What do you think?
Rate this book
Men of Valor #3
Navy SEAL Noel
A LETHAL REUNION
Abducted by a drug cartel, scientist Jessalynn McCoy's orders are simple—produce a deadly toxin, or be killed. Trapped with no options, she's desperate for help…she just never expected it from Will Gumble. The boy who let her down years ago is now a navy SEAL. She trusts his skills, his experience. Yet trusting him is a struggle. Will's Christmas wish is to heal their damaged relationship and get them to safety. But time is running out and the stakes keep rising. Any mistake could mean the difference between facing the holidays together or apart forever.
Men of Valor: These navy SEALS were born to excel…
Abducted by a drug cartel, scientist Jessalynn McCoy's orders are simple—produce a deadly toxin, or be killed. Trapped with no options, she's desperate for help…she just never expected it from Will Gumble. The boy who let her down years ago is now a navy SEAL. She trusts his skills, his experience. Yet trusting him is a struggle. Will's Christmas wish is to heal their damaged relationship and get them to safety. But time is running out and the stakes keep rising. Any mistake could mean the difference between facing the holidays together or apart forever.
Men of Valor: These navy SEALS were born to excel…
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
80 people are currently reading
467 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 1, 2023
DNF @ 115. And I swear, I *REALLY* tried.
Jess is a biochemist going for her doctorate at University... which means that she's *NOT* yet an expert, and yet for some ridiculous reason, a cartel leader in Panama has kidnapped her and a vial of germ warfare he wants to use to attack the neighboring cartel. Nevermind this stuff takes out entire COUNTRIES if unleashed.
Already the believability is not there.
Because it's not 'official knowledge' where she is or what they've got or who's got it, the US can't get involved - which is BULLCRAP. If a global chem bioweapon goes missing along with a scientist? There WOULD BE jurisdiction to get it back. This whole thing is stupid. Especially if they DO know where she is... that's what the teams do. This WOULD'VE been an official mission. They go in on less than that - case in point, the previous book, hello.
Except the author says otherwise. She says Jess' daddy is big-wig Navy dude who is unofficially asking Will to go in alone and get his daughter. Cuz SEAL dude on solo, unsanctioned mission. Nevermind that Daddy *hates* Will, and never approved of him. But with a Naval base stocked with SEALs, only Will can do it, or is the man for the job... according to the author. Because logic, story arc continuance and... wait, NONE of that. It's bogus.
So Will passes himself off as THE expert on this germ - not even SURE how we're supposed to believe this, in an age when the internet has photos and information on just about everyone, and someone with that kind of clout would've been researched BEFORE Jess was snatched, and Will wouldn't have been able to have been set up a something he's not that easily.
Anyhow, the author does it regardless, and gets HIM kidnapped from the States, too. Because the cartel boss definitely would've bothered taking Jess if they could get Will, who's an actual expert. Wait, WHAT?! (((← that's sarcasm, there.)) Because the author says they need BOTH of them - expert and student - to germ up the neighbors. R'something.
It. Makes. NO. sense.
What makes even LESS sense is that Will shows up and tells her that she has to pretend she doesn't know him. The problem with that is... if he's the "foremost expert" on the germ she's doing her doctorate on? SHE WOULD DEFINITELY KNOW HIM, HELLO...!!! GAHHH!!!
Together, they spend *DAYS* under the nose of a guard who tasked with keeping them working to prep the delivery system in the 7-day timeframe they have. And he's TOTALLY okay, the entire time, with Will and Jess just emptying boxes, stacking beakers, standing around boiling saltwater. ????!!!???
Like we don't know the author doesn't know the first thing about anything science-related, and is writing absolute nonsense? No guard would EVER let them do that for DAYS when there's only a WEEK to get it done. It's pitiful, how little research she did on ANYTHING for this hot mess. And she didn't. This book hasn't been researched A.T. A.L.L. She fudges over everything, and in the most pitiful of ways.
For example: "How was she supposed to concentrate on emptying metal cans when she could only think about Will..." EMPTYING METAL CANS?! ARGHHHH.
