Navy SEAL to the Rescue

Aegis Security #1

by Tawny Weber

Rescued by the alpha SEAL

Tawny Weber debuts the stunning Aegis Security miniseries

Injured in the line of duty, navy SEAL Travis “Hawk” Hawkins retreats to paradise. But R & R takes a turn when he runs smack into a beautiful blonde who just witnessed a murder. Travis offers to help, only to find himself equally taunted and titillated by irresistible Lila Adrian. Can the wounded warrior protect Lila and take down a deadly crime ring?

Genres: Harlequin, Romance, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Military Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Romantic Suspense

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published February 5, 2019

About the author

New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author of more than forty books, Tawny Weber loves writing about sexy heroes, most notably her popular Navy SEALs series. Her sassy, emotional romances are filled with men dedicated to being the best—and women determined to have the best. Tawny credits her ex-military alpha husband for inspiration in her writing, and in her life. The recipient of numerous writing accolades, including Romantic Times Reviewers Choice and in addition to the NY Times and USA Today bestseller lists, Tawny has also hit the number one spot on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

A homeschooling mom, Tawny enjoys scrapbooking, gardening and spending time with her family and dogs in her Northern California home.

You can find Tawny on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

Website: http://tawnyweber.com
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Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Are you going to wear camo and paint your face, skulk around in the bushes and do that serpentine thing?"

"I'm blown away at your knowledge and respect of all things SEAL," he said with an amused smirk. pg. 206

OK, first I have to say how excited and pleased I am that Harlequin has put Tawny Weber on the Romantic Suspense line. I loved her work in Blaze. When the amazing Blaze line was dissolved by Harlequin, I was afraid I wouldn't see Weber again. Luckily, they decided to pick her up in Romantic Suspense. She is a good author, I really enjoy her work. Yay!

On to the book.

PREMISE

Lila is in Costa Rica headhunting a Mexican chef. When she sees him murdered, she lands in hot water. Former Navy SEAL Travis is lying around Costa Rica in a hammock, feeling sorry for himself after being injured and forced to resign from duty. He doesn't expect a panicked, pretty blonde to launch herself into his arms and declare that she's witnessed a murder.


ANALYSIS

Weber triumphantly returns to Harlequin with her trademark wit, sarcasm and heat. She's no stranger to writing about SEALs.

We have a great dynamic here between grumpy Travis and sharp-tongued, fiercely independent Lila. Weber's trademark humor makes the book. The banter between these two hit the sweet spot.

But Weber doesn't ignore the more serious elements of romantic fiction. Lila struggles with issues stemming from her cold and overbearing controlling father and her distant and perfect Navy SEAL brother. She hates being told what to do, is liable to strike out when feeling cornered, and is insistent on asserting her independence even when it might not be the best idea.

Travis is grumpy and depressed, feeling worthless after getting discharged from SEALs with a bum knee. It takes the entrance of a panicked Lila to snap him out of his funk and get him working again. Now he's been given a purpose: protect the small blonde. Facing dirty cops, murderers and kidnappers puts new life into Travis. The sexual flirtations with Lila don't hurt, either.

You can count on Tawny Weber for a hero and heroine who are both sexually confident, enjoy sex, and trade flirtatious banter even more often than bodily fluids. I like it. Sure, I don't think it's realistic that Lila is so flippant even after going through all this stuff, but it's just like Weber to make the heroine err on the side of being too sarcastic rather than too scared.

Even though Travis could be a domineering and controlling 'alpha' as Lila fears - he actually is a great guy. Not overbearing or particularly controlling IMO. I mean, he's protecting her, but he doesn't get all 'alpha' on her no matter what terms Lila and Weber use. I hate that term, anyway. For a SEAL he's pretty relaxed, finds Lila amusing, doesn't try to pin her down or restrict her unnecessarily.

"Is that military speak for getting me a babysitter?"

"What's the problem?" he asked, straightening with a wince.

"The problem is, I don't want to be tucked away like a good girl and told to follow orders."

"Have I tucked or ordered? Or, for that matter, even once indicated that I think you're a good girl?"

"No."

"Then what's with the attitude?"

Lila hesitated. She'd bared her body to the man, and now she was afraid to be honest?

"I grew up with that attitude," she finally confessed, walking over to stand close enough to him so she could see the minute gold flecks in his dark eyes. "All my life, I've been expected to be a pretty accessory. To sit silently where someone else decided I belonged until it was time for me to come out as a decoration."

"All your life? So it's a family issue?" Seeing the acknowledgment in her eyes, he shook his head. "You're all grown up now. Why are you still carrying it?"

"Some things don't change with age. My father's expectations being one of them."

"Are you meeting those expectations?"

"Not a single one," she said with a bitter laugh, crossing over to drop onto the couch. "I tried when I was younger, but finally I realized that who my father wanted me to be wasn't who I wanted to be. So I made a choice."

At his questioning look, she said, "I chose me."

She waited for him to ask how her father had taken that, what his thoughts were. So she was surprised when he said, "That's the best choice."

"Not according to my father. He's still trying to control my life. That's probably why so often I go out of my way to do the opposite of whatever I'm told."

"Is that a warning?"

"More like a heads-up," she laughed. "I always try to do what someone asks, but the minute it's an order, I go in the other direction."

"I'll keep that in mind." pg. 207

Lila's got to realize Travis is not her father and deal with some of her psychological issues, and Travis has to snap out of his funk and realize that just because he has an injured knee and can no longer be a Navy SEAL doesn't mean he's worthless or has no future.

Weber is a snappy, entertaining author. Oftentimes these romantic suspense books are big duds. The romance takes a backseat to the suspense, and the suspense "mystery" plot is often deeply stupid, featuring both criminals and heroes who are deeply stupid as well. But Weber actually is crafting a great, entertaining romance novel here.

"What are you doing?"

"Making a hot compress for your knee. You've been pushing it pretty hard. This should ease the swelling." Kneeling, she laid the compress on his leg, taking care to tuck it under the joint to keep a slight bend in the knee. "There. That should help."

