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SEAL of Protection #10
Protecting Dakota
PROTECTING DAKOTA
Dakota James’s life has become the stuff of nightmares. The leader of the Ansar al-Shari’a terrorist group has become obsessed with her, determined to take her as his wife. On the run, she’ll have to pin her hopes on the retired SEAL charged with finding and stopping Aziz Fourati before he can carry out plans to bomb more US airports.
Recently recruited to join a sleeper SEAL team tasked with fighting terrorism on US soil, Slade “Cutter” Cutsinger, with the help of some Special Forces friends, has located the one woman who can identify the deadly Ansar al-Shari’a leader. That was the easy part. Keeping her safe proves more difficult than anyone ever imagined.
When she and her new friend, Caroline, are kidnapped by the terrorist group, Dakota can only pray Cutter and the SEALs will reach them before they’re taken out of the country—and away from Cutter forever.
** Protecting Dakota is a part of the SEAL of Protection Series. It is also in the “Sleeper SEAL” connected series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.
Each book in this multi-author branded series is a standalone novel, and the series does not have to be read in order.
Dakota James’s life has become the stuff of nightmares. The leader of the Ansar al-Shari’a terrorist group has become obsessed with her, determined to take her as his wife. On the run, she’ll have to pin her hopes on the retired SEAL charged with finding and stopping Aziz Fourati before he can carry out plans to bomb more US airports.
Recently recruited to join a sleeper SEAL team tasked with fighting terrorism on US soil, Slade “Cutter” Cutsinger, with the help of some Special Forces friends, has located the one woman who can identify the deadly Ansar al-Shari’a leader. That was the easy part. Keeping her safe proves more difficult than anyone ever imagined.
When she and her new friend, Caroline, are kidnapped by the terrorist group, Dakota can only pray Cutter and the SEALs will reach them before they’re taken out of the country—and away from Cutter forever.
** Protecting Dakota is a part of the SEAL of Protection Series. It is also in the “Sleeper SEAL” connected series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.
Each book in this multi-author branded series is a standalone novel, and the series does not have to be read in order.
342 pages, ebook
First published August 25, 2017
1530 people are currently reading
1371 people want to read
About the author
Susan Stoker
237 books7,308 followersSign up for my newsletter here:
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New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Tennessee. She's married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
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For all upcoming books click here: http://www.stokeraces.com/coming-soon...
http://www.stokeraces.com/contact-1.html
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Tennessee. She's married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
Follow SUSAN:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorsstoker
www.facebook.com/authorsusanstoker
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorsusanstoker
Twitter: www.twitter.com/susan_stoker
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan...
Amazon: http://amzn.to/238Jw8c
For all upcoming books click here: http://www.stokeraces.com/coming-soon...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
September 26, 2017
While I adore Susan Stoker books, this one was just average for me . Romantic suspense totally work for me, but I needed more from this couple. I never felt them connect- yes there was an instant attraction but they were refraining from moving forward in their relationship until the threat to the heroine was gone. Unfortunately, that was the end of the book . Aside from a little dirty talking about what he was going to do to her - there was one measly scene of them being intimate and it was at the 95% mark I believe. That just didn't work for me.
-no cheating
-no ow drama
-om drama - heroine was being tracked by a terrorist who finally got to her and held her forcing her to marry him.
-violence- she was beaten and there was intentions to rape her but she got away
-no pushing away
-barely any steam at all
-secondary characters - it was great to see some of the old gang
-lackluster epilogue
-no cheating
-no ow drama
-om drama - heroine was being tracked by a terrorist who finally got to her and held her forcing her to marry him.
-violence- she was beaten and there was intentions to rape her but she got away
-no pushing away
-barely any steam at all
-secondary characters - it was great to see some of the old gang
-lackluster epilogue
June 26, 2022
Susan Stoker hit it out of the park on this one. I absolutely love all her books but this one will have a special place in my heart.
April 6, 2021
RETIRED NAVY COMMANDER GREG LAMBERT is 47......... and is the common thread between the Multi-Author book series.
Slade “Cutter” Cutsinger is 48.
Dakota James is 43.
Trivia. She loves the Starbucks Peppermint Mocha and donuts glazed with maple icing. She’s an Elementary school principal and has attended 63 weddings in her life time.
Slade “Cutter” Cutsinger is 48.
Dakota James is 43.
Trivia. She loves the Starbucks Peppermint Mocha and donuts glazed with maple icing. She’s an Elementary school principal and has attended 63 weddings in her life time.
February 8, 2021
Great book. Enjoyed every minute.
October 26, 2025
My Review:
Protecting Dakota is the last official book of the series (Although I know Tex had an additional book that just came out recently so I may not be quite done and I am curious about the connecting books to another series)
This was a story that features a heroine on the run from a terrorist who wants to make her his bride and force her to be his slave and have his kids to rear terrorists. So when the school she teaches is blown up, she knows this is serious and does what she can to survive on the run. Our hero, Slade "Cutter" is a retired SEAL and is called up on to do this mission. He didn't expect to fall so hard for Dakota. He hasn't had a good history with women treating him well, but Dakota is like a light to his soul.
This book was so edgy and full of great plot points and loved the idea of hunting sleeper terrorists cells and rescuing a woman on the run. It had a premise that truly worked so well for me. I really enjoyed the way in which we saw this story and how it builds so well. The suspense side of it was truly brilliant and really kept me on the edge of my seat especially the third act.
I have to say I am impressed with Susan Stoker and eager to read more from her. What I was impressed with the most was how she writes her heroines and this is what will keep me reading her!!!
Protecting Dakota is the last official book of the series (Although I know Tex had an additional book that just came out recently so I may not be quite done and I am curious about the connecting books to another series)
This was a story that features a heroine on the run from a terrorist who wants to make her his bride and force her to be his slave and have his kids to rear terrorists. So when the school she teaches is blown up, she knows this is serious and does what she can to survive on the run. Our hero, Slade "Cutter" is a retired SEAL and is called up on to do this mission. He didn't expect to fall so hard for Dakota. He hasn't had a good history with women treating him well, but Dakota is like a light to his soul.