Or this: "I suppose he's as tired of watching us unpack musty boxes as we are of doing it". Or we are of READING it. It's nonsense. WRITE. SOMETHING!!!!
There's backstory stupidity, too. Jess was raised by her great-grandma cuz daddy's Navy and was never around, EXCEPT she had a lovely upbringing, because Sal and Will and their abuela included her at every meal and made her feel like family. EXCEPT the author tells us they clung to each other in the compound 'the way they used to when the world was falling apart around them'. Which... never happened, with Will's lovely family surrounding them. WHAT. THE. FARTS?!
Pg 23 - the author has Jess push PAST the armed cartel guard to go and get fresh air. SERIOUSLY? Like he'd allow that?
Pg 24, 63, 81 - I don't know what's with Liz Johnson, but her heroines can't walk for crap. They stumble, trip, fall in puddles, totter around, bump into people, catch their shoes on every dang crack in the ceement... they have no balance or ability to ambulate. It's ridiculous, how inept these girls are. And yet they vault up on a trash can and climb a roof, three chapters later. It's AWFUL writing. Either they're klutzes or athletic - you can't have it both ways.
Pg 71 - she was "clearly not convinced that she should get on a transport with him to God only knows where". Um, NO. If she's in a drug lord's compound with a toxin not properly controlled and they're going to KILL HER, she wouldn't be unconvinced about going with the SEAL. No. There would be NO doubt in her mind. She might not like him, but she wouldn't hesitate. And he'd know it. This is crap writing. Again.
I was out when on pg 113 they started arguing about him doing a reconnaissance mission to gather intel, and she insisted he take her with him. There is NO WAY he would cave and let her run the operation, call the shots. There is NO WAY he would let her slink around falling in every hole and tripping over her six left feet behind him as he scoped things out. He likely wouldn't even TELL her what he was doing, just to avoid this B.S. And it goes on for P.A.G.E.S this petty fighting and stupidity.
Worse? I made it almost halfway through the book, and there is *ABSOLUTELY NO* faith in this thing. There's nothing inspirational. There's no Bible, no prayers, no praising the Lord, no church, no living example of Christ's love... NOTHING. Anywhere.
Another thing - there's not a WHIT of description. We don't know what her daddy looks like, what *WILL* looks like (aside from broad shoulders and dark hair), what Jess looks like (again, eye/hair color only). I swear, there are no details to *anything* in Liz's books... I picture Will exactly the same as Tristan, because... they basically are, with this shoddy writing!
I'll be honest. I could read Brockmann and at least have plausible characters, researched plotlines, and real passion. I hate that it's got smut to it, but in comparing this to her books? This is like Tostino's boxed mini tacos overcooked in a conventional oven compared to fine Mexican dining served by a chef, when comparing the SEAL stories Johnson pens with Brockmann's works. It's horrible. I... can't. I'm sorry.
I dog-ear pages in LI books, to help with these reviews. Only *ONCE* before have I ever had to rip a page in the middle because I needed THREE dog ears on one page... until now. This is #2 that I've had to do that to. And that's NEVER a good thing.
My husband just shakes his head. He's reading LI books with me. He's sworn off the Suspense, because he says they're just too bad to even bother with. I like SEAL books, though... so I'd foolishly, stupidly hoped...
But it was in vain. Seriously, don't waste your time, here.
Jess is a biochemist going for her doctorate at University... which means that she's *NOT* yet an expert, and yet for some ridiculous reason, a cartel leader in Panama has kidnapped her and a vial of germ warfare he wants to use to attack the neighboring cartel. Nevermind this stuff takes out entire COUNTRIES if unleashed.
Already the believability is not there.
Because it's not 'official knowledge' where she is or what they've got or who's got it, the US can't get involved - which is BULLCRAP. If a global chem bioweapon goes missing along with a scientist? There WOULD BE jurisdiction to get it back. This whole thing is stupid. Especially if they DO know where she is... that's what the teams do. This WOULD'VE been an official mission. They go in on less than that - case in point, the previous book, hello.