Risking a glance at his face, she hid her wince behind a wide smile. She didn't know if that was anger or embarrassment, but whichever it was, his face was like ice. Cold, sharp and deadly.

"Anything else you want while I'm down here?" she joked, hoping a little naughty humor would break some of that ice.

When it didn't, she let out a breath and pushed to her feet. Looked around, desperate for something to do. The broken furniture had been hauled away, and the air was scented with lemon as if someone had polished what was left. So cleaning was out. A single glance dismissed the kitchen. They'd just had lunch.

"Where's your face paint? I can get it for you while that works its magic."

His expression didn't change.

Lila knew that look. The, you failed so I'm punishing you with icy disapproval, look.

Give him a break. she told herself. He'd spent four days protecting her, keeping her company, making her moan with pleasure. He didn't deserve to pay for her years and decades of father issues.

But she couldn't help it.

"Okay, HAWKINS," she snapped, emphasizing his last name. "Don't give me that look. You were in pain, I'm helping. I'm not mothering you, I'm not babying you. So don't go all manly on me."

His expression didn't change, but he did arch one eyebrow.

"You know what I mean. All offended like I'm impugning your manhood or dissing the size and skill of your talent." A wave of her hand toward his crotch confirmed which talent she was talking about. That got her a lip twitch.

"We've spent the last couple of days doing naked gymnastics together. Do you really think that I am so self-absorbed that I didn't notice the scars on your knee or that you limp sometimes?"

"I never thought of you as self-absorbed. I did, however, believe I was so damned good at sex that you didn't notice anything beyond the pleasure I was pouring over your body."

"Well you did pour on an amazing amount of pleasure," she teased, curling up on the sofa beside him. "But yeah, I noticed everything about you."

His dark eyes sparked with something she didn't recognize. She knew what the answering heat flaming in her belly meant, though.

Ignoring it, she rubbed her hand over his arm and gave him a beseeching smile.

"Please. Will you tell me what happened?"

She wasn't surprised when he shrugged, but she was when he told her, "I blew out my knee."

Well, that wasn't much in the way of details, but that he'd actually opened up enough to share that much melted her heart.

Then she noticed the pain in his eyes. Pain beyond his physical injury.

"That kind of injury isn't going to go away quickly, is it?"

"Already did months of physical therapy. This is about as good as it's going to get."

Lila's heart sank into her toes. pg. 211.

Keeps going, great scene. I really like Weber's ability to be flippant and fun yet still make her characters seem like they have some stuff to work out.


HOW'S THE SEX, CARMEN?

I'm really picky. I know for a fact that Weber can write good sex, and her sexual descriptions are on point, but I'm frustrated by the lack of any creativity in bed on the part of Travis. He basically kisses her, plays with her breasts, then fucks her. I was hoping for some fingering, some cunnilingus, maybe some creative showing off like Jo Leigh was having Max do to Natalie in Seduce Me.

But I have to remember that Weber isn't writing for Blaze anymore. If you wanted good sex writing from Harlequin, Blaze was the place to go. Romantic Suspense just doesn't bring it. Sigh. I was hopeful, but Weber let me down on this front. And we only get the one sex scene, so there was no chance for Travis to redeem himself later. Even though the sex was described beautifully, I wanted more extensive and exciting sexual activities. Oh, well. :(


TL;DR Over the moon to find out that Tawny Weber will be writing for Harlequin Romantic Suspense. She's a gem. Maybe the sex won't be as hot as in her Blaze series, but I still can enjoy her long, thoughtful books (she doesn't skimp on plot!) with plenty of sharp-tongued flirting and banter. I can expect her usual fierce and witty heroines who are sexually confident and bold. Paired with men who - although Weber insists on calling them 'alphas' - are actually pretty good men with relatively laid-back attitudes who relish being challenged mentally by the heroines.

If Travis was controlling, I would hate him. I can't stand controlling men. Instead I found him to be relatively calm and amused. Lila's fears of dating a man like her father were thankfully unfounded.

And although Lila is independent and stubborn, there was only one time in this book she acted dumb and TSTL IMO. It was unnecessary, and I think it could have been sidestepped by Weber.

But overall it was a very enjoyable book. I will eagerly continue with the series as it is published.

She had a kickass career, one she was skilled at. She had good friends who went back a ways, a killer apartment in one of his favorite cities.

Maybe she'd be interested in adding a lover to the mix. Being protective, out of work and homeless probably didn't work in his favor, but he could change two of those three. pg. 238


ROMANCE CATEGORIES:
Takes place in Costa Rica
Contemporary Romance
Military Romance - he's a former SEAL
Millionaire / Billionaire Romance - Lila is rich, I don't know how rich.
Romantic Suspense
Non-Virgin Heroine
Disabled Hero - Travis has a bum knee
She's a Headhunter Who Owns Her Own Company; He's a homeless, out of work former Navy SEAL Who at the end joins Aegis Security


NAMES IN THIS BOOK:

Lila f 24
Alberto m
Joe m
Mimi f
Corinne f
Arthur m
Travis m Hawk
Dory f
Manny m
Paulo m
Glory f
Boon
Luis m
Lupe f
Lucas m Frosty
Wayne m
Darlene f
Jerry m
Maria f
Raul m
Hank m

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received for review

Good start to a new series by a wonderful author.

Lots of chemistry between Travis and Lila and crazy bad guys to catch. The ending was disappointing. Yes, they got a HEA, but then done, nothing extra. I need an epilogue...every time...even if it's only a couple days later instead of years later.

[Caz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've given this a C+ at AAR.

Navy SEAL to the Rescue is the first book in a new series from Harlequin ‘regular’ Tawny Weber, marking her move from the now defunct Blaze line to Harlequin Romantic Suspense.  It’s a fairly predictable story that makes use of classic character-types and tropes, and yet I enjoyed it (for the most part) for what it was, a quick, sexy and undemanding read  – although the final section of the story goes in a direction I wasn’t keen on and the HEA is rather rushed.

