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SEALed #2
SEALed with a Promise
Even a hero can get hurt sometimes...
He'll do anything to move the mission forward, no matter the cost...
Navy SEAL Caleb Delaude is deadly charming. When he discovers that professor Emmie Caddington's personal connections can help him get the dirty work done, he sets out to win her over. But her quick intelligence and quirky personality sure do start to get under his skin...
She may just be the key to his salvation...
Emmie's smart and independent and isn't looking for a brawny guy to take over her life. But this rugged Navy SEAL, who seems so determined to get close to her, hides a fierce intelligence and deep sensitivity.
When plans go wrong and a child's life is on the line, Emmie learns what it means to be a SEAL in action, and Caleb discovers that even a hero can get hurt sometimes.
He'll do anything to move the mission forward, no matter the cost...
Navy SEAL Caleb Delaude is deadly charming. When he discovers that professor Emmie Caddington's personal connections can help him get the dirty work done, he sets out to win her over. But her quick intelligence and quirky personality sure do start to get under his skin...
She may just be the key to his salvation...
Emmie's smart and independent and isn't looking for a brawny guy to take over her life. But this rugged Navy SEAL, who seems so determined to get close to her, hides a fierce intelligence and deep sensitivity.
When plans go wrong and a child's life is on the line, Emmie learns what it means to be a SEAL in action, and Caleb discovers that even a hero can get hurt sometimes.
375 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2009
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403 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 10, 2009
I enjoyed Mary-Margret Daughtridge's first book, "SEALed with a Kiss" so much, I was really looking forward to "SEALed with a Promise" her second release from Sourcebooks Casablanca. Once I got it, I eagerly settled in for a readathon. The first part of the book was great. SEAL Caleb, 'Do Lord', and his team (which included the hero from the first book) are assigned to take out a terrorist threatening to kill a Congressman visiting one of the 'Stans. Turns out that the visiting Congressman is a man Caleb had sworn (as a teenager) to kill the next time he saw him. What drama! Then the book progresses and we learn more about Caleb and what makes him tick.
Enter Emmie. Emmie is the best friend of the heroine from the first book and Emmie and Caleb meet for the first time while serving as maid-of-honor and best man respectively. Emmie's life hasn't exactly been a picnic either and she uses her intellect to separate herself from a society that hasn't been very comfortable for her. Even dressed in drab clothes designed to blend into the background, there's something about Emmie that catches Caleb's eye.
It was at about this point, for me, that the plot began to wander. Now I get that both Caleb and Emmie are super-smart, but does that mean that the majority of their thoughts and discussions be conducted in esoteric terms deeply rooted in religious beliefs and psychology? I almost felt like I was back in college! So maybe I'm just shallow, but if I wanted to read a book on the metaphysics of belief, I'd buy one. When I buy a romance, I want romance.
And these changes also seemed to extend to the characters. Emmie up and decided on a total physical and mental makeover and Caleb became a scheming plotter willing to sacrifice innocent lives for his revenge. WHAT? Did I miss something?
Anyway, the characters and plot just seemed to wander off into a totally new direction and even the ending just didn't ring true for me. I'm hoping that Mary-Margret Daughtridge's next book is closer to the first she wrote and that she saves the psychobabble for another genre. "SEALed with a Promise" didn't come through on its promise for me. I enjoyed the first part and enjoyed revisiting the characters from the first book...but that's about it.
Enter Emmie. Emmie is the best friend of the heroine from the first book and Emmie and Caleb meet for the first time while serving as maid-of-honor and best man respectively. Emmie's life hasn't exactly been a picnic either and she uses her intellect to separate herself from a society that hasn't been very comfortable for her. Even dressed in drab clothes designed to blend into the background, there's something about Emmie that catches Caleb's eye.
It was at about this point, for me, that the plot began to wander. Now I get that both Caleb and Emmie are super-smart, but does that mean that the majority of their thoughts and discussions be conducted in esoteric terms deeply rooted in religious beliefs and psychology? I almost felt like I was back in college! So maybe I'm just shallow, but if I wanted to read a book on the metaphysics of belief, I'd buy one. When I buy a romance, I want romance.
And these changes also seemed to extend to the characters. Emmie up and decided on a total physical and mental makeover and Caleb became a scheming plotter willing to sacrifice innocent lives for his revenge. WHAT? Did I miss something?
Anyway, the characters and plot just seemed to wander off into a totally new direction and even the ending just didn't ring true for me. I'm hoping that Mary-Margret Daughtridge's next book is closer to the first she wrote and that she saves the psychobabble for another genre. "SEALed with a Promise" didn't come through on its promise for me. I enjoyed the first part and enjoyed revisiting the characters from the first book...but that's about it.
April 6, 2009
This book had an exciting beginning that certainly grabbed my attention. A team of SEALs are called on to guard visiting US politician Teague Calhoun in Kandahar from a potential assassination attempt. But the SEAL acting as a sniper and charged with taking out the assassin has thoughts of taking out the Senator himself--will he do it, or do his duty? And why would he want to kill this politician and throw his life away--what has this man done to him to make him feel this way?