Except the author says otherwise. She says Jess' daddy is big-wig Navy dude who is unofficially asking Will to go in alone and get his daughter. Cuz SEAL dude on solo, unsanctioned mission. Nevermind that Daddy *hates* Will, and never approved of him. But with a Naval base stocked with SEALs, only Will can do it, or is the man for the job... according to the author. Because logic, story arc continuance and... wait, NONE of that. It's bogus.
So Will passes himself off as THE expert on this germ - not even SURE how we're supposed to believe this, in an age when the internet has photos and information on just about everyone, and someone with that kind of clout would've been researched BEFORE Jess was snatched, and Will wouldn't have been able to have been set up a something he's not that easily.
Anyhow, the author does it regardless, and gets HIM kidnapped from the States, too. Because the cartel boss definitely would've bothered taking Jess if they could get Will, who's an actual expert. Wait, WHAT?! (((← that's sarcasm, there.)) Because the author says they need BOTH of them - expert and student - to germ up the neighbors. R'something.
It. Makes. NO. sense.
What makes even LESS sense is that Will shows up and tells her that she has to pretend she doesn't know him. The problem with that is... if he's the "foremost expert" on the germ she's doing her doctorate on? SHE WOULD DEFINITELY KNOW HIM, HELLO...!!! GAHHH!!!
Together, they spend *DAYS* under the nose of a guard who tasked with keeping them working to prep the delivery system in the 7-day timeframe they have. And he's TOTALLY okay, the entire time, with Will and Jess just emptying boxes, stacking beakers, standing around boiling saltwater. ????!!!???
Like we don't know the author doesn't know the first thing about anything science-related, and is writing absolute nonsense? No guard would EVER let them do that for DAYS when there's only a WEEK to get it done. It's pitiful, how little research she did on ANYTHING for this hot mess. And she didn't. This book hasn't been researched A.T. A.L.L. She fudges over everything, and in the most pitiful of ways.
For example: "How was she supposed to concentrate on emptying metal cans when she could only think about Will..." EMPTYING METAL CANS?! ARGHHHH.
Or this: "I suppose he's as tired of watching us unpack musty boxes as we are of doing it". Or we are of READING it. It's nonsense. WRITE. SOMETHING!!!!
There's backstory stupidity, too. Jess was raised by her great-grandma cuz daddy's Navy and was never around, EXCEPT she had a lovely upbringing, because Sal and Will and their abuela included her at every meal and made her feel like family. EXCEPT the author tells us they clung to each other in the compound 'the way they used to when the world was falling apart around them'. Which... never happened, with Will's lovely family surrounding them. WHAT. THE. FARTS?!
Pg 23 - the author has Jess push PAST the armed cartel guard to go and get fresh air. SERIOUSLY? Like he'd allow that?
Pg 24, 63, 81 - I don't know what's with Liz Johnson, but her heroines can't walk for crap. They stumble, trip, fall in puddles, totter around, bump into people, catch their shoes on every dang crack in the ceement... they have no balance or ability to ambulate. It's ridiculous, how inept these girls are. And yet they vault up on a trash can and climb a roof, three chapters later. It's AWFUL writing. Either they're klutzes or athletic - you can't have it both ways.
Pg 71 - she was "clearly not convinced that she should get on a transport with him to God only knows where". Um, NO. If she's in a drug lord's compound with a toxin not properly controlled and they're going to KILL HER, she wouldn't be unconvinced about going with the SEAL. No. There would be NO doubt in her mind. She might not like him, but she wouldn't hesitate. And he'd know it. This is crap writing. Again.
I was out when on pg 113 they started arguing about him doing a reconnaissance mission to gather intel, and she insisted he take her with him. There is NO WAY he would cave and let her run the operation, call the shots. There is NO WAY he would let her slink around falling in every hole and tripping over her six left feet behind him as he scoped things out. He likely wouldn't even TELL her what he was doing, just to avoid this B.S. And it goes on for P.A.G.E.S this petty fighting and stupidity.
Worse? I made it almost halfway through the book, and there is *ABSOLUTELY NO* faith in this thing. There's nothing inspirational. There's no Bible, no prayers, no praising the Lord, no church, no living example of Christ's love... NOTHING. Anywhere.