Lila Adrian is determined to make her own way in life, out from under the shadow of her exacting father and perfect brother, who have always been dismissive of her opinions and ambitions.  To this end, she’s started her own business called At Your Service, of which she’s brains, brawn and chief headhunter, finding specialist staff who are the perfect fit for all sorts for wealthy clients.  She’s in Costa Rica in order to make an offer of employment to a chef whose food so impressed a rich, honeymooning couple that they want him to work for them exclusively, and is about to enter the disappointingly run-down restaurant at which he now works when she is temporarily side-tracked by the sight of the most gorgeous man she’s ever seen emerging from the ocean.

Travis Hawkins is in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca for some R&R following the knee-injury that ended his Navy career.  He’s completely adrift and has absolutely no idea who he is outside of his job and no plans for what he’s going to do with the rest of his life.  He definitely likes the look of the petite, curvy blonde eyeing him up, but he’s not in Puerto Viejo to hook up with random women – he has life and shit to sort out.

Lila’s life is turned upside down when, after returning to the restaurant later that evening to negotiate with Chef Rodriguez, she witnesses his murder. Panicked, she gets the hell out of there and literally runs into the hot guy from the beach – and even though he clearly doesn’t believe her story, he nonetheless stays with her while she calls the police and then accompanies her back to the scene of the crime to meet up with them. But when Travis and Lila get there, there’s no body and no blood; in fact no sign that anything untoward has happened at all. And to add insult to injury, when the local police arrive, it’s clear they don’t believe Lila either which, with no body or evidence to support her claims, is not too surprising. But their unwillingness to even look into the matter sets alarm bells ringing – and Lila realises now why Travis had not been too keen on the idea of calling the police in the first place.

Not wanting to get involved with Lila’s problems, Travis sees her back to her hotel and departs, fully intending not to have anything more to do with her. But early the next morning something wakes him from a deep sleep and there’s no question in his mind that something’s happened to Lila (I have no idea how he knows it’s Lila in trouble – ESP? Spidey Sense? Crystal Ball?) so naturally, he swings into full protective mode and mounts Operation Rescue Lila.

After a successful getaway, they return to Travis’ apartment to find it’s been trashed. Having lost all her documentation and money when she was kidnapped, Lila isn’t going to be able to leave the country anytime soon, and Travis decides he’ll do his best to keep her safe until she’s able to replace the necessary documents and travel home. But it’s clear that whoever killed Rodriguez wants the witness to his murder out of the way – and will stop at nothing to make that happen.

Both Lila and Travis are pretty stock-in-trade characters. Lila is perhaps a bit more rounded-out than Travis is, but they’re fairly likeable and have good chemistry. The romance develops fairly quickly and the mental drooling got to be a bit intrusive at times, but the author does develop a connection between the couple and there’s a good dollop of humour and verbal sparrng along the way.

For all its predictability and sometimes excessive mental lusting, Navy SEAL to the Rescue was an entertaining read and one I quite enjoyed up until near the end when Lila – even though she knows full well it’s a bad idea – goes full out TSTL and gets herself into a(nother) situation from which she needs rescuing. The author has set up her character as one that struggles with authority as a result of her life with an overbearing father, so that when Travis gives what she sees as orders he rubs her completely the wrong way and she resents it. It seemed to me as though Ms. Weber was trying to excuse Lila’s actions by showing that she was aware she was being irrational, but to have her be completely honest with herself about her issues, how they affect the way she interprets Travis’ protectiveness, and of all the reasons why what she’s about to do is totally dumb when she then goes and does the dumb thing anyway, feels like the biggest of cop-outs.

The ending is rushed – the author crams in information about the set-up for the rest of the series (Travis is going to work for the high-end security company being set up by her brother – who turns out to be a former colleague) – and also has to address Lila’s fears over her ability to stand up for herself against strong men, which I don’t think she does successfully. Travis makes lots of promises to “respect your independence and value your choices”, but I wasn’t confident Lila would ever be able to throw off the mindset that told her she needed to push back at the first sign of anything she saw as a threat to that independence – whether it was or not – and that made their HEA feel a bit wobbly. While I can’t say Navy SEAL to the Rescue was an unqualified success, I can’t say it was a bad read either – just one I don’t plan to revisit.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the first book in the Aegis Security series. This book was slow to get going. If you get through the first 10% the book will pick up the pace, and you will get the action and suspense. I enjoy getting to know the characters in this book, and I really loved the ending to this book.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

MS Weber never disappoints me with her stories and this is her first with the Harlequin Romantic Suspense line and she did well, what a fabulous story, action packed with a beautiful romance between our hero Travis Hawkins ex Seal and Lila Adrian confident heroine who is totally over domineering men, this one will keep any reader turning the pages.

Lila Adrian runs her own company head hunting employees for rich people, she will do anything to get away from her father, but when she lands in Costa Rica her world is going to be upended when she witnesses a murder and the only person she can turn to is the beach bum, who turns out to be an ex SEAL, and being told what to do for Lila will get her back up and in more trouble, while bringing her closer to the sexy Hawk.

Travis Hawk Hawkins is in Costa Rica deciding what he wants to do with his life now that he is out of the SEALs bumming around on the beach thinking isn’t getting him anywhere but when a beautiful blonde needs his help to keep her alive, Hawk starts to see a future for himself with Lila’s help.

This one had me turning the pages I loved the way Lila could push Hawk’s buttons and the pull between them just got stronger the more danger that Lila was in. Fast paced with a moving romance and witty banter that left me smiling, this is sure to leave any romantic suspense lover with a smile and sigh after meeting Hawk and Lila, and the setting was fabulous, thank you MS Weber.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Navy SEAL to the Rescue by Tawny Weber
AEGIS Security #1

What’s a head hunter to do when the man being scouted for the job is killed in front of her and she is in a foreign country? Run for her life, of course. Running from the scene of the crim landed her in the arms of former Navy SEAL Travis “Hawk” Hawkins who questions her veracity but soon is helping her to find out what really happened while keeping her safe from the bad guys. Lila Adrian knows a thing or two about SEALs and usually keeps her distance due to that knowledge but over time she is drawn physically, mentally and emotionally to Hawk just as he is drawn to her. There are a couple of kidnappings, some rescues, some sleuthing and violence and eventually a HFN/HEA for Lila and Hawk with Hawk finding out what a SEAL might be able to do after being medically discharged from the service.