"SEALed With a Promise" is the follow up to "SEALed With a Kiss", and takes place a few months later, during the wedding of SEAL commander Jax and his fiancee Pickett. Navy SEAL Caleb Dulaude (the sniper in Kandahar) is Jax's best man as well as best friend, and Pickett's maid of honor is her college friend, professor Emmie Caddington. When Caleb (who is known by his nickname "Do-Lord") meets Emmie, he's less than impressed--he thinks she's one of the blandest people he's ever seen--it's like she's trying to be invisible. He can't figure out the appeal she must have to be Pickett's best friend. But when circumstances force him to help Emmie out with a wedding cake that may cause a severe allergic reaction if Pickett tastes it, he starts to understand her appeal. Emmie is compassionate, protective and fiercely loyal to those she loves, and underneath her baggy clothes and less than stylish appearance, he can see that she's rather attractive. After getting to know her, fellow read-a-holic Caleb sees they have a few things in common and may see the world in a similar way. And when Emmie reveals that she knows Senator Teague Calhoun quite well, Caleb puts his plan for revenge in full gear. He will use a connection to Emmie to infiltrate Calhoun's life, doing whatever it takes to get close to her, and then hit Calhoun where it hurts most, exacting his revenge. But what happens when Caleb starts falling for Emmie--will he sacrifice his relationship in order to destroy Calhoun's life, or will he put Emmie first? And what about the little girl who enters his life--will he sacrifice her life also or be the hero she thinks him to be?
"SEALed With a Promise" was a pretty good book, and with the vivid characterizations of the people and places throughout, reminded me just a little of the style of Robyn Carr. But where it fell short for me was in the romance--it just wasn't detailed enough for my tastes. There was certainly some steam, and some sexual tension between the H/H, but it was of the PG variety. Also, I'm not really sure how I feel about the hero. I know he was a good guy at heart, and by the end of the book I felt much better about him, but I didn't quite like the way he used the heroine in this book to further his agenda. Because of the sad and rough life he led as a child, I could certainly see where he was coming from with his quest for revenge on the man who had let him down and ruined his childhood, I just didn't like how he was willing to use the heroine, and her feelings for him, to get what he wanted. And yes, once he fell for her, he told her the truth about his past, something he never revealed to even his best friend, but he didn't tell her all of it. So yeah, there were times throughout the book that I was not too happy with him.
I did love the heroine, Professor Emmie Caddington. I loved the close, almost sister-like friendship she shared with Pickett and her extended family. I liked the transformation she went through from ugly duckling to beautiful swan. I loved her quirky sense of humor and brainiac personality. I loved how she handled her budding relationship with Caleb, and I shed a few tears when she cut Caleb loose when she found out the real reason for Caleb's interest in Senator Calhoun, and how she was being used. I felt sorry that she lost her trust in Caleb, and thought their romance wasn't 'real'.
What I didn't like about the book was that somewhere in the middle, the book took a more lazy, meandering tone, and started drifting away from the relationship between Caleb and Emmie and got a little caught up with Pickett's relatives and all the events in their lives. It got a little too 'talky'--I needed to see some action between Caleb and Emmie, or see some progression in the plot between Caleb and Senator Calhoun. This went on for a good 100 pages, and I was starting to get antsy. Would Caleb and Emmie ever move beyond the kissing and hand holding stage? And did Caleb forget about his plans for the Senator? Finally, around page 300 things started to get on track again. Emmie and Caleb had a semi-steamy love scene (wish there was more--they had some real potential) but most was left to the reader's imagination.
One other thing that bugged me was how Caleb was willing to let the chips fall where they may regarding the health of a little girl he befriended. To say more would give away some spoilers, but I just couldn't imagine how he thought his revenge was more important than the health of this little girl, who he was quite fond of.
There were a few plot points left hanging (what happened to Jax's former mother-in-law--and what was her relationship to fellow SEAL Lon?) that I imagine my be resolved in a next book, perhaps about Lon or studly SEAL Davy? There was also a satisfying conclusion, and a nice happy-for-now epilogue, which leads me to believe there will be a HEA in the future for Emmie and Caleb.
All in all, not a bad read--a little weak on the amount of romance scenes but nice and descriptive elsewhere, with fully fleshed out characters, and lessons about responsibility, loyalty, promises, forgiveness, and love. I have a feeling I would enjoy this book a bit more if I read it again--I would be able to pick up some of the character nuances. I'll definitely look for more from this author--4 stars.