This book was so edgy and full of great plot points and loved the idea of hunting sleeper terrorists cells and rescuing a woman on the run. It had a premise that truly worked so well for me. I really enjoyed the way in which we saw this story and how it builds so well. The suspense side of it was truly brilliant and really kept me on the edge of my seat especially the third act.
I have to say I am impressed with Susan Stoker and eager to read more from her. What I was impressed with the most was how she writes her heroines and this is what will keep me reading her!!!
August 29, 2017
***4 Stars***
When I’m looking for a no muss, no fuss, very little to no angst romance reads I turn to Susan Stoker. She keeps the drama to the suspense factor and gives me characters that tend to not make things more difficult than they need to be and Protecting Dakota absolutely fits the bill. Insta-love is a thing in this one, but the characters act like adults. They don’t mince words and even with the insta-ness, I enjoyed watching them connect while dealing with the crazy around them.
I really liked Slade and Dakota. You have two people are older and pretty much happy with where they are at in their lives (outside of the crazy terrorist thing obviously). They love their careers and while they may be missing the romance/companionship aspect, they have everything else sorted out. So when they collide it’s a bit discombobulating for both of them, but I loved how they just went with their guts and hearts. If the kind of honesty they gave each other was the norm there would a lot more happy people in this world. I will admit that the insta-ness was a little off putting in the beginning, but when you learn about their pasts and what they want for their future’s it all made sense.
The whole batshit crazy terrorist situation was...crazy. But in this day and age it unfortunately isn’t unrealistic and I found it quite interesting how everything played out. This is the last of the SEAL of Protection series and though I didn’t have the chance to read the previous books I didn’t feel lost at all, in fact I recognize quite a few of the ensemble cast from cameo’s in the Delta Force Heroes series, so it definitely can be read as a standalone. But this is also the first in a new series that has quite an intriguing premise and I’m definitely interested in seeing how it all ends up working out as the series progresses.
~ Copy provided by RockStar PR LLC & voluntarily reviewed ~
When I’m looking for a no muss, no fuss, very little to no angst romance reads I turn to Susan Stoker. She keeps the drama to the suspense factor and gives me characters that tend to not make things more difficult than they need to be and Protecting Dakota absolutely fits the bill. Insta-love is a thing in this one, but the characters act like adults. They don’t mince words and even with the insta-ness, I enjoyed watching them connect while dealing with the crazy around them.
I really liked Slade and Dakota. You have two people are older and pretty much happy with where they are at in their lives (outside of the crazy terrorist thing obviously). They love their careers and while they may be missing the romance/companionship aspect, they have everything else sorted out. So when they collide it’s a bit discombobulating for both of them, but I loved how they just went with their guts and hearts. If the kind of honesty they gave each other was the norm there would a lot more happy people in this world. I will admit that the insta-ness was a little off putting in the beginning, but when you learn about their pasts and what they want for their future’s it all made sense.
The whole batshit crazy terrorist situation was...crazy. But in this day and age it unfortunately isn’t unrealistic and I found it quite interesting how everything played out. This is the last of the SEAL of Protection series and though I didn’t have the chance to read the previous books I didn’t feel lost at all, in fact I recognize quite a few of the ensemble cast from cameo’s in the Delta Force Heroes series, so it definitely can be read as a standalone. But this is also the first in a new series that has quite an intriguing premise and I’m definitely interested in seeing how it all ends up working out as the series progresses.
~ Copy provided by RockStar PR LLC & voluntarily reviewed ~
September 21, 2017
5 It's a Wild Ride Stars!!!
This newest book in the Seal of Protection series is one that contains more than just a romance, it really reflects what's going on in our world today with all the terrorist activity. Dakota and Slade are brought together because she's the one person that can identify a key player in a terrorist group. Needless to say, Slade wasn't excited about protecting this woman...until he met her!
There's a high level of suspense with this book and I was literally on the edge of my seat as we got closer and closer to the ending of the book. Slade is the best at what he does and he and his team were determined to take this terrorist cell out. With the help of Dakota there's no doubt they'll be successful.
And oh my, the heat between these two was blistering hot!! What I also appreciated about our H/h is that they're not young adults. They're a man and woman that are full on adults who live independent lives not looking for love but open to it if it were to happen. There's no doubt in my mind these two are completely right for each other.
The pace of this story was phenomenal given what the end goal is and there's great character development setting the stage for future Sleeper SEAL books and I can't wait to read the next one!
This newest book in the Seal of Protection series is one that contains more than just a romance, it really reflects what's going on in our world today with all the terrorist activity. Dakota and Slade are brought together because she's the one person that can identify a key player in a terrorist group. Needless to say, Slade wasn't excited about protecting this woman...until he met her!
There's a high level of suspense with this book and I was literally on the edge of my seat as we got closer and closer to the ending of the book. Slade is the best at what he does and he and his team were determined to take this terrorist cell out. With the help of Dakota there's no doubt they'll be successful.
And oh my, the heat between these two was blistering hot!! What I also appreciated about our H/h is that they're not young adults. They're a man and woman that are full on adults who live independent lives not looking for love but open to it if it were to happen. There's no doubt in my mind these two are completely right for each other.
The pace of this story was phenomenal given what the end goal is and there's great character development setting the stage for future Sleeper SEAL books and I can't wait to read the next one!
October 15, 2017
I liked that idea of the sleeper seals and the fact that they are mixed in with the characters from past books.
This was an enjoyable book and I even liked that the characters (Slade and Dakota) were a bit older than usual as I felt it brought a different dimension to the characters.
Dakota, survived a bombing at the airport, only to be chased by the terrorist, who wants her to be his and reproduce more terrorists. Slade, a retired SEAL, is called into action to help find Dakota and bring her in safely.
As in all the SEAL books, this one bring us on a wild ride.
Definitely an enjoyable read.
This was an enjoyable book and I even liked that the characters (Slade and Dakota) were a bit older than usual as I felt it brought a different dimension to the characters.
Dakota, survived a bombing at the airport, only to be chased by the terrorist, who wants her to be his and reproduce more terrorists. Slade, a retired SEAL, is called into action to help find Dakota and bring her in safely.