This is an easy quick read that I read as more fantasy than reality Romantic Suspense because I can’t really see a way that Lila would have been allowed to do some of the things she did. Lila was smart in some ways and at other times let her emotions/temper rule and when that happened made some mistakes that saw her in hot water. Hawk was a stand-up protective guy who was there for Lila throughout...once he decided that he would be. They may have gotten off to a rocky start but they did find their way through the rough patches to an ending that sets up the series and left me wanting to read more. This was a great introduction to a new series and typical of a Harlequin romance so if you read HQN and enjoy their books you will enjoy this one, too.

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

[Shannon R. Nemechek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again another homerun until for Ms Weber. I just loved the characters and kept me entertained the entire book. You will not be disappointed.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 Stars bumped up to 3 stars of the rating system for having a better ending than beginning.

Thoughts and Plot

This book is a classic example of Harlequin Romantic Suspense. And I do mean classic.

Beautiful, curvy but petite, long blonde haired Lila is the daughter of a arrogant, somewhat controlling rich man. She snubs her glamourous rich life under his rule in favour of running her own business, helping rich people get the servants they want to work for them. In this case, a particular chef.

Travis is your classic injured Navy Seal, tall, handsome and muscular. Also a bit of a a-hole because he’s angry at his career ending due to knee injury. I forget his hair and eye colour…because these guys tend to blend together in my head. 😊

Of course they immediately decide upon first sight that they find each other super hot and there is a quite a bit of internal dialogue supplied to support that, which is fine despite the fact Travis is a bit of a dick upon their first actual meeting.

Point is, when things go wrong and Lila witnesses a murder, she runs straight into Travis, quite literally. To the point it’s described that she is trying to get into his skin…Somehow in 30 minutes all traces of the crime is erased and neither the cops or Travis believe Lila. The book totally could have been a short story that ended there, but, of course it didn’t and Lila gets herself kidnapped and Travis somehow ‘knows’ it’s her screaming and rescues the damsel. Of course, while rescuing her he has time to reflect on how hot she is, cause that’s a priority warranting standing in the doorway on a ship she’s been stored on.

Then before they are even back to shore, they are both back to thinking how hot the other is…
Things start picking up just shy of the 100 page mark, which is my usual place from drawing the line, so that was good because I obviously was interested enough to keep going. Then it almost immediately settled back into lusting. So much “lust.” And it was all compacted into roughly 20-27 pages. Impressive. Then we get to see hotel incompetence and more crooked police interference, more ‘who did it’ nonsense that is meant to build the suspense.

The whole time this is happening we are back in classic romance land and the two of them are taking turns describing what is so hot about each other and telling themselves not to go there. Repeatedly. I’m suspecting about 1/5 of this book is taken up by descriptions of each other’s hotness. Hot shoulders, hot butt, hot boobs, LOTS of hot long blonde hair, hot hands…etc. You get it, they are very into each other.

Now, the part you ALL want to know about does not take place till page 189 and actually happens page 192-193. That’s 4+ pages shy of 2/3s of the way through the book. Lots of peaks and boobs and nipples and mewling etc. etc. It was okay. I’d actually say the whole thing is about a page long, but where it starts makes it two pages. It was okay, all in all. And of course it was the best ever for them, so…

As I said at the beginning. I liked the ending a lot more than I liked the beginning. Things actually start to happen and you finally discover who the bad guy is. Maybe it’s because it was an advance copy, BUT there is a huge plot gap on page 263. Please tell me that part was just accidentally edited out cause otherwise that it the most annoying place to jump forward in time EVER!!! So due to frustration, the book lost points there.

I also wasn’t feeling the ‘happily ever after’ family thing though. It was out of nowhere and a bit rushed Seeing how her father was overriding her life when she already told him no at the beginning of the book and they obviously did not have a good relationship due to his controlling ways.

Things I didn’t understand:

“The move got him a face full of her hair and a lung full of what seemed like the smoky scent of flowers at midnight .” I honestly don’t understand how flower are smoky at midnight…

Why after witnessing a potential murder, then being kidnapped she didn’t get the hell out of dodge? She’s got a rich daddy.

“the nipples stabbing his palms.” Is that a real thing I’m not aware of? I’ve never stabbed anything with those puppies.

In Conclusion

This book was a textbook example of a classic Harlequin Romance, with a tiny bit of suspense thrown in to back up all the lusting. It’s a good start for Tawny Weber and I think with a few more books under her belt, she could become a pretty good romance writer, however there was just too much formula (textbook) writing and repetitive salivating over each other. That paired with the standard gooey cheesy fairytale ending (I don’t mean that in a terribly negative way, honest) and slow start I can’t give this book a full 3 stars, so 2.5 with a bump up it is.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

New York Times best-selling author Tawny Weber blends breath-taking suspense with red-hot romance in her debut novel for the Harlequin Romantic Suspense line Navy SEAL to the Rescue.

For the first time in her life, Lila Adrian is the mistress of her own destiny. Having shaken off her father’s controlling and constricting shackles, Lila now runs her own bespoke employment agency where she finds exceptional domestic staff for her wealthy clients. Currently in Costa Rica trying to lure a talented chef to leave his dingy restaurant behind and become a private chef for a couple on her books ready to pay big bucks to secure his services, Lila is looking forward to sealing the deal and enjoying some time in the sun. Only little does she realise that her sojourn in paradise is about to become a whole lot deadlier. When she witnesses a murder and is spotted by the killer, Lila realises that she is in terrible danger, but luckily for her she runs smack into navy SEAL Travis “Hawk” Hawkins who will do whatever it takes to protect her.

