Jed is guardian for Nala after her parents are killed in an accident. After Nala has trouble at school he ends up employing Tess to care for Nala while he is out of work.
There is an attraction between Tess and Jed, but he doesn't think he is worth it, having been bullied by his parents when he was growing up. Tess is also struggling, after the death of her fiance a year ago.
When incidents start to happen around the house, it becomes apparent that it wasn't an accident that killed Nala's parents, and all three are put in danger. Can they find out who is behind the attacks before it is too late, and Jed take a chance on a family of his own?

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an independent review.
I was expecting a chick lit, predictable romance. But to my surprise there was more to the book than that. A good storyline with some suspense and a good cast of characters.
Easy to read, it kept my interest and I would read more from this author.
3.5***

So I was really intrigued by the premise of this book: retired Navy SEAL - check, cute orphan girl - check, insecure bookworm - check.

There was a sinister plot against the little girl which I immediately cared about.

But the whole thing was just lacking....something. Maybe I wanted more. Maybe it’s cause there were time gaps then the characters would reflect a lot instead of us readers being in the moment with this.

It was good. It just wasn’t great.

The Seal’s Ward
by Katie Knight


In this story, Knight’s main characters, Jed, Nala and Tess were developed characters with definite personalities. Jed still struggles from his up-bringing from overly religious parents. While Nala has social difficulties due to stuttering along with the loss of her parents. And finally Tess dealing with guilt over her fiancés suicide and failing in the business world. Even with everything against them they pull together to be a family.

Knights plot gives the reader a bit of Mystery with Romance. After the death of Nala’s parents, Jed learns it wasn’t an accident. As time moves Tess joins them to nurture Nala, in tutoring while being her caretaker. Suspicious incidents begin to happen that places them in danger. Eventually the evidence brings to light who and why.

In the end they decide to become a permanent family, but it ended so abruptly that it leaves it to the imagination. Even with the way it ended I found it to be a very enjoyable read.

Received copy to read from NetGalley for honest review.

A good story all the way around. I really liked it. Romance, danger, mysteries and great characters. Speaking of characters, all of them had depth something that I really enjoy. Nala contributes quite a bit to the story. By the way, what a great name, Nala.
The danger level was held at a pretty good rate throughout. The "accidents'' came out just as you were reading about how Jed, Tess and Nala were starting to gel together. It caused plenty of action.
I liked how the author brought the emotions through when it came to both M.C.'s. Jed because of his upbringing was still reeling from feeling too unworthy when it comes to someone loving him. Tess is afraid to open her heart again to love. But she's finding it harder and harder to keep both Jed and Nala on the outside of her heart.
There is a few twists waiting for the reader as we got closer to the end. Did I like how it ended? That would be a solid yes.

Former Navy SEAL Jed Tremayne knows discipline, hard work, and how to carry a rifle. So when his two best friends die suddenly and leave their daughter, Nala, in his care, Jed’s a little out of his.When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Katie Knight is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

Given a copy by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review:

The set-up was appealing. You have Tess: a highly educated young woman whose past filled with personal loss. You have Jed: a former Navy SEAL who now works in private security. He hires Tess to help him with his 'ward', Nala, whose parents (Jed's friends) died in a car accident. Both Tess and Jed have their own baggage, but sparks fly as they both work together to create a home.

While I enjoyed the first 30%, the moment that the two of them kissed is when things started going downhill. I felt that the story suffered a bit of deflation, and it certainly didn't help that the underlying mystery-thriller story line was predictable.

Overall, it was a sweet story but I wouldn't read it again.

Jed is too darned stubborn. It's a good thing he is protective of the people he cares about, it redeems him in my eyes. These and Nala were my favorite characters in the book.

Speech therapist turned nanny, Tess has been in a limbo since the death of her fiance. Her failed bookstore business has also knocked down her confidence to the ground. In dire need of a job, she becomes a nanny/tutor to Nala, an adorable eleven year old who's lost her parents in a freak accident and trying to cope with her anxiety and speech disorder. Nala's godfather is a hot former SEAL with deep rooted commitment issues and these three people becoming a family forms the major plot.
The romance was decent, the story was a definite cliche and the suspense was laughably flat. The mystery and its could build up have been more credible and solid.
SEAL's ward has nothing new to offer, but works around the tried and tested formula of hot military men/single dads falling for girls who are nice to kids and kittens alike.

Tessa is a speech therapist and then a bookstore owner. When her fiancé commits suicide and then she loses her bookstore, she applies for a nanny position. Jed is a former SEAL but when he two best friends are killed in a car accident, he suddenly finds himself raising an eleven year old girl. The school she’s going to tell Jed she’s not meeting their requirements so he must find someone to homeschool her. Living together takes some getting used to but Jed and Tessa finally find their way. Even though neither wants a relationship, they aren’t opposed to sex with no strings. When strange things starts to happen, he’ll do anything to protect them. Can they mend each other’s heart and be a family?
Excellent story with suspense, sex, and mystery. I couldn’t put it down, it kept me on the edge of my seat. Sexy SEALs, a beautiful nanny, and the cutest little girl.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *

I had not read any books by this author and totally enjoyed this story about former Navy SEAL Jed Tremayne. Jed is the godparent for his friend’s daughter, Nala. When Nala’s parents are killed in a car accident, Jed steps in to take care of her. When the private school Nala is attending has concerns about her academic and social status, Jed removes her from the school and hires a tutor to home school her. Tess Frederick applies for the tutoring position and after almost not receiving the job, Jed notices that Nala is comfortable with Tess and hires her. New information comes to light in regards to the car accident and danger follows Nala as someone makes several attempts on her life. Who could be targeting a young girl? Tess is doing her best to protect Nala while dealing with issues from her past that left her struggling over the death of her former fiancé. Can Jed discover who is behind the attempts? Jed is fighting his attraction to Tess as he contacts his SEAL buddies to aid him with the investigation. A truly heartwarming romantic suspense as Jed and Tess face the danger head on. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Ex-Navy Seal Jed Tremayne has found himself the guardian of his friend's daughter when his friend and his wife are killed in a traffic accident. Or was it an accident? Jed has a security business and needs a nanny for Nala. Tess Frederick has problems of her own but maybe a change will be good. She is a speech therapist so would be good for Nala and her stuttering. Someone is trying to kidnap Nala and though they have not been successful so far they keep trying. Tess and Jed have an attraction from the start but try to keep it professional. Can they find their way to make a family with the three?