"SEALed With a Promise" is the follow up to "SEALed With a Kiss", and takes place a few months later, during the wedding of SEAL commander Jax and his fiancee Pickett. Navy SEAL Caleb Dulaude (the sniper in Kandahar) is Jax's best man as well as best friend, and Pickett's maid of honor is her college friend, professor Emmie Caddington. When Caleb (who is known by his nickname "Do-Lord") meets Emmie, he's less than impressed--he thinks she's one of the blandest people he's ever seen--it's like she's trying to be invisible. He can't figure out the appeal she must have to be Pickett's best friend. But when circumstances force him to help Emmie out with a wedding cake that may cause a severe allergic reaction if Pickett tastes it, he starts to understand her appeal. Emmie is compassionate, protective and fiercely loyal to those she loves, and underneath her baggy clothes and less than stylish appearance, he can see that she's rather attractive. After getting to know her, fellow read-a-holic Caleb sees they have a few things in common and may see the world in a similar way. And when Emmie reveals that she knows Senator Teague Calhoun quite well, Caleb puts his plan for revenge in full gear. He will use a connection to Emmie to infiltrate Calhoun's life, doing whatever it takes to get close to her, and then hit Calhoun where it hurts most, exacting his revenge. But what happens when Caleb starts falling for Emmie--will he sacrifice his relationship in order to destroy Calhoun's life, or will he put Emmie first? And what about the little girl who enters his life--will he sacrifice her life also or be the hero she thinks him to be?
"SEALed With a Promise" was a pretty good book, and with the vivid characterizations of the people and places throughout, reminded me just a little of the style of Robyn Carr. But where it fell short for me was in the romance--it just wasn't detailed enough for my tastes. There was certainly some steam, and some sexual tension between the H/H, but it was of the PG variety. Also, I'm not really sure how I feel about the hero. I know he was a good guy at heart, and by the end of the book I felt much better about him, but I didn't quite like the way he used the heroine in this book to further his agenda. Because of the sad and rough life he led as a child, I could certainly see where he was coming from with his quest for revenge on the man who had let him down and ruined his childhood, I just didn't like how he was willing to use the heroine, and her feelings for him, to get what he wanted. And yes, once he fell for her, he told her the truth about his past, something he never revealed to even his best friend, but he didn't tell her all of it. So yeah, there were times throughout the book that I was not too happy with him.
I did love the heroine, Professor Emmie Caddington. I loved the close, almost sister-like friendship she shared with Pickett and her extended family. I liked the transformation she went through from ugly duckling to beautiful swan. I loved her quirky sense of humor and brainiac personality. I loved how she handled her budding relationship with Caleb, and I shed a few tears when she cut Caleb loose when she found out the real reason for Caleb's interest in Senator Calhoun, and how she was being used. I felt sorry that she lost her trust in Caleb, and thought their romance wasn't 'real'.
What I didn't like about the book was that somewhere in the middle, the book took a more lazy, meandering tone, and started drifting away from the relationship between Caleb and Emmie and got a little caught up with Pickett's relatives and all the events in their lives. It got a little too 'talky'--I needed to see some action between Caleb and Emmie, or see some progression in the plot between Caleb and Senator Calhoun. This went on for a good 100 pages, and I was starting to get antsy. Would Caleb and Emmie ever move beyond the kissing and hand holding stage? And did Caleb forget about his plans for the Senator? Finally, around page 300 things started to get on track again. Emmie and Caleb had a semi-steamy love scene (wish there was more--they had some real potential) but most was left to the reader's imagination.
One other thing that bugged me was how Caleb was willing to let the chips fall where they may regarding the health of a little girl he befriended. To say more would give away some spoilers, but I just couldn't imagine how he thought his revenge was more important than the health of this little girl, who he was quite fond of.
There were a few plot points left hanging (what happened to Jax's former mother-in-law--and what was her relationship to fellow SEAL Lon?) that I imagine my be resolved in a next book, perhaps about Lon or studly SEAL Davy? There was also a satisfying conclusion, and a nice happy-for-now epilogue, which leads me to believe there will be a HEA in the future for Emmie and Caleb.
All in all, not a bad read--a little weak on the amount of romance scenes but nice and descriptive elsewhere, with fully fleshed out characters, and lessons about responsibility, loyalty, promises, forgiveness, and love. I have a feeling I would enjoy this book a bit more if I read it again--I would be able to pick up some of the character nuances. I'll definitely look for more from this author--4 stars.
April 6, 2009
Navy SEAL Caleb "Do-Lord" Delaude grew up dirt poor. It was only him and his mother. His father left them. His fahter could have done something about their situation as he was wealthy but instead he never acknowledged them. Caleb decided to make something of his life and joined the Navy. He trained hard and became one of the best SEALs the Navy ever had. He vowed though to get his revenge aganist his father. No matter how long it took.
It is at Jax's wedding, where Caleb is best man that he meets Emmie Caddington. She is a bit of a wallflower. She dresses in bland clothing that does nothing for her figure. She is happier to let someone else be in the spot light then her. Caleb learns that Emmie shares a connection with his father. He decides to get close to her and in turn bring himself one step closer to his father.
SEALed with a Promise is the second book in this series. SEALed with a Promise turned out to be a ok read. I really enjoyed reading about this brand of Navy SEALs. Besides who doesn't love a handsome man both in as well as out of uniform. This book is Caleb "Do-Lord" Delaude's story. Caleb is the type of guy you picture when you dream of a Navy SEAL. He is tough, made of steel and gets the job done. On the other hand, I also found him to be a little stand offish and a bit of a bully. I don't know if this was because of him being a SEAL or not. He was bossy towards Emmie, which I didn't see any reason why he had to be so mean. Emmie really frustrated me. She was weak and would let people around her try and dictate her. She didn't really stand up for herself and act till about a third of the way from the very end. Mary Margaret Daughtridge is a new author to me. I do have to say that I am glad I gave her a try.
