Review: 4.5 Stars overall - This is a great set of stories!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 22, 2014
This is a boxed set of 12 Hot Alpha stories.  I've reviewed 4 of them as per request.  My honest reviews are below.The Kiss of a SEAL by Anne Elizabeth3 starsHotness Rating 3 out of 5In The Kiss Of A SEAL by Anne Elizabeth we get to meet a different kind of SEAL.  Our hero is strong,  dominant, and well-respected amongst the men he trusts his life with.  These are all things I associate with a SEAL,  but Lincoln "Linc" Tyler is also a hopeless romantic and when most men are doing everything they can to avoid commitment Linc is fighting with everything he has to convince Jessa they deserve they're forever after.Jessa Grainger isn't a soldier, but she works with them every day.  She doesn't just work with any soldiers, either.  She works with the elite.  The best of the best.  She is responsible for making sure a SEAL is physically fit and ready to face what's to come.  She's never allowed herself to be anything more than professional with any of these men until she met Linc.  He has her heart and he definitely commands her body,  but she has things in her life that need to be addressed before she can commit fully.I enjoyed reading about Linc and Jessa.  It was very interesting to see the perspective of a civilian consultant in this elite world.  And I especially love how Ms. Elizabeth didn't really go for the stereotype. Jessa was strong and in charge.  Whereas, Linc was the one wanting more,  ready to talk, and pushing the relationship on.  I didn't necessarily feel the passion between this couple, though.  I don't know what it was,  but I just felt like it lacked heat and need.You can find this review and others at www.riverinaromantics.com.Night With a SEAL by Cat Johnson4 StarsHotness Rating 3 out of 5Night With a SEAL is a great way to introduce us to the hot men of the upcoming Hot SEALS series by Cat Johnson.  I thoroughly enjoyed Jon and Ali's story.  But, the secondary characters have really captured my interest.  This book gave us great insight into each team member's personality and situation.  It's not often you get such good character development with the secondary characters, as well.Jon Rudnick is a SEAL to his very soul.  But, the red tape and politics are making him question how much longer he can keep doing it all.  It seems pointless at times.  Not to mention, the impact its always had on his dating life.  He knows that some men make it work with a family and the job, but he's not that man.  He has no interest in creating attachments just to walk out and leave a loved one with no idea when or if he's coming home.  Weirdly, that part of the job hasn't been too much of an issue.  He's never really met anyone that's made him want that forever after, anyways.  But, one fantastic night with Ali has haunted him.Alison Cressly allowed herself one unforgettable night with her best friend's brother's former SEAL teammate.  It seemed like a good idea and they were upfront with expectations ahead of time, but a small part of Ali, the romantic part, had hoped for something more.  After the deed was done, Jon left with the reminder that there would be no contact since he would be called back to service any minute.  Now, he's back and she's thinking things could be real awkward.  After all, they will be thrown together at parties and such and she hasn't been able to get him out of her mind.I was a bit disappointed in Jon and how he handled things with Ali when he left.  I know it's written that he couldn't stop thinking about her and that she is the one for him, but I still can't help but think if that were true then why couldn't he have sent even one email.  That being said I did like Jon and loved how this story sets us up on how the Guardian Angel Protection Service was born and the why.  I loved Ali and how she dealt with his hot and cold with so much class and dignity.  I think I would have made him work for it a little more, but he really was a good guy he just sucked at dealing with his emotions.You can find this review and others at www.riverinaromantics.com.Hot Bayou SEAL by Cindy DeesDELTA: RETRIBUTION by Cristin HarberWATCH OVER ME by Delilah DevlinSEAL'S OBSESSION by Elle JamesThe SEAL (a Sex, Lies & Spies novella) by Gennita LowUNBREAKABLE SEAL by J.M. MaddenMISTER BLACK A Billionaire SEAL Story, Part 1 (In the Shadows) by P.T. Michelle4.5 StarsHotness Rating 4 out of 5Mister Black, aka Sebastian Quinn is hot!  