Ethan / Owen (SEAL Protectors 1 & 2) by Katie Knight-reviews

ETHAN / OWEN (SEAL Protectors 1 & 2) by Katie Knight-reviews

ETHAN
(SEAL Protectors 1)
by Katie Knight
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic suspense

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 30, 2023

A Navy SEAL never, ever quits.
Navy SEAL Ethan Lee is facing his toughest mission yet when he’s hit with divorce papers. For too long the Navy came first and now he’s lost Helen, his only light during many dark missions. But Ethan has never backed down from anything and he’s not about to start now—especially when he finds out she’s pregnant.
Helen can’t take being second best any longer. She loves her husband, but her heart is broken and she’s not sure if it can ever be put back together. Then Ethan returns home, and her heart starts to flutter once more… but she’s not falling for it—her decision is final.
But keeping her distance from Ethan is hard when she’s forced to seek out his protective arms. After witnessing her boss receive a huge drug shipment, he’s now desperate to silence her and there’s no safer place than under Ethan’s watchful, smouldering gaze.

Facing danger together, will Helen realize that love can be just as unyielding as a Navy SEAL?

••••

REVIEW: ETHAN is the first instalment in Katie Knight’s contemporary, adult SEAL Protectors erotic, romantic suspense series. This is US Navy SEAL Ethan Lee, and museum education director Helen Lee’s story line.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Ethan and Helen) ETHAN follows the break down of a marriage in the wake of Ethan’s long absences from home. Served with divorce papers while on assignment, Ethan is granted some time off in an effort to save his struggling marriage, a marriage he believed was better than ever but Ethan’s return is met with more anxiety and conflict when he discovers his wife is pregnant, and she is the target of a man desperate enough to take revenge at all costs. On the run together, Ethan and Helen continue to battle about the future, a future in which Ethan has no desire to change the direction of his life. What ensues is the ongoing, embattled marriage between our story line couple, and the potential fall-out as Ethan and Helen’s issues of trust and a lack of communication threaten the life of our story line heroine.

The world building sets the tone for the series as the issues of the drugs and the people involved continues to be a part of the ongoing conflict. With each secret revealed, Helen, and journalist Sophie find themselves facing more complications, and threats by the people involved.

The relationship between Helen and Ethan is one of a crumbling marriage. Helen wants Ethan to settle down, and with the news of their surprise pregnancy, she needs her husband more than ever but Ethan is first married to his job: a Navy SEAL forever, a part of who he is not just what he does. Ethan refuses to step back even though his marriage is threatened, and in doing so, finds himself, looking towards the future alone. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Ethan’s friend and fellow SEAL Owen McCormick, journalist Sophie Carter, as well as Helen’s boss’ former sister in law Julie Hart; security guard Mason, and museum curator Benjamin Wilson.

ETHAN is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, the break down of a marriage, forgiveness and love. The premise is compelling and heart breaking; the romance is subtle; the characters are desperate, determined and broken. ETHAN ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-the overarching conflict has yet to be resolved.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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OWEN
(SEAL Protectors 2)
by Katie Knight
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic suspense

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 29, 2023

A journalist and a smouldering Navy SEAL team up as fake-married to take down a drug lord…

Sophie Carter is on the trail of a news story about a deadly new street drug. It’s an assignment that could make her career…but it’s a big risk.

When her investigation lands her in the cross hairs of a ruthless drug smuggler, she’s forced to hide out at a couple’s retreat—without her imaginary second half. Until Owen McCormick shows up, and announces he’s her husband. Now she’s got a smoking hot fake husband lending a helping hand, in more ways than one…

Owen and Sophie have never got on, but thanks to her investigaiton, they’re getting closer to proving who’s behind this deadly drug smuggling ring. But Sophie is gorgeous, whip-smart, and oh so tempting… pretending to her husband is driving him crazy. Owen’s been a player all his adult life. But Sophie’s making him realize the only way he can win this game may be to keep her in his heart forever.