As in all the SEAL books, this one bring us on a wild ride.
Definitely an enjoyable read.
September 8, 2017
3.75 stars
About the book: Release Date September 5, 2017
PROTECTING DAKOTA
Dakota James’s life has become the stuff of nightmares. The leader of the Ansar al-Shari’a terrorist group has become obsessed with her, determined to take her as his wife. On the run, she’ll have to pin her hopes on the retired SEAL charged with finding and stopping Aziz Fourati before he can carry out plans to bomb more US airports.
Recently recruited to join a sleeper SEAL team tasked with fighting terrorism on US soil, Slade “Cutter” Cutsinger, with the help of some Special Forces friends, has located the one woman who can identify the deadly Ansar al-Shari’a leader. That was the easy part. Keeping her safe proves more difficult than anyone ever imagined.
When she and her new friend, Caroline, are kidnapped by the terrorist group, Dakota can only pray Cutter and the SEALs will reach them before they’re taken out of the country—and away from Cutter forever.
** Protecting Dakota is a part of the SEAL of Protection Series. It is also in the “Sleeper SEAL” connected series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.
Each book in this multi-author branded series is a standalone novel, and the series does not have to be read in order.
•••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars--PROTECTING DAKOTA is the ninth installment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult SEAL of PROTECTION romantic, military suspense series focusing on a group of current and former Navy SEALS. This is forty eight year old, retired SEAL Slade ‘Cutter’ Cutsinger, and forty three year old, primary school principal Dakota James’s story line. PROTECTING DAKOTA is also the first installment in the multi-authored SLEEPER SEALs anthology series. Each book in the Sleeper SEAL series can be read as a stand alone, and the series does not have to be read in order.
NOTE: PROTECTING DAKOTA contains scenes of graphic violence and sexual assault that may not be suitable for all readers.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Dakota and Slade) PROTECTING DAKOTA focuses on the protection of Dakota James. Dakota is on the run; in hiding; and the only surviving witness to a terrorist bombing at LAX. The leader of the terrorist organization known as Ansar al-Shari’a, Aziz Fourati, has declared war on the US targeting airports around the country, and has made it known that he is determined to take Dakota as his wife. Enter Slade ‘Cutter’ Cutsinger, a retired Navy SEAL who has been recruited by a Sleeper SEALs unit whose missions are dark, off the records, and in no way connected to any other government agency. What ensues is the search for Dakota James, the building relationship between Dakota and Slade, and the fall out when the mission and Dakota’s whereabouts have been compromised by an unknown source.
Dakota James loves her job as a primary school principal but threats against the people and children she loved forced our heroine on the run, trying to stay one step ahead of a mad man determined to make Dakota his wife. Slade Cutsinger’s call back to ‘active duty’ brings our hero up close and personal with the military’s new Sleeper SEAL unit of retired SEALs-a unit where each mission requires a single SEAL to extract or protect on his own. Seeing Dakota’s images immediately sparks interest in our retired Navy SEAL-a longing to be part of a relationship with a woman to love.
The relationship between Dakota and Slade is one of immediate attraction; a story of insta-love, and I mean INSTANT love between two people pulled together by circumstance and threats. The $ex scenes are sensual but limited; mostly implied with the exception of the final erotic scene between our leading couple.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Dakota’s father Finnegan James; Slade’s Retired Navy Commander Greg Lambert; Navy SEAL Matthew ‘Wolf’ Steel and his wife Caroline, Kason “Benny” Sawyer , and Wolf’s commander Patrick Hurt.
PROTECTING DAKOTA is a fast paced, story of suspense and romance. The premise is energetic; the characters are spirited; the romance is passionate and engaging.
Copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
About the book: Release Date September 5, 2017
PROTECTING DAKOTA
Dakota James’s life has become the stuff of nightmares. The leader of the Ansar al-Shari’a terrorist group has become obsessed with her, determined to take her as his wife. On the run, she’ll have to pin her hopes on the retired SEAL charged with finding and stopping Aziz Fourati before he can carry out plans to bomb more US airports.
Recently recruited to join a sleeper SEAL team tasked with fighting terrorism on US soil, Slade “Cutter” Cutsinger, with the help of some Special Forces friends, has located the one woman who can identify the deadly Ansar al-Shari’a leader. That was the easy part. Keeping her safe proves more difficult than anyone ever imagined.
When she and her new friend, Caroline, are kidnapped by the terrorist group, Dakota can only pray Cutter and the SEALs will reach them before they’re taken out of the country—and away from Cutter forever.
** Protecting Dakota is a part of the SEAL of Protection Series. It is also in the “Sleeper SEAL” connected series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.
Each book in this multi-author branded series is a standalone novel, and the series does not have to be read in order.
•••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars--PROTECTING DAKOTA is the ninth installment in Susan Stoker’s contemporary, adult SEAL of PROTECTION romantic, military suspense series focusing on a group of current and former Navy SEALS. This is forty eight year old, retired SEAL Slade ‘Cutter’ Cutsinger, and forty three year old, primary school principal Dakota James’s story line. PROTECTING DAKOTA is also the first installment in the multi-authored SLEEPER SEALs anthology series. Each book in the Sleeper SEAL series can be read as a stand alone, and the series does not have to be read in order.
NOTE: PROTECTING DAKOTA contains scenes of graphic violence and sexual assault that may not be suitable for all readers.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Dakota and Slade) PROTECTING DAKOTA focuses on the protection of Dakota James. Dakota is on the run; in hiding; and the only surviving witness to a terrorist bombing at LAX. The leader of the terrorist organization known as Ansar al-Shari’a, Aziz Fourati, has declared war on the US targeting airports around the country, and has made it known that he is determined to take Dakota as his wife. Enter Slade ‘Cutter’ Cutsinger, a retired Navy SEAL who has been recruited by a Sleeper SEALs unit whose missions are dark, off the records, and in no way connected to any other government agency. What ensues is the search for Dakota James, the building relationship between Dakota and Slade, and the fall out when the mission and Dakota’s whereabouts have been compromised by an unknown source.
