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Cowboy SEALs #2
The Baby and the Cowboy SEAL
A BROKEN SEAL
Former Navy SEAL Wiley James is lucky to be alive, but the war destroyed his health, his confidence and his livelihood. Now, back at his family's Montana ranch, Wiley struggles to find new purpose. Instead he finds an old childhood pal—little Macy Shelton, who has grown into a beautiful woman. Wiley knows he should steer clear of the cheery single mom…if only she'd let him.
Macy doesn't recognize this new Wiley. A bitter stranger has replaced the young man she fell for as a teen. Though Macy's heart still wants so much more, what Wiley needs most right now is a friend, and Macy is the only one he'll let in. Her friendship is a lifeline, but will Macy's love be the one thing that can finally help Wiley begin to heal?
Former Navy SEAL Wiley James is lucky to be alive, but the war destroyed his health, his confidence and his livelihood. Now, back at his family's Montana ranch, Wiley struggles to find new purpose. Instead he finds an old childhood pal—little Macy Shelton, who has grown into a beautiful woman. Wiley knows he should steer clear of the cheery single mom…if only she'd let him.
Macy doesn't recognize this new Wiley. A bitter stranger has replaced the young man she fell for as a teen. Though Macy's heart still wants so much more, what Wiley needs most right now is a friend, and Macy is the only one he'll let in. Her friendship is a lifeline, but will Macy's love be the one thing that can finally help Wiley begin to heal?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 5, 2016
43 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Laura Marie Altom
166 books241 followersAfter college, Laura Marie Altom did a brief stint as an interior designer before becoming a stay-at- home mom to boy/girl twins. Always an avid romance reader, when she found herself replotting the afternoon soaps, she knew it was time to try her hand at writing.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 1, 2016
Good book dealing with a difficult subject. Wiley has come home to Montana a far different man than he left. Thanks to the injuries he sustained in the war, he has had to leave the service. The memories of what happened haunt him, and the pain gives him no peace. He has isolated himself on his ranch and avoids contact with everyone, until Macy forces herself into his life.
Macy is the single mother of a little boy, living on her grandparents' property next to Wiley's. She doing her own hiding after discovering that he husband was a lying cheat. She'd always had a huge crush on him, and having him back in town is like a dream come true - until a run in with him shows her how much he's changed. Common sense tells her to stay away from him, but her heart says she can help him.
I will admit to having moments of extreme frustration with both of them. Wiley has been coping with the pain in his leg by drinking instead of taking the painkillers the doctor prescribed. He has seen friends get addicted to them, so he wants nothing to do with them. Instead, he gets addicted to alcohol. When the pain is bad, he is really rude and mean to Macy when she comes by. He feels bad and apologizes, and lets her talk him into trying to help him. I liked the way that she takes his booze away and gets him to take his pills. Unfortunately, he totally forgets about his fear of getting addicted to them, and liking the way they reduce his pain, quickly starts taking too many. He lies to himself, believing that he can stop anytime, and to Macy, hiding just how many he's taking.
Macy is so happy to have Wiley back that she ignores all the things that others try to tell her. She sees that he is in pain and knows that the drinking doesn't help, so she pretty much forces her way into his life. Her husband's betrayal has done a number on her self confidence, but Wiley's presence makes her feel good again. Though she knows Wiley's problems are probably worse than he admits, she can't help dreaming and believing that being together is all that they need to overcome them. She even convinces him that marriage is the way to go.
Wiley's problems only get worse. He is so determined to make Macy believe that everything is fine, that his abuse of the pills rapidly spirals out of control. His mood swings get worse as he struggles to hide it all from her. There are also several episodes of flashbacks where he "checks out", making her worry about him even more. She senses that things aren't right, but ignores those feelings, choosing to believe him instead. It was obvious that it was all going to fall apart eventually, and it wouldn't be pretty when it did.
