Kristie J’s review of SEAL of Approval (Seal Series, Book 1) by Jack Silkstone
Contemporary Romance published by Amazon Digital Services 6 Mar 17
I got this book because (I think) it was a freebie. I don’t normally read SEAL books. I read many of Suzanne Brockmann’s books back in the day, but it’s not a genre I really stuck with – but as they say, the price was right.
I was part way through this story before I clued in it was written by a guy. I will admit now that I’m biased. There aren’t many romance books written by men and I tend not to read the ones that are. If I had stuck with that, I would have missed a book I ended up enjoying.
Mike Saunders is an elite SEAL. He and the rest of the team work closely with a Military Dog, Axe. While on a mission, Axe is gravely wounded saving Mike. And this changes Axe’s personality. He becomes vicious with just about everyone and, therefore, is slated to be put down. This is completely unacceptable to Mike and the rest of the team, because Axe was shot while saving Mike and Axe is just a much a member of the team as each SEALs.
They plan a heist, break him out of the vet’s office, and end up taking him to Ali, a young woman who works with traumatized animals. She diagnoses Axe with PTSD and begins to work with him.
Now amongst his buddies, Mike’s dating life encourages much hilarity among his fellow SEALs. He tends to fall too quickly and with the completely wrong kind of women. His friends keep telling him this, but up until he meets Ali, he doesn’t really listen to them. But even though she’s totally not his type, he’s becoming more and more attracted to her when visiting with Axe. When his friends realize how serious he’s getting, they arrange for a number of tests to see if she could be an appropriate partner for a SEAL.
I’m glad I found out early enough that the author is a guy, ‘cause it explains some things. The romance isn’t the strongest part of the book. It’s definitely a ‘one foot on the floor’ type of romance and I’d almost be pressed to give it a warm rating. Reading it, it seemed the author was almost embarrassed writing sex scenes because there really aren’t any to speak of.
And while the tests the boys run Ali through, they are such a ‘guy’ kind of thing. They are funny, though. But where the book really shone for me is the relationship between Mike and Axe. Mr. Silkstone does an excellent job in showing the close relationship between handler and military dog. Even though it’s a made-up story, I’m so glad how things worked out. And equally well done is the relationships, teasing and ‘man speak,’ between the SEALs.
Overall, I was most impressed with this romance written by a guy
Grade: B-
Summary:
Mike Saunders is a SEAL dog handler with a knack for picking the wrong women. So much so that his SEAL buddies have planned a Girlfriend Selection Course to test the character of his next love interest. When he falls for the veterinarian rehabilitating his wounded Military Working Dog, things rapidly spiral out of control.
SEAL of Approval is romance meets action in a light-hearted love story with a serious twist. It is dedicated to the Military Working Dogs who have served, loyal and steadfast, alongside their handlers in the world’s deadliest conflict zones.
Jack Silkstone’s background includes a career in military intelligence and special operations, working alongside some of the world’s most elite units. A percentage of the sale of this book will be donated to a foundation that trains dogs to help servicemen and women who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
No excerpt available.