Dakota James loves her job as a primary school principal but threats against the people and children she loved forced our heroine on the run, trying to stay one step ahead of a mad man determined to make Dakota his wife. Slade Cutsinger’s call back to ‘active duty’ brings our hero up close and personal with the military’s new Sleeper SEAL unit of retired SEALs-a unit where each mission requires a single SEAL to extract or protect on his own. Seeing Dakota’s images immediately sparks interest in our retired Navy SEAL-a longing to be part of a relationship with a woman to love.
The relationship between Dakota and Slade is one of immediate attraction; a story of insta-love, and I mean INSTANT love between two people pulled together by circumstance and threats. The $ex scenes are sensual but limited; mostly implied with the exception of the final erotic scene between our leading couple.
There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Dakota’s father Finnegan James; Slade’s Retired Navy Commander Greg Lambert; Navy SEAL Matthew ‘Wolf’ Steel and his wife Caroline, Kason “Benny” Sawyer , and Wolf’s commander Patrick Hurt.
PROTECTING DAKOTA is a fast paced, story of suspense and romance. The premise is energetic; the characters are spirited; the romance is passionate and engaging.
Copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
October 4, 2017
What a fantastic ending to the Seal of Protection Series
When you read Protecting Dakota you'll be sad to say good bye to Wolf, Ice, Cookie, Abe, Benny, and all their lady loves. But we are also introduced to a whole new SEAL team who'll take over the job giving us all new stories to love.
With the Sleeper Seals series we learn they never retire from being a Navy SEAL, but they find other ways to do what they do best, keeping all of us safe here at home. Slade is called by his former Commander Greg to stop a homegrown terrorist who wants Dakota (The only person to survive the LAX bombing). But Aziz wants her to help him start a whole new set of terrorist by marrying her and having babies. Except Dakota has no intention of becoming his wife and goes on the run and Slade is tasking with finding her and quickly.
Dakota not only saw Aziz but was able to walk away after the bomb when off but now he's trying to find her to further his terrorist group. But she was able to get away but not far enough because someone was able to find her. When Slade arrives in the nick of time they head where he knows that they'll be safe Wolf and Caroline's. Little do either of them know that there is a mole closer to the teams than they realize and they are willing to do anything to get Dakota. Can Slade save her another time especially now that they have found out they really are soulmates?
Slade "Cutter" Cutsinger hates his desk job and misses the teams so when his former commander send him off to find Dakota before Aziz does he goes willing because somehow he knows that she is his soulmate. But it will take both Wolf's and the new team to save her from a fate worse than we know as Aziz is willing to take her to Mexico and the middle east to further his agenda.
When you read Protecting Dakota you'll be sad to say good bye to Wolf, Ice, Cookie, Abe, Benny, and all their lady loves. But we are also introduced to a whole new SEAL team who'll take over the job giving us all new stories to love.
With the Sleeper Seals series we learn they never retire from being a Navy SEAL, but they find other ways to do what they do best, keeping all of us safe here at home. Slade is called by his former Commander Greg to stop a homegrown terrorist who wants Dakota (The only person to survive the LAX bombing). But Aziz wants her to help him start a whole new set of terrorist by marrying her and having babies. Except Dakota has no intention of becoming his wife and goes on the run and Slade is tasking with finding her and quickly.
Dakota not only saw Aziz but was able to walk away after the bomb when off but now he's trying to find her to further his terrorist group. But she was able to get away but not far enough because someone was able to find her. When Slade arrives in the nick of time they head where he knows that they'll be safe Wolf and Caroline's. Little do either of them know that there is a mole closer to the teams than they realize and they are willing to do anything to get Dakota. Can Slade save her another time especially now that they have found out they really are soulmates?
Slade "Cutter" Cutsinger hates his desk job and misses the teams so when his former commander send him off to find Dakota before Aziz does he goes willing because somehow he knows that she is his soulmate. But it will take both Wolf's and the new team to save her from a fate worse than we know as Aziz is willing to take her to Mexico and the middle east to further his agenda.
August 27, 2017
I was honored to receive an ARC copy of Protecting Dakota. And as usual Susan Stoker pulled me into her world and made me forget everything around me; I started reading and couldn't put it down until I finished. Cmdr. Slade "Cutter" Cutsinger was seen briefly in a previous book and I already liked him. He is a retired Navy SEAL, working as a Navy contractor in an admin position for the commander of several SEAL teams. He's recruited for a secret team and part of that job is to rescue Dakota. And Dakota was so great, she was so brave and didn't realize it, so strong, worried about everyone else. I loved seeing their relationship evolve while Cutter worked to keep her safe as he tried to complete the rest of his mission. And of course, always awesome to see other characters you've seen before, like seeing old friends. Love a book where the heroine is stronger than she thinks. Anyway, there is just something special about Dakota & Cutter. It's already one of my top fav Susan Stoker Books, and just one of my favs period. Susan always writes just the perfect chemistry between her H/h - romance, snark and humor. I'd absolutely suggest giving this book a read, as well as all of her others!! I usually run, not walk, to order her books or pre-order as soon as possible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2017
This was more than just a romance book. This was a suspense thriller. It's everything I love in a Military Romance book. Slade was a retired Navy SEAL called back up by the government for an unsanctioned op. His mission was take down a terriorist who was planning another attack on US soil and protect the woman who he was after, Dakota. She was the only person who can described this terrorist with no face. So many ups and downs. The whole adventure left me sitting at the edge of my seat.
But behind all the suspense and action was also a love story of two people who were fated to be together. Dakota and Slade had waited many years to meet the one person who would be their world. Through this mission they found each other and through this mission they fought to stay together. It was a beautiful romance to go with an exciting story.
But behind all the suspense and action was also a love story of two people who were fated to be together. Dakota and Slade had waited many years to meet the one person who would be their world. Through this mission they found each other and through this mission they fought to stay together. It was a beautiful romance to go with an exciting story.
