They’re brothers in arms, Navy SEALS risking their lives for their country . . . and the women they love. This is Luke Harding’s story. Six months in a desert hellhole taught Navy SEAL Luke Harding things he never wanted to learn about life and death. Only tender memories of the beautiful brunette he met a few weeks before his deployment helped get him through the torturous days and … deployment helped get him through the torturous days and nights. Back in the States after a perilous rescue, physically and emotionally damaged, Luke’s about to plunge into a new kind of war. In a seemingly bucolic Idaho town, Sally Duncan faces real—and unpredictable—danger.
All Sally ever wanted was a safe place to raise her nine-year-old daughter. Her identity hidden behind a façade of secrets and lies, can she trust Luke—a man she barely knows—with the truth? Even as they give in to long-denied passion, a killer with a personal vendetta is setting an ambush that will leave them praying for a miracle and fighting for the future they may not live to see.
Praise for Dixie Lee Brown
“Dixie Lee Brown delivers all the goods in high style: romance, adventure and suspense-with a generous helping of sexy that will leave readers clamoring for more. The talented Ms. Brown writes the kind of story romance readers crave: sexy, fun and filled with adventure and suspense.”
—Linda Castillo, New York Times bestselling author of The Dead Will Tell
“Brown will thrill readers who enjoy some spice.” —Library Journal
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This book. *sigh* So good. It pulls you in and makes you forget you’re reading. I got lost in these characters and their story. Luke is such a wonderful hero. Sexy, flawed but in a way that just tugs at your heart, and an overall nice guy. Sally was someone I liked and really felt for. And Luke’s relationship with Jen? Swoon worthy. Gosh, I just fell in love with this book. My favorite of Dixie’s so far.
Romance, suspense, mystery, and steam with characters who are damaged and tortured, yet strong. This author has a talent for matching characters who fill the gaps in each other’s broken places. A must read.
Wow! I could not put this book down! I was completely glued to this book from the start to the very last page! This book kept me fully engaged and entertained the entire way through!
I love a good romantic suspense book and this book totally fits the bill!
First off, I have to mention the extremely well-developed characters! Luke and Sally were genuine, likable, and relatable. They were easy to picture as a couple – the ones you’d go to for advice, cheer for, and even want to join for double dates. Luke and Sally’s chemistry just sizzled and sparked right off the page! I really enjoyed following along on their adventure and couldn’t get enough of their story!
Over the course of the book it is revealed that both Luke and Sally have gone through some very difficult trauma’s. This only makes them even more realistic and their shared damages seem to bring them closer together. I love these kinds of books that don’t make character’s lives seem “perfect.” Since no one’s real life is ever like that. I like the messy parts and Ms. Brown gives her readers just that.
This book is jampacked full of action, adventure, and suspense! There is so much going on and I completely got sucked into the story and could not put the book down! I just had to know what was going to happen next!
There were some really good surprising twists that I totally didn’t see coming and it will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat!
I like that this book touches on many topics such as love, romance, friendship, second chances, determination, morals, courage, resilience, setting goals, dedication, overcoming obstacles, and so much more!
This book has an excellent storyline that flows, terrific writing style with detailed scenes, fantastic characters, is fast paced, and keeps you completely entertained through the last page!
This book is book one of the Hearts of Valor Book Series.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend this book to all romantic suspense readers!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
Whenever I’m looking for romantic suspense, I head right to Dixie Lee Brown’s books. From page one she pulls you in with drama and richly drawn characters. Her latest, Heart of a Seal, doesn’t disappoint. An action-packed story of redemption that reader’s of this genre will not be able to put down.
When I read Rescued By Ranger, a previous, standalone book by the author, I was intrigued by Garrett’s brother, Luke. And Luke and his heart-wrenching story do not disappoint.
The story is intense with the danger and threats coming from several different, unexpected sources. It is touching and heartbreaking, the depth of the emotions taking my breath away.