It is at Jax's wedding, where Caleb is best man that he meets Emmie Caddington. She is a bit of a wallflower. She dresses in bland clothing that does nothing for her figure. She is happier to let someone else be in the spot light then her. Caleb learns that Emmie shares a connection with his father. He decides to get close to her and in turn bring himself one step closer to his father.
SEALed with a Promise is the second book in this series. SEALed with a Promise turned out to be a ok read. I really enjoyed reading about this brand of Navy SEALs. Besides who doesn't love a handsome man both in as well as out of uniform. This book is Caleb "Do-Lord" Delaude's story. Caleb is the type of guy you picture when you dream of a Navy SEAL. He is tough, made of steel and gets the job done. On the other hand, I also found him to be a little stand offish and a bit of a bully. I don't know if this was because of him being a SEAL or not. He was bossy towards Emmie, which I didn't see any reason why he had to be so mean. Emmie really frustrated me. She was weak and would let people around her try and dictate her. She didn't really stand up for herself and act till about a third of the way from the very end. Mary Margaret Daughtridge is a new author to me. I do have to say that I am glad I gave her a try.
May 25, 2014
I was on the fence with the first book of this series, rounding up to a 3 star rating, but this book was the final nail in the coffin for this series. The hero was so obsessed with revenge, that we didn't see him grow as a character until the end of the book. Emmie felt like a very flat heroine, and I couldn't bring myself to care about her. Overall, I was bored for most of the book and had to force myself through it.
January 2, 2011
Not really a romance IMHO! It was more a story of two people and their personal struggles, they just happen to hook up. Oh but it is very, very tame!!! I mean almost non-existent...
December 3, 2017
As far as a book in the military romance genre goes, this series is definitely tilted toward romance. The military bits are well written and seem plausible to this civilian, but the strength of the story is the romance, and after that, the description of family dynamics.
The depiction of the Christmas family get-together at Aunt Lily Hale’s house was beautifully done and reminiscent of my own family.
I thought the story was moving and engaging. This author is a *writer*. I can’t believe she wrote four books and then stopped, because even the first book in the series (which would have been her first published effort if these four books were her only ones) seemed to be the work of a seasoned professional. Yet, the author’s bio makes no coy references to a writing career under another name, as I have sometimes seen. I’m just as curious about her activities after 2011, publication date of the fourth and last book in the series. I very much hope she didn’t stop writing because of ill health. Maybe she said everything she wanted to say in four books, but the lady is definitely gifted and as a reader, I wish she had continued writing.
The depiction of the Christmas family get-together at Aunt Lily Hale’s house was beautifully done and reminiscent of my own family.
I thought the story was moving and engaging. This author is a *writer*. I can’t believe she wrote four books and then stopped, because even the first book in the series (which would have been her first published effort if these four books were her only ones) seemed to be the work of a seasoned professional. Yet, the author’s bio makes no coy references to a writing career under another name, as I have sometimes seen. I’m just as curious about her activities after 2011, publication date of the fourth and last book in the series. I very much hope she didn’t stop writing because of ill health. Maybe she said everything she wanted to say in four books, but the lady is definitely gifted and as a reader, I wish she had continued writing.
September 19, 2017
I was initially against burning books until reading this trash. I have never wanted to burn a book faster. Yes, there was character development, and plenty of back story, laced with flashbacks. Maybe too many to the point of annoyingness. For the most part the main characters are smart of then they lose their brains whenever they're around each other.
June 9, 2010
Mary Margret Daughtridge has done it again with her second novel SEALed with a Promise. I read her debut novel SEALed with a Kiss last year after I won it from [a href=" Binge[/a:] and I fell in love with Jax and Pickett. Jax and Pickett are now getting married and Caleb "Do Lord" Delaude and Emmie Caddington are their best man and maid of honor respectively. After Caleb observes Jax and Pickett's happiness with each other can't help but feel a little jealousy he never thought to expect. He finds himself interested in Emmie even though she is a mousy, plain little thing. But after he aids her in a wedding cake switcheroo he discovers there are unique interesting layers to Emmie that captivate him.
There are so many things that I love about Ms. Daughtridge's writing. First and foremost are her strong characters. The are fully fleshed out with lots of layers and depth. The reader is fully immersed in their heads. She completely walks you through their thought processes and learning how a SEAL thinks is absolutely fascinating. Caleb and Emmie are very smart and tend to think outside the box. For most of their lives they have felt like outliers in society. Emmie hasn't had many relationships with men and is more logical when it comes to relationships. When she starts to feel attracted to Caleb she doesn't even realize that is the emotion she is feeling. It is really great to read about her discovering this attraction and dealing with it.