Another thing - there's not a WHIT of description. We don't know what her daddy looks like, what *WILL* looks like (aside from broad shoulders and dark hair), what Jess looks like (again, eye/hair color only). I swear, there are no details to *anything* in Liz's books... I picture Will exactly the same as Tristan, because... they basically are, with this shoddy writing!
I'll be honest. I could read Brockmann and at least have plausible characters, researched plotlines, and real passion. I hate that it's got smut to it, but in comparing this to her books? This is like Tostino's boxed mini tacos overcooked in a conventional oven compared to fine Mexican dining served by a chef, when comparing the SEAL stories Johnson pens with Brockmann's works. It's horrible. I... can't. I'm sorry.
I dog-ear pages in LI books, to help with these reviews. Only *ONCE* before have I ever had to rip a page in the middle because I needed THREE dog ears on one page... until now. This is #2 that I've had to do that to. And that's NEVER a good thing.
My husband just shakes his head. He's reading LI books with me. He's sworn off the Suspense, because he says they're just too bad to even bother with. I like SEAL books, though... so I'd foolishly, stupidly hoped...
But it was in vain. Seriously, don't waste your time, here.
July 22, 2015
What’s hotter than a navy SEAL in action? It’s a navy SEAL who has come to rescue you from a Panamanian drug cartel. What makes your heart fall flat? Learning he’s not on a SEAL mission, he’s flying solo and off the record. Jessalynn has some serious trust issues with Will, and for many good reasons. He broke her heart and she thought she had moved on. But stuck with a drug lord wanting her to make a deadly toxin to kill his enemies, she has to trust someone, and Will seems like the only one available. Could she be falling for him again, or is it some trick of being in captivity?
Will knows what he lost when he walked away from Jessalynn. He’d like to have a chance to make amends and regain his friend. He wants to be able to get Jessalynn home to her dad before Christmas. Unfortunately, he is blocked at every turn and is getting more concerned about his ability to get either of them out alive. He doesn’t have his team, he doesn’t have any real backup. He isn’t really even sure exactly where in the Panama jungle they are. He knows the basic direction they need to go, but first they have to escape and get through several miles of jungle. He wonders if this will be the time he fails.
I was totally captivated by the story from start to finish. It kept me on the edge of my chair and I could not put it down for any reason. The whole story absolutely grabbed me from the first pages and didn’t let go until the story was done. This suspense book was truly suspenseful and I also couldn’t tell how this would ever end. If you want a solid story, with excellent character development and nail-biting suspense, you’ll find it all in this story.
-- ROBYN
Will knows what he lost when he walked away from Jessalynn. He’d like to have a chance to make amends and regain his friend. He wants to be able to get Jessalynn home to her dad before Christmas. Unfortunately, he is blocked at every turn and is getting more concerned about his ability to get either of them out alive. He doesn’t have his team, he doesn’t have any real backup. He isn’t really even sure exactly where in the Panama jungle they are. He knows the basic direction they need to go, but first they have to escape and get through several miles of jungle. He wonders if this will be the time he fails.
I was totally captivated by the story from start to finish. It kept me on the edge of my chair and I could not put it down for any reason. The whole story absolutely grabbed me from the first pages and didn’t let go until the story was done. This suspense book was truly suspenseful and I also couldn’t tell how this would ever end. If you want a solid story, with excellent character development and nail-biting suspense, you’ll find it all in this story.
-- ROBYN
December 27, 2014
When Liz Johnson offered to send me a copy of her latest book to review, I was excited. Liz writes with crisp clarity that makes her action-packed books a clean, exciting read. I suspected I'd love the book. I had no idea how much.
Navy Seal Noel takes place in Panama. You feel the heat, the mugginess. You can smell the stench of sweat and stale grease in a cartel compound. And taste--she even adds taste into the mix of senses that run riot through you as you read. The taste of fear, of danger.
The characters are beautifully flawed AND likable--the combination I like best. Jess is spunky and independent without being TOO obnoxiously over-sure of herself. Will never deviates from being the trained SEAL he is, yet you can see his own vulnerabilities from his perspective.