I mean sizzling, panties melting hot!  This story is a must read and I can't wait to read the rest of the In The Shadows series. The only reason I gave this story 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because it started out just a bit slow and confusing.  I get this was important to build up the intrigue, but it put me off just a little bit.  It quickly got past this awkward stage and slipped right into fabulous!  You will not regret reading this story!Talia is running from her past, but it continues to haunt her.  One of the few good memories she actually has from being a child was when a kind older teen boy saved her.  He's never left her mind, though and 8 years later he's her biggest fantasy.  She was only 13 at the time and they never exchanged names, so she knows they'll never cross paths, again.  At least, that's always been her assumption until she runs into a mysteriously sexy guy at a costume party.Sebastian's the illegitimate son, but that doesn't stop him from being protective and loving to his sister.  Home on leave Sebastian spends as much time as he can with his sister hoping to help her heal from the recent trauma she's gone through.  The horrific event that she'll give no one any details about.  So when Sebastian finds the intriguing "Scarlet" sneaking through his sister's home he needs to find out more.  He quickly unearths the truth that she is there to try to get the story of the events from Mina for the college paper.  A story that could launch her career as soon as she graduates.The connection that Sebastian and Talia have is palpable from the very beginning.  I could not get enough of these two characters.  Seriously, it was almost torture to read knowing that it would be over soon.  Normally, I don't like a story that leaves me hanging, but these characters sucked me in and now I'm hooked.  Please, please, please Ms. Michelle write fast because I need (and I mean need) to know what happens next.You can find this review and others at www.riverinaromantics.comSTONE HARD SEAL by Sabrina York4.5 starsHotness Rating 3 out of 5I loved, loved, loved this story.  It's short enough to read over just a couple of hours, but packed with so much witty banter,  heartfelt emotion,  and sexy SEAL that you never feel rushed or cheated.  Seriously, these characters are so well-developed you feel like you actually know them.  Like they are old friends.  I honestly have no idea how Ms. York pulls this off in a novella, but she does.  Even more exciting it ushers in a new Alpha SEALS series.  I can't wait!Ryder "Stone" Maddox is one of my favorite heroes.  Faced with the unbearably difficult task of leading his platoon in a rescue mission for some pretty high profile people who were abducted by Somalian pirates is just another day at the office,  but fighting this attraction and need he feels for his target just may do him in.Lily Wilson has lived a very sheltered life.  As the daughter of a senator she may have well just been wrapped in wool and packed away she's been so protected.  That's why a mission trip to Ethiopia seemed like a grand adventure and she jumped at the chance.  Just her luck, the first time she's ever done anything without her parents blessing she gets abducted by Pirates.  She's optimistic all will be okay in the end and is doubly reassured when her guardian angel, in the form of Navy SEAL Stone Maddox, comes to her rescue. Stone does more than rescue her, however.  He shows her that she can feel passion and a sizzling attraction.  Now, she just had to convince him to act on it.There are few authors that can write such funny, laugh out loud stories and never lose the heat and desire.  I checked my kindle for smoke or burn marks after finishing this book.  Lily and Stone's attraction was that palpable.  Stone often spoke in sarcasm and I love that in my men.  Even better Lily gave as good as she got.  She was naive and protected, but tough, smart (even if a bit airheaded at times), and a fighter. This couple was made for each other.She paled,  "I c-cant swim"."You never wanted to learn?""Oh, I wanted to" she sighed.  "My mother wouldn't let me.  She was afraid I would drown.""Not drowning is kind of the point of swimming."See?  Sarcasm at its best!  I do so love Sabrina York and her smart, yet funny dialogue.I can not wait to read more from this team of hot, sexy, alpha males.You can find this review and others at www.riverinaromantics.com.SEAL’S PROMISE by Sharon HamiltonBREAKING TIES (a SEAL Team Heartbreakers story) by Teresa Reasor