I also love the sense of connection I get when I read the scenes with Emmie and her family or Caleb and his SEAL brothers. Daughtrigde is able to capture a family dinner perfectly. I can sense the chaos of so many different personalities together and the baggage that comes with being around family, the people who think they know you and yet sometimes don't. You can sense the loyalty and love among these people too. The dialogue is fabulous. The characters actually TALK about their issues and it moves the story beautifully.
I did think the delivery with the ending was a little clunky compared to the rest of the story. The pacing and the passion all flowed so smoothly. Then when the big reveal happens at the end the book stumbled a bit. But this is just a tiny little detail in the big scheme of things. I really enjoyed reading SEALed with a Promise. It is a fun, clever and emotionally gripping story. Mary Margret Daughtridge is an author to keep on your radar.
There are so many things that I love about Ms. Daughtridge's writing. First and foremost are her strong characters. The are fully fleshed out with lots of layers and depth. The reader is fully immersed in their heads. She completely walks you through their thought processes and learning how a SEAL thinks is absolutely fascinating. Caleb and Emmie are very smart and tend to think outside the box. For most of their lives they have felt like outliers in society. Emmie hasn't had many relationships with men and is more logical when it comes to relationships. When she starts to feel attracted to Caleb she doesn't even realize that is the emotion she is feeling. It is really great to read about her discovering this attraction and dealing with it.
I also love the sense of connection I get when I read the scenes with Emmie and her family or Caleb and his SEAL brothers. Daughtrigde is able to capture a family dinner perfectly. I can sense the chaos of so many different personalities together and the baggage that comes with being around family, the people who think they know you and yet sometimes don't. You can sense the loyalty and love among these people too. The dialogue is fabulous. The characters actually TALK about their issues and it moves the story beautifully.
I did think the delivery with the ending was a little clunky compared to the rest of the story. The pacing and the passion all flowed so smoothly. Then when the big reveal happens at the end the book stumbled a bit. But this is just a tiny little detail in the big scheme of things. I really enjoyed reading SEALed with a Promise. It is a fun, clever and emotionally gripping story. Mary Margret Daughtridge is an author to keep on your radar.
May 5, 2009
I love a good “Men in Uniform� love story. Anything from firefighters to military men, but my favorite is definately Navy SEALs. I think what really draws me to them is their whole take charge, protective, and stubborn attitudes. Plus, I love the whole suspenseful plots in a lot of the stories I read.
At first I thought Caleb “Do-Lord� Delaude and Emmie Caddington were an odd match. Emmie was against everything Caleb is: a SEAL and Caleb thought Emmie was too “plain� for him and yet she intruged him, but once you got more into the story and found out more about each character they actually did have a few interesting things in common and it shows that opposites really do attract. Their love connection though seemed to be put on hold somewhat throughout the story until towards the end because Caleb was so full of guilt and anger and wanted revenge so the story tended to focus more on that aspect then the relationship itself.
The relationship between Caleb and Vicky (10 year old Senator Teague’s daughter), also known as “Little Bit� (the nickname Caleb gave her) interested me more then the actual love relationship between Caleb and Emmie. Caleb and Vicky are a lot alike, they are both strong-willed, determined, and brave. The fact that they both had Trypanophobia- a fear of needles- was interesting as well. I really liked how the author focused on and explained their phobia, it really showed me from the characters point of views how they felt about it and how Caleb helped Vicky to understand her phobia and not exactly over come it, but learn to face it and somewhat accept it. Some people tend to just brush aside phobias and think they are nothing to worry about or that they are not real, but they are very real. I actually live with someone who has Arachnophobia- a fear of spiders- and you truely don’t fully understand what they are going through unless you yourself are the one with the phobia.
In all, the story was a good read though the ending seemed somewhat rushed. If you enjoy a good ”Men in Uniform� story then I’d recommend you pick it up and give it a try.
At first I thought Caleb “Do-Lord� Delaude and Emmie Caddington were an odd match. Emmie was against everything Caleb is: a SEAL and Caleb thought Emmie was too “plain� for him and yet she intruged him, but once you got more into the story and found out more about each character they actually did have a few interesting things in common and it shows that opposites really do attract. Their love connection though seemed to be put on hold somewhat throughout the story until towards the end because Caleb was so full of guilt and anger and wanted revenge so the story tended to focus more on that aspect then the relationship itself.
The relationship between Caleb and Vicky (10 year old Senator Teague’s daughter), also known as “Little Bit� (the nickname Caleb gave her) interested me more then the actual love relationship between Caleb and Emmie. Caleb and Vicky are a lot alike, they are both strong-willed, determined, and brave. The fact that they both had Trypanophobia- a fear of needles- was interesting as well. I really liked how the author focused on and explained their phobia, it really showed me from the characters point of views how they felt about it and how Caleb helped Vicky to understand her phobia and not exactly over come it, but learn to face it and somewhat accept it. Some people tend to just brush aside phobias and think they are nothing to worry about or that they are not real, but they are very real. I actually live with someone who has Arachnophobia- a fear of spiders- and you truely don’t fully understand what they are going through unless you yourself are the one with the phobia.