June 29, 2018
What a great book. This is the story of Slade “Cutter” Cutsinger and Dakota James. Dakota is being stalked by a terrorist and Cutter is called up out of retirement to find her and end the threat. Throughout the whole story you can feel Dakota’s terror of knowing the threat is out there but you also can feel how deeply Cutter feels for Dakota and how he won’t let anything hurt her. Their story is so wonderfully written and you get to catch up on the other members of the SEAL of Protection and Tex.
May 15, 2019
Wow ..... Looking for sexy seals full if action emotions well Mrs Stoker is bring you just that. She has written you a story where a Slade must protect Dakota when a terrorist has claim her as his and will stop at hitching to get to her after he bombs a airport. See she is the only one who can recognize him. The journey is dangerous and emotion run high. This is well written and a great opener to the sleeper world of Susan Stoker and some amazing Authors. You will want to read every word of this book and all the emotional journey this series brings.
October 8, 2021
finale di serie cosmico!!!!!!
e così arriviamo alla fine anche di questa serie caratterizzata da terroristi e attentati con la squadra di mozart troviamo slade "cutter", il tagliagole appunto che però alla soglia ei 50 svolge il lavoro fondamentale dietro le quinte un pò come tex
è un uomo rassegnato alla solitudine e la suo lavoro, l'incontro con dakota una donna adulta come lui, che non si aspetta nulla dalla vita lo stravolge completamente
bellissimo il loro viaggio in moto e il loro scoprirsi: un finale di serie che la stoker rende inaspettato così come aveva fatto con raven
perfetto come viene affrontato anche l'argomento scelta dei figli e gravidanze, mentre permangono errori di traduzione E IN UN PASSAGGIO DAKOTA DIVENTA SIENNA...................e basta!!!!uffa
la cover finalmente anche in italia con un lui è perfetta!!!!
quattro stelle per gli errori
e così arriviamo alla fine anche di questa serie caratterizzata da terroristi e attentati con la squadra di mozart troviamo slade "cutter", il tagliagole appunto che però alla soglia ei 50 svolge il lavoro fondamentale dietro le quinte un pò come tex
è un uomo rassegnato alla solitudine e la suo lavoro, l'incontro con dakota una donna adulta come lui, che non si aspetta nulla dalla vita lo stravolge completamente
bellissimo il loro viaggio in moto e il loro scoprirsi: un finale di serie che la stoker rende inaspettato così come aveva fatto con raven
perfetto come viene affrontato anche l'argomento scelta dei figli e gravidanze, mentre permangono errori di traduzione E IN UN PASSAGGIO DAKOTA DIVENTA SIENNA...................e basta!!!!uffa
la cover finalmente anche in italia con un lui è perfetta!!!!
quattro stelle per gli errori
February 15, 2021
Dakota attracts the attention of an airport bombing terrorist and Slade “Cutter”, retired SEAL who works for an administrative assistant now for Commander Hurt, in charge of Wolf’s SEAL team is called up by a former colleague who is recruiting retired SEALs to do domestic solo missions. The premise of the Sleeper SEALs series with different retired SEALs written by different authors is cute. Sadly, most are not available at my library. But I did enjoy this ebook. 4/5
March 24, 2023
Great story and ending to this series. Dakota is stalked by a terrorist and cutter is assigned to take down the terrorist and rescue Dakota. Some of the characters from the series are included in this story.
September 2, 2017
Older characters, insta-love, soul mates, danger, American terrorists, and cameos by some of my fav characters!
January 5, 2019
Just average for me . Romantic suspense is my thing, but I needed more suspense.
October 29, 2018
Was this supposed to be a parody of a romance book? I can't believe all the 4 and 5 star reviews this has!
I have kind of a love hate relationship with these books - I've been fairly critical of some of them in the past, but usually it's just an eye roll here or there - not the constant WTF that this book was. Everything I didn't like in previous books was all rolled up into one with this one.
To be honest I finished this book really quickly because I skim read most of it. The characters keep on having the same conversations over and over and over and over and over. The dialog is just as stilted as all the other books - really, try reading it out loud. It's so formal and overly descriptive, nothing like how people actually talk. And if you just read these books for the sex scenes, pick up any other book in the series. They're all the same.
Do yourself a favour and give this one a miss.
I have kind of a love hate relationship with these books - I've been fairly critical of some of them in the past, but usually it's just an eye roll here or there - not the constant WTF that this book was. Everything I didn't like in previous books was all rolled up into one with this one.
To be honest I finished this book really quickly because I skim read most of it. The characters keep on having the same conversations over and over and over and over and over. The dialog is just as stilted as all the other books - really, try reading it out loud. It's so formal and overly descriptive, nothing like how people actually talk. And if you just read these books for the sex scenes, pick up any other book in the series. They're all the same.
Do yourself a favour and give this one a miss.
May 30, 2025
Protecting Dakota is the great kick off to the multi-author Sleeper SEAL series. As usual Susan Stoker gives us two stellar characters and surrounds them with a story that has suspense, drama, danger, action and let's not forget romance.
When Slade "Cutter" Cutsinger agreed to take an off the books op, he never would have imagined falling for a woman after just seeing her picture. Dakota James captured his interest immediately and meeting her in person only solidified his gut reaction. Dakota has had to give up her well ordered life because she's in danger and subsequently are all those around her. Meeting Slade has her being able to take a relaxed breath for the first time in what seems like ages. She too knows that he's special and trusts him with her safety. When things go sideways Cutter gets help from Wolf's SEALs team but not before it almost becomes deadly.
When Slade "Cutter" Cutsinger agreed to take an off the books op, he never would have imagined falling for a woman after just seeing her picture. Dakota James captured his interest immediately and meeting her in person only solidified his gut reaction. Dakota has had to give up her well ordered life because she's in danger and subsequently are all those around her. Meeting Slade has her being able to take a relaxed breath for the first time in what seems like ages. She too knows that he's special and trusts him with her safety. When things go sideways Cutter gets help from Wolf's SEALs team but not before it almost becomes deadly.