The book isn't overtly Christmassy. Reading it in July won't make you feel like Christmas has overtaken Independence Day now. It happens to take place in December and the goal is "home for Christmas" but other than that, it's just a great book with an even greater setting.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest review. I assumed I'd give it four-five stars when I started it. Liz Johnson is one of my favorite authors, but this is seriously the best of her books in my opinion. I can't wait for the next. Before I found Liz Johnson's books, I used to avoid Love Inspired books. Now, I'll happily read hers and take a chance on the others in the Love Inspired Suspense series. I haven't yet been disappointed.
Navy Seal Noel takes place in Panama. You feel the heat, the mugginess. You can smell the stench of sweat and stale grease in a cartel compound. And taste--she even adds taste into the mix of senses that run riot through you as you read. The taste of fear, of danger.
The characters are beautifully flawed AND likable--the combination I like best. Jess is spunky and independent without being TOO obnoxiously over-sure of herself. Will never deviates from being the trained SEAL he is, yet you can see his own vulnerabilities from his perspective.
The book isn't overtly Christmassy. Reading it in July won't make you feel like Christmas has overtaken Independence Day now. It happens to take place in December and the goal is "home for Christmas" but other than that, it's just a great book with an even greater setting.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest review. I assumed I'd give it four-five stars when I started it. Liz Johnson is one of my favorite authors, but this is seriously the best of her books in my opinion. I can't wait for the next. Before I found Liz Johnson's books, I used to avoid Love Inspired books. Now, I'll happily read hers and take a chance on the others in the Love Inspired Suspense series. I haven't yet been disappointed.
January 21, 2015
Navy SEAL Noel is the third book in Liz Johnson's Men of Valor series and another enjoyable read. I liked how the main characters were best friends growing up, but because of something that had happened years ago, grew apart. This made their reconnection interesting and the romance seem more real.
The suspense in the book was good. I always seem to enjoy suspense books where the characters are abducted/being held against their will and have to try and escape. Navy SEAL Noel was no different and I loved that aspect.
All in all, a really good Love Inspired Suspense. Navy SEAL Noel was a quick read and I recommend it if you enjoy these types of books.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
The suspense in the book was good. I always seem to enjoy suspense books where the characters are abducted/being held against their will and have to try and escape. Navy SEAL Noel was no different and I loved that aspect.
All in all, a really good Love Inspired Suspense. Navy SEAL Noel was a quick read and I recommend it if you enjoy these types of books.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
January 18, 2015
Couldn't put it down...
The story of Will and Jess was thrilling, exciting, maddening at times, yet oh so sweet. Will's desire to honor his brother is endearing. His quick, almost thoughtless decision to rescue Jess, even at risk of his career, drew me to him instantly. Jess's anger and bitterness were heartfelt. Her past with her mother was dejavu, drawing me in that much more. Her heartache was so real to me.
Liz wrote this story with such vivid wording that the whole book played out as a movie in my mind as I read it. I could smell and feel the humidity of the jungle. I could feel the heartbeats of both Will and Jess. I could taste the kisses with deep passion. Yes, vivid wording to the point of feeling like I was there.
I highly recommend...especially if you like to 'feel' the words you are reading...and if you enjoy a good military hero as much as I do! I'll most definitely be reading more by Liz Johnson!
The story of Will and Jess was thrilling, exciting, maddening at times, yet oh so sweet. Will's desire to honor his brother is endearing. His quick, almost thoughtless decision to rescue Jess, even at risk of his career, drew me to him instantly. Jess's anger and bitterness were heartfelt. Her past with her mother was dejavu, drawing me in that much more. Her heartache was so real to me.
Liz wrote this story with such vivid wording that the whole book played out as a movie in my mind as I read it. I could smell and feel the humidity of the jungle. I could feel the heartbeats of both Will and Jess. I could taste the kisses with deep passion. Yes, vivid wording to the point of feeling like I was there.
I highly recommend...especially if you like to 'feel' the words you are reading...and if you enjoy a good military hero as much as I do! I'll most definitely be reading more by Liz Johnson!
September 12, 2015
This book had such a good beginning that I could not put the book down.