Travis’ life had once revolved around his job. Dedicated to his career, he had been absolutely devastated when injury had precluded him for continuing to serve his country and he had retreated to paradise where he had hoped to figure out just what on earth he was going to do next. Finding himself protecting a murder witness wasn’t how he imagined he was going to be spending his holiday, but Travis’ protective instincts and his determination to keep Lila safe soon overwhelm him – as does his attraction to Lila…

With a deadly crime ring to bring down, the last thing Travis wants or needs is to find himself distracted, but the more time he spends with Lila, the more he finds himself falling head over heels in love with her. Having sworn off women and relationships, will the sassy blonde manage to convince him that true love can be within reach, if only he has the courage to fight for it? Or will fear end up costing Travis this unexpected chance at happiness?

With its beguiling blend of nail-biting intrigue, heart-pounding action, sizzling sex scenes and uplifting romance, Navy SEAL to the Rescue is a book readers will simply not be able to put down. Tawny Weber pens action-packed romances full of humor, heat and emotion where the stakes are high, the action never flags and the romance is absolutely sizzling.

A fabulous read with a fabulous heroine, a gorgeous hero and plenty of twists and turns to keep readers glued to the pages, Navy SEAL to the Rescue is a first-rate romantic suspense novel readers are simply going to love!

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Travis Hawkins is in tropical Puerto Viejo to rest and recover after his Navy-career ending injury - he's just beach bumming it when he runs into Lila Adrian...literally. She's in Puerto Viejo as a head-hunter for her own company, doing her best to get out from her rich daddy's control, when she witnesses a murder. It's as she's escaping that she runs smack into Travis Hawkins and tries to explain what she saw...he doesn't believe her. But he's a gentleman so he does his duty and calls this cops, who don't believe her either, since there is no body or evidence. It isn't until Lila is kidnapped and he needs to stage a rescue that he begins to believe that she might have seen something. Despite his belief that Lila is trouble (despite how hot she is), he sets out to help keep her safe while investigating the murder, since the cops are clearly dirty. They're time in seclusion together of course escalates the attraction and Lila begins to wonder if she's falling in love. This would be bad since Travis is a strong, controlling man who is fond of issuing orders, which is just a repeat of how she grew up. She's not sure if she can be in a relationship where she has to constantly fight for her independence, even if she does love him.

Good tropical setting, plenty of tension and angst between the couple and enough of a mystery to keep you interested. This was pretty standard romantic suspense fare which might have been better if I liked either Lila or Travis just a little bit better. Travis starts out as an asshat - I hated the fact that he found himself with an armful of hysterical female and because of that decided she'd imagine the whole thing. So what...when women show emotion they can't be believed? Travis continues in this vein until Lila gets kidnapped. Does he apologize for being a complete ass to her and making her feel like he did? Nope.

Now Lila has an issue with how Travis continually issues orders and tries to keep her out of danger. He's protective but not in a gentle, persuasive way. So she resents the hell out of being told to stay put while he goes off and faces down potential villains. Which is why she ends up being TSTL because when he leaves her on the yacht their hiding out on and goes off, she hates him for it and escapes (even though she knows it's not a good idea and that she's just reacting badly). And she promptly gets herself kidnapped again. But she also comes to the realization that this is likely to continue if she stays in a relationship with Travis - she'll continually end up doing stupid shit to assert her independence since he's all domineering and what not. And she's not wrong. Despite his assurances that he'll respect her independence and do everything he can to avoid becoming her father, but I didn't see any evidence throughout the story that he was capable of making this change, so I'm kinda doubting their HEA here.

[Teresa (Reads_Romance) · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my first Tawny Weber and first Harlequin Romantic Suspense novel. I am sad to say this book just wasn’t for me. From the flimsy plot to the excess of dialogue, not much worked. This book follows a spunky entrepreneur heroine, Lila, who witnesses a crime in Costa Rica. No one believes her, but luckily, injured and surly former Navy SEAL Hawk is there to rescue her.

Let me start first by saying, I like the idea behind this book. The tropical setting, the conspiracy, the romance, it’s all good in theory. Unfortunately, it was executed poorly. The part that bothered me the most about this book was that it is so easy to skim. Mostly because Lila and Hawk just bicker about small stuff most of the book. Not sexy, flirty bickering either, just filler conversations. I will point out, this is not a long book! It’s less than 300 pages, which I guess just shows you how weak the plot is.

Speaking of the plot, I don’t mind predictable, but boring in another thing. Really, not much happens in this story. I mean a large part of the book involved Lila and Hawk “staking out” a restaurant in plain sight, for DAYS. And nothing happens. Also if you were hoping for romance, you don’t get ANY until the last quarter of the (very short) book. No romantic words or scenes, just fun sex, which is fine, but added exactly zero depth to this story or its characters.

The characterization was awful as well. I couldn’t picture either villain in my head; both were just hazy and easily interchangeable bad guys. Lila was slightly whiny and flighty at the best of times and irresponsible and irrational at the worst times. Hawk was a condescending jerk face. I know I just said Lila was flighty, but it was brought into stark contrast by the way Hawk talked down to her all the time.

Overall, I am not quite sure why I finished this book, I mostly just wanted to see if my theory about the bad guy was right. It was.

**I received an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review**

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[Book Him Danno · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1\2 stars out of 5
I will confess the best part of reading Harlequin romantic suspense series is Wham Bam thank you ma'am in the perfect small package.

This book is the traditional Harlequin style of book readers have been used to. The couple is instantly hot for each other. She is the rich girl trying to make a life outside of her fathers wishes. Seal is trying to figure out life now that he isn't a seal. Throw in tropical background, people disappearing and what could go wrong.

The couple lust for each other until they are in bed and out of bed and back in bed again. Guns, shooting, and running away from each other until they realize they need each other.



It is a traditional Harlequin and a very quick read that readers can finishing in a night. The book doesn't stand out as a must read but a pick up at the airport to pass the time.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Harlequin for the advance copy of Tawny Weber Navy SEAL to the Rescue.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great start to this new series! Packed full of danger, deception, passion and grit, I was excited to see what happened next.