September 18, 2017
The problem with these stories, is you get a new bad guy in every one, and after a while you start feeling like there's nothing but bad guys in the world, hiding behind every bush. It's great in a single story for tension and then the happy every after when they are defeated. But in a series situation like this, the author seems to feel like she has to ramp up the danger in every book to top the last one, and it just gets so dark and so overwhelming after a while that you never really feel like the protagonists are going to be safe anymore. So although I enjoyed the individual stories, and I mostly really liked the characters, I'm starting to really hate stories about would-be terrorists who want to kill and rape everyone. It's getting depressing.
September 9, 2017
Probably my least favorite of the series thus far. There was no suspense about the H and h, they looked at each other and were in love - that's it! Usually the falling and getting to know each other is the best part of the book and that was totally skipped. Also, I found it an odd story line that a 20 something man wanted to marry/have children with an older 40 something woman. Really?
September 9, 2017
Really good. Typical Susan Stoker hero. Some very touching moments.
May 3, 2021
I adored this book! Omg I wish this series would go on forever! However that means these guys have the worst luck ever. Can’t wait to read the next one!
April 14, 2022
Protecting Dakota is a "point five" book in between the last two books of the SEAL of Protection Series--the series that kind of went on and on. lol It's fine. It's an okay series. Not one of Susan Stoker's best series, but it's decent. This one follows a retired Navy SEAL who is called back up to perform an off the books operation. He also happens to know the whole crew of the original bunch, so many of them make an appearance as well. Good times. Good times. It's a good book, not a great book. But it's fun, quick, and easy to read--one of those ones you can get through on a day at the pool sorta deal if you chew through books like I do.
Slade "Cutter" Cutsinger is a retired Navy SEAL. Life is pretty good. He's forty-eight, divorced, and living alone, but it's not that bad. Right? Well, when he gets the call that there's a new sleeper SEAL team tasked with fighting terrorism on US soil, he jumps at it, especially when he sees the woman he's going to be rescuing. She's the only survivor of a terrorist bombing of an airport and has disappeared. The government thinks she might have seen the unknown terrorism suspect. Slade goes off and finds her, doing an insta-love thing. He's protective of her, and he'll do anything to keep her safe. However, this terrorist always seems like he's two steps ahead of them, and Slade might not be able to keep her safe after all, even with the help of a very familiar SEAL team...
Dakota was just a school principal in the wrong place at the wrong time when she was in an airport captured by terrorists. She caught the eye of the head guy, who deemed that she was going to be his bride. Somehow, she survived the bombing, but she began receiving notes from said terrorist, reminding her that she was his afterward. Scared that this might blow back on her school or father, she goes on the run. However, a sexy Navy SEAL catches up to her, and she is instantly attracted to him. He's strong, safe, and reassuring. Yet, no matter what they do, they still can't seem to shake their enemy.
This was a very typical Susan Stoker SEAL book. If you liked the rest of the series, you will like this one. The biggest thing about it was that there wasn't anything particularly special about it. Overall, it was very predictable. One thing I will say is that if you are triggered by kidnapping and rape, there is a kidnapping and rape threat scene. There is a very graphic description of what the guys will do to the women, and it might get uncomfortable to some. Just putting that out there. I do not consider that spoilers as people need to be aware of what they are getting into when it comes to sensitive issues like that. Anyhow, decent book, decent read.
SEAL of Protection Series
-Review of Protecting Caroline (SEAL of Protection #1)
-Review of Protecting Alabama (SEAL of Protection #2)
-Review of Protecting Fiona (SEAL of Protection #3)
-Review of Marrying Caroline (SEAL of Protection #3.5)
-Review of Protecting Summer (SEAL of Protection #4)
-Review of Protecting Cheyenne (SEAL of Protection #5)
-Review of Protecting Cheyenne (SEAL of Protection #6)
-Review of Protecting Julie (SEAL of Protection #6.5)
-Review of Protecting Melody (SEAL of Protection #7)
-Review of Protecting the Future (SEAL of Protection #8)
-Review of Protecting Alabama's Kids (SEAL of Protection #8.5)
-Review of Protecting Keira (SEAL of Protection #9)
Slade "Cutter" Cutsinger is a retired Navy SEAL. Life is pretty good. He's forty-eight, divorced, and living alone, but it's not that bad. Right? Well, when he gets the call that there's a new sleeper SEAL team tasked with fighting terrorism on US soil, he jumps at it, especially when he sees the woman he's going to be rescuing. She's the only survivor of a terrorist bombing of an airport and has disappeared. The government thinks she might have seen the unknown terrorism suspect. Slade goes off and finds her, doing an insta-love thing. He's protective of her, and he'll do anything to keep her safe. However, this terrorist always seems like he's two steps ahead of them, and Slade might not be able to keep her safe after all, even with the help of a very familiar SEAL team...
Dakota was just a school principal in the wrong place at the wrong time when she was in an airport captured by terrorists. She caught the eye of the head guy, who deemed that she was going to be his bride. Somehow, she survived the bombing, but she began receiving notes from said terrorist, reminding her that she was his afterward. Scared that this might blow back on her school or father, she goes on the run. However, a sexy Navy SEAL catches up to her, and she is instantly attracted to him. He's strong, safe, and reassuring. Yet, no matter what they do, they still can't seem to shake their enemy.
This was a very typical Susan Stoker SEAL book. If you liked the rest of the series, you will like this one. The biggest thing about it was that there wasn't anything particularly special about it. Overall, it was very predictable. One thing I will say is that if you are triggered by kidnapping and rape, there is a kidnapping and rape threat scene. There is a very graphic description of what the guys will do to the women, and it might get uncomfortable to some. Just putting that out there. I do not consider that spoilers as people need to be aware of what they are getting into when it comes to sensitive issues like that. Anyhow, decent book, decent read.