I did like the realistic portrayal of the problems some returning service members have. Wiley's alcohol and drug abuse aren't unusual, nor were his attempts to isolate himself. Macy's actions were also believable, as she wanted to believe that he was getting better. Ignoring her fears made it easier to do so. I ached for Wiley and Macy when he finally hit bottom and they had to face the truth. I loved that she didn't give up on him. I also liked the way that Macy's father, being a former service member himself, was able to recognize what was going on. His assistance and support were vital to getting Wiley the help that he needed. I really liked the fact that the resolution wasn't a quick or easy fix, but one they had to work at. There was a really sweet twist at the end.
I loved the part that the various animals played in Wiley's life. It was funny to see the way that the vet kept bringing more in need of rescue as a way to give Wiley a reason to face each day. I also adored Macy's llamas. Their names were especially amusing, with the male being Charlie, and the four females being Jill, Chris, Kelly and Sabrina. It didn't take too long to make the connection.
Macy is the single mother of a little boy, living on her grandparents' property next to Wiley's. She doing her own hiding after discovering that he husband was a lying cheat. She'd always had a huge crush on him, and having him back in town is like a dream come true - until a run in with him shows her how much he's changed. Common sense tells her to stay away from him, but her heart says she can help him.
I will admit to having moments of extreme frustration with both of them. Wiley has been coping with the pain in his leg by drinking instead of taking the painkillers the doctor prescribed. He has seen friends get addicted to them, so he wants nothing to do with them. Instead, he gets addicted to alcohol. When the pain is bad, he is really rude and mean to Macy when she comes by. He feels bad and apologizes, and lets her talk him into trying to help him. I liked the way that she takes his booze away and gets him to take his pills. Unfortunately, he totally forgets about his fear of getting addicted to them, and liking the way they reduce his pain, quickly starts taking too many. He lies to himself, believing that he can stop anytime, and to Macy, hiding just how many he's taking.
Macy is so happy to have Wiley back that she ignores all the things that others try to tell her. She sees that he is in pain and knows that the drinking doesn't help, so she pretty much forces her way into his life. Her husband's betrayal has done a number on her self confidence, but Wiley's presence makes her feel good again. Though she knows Wiley's problems are probably worse than he admits, she can't help dreaming and believing that being together is all that they need to overcome them. She even convinces him that marriage is the way to go.
Wiley's problems only get worse. He is so determined to make Macy believe that everything is fine, that his abuse of the pills rapidly spirals out of control. His mood swings get worse as he struggles to hide it all from her. There are also several episodes of flashbacks where he "checks out", making her worry about him even more. She senses that things aren't right, but ignores those feelings, choosing to believe him instead. It was obvious that it was all going to fall apart eventually, and it wouldn't be pretty when it did.
I did like the realistic portrayal of the problems some returning service members have. Wiley's alcohol and drug abuse aren't unusual, nor were his attempts to isolate himself. Macy's actions were also believable, as she wanted to believe that he was getting better. Ignoring her fears made it easier to do so. I ached for Wiley and Macy when he finally hit bottom and they had to face the truth. I loved that she didn't give up on him. I also liked the way that Macy's father, being a former service member himself, was able to recognize what was going on. His assistance and support were vital to getting Wiley the help that he needed. I really liked the fact that the resolution wasn't a quick or easy fix, but one they had to work at. There was a really sweet twist at the end.
I loved the part that the various animals played in Wiley's life. It was funny to see the way that the vet kept bringing more in need of rescue as a way to give Wiley a reason to face each day. I also adored Macy's llamas. Their names were especially amusing, with the male being Charlie, and the four females being Jill, Chris, Kelly and Sabrina. It didn't take too long to make the connection.
October 2, 2022
PTSD can show up when least expected, and for former Navy SEAL Wiley James, the drugs he's taking isn't helping. Even after Macy Shelton marries him and offers her help, Wiley refuses to admit that he can't handle what is happening to him--neither the pain nor his reactions to thunder storms or fireworks.
And when he takes off with baby Henry, all looks like it's going to blow up in his face. So the question must be asked: will Macy stand by him, and what will her overprotective father do when he learns what's really going on?