Growing up with an overbearing father and a brother that cold do no wrong, Lila wanted, no needed to make her own mark. Without her family money she has created her own place and business. Quickly growing in reputation and clients she sets off to Costa Rica to fulfill their request. Never expecting to see a murder or be the target of a conspiracy she has to find a way out.

Travis is trying to recover. His dreams of retiring a Seal dashed when his knee gave out on him. But never did he suspect to be literally run over by the most gorgeous woman he's ever seen. And with her being thrown in the midst of danger he is honor bound to keep her safe. But he can't fight the passion between hrm no mater how hard he tries. And when he finds out who she really is things get dicey. Can they make a future together or will their past and careers be too much to over come?

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for honest review with no compensation

Navy Seal to the Rescue is book 1 in the Aegis Security series by Tawny Weber and a great start to this new series!!

Navy Seal Travis “Hawk “Hawkins injured in the line of duty is now on a tropical island for some R & R and to figure out what to do with the rest of his life...in the mean time he rescues a beautiful, sexy woman who claims to have witnessed a murder....

Lila Adrian, a headhunter has come to the island to recruit a well know chef but instead she witnesses his murder..on the run from the killers she enlisted the help of Hawk.

What ensues next will keep you on the edge of your seat...drama, suspense, kidnapping, murder, conspiracy and romance!!!

[Frankie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a lukewarm read for me. Engaging one minute, predictable & boring at other times. The bickering between the MCs was also aggravating but the suspense/mystery did surprise me somewhat as I wasn't expecting it to go there at the end.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Aegis Security

[Karen Machamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to friends and family.

[Donna Repsher · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read several of Tawny Weber's romantic suspense series over the past few years and thoroughly enjoyed them, so when I discovered she was writing a new series (Aegis Security) for the Harlequin Romantic Suspense imprint, I was happy to receive an advance reader copy to read and review, but I never in a million years thought that I would be quite so disappointed in this novel that I would give it a 1-star review, but since I have to rate them I couldn't in good conscience mislead you into thinking I even considered this book an okay read. Of the number of Ms. Weber's books I've read and very much enjoyed to date, this one is, by far, the worst.

From the outset this novel was two characters in search of a believable plot and a romance. I did eventually find a rather silly and slim plot but it was so utterly preposterous that if I hadn't been obligated to read and review this novel, I would not have finished reading it. As for the romance, there really wasn't one. There was sex and the first 80% of the novel consisted or internal and external dialogue all about how sexy the two main characters each thought the other was.

The heroine, Lila Adrian, runs a fledgling company working as a head-hunter for the rich and famous. Travis Hawking, is a tall, sexy, ripped, and handsome ex-Navy SEAL with a blown-out knee, spending his time in a hammock on Costa Rica and wondering what he's going to do with the rest of his life now that he's received a medical discharge from the Navy.

Lila has flown down to the island to recruit a personal chef for her well-to-do clients, the Martins. His name is Chef Rodriguez, who she briefly meets one day after sampling his cooking, and the next time she goes to meet him she witnesses his murder. She runs screaming into the arms of Travis, and when they finally get around to getting the police to check the scene, the body is gone and there's not a trace of evidence to be found. Of course, the police don't believe her.

Next, she's kidnapped but we don't know by whom and we don't know why, and, of course, Travis again comes to her rescue, and once again, the police don't believe her. Since the head she was hunting was now dead, Lila's remaining on the island and trying to solve these crimes herself made zero sense to this reader. Lila is so fiercely independent that she wants to do everything by herself, with zero training, zero skills, and the only weapon she had at her disposal was the small can of pepper spray in her handbag, which, of course, was stolen, along with her ID and passport. Her father runs a multi-million dollar worldwide corporation, and could have easily replaced her ID, money and passport within a day, but and when he sends a helicopter to pick her up and take her to the their private plane, she refuses to leave. Lila's brother is also a Navy SEAL, in the same unit as Travis, but does she tell Travis about it--nope. No matter what Travis does or tries to do to keep her safe, she absolutely refuses to follow his instructions and she eventually gets kidnapped a second time. Again, we don't know why, but we eventually learn by whom, but the reasoning behind her abduction was also ridiculous and the bad guys in this novel were utterly inept. Although their criminal enterprise was using the restaurant to launder money, we never learn for whom, yet another missed step.

To top it all off, most of the action takes place in the last 20% of the book. The first 80% is filled with, "he's so sexy," "he's so hot," "Wow, what abs!", "she's so beautiful", "I love heer long blonde hair," I can't wait to have sex with her", "Nothing will come of this, so should I have sex with him?" dialogue, ad nauseum. Also laughable was that while Lila was told to pack a small bag as Travis was trying to safely hide her, rather than basic necessities, Lila managed to pack quite a large supply of condoms. Really? When they finally do have sex after all the internal and external dialogue, it was rather pedestrian sex at best, and mostly off-screen. Knowing that Ms. Weber had written some seriously steamy novels for the now defunct Harlequin Blaze line, I certainly expected far more heat and passion out of these two characters than was there.

Back to the plot, or lack thereof. These two characters stake out the bar/restaurant where Lila first met Chef Rodriguez for a full week! Nothing happens, nothing at all, so what was a point--getting themselves noticed? Making Lila a bigger, more convenient target? As for romance, there isn't any--no words of love, not even so much as a lit candle on the restaurant table. After the bad guys are caught, Lila and Travis part ways without so much as a goodbye or a thank you, and Lila returns home with her father, the cold, businesslike, pompous man she's avoided for years but now seems to have forgiven for being a bullheaded, demanding and unappreciative boor to her for her entire life. The HEA ending, if you can call it that appears on the last two pages of his novel, tied up nice and neatly with a little bow, and it too was utterly devoid of emotion and totally disappointing.