The despair and pain Luke faced as a prisoner of the war, the threats, danger, and attacks Sally had lived with most of her life, the feelings they had for each other, the pain they had cost for each other, it all was poignantly touching and went straight to my heart. I am not ashamed to admit, Luke’s destiny had me sobbing by the end of chapter one. It is a rare occasion that a story, at that early point, have such a strong connection to my mind and heart.
Sally, Luke, and the family and friends surrounding them, are in for a fight for their lives. It is intense, vigorous, and violent. The enemies and people wanting to use them and harm them seem to be coming from every possible direction. It is constant, it is scary, it is menacing, each sharp turn in the plot giving the story a new edge their barely hang on to. No matter where they go, how deeply they hide, who is protecting them, it seems like the malice has an all-knowing arm with an ability to reach them in any and all circumstances.
Luke is a man of integrity, honesty, and loyalty. He has a kind and generous heart, he is resilient, smart, and a man of action. The terrors he has faced, the evilness of the men who captured him, they tried to break him down, nearly succeeding. The beam of light, and hope, that kept him going were Sally and her daughter, and the connection they briefly had before he was deployed.
Sally was a mysterious character. The more I got to know her, the more insights into her life were revealed, the more my heart ached for her and for the trials and tribulations she had had to face.
The connection between Luke and Sally is a tangible force. After all the turbulence between them, Luke’s honesty with his feelings for her was refreshingly sincere and true. There is passion, compassion, adoration, and admiration between them that develop into something rare, something special, something to be treasured and cherished. If only they will survive to see another day arise.
The brutally raw action and emotions, the desire for each other and to outlive the attacks, the battle for survival and holding on to the beam of hope and happiness that seems to be slipping away with each assault, all these elements intensify the story, making it strong, sharp, harch, and fierce. There are the rough and raw aspects of the tale, as well as the delightfully cute, elated, and joyful ones, that mixed together makes a story that held me captivated, on the edge, and cheering for the hero and heroine to find a way to survive and thrive.
A well written, twisted and thrilling story of suspense, mixed with a vehement tale of soulmates overcoming the biggest obstacles in life and still daring to have faith to take the leap for love.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Avid Reader –
M/F Romance thriller
Triggers: torture, PTSD, stalking, murder
Luke Harding is a survivor. After being a POW for several months, he’s back state side and trying to get through the nightmares. Just before he was deployed, he met the woman of his dreams. Sally and her sweet daughter, Jen, are what got him through the most difficult time in his life. A photograph is what held him together. But once he was back, because of his own insecurities, he denies Sally the chance to see him and make sure that he’s okay.
Sally has been living a few different lies for a while. She is constantly watching her back for people who could come after her and her daughter, as well as constantly on alert for her daughter’s father. When Luke finally does come for her, she’s hesitant to allow him in since he hurt her daughter.
What follows is a series of events that leaves the reader wanting to know who is really after Sally, Jen, and Luke. I loved seeing Luke’s buddies step in and hope that they each get their own stories. The twists and turns in this book are remarkable. I think for me, where the book fell a little short was that the romance was a little stunted. The chemistry that Luke and Sally had before he went to war was talked about, but I don’t think that it really came through. It felt that Jen and Luke were closer and had more secrets than he and Sally.
Overall, this was a successful book and I truly enjoyed it. I do wish the issue between Jen’s dad was more complete, but maybe it will be in the next book. I can’t wait to see who gets the next story.
Mary Jo –
Triggers: torture, domestic violence
There was a lot going on in this book and at times the book felt rushed.
Luke’s time as a POW caused more than just physical injuries, the dreams he has brings it all back. He knows that when came home, he pushed a lot of people of away when he really should have drawn them close.
Sally was hurt by Luke’s refusal to see her. She understood that he did it because he was hurting, both mentally and emotionally. Still, the hurt in her daughter’s heart is something that she can’t forget.