What I liked: I loved the suspense. Many of the circumstances the main characters faced could almost be considered impossible to get out of. Everywhere Jess and Will turned, something came up that impeded their escape. The romance was sweet, and the selfless protectiveness and determination of Will to shield Tess from harm was chivalrous.
What I didn’t like: There were many pages that included nothing but descriptive paragraphs, heart searching, or explanation with very little dialogue. I understand that Jess and Will were in a dangerous situation. Being kidnapped by drug cartels and hidden in the jungle of Panama would make talking at times impossible. However, I felt the long passages of introspection or descriptions slowed down the story.
Over all I give this book four stars. It was a fun book to read and I recommend it to anyone loving tension and excitement. I look forward to reading more by this author.
What I liked: I loved the suspense. Many of the circumstances the main characters faced could almost be considered impossible to get out of. Everywhere Jess and Will turned, something came up that impeded their escape. The romance was sweet, and the selfless protectiveness and determination of Will to shield Tess from harm was chivalrous.
What I didn’t like: There were many pages that included nothing but descriptive paragraphs, heart searching, or explanation with very little dialogue. I understand that Jess and Will were in a dangerous situation. Being kidnapped by drug cartels and hidden in the jungle of Panama would make talking at times impossible. However, I felt the long passages of introspection or descriptions slowed down the story.
Over all I give this book four stars. It was a fun book to read and I recommend it to anyone loving tension and excitement. I look forward to reading more by this author.
December 2, 2014
Jessalyn is the commander's daughter and a scientist. She is working on an antidote for a possible bio-weapon.
She is kidnapped for her knowledge. The commander secretly sends Jessalyn's former boyfriend, a navy seal, into the compound where she is kept. Can he get her out alive and get her home for Christmas? Will they forgive each other and rekindle the old flame?
I loved the characters in this book. The plot is vivid. What a page-turner! I recommend this--not only for Christmas, but year-round.
She is kidnapped for her knowledge. The commander secretly sends Jessalyn's former boyfriend, a navy seal, into the compound where she is kept. Can he get her out alive and get her home for Christmas? Will they forgive each other and rekindle the old flame?
I loved the characters in this book. The plot is vivid. What a page-turner! I recommend this--not only for Christmas, but year-round.
July 8, 2015
This book was a pretty decent read....follows the typical romance ...girl in trouble, old friend/ love rescues her. My biggest pet peeve with this book is in the midst of great danger.... they either are kissing or thinking about the others lips/hair/ skin...really???? cause that is how the world works... you are about to die and you are thinking about the soft hair of the good looking person with you... ( that hasn't taken a shower in a week in a jungle? ) But that is my own personal pet peeve :)
January 24, 2015
What a great read. Navy Seal Noel is filled with action and suspense. Add Will and Jesslynn's faith in God and old friendship and it makes for lots of tension as well. The story plays out very real not made up making it the great read it is. I am adding the rest in this series to my reading list.
Matilda
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
Matilda
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
August 26, 2016
To be honest, I had extremely high expectations for this book because I absolutely LOVE Liz Johnson's Love Inspired Suspense books... And I was not disappointed! This book was incredible! Edge-of-your-seat suspense, a sweet romance between two characters you just cannot help but love, and an action-packed story line that keeps you guessing! I've already read this book a few different times! It's just that good! I highly recommend this book! :)
January 10, 2017
Just because Navy Seal Noel has a Christmas ring to it doesn't mean you should put it off until the holiday season. It's a wonderful, fast-paced story that takes readers into the heat of the jungle with carefully crafted characters, plenty of romantic tension and swoon-worthy kisses! Not to mention dangerous situations around every corner. It's a must read!
October 28, 2014
I really enjoyed this next installment in the Men of Valor series. it was great to reconnect with Will and meet Jess (she's one of Liz's best heroines to date IMO.) If you're looking for a sweet, suspenseful romance, you won't go wrong with this.
January 6, 2015
"Love Inspired Suspense" novels are often somewhat trite and predictable, and the ending of this one has the classic happy resolution (which I don't mind), but the all the rest of this book is a cut above the normal fare and, therefore, highly entertaining.
August 13, 2015
A good suspense book with lots of action.
