
"Was I supposed to bring you a package, too?" The mailman's body slumped over, his face dropping to the sand. "Oh, Lordy, Lordy. I'm going to be fired for sure. The Prime himself is going to come over here and fire my ass."
"You said you have a delivery for Captain Sorensen. That would be me." She stood quietly in front of him, her toes inches from his forehead.
Jacob lifted his head. "You be Captain L. Sorensen U.S.A.F.? He unfolded to stand, stretching to his full height. His gaze swept up and down her small stature. "Do you fly airplanes?"
"Yes. I'm expecting that package." She purposely looked at the Jeep. "May I have it, now?"
The other women gathered near the trunk, a yard away from where Shakespeare and Oli stood.
After retrieving a large aluminum suitcase from the back of the Jeep, he wheeled it through the sand, stopping several feet from her. "How do I know you really be Captain Sorensen U.S.A.F.?"
"Oh, for Christ sake," Lady Harrier said just above a whisper.
Lady Kite let out a long breath. Shaking her head, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her military ID card. Without a word, she handed it to him.
Jacob looked at the picture on the ID, barely visible in hangar security lights. He then looked at her. He twisted the card for better light, then squinted at her. "How I know this is you?" He waved the green card in the air. "I watch TV. These can be faked."
Lady Kite closed her eyes. When she opened them, she gave him the most evil smile Spear had ever seen. She bent her knees. "How do I know that you didn't open that case?"
She slowly took one step closer to him.
"Oh, fuck. This is going to get ugly." Lady Falcon declared.
"I'm the mailman. I'm sworn by law not to open anything. I just deliver the mail." Jacob sounded more than a little defensive.
Like a cat, Lady Kite prowled toward him.
"Then deliver my package." Her grin broadened. "I don't want to hurt you. I need what's inside that case." She stopped and leaned forward. "Now!" She roared.
Jacob's eyes went huge as he handed her the extended handle to the case. "Yes, ma'am." He turned to run back to his vehicle.
Shakespeare couldn't help himself. He started to laugh.
"Mailman." Lady Kite boomed. "Stop."
Midstride, Jacob halted and didn't move a muscle. He slowly looked back over his shoulder at her.
She wiggled her finger, indicating for him to come to her.
Spear couldn't stop laughing. He had to turn away. He couldn't watch.
Head down, Jacob took small steps like a scolded dog toward the tiny woman.
Once he got close enough, she held out her hand, palm up.
Jacob stared at her hand. Slowly he extended his hand as though to shake.
She shook her head slowly side to side. "My military ID card, please."
"Duh," Jacob said self-deprecatingly as his whole body relaxed. "Sorry, mum." His gaze shot to where Shakespeare was holding himself up on the side of the truck, laughing so hard his sides hurt.
"You laughing at me, Shakespeare?" Jacob accused.
"Oh, fuck, yes." Spear's cheeks were starting to hurt. He couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed so hard.
As Jacob turned to leave, Lady Kite ordered, "Stop." She approached him. "Look at me. You didn't see me. You've never heard my name because I was never here." She waved her hand toward the men and women behind her. "They weren't here either, so no one saw your embarrassment. None of this ever happened."
Jacob stared at her as though he didn't understand.
"I want you to forget that any of this happened." She repeated.
He suddenly brightened. "Oh, I get it, this is where you flash me." He opened his eyes wide.
Lady Kite lowered her beautifully arched eyebrows and glared at Jacob. "This is not Mardi Gras, or Carnival, or whatever you celebrate on this island. I am not about to flash you my ti—"
"No. No my lady." Jacob started jumping up and down and waving his hands. "Flash me." He made his fingers burst in front of his face. "Like Men In Black. Like in the movies. Make me forget."
Tears were running down Shakespeare's face. He could see the women turning around laughing, hiding their faces in their hands slowly shaking their heads. Oli was struggling hard to be the staunch commissioner and hold his shit together.
"Jacob." Oli strode toward the island postman. "Thank you so much for coming out here and delivering this suitcase." As he passed Lady Kite, he waved her toward the truck. Slapping Jacob on the shoulder and spinning him around toward his Jeep, he pulled the local man toward him. "What we're trying to say is that we want you to keep this to yourself. There may be others who come to the island looking for the these wonderful ladies. We have to protect them. We can't let anyone know they're here."
As he guided the man to the doorless vehicle, Oli practically shoved Jacob into the front seat. "You're a federal employee and I know you take your position seriously. I'm asking you as the police commissioner, please forget everything you saw and heard tonight." He pointed toward the ignition. "If I hear one drop of gossip about this, I'm coming to arrest you. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Oli. Very clear." Jacob's hands shook as he jabbed in the key.