When trouble comes knocking on Sally’s door, Luke is glad that he is there to protect her and Jen. He knows that he has a lot to make up for and he’s hopeful that Sally will eventually forgive him.
The issue with Sally’s father was resolved fairly quickly and the person who caused most of the drama seemed to be improbable.
The romance was good and I’m always glad of a happy ending.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Heart of a SEAL (Hearts of Valor #1) by Dixie Lee Brown to read and review.
A very exciting, heartwarming story of flawed characters struggling to find their balance and stability in the world again. Ending was unpredictable in part, but happy ever after as well.
A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. The author knocked this story out of the park. My interest was piqued on the first page and the flow of the story stayed on point. Loved the twist and highly recommend this one.
The title of this book drew me to it, and since it was by an author I was not familiar with, I decided to give it a try.
I am so glad I did!!
Former Navy SEAL Luke Harding and single Mom, Sally , met a few weeks before deployment. Neither foreseeing the horror Luke would endure as a POW in Afghanistan. When he returns to a hospital in the USA almost dead, he refuses to see Sally. Devastated, she left thinking she would never see him.
They meet again when Luke goes to check on her , and ends up rescuing her from a date gone wrong. Along the way, danger follows them .
These two have lots of baggage. Luke due to the results of his imprisonment and Sally because she has secrets .
It was an engaging story with strong , complex characters. A plot filled with suspense , bad guys as well as honorable Navy SEALS . At times heartbreaking, but also heartwarming.
In addition to a story that holds your attention from page one, it was also a reminder that we need to honor and thank the courageous men and women who are willing to sacrifice their lives to keep us safe, not only abroad but also at home. For that , kudos to the author.
I foresee future story for the other former Navy SEALs that were part of the plot.
I was gifted this copy by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
** I received a copy of Heart of a SEAL from Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**
Heart of a SEAL by Dixie Lee Brown is the first book of the Hearts of Valor series. If Mack and Coop’s book are as good as Luke’s then you’ll be in for a wild ride through the series. This is Luke and Sally’s story and worth all 4.8 stars trust me on this.
Luke Harding survived a helicopter crash that took the lives of his three teammates and landed him and his teammate Ian into a POW camp run by a splinter group of Al-Qaeda. But after six months he’s not only been beaten but he’s survived because of a photo of Sally and her daughter Jen. They met before he deployed and hope that she’ll be there if he ever gets out of this prison. But luck is on his side when the SEALs swoop in for a rescue and hope he’ll survive his injuries. Can he convince Sally Duncan to give him a second chance because he said he didn’t want to see her while he healed both his mind and body? He hopes so because he loves little Jennifer like she’s his own now if he can convince Sally.
Sally Duncan has secrets but what she doesn’t count on is her boss literally hitting on her. Little does she know that after he takes her home from their date that Luke will be waiting and able to do what he does best rescue her. What Sally doesn’t want is excuses from Luke or the fact her house will catch on fire but he’s able to get them out safely before you guessed it an explosion finished the job. So once again they are on the run from not only the same person she’s running from but also a person who wants Luke dead and if Sally, Jen and a few of Luke’s buddies so be it.
This is a fantastic book with lots of action, a bad guy who turns out to be good, US Marshall’s and WITSEC. Add in a group of terrorists that will need Luke’s former SEAL team and Daniel’s need for vengeance for his brothers death to stop an attack that could be worse than 9/11.
SEALS Defending Family and Freedom
This book is the first in a series of three novels written about three members of a SEAL team that had been deployed in Iraq. They all carry wounds, including those you don’t see. This is a love story as well as a story of healing. As our SEAL learns he can trust his heart in her hands, she learns that she can trust her life in his. One would think that the danger would be gone once he returns home, but there are villains everywhere. It is up to find out just what they want! It is a great plot that does not go where you think it is going. Just as soon as one thing is resolved, another jumps up. And that keeps up through the entire book. Lots of action! I will be sure to read more from this author.