January 20, 2015
I received Navy SEAL Noel by Liz Johnson compliments of the writer. I heartily recommend Liz Johnson's newest release, Navy SEAL Noel. What a page-turner!
January 15, 2016
love this story of suspense but also of best friends reuniting and allowing themselves to discover how they feel about each other.
August 29, 2016
I loved this book!
December 25, 2016
Good book!!!
Read
February 1, 2017I enjoyed reading this book.
November 20, 2018
Navy Seal Noel by Liz Johnson #3 Men of Valor series
Genre: Suspense, Christian Romance,
Format: Kindle
Timeframe: More or less current day
Location: San Diego and Panama
Characters:
Jess McCoy: finishing PhD in bioengineering
Will Gumble: Navy Seal, Jess's childhood best friend
Captain Sean McCoy: Commanding Officer, Coronado (Jess's father)
Assumed to have been abducted by a Panamanian drug cartel, Jess McCoy needs saving from a potentially deadly situation. Captain Sean McCoy enlists Navy Seal Will Gumble to extract his daughter and bring her back to safety.
When Will learns his childhood best friend (who's been studying a lethal pathogen at a San Diego University) has been kidnapped along with the bioweapon, he jumps at the chance to rescue her. Not only has he been highly trained for this very thing, but this is Jess! Someone he's cared for many years.
Now, where to find her, and how to get Jess and the toxin out before deaths occur (including theirs) becomes his greatest mission.
****************************************
So, I felt absolutely idiotic when I finally figured out why this book was named Navy Seal Noel. I kept waiting for the name to show up in the book, but absolutely no one is named Noel. I did a search, and the only time Noel is mentioned is when it referred to the title in "About the author" or the copyright page. And it wasn’t an acronym for anything I could find. Finally while reading some reviews to see if anybody else made sense of this, it dawned on me, Will was trying to get Jess home by Christmas.
I actually smacked my forehead.
Quick, clean read. Suspenseful with a gentle romance and mild faith content. A bit eye-rolly in the kissing scenes and mushy talk. Sorry. Sometimes this is done well and classy, sometimes...meh.
Good book.
Genre: Suspense, Christian Romance,
Format: Kindle
Timeframe: More or less current day
Location: San Diego and Panama
Characters:
Jess McCoy: finishing PhD in bioengineering
Will Gumble: Navy Seal, Jess's childhood best friend
Captain Sean McCoy: Commanding Officer, Coronado (Jess's father)
Assumed to have been abducted by a Panamanian drug cartel, Jess McCoy needs saving from a potentially deadly situation. Captain Sean McCoy enlists Navy Seal Will Gumble to extract his daughter and bring her back to safety.
When Will learns his childhood best friend (who's been studying a lethal pathogen at a San Diego University) has been kidnapped along with the bioweapon, he jumps at the chance to rescue her. Not only has he been highly trained for this very thing, but this is Jess! Someone he's cared for many years.
Now, where to find her, and how to get Jess and the toxin out before deaths occur (including theirs) becomes his greatest mission.
****************************************
So, I felt absolutely idiotic when I finally figured out why this book was named Navy Seal Noel. I kept waiting for the name to show up in the book, but absolutely no one is named Noel. I did a search, and the only time Noel is mentioned is when it referred to the title in "About the author" or the copyright page. And it wasn’t an acronym for anything I could find. Finally while reading some reviews to see if anybody else made sense of this, it dawned on me, Will was trying to get Jess home by Christmas.
I actually smacked my forehead.
Quick, clean read. Suspenseful with a gentle romance and mild faith content. A bit eye-rolly in the kissing scenes and mushy talk. Sorry. Sometimes this is done well and classy, sometimes...meh.
Good book.
January 3, 2025
I hadn't read any stories by this author, but the title of this one intrigued me. Worth my time and rest assure, that though it's part of a series, it is definitely a stand alone.
Will and Jesselyn were best friends in their youth. His family was her safe place, and she was his light. But as much as she loved her, she was her brother's girl. A brother whom he owned a great deal.
So ten years ago, he left town , became a Navy SEAL under her father's command , and left Jesse heartbroken.