Shakespeare wiped his face with his hand before he got into the SUV.
With Oli behind the wheel, they pulled out onto the main road a few minutes later.
KaLyn Cooper. Unmatched Love: Black Swan, Book Six (Kindle Locations 404-463).
Then the fun begins as they find the plane they were looking for and plan their dive, There's a lot more involved than just the contents of the plane and the pilots.
I love the way KaLyn makes me feel like I'm there, under the water, on the island, enjoying the beach. There's the sizzle between Shakespeare and Lei Lou, lots of suspense, some interesting action, and plenty of laugh out loud scenes too.
It was awesome that all the men from Guardian get involved as well as Daniel being cleared to come with the kids.
I really hope this isn't the end. I love these books.
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A Moment Never Forgotten – Never Forgotten Trilogy Book 3 by KaLyn Cooper
December 16, 2019 carolkittie 1 Comment
A Moment Never Forgotten
Never Forgotten Trilogy Book 3
The moment he realized she was in serious danger…
he couldn't protect her.
At forty-five years old, Navy Captain Micah Reid had never married, for good reason…no woman in her right mind would put up with him, and he wouldn't tolerate the crazy ones. The secretive nature of his job as a commanding officer of thousands of SEALs working covertly around the world didn't help relationships either. With a new job at the Pentagon, he vowed to spend his free time with his friends living in DC and helping them solve the murders of Gabriel and Marsha Davis — whose deaths keep leading to more questions than answers.
Berit Barker had earned every step of her way up the CIA ladder, no matter what the rumors claimed. She had worked twice as hard and three times as smart as her male counterparts while undercover in Third World countries, with the extra challenge of being a single mother. When asked to infiltrate a tight group of military friends in the DC area, she agrees, but only to find the true terrorists.
Friendship and lies never mix well,
but love and deception can be deadly.
A Moment Never Forgotten is the third book in the seasoned military romance Never Forgotten trilogy but is a standalone romantic suspense. This Navy SEAL romance features another of KaLyn Cooper's strong heroines.
Buy this book today if you enjoy military romance, alpha silver foxes, and heroines who shatter glass ceilings.
This is the final book in this trilogy, the one that holds all the answers.
Berit Barker is CIA, her son Mak, is a SEAL and she has 'adopted' his team. As his team buries one of their own, she sheds some tears. Each one of these 'boys' were hers and she will always support them. Along with their Commander Evan Hubbard, there is an unexpected person at this funeral, Captain Micah Reid, Commanding Officer of Naval Special Warfare Group Two. He had been in the operations room when this team was ambushed.
Micah is in D.C. preparing for his move to a pentagon post and was attended because for a couple more weeks, these SEALs are his. He sort of recognizes Berit although he can't quite remember where they met. It's Berit who reminds him it was at another funeral, one where she was the liaison to the family.
"Commander Hubbard, sir, permission to hug my mom." The anxious SEAL saluted Evan.
"Permission granted." His friend of several years, and SEAL Team Two's Commanding Officer, smiled as the heavily bearded man in his mid-twenties threw his arms around Berit Barker and lifted her off the ground. She lost one of her black low-heeled pumps but didn't seem to care. The joy on her face said everything. She loved this young man.
"The petty officer we just buried was on Mak's team," Evan said in a low voice meant for only Micah. "He should still be in the hospital in Germany, but he and two of the less-injured men, insisted on accompanying the body back. They may be able to ship back the others next week."
When the young sailor finally set his mother back on the ground, Evan called to him. "Mak, have you ever met Captain Reid?"
"No, sir." He performed a perfect about-face and strode the three paces to face Micah. He came to attention and snapped a salute. "Petty Officer First Class Makensey Barker, sir."
Micah returned the salute and the man in his mid-twenties lowered his right hand. If he hadn't been carefully watching, he would have missed the slight wince. "What are your injuries?"
He heard Berit's gasp but didn't take his eyes off the man in front of him.
"Two broken ribs, flying debris grazed my right shoulder, and I'm still thirty-five percent deaf in both ears." He squared his shoulders imperceptibly. "Nothing major. I'm good to go, sir."
Micah nodded once. Those injuries were all to be expected given the explosion he had watched via satellite. He was confident that Evan would keep the squad stateside for at least six weeks while the men recuperated. Christmas stateside was a possibility in between training exercises. Slots would have to be filled with FNGs straight out of BUD/ s. Deciding where the Fucking New Guys would best fit in was no longer Micah's job. He trusted Evan to rebuild Mak's squad. In a matter of weeks personnel issues at Naval Special Warfare Group Two would no longer be his concern. He had orders to the Pentagon.