And when he takes off with baby Henry, all looks like it's going to blow up in his face. So the question must be asked: will Macy stand by him, and what will her overprotective father do when he learns what's really going on?
January 6, 2018
The Seal
Was a great book to read. Wiley had a rough time after he got hurt. Macy has loved Wiley , since she was 15
Was a great book to read. Wiley had a rough time after he got hurt. Macy has loved Wiley , since she was 15
January 19, 2016
The Baby And The Cowboy SEAL by Laura Marie Altom. Navy SEAL Wiley James is injured and returns to his family ranch. Wiley is the only one in the family alive. The ranch is run down. He works at fixing it up. He won't admit he has PTSD. He is drinking and taking pain pills. He knows someone who is getting him as many pain pills as he wants. His next door neighbor is Macy Shelton and her 18 month old boy. They were high school sweethearts. Macy was divorced. Macy still loves Wiley. They get married. PTSD doesn't get any better. One time the noise was too much. Wiley takes the baby and runs into the woods to protest the baby. When they find him he is still out of it. He wakes up in a hospital to get off the drugs and work on the PTSD and get therapy for his leg. A touching story.
March 1, 2016
This book had me from the start. The surly Wiley trying to adjust after losing everything he found important - family, career, and his body not the way it was. Being a navy SEAL he has a hard time admitting he needs help. Then along comes Macy. A cheerful beautiful woman who once was a childhood pal. She doesn't give up on him even at his worst.
This book hits on topics that a number of people are going through. Ex military out because if injury , PTSD, cheating spouses, single parenthood.
Would recommend this book. Great read. I did receive this book from a good read contest but it is an unbiased opinion .
This book hits on topics that a number of people are going through. Ex military out because if injury , PTSD, cheating spouses, single parenthood.
Would recommend this book. Great read. I did receive this book from a good read contest but it is an unbiased opinion .
January 13, 2016
I won this book in a Goodreads first-reads contest for an honest review.
Macy Shelton had a big crush on Wiley growing up and now that he is back in town and living close to her up the mountain she attempts to become friends with him. Macy is a single mother and can see how severely wounded Wiley is, both inside and out.
Have your tissue box ready as you will shed tears while reading this touching story. Macy thinks that whatever is wrong with Wiley she can fix. She does eventually realize he needs more than she can provide.
This is a sensitive subject and the book is well written. Definitely deserves five stars.
Macy Shelton had a big crush on Wiley growing up and now that he is back in town and living close to her up the mountain she attempts to become friends with him. Macy is a single mother and can see how severely wounded Wiley is, both inside and out.
Have your tissue box ready as you will shed tears while reading this touching story. Macy thinks that whatever is wrong with Wiley she can fix. She does eventually realize he needs more than she can provide.
This is a sensitive subject and the book is well written. Definitely deserves five stars.
January 25, 2016
I received this as a Good Reads First Read Book Giveaway. I appreciated the opportunity to read it. I did enjoy it; as although I do like the Harliquin books as a 'something different' between my bigger novels. Most of them are pretty much the same thing just different names and different towns. But this one was a bit different than ones I've read in the past which was very nice. The author dealt with PTSD very well, from the patient dealing with it to his loved ones around him dealing with the lies and cover ups to treatment. Very well written
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June 30, 2016"Altom does a phenomenal job detailing the hero’s struggles and the heroine’s persistence. Pleasurable banter and an all-too-realistic storyline make this emotional read a Top Pick" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars TOP PICK!).
Miniseries: Cowboy SEALs
Miniseries: Cowboy SEALs
January 30, 2016
If you love cowboys and baby's you love this book
January 12, 2016
A cowboy SEAL returns home. While battling PTSD and drug addiction, he falls in love.
July 11, 2016
Good story, but i found it a little slow, then it ended abruptly. The story could have been fleshed out a bit more. I will read more of your books though. Thanks for writing.
April 20, 2017
Good but it threw you in to a problem without letting you get to know the characters first.I wanted to know more throughout the whole story it just went places too fast without buildup.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews