Title: Honor Bound
Author: Hallee Bridgeman

Ch: 30

Pg: 369

Series: Love and Honor Book 1

Genre: Christian Suspense

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Revell



I’m not going to lie I picked up Honor Bound because of the cover. But I was excited to read it because it was military suspense and finding out the author was a military wife and lived in my home state it moved it to the top of my to be read pile. And I’m glad I did.


I will admit I liked the hero Captain Rick Norton from the start, but it took me almost half the book to warm up to the heroine Dr. Cynthia Myers. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book.


I did enjoy reading about Rick and his team about how the team got their nicknames. I love how military nicknames don’t always make sense to outsiders. But as a military brat they made sense to me. And the fact that one of guys is a Kentucky boy doesn’t hurt.


Slight spoiler two of the guys in the book have a post mission tradition to get burgers. And based on where they are stationed, I picture them eating at The Black Horse pub eating Cletus burgers post mission. I see it becoming the go to burgers. Can’t wait to finish the series.





I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Honor Bound was pretty good. I think this is the first book I've read about a medical missionary, and I liked the romance trope of enemies to friends.

Dr. Cynthia honestly seemed a bit spoiled at first, but her character developed better as the story went on.
You could tell she truly cared about her patients and loved doing a job that made a difference.

Rick was a nice character. Who wouldn't love a tough but kind soldier with a heart of gold? He was a good example of a servant leader.

His fellow soldiers were a hoot to read about, especially their team nicknames such as Sanders, Drumstick and Pot Pie. And Team Daddy was pretty snicker-worthy.

There is so much Army lingo though in the very beginning, and it made for a super slow start to the story.

Negative Elements-
A character later on in the book refers to Rick as sounding "very se*y".
So inappropriate. I'll fix this with a dab of white-out, and that'll take care of it as this was the only language issue.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-book. A positive review was not required of me, and the thoughts above are my own.

This was the first time I have read anything written by Hallee Bridgeman! Let me just say...I loved this book! I loved the medical missions part of this book, and how the military swept in to "rescue" Dr. Cynthia Myers! My nephew was a special forces member for years, and the story seemed to fit how they moved on a mission. I loved the tension between the characters of the book...and how the book sets up the next book in the series! Bridgeman has become a member of my "to be read" club. Thank you Revell publishing for the copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!

This exciting thriller hits the ground out running and keeps up an intensity throughout the dangerous journey it takes readers on. A US Special Forces team helps out an American doctor in a rural African village, who also helps them, but the novel contains so much more. Pain from the past shadows the doctor as well as the team leader and hinders their growing relationship. This story unveils what such a treacherous mission entails and engages the emotions as these authentic characters nearly jump off the page. The intriguing plot leaves the door open for more. This first book in a new series certainly whets readers’ appetites to continue. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #HonorBound #NetGalley

I was very excited to try this new author in the romantic military suspense arena, and overall I was very pleased! The action was very intense during the first half and kept me going. I felt like the characters could be more well-developed, it felt like there wasn't much more to them than their career and their romance. I also felt like the action majorly dropped off in the second half until the very end, but overall I really enjoyed the story and am excited to finish the series!

This book has it all. Action-adventure, political intrigue, and of course some tension filled romance. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. I was skeptical at first because the book opens with a list of military terms and acronyms and then the first chapter is very military centric.

We're a military family so I wasn't put off by it, I was just expecting a more traditional romantic suspense type of book. I'm so glad I stuck with it because it turned out to be a fabulous read. The story starts in a remote part of Africa and eventually winds up in the United States. The journey between those two places is edge-of-your-seat drama that kept the pages flying by.

If book one is any indication, this is going to be a riveting series. No spoilers, but there are loose strings at the end of the book that I am sure will be tied off in books two and three. I am looking forward to reading both of those books.

If you enjoy a fast-paced story with life threatening situations this story is for you. If you enjoy a thrilling romance this story is also for you. I highly recommend you add this book and series to your reading list.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

I was skeptical at first with this series, but within the first few chapters found myself hooked and couldn’t put it down.

Dr. Cynthia Myers has found peace in the most unlikely of places, war-torn Africa. After being publicly embarrassed by her fiancé at her Senator father’s function, she left to find herself. She has found new meaning with her work and helping those less fortunate. The area she is in is run by an evil warlord, when his son is mortally wounded and brought to her, Cynthia tries to save him but fails. Luckily an Army Special Forces team trying to capture the warlord shows up and saves Cynthia’s life before the warlord’s men can kill her for failing to save his son. Captain Rick Norton is head of the team and finds himself attracted to Cynthia even though she is turned off by his use of violence. His team has been injured and she must work to save them while he keeps them all save and tries to get them all home alive.