SEAL of Protection Series
-Review of Protecting Caroline (SEAL of Protection #1)
-Review of Protecting Alabama (SEAL of Protection #2)
-Review of Protecting Fiona (SEAL of Protection #3)
-Review of Marrying Caroline (SEAL of Protection #3.5)
-Review of Protecting Summer (SEAL of Protection #4)
-Review of Protecting Cheyenne (SEAL of Protection #5)
-Review of Protecting Cheyenne (SEAL of Protection #6)
-Review of Protecting Julie (SEAL of Protection #6.5)
-Review of Protecting Melody (SEAL of Protection #7)
-Review of Protecting the Future (SEAL of Protection #8)
-Review of Protecting Alabama's Kids (SEAL of Protection #8.5)
-Review of Protecting Keira (SEAL of Protection #9)
February 26, 2018
Overall: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Writing: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Character Development: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Story Line: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Worth Another Read? Yes
PROTECTING DAKOTA BLURB
Dakota James’s life has become the stuff of nightmares. The leader of the Ansar al-Shari’a terrorist group has become obsessed with her, determined to take her as his wife. On the run, she’ll have to pin her hopes on the retired SEAL charged with finding and stopping Aziz Fourati before he can carry out plans to bomb more US airports.
Recently recruited to join a sleeper SEAL team tasked with fighting terrorism on US soil, Slade “Cutter” Cutsinger, with the help of some Special Forces friends, has located the one woman who can identify the deadly Ansar al-Shari’a leader. That was the easy part. Keeping her safe proves more difficult than anyone ever imagined.
When she and her new friend, Caroline, are kidnapped by the terrorist group, Dakota can only pray Cutter and the SEALs will reach them before they’re taken out of the country—and away from Cutter forever.
MY REVIEW OF PROTECTING DAKOTA
I liked that idea of the sleeper seals and the fact that they are mixed in with the characters from past books. I even liked that the characters (Slade and Dakota) were a bit older than usual as I felt it brought a different dimension to the characters.
Dakota, survived a bombing at the airport, only to be chased by the terrorist, who wants her to be his and reproduce more terrorists. She was just in the wrong place at the way wrong time.
Slade, a retired SEAL, is called into action to help find Dakota and bring her in safely. He is the first on his kind in a mission like this. He sets off to find her after her father gets postcards from Las Vegas and he takes this clue and goes in search of her on his motorcycle.
The villain in this story is just plain psycho. Literally. But his character and the reason for him pursuing Dakota doesn’t really get established that well. With a story line as out there as this one is, I hoped that I could at least understand his reasoning. But crazy in just plain crazy and that doesn’t need an explanation.
While I adore Susan Stoker books, this one was just average for me. Romantic suspense totally work for me, but I needed more from this couple. The connection with the couple was never really established as well as some of Susan Stoker’s other books. The “On the Run” troupe was a nice change from some of her other stories and the details are great, but there just wasn’t enough connection, conversation, or development with the characters. Slade and Dakota’s connection seems superficial and shallow and maybe forced a bit. I still read the whole thing, but this wasn’t one of my favorite stories. Sorry, Susan. I think this story could have been better if it were longer. The plot didn’t seem like 3 full acts, but one part of a story that just got started.
Orignally posted on TheLadyReader.com
September 14, 2017
Usually I gravitate toward a younger set of MC's because it's closer to my own age and experiences. This book, however, made me see that a more mature coupling can be just as intense, tender, and relate-able. From start to finish both of these people made me want more. I could have used a bit more background on each of them and would also do well to read the related stories to know the men and women surrounding and supporting Cutter, but overall, I felt like I could know these people and want them in my life. Well, if my life involved kidnapping, terrorists, and other life-threatening situations.
Dakota was a solid, strong woman with a good head on her shoulders. She knew what she wanted but was able to adapt to her new life on the run. Knowing that she was in danger she used her brain to get away and to stay sane while doing so. With Cutter's appearance she found something she needed more than she ever knew she would. Having his protection and support was a boon indeed, but it was also his passion, devotion, and tenderness that had been completely missing in her life up to this point that won her love and trust. Confident that he would be around for her and come for her if she should need him she allowed herself to share and grow into the woman she knew was inside. Cutter was a great partner for her and together they were an awesome pairing.
The drama was plentiful and there wasn't a quick save to keep Dakota or anyone else from experiencing stress, trauma, and borderline despair. I though this was a realistic and mature way to handle all the stuff going down. Not everyone gets saved in the nick of time and there's always something that people have to heal from and the situations in this story shouldn't be any different. I really enjoyed how things were handled. There were some pretty cheesy moments, but they weren't so bad that I would wish them gone, they just felt a little weird and made the conclusion feel slightly mystic instead of grounded. Not bad, just a bit farther than I expected it to go even with all the destiny references between them throughout the book. Still a great read!
Read and willingly reviewed this ARC for the author.
Dakota was a solid, strong woman with a good head on her shoulders. She knew what she wanted but was able to adapt to her new life on the run. Knowing that she was in danger she used her brain to get away and to stay sane while doing so. With Cutter's appearance she found something she needed more than she ever knew she would. Having his protection and support was a boon indeed, but it was also his passion, devotion, and tenderness that had been completely missing in her life up to this point that won her love and trust. Confident that he would be around for her and come for her if she should need him she allowed herself to share and grow into the woman she knew was inside. Cutter was a great partner for her and together they were an awesome pairing.
The drama was plentiful and there wasn't a quick save to keep Dakota or anyone else from experiencing stress, trauma, and borderline despair. I though this was a realistic and mature way to handle all the stuff going down. Not everyone gets saved in the nick of time and there's always something that people have to heal from and the situations in this story shouldn't be any different. I really enjoyed how things were handled. There were some pretty cheesy moments, but they weren't so bad that I would wish them gone, they just felt a little weird and made the conclusion feel slightly mystic instead of grounded. Not bad, just a bit farther than I expected it to go even with all the destiny references between them throughout the book. Still a great read!
Read and willingly reviewed this ARC for the author.
January 9, 2023
Protecting Dakota: SEAL of Protection Book 13 is by Susan Stoker. This is the last in the Seal of Protection series and leads into the Sleeper SEALs series. Rachel, Nevada actually exists as does A’Le’Inn and the Goldfield Motel and are on the edge of Area 51.
Slade “Cutter” Cutsinger had was a retired SEAL. However, as a civilian contractor, he worked for Patrick Hurt, Commander of the SEALs on the naval base in San Diego. Cutter worked on the computers and arranged for everything the SEAL teams needed. He was good friends with Wolf Steele and his team. One day, Commander Greg Lambert called him and offered him a job for his secret organization. He would receive a large salary and be guaranteed his job on his return. A replacement had already been arranged for.
