A sizzling new series about three friends looking for love-and the sexy SEALs who are ready to fulfill their craziest fantasies. This second chance was worth the wait . . . As a SEAL, Gabriel Donovan did the toughest jobs imaginable without blinking an eye. But three years after his wife’s death, the idea of dating still makes him sick to his stomach. His daughter desperately needs a mother, … mother, though, and there’s nothing Gabe won’t do for his little girl. Stephanie Mason doesn’t run from anything. Not even coming face to face with the “one that got away” on a blind date. Steph’s body vividly remembers every single thing about Gabe and while some things have changed, the way he makes her feel sure as hell hasn’t. Gabe and Steph know that love comes with risks, but if they’re brave enough, this second chance might just bring them the love of a lifetime.
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3.75 stars– A SEAL’S STRENGTH is the second instalment in JM Stewart’s contemporary, adult MILITARY MATCH erotic, romance series focusing on three former military friends who search for love using Military Match dot com. This is former Navy SEAL and single father Gabriel Donovan, and attorney Stephanie Mason’s story line. A SEAL’S STRENGTH can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Gabe and Stephanie) A SEAL’S STRENGTH is a second chance romance between former Navy SEAL and single father Gabriel Donovan, and Attorney Stephanie Mason. Eleven years earlier, after the sudden death of his parents, Gabriel Donovan walked out of Stephanie Mason’s life without a backwards glance. A brief affair with another woman pulled Gabriel into a quick marriage and fatherhood, only to be left a single father upon the death of his wife seven years later. Fast forward to present day wherein Gabriel finds himself using the services of his buddy’s wife’s online dating service-Military Match dot com-only to come face to face with a past he has never forgotten. Enter Stephanie Mason, the woman Gabriel would never forget. What ensues is the rebuilding romance between Stephanie and Gabriel, but a romance with an expiry date, set out from the start.
A SEAL’S STRENGTH is a quick read; a story of family and friendship; of heartbreak and loss; of moving forward and letting go of the past. Gabriel doesn’t do relationships but his loneliness since the death of his wife forces our hero to move out of the past. Rekindling his friendship and relationship with Stephanie Mason reveals eleven years of heartbreak for a woman who never got over her first and only love. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the characters are charismatic and colorful; the romance is passionate and hot but, one again, I have issues with the use of a certain four-letter word I find unnecessary in the romance genre.
Gabriel Donovan has spent the last three years mourning the loss of his wife and the life they had, but now it’s time for him to finally close the chapter on that story, and start a new one, per his ten year old daughters request. She is growing up and Gabriel is starting to realize that there maybe some things that they come across soon that would be better taught by a woman, so he is going to put on a brave face and see what the dating world has to offer him. What he doesn’t expect to find is the woman who holds a place in some of his favorite memories, a woman who he walked away from eleven years ago, to join the military. Question is will she be willing to let him back in again?
During the last eleven years Stephanie Mason has often wondered about Gabe, “the one who got away”, and often thought what it would have been like if he had stayed instead of walking away. But then again he wasn’t into doing attachments, he preferred the strings free approach to things and Stephanie saw them sharing so much more…so it was probably a good thing he let her go. But now he is unexpectedly back in her life, and now she is the one who is putting the brakes on things, he is a far different man than before. But her body doesn’t seem to know the difference, the spark they once shared is there, full force, and he wants to see where it will take them…now she must decide if he is worth the risk?
A SEAL’s Strength is a seriously sexy second chance romance story, that should not be missed! After finishing A SEAL’s Courage I couldn’t wait to dive into the next one and meet another one of Ms. Stewart’s sexy SEAL’s, and I have to say that Mr. Donovan did not disappoint. Nothing steals your heart quite like a sexy alpha to the bone SEAL who also happens to be a single father, watching him, Stephanie, and his daughter’s beautiful story unfold was such a rewarding and heartwarming experience for me. It had moments that had me near tears, moments that had my heart rejoicing, and moments that me fanning my face…the man sure know’s how to turn up the heat!! I highly recommend you pick this one up, these wonderfully characters are sure to steal your heart!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
A Seal’s Strength (Military Match Book 2) by J.M. Stewart
This is Gabriel “Gabe” Donovan and Stephanie “Steph” Mason’s story.
This is an emotional second chance romance. Steph and Gabe were more than friends in college. Due to circumstances Gabe drifted away from her.
Gabe still hasn’t gotten back into dating since his wife died. His friends and daughter tell him it’s time to start living again.
Steph was hurt when she and Gabe lost contact. She wants to be able find the “one”. But is having trouble trusting after the disaster of her last relationship.
Steph and Gabe are reunited through a blind date. The chemistry is still really strong between them. Will they be able to let their guards down and take a chance on live?
There was just something about Gabe and Steph’s characters that pulled me in. I could feel their emotions whether sad or happy. At times I wanted to smack some sense into them but they figured it out on their own. Loved their story!
FYI, contains mature and graphic content. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Out of tragic circumstances a second chance blooms. The alpha in Gabe is put to the test. When a father’s love for his daughter collides with first love, one mighty Navy Seal is about to be brought to his knees. A Seal’s Strength is a sweet dash of salty with regular sprinkles of naughty. My favorite moments are the interactions of a father with the love of his life, his daughter. He encourages her, he listens to her and he becomes a better person because of her. Ms. Stewart can seduce with the best of them, but her stories are more than just wickedly tempting, they spark emotion and humor.