In all, the story was a good read though the ending seemed somewhat rushed. If you enjoy a good ”Men in Uniform� story then I’d recommend you pick it up and give it a try.
August 10, 2012
Oh, where to begin...
Well, "SEALed With A Promise" by Mary Margret Daughtridge started out with a bang and hooked me right away. Sharpshooter Navy SEAL Caleb Delaude is sent to protect the very man he's vowed to kill, Senator Teague Calhoun. He does indeed protect him in the line of duty, but sets into motion a plan to exact revenge on his own time. Enter Emmie Caddington, an intelligent, quirky professor (think Amy Farrah Fowler from "The Big Bang Theory") who just happens to be Caleb's link to Calhoun. Caleb calculatingly uses Emmie to get to Calhoun but ends up falling in love with her along the way.
Sounds good, huh? Well, yes...but no. Surprisingly, it was very slow moving at times...painfully slow...and the dialog was overly analytical and intellectual. (Again, think "The Big Bang Theory"...unfortunately without the benefit of having Penny to quirk a brow at the fact that "normal" people don't talk that way.) Even Vicky (Calhoun's young daughter) spoke as though she were wise beyond her years. Yet as intelligent as all these people were supposed to be, Senator Calhoun's IQ seemed shockingly low. He didn't recognize that Caleb Delaude from Rose Hill, Alabama was the same Caleb Delaude from Rose Hill, Alabama who wrote him countless times as a teen trying to get help for his dying mother? Who told him he was his illegitimate son? Who was issued a cease and desist letter from Calhoun's lawyers? REALLY?!
There were, of course, some very positive things. We got to see a bit more of Pickett, Jax and Tyler (whose storyline seems far from over given that Jax's ex-mother-in-law is finally drying out and seeking custody of Tyler). We also got to see Emmie come out of her shell and recognize her potential as a woman rather than just a scholar. And we also got to witness a haunted man come to terms with his past.
I dunno...This book had SO much potential but it just fell short for me...It was good, but could have been great. Three-and-a-half stars.
It'll be interesting to see what book number three of the "SEALed" series brings.
Well, "SEALed With A Promise" by Mary Margret Daughtridge started out with a bang and hooked me right away. Sharpshooter Navy SEAL Caleb Delaude is sent to protect the very man he's vowed to kill, Senator Teague Calhoun. He does indeed protect him in the line of duty, but sets into motion a plan to exact revenge on his own time. Enter Emmie Caddington, an intelligent, quirky professor (think Amy Farrah Fowler from "The Big Bang Theory") who just happens to be Caleb's link to Calhoun. Caleb calculatingly uses Emmie to get to Calhoun but ends up falling in love with her along the way.
Sounds good, huh? Well, yes...but no. Surprisingly, it was very slow moving at times...painfully slow...and the dialog was overly analytical and intellectual. (Again, think "The Big Bang Theory"...unfortunately without the benefit of having Penny to quirk a brow at the fact that "normal" people don't talk that way.) Even Vicky (Calhoun's young daughter) spoke as though she were wise beyond her years. Yet as intelligent as all these people were supposed to be, Senator Calhoun's IQ seemed shockingly low. He didn't recognize that Caleb Delaude from Rose Hill, Alabama was the same Caleb Delaude from Rose Hill, Alabama who wrote him countless times as a teen trying to get help for his dying mother? Who told him he was his illegitimate son? Who was issued a cease and desist letter from Calhoun's lawyers? REALLY?!
There were, of course, some very positive things. We got to see a bit more of Pickett, Jax and Tyler (whose storyline seems far from over given that Jax's ex-mother-in-law is finally drying out and seeking custody of Tyler). We also got to see Emmie come out of her shell and recognize her potential as a woman rather than just a scholar. And we also got to witness a haunted man come to terms with his past.
I dunno...This book had SO much potential but it just fell short for me...It was good, but could have been great. Three-and-a-half stars.
It'll be interesting to see what book number three of the "SEALed" series brings.
July 17, 2012
It was written very well and the author is obviously very intelligent. I just found some bits a little hard to believe.
First, whenever Caleb announced a special skill he excelled at, not only would the author say it was due to being a SEAL, the author would imply that only SEALs have such a skill because they are SEALs. This writing tactic was so over-used that I was rolling my eyes throughout the entire novel.
The other thing that really got to was me was so incredibly shallow and self-centered Emmie was in the beginning of the book, even to the extent that she looked down upon Jax. Then all of a sudden she had a change of heart, looked at the world differently, dropped most of her eccentricities, got a make over and was a better person. I might have been able to accept her change of heart and character so drastically, IF it had not also coincided with a total make over.
Her intellectual ego, along with Caleb's, bugged the ever loving crap outta me.
I DID like the fact that Caleb did NOT go all alpha male all over Emmie and force her beside him. He made her make the choices as pertaining to a relationship and sex, and for a small part, he wanted her to the make the first important moves/advances. I was also happy to see that Caleb was able to share his darker secrets with her early on, rather than stringing her along for most of the novel.
