She manages to surprise him in every way that matters…Elite Navy SEAL Enrique “Phantom” Ramirez is trained to expect the unexpected, but his growing feelings for brilliant horse trainer Elena Garcia catch him completely off guard. Phantom needs Elena’s help to maintain his SEAL team’s cover—more critical than ever now that they’ve identified a conspiracy of mysterious power brokers in both … power brokers in both Mexico and the U.S. But how can he get her to train the ranch’s quarter horses without revealing who he really is? And without revealing his need for this woman whose indomitable spirit has captured his heart…
Texas Navy SEALs series:
A SEAL Never Quits (Book 1)
A SEAL Always Wins (Book 2)
more
3.75stars
Phantom and his team of SEALs are still on a secret mission and under cower. For Phantom to stay on a track with the mission he must hire Elena the hose trainer that he not so subtly fired from his ranch. Elena is thrilled that she will work again with old horses and that she will work with a hot cowboy that is easy on the eye doesn’t hurt too. Phantom and Elena have some crazy chemistry and they play this game of hot and cold until Elena’s life becomes in jeopardy and secrets are revealed. A story with insta love with the SEAL cowboy that is combined with mystery suspense and a little bit of action.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley
I didn’t read the first book before reading this one and fully understood everything that happened. This is the first book by this author that I have read and it certainly won’t be the last! This one is about Enrique “Phantom” Ramirez and Elena Garcia. Phantom needs Elena to help his team keep his cover but what he never expects is how he is coming to feel about her. But now he not only has to do his job but he has to keep the woman who is slowly becoming his everything safe.
I really liked this one! Phantom and Elena have this connection and chemistry right from the start and it just draws you right in. There is plenty of suspense and action that makes you want to know more. There is steam, and some snarkiness thrown in-which I love by the way! And the story itself just drew me in and kept me reading, along with going back and reading the first book because I wanted to know more! Can’t wait for the next one!
This author is one of the very authors who I will always download their books – I don’t need to sample/try them before downloading them because I know I am going to read another 5* book. What a great story full of tension, suspense and action from start to finish not forgetting the chemistry between Enrique “Phantom” Ramirez and Elena Garcia. This is a well written, addictive and intriguing book which I thoroughly enjoyed. Couldn’t put it down! Read on through the day and Into the early hours as just had to keep going! Can’t wait for the next one! Happy reading!!
A SEAL Always Wins by Holly Castillo is the second book in the Texas Navy SEALS. This is a group of SEALS working undercover along the Texas – Mexico border. The idea is unique because they are operating within the US. Usually their role is protecting those in the US from forces outside. This series walks near that line of division but does not cross it because of the danger coming from across the US border. This is then a believable and realistic story that hits on some troubling global issues such as human trafficking.
Within this overall theme of the ongoing fight against evil is a well developed love story between Navy SEAL Enrique “Phantom” Ramirez and Elena Garcia, a horse trainer. His undercover work has brought. The struggle between duty to country and the desires of his heart becomes a major focus. This well told story has a slow burn with the conflicting emotional struggles that make this a compelling read. There is danger, suspense and mystery that is intricate to the overall plot, making this even more compelling. A sure fire exciting story.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
An exciting sequel to the first book in this series. Navy SEAL Enrique “Phantom” Ramirez had taken over the training of the ranch horses when he realized, too late, that letting horse trainer Elena Garcia go was a mistake. When he convinces her to return to the Bent Horseshoe Ranch, he begins to have feelings for her. He knows that she has been hurt before and slowly convinces her to trust him. After he and his group of undercover SEALs, masquerading as ranchers, broke up a drug ring Phantom hoped that their troubles were over. A whisper of another possible threat arises and this time Elena may be in danger. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
I received a free copy to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
This is the second book in the Texas Navy SEALS series and it picks up where book one left off. In this book, we get a closer look at Phantom an Elena. In the first book, Phantom ran Elena off the ranch because he said they didn’t need a horse trainer because he could do it. But now they see that they do need her. The real reason he didn’t want her around was that he was attracted to her and she might distract him from his real job which was finding out who was behind the human trafficking in the town.
Elena is the town’s horse trainer and she has been doing it since she came to town right after graduating college. She is best friends with Anya. She couldn’t believe that Phantom fired her and now he wants her back. But the feelings he envokes inside her scares her a little. When Phantom touches her though she is affected in a good way.
