I knew what I was getting into after reading one of the author's previous books, yet I still requested this one (and the rest of the series).

I guess I was hoping the previous book was a fluke. It turns out it wasn't. This one was actually painful to read. It looked like it was written by a middle-schooler who couldn't be bothered to get an editor, the plot was so thin it was almost transparent, the characters were one-dimensional cardboard cutouts without any real personality, layers or depth, and the supposed romance merely made me roll my eyes at the absurdity of it.

As a former Navy Seal, Mark runs his own business with 2 fellow Seal members. But when two other former Seals turn up dead, were they really suicide or murder? Geneva is a reporter trying to get the scoop on the Seal deaths. But Mark doesn't trust her. Can these two work together and fight their attraction?

This was one of Leslie North's better books in my opinion. Some of the political talk was relevant in this day and age. Thanks to Leslie North & Netgalley for the copy.

Thus is unusual for me as I normally enjoy reading a Leslie North book, but I just could not get into this book. It starts off ok but just doesn't really keep my interest. Sorry.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this book. I enjoyed the chemistry between characters.

This story is the first in the Brothers in Arms series. In this story we have Mark and Geneva. Mark heads up the the security firm that he has with two other SEALS. There has been a rash of current suicides from some Ex- SEALS but Mark doesn't believe they were suicides. Geneva is a reporter that comes to their part of town to investigate what has been happening. Mark doesn't trust her but yet they have sex together the first day they meet? Geneva gets all weird on him and leaves to go sleep in the guest room. Later on we find out why she did that. I felt like their relationship was all over the place. This was an OK read. I could not really get into Geneva and Mark. It seemed so clinical but yet they fall for each other? The other thing that threw me off was that they did find out what actually happened to their fellow Ex- SEALS but it ends with Mark and Geneva confessing their love to each other and that's it. It fell flat for me. It is well written and there are some action sequences which give it a little jolt, sex scenes were alright. I liked the secondary characters as well, Vann and Jace.
2.5 stars.

Not what I expected but an exciting different kind of novel. Enjoyed and would read another like it in a heartbeat. Kudos for North for expanding her portfolio!.

I found this to be worthy, and emotionally charged beginning to a great series. I loved the setting, the characters, and not just the main characters, but also Mark’s sister (she is feisty, strong and smart). The political aspect made it a little different than other Leslie North books, but I loved that as well, especially during this turbulent time (I will refrain from including any political and social commentary – not that this was easy to do)
I feared for their lives, and got immediately emotionally involved with the cast, which is quite a feat, considering that this novel is a relatively short one.

A review of the entire series is scheduled to be posted on May 1st, 2017 on my book blog http://withinthepagesofabook.com

This is the first book on Brothers in Arms, unfortunately i read them out of order, but still enjoyed. This book was about Mark, who starts a business with his two best friends, but someone is hurting there business and they need to find out who. Then Geneva comes in a reporter trying to find out why these seals are committing suicide. While doing this Mark and Geneva fall in love, and Mark gets hurt, but luckily does not die. Now they have to find out what is going on. .

~ARC from NetGalley.~

This is a new series from Ms. North. Three ex-SEALs that are faced with difficult regarding the deaths of some former SEALs.

Book one is really nice. I mean, I am having a hard time making this review, because my thought would be offensive to some, I would rather stay silent than, have people criticize me due to my thoughts.

The reality of the situation is true, not just in this book but also from across the world. Racism is a kind of mentality that some people cannot accept. From religion, to nationality, and it irritates me that other are judge because of what they are and they choices they made...

This book, I can say wow. I wanted to hit Mark a couple time during the course of the book. I mean come on! Geneva? I like her. I mean she is the kind of reporter that I want my younger sister to be, She has this backbone and the way she tried to look for the reasons...she wants people to be aware. However, she never imagine that she would be in the middle of things...and she would fall in love.

I love their compound. I mean from the way it was described I would to attend one of their classes.

All in all, the series opens up to some things that we generally know. It is actually hard to be in the situation of these ex- SEALs, and the other branches of the government that protects the civilians. Having the right kind help would go a long way. No matter what country we live, being part of the defense system is never easy.

I look forward in reading the next book in the series.

I am an ardent lover of SEAL romances. I seek them out. I was excited to read this book and know that there was possibility of putting a new SEAL series on my radar. Unfortunately, this book did not deliver in the ways I was hoping. Knowing this is a series, you expect it to leave you with both closure and interest in reading more. It left me with neither. I very much enjoyed the relationship between Mark and his family and wished that would have been fleshed out further, and I couldn't help but feel let down by Geneva's main issue (which should have been her brother, not her physical ailment).

The story has romance and suspense with hot retired Navy Seals. Mark, Vann, and Jace's business is 'Brothers-in-Arms. "Seal Defender" is Mark's story. I liked Mark and Geneva's story, but I did have some issues. There was a lot of information at the start of the book, but later when the story is at its peak and things are happening fast, Mark has been hurt, we know the bad guys are responsible. Then in a few pages with minimal explanation, a short timeframe, everything is resolved. I wanted more fleshing out of the events, although Mark and Geneva did get their HEA. Overall, the story is a good quick read. I will read more from this author, maybe either Vann or Jace's story to see the progression of the stories. I would like to thank NetGalley and Relay Pub. for gifting me "Seal Defender". My opinion is my own. This is mine 3.25 Stars!

Mark and his fellow Seals are retired but are running a new company for teaching the public about situations that can occur and survival. A reporter comes to town investigating a series of Seal deaths and Mark joins forces with her after finding they are working toward the same goals. Will keep you turning pages from the first page to see what is the mystery and how these two find a common pathway.

eBook from Net Galley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

3.5 Stars

SEAL Defender is the first title in the Brothers in Arms series, a romantic suspense that features Mark and Geneva.

I found the characters to be like-able, and their banter to be fun and entertaining with an obvious chemistry. SEAL Defender has an intriguing plot line with strong themes of friendship, family, brotherhood, racism and politics.

This book has a good blend of action, intrigue, mystery and suspense. It's a fast paced read, although I thought the ending was a tad rushed and the speed at which the relationship developed was a tad unbelievable for me.

Overall it's a well written and entertaining read that i'm sure will appeal to readers of romantic suspense.

Found the topic of this book interesting but the actual story was boring. Just couldn't get into the characters.

Good start to the series. I was hoping for a little more substance, but this was more novella length, so it didn't have a lot of depth. Mark and Geneva were well written, but the story takes place over three days? so I had a harder time believing the shift from distrust to relationship. I did enjoy the story itself, though, and am looking forward to reading more.

What fantastic start to a new series by Leslie north. What a great story and characters. They have great chemistry and are so meant to be together. Mark runs the brothers in arms security with his teammates who are former seals. They are looking into the deaths of two employees who where ex seals. While they want to do this on the down low. This brings Geneva to Ortega to see what the story is with these ex seals deaths. Her and mark end up spending a lot of time together and start to feel things they don't want to but when mark goes missing it makes both realised what they mean to each other and get the answers they need. Can't wait for the next book, would recommend and have left review on Amazon.uk.

This story fell short for me. Geneva is a reporter who's talent isn't really shown in full potential. We know little of her background, except that her brother had committed suicide, and she has a deformity (though minor, it's almost silly how the author uses it as an excuse - multiple times). Mark is an interesting hero, but like Geneva, he just doesn't feel real enough. All we really know of him is that he's part Samoan. As a former SEAL, he spends a decent amount of the book incapacitated; so he wasn't the indestructible hero that many avid romance readers are accustomed to. For these reasons, I had a hard time really caring about the characters and their outcome.

My thanks to NetGalley and Relay Publishing for the opportunity to read and review SEAL Defender by Leslie North.

Good first book to start a series. Author gets better with each book, and has seemed to found her stride in this genre with some action and suspense mixed in vs her normal Sheik books.

Must read. Her books book me with her name. Love Leslie North books.