The wedding was cute, and I was happy to see Picket and Jax again from the first book.
First, whenever Caleb announced a special skill he excelled at, not only would the author say it was due to being a SEAL, the author would imply that only SEALs have such a skill because they are SEALs. This writing tactic was so over-used that I was rolling my eyes throughout the entire novel.
The other thing that really got to was me was so incredibly shallow and self-centered Emmie was in the beginning of the book, even to the extent that she looked down upon Jax. Then all of a sudden she had a change of heart, looked at the world differently, dropped most of her eccentricities, got a make over and was a better person. I might have been able to accept her change of heart and character so drastically, IF it had not also coincided with a total make over.
Her intellectual ego, along with Caleb's, bugged the ever loving crap outta me.
I DID like the fact that Caleb did NOT go all alpha male all over Emmie and force her beside him. He made her make the choices as pertaining to a relationship and sex, and for a small part, he wanted her to the make the first important moves/advances. I was also happy to see that Caleb was able to share his darker secrets with her early on, rather than stringing her along for most of the novel.
The wedding was cute, and I was happy to see Picket and Jax again from the first book.
May 4, 2015
Review can also be found here -
I was looking forward to reading more of this series by moving on to book 2. While I did enjoy the story over all, I didn't breeze through it as quickly as I did the first book. I felt like the characters weren't as developed as I'd have liked them to be. I didn't get a chance to really love Emmie and Caleb.
For that matter, I didn't see them 'fall in love' either. One of my favorite parts of reading a romance novel is to see two characters get to know one another, to see that spark and the beginnings of a relationship. To see why they fell in love. And how. That part fell a little flat to me. Bummer.
It never sat right with me that Caleb set out to use Emmie to get back at someone. Even when he told her, she seemed sort of ok with it. I expected anger or for her to feel betrayed, but she did not. I was honestly disappointed in her reaction and felt that it wasn't a 'real' reaction. I was more upset by his actions on her behalf. It was hard for me to get past the way Emmie allowed herself to be a doormat, both with Caleb and her own family.
As far as light reads go, this was a good one. It just didn't wrap me around it's finger like I'd hoped it would. I do plan on continuing with the series though.
I was looking forward to reading more of this series by moving on to book 2. While I did enjoy the story over all, I didn't breeze through it as quickly as I did the first book. I felt like the characters weren't as developed as I'd have liked them to be. I didn't get a chance to really love Emmie and Caleb.
For that matter, I didn't see them 'fall in love' either. One of my favorite parts of reading a romance novel is to see two characters get to know one another, to see that spark and the beginnings of a relationship. To see why they fell in love. And how. That part fell a little flat to me. Bummer.
It never sat right with me that Caleb set out to use Emmie to get back at someone. Even when he told her, she seemed sort of ok with it. I expected anger or for her to feel betrayed, but she did not. I was honestly disappointed in her reaction and felt that it wasn't a 'real' reaction. I was more upset by his actions on her behalf. It was hard for me to get past the way Emmie allowed herself to be a doormat, both with Caleb and her own family.
As far as light reads go, this was a good one. It just didn't wrap me around it's finger like I'd hoped it would. I do plan on continuing with the series though.
October 25, 2011
What the f**k is wrong with female romance writers today? can someone please tell me?
you read one book with insecure female, once i can let it slide but the second time is just bordering on stupidity and no imagination. i judge this writer, i point and jugde. i dont care if its rude. what i hate the most is that most romance writers are insecure themselves and so create characters that match thier insecurity just so they can live out some fantasy that a beautiful woman with a great rack who is opinionted, inteligent and all these other crap characteristic that make them wonderful with sexual expriences of a nun. yeah right!!!!! i am not saying that does women dont exist, but todau in the 21 century im saying: bitch please. in the real world those women lost their virginity early on and they were not trick nor raped they did it cos they wanted to and they keep having sex i am telling you romance writers out there no reader will judge them.
my advise to writers like this one is, go to therapy solve your issues then come back write a female character that will make other female characters proude.
you read one book with insecure female, once i can let it slide but the second time is just bordering on stupidity and no imagination. i judge this writer, i point and jugde. i dont care if its rude. what i hate the most is that most romance writers are insecure themselves and so create characters that match thier insecurity just so they can live out some fantasy that a beautiful woman with a great rack who is opinionted, inteligent and all these other crap characteristic that make them wonderful with sexual expriences of a nun. yeah right!!!!! i am not saying that does women dont exist, but todau in the 21 century im saying: bitch please. in the real world those women lost their virginity early on and they were not trick nor raped they did it cos they wanted to and they keep having sex i am telling you romance writers out there no reader will judge them.
my advise to writers like this one is, go to therapy solve your issues then come back write a female character that will make other female characters proude.
July 14, 2013
OK, just finished the second story, Sealed with a Promise (Caleb/Do Lord & Emmie's story). Like Kiss, Promise has some tough life issues to deal with. Ms Daughtridge tells a great tale, although I thought this one ended a little too suddenly . However, the writing is still lush and should make word nerds happy (I started highlighting the big words and was thankful for my Kindle's definition function. Looking forward to reading the third story again (Davy's).
