Given a life that’s been little more than an uphill battle, it’s no wonder Shadow is so damn good at dealing with whatever’s the hardest, the most hazardous and hellish.

The life of a SEAL is the one place where Shadow is most comfortable existing. He’s certain of what he’s capable of achieving, knows when to act and exactly how to do what needs to be done. But when he sets off on a mission to rescue Arianna and her family, his world goes from precise, controlled action to blown-to-smithereens chaos. Who is this woman and why does she rattle him the way no one else ever has?

Arianna has been plunged into a foreign state of affairs that includes kidnapping, beatings, threats…and Navy SEALs. The only good thing about this nightmare is the dark, dangerous savior watching over them. Shadow doesn’t seem to have a clue what to do with her. Although she has a pretty good idea where she’d like to see their relationship go, will they ever get that chance?

She’s been marked for murder, and it’s up to Shadow to save her–or risk losing what he hadn’t even realized he wanted, yet now can’t live without…

As the men of Mason’s team find a woman that can deal with all that comes with loving a SEAL, the few remaining single men wonder if they will find love too.

This mission is high profile, a Senator and his family being held hostage at their vacation cabin in Canada. With all the windows it’s a challenge to find a way to approach without being seen.

Arianna and her brother have been sent to bed, and they hear the awful sounds of her father being beaten and told to comply. Knowing they have to get out of there not only for Kevin but also to prevent these men from touching her Arianna searches out the window for her options.

As there was no one in the window now to see his rope, he swung it gently forward to come up and lightly tap the glass. He knew his team was watching his progress.

The first swing fell short, the second was almost there. The third hit. A heavy enough thud, and he immediately pulled it up in case someone else heard it.

After a few moments, and lying full length on the large tree limb above, he swung it again. And it tapped the window lightly. Then he did it again. And again.

Damn it, where were they?

Afraid the two had been moved he tried one more time and watched as two pale faces appeared. Arianna wasted no time. She opened the window, did something to the brother and lifted him up to the windowsill. When Shadow swung the rope toward them, she grabbed it and had the boy grab high enough up the rope that he could stand on the knot below. Then she gave him a quick kiss and swung him out and away. She stepped back out of sight but he knew she could still see the boy as he hung on for dear life. Shadow carefully hauled him up. The boy was a lightweight. But it was still dangerous getting off the rope and over the main trunk of the tree where he wrapped the boy’s arms around the trunk and whispered against his ear, “Hold on. I’ll be right back. I have to get your sister.”

Shadow returned with the rope to where the window was still open…and the young woman waited for him.

She peered out at him then darted back, slowly lowering the window again. What was she doing? Then he watched the guard on sentry duty cross the property line, his gaze automatically going to the bedroom window.

Shadow smiled in appreciation. He could kill the guard from where he was positioned and would love to – but only once he had the girl out and safe.

She needed to be rescued too. He waited for the sentry to pass under him and go around the house, then slowly lowered the rope. This time when he swung it to the window he found her sitting on the ledge, legs out as if to jump. She stood up awkwardly, grabbed the rope as high as she could, and then pushed the window down behind her as she let go to swing out on the rope.

Smart.

He was liking her more and more already. She climbed up that rope like a monkey and as she made her way to where he was lying silently, he couldn’t help but admire her. She was almost eye level, her gaze busy as she looked for a way to get up onto the tree. When he extended his arm, she reached up and clasped his forearm. He sat up and tugged, she landed in his arms. Very nice.

She lay there trembling for a long moment then turned to look directly at him. For a long moment their gazes locked. Then she said, “It was you, on the hill, wasn’t it?”

He nodded. “Yes,” he whispered.

“Need to get the rope out of sight. Kevin is back at the main trunk.”

She caught sight of her brother, carefully gained her footing and made her way over to him. Shadow, his hands busy pulling up his rope, looped it properly then stuffed it in his pack. He was surprised to see both Kevin and Arianna had backpacks with them. It was good but it had taken a presence of mind he hadn’t expected.

He approached and with an arm around both of them he explained who he was and what they were going to do next.

Neither said a word until he was done. Then Kevin reached out and grabbed his hand, whispered in a hard to understand guttural voice, “Thank you.”
Mayer, Dale. SEALs of Honor: Books 4-6 . Valley Publishing. Kindle Locations(2903-2930). Kindle Edition.

Shadow is successful in getting Arianna and her brother out of the second floor window as the rest of the team prepares to get the Senator and his wife. Of course this isn’t going to be easy.

Arianna saves Shadow and takes a bullet to her leg, and things just get more complicated as they head to extraction.

Apparently Arianna is a target and when they fail to get her out they are all still in danger.

So much action, suspense and intrigue as this story unfolds, Shadow’s admiration for Arianna and her understanding of the situation will just make you love them more.

A page-turning read you won’t want to miss.

5 Contented Purrs for Dale!

Dale Mayer

Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second Chances, SKIN), her thrillers will keep you guessing (By Death series), and her romantic comedies will keep you giggling (It’s a Dog’s Life and Charmin Marvin Romantic Comedy series).

She honors the stories that come to her – and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres!

To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format.