Finally, I must also state that I disliked both Lila and Travis, who, as the main characters in this novel weren't given any sort of depth or any sort of emotional connection. The endless bickering, snarky remarks and eye rolling grew tiresome quickly, as did constant references to Travis as "the Super SEAL," with a busted knee, no less? Lila went from being utterly self-absorbed, to whiny, to argumentative, to obnoxious in her constant refusals to let Travis, the person with actual military training in rescue missions, help her. As for Travis, all he seemed to want was Lila's blonde hair and her hot body--at no time were his emotions in play until the penultimate pages, and it was all too little, too late for this reader.

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

[Julia David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start to a new series. Travis may just turn into a beach bum. It seems that is all he can do since leaving the military. He didn't leave because he wanted to, he left because of an injury. Lila will be independent at all costs. She is tired of the way her father wants to run her life and she will do things her way. Whether he likes it or not. Lila witnesses a murder and makes a run for it. She runs right into Travis. Travis can't stand by while a woman is in distress even if he has a bum knee. As he helps her figure out why she is being targeted, he realizes that he wants more of a life than just a hammock on the beach. Will Lila?

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

"Navy SEAL to the Rescue" is a somewhat comical romantic suspense. Lila is a recruiter for the elite, and she is currently on a mission to the Caribbean to secure a specific chef for a wealthy couple. She notices the stranger on the beach- who also notices her- but she is on a mission. After tracking down the chef at his place of employment, Lila makes plans to meet him at his office. When she returns, she sees him shot and killed. She runs from the restaurant and into the arms of the man she saw earlier, Travis, who helps her call the police and meet them back at the scene of the crime.

However, when they return, the crime scene has been completely cleaned up and the police do not believe her. They are unwilling to even look into it- it reeks of corruption. I also find it hard to believe that the blood and everything was completely cleaned up in about half an hour. Luckily, Travis is on the scene, and while he is not sure if she saw what she said she did, he is caught up in her- she's just his type, which is apparently just long blonde hair. Soon, Lila is caught up in a much bigger plot, but luckily, Travis is there to save the day... and save it again... and again.

This really seems like a classic romance novel (though the romantic action doesn't come until the last third or so of the book and is relatively brief, so I expect more from the plot). However, at one point, Travis wakes up from his sleep due to his spidey-sense, knowing this woman he just met is in danger. And he figures out where she is with unbelievable speed and accuracy. He's really a superhero, tailor-made for Lila. Disbelief must be suspended to really get into this book, but it's a light/at times comical read.

It definitely made me laugh a few times, but typically the damsel in distress who isn't very smart about it (she is constantly putting herself in danger) and who is defiant without cause (leading to more trouble) isn't really my scene. But, you know, that's how you get the hyper-masculine hero who can constantly swoop in and save the day with his amazing just knowing things. It was a fast read, but was a little too "classic" for my tastes.

Please note that I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed on my blog, Becky on Books, on 2/14/19.

Navy SEAL to the Rescue is the start to a new series--Aegis Security--though we don't really find out what that is or much about it until the very end. (And even then the details are pretty sketchy. It's also not 100% clear at that point that Travis is going to join the company, though I guess we have to assume? The ending is all kind of abrupt. Book two sounds like it could be promising, though, so I'll be on the lookout for it.)

Travis and Lila's banter was really the best part of this book, along with some of their inner dialogue that often made me smile. The suspense was okay--the plot was a bit convoluted and the villain did the whole you're-gonna-die-anyway-so-listen-to-how-brilliant-I-am bit near the end, which always seems more than a little silly but at least it gave the cavalry time to get there. Lila's behavior crossed over into TSTL territory more than once (hence the need for the cavalry) and her reason(s) for leaving Travis were more than aggravating (especially since she herself realised how ridiculous they were with very little prompting shortly after). Her issues with her brother never get fully explained (unfortunate, since he's somehow in charge of Aegis?) but I'm hoping we'll see more of a resolution there, perhaps when he gets his own book?

Verdict: an interesting series start; it kept my interest even when aspects of it made me a little crazy.

Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Lynn Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lila Adrian’s job seemed to fall right into her lap. She’s good at what she does but this time something’s different. Travis “Hawk” Hawkins is frustrated with the detour his life has taken. He has special talents and we get to see his skill here.

We have two people that meet due to some unforeseen circumstances. I loved how Lila seemed to be able to push Travis’ buttons without even trying. He needed someone to poke the beast. They are in a tropical location so it made me wish it were a little warmer in my neck of the woods. But our couple brings the heat so that more than makes up for it. The suspense is what did it for me. It’s what had me turning the pages. Anything else this couple got up to was just icing on the cake.

I was more into seeing what obstacles the author was going to create and how our characters were, or weren’t, going to work together to come through everything in the end. I’m terrible at figuring out who’s the good guy and who’s the bad guy. But with Lila and Travis it was a case of will they or won’t they. And there a few times where I got to chuckle and that’s never a bad thing – this way things don’t get too heavy. We get to see them use their strengths to get things done as well as having to work together to solve a mystery all leading to a sweet ending. The only thing I didn’t get is a hint for the next book in the series.

I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lila did the one thing she rarely did. Promised success. Oh, she usually got her man or woman whichever was needed for the job. However, promising to get one particular person to leave their home and current job to take another wasn't a given. In this case not even close.

Travis was re-cooping on the beach. A former Navy SEAL, an injury on his last mission made it his final mission. He was not prepared or interested when the pretty--make that gorgeous--woman crashed into his lackluster life.

She ran from the horrific scene right into Travis. No one believed what she saw when she told them not even the police. Would Travis? He was too much like the men in her family. She didn't want to ask him for help. Yet, she was in a foreign country. Was she in danger? She hadn't even thought about what she'd seen meant to her promise to her client.

The author has a special touch with her stories about SEALS and I'm delighted to read this first book in the series. She's adding another factor to the rest of the series to spice it up a little more, although, with those hot guys there's already plenty of spice. The characters are strong but not perfect. You can't resist falling for them as BFFs or to add some spice to your life. Her secondary characters are quick studies but interesting as well. The women are strong and our Lila is feisty with a broken word filter.