"No, you're not good to go anywhere except to the hospital." Berit's declaration kept Micah's brain from wandering into his future. She spun around and got into his face. "You are going to order my son, and the rest of his squad, to report tomorrow morning to Walter Reed Medical Center where they will undergo extensive testing to determine the precise extent of their injuries. None of them are fit for duty until their bones are completely healed."
Petty Officer Barker looked ready to panic while Evan was visibly fighting to withhold a snicker.
"Sir, permission to remove my mother. And please forgive her. She's used to ordering people around over at Langley." His shoulders raised a fraction of an inch. "She's kind of a big deal over there."
"Permission denied." Micah had never seen a woman defend a SEAL. He wasn't sure he'd ever seen the mothering instinct displayed before in his life. He was both impressed and amused.
Micah's mother had died when he was five and his father never remarried, so he had never seen a mother in action. It had always been just the two of them in the house on the shores of Lake Erie.
There were only two hundred seventy-two people who could give him orders and all except the President of the United States wore stars on their shoulders. Yet, this woman had just given him a direct order.
Through his peripheral vision, Micah could see all the eyes of the young sailors staring at him. He held her gaze. "Thank you, Ms. Barker, for your suggestion." He purposely emphasized the last word. "I'm sure Commander Hubbard will take it under consideration… next week."
He lifted his head, his gaze sweeping over all the young faces in Navy dress blue uniforms around him. He understood their emotions and knew they needed a break. "Gentlemen, since tomorrow is Friday, and I believe we have all been through enough today, liberty is granted until oh eight hundred Monday."
"Ten hut," Mak called out. Everyone wearing a uniform came to attention, even Micah.
"Sir, on behalf of the men, I would like to thank you." Mak raised his hand in salute and all the SEALs followed.
"Sir, thank you, sir," they said in unison.
Micah and Evan saluted back. "Enjoy your weekend, and for Christ's sake, stay out of trouble. SEALs have been getting enough bad press lately. Dismissed."
Cheers resounded as fists pumped into the air.
"I'll meet you all back at Mom's house." Mak's voice carried as they all but ran to their cars.
"It looks as though I need to stop by the grocery store on my way home. Best I be going." Her smile was that of a proud mother.
"Commander Hubbard, it was a pleasure meeting you." Berit had moved back into her warm yet professional persona.
"The pleasure was all mine." Evan grabbed her hand and enveloped it in both of his, giving her his lady-killer smile that under other circumstances was almost a guarantee to get him laid. He was between wives, again, but Micah thought the man had more class than to troll for women at a funeral. On the other hand, there was something special about Berit Barker.
She returned a congenial smile. "Until next time."
When she retrieved her hand, she thrust it toward Micah. "Captain Reid, it was nice to see you again. Perhaps next time we meet it will be under more positive circumstances."
He shook her hand in the professional manner it was offered. "We can only hope."
KaLyn Cooper. A Moment Never Forgotten: Never Forgotten Trilogy, Book Three (Kindle Locations 188-232).
Even with the sad circumstances there was much that amused me there and as this book progresses we find Berit and Micah in some very interesting situations.
Berit is also assigned to investigate Micah's old team and the mission that ended Mason Sinclair's life. Of the surviving members of that team only Logan and Teagan Jackson were know to her. Micah she'd met in passing but Elizabeth Saint Clare was an unknown, although she is a CIA translator, her husband Matthew also with the CIA in an assistant director position.
There are many hold your breath moments in this book, as well as some truly hilarious ones. More than a few surprises, one that revolves around Mak and his team. So much intrigue and suspense, that in all honesty I am surprised my fingernails survived to the end of the book.
Fun, emotional, scary, intriguing, suspenseful and romantic with some serious sizzle.
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The Northwest ISD attendance zone for Lance Thompson Elementary School is colored purple, image courtesy of NISD.
The Northwest ISD Board of Trustees approved Tuesday new attendance zones for the 2019-20 school year, with the biggest change being caused by the new elementary school in the Harvest subdivision.
Maps of the new attendance zones by campus level can be seen here.
Notably, the attendance zone is now set for Lance Thompson Elementary, the new school in Harvest that will open at the start of the 2019-20 school year.
The Lance Thompson attendance zone includes the west side of Harvest and Canyon Falls, as well as much of the area between those neighborhoods and the city of Justin, including the future Pecan Square community, where Hillwood plans to build more than 3,000 homes just west of I-35W and south of FM 407.
With the approval, district officials will this week send letters describing the attendance zone changes to families affected by the rezoning.
The 2019-20 attendance boundaries were approved following community feedback and a recommendation from a committee composed of parents, school representatives and district staff, according to a district news release.
Feedback was solicited through the Thoughtexchange online discussion process and Facebook Live presentation, providing the committee with guidance for what the community views as the most important factors in rezoning.


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