An action packed story that will bring Stryker and Anya together as they uncover the truth. A delightful easy read and great start to the series.

ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Seal may never quit, I on the other hand did call it quits. This book wasn't my cup of tea.

This was a solid start to an exciting new series. I can't wait to get to read the other Teams stories and meet their love interests.

This was an exciting new start to a series, and I enjoyed the secret spy dynamics because, well, me. The setup for book two sounds good too!

Lieutenant Amador "Stryker" Salas and his tight-knit Navy SEAL team are undercover on a Texas ranch and tasked with covert ops across the border. It's an assignment that requires all their skills, all their secrets, and all their know-how. Anya Gutierrez, the local veterinarian, has been serving the ranch for years. She loves the animals and ranching life, and Stryker finds her a breath of fresh air in his otherwise rigidly disciplined existence. When Anya gets caught in the crosshairs of a mission gone sideways, Stryker must tell her the truth about who he really is, risking everything to keep her out of harm's way, even if it destroys him...
This was a decent read. It was light and quick to read. The characters were likable and the overall plot was good. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

A SEAL Never Quits is the first novel in the Texas Navy SEALs series by new-to-me author, Holly Castillo, and while this romantic suspense novel was fairly well-written, and held my interest for the most part, there were a number of issues that I had with this novel, which is why I am giving it a 2-star rating.

The basic premise of of this novel, and I suppose the ones which will follow it, is that a team of six top-notch Navy SEALs are to be stationed on a ranch in small-town Texas, pretending to be ranchers while keeping an eye out for drug traffic coming into Texas from Mexico, Central and South America. My first issue was why send Navy SEALs? Their superior officer is Admiral Haslett. Shouldn't this mission have been given to the DEA, the U.S. Marshalls, and/or the Texas Rangers? I don't think ranching is what Navy SEALs are best at or trained to do. Then there's the issue sending 6 hunky SEALs to the same ranch in a small Texas town, pretending to be ranchers, as if they won't be noticed--they have no wives, no children, just 6 men, and if it happened in my town, I know I'd find it suspicious.

My next problem was the ranch itself, completely enlarged, improved and sprawling, its massive size disguised by heavy plantings around it--just the kind of thing an intruder would use as cover, which someone obviously does later in the novel. Every hideout and safe house I've ever heard or read about usually has very few plants or trees surrounding it, so that no one can possibly approach it without being seen, so the excessive plantings also didn't make any sense to me. The leader of this group goes by the name Stryker, no reason given for that moniker, or for the other 5 men in the group, who also don't use their given names, instead we have Buzz, Phantom, Santo, Snap and Brusco, and again, no explanations about their names, and it's something I'd find rather suspicious too.

The first person we meet in this novel is the local veterinarian, Doctor Anya Gutierrez, who shows up at the ranch to introduce herself to the new owner and occupants, the first being Stryker, who explains that he'd been traveling the rodeo circuit but had wandered enough and wanted to get back to cattle ranching, and she offers her services to accompany Stryker to upcoming cattle auctions, and when he asks her why, she explains to him that the cattle on his ranch are all purebred Santa Gertrudis cattle, so that's the only breed he should be buying, yet she didn't appear to wonder why this rodeo/rancher didn't even know the breed or bloodlines of his own cattle.

Which brings us to one more problem I had. Stryker is quite taken with Anya and she with him, almost instantly, although they barely know anything about each other, and these two characters aren't twenty-somethings, they are closer to thirty-somethings, and, when a very short time later, they have sex, and yes it's graphic, I was as surprised as Stryker to learn that Anya was still a virgin, yet she didn't give any indication of that or let him know before having sex with him--as a doctor of veterinary medicine, shouldn't she have had a clue that letting him know beforehand might have saved her some pain? Of course, she refers to their first sexual encounter as making love, and Stryker is somewhat taken aback because to him it was casual sex, only he later says he doesn't do casual sex and hasn't had sex since he and his wife divorced several years earlier, primarily because she wanted a husband who'd be there and not off on some mission he couldn't discuss. The next morning, Stryker is somewhat freaked out and gives Anya the cold shoulder about it and Anya simply leaves, wondering what she did wrong. It doesn't take long before they have sex again and this time she tells him she loves him. I'm sorry, but these are two people who barely know one another, and as romance novels go, this one just didn't work for me.