For some reason I was skeptical to pick this one up. I’ve read several different authors that write military romantic suspense type books and have enjoyed those; I wasn’t sure how a new author to me would write this. I have never read anything by Hallee Bridgeman before and when I saw this one it looked good if done well. It didn’t take long for me to realize I was wrong to have been skeptical, Bridgeman did a great job of crafting characters and situations that pulled me in tight and didn’t let go. I read this during a tough week with family health issues and it was a great escape for me during this time. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves romantic suspense, especially with a military theme to it.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman – Good Storyteller and Likable Characters


Honor Bound was the first book I’ve read by author Hallee Bridgeman. I enjoyed this book and looking forward to reading more novels from the author.

Dr. Cynthia Myers left the Washington D.C political scene following a humiliating episode with her former fiancé. She went far away to the jungles in Africa to work as a medical missionary providing obstetric services to women in a small village. She loves doing her job and has found fulfillment helping local families. The life she’s settled into is about to be disrupted when a warlord’s battle come to town. The warlord’s son is gravely injured, and Cynthia has been charged with trying to save his life. Captain Rick Norton and his Army Special Forces team are in pursuit of the warlord, and his army who have wrecked-havoc in the villages.

I really enjoyed this book, Hallee is good storyteller. She is skilled at making the reader feel like they are right there with the characters in the midst of the jungle. I liked the characters, especially Rick Norton and his team. I came to respect Cynthia over time, but initially bristled at this character’s attitudes and views. Hallee did a good job bringing the military battles and escape plans to life. As a Christian, I appreciated that faith was an important part of the character’s lives. The book has clean language, and sexual immorality was not part of the story.

My favorite character was Rick Norton. He was a man of strength, was confident in his skills, training and leadership. He wanted to be true to and pursue that which God had called him to. I also came to like Cynthia’s father. He unapologetically made the best decisions he could and gave wise advice to his daughter.

I struggled with Cynthia and her “holier than thou” passivist naïve views. Like when she was angry when Rick and his team had to dispatch the warlord’s army. She believed that it would be better if she had died instead of men who were doing evil things and harming many people in their path. The character’s moral compass was skewed. She didn’t distinguish between good and evil. Overtime she grew and had better balanced views…mostly.

Something I took issue with some of the Scripture references being misused or misstated. The biggest one was in a conversation between Cynthia and Rick when she referenced Matthew 5, where Jesus Christ submitted and went with the soldiers who were arresting Him. “Christ defied them without violence. He went with the soldiers peaceably from the garden of prayer and ultimately laid down his life. Should we Christians not be Christlike in all things?” My issue with this misuse of Scripture was that Jesus Christ’s purpose in not resisting the soldiers was not to show a passivist response to evil. This was done in fulfillment of God’s plan for the Son of God to willingly die a substitutionary death on the cross, to pay the sin debt of everyone who will repent of their sins and believe in Him.

A second misstatement of Scripture, “God’s Word promises us that He will take all things and make them good. Even the horrible things.” Wrongly stated. Better to stick with Scripture rather than misstate it. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

I liked Honor Bound, the first book in the Love and Honor series. It was easy to get into the story, and there were many likable characters. Hallee Bridgeman is a good story teller. I would add a caution to not get your theology from Christian fiction and be aware when Scripture is misstated or misused.

I look forward to reading more books from Hallee Bridgeman including the next two novels in the Love and Honor series.

I would like to thank Revell Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

Wow. This story was exciting and heart pounding and really brought me into the character's world. Soldier stories are not, most of the time, my favorite. But this one blew that opinion out of the water. I was invested from the start, and I am really looking forward to this whole series.

Dr. Cynthia Myers has gone to a poor country in Africa that is overrun with fear of a vicious warlord, to escape her personal problems. No matter, her life's goal is being satisfied and she feels this is where she is meant to be. She is doing good and has made lasting relationships. Until violence walks into her camp.

Captain Rick Norton and his team are tasked with getting Cynthia out of harm's way as she is now the vice president of the United States daughter due to unforeseen circumstances. She is now looked at as a favorable pawn.