Six months ago, a bomb went off at LAX and Ansar al. Shari’a took responsibility. They were associated closely with ISIS. According to activity on the dark web, the leader of this group was Aziz Fourati, a Tunisian who was recruiting to duplicate his success with this bombing except on a much larger scale. He had made a speech just before the bomb went off; but he had slipped out before it went off. One of the hostages, Dakota James, had managed to escape from the immediate area. However, no one knew she had been there because she had not been videoed or identified. She slipped out of the airport in the confusion and two days later went to the doctor for a broken arm. Then, she went back to work as an elementary principal. However, Aziz had seen her in the airport and decided he wanted her. Days later, he produced another film stating he wanted to marry her and identified her. To protect her kids, her father, and her best friend, she ran. The government wants her safe because she is the only one who has seen Aziz and can identify him.
Cutter locates her and decides he needs help in keeping safe as he figures out who is following her and how. He finds her in Rachel, NV. When men break into the trailer where they are talking, she goes with him. They head for San Diego to get help from Wolf’s SEALs. Until they find out how they are being followed, no one is safe.
Slade “Cutter” Cutsinger had was a retired SEAL. However, as a civilian contractor, he worked for Patrick Hurt, Commander of the SEALs on the naval base in San Diego. Cutter worked on the computers and arranged for everything the SEAL teams needed. He was good friends with Wolf Steele and his team. One day, Commander Greg Lambert called him and offered him a job for his secret organization. He would receive a large salary and be guaranteed his job on his return. A replacement had already been arranged for.
Six months ago, a bomb went off at LAX and Ansar al. Shari’a took responsibility. They were associated closely with ISIS. According to activity on the dark web, the leader of this group was Aziz Fourati, a Tunisian who was recruiting to duplicate his success with this bombing except on a much larger scale. He had made a speech just before the bomb went off; but he had slipped out before it went off. One of the hostages, Dakota James, had managed to escape from the immediate area. However, no one knew she had been there because she had not been videoed or identified. She slipped out of the airport in the confusion and two days later went to the doctor for a broken arm. Then, she went back to work as an elementary principal. However, Aziz had seen her in the airport and decided he wanted her. Days later, he produced another film stating he wanted to marry her and identified her. To protect her kids, her father, and her best friend, she ran. The government wants her safe because she is the only one who has seen Aziz and can identify him.
Cutter locates her and decides he needs help in keeping safe as he figures out who is following her and how. He finds her in Rachel, NV. When men break into the trailer where they are talking, she goes with him. They head for San Diego to get help from Wolf’s SEALs. Until they find out how they are being followed, no one is safe.
May 13, 2019
Intense, gripping, and nail-biting!
Slade "Cutter" Cutsinger was recruited by a recently formed sleeper SEAL team to find Dakota James, who caught the eye of the leader of the Ansar al-Shari'a, a terrorist group bent on bombing US airports.
Dakota was captured by Aziz Fourati, the leader of the Ansar al-Shari'a. Slade, together with his friends, do all they can to rescue her from becoming the terrorist's bride.
Protecting Dakota was intense. Susan Stoker created a story so action-packed from the very first chapter that I literally had problems setting it aside to breathe, and wanting to know what happens ASAP.
And then came that scene where I knew I had to set the story aside for while. Not because I did not like what I read, but because I felt too much. When I finally told myself to read/listen to the rest of the story, I was glad that I did. It would have been a disservice for me not to finish Dakota and Slade's saga.
Protecting Dakota brings to mind the lengths to which people with unnatural thirst for power go through just to prove a point. From 9/11 to the Easter bombings, people whose ideologies run counter to what they believe in have seen fit to resort to terrorism. Never mind the loss of life, for them, a point had to be made no matter the cost. Is it really worth the destruction?
In the case of Dakota, do men really have to prove their superiority through the subjugation of women? Should one's religious belief be more "godly" than others? Should one's color, one's status in society, one's wealth, be the ticket to a better life? Then again, humans and animals have one thing in common--our blood runs red in our veins. And when we pass from this life, whether by natural causes or foul, it will only be the earth that wins in the end.
Now that I got that off my chest--dear reader, don't pass this one up. Don't pass any of Susan Stoker's books for that matter, and keep in mind, to always have an eye out for the gems beneath her words. You won't regret it!
Slade "Cutter" Cutsinger was recruited by a recently formed sleeper SEAL team to find Dakota James, who caught the eye of the leader of the Ansar al-Shari'a, a terrorist group bent on bombing US airports.
Dakota was captured by Aziz Fourati, the leader of the Ansar al-Shari'a. Slade, together with his friends, do all they can to rescue her from becoming the terrorist's bride.
Protecting Dakota was intense. Susan Stoker created a story so action-packed from the very first chapter that I literally had problems setting it aside to breathe, and wanting to know what happens ASAP.
And then came that scene where I knew I had to set the story aside for while. Not because I did not like what I read, but because I felt too much. When I finally told myself to read/listen to the rest of the story, I was glad that I did. It would have been a disservice for me not to finish Dakota and Slade's saga.
Protecting Dakota brings to mind the lengths to which people with unnatural thirst for power go through just to prove a point. From 9/11 to the Easter bombings, people whose ideologies run counter to what they believe in have seen fit to resort to terrorism. Never mind the loss of life, for them, a point had to be made no matter the cost. Is it really worth the destruction?
In the case of Dakota, do men really have to prove their superiority through the subjugation of women? Should one's religious belief be more "godly" than others? Should one's color, one's status in society, one's wealth, be the ticket to a better life? Then again, humans and animals have one thing in common--our blood runs red in our veins. And when we pass from this life, whether by natural causes or foul, it will only be the earth that wins in the end.
Now that I got that off my chest--dear reader, don't pass this one up. Don't pass any of Susan Stoker's books for that matter, and keep in mind, to always have an eye out for the gems beneath her words. You won't regret it!
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