What did work for me was plan to infiltrate and take down the leader of a very elusive and very deadly drug kingpin. Stryker and two of his men head to Mexico to do so, and their mission is fraught with danger and violence, and the kingpin they want to take down isn't a fool, making their mission even more dangerous. They are masquerading as Mexicans, but prior to leaving Texas, they've received a mysterious envelope containing photographs of Stryker, all of his team, and even Anya. It's obvious someone knows what they're up to and somehow managed to get past their complex security measures to take these photographs. Yet once they know this, why send them to Mexico in make-up, phony tattoos and hair gel, pretending to be be Mexicans, rather than sending actual Mexicans instead? Again, I found it really hard to believe that they wouldn't be found out immediately, but at least their mission gave some forward momentum to the plot, adding to the suspense and danger they faced, and be forewarned, there is plenty of graphic violence and more graphic sex to come.

I do think this novel had many possibilities, but in this reader's opinion, the went unrealized. The heroine never really impressed me. I felt that she was rather bland and boring and couldn't see what Stryker found so appealing about her. Part of the problem was the lack of character development--and that problem also existed for the hero and the rest of his team as well. Anya somewhat redeems herself near the end of this novel, which, in addition to having an HEA ending, also includes something else I dislike--a cliffhanger, because the kingpin they took down in this novel had connections higher up the chain of command, and there also might be a mole among the Admiral's staff.

I'm sure that we'll find out more about this mystery mole in the next installment of this series, which I'm sure will feature another member of this same SEAL team, but I do hope the author and her editors or beta readers point out the parts of that next novel that made little sense to this reader in this one, because they clearly missed many of them.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Military Romance

Amador "Stryker" Salas is a SEAL who used to live on a ranch. Because of that, he is tasked with a secret missing to see how the drug cartels are able to evade the authorities, both in the United States and across the border. He puts together his best team and they start to outfit the ranch with everything they might need. Since Stryker and his teammates have to continue their cover, the ranch continues to operate as normal.

Anya is a vet. She loves her job and even though sometimes it's hard and demanding, she wouldn't want to be doing anything else. When she heads to the ranch to meet the new owners, she's shocked to discover her attraction to Stryker. In fact, all of the men that she meets at the ranch are handsome.

With Stryker's team seeing that the mission is being put in jeopardy, it will take everyone around them to figure out where they go from here. Anya has to decide whether or not she can really see a future with Stryker and the SEALs all have to decide for themselves if they can trust outside people.

I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book. The romance, for me, needed some work. It was an insta-romance that was trying to be masked as a courtship. However, the characters reiterated a lot how much they wanted each other, despite just having met.

Anyway, I still enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what happens next. There are tons of characters who could be getting in on this storyline and I'm a fan of all of them.

Potential Triggers: Kidnapping, Murder, Drugs


Mary – ☆☆☆
This is the first book in the Texas Navy SEALs series and I found that there were parts I really liked and parts not so much. The whole idea of the story was good, but I think there needed to be a little more in the beginning. As it starts out, the team comes to a ranch in Texas and sets up as pretend ranchers. And they are on a mission to try to stop the Mexican drug cartel from shipping drugs across the border into the US.

To me, if a SEAL team was trying to be normal ranchers and not have people asking questions, they should have not gone with their SEAL names. It would have made me ask questions as to how they got those names in the first place.

While Anya, the vet, is checking on the cattle on the ranch, she is drawn to Stryker. She knows he is keeping secrets but doesn't ask what he is hiding.

Will Anya accept Stryker for who he really is? Can he protect her when the cartel comes to town?

As I said, I liked this story to a point, I love a good romantic suspense but this one was missing something at times. I hope the next book is better and I can't wait to see which team member it will be.


Sarah – ☆☆
Hmm. I didn’t get on with this book at all. This is probably the least plausible military romantic suspense I can remember. Beyond the bizarre premise and generic characters, I couldn’t get into the romance and the suspense elements just didn’t work for me.

Somehow, readers are expected to believe that a small team of US Navy SEALs has replaced the DEA, FBI, and any number of other agencies responsible for drug trafficking across the US-Mexico border. The team of six has agreed to live together undercover in a massive militarised compound pretending to be a ranch for several years. I found it all a bit odd. The result feels like a poor attempt to create a cowboy version of JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood mansion. The SEALs themselves read like every other group of romance fiction SEALs from the past few years: muscular alpha men with nicknames and a firm sense of brotherhood.

The romance really annoyed me. At first, I liked that Anya was a capable, independent ranch veterinarian. And then a whole story arc about the gift of her virginity descends into misogynistic 1970s Harlequin romance hell. Stryker is at his best when he’s a bit clueless with his cover ranch, but I really wasn’t impressed by his saviour approach to Anya. This is a pretty low heat read but honestly, the concussion sex scene is one of the least sexy scenes I’ve ever read. I’m guessing anyone who has ever had a concussion will feel as nauseous as I did reading about Anya losing her virginity while suffering from a fresh head injury.

I know that drug cartels are a problem in Mexico but I really don’t like the way Mexico is presented in this story. The unnecessarily negative stereotypes of Mexico and Mexicans only serve to reinforce racist and xenophobic propaganda from the nastiest fringes of American politics. I’m also not sure how the SEALs can still be viewed as heroes after they conduct a mass slaughter in Mexico – but I didn’t understand much about this book.

This book had so much potential but unfortunately it fell extremely short. There was no closure, no resolution to the issue at hand. I'm all for a series, but each book should bring some degree of closure to each book.

** ARC received from Netgalley **

Straight from the headlines, Holly Castillo crafts an action-packed story about a team of Navy SEALs in an undercover operation in a ranch in south Texas. The premise is great, and the characters are complex but a team of an elite military force in a black ops in U.S. soil is taking a big leap for artistic license.

That said and after suspending your disbelief, “A SEAL Never Quits” is a total roller coaster ride from beginning to end with Navy Lieutenant Amador “Stryker” Salas and local veterinarian Anya Gutierrez at center stage.

With the new ranch owner as his cover (which by the way, Stryker was actually raised in a ranch and knew his way around cows and horses), meeting the local vet Dr. Anya Gutierrez was a given. What was bit a given was the instant attraction between them.

With that incendiary heat, it was only a matter of time before they went horizontal. And they did, which to Stryker’s point of view was a mistake because he was in the middle of a mission. Any misstep could mean life or death for him and his teammates. It could also put Anya in danger. And it did!

Now, with Anya at the crosshairs and Stryker and his team also at a big disadvantage, they have to save Anya without blowing their cover.

A fast read, “A SEAL Never Quits” will keep you at the edge of your seats. Rated M for Mature due to violence and some sex scenes.

Strkyer and Anya pull you in to their secrets and their romance with a pull so strong that you cannot put it down! This book is powerful and romantic!

Undercover on a Texas ranch with his tight-knit Navy SEAL team, Lieutenant Amador “Stryker” Salas and their assignment requires all their skills, all their secrets and all their know-how. The local veterinarian, Amya Gutierrez loves animals and the ranching life and when she becomes caught in the crosshairs of a mission gone sideways, Stryker must risk everything to keep her out of harm’s way, even if it destroys him.

The first book in an exciting new Navy SEAL series is off to a great start with a host of wonderfully sexy cowboy SEALs, thrilling suspense and a sweet romance. The characters are strong, compelling and easily grab readers’ attentions and the chemistry between Stryker and Anya is off the charts sizzling. The relationship between them however is complicated the secrets that he keeps and the heroine is spunky and keeps a level head about her when things go wrong, making it her very likeable.

The plot is a complex, multi-faceted web of intrigue and bad guys and while a little on the slow side, there is lots of suspense and excitement as surprising twists causes some very deadly changes in the team’s mission. They have been tasked with covert ops across the border that has enemies popping up everywhere, betrayals, traitors, and danger flowing from the pages and readers wanting to know more.

A SEAL Never Quits is a thrill ride you won't want to end! Stryker - I don't even have words for this man...*sigh* Give me a SEAL, a woman with a backbone, then throw in animals, and I'm sold! This was a wonderful start to a new series and I'm counting down until the next one comes out. It was an exciting story, keeping your attention while not being able to turn the pages fast enough. Definitely a must-read!

I know Holly Castillo as a historical fiction writer so finding A SEAL Never Quits was a surprise. Yet, she brings her style of romance, mystery and suspense to the contemporary time effortlessly. There is much to like in this book especially Lieutenant Amador "Stryker" Salas who has his team with him on this Texas ranch. So it looks to be the start of a brand new series.

I am not sure I believe the undercover of the Seal Team on American soil but it made for an interesting story-line. Since their true operations or missions are across the border I could give a pass to this one question. Anya Gutierrez is a local vet who is drawn to Stryker and he is to her. They have instant attraction which leads to a physical relationship. There is the problem, not one based on love so much as attraction until she is in danger too.

It is action-packed with lots of suspense which the team is accustomed to handling. Told from several point of view, with a subplot between two other characters. The book allows the reader to see inside of the villains’ heads and to see much of their behavior. This an interesting way to tell the story. It did not take away from the SEAL Team story but really let you know what kind of people they were up against. The action and suspense were the best part of the story.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the first book in a new serie. I have never read this author before but reading the description it sounded like a book I would enjoy. I really liked this story.

Undercover on a ranch in Texas Lieutenant Amador "Stryker" Salas and a tight Navy Seal Team on a mission that requires all their skills. The local Veterinarian Amya Gutierrez gets caught in the middle of the mission. 