Rick and Cynthia clash almost immediately. He is a soldier, she is a doctor, and they have very different views on life. Now they are both in danger and two of his men are severely injured. Getting to the US embassy is just the beginning of their adventure together. And what a ride it was, especially as their chosen careers clash with their budding romance.

I really look forward to more of this series and this team of soldiers and I just found out there is a prequel book as well. I look forward to all of these adventures.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

She's a pacifist...he's a warrior...

I love a good adventure story in an exotic setting – and for a girl who has never stepped foot out of the continental US Africa is about as exotic as you can get. The dustier and more dangerous the trek through the jungle the more I like it! Toss in some skilled Special Forces guys and you've got me hooked! Honor Bound ticked all of those categories – and a few more – so I pretty much didn't put it down after first picking it up.

It's been quite awhile since I last read anything by Hallee Bridgeman, I think it was the first half of her Jewel series, but I thought that her new Love And Honor series looked like a great way to dive back in. I was not mistaken...

From the jungles of Africa to Washington DC to the Creation Museum in Kentucky, Honor Bound was an exciting read from start to finish. It was a fascinating mix of gritty suspense for much of it then an almost sweet romance in the last bit. That almost stark contrast highlighted and enhanced both elements as Hallee Bridgeman skillfully brought out the best in them. The insight into the lives of military families was also particularly interesting and thoughtfully presented.

I'm going to be 100% honest, this book was one of those ultra rare occasions where I dislike the heroine quite strongly. Her attitudes rubbed me the wrong way at nearly every turn. The hero, however, was the epitome of that word and I liked him from the start. He's a man of faith called to be a man of action.

This first Love And Honor book was quite the story. I enjoyed reading it and I am planning on checking out the next book in the series for sure. I wouldn't be surprised if I don't stop with just the next one...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

This is the first book in a new series by this author but I still felt like I was missing some ties to earlier characters. The military aspect of this story was fast-paced and seemed realistic. Captain Norton's team is one that I can imagine being filled with real life heroes. I liked how strong and outspoken of a Christian Norton is and would like to read more about him beyond his relationship with Cynthia. She is a character that I didn't connect with and was often irritated with because of her pacifist views being vocalized to an elite member of the military.

It's a common trope in military fiction now, saving a 'damsel in distress' in a foreign country. I'm sure this is a story that many will enjoy even though I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. I received an electronic copy from the publisher through Netgalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

Hallee Bridgeman’s Love and Honor series opens in a big way when Special Forces A-Team Captain Rick Norton and his elite soldiers encounter the soldiers of a warlord in the peaceful village where Doctor Cynthia Myers operates an obstetrics clinic. Captain Norton and Doctor Myers clash instantly. And repeatedly. She doesn’t believe in violence and abhors the weapons he carries and uses so proficiently. His job requires difficult decisions to protect people like her from evil people like the one who has ravaged the country she loves so much. As if it wasn’t challenging enough to extract his high profile asset, Captain Norton has to convince Doctor Myers to travel with him to care for the two team members who have sustained life threatening wounds.

Getting Cynthia Myers to the US Embassy was supposed to be the end of Rick’s involvement with her. Cynthia wants only to return to her village clinic and the people she loves, far from the media scrutiny that comes with being the daughter of the Vice President and the scandal that she escaped when she became a medical missionary in Africa. Her father has other ideas. The warlord who seeks to use her as a political pawn has still other ideas. And for some reason, Rick can’t shake ideas of his own. Packed with action, angst, and romance, Honor Bound is a riveting series opener.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman is one of the books in the Love and Honor series by ms. Bridgeman.

This story tells of Captain Rich Norton, head of an Army Special Forces A-team on a mission to capture and subdue a warlord who is terrorizing the citizens of an African country. Dr. Cynthia Myers is a doctor, the daughter of the Vice-President of the United States, who is working in that country to help pregnant mothers and their children. She has set up a clinic in one of the villages, but the inhabitants and Dr. Myers are aware of the danger from the warlord and his henchmen. She is targeted to be kidnapped and held for ransom because of her father’s position.

When the son of the warlord is injured, his men bring him to Dr. Myers for treatment, although he is mortally wounded. Captain Norton and his men attack the men who want to kill Dr. Myers because she was unable to save the warlord’s son. In the skirmish, two of the A-Team are severely wounded and must be evacuated. The A-Team and Dr. Myers have to save the injured men by escaping through the dangerous jungle.