Assuming they both live long enough to tell each other how they really feel

•••••••

REVIEW:OWEN is the second instalment in Katie Knight’s contemporary, adult SEAL Protectors erotic romantic suspense series focusing on three former US Navy SEALs. This is SEAL turned security Owen McCormick, and journalist Sophie Carter’s story line. OWEN can be read as a stand alone but for back story and cohesion, I recommend reading the series in order as there is an ongoing premise throughout. Owen and Sophie were first introduced in book one ETHAN.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Owen and Sophie) OWEN focuses on the search for the truth. Sophie Carter is a journalist who is researching a story about a the influx of drugs in their town. When her best friend Helen (Ethan) discovers her boss is importing drugs, Sophie begins an investigation that is about to place a target on her back. Desperate to protect her friend, Helen asks her Navy SEAL husband to suggest someone to help. Enter former US Navy SEAL Owen McCormick, and the man with whom Sophie will fall in love. Under cover and in hiding as a married couple at a local retreat, Sophie continues her investigation, an investigation wherein someone will die, and their lives will be threatened on more than one occasion. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Sophie and Owen, and the potential fall-out a new player in the drug game takes control,taking aim at our story line couple.

The world building continues to focus on the search for the truth. Sophie Carter is willing to do just about anything for the story including placing herself, and everyone else in the direct line of fire. Her best friend Helen is still in hiding, now the threats have been directed at our story line heroine.

The relationship between Sophie and Owen is an enemies to friends to lovers. Sophie doesn’t want protection or help, and Owen’s presence is a threat to her acquiring a story. At every opportunity, Sophie places herself in danger, and in doing so, more than one person is about to lose their life. As Owen struggles to convince Sophie her life is in danger, our heroine, often TSTL, ignores Owen’s warnings. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense.

We are introduced to couple’s resort counsellor Luna, drug lieutenant Razor, and fixer Quinn, as well as the return of Helen, Ethan and Julia. Julia and Sean’s story line is next.

OWEN is another story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, acceptance and love. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the characters are determined; the romance is seductive.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Lonely Lords (Darius, Nicholas and Ethan) by Grace Burrowes-a combined review

The Lonely Lords (Darius, Nicholas and Ethan) by Grace Burrowes-a combined review

The Lonely Lords
5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

WOW … just WOW! Does Grace Burrowes know how to write a beautiful story with intriguing chracters and storylines. Right from the get go I am completely captivated and drawn in. This review consists of the first three books of her new Historical Romance Lonley Lords Series, Darius, Nicholas and Ethan. Our setting is early 1800’s, England (be it city or country) and our story revolves around a gentleman who is lost is many ways and finds his lady (through the usual angst, drama, seduction and action). Each book is interconnected and you should to read them in order. As a matter of fact the first and second book run parallel to each other.

Okay on with the reviews! 🙂

•••••••••••••••••

1 – DARIUS Lord of Pleasures by GRACE BURROWES
Release Date: April 2, 2013

Darius

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DESCRIPTION
Desperate, penniless, and shunned by his wealthy father, Darius Lindsey begins offering himself secretly to jaded society ladies. He hangs onto his last shreds of honor, but he’s losing ground financially each month.

That is until the aging Lord William Longstreet makes Darius an offer he can’t refuse: get the Lord’s pretty young wife-of-convenience, Lady Vivian, pregnant discreetly, and he will earn enough money to never want again. But problems lie ahead when the stunning Vivian captures his heart, and his clients refuse to let him go. Can Darius untangle himself without scandal and offer himself to Vivian heart and soul?

REVIEW

Right from the start we are thrown into a very uncomfortable chat between the elderly Lord William Longstreet and our main man Darius. Lord William has asked Darius to entertain his young wife Vivian (our leading lady) in the country and get her “with child”.

Darius, who has been shunned and financially abandoned by his father who happens to be an Earl (and a real *&^&*), has had to consort to whoring himself to very wicked and horribly natured high society women (these woman are seriously messed up in the head). So this conversation, while surprising, is not so far fetched. Seeing as the coin earned from this month in the country can provide future financial stability for Darius and those he is responsible for, he reluctantly agrees.

Vivian, who was once Lord Williams beloved first wife’s companion, married William after his wife’s passing. William married her to protect her from her evil step-father, ill intended suitors and because they shared a bond through his first wife. They are great friends and both are content with a marriage of friendship. Lord William has had some bad luck though and over the years has lost his two sons (that he had with his first wife) and therefore his heirs. He requires another heir so that his title and funds are not claimed by the crown upon his death so that is when this deal with Darius is struck.

Vivian and Darius spend the month together and come to realize that they are not only very compatible, but they are beginning to fall in love with each other (body discovery between these two is quite juicy at times .. TeeHee). Their month together is also successful.