When she's kidnapped by the cartel, the commander asks Will to go rescue her, on a mission not sanction. He'll do anything to rescue Jesse. His heart never stopped loving her.
From the moment he arrives in Panama, this becomes an action packed story. Will they survive and be able to escape before the deadly toxin is used by the cartel?
The plot was engaging and the characters likable and well developed.
Will and Jesselyn were best friends in their youth. His family was her safe place, and she was his light. But as much as she loved her, she was her brother's girl. A brother whom he owned a great deal.
So ten years ago, he left town , became a Navy SEAL under her father's command , and left Jesse heartbroken.
When she's kidnapped by the cartel, the commander asks Will to go rescue her, on a mission not sanction. He'll do anything to rescue Jesse. His heart never stopped loving her.
From the moment he arrives in Panama, this becomes an action packed story. Will they survive and be able to escape before the deadly toxin is used by the cartel?
The plot was engaging and the characters likable and well developed.
August 1, 2019
Navy Seal Noel by Liz Johnson Men of Valor Series
Wow what a wild ride Jess and Will took me on. When Jess was kidnapped, childhood friend and secret crush Will is sent to rescue her. They do everything in their power to get free from the drug cartel and stop a deadly chemical from being released. All the while fighting the chemistry between them from igniting. Navy Seal Noel was definitely a 5-star book. Fast paced and full of action. Liz Johnson did a great job bringing these characters to life. They were well developed and Navy Seal Noel was well written. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. But this once can be read as a stand-alone.
Wow what a wild ride Jess and Will took me on. When Jess was kidnapped, childhood friend and secret crush Will is sent to rescue her. They do everything in their power to get free from the drug cartel and stop a deadly chemical from being released. All the while fighting the chemistry between them from igniting. Navy Seal Noel was definitely a 5-star book. Fast paced and full of action. Liz Johnson did a great job bringing these characters to life. They were well developed and Navy Seal Noel was well written. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. But this once can be read as a stand-alone.
September 23, 2023
I liked these characters, but there was a lot of stuff happening in the story that felt unbelievable. Jessa has been kidnapped by the cartel to release a toxin to their enemies but a rescue team hasn't been assigned, instead her dad asks Navy Seal Will to try bringing her home. Will and Jessa were best friends through high school but then something happened and Will walked away and they haven't talked for 10 years. I didn't like the fact that they didn't talk out their feelings years ago, but they were young and I could understand why Will decided to leave. I was much more invested in the relationship than I was in the action.
August 6, 2017
I loved watching Will working on his own when his commanding officer, Captain McCoy, sends him on a "freelance" mission. Will grew up as the best friend of McCoy's daughter, Jess, who has been kidnapped by a drug cartel. Watching Will and Jess grow together through their ordeal was nicely interspersed with flashbacks of their history together in high school. The fact that the two were best friends in high school made their relationship really work. Plus, I love their understated ultimate compliment to each other: "You did good, kid."
May 3, 2019
Interesting book. Navy SEAL goes to some Central American country to save his high school sweetheart. A little confusing if you read it too fast. A misunderstanding builds a bridge between them and the whole book is basically about breaking down that bridge. (Well, that, and getting out alive).
All in all, a good read.
All in all, a good read.
March 6, 2024
This book was non-stop action and excitement. Jess had been abandoned by both her mother and her best friend, Will, and had a hard time trusting he would not run out on her again. Will had to convince Jess to trust him to save her and get her back home. I loved the way they had to learn to get over past hurts and concentrate on getting out of their situation alive. I really enjoyed this book.
August 1, 2023
I found the book very interesting. To be kidnapped by a drug cartel - that's a pretty frightening thought. So it mixes the fear and stress with a long-lost love. It keeps the book from becoming too intense. At least for me, that's how I felt as i really enjoyed all the aspects of her rescuer.
May 25, 2018
couldn't put it down.
March 14, 2020
I really like how Liz Johnson can write a clean romance and/or suspense story without it sounding hokey.
December 6, 2024
What an intriguing and terrifying read! It has drug cartels, abduction, an impossible mission of rescue and romance!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews