A former SEAL meets a journalist investigating mysterious suicides. Lots of drama but so solution to the mystery. I'm guessing this will play out of the entire series.

I loved reading the amazing and intriguing romance story by the wonderfully talented Leslie North. I voluntarily reviewed a copy from NetGalley. Read the highly recommended, engaging love story full of mystery and romance of an ex Navy Seal, Mark Alexi Rogers, and a persistent reporter, Geneva Rios.

a good romance. solid plot and writing. Enjoyed Thanks

Although this book didn't have deep characters it was still a good story. I could see where today's politics could lend to the story.
This story follows a "retired" SEAL, Mark, who is investigating the deaths of two fellow "retired" SEALS who may or may have committed suicide. Then along comes a reporter, Geneva, who wants investigate the deaths, but stumbles upon an even bigger story. Between her and him not only does the story behind the deaths get deep so does their relationship.

I'm a fan of Ms. North but this one just wasn't for me. I found it hard to like either Mark or Geneva. Mark didn't come off as a highly trained and controlled man and neither did his buddies. It just wasn't believable. I struggled with the relationship between the main characters and thought the whole thing fell short. The plot wasn't winning me over either. I thought it was a pretty big stretch.

A good romantic thriller, with lots of action and suspense. I look forward to the next book in this trilogy as a lot of questions still need to be answered. I also expect there will be lots more excitement and if the scenes between the next two characters are as hot as mark and Geneva's then we readers have a great deal to look forward to.
Thanks to net galley and publisher for opportunity to review this book

SEAL Defender is the first book in the Brothers in Arms series. Retired Navy Seal Mark Rogers and Geneva Rios, a reporter, are singularly investigating an unusual amount of retired Navy Seals committing suicide. This is a fast-paced story full of suspense, action and romance. I look forward to reading more of this series

I've enjoyed North's other SEAL books but this one is probably my favorite!

Amazing as always. Wow an amazing start to a new series

Having been pleasantly surprised by North's <i>Karev Brothers</i> series, I didn't hesitate to request SEAL DEFENDER when I saw it available for review. I didn't have high expectations, not exactly, but I did anticipate a short-ish, thrilling, sexy, fun, ride -- with an added bonus of gravitas considering the tragedy surrounding the mysterious suicides of ex-SEALs. Something enjoyable to pass the time.

Welllll it was short-ish.

Honestly, I don't know what happened here. The plot felt like it was being held together by dental floss, the romantic entanglement was ridiculous, the dialogue awkward, the sex was lame, the inclusion of a diverse couple and a lead protag with a culturally exotic background was as subtle as a cast iron skillet to the face, the backstory and present-day secrets and angst painful.. this actually felt like it was written by a completely different author (and don't get me started on some of the editing, or lack thereof). Or maybe the <i>Karev Brothers</i> series was the exception? I have no idea.

I was so close to hitting the DNF button on this one (multiple times, but especially after Mark claims he's "meant to be" with Geneva after two days together and one lukewarm encounter between the sheets, despite disparaging her and refusing to trust her from the moment they met) but I persevered in order to alleviate any potential reviewer-guilt.. but that perseverance definitely didn't do me any other favours. This is one series I won't be continuing.

This was a fairly quick read. Great romantic suspense novel to kick off a new trilogy.

“The chemistry between them and the way she responded to his every touch was amazing. Hell, if he didn’t know any better, he’d think they were meant to be together.”

Mark Rogers lives by the code ‘once a SEAL, always a SEAL’. Half-Samoan, he also lives for family – whether they carry the same blood or not. When two of his ex-SEAL brothers and employees die, he is not convinced that their deaths were suicides, so he and his two business partners, Vann and Jace, carry out their own private investigation. When reporter, Geneva Rios, rolls into town, Mark’s initial dislike for her (based on her profession) get their acquaintance off to a rocky start, even though there’s a spark of mutual attraction between them.

Geneva is in town to investigate the suicide deaths, but she has her own personal reasons for finding the answers. As the two of them grow closer, the invisible danger also closes in on them.

This was a great, sexy, and suspenseful read. Mark’s high moral standards make it difficult for him to trust anybody. Geneva’s secrets help her keep people at arm’s length. Their mutual sexual desire draws them together. Both are headstrong, focused and determined. This was a pretty exciting and somewhat heart-stopping read! Look forward to the other novels in this new series.

Love a guy who talks to himself. Glad I'm not the only one.

I know nothing about Samoans. This is very interesting.

So SEALs don't usually commit suicide?

Whoa, someone's got daddy issues.

Poor thing, losing her brother like that.

Wow, Jace is an interesting combination of DNA!

Yeah, you want to keep her around to "monitor her activities". Right.

Exactly what do you have to do if you're undercover in a crack house?

She's not opposed to sleeping with a source? Really?

Wait. A soldier gets PTSD and commits suicide. His family gets nothing?

I think it's that they're crashing the party more than they're not white.

Okay, I was wrong. What is this, a KKK meeting?

I'm thinking they should check the other SEALs' cars. Hopefully, someone already did.

Well that was weird.

Well, Sutton is definitely good at saying something without actually saying anything.

This is getting into some biased territory.

Nothing worse than a grown man throwing a hissy fit.

I'm guessing Sutton ordered the hit.

a good read

SEAL Defender was an exciting romantic suspense book that perfectly sets up an intriguing story-line for Leslie North's new Brothers in Arms series.

Mark Rogers is a former Navy SEAL who, with two men from his unit, has opened a security firm that includes a boot camp that teaches civilians survival techniques the men learned while in the SEALs. Within the last six months, two former SEALs who worked at Brothers-in-Arms have committed suicide. However, Mark and his friends don't believe the deaths were suicide and that someone may be murdering former Navy SEALs and making the deaths look self-inflicted. Enter reporter Geneva Rios who is looking to write a story about the recent SEAL suicides and finds her way to the Brothers-in-Arms looking for more information.

I liked Mark and Geneva together right from the start. The two were full of banter and had an immediate chemistry that had me loving all of their scenes together. While the two obviously had reservations about each other, they were able to work through them and come out stronger for it.

All of the interactions with Mark's family and the fellow brothers in arms were absolutely delightful (in particular I loved the scenes with Mark's sister Leila). Mark, Vann and Jace obviously care deeply for each other and the friendship was truly amazing.

The author included a very interesting plot-line dealing with racism and politics that I feel is very relevant to today's world and I liked seeing it included. It's not something you see talked about a lot in books, so it was a definite plus. I'm hoping the plot-line continues in the rest of the series.

While I picked up SEAL Defender on a complete whim when the cover caught my eye while scrolling through Netgalley, I ended up really enjoying the book and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series when it releases later this Spring. I'd definitely recommend SEAL Defender to anyone looking for a fast-paced and action-packed romantic suspense read.

The picture on the cover doesn't even come close to matching Marks description. Other than the muscles that is. I had a good laugh about it.
Geneva is probably one of the sweetest journalists I've ever read about. She's more concerned with getting the facts straight and accurate than getting a story that sells. If only Mark hasn't had bad dealings with reporters recently. He might have been able to trust her sooner.
There is a lot of suspense in SEAL Defender. I was glad that it's a shorter novel so I could read it in one sitting.