This story was full of fear for the members of the A-Team and Dr. Myers. Although Rick and Cynthia do not see eye-to-eye at first, it is evident that they have to work together to stay alive and see that their team can be saved. I read this book in two sittings because every page demanded that I read more and more.

You never know what to expect when you pick up a book by a new author. I admit I was skeptical, but I definitely should not have worried. This book was outstanding! Full of action, romance, and all too real situations that kept me on the edge of my seat, I could hardly put this book down. Bridgeman's descriptions and story development are so immersing that I could not help but be caught up in the lives of her hero and heroine.

I am thankful the other books in the series are soon to be released, because I cannot wait to read more from this author!

I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved this!! I love how Cynthia gradually got used to the use of weapons and the need for them, even before she recognized that she had become used to them. I love how she called Rick for help and he immediately got his team together and moved out as soon as they were granted permission. I was glad that her mom and dad were behind Rick, supporting her decision and interest in him. I love how she got a job without even knowing if he still loved her and she hadn't talked to him at all. So many great things!!

Cynthia, a missionary physician, and Rick Norton, a Captain in a Special Forces team, met in an unconventional way. Both were in Africa for very different reasons. She was providing medical care to villagers, and he was there to stop a murderous war lord. Their first meeting happened when Cynthia was held hostage and Rick and his team were sent to rescue her. This is a story in which situations become more precarious every minute.
For those who like a fast moving and well plotted story that is packed with action, there is much to enjoy here. While the protagonists are very different people who come from different backgrounds, the one thing they share is their faith. Even with all the chaos they find themselves in, a romantic relationship develops. The question arises: can Cynthia accept that the work Rick does is his calling just as healing is hers?
Exciting and engrossing, this story holds the reader's attention from start to finish. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Others highly recommended this book, but I was sitting on the fence—did I or did I not want to read it? Reason being, the military aspect is SO out of my comfort zone. However, the thoughts of a female missionary Dr. in an exotic setting finally won me over. Soon I was on a dangerous trek through the steamy African jungle—laden with mosquitoes, crocodiles, & hippopotami lurking underneath murky waters, cobras twisting around trees, and bullets flying everywhere!

The characters are not only courageous, but able to joke in the face of danger, cry when vulnerable, and humbly pray when there's seemingly no way out. Captain Rick Norton, leader of the Green Beret team is our handsome hero...it doesn't get much more heroic than that! He can handle dangerous rebels, but meets his match in the feisty Dr. Cynthia Myers, who prefers serving those in war-torn Africa to the cushy, superficial life of the daughter to the vice president.

Filled with exhilarating action, tender romance, and truly a book about modern day heroes and the sacrifices they make for our country every day—this is one novel I feel honored just to have read.

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a favorable review.*

Wow! I thoroughly enjoyed this military romantic suspense. Author Hallee Bridgeman is a new-to-me author and I will definitely be reading more of her stories. Her research and knowledge of all things military made this a believable, fascinating and unputdownable story!

I love the special forces green beret team members, the way they work in sinc with one another, their nicknames, cameraderie, and humor. Captain Rick Norton and his team are amazing. Doctor Cythia Myers is working as a missionary doctor in war-torn Africa. She is to be evacuated with the team including two of their injured members, because the enemy has found out who her father is, and she is not happy about it.

My daughter had a brief stint in the army and it was fun to recognize some of the lingo used.

What a page turning ride! If you like romantic suspense with a military setting, you will love this story! I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher and net galley for a chance to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this opposites attract romantic suspense! I also liked the Christian themes that were woven naturally into this story! Can't wait to see what comes next in this series!

I received an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

This book got started with a bang and instantly sucked the reader into the action. There aren’t enough authors who write military suspense so I was definitely game to try out this new to me author especially after hearing some positive reports.
I started out really enjoying it, the action and suspense were well done and kept me turning pages and I enjoyed the team camaraderie. Rick was great and I admired his dedication to his job and his no nonsense attitude. Cynthia was a little harder for me to get behind, she often just rubbed me a little wrong and I didn’t agree with her stance on things. I did appreciate how Rick stood up for himself and that she usually realized she was in the wrong before too much time passed. They made a cute couple but I do kind of wonder if they really were cut out to be together in the long run with their opposing views.
The plot really slowed down in the second half and there was no suspense elements at all. I kept waiting for something to happen but it just turned into a romance and was a little slow moving. Plus the characters actions and attitudes started to grate on me.
Overall it wasn’t a bad read but I’m not sure it was enough to keep me reading the series.