Rich RICH characters (and I am not talking about moula here), that are woven into a well balanced, and flowing story. A wonderful start to this series.

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2 – NICHOLAS Lord of Secrets by GRACE BURROWES
Release Date: May 7, 2013

Nicholas

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DESCRIPTION

Nicholas Haddonfield has something to hide…

After a wild youth, Nicholas Haddonfield, Viscount Reston, has promised his ailing father he’ll finally take a bride, though doing so will force Nick to make impossible choices and face old, painful wounds.

Leah Lindsey is glad to find refuge from her own desperate situation in a marriage of convenience with the gallant viscount. But soon convenience is not enough, and Leah can’t understand why Nick remains so distant. What is he hiding, and will he never allow her into his heart?

An extraordinary and passionate tale of courage tested and fears overcome. Once you enter the lush Regency world of award-winningNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Grace Burrowes, you’ll never want to leave.

REVIEW

Nicholas is a naughty, slutty, dreamy, flirt, large LARGE built, hilarious Lord. He took me right in and by the 10th page I was IN LOVE! LOL Nicholas comes with many secrets, and many reserves which make him a complex and complicated man.

Leah and Nicolas meet in a quiet room as both are trying to esacpe their prospective futures while attending a ball. This meeting is brief, honest and ends with a kiss. They are both quite taken with each other.

Nicholas is about to inherite an earldom and and has promised his ailing father that he will marry. Leah is in a desperate situation of her own where her life literally is hanging in the balance. As the two build the foundation to a beautiful friendship (and falling in love) Nicholas feels protective and responsible for Leah. This leads to the proposal of marriage. HOWEVER .. this is to be a “white” marriage. Meaning, no consumation, no children (Nicholas harbors serious secrets and fears). While Leah agrees to these terms, she believes she can break him down.

These two are something else to read. They are most suited and I loved the bursts of shock and secrets that came out throughout the story. There was some serious heat between them as well and Nicholas charater in general just has so much appeal.

We are also introduced to Nicholas’s brother Ethan in this story and you can see the set up for book 3.

______________________________________________________________________

3 – ETHAN Lord of Scandal by Grace Burrowes
Release Date: June 4, 2013

Ethan

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DESCRIPTION

Ethan Grey’s life was shattered…

Estranged from his family, widowed after an unhappy marriage, and weary from fighting his troubled past, Ethan Grey now has a chance for redemption. His son’s beautiful and remarkable governess might help him battle his ghosts, but it’s been a long time since he let himself get close to anyone.

Alice Portman has more in common with Ethan than she can comfortably admit. For now, she’s satisfied with helping him rebuild his life and family. But the dangerous past is about to catch up with them both.

An unforgettable Regency tale of two wounded people who get another chance at love. Award-winning New York Times and USA Todaybestselling author Grace Burrowes’s extraordinary writing will immerse you in a Regency world unlike any you’ve experienced.

REVIEW

MY FAVE so far! Ethan is so complex and multi layered, somewhat of a stick in the mud and his transformation throughout this story was so much fun to read!

Ethan (as revealed in book 2) is the bastard son of the recently deceased Earl and half brother to Nicholas. As young boys. these two were attached to hips. The old earl had far fetched reasons, but he sent Ethan away and this of course strained all relationships. Nicolas is desperate to be in his brother’s life. Ethan is a widower of a ill matched marriage, has two sons who have been raised by the estate staff and takes his pleasure in his ledgers and structured life.

Alice Portman is a governess is disguise. She is running from a past that is so horrid and scandalous she has even changed her name. She agrees to take on the governess position for Ethans two sons. She has terms however, and they include Ethan being more of a father to his children.

Bit by bit, these two develop the most honest friendship which turns to attraction. They steal kisses, but both of their scandalous pasts seem to hold them back from true love. Ethan transforms from a cold man to a loving father, wonderful friend, friendly neighbour. Man I rooted for him though this entire book.

As with all books of this genre, pasts never remain in the past and the scandals and secrets come to surface. The obstacles that need to avoided are great … but these two make it look effortless.

OVERALL .. WONDERFUL SERIES so far! I am looking forward to jumping into the next few! Is you love this genre, a beautiful love story you need to check this series out! Grace Burrowes delivers!

HAPPY READING!

Copies supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Rachel T.

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