 

I don't want to give away any spoilers if you want to know what happens you have to read it. I just want to say how much I enjoyed it the characters are real and there is suspense and secrets. I really liked the heroine and couldnt wait to find out what happend. I reccomend you check this out it's a really good read. I really look forward to reading the next book in the series. I will be rereading this book many times in the future. 


I I received a free copy of this from Netgalley and here is my honest review.

A SEAL Never Quits is the first in a new romantic suspense series. I never figured to find a bunch of SEALs in Texas but that’s where their undercover mission takes them. Stryker is the guy in charge. He has done the marriage thing and failed miserably. He is married to the Navy now and couldn’t be happier. That is until he meets feisty Dr. Anya Gutierrez, the local veterinarian. She stirs up feelings he thought long dead.
This story takes us hopping over the border between the US and Mexico fighting a new high tech cartel. This is a sweet story filled with action, intrigue and love.

✦‪Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: A SEAL NEVER QUITS by Holly Castillo https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-bbL
Publication Date: July 30, 2019
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4 Stars

I loved the premise of a Special-Ops team setting up shop on a sprawling ranch with an ongoing antagonist hiding behind every bush. I did find that six handsome alpha males doing this in a small town close to the bad guys, with no believable story, and money to burn on said ranch…unbelievable and asking for trouble. However, I liked all the guys and their group dynamic. Stryker was believable and thankfully he didn’t dwell on the “I’m not good enough for her” too much. Anya was also believable and had an inner strength that moved the story along. Their romance was hot and moved along the storyline quite well. The bad guys were a little stereotypical, but fun to read and guess about who is pulling their strings. I found this book to be a fun and exciting read – making me anxious to see where the series goes from here.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

~*~*~*~

Kindle $4.99 https://amzn.to/2K8HItE‬

A SEAL NEVER QUITS is the first story in Holly Castillo’s series, Texas Navy Seals. It definitely caught my attention as I’ve read and loved other books, series by the author. There is world-building in this one, there needs to be, mainly because there’s a mission-based over-arching thread that will go on throughout the series, but also because the men of the SEAL team are a complicated group, each with their own issues to be -eventually- dealt with in their own stories… and a possible betrayal within their ranks.

Stryker and Anya are an interesting couple given their backgrounds, life experiences and the secrets that his mission requires that Stryker keeps from Anya.

The underlying mission to take down a drug cartel and the obvious mole that must exist within their team or support because needed information is not making its way to them as it should be doing will provide the suspense to this story. I’m a bit torn on the romance aspects, yet that is my opinion and any reader should make up their own minds.

I enjoyed A SEAL NEVER QUITS and will continue the series as I now need to know what comes next. While I didn’t outright love Stryker’s and Anya’s story for my own reasons, this one is a good base to launch the rest of the series off from, and I’m curious to see where it goes next.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

3⭐️s

The potential in this book is strong but the plot did not flow well and I couldn’t connect with the H/h as a couple.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

What an action packed book! Lots of smoldering attraction, SEAL missions, and betrayal add up to an exciting romantic drama. Stryker and his SEAL team are tasked with bringing down a drug cartel while acting as ranchers. Stryker meets the veterinarian for the ranch,,Anya and the sparks fly!

Lots of twists and turns as the team tries to find out why classified information is leaked or they are not receiving the full mission info that they need to survive. Hope there is more revealed in a future book as we just get a glimpse at the end of who is behind this plot.

Stryker keeps letting himself get deeper and deeper with Anya but then pulls back which hurts Anya. It is also hard for him as he cannot tell her who he really is or what he is doing there so that is another complication to their story!

Things really fall apart for their mission and for Stryker when Anya is in danger. I love that she doesn't wait to be rescued and tries to save herself!

Great HEA but I sure hope that Phantom and Elena will get their own book!!

The story has plenty of action. I had a problem with the ending though... the reader never finds out who / whom is behind the drug cartel in the US military. The group or Seals were special trained and selected for this mission by a "retired" major in the Navy. All the men have a connection with each other -"family" and can communicate with each other with just a look. It is this special bond that enables them to be one of the most successful Seal teams with the navy. Striker becomes enamored with the local Vet when she helps him deliver a new calf on the cattle ranch (their cover for the mission). She is injures by the heifer while she is delivering the calf / she is shocked to find that she passed out after being kicked by the animal. She has remained a virgin - but gives herself to Striker - after their "medic " looks at her to insure she is healthy enough / not needing to be rushed to the local hospital (and hour away). The stream of consciousness / third person verbiage bothered me at times in story - the reader is left wondering who the head of the drug cartel is.