Part of an elite SEAL team, Mason takes on the dangerous jobs no one else wants to do – or can do. When he’s on a mission, he’s focused and dedicated. When he’s not, he plays as hard as he fights.
Until he meets a woman he can’t have but can’t forget.
Software developer, Tesla lost her brother in combat and has no intention of getting close to someone else in the military.
Determined to save other US soldiers from a similar fate, she’s created a program that could save lives. But other countries know about the program, and they won’t stop until they get it – and get her.
Time is running out... For her... For him... For them...
SEALs of Honor: Mason (SEALs of Honor #1)
by Dale Mayer
Military Romantic Suspense
Categories: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Valley Publishing
Release Date: January 31, 2016
Heat Level: Steamy
Length: 230 pages
Available at:
Amazon
B&N
iBooks
Google Play
Excerpt 1:
Lieutenant Mason Callister slowly straightened, his hard gaze unwavering on his foe's face. "Daniel Hardesty. Nice to see you again."
The grin on Daniel's face was enough to make most men cringe. But Mason wasn't most men. And he cringed for no one.
Least of all this guy. Daniel had washed out during BUD/S training. Hell week had kicked his butt and had kept on washing his sorry ass all the way back home. The two men had been friends once. But not making it through the worst week of his life had left a bitter taste on Daniel's lips. He'd finished his time and walked away from the military first chance he had.
It happened that way for some people. Not everyone could handle failure. For some defeat ate a bitter corner into their psyche where it festered.
He'd never have thought that would be Daniel's path, but Hell week changed a man. For better or for worse. For Mason, it was that tilt of the hat that said he could handle anything. He'd already known it but having that added to his life achievements, well there'd been no feeling like it before or since.
Apparently, failing had an effect on Daniel for the same reason. He’d quit and gone to the other side – a mercenary for anyone with enough money to pay for his services.
"It's nice to see you too, Mason," Daniel said affably. "Especially as you're looking down the end of my gun."
With a slight nod of his head, Mason gave him the point. Not that anyone was keeping score. "And the woman? Where is she?"
Daniel's grin widened. "Not your problem."
"Maybe not, but she is going to be your problem."
"I see you know her." Daniel slapped a hand over his cheek and slowly rubbed the long red scratches visible between his fingers.
"That damn woman is a pain in the ass. She deserves everything coming to her."
Mason's insides iced over. There were a lot of reasons for a woman to fight so hard she'd scarred Daniel – and none of them were good. "Being sold to the highest bidder? Really? She deserves to be kidnapped? Beaten?" There would be worse treatment for her too, both men had seen too much of it. Neither needed to bring it out in the open.
"She's developing new military tracking software. And she won't share it." Daniel shrugged. "So what does she expect?"
She expected her country to protect her. And Mason had no intention of failing. "Is she still alive?"
EXCERPT #2
How could her rescuer see anything? The sky was overcast and even the moon was covered. She could barely see him. And he stood in front of her. She definitely couldn't see anything around them. Her clothes were black, but she knew her face had to glow in the dark – especially shining with sweat like it was.
Not a good day to shine.
Her droll humor helped her regain her sense of balance. She knew she could be off and running any second and needed to be ready. Unfortunately her body wanted to slide to the ground and collapse.
"Rest. We have two minutes then we're off again."
She didn't waste the energy nodding. Two minutes wasn't enough time to catch her breath and respond.
She focused on her mental state instead. If that was strong the rest would follow. She hoped.
At the two-minute mark, she was hauled to her feet and dragged on another marathon through the bush. Why? If he'd been able to rescue her, why wasn't he able to get her picked up and shipped out to safety?
When he shoved her down behind a log, she knew she wasn't getting up again.
Not willingly. She closed her eyes and willed back the tears of exhaustion.
Damn.
"You okay?" That low deep note of concern had her opening her eyes and lying.
"I'm fine," she whispered.
His smile of appreciation warmed the coldness inside. When his grin widened, flashing his white teeth, and he whispered, "Good, let's go again," she groaned.
"Once more," he promised, helping her over the log they'd been hiding behind.
She didn't believe him but forced her legs to move. But instead of a run they stumbled. Instead of landing softly they came down hard, stilted. He reached out a hand. She put hers in it, loving the way his hand, fingers closed over hers as if he could impart some of his strength, his endurance to her.
Maybe she was gaining strength from him as her feet seemed to cooperate better, and she could pick up the pace. When they stopped the next time, she slid in a weak heap to the ground. She huddled up into a ball and closed her eyes.
When had she last hurt like this? Had she ever hurt so badly? She didn't think so.
Her rescuer crouched beside her and said, "We're waiting for a pick up. Should be in ten minutes." His voiced deepened. “We’re in Mexico and need to get across the border fast.”
She lifted her face to his and wanted to cry. Mexico? Oh no. She wanted to be home. Away from this nightmare. Were they driving out? Flying out? By donkey? Maybe she didn’t want to know. But whatever method she wanted to go now.
His finger stroked down the side of her cheek. "You're doing just fine."
"Doesn't feel like it. Feels like you ripped my ribs out and made me walk on them," she muttered.
His grin widened. "You got spunk. I like that."
About the Author:
Dale Mayer is a USA Today bestselling author best known for her Psychic Visions and Family Blood Ties series. Her contemporary romances are raw and full of passion and emotion (Second
She honors the stories that come to her – and some of them are crazy and break all the rules and cross multiple genres!
To go with her fiction, she also writes nonfiction in many different fields with books available on resume writing, companion gardening and the US mortgage system. She has recently published her Career Essentials Series. All her books are available in print and ebook format.
To find out more about Dale and her books, visit her at http://www.dalemayer.com. Or connect with her online with Twitter at www.twitter.com/dalemayer and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dalemayer.author.
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