This book stands alone and begins the new series.

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

Travis aka Hawk, is on permanent leave with the SEAL’s after an injury sidelined him with an honourable discharge. He likes his hammock and living by the ocean, wrapped up in self pity and agony until Lila enters his life. She literally runs into him when she witnesses a murder and he ends up protecting her. Lila is head strong, stubborn and fiercely independent, she has to be to prove to her overbearing father that she can make it on her own. The two are like oil and vinegar in the beginning but can’t ignore their attraction while he is hiding and protecting her. When all the danger comes to a head, will they make it out together.
A good read with a bit of steam, some suspense and danger. I was a bit taken back by Travis’s brash and crudeness and him not believing what Lila witnessed and making “fun” of her and he didn’t endear himself to me until he finally warmed up to her. Lila was stubborn, but rightfully so since everyone was dismissing her, including Travis and I liked her resiliency and being able to bounce back after everything that was happening to her. I was also hoping for an epilogue to see what happens to these two and where they end up. Otherwise I did enjoy the read and the suspense/mystery as to whodunit.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

[Chandera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tawny Weber did it again with her new book “Navy SEAL to the Rescue.” Travis “Hawk” Hawkins was medically discharged from the Navy and recovering on the beach in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica when Lila Adrian literally ran into him after witnessing a murder. Lila runs her own business where she finds talent and gets them a dream job, in other words she’s a headhunter. For example she’s in Puerto Viejo to hire Chef Alberto Rodriguez who works at Casa de Rico to be the chef for the Martin’s, who fell in love with his cooking. Lila came to make an offer for the job when she witnessed his murder. In the beginning Travis didn’t believe Lila about the murder. He was very skeptical. But Lila was tired of her feelings, her wants and thoughts being ignored. Her father bulldozes over her to get what he wants no matter her feelings. It wasn’t until Travis rescued Lila when she was captured by two men that he believed her in his own way. Even through all of this action there is such passion between these two, there is such an attraction. To find out what happens between these two and what happened with the murder I believe as a reader you should find out. I highly recommend this book.

I was given an advanced reader copy of this book for my honest review.

[Tara Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story, but I didn't love it. There were definitely times that both characters grated on my nerves. Travis was recuperating after a career ending injury, and he was failing. He had no idea what he was going to do with his life and was feeling as though he had no place in the world. Lila was trying to have a business meeting and after making initial contact, she sees him get murdered. As she is fleeing, she runs into Travis and the adventure begins.
Once they realize that the police won't be too much of a help, they have to find a way to prove that someone was murdered. When she loses her belongings, Travis agrees to help her until she leaves. Even when they start growing closer, she is keeping secrets from him. When the reason for the murder, who the murderer is and her secrets are revealed, there might not be any way for Travis and Lila to stay together. Miscommunication and family also play a role in how their relationship plays out. If only they can trust each other enough to see that each is what the other needs.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt bad for Lila that she feels like her father thinks she is a loser, and feels like all he does is command her to do things his way. I felt like she did a wonderful job of creating a business and filling a gap that was needed. It was frustrating that her father didn’t see that. Of course, she manages to get herself in trouble while on the coast of Mexico trying to find a chef her client requested. After she witnesses the chef’s murder, she runs into Travis. I felt bad because Travis is trying to come to terms that he can’t be a Navy Seal anymore. The sea has always been his life and the Seals his family. It’s sad that he feels he is a cripple and can’t do a job since he blew out his knee. I was glad to see him help Lila even though he didn’t want to. They were good for each other. They both had secrets each other helped the other with. There is murder, corruption, romance, and a hunky Seal or two. What more could you want? I encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great start for this new series .
The story centers around former Navy SEAL, Hawk/Travis Hawkins and Lila Adrian.
After an injury that terminated his career, Hawk is in Costa Rica, unsure of himself and his future. Lila is in town for business but when she witnesses a murder, she runs to the guy she had seen at the beach. That being Hawk.
From there on it’s non-stop action filled with sexual chemistry, and lots of whodunit. But aside from the engaging plot , it’s a story about two very complex individuals. One who feels he has no future, since his life and family were his SEAL “brothers” and the other one, needing to proof to her family she is a capable and intelligent individual.
My only regret is that somehow I had failed to read Ms. Weber’s story for a couple of years. A mistake I have rectified.
Hopefully we’ll hear more of this couple in future books in the series. Can’t wait to see what else the author has in store for us.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Sandy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good start to a new series! I like this author's books so I was hopeful that this would be the same, and it is! Travis is on a trip for R&R after he was medically retired when he runs into a blonde who just witnessed a murder. Lila was in the country to try to hire a chef for a customer when she see's something she never expected, and being terrified, she runs! Literally into Travis, who then decides to help her. Especially since he is intrigued by this woman from the start. But now the former SEAL has to not only keep her safe but figure out exactly who is gunning for her.

I liked this one, I can't say I loved it. Travis and Lila are cute together and their relationship seems to be slightly rushed. It is a quick read and I definitely had parts that I liked. I just felt slightly rushed and I didn't like that there wasn't any kind of epilogue to see how they end up further in the future. It did set everything up though to keep the series going and left me liking it enough that I will definitely read the next books to see how the secondary characters stories play out!

[2kasmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Travis “Hawk” Hawkins finds himself rescuing a damsel in distress. Only real problem? She takes her time in realizing she really is in distress. Bigger problem? The heavy attraction between them that is getting hotter.......

Lila is not sure which is worse. Having family that bosses her around and does not respect her or her ambitions, or meeting a man thousands of miles from home who seems just like them that she is enormously attracted to. Maybe it really is a bit of both. He just keeps turning out to be the good guy.

This was an incredible story right form the get go. I was seriously stuck inside the book and had a hard time putting it down. Each page brings more to the adventure, and even more sexy heat. These characters are a treat to read. I sure hope we visit them again. What a great start to the new Aegis Security series.


***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.