When Elena is at one of the farms working with a few horses, she has to check on an invoice. She goes into the office and opens the computer and finds some horrifying information. When she leaves and goes home to run, someone follows her and tries to attack her. She has nowhere to run. When Phantom calls her and she tells him what happened, he tells her to come to his ranch.
Can the SEAL team get the bad guys before it is too late? Will Elena forgive Phantom for not telling her who he Realy is?
I really like this series, it is filled with suspense, intrigue and a storyline to keep you interested. If you like romantic suspense, then this series is for you. I can’t wait to see which SEAL book 3 will be about.
**Wicked Reads Review Team**
A SEAL ALWAYS WINS by Holly Castillo is the second book in the Texas Navy Seals romantic suspense series. The two protagonists are Navy SEAL Enrique (Phantom) Ramirez and horse trainer Elena Garcia. Phantom and his team are working undercover as quarter horse ranch owners and decide they need Elena’s help to maintain cover and hopefully learn information that will help them with their mission.
The story line is set in south Texas and in Mexico. The characters are compelling and definitely someone you can root for. They are strong and their goals are clear and believable. The supporting characters are well-rounded and enhance the story. The stakes were high as the tension built up to the conclusion. It had plenty of suspense and did not have the instant love that is so common in books. It also had some deep themes running through it including sexual harassment, drug and human trafficking, corruption, friendship and much more.
Overall, the plot was intriguing and contemporary. I was immediately interested in this novel. The prose was well-written and engrossing. The story is gripping, paced well, and well worth reading. I recommend it to those that enjoy romantic suspense novels and I am looking forward to reading book one in the series.
Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and Holly Castillo for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
For me this was more of a 3.5 story.
This second story in the series is the first book I have read by this author and it was entertaining.
The premise of the series is of a Navy SEAL team working out of a ranch in Texas. They were originally assigned to track and stop the drug cartels from infiltrating the USA. But now they have stumbled into a human trafficking ring.
Could the same individuals be the mastermind of both situations or are they dealing with two entities?
The main characters in this book are Phantom Ramirez and horse trainer Elena Garcia. They met originally when he fired her the moment the group took over the ranch she had been working at. But when he realizes he is over his head in training quarter horses (this is his cover), he seeks her help. The attraction intensifies, but Phantom is keeping his identity a secret. Will the discovery cause Elena to loose her trust in him?
When she’s put in danger , Phantom vows to safe her. But will he be able to get to her on time?
In general, I found the story entertaining, though Elena was less likable than Phantom, she was still ok.
I would give it a 3.5 but knowing that authors give their all in their craft, I will give it a 4 star review.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
A Seal Always Wins by Holly Castillo is a SEAL romance with an actual in depth story about the SEAL’s mission. Phantom (Enrique) got his nickname honestly. He moves without being heard. Sometimes this is a good thing, sometimes not. Elena Garcia is the best Quarter Horseshow trainer around. When Phantom and his mates bought the ranch to use as an undercover base, he though his experience with racehorses was enough so he let Elena go. He figured it out and not has to convince her to come and work for them again. That includes her training him to show horses as well. As he is walked around after his time in the arena her overhears a suspicious conversation that takes him back to the ranch and reporting that he believes there is a human trafficking setup nearby and they will be moving people soon. Elena, in order to make ends meet, works with horses at several ranches, including one owned by a man named Jonas who is twice her age but won’t take no for an answer. She plans to resign as soon as she can afford to but before that happens she accidentally stumbles upon the trafficking operation. She knows she has to get away, but he is quicker, sending a shooter to her apartment. Thank goodness her landlords were gone for the weekend. She doesn’t know where to go except to Phantom. Even not knowing his background and involvement, she knows she’ll be safe with him.
This is a terrific romance as well as a great SEAL thriller. There is even some Quarter Horse information thrown in for balance. Elena and Phantom are both terrific characters. Phantom has an overblown send of right and wrong and for a while thinks it’s wrong to get involved with Elena because of the danger with his job. Eventually he can’t resist. Elena is willing to give him his space. When he says he isn’t interested, she backs off. She is independent and clever. She is intent upon growing her business and her reputation as a trainer. They make a great couple. The other characters in the story are what they need to be, nothing more, nothing less. It is a good read. I recommend it.
I received a free ARC of A Seal Always Wins from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own.