The newest series book is now available!
About ONCE UPON A SEAL:
Maddie Benson has spent her entire life in Sugar Falls and has never ventured—nor wanted to venture—beyond her small town’s safe borders. But when her delivery job takes her to the doorstep of one very reclusive, former Navy SEAL, Sebastian McIntyre, her small town perceptions are challenged with every conversation they have. It’s not long before she’s losing herself—and her heart—to the mysterious man behind the door.
Bastian’s scars are deeper than the surface. They’re embedded into his soul, and he’s content to keep them buried. But the second Maddie ends up on his doorstep with her sparkling smile and her sunshine hair, his quiet new life shatters and she just might be able to excise the demons he’s tried hard to keep tucked away—if he lets her in.
When Bastian’s old life comes haunting them, he knows he should let her go. But the light she shines on his soul keeps the darkness within him at bay. Letting her go may take more strength than he has, and keeping her close could get her killed.
Excerpt:
Tommy’s Grocery was the only grocery store in Sugar Falls. We had a lot of older folks that lived out in the country, so I frequently ran out deliveries for them. But as I surveyed the contents of the delivery I had now, making sure I had them all, this wasn’t for one of the older couples, and I hadn’t recognized the name on the order either. Sebastian? It sounded like a younger guy. Why couldn’t a younger guy come get his own groceries?
And it wasn’t a particularly large order either. Lots of fruits, vegetables, a package of razors. So I imagined he was a clean-shaven health nut. Not that I cared either way. I got paid no matter what. And honestly, even though it was hot outside, I still liked getting the fresh air and not being stuck in the store all day.
The house wasn’t a rundown piece of crap like I expected, which was further evidence that it wasn’t an older man. The house was cute, gorgeous and had colorful flowers lining the front porch. Pretty walking stones framed the sides of the circular driveway. The grass was slightly overgrown, but mostly, the yard was well- landscaped. Someone spent hours on it regularly. This was not the work of a landscaper. This house was cared for with love, by someone who liked working with his hands.
Which only made me more curious of the owner.
I got out of my truck and grabbed the three bags from the passenger side. The heat beat down on me as I walked up. I rapped sharply on the door and waited. It was solid oak, with two rectangular window panes spanning half the height of the door. The decorative glass obscured a clear view of the inside, but I could see a vague shape of a man coming toward the entrance to the house.
But the door didn’t open. A gruff voice barked, “Who is it?”
“Maddie Benson. I have your delivery from Tommy’s.” As if for emphasis, I lifted one arm so he could see the shape of the bag through the decorative window.
“Just a sec.” His form moved away. A minute or two passed as I waited for him to return. He came back, and the chain rattled as he unlocked it. I started forward when the door cracked open, but he didn’t let it open. “Leave it on the mat.”
Slowly, I set the bags down. “Okay. Um… It’s twenty-five sixty.” I squinted my eyes to look through the glass, as if that would make it easier to see him.
His hand snaked around the door, holding a twenty and a ten. The hand was large, fitting the massive shape I could make out on the other side of the door. “Keep the change.”
I took the bills from him. “Thanks, um…” I glanced at the ticket in my hand, skimming over it quickly. “Mr. McIntyre.” I stopped. McIntyre? “You’re related to Jenny?”
The door slammed shut in answer.
I glared at the shut door. Wasn’t that just nice. Was this how he treated everyone or was I just special? I almost wanted to knock and tell him what an asshole he was, but instead, I turned and headed back to my truck.
Review:
A very short but sweet romance between a former SEAL who’s afraid to leave his house and a college student who’s afraid to leave her hometown…
Once Upon a SEAL definitely could have been longer–Maddie’s issues with leaving and going to a college where she could earn her teaching degree aren’t really resolved by the end, nor is what Bast’s going to do with his life, and the suspense part of the plot had a rushed feel to it. Still, it is an enjoyable way to pass the time–I really liked the idea of Maddie and Bastian falling for each other without ever having actually met face-to-face.
Plus, you just can’t go wrong with a story that has a beauty and the beast vibe going on.
It also works well as an introduction to the series, since Bastian’s contact with the rest of the men from his unit is reduced to phone calls with his former boss. You don’t really need to have read the rest of the series to understand this one, and Once Upon a SEAL can give you a taste of what the rest of the series will be like.
Rating: 4 stars / B
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
On Sale in Print and Digital: May 19, 2015
Add ONCE UPON A SEAL to your TBR pile on Goodreads!
Author Bio:
Suzan Butler writes adult contemporary romance and has a penchant for Dr. Pepper, ice hockey, and world domination. She lives in Texas under a not-so-secret identity with two monsters, writing naughty books and planning the next step in her evil plans into the twilight hours of the night because that’s when it’s quiet in the house. She loves to hear from readers.
Suzan also has a monthly newsletter she shares with her alter ego, New York Times and USA Today bestseller, S.M. Butler, who writes new adult romantic suspense and military romance. In the newsletter, you’ll find information about new releases, updates on future books, contests, giveaways, get first peek at new covers, and find out where she’ll be visiting through books signings and conventions throughout the year.
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Check out Suzan’s recent post about summer reads on Fresh Fiction!
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Grand Prize: $25 Amazon or B&N gift card
Runner-up Prizes: Digital copies of any one (1) book by Suzan Butler in the Lucky Thirteen series (except Once Upon A Seal)