The Way of the Warrior
by Suzanne Brockmann, Julie Ann Walker , Catherine Mann , Tina Wainscott , Anne Elizabeth, M.L. Buchman , Kate SeRine , Lea Griffith
Blurb:
The
Wounded Warrior Project was founded in 2002 and provides a wide range of
programs and services to veterans and service members who have survived
physical or mental injury during their brave service to our nation. Get
involved or register for programs and benefits for yourself and your family
online at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Themes: military,
contemporary, anthology
Rating: 4.25 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
There are so few chances in this world for people to
make a difference with something as simple as picking up a book, but I am
humbled to say I have been given the chance to read and review the newest short stories
that have been compiled for the best of causes--supporting our wounded soldiers
and their families. This anthology of stories revolves around military warriors
and the women they fall in love with, written by eight well-loved and
remarkable authors for a great benefit to others. Each story will have its own level of
greatness so I will be giving a brief review of each and then a final review of
the book as a whole. Please join me in
supporting this beneficial cause by doing the one thing we all love to do...
buying more books!!
1. Hot as Hell by Julie Ann Walker
Julie
Ann Walker's addition to this compilation is actually a prequel to her new Deep
Six trilogy, all about the lives of a former SEAL team that are running an
excavation company now. This is the story of one of their team and his
connection with a sexy and sensual ambassador's aid during a dangerous rescue
in the Middle East. The story itself is
very short but full of passion and sweetness, not to mention an amazing
introduction to what will be an obviously amazing group of men. Even with its short length Hot as Hell
manages to hit all the right buttons and give a truly romantic telling of a
love that I hope to see more of in the
coming stories. Michael and Harper are
both interesting characters, but we only skim the surface of them really and I
kind of wished they'd gotten a full-length novel too. I am looking forward to learning more about
the men of the team we met and meeting the rest of the team as well. Looks like another great series is coming to
us from one of my favorite contemporary authors, especially if these men are
anywhere as near badass as the men of Black Knights Inc. Cannot wait to see the mischief they get into
and the women that ultimately tame them and steal their hearts.
Rating: 3.75 stars
Heat Rating: 4
2. In Plain Sight by Catherine Mann
Wow I’m even more thrilled that I grabbed up this
anthology, I didn’t realize at the time that a novella for one of my favorite
series, one that has been stalled a while now, was included. Gavin and Stacy's story was a wonderful and
beautiful surprise, giving me closure after seeing him almost die in previous
novels in the series. Gavin is just as great a character as he was in previous
novel as he comes to terms with the changes in his life and returns home to the
one woman that got away--just in time to save her life from a mistake that haunts her
from her past. Stacy never imagined her
life would come full circle, giving her another chance at the life she always
wanted with Gavin, but it was so well written I could easily imagine this
happening in reality. Gavin was sensual
and sweet, even as he worked to overcome his inadequacies and keep Stacy safe
from a killer. Stacy has finally decided
that she has a reason to embrace life again and Gavin gives her the strength to
battle her own demons and protect them both.
It was great to see some old friends and I’m hoping this passionate and
sensual novella is a return to the Elite series, which I have greatly
missed. Catherine, you are just evil to
give us this little glimpse without a promise of the next story coming
soon...evil but still awesome!
Rating: 4 stars
Heat Rating: 4
3. Torn by Kate SeRine
Well, well, childhood sweethearts find very much
adult love in this story by an author I am unfamiliar with, but will keep an
eye out for in the future. Torn revolves around a couple that have been friends
all their lives and never admitted to each other the true depth of their
feelings, but when a psycho stalker forces them to come to terms with each
other the heat is blinding and the sweetness of their love is apparent in each touch
and smile. I very much enjoyed Joe and
Sadie's story and would like to read the stories of his brothers if that possibility
comes along, as they seem like an interesting family of lawmen. Sadie was a sweet character, one that you
could easily dismiss as just a bit of fluff, but she is obviously strong as
steel at her core. Joe has had a really
rough time dealing with the changes that come for a wounded warrior when they
return to their homes, but he is going to make it with the love of a good woman
at his side and his own determination to return to the man he's forgotten still
exists behind the scars and fear. A
great picture of the life of a wounded guardsmen, one of the many that have
been called into battle with no expectations or real understanding of what they’d
be facing. The story was full of love,
passion, and very well written, so I’m going to keep my mind open to SeRine in
the future if I see her name come up for reviews.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Heat Rating: 4
4. War Games Lea Griffith
Wow,
I really did not see this one coming at all!! Let’s just start this off by
saying that this short story starts with a prison break from Leavenworth and
ends with a secret agency fighting a conspiracy against dirty government
officials… can you say AWESOME? There was so much subtext and so much going on
in this short novella that I found my head spinning a time or two. Olivia seems
like a super intelligent woman, one that will give all for her convictions, and
I enjoyed meeting her, though I would have loved to gotten more of her in a
longer story. Rook was an intense and
sensual guy when he wasn’t threatening Olivia’s life, but the connection
between them was REALLY fast and intense.
Literally within hours of meeting each other they were about to rip each
other’s clothes off and commit to a relationship. I guess it’s true what they say about intense
situations creating connections, but the writing was so well done it was
actually pretty believable. I am curious
to see if this story is the beginning of a new series and will be keeping eyes
and ears open to find out for sure, because I’d really love to learn more about
this ENDGAME thing and the new agency she created in the story. Definitely an author to keep a look out
for.
Rating: 3 stars
Heat Rating: 4
5. Beauty and the Marine by Tina Wainscott
Ok so that was weirdly intense for such a short story.
Wainscott's contribution to this anthology about warriors focuses on a marine
that has returned home to hide from the scars left by a fire during war.
He's hiding on his family property and as offered their hunting resort for a
safe place to be used by a team of security specialists protecting a
model. Kristy has a stalker and she is determined to get him off her
back, no matter what it takes, but when she meets Griff, she instantly feelings
a connection to the man. Griff's scars don't put her off in the least and
when it's time for her to return to the city, she asks Griff to come with her
so they can have a chance at a relationship. The story was interesting,
though one I have basically read before in longer versions by other authors. There were some funny moments and some fun moments, but I
didn't really connect with this story like I have the previous ones in this
group. Overall a decent read, but not the best in the bunch to me.
Rating: 2.75 stars
Heat Rating: 3
6. NSDQ by M.L. Buchman
Awww what a sweet and heartwarming story about a
wounded female warrior Superwoman and the Superman who stole her heart. I enjoyed very much seeing the healing story
about Lois and Kendall, even with the few moments of real intensity as she
relived the crash where she lost her leg again and again. Kendall was such a
real sweetheart, while remaining a strong influence in Lois's life. I really liked his character and would have
loved to see him have gotten a full length novel. Lois herself was a role model for sure and I
am thrilled to have gotten to see how she grew into an even stronger woman with
the love of her man. I've never read any
of Buchman's work, but after reading this I might just have to pick some up to
see if they are any steamier when they are longer. A great twist on the expectation of the
wounded warriors all being big strong alpha men.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Heat Rating: 2
7. SEALed with Passion by Anne Elizabeth
Well
Jonah and Alisha's story is a perfect example of the important of communication
in any relationship. For being such a
short story there was certainly a lot of changing of minds, hearts, and coming
together of bodies in this story about two former lovers getting a second chance at love. I loved seeing Jonah and Kevin interacting
and knowing that the deep bond between them made them more than brothers, and of
course having two sets of best friends be coupled up makes the future so much
brighter for them all. Alisha's passions
ran high in everything she did and when she learned the truth of why they
weren't together the past five years, she is quick to remedy the damage and
claim her SEAL for herself. I enjoyed
the story and the characters even if the writing wasn't my favorite and the
dialogue was a bit odd at times. I may
just have to check this author out if my TBR pile ever shrinks. Short, sweet,
sexy and full of hope, SEALed with Passion was a great story for this anthology
and would make a great stand-alone novella too.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Heat Rating: 4
8. Home Fire Inferno by Suzanne Brockmann
Well
I guess after a long book with many stories of people finding love, it's only
fair that the last story revolve around what comes after that love is
found. This brief glimpse into an
interesting and obviously prolific SEAL team and their families was
entertaining, sweet and a snapshot of a true extended family--one that came
together by choice instead of by blood and filled with love. Babies born, new romances begun, little hints
of past couples in what I’m guessing is a long series and even some intensity
with drama and danger as they all work together to avert tragedy. I liked the author's writing as well, though
the way she broke up the story was odd to me and I’d be wary if the full length
ones were done this way as well. All in
all a cute and lovable way to end the anthology.
Rating: 3 stars
Heat Rating: 0
So to wrap up my review, I will have to say that I loved this
book as a group, each story flowing nicely from heated intensity to loving
sweetness. There were plenty of little dramas, intrigue, and
glimpses into several series I am looking forward to. The
warriors in each novel were all strong characters, both male and female, and I
loved seeing them working to get past the changes in their lives. I
am thrilled to have had the chance to read and review an early copy of this
novel and you can bet I will buy my own copy and several more for friends and
family. Supporting such a wonderful cause, doing something I like to
anyway, and making sure that people know about such a worthy cause and this
easy way to give back to so many soldiers that have given their lives to keep
us safe. Being a military brat of several generations, I felt deep
connections with all the wounded warriors and am more than willing to share the
word with the world.
*eARC provided by publisher (via
netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review. No
compensation was provided.
As a personal plea,
keep in mind that even helping a bit for these men and women is great.
Giving money for support is important, but consider giving time as well,
working on one of the projects they often have going on that need
volunteers. Giving of yourself, like they have given to us, is the best
way to thank and pay your respects to these warriors and their families.
For more info see the website below:
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