For those of you not into $10 words when a nickel one'll do, you may have issues with her use of words like "carapace", "strophe and antistrophe", "anodyne", well, you get my point. Big words don't always work. For me, though, I enjoyed what they added. Even better, Ms Daughtridge tells fables in some ways, with lots of values woven through the story. For example, "...you were so focused on the straight-line solution, you weren't listening to anyone's warnings." In other words, sometimes, the long way around is the smarter way.
For those of you not into $10 words when a nickel one'll do, you may have issues with her use of words like "carapace", "strophe and antistrophe", "anodyne", well, you get my point. Big words don't always work. For me, though, I enjoyed what they added. Even better, Ms Daughtridge tells fables in some ways, with lots of values woven through the story. For example, "...you were so focused on the straight-line solution, you weren't listening to anyone's warnings." In other words, sometimes, the long way around is the smarter way.
March 18, 2009
SEALed with a Promise
Written By: Mary Margret Daughtridge
Published By: Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2009, First Edition, 384 pages, paperback
ISBN 978-1402217630
SEALed with a Promise is fast-paced and the first half of the book is really good; I liked the realistic characterizations of the Navy Seals and I enjoyed the sexual tension between Caleb and Emmie. The plot is unique and the story really captured my attention, at the beginning. Unfortunately, about halfway through the story everything seemed to go downhill. It started getting bogged down with boring, repetitive family functions and some inane dialog. These story elements should have been moving the plot forward, but somehow accomplished...
**Please follow the link to read the whole review:
Written By: Mary Margret Daughtridge
Published By: Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2009, First Edition, 384 pages, paperback
ISBN 978-1402217630
SEALed with a Promise is fast-paced and the first half of the book is really good; I liked the realistic characterizations of the Navy Seals and I enjoyed the sexual tension between Caleb and Emmie. The plot is unique and the story really captured my attention, at the beginning. Unfortunately, about halfway through the story everything seemed to go downhill. It started getting bogged down with boring, repetitive family functions and some inane dialog. These story elements should have been moving the plot forward, but somehow accomplished...
**Please follow the link to read the whole review:
July 17, 2010
I was disappointed in this book. The first book in the series, Sealed with a Kiss, was wonderful and I expected great things from this one, but it had a really slow start. Caleb isn't all that exciting until Jax's wedding then the romance gets started and instantly is in trouble. Emmie just go on my nerves. She's very insecure and has a makeover and is instantly flirtatious and confident. That's just not realistic at all.
Caleb has ulterior motives for hooking up with Emmie whom he hated from the get-go and all of a sudden he's smitten. Come on, I could understand if he just wanted to get laid - hell he's a guy - but no, smitten!
I kinda lost interest in this book about halfway through and just couldn't get it back. This just fell flat for me. I have the next one (Sealed with a Ring) and hope it's better or it will be the last for me.
Caleb has ulterior motives for hooking up with Emmie whom he hated from the get-go and all of a sudden he's smitten. Come on, I could understand if he just wanted to get laid - hell he's a guy - but no, smitten!
I kinda lost interest in this book about halfway through and just couldn't get it back. This just fell flat for me. I have the next one (Sealed with a Ring) and hope it's better or it will be the last for me.
November 3, 2011
The writing in this book has some good parts and some odd confusing moments.
He'll do anything to move the mission forward, no matter the cost . . .
Navy SEAL Caleb Delaude is deadly charming. When he discovers that professor Emmie Caddington's personal connections can help him get the dirty work done, he sets out to win her over. But her quick intelligence and quirky personality sure do start to get under his skin . . .
She may just be the key to his salvation . . .
Emmie's smart and independent and isn't looking for a brawny guy to take over her life. But this rugged Navy SEAL, who seems so determined to get close to her, hides a fi erce intelligence and deep sensitivity.
When plans go wrong and a child's life is on the line, Emmie learns what it means to be a SEAL in action, and Caleb discovers that even a hero can get hurt sometimes . . .
He'll do anything to move the mission forward, no matter the cost . . .
Navy SEAL Caleb Delaude is deadly charming. When he discovers that professor Emmie Caddington's personal connections can help him get the dirty work done, he sets out to win her over. But her quick intelligence and quirky personality sure do start to get under his skin . . .
She may just be the key to his salvation . . .
Emmie's smart and independent and isn't looking for a brawny guy to take over her life. But this rugged Navy SEAL, who seems so determined to get close to her, hides a fi erce intelligence and deep sensitivity.
When plans go wrong and a child's life is on the line, Emmie learns what it means to be a SEAL in action, and Caleb discovers that even a hero can get hurt sometimes . . .
April 26, 2011
This book picks up a few months after SEALed with a Kiss, part of the beginning happens during Jax and Pickett's wedding. Do-Lord and Emma are great together. I love the way he falls for her. There are alot of emotions in this book as well. There were a couple of areas where I felt like there could have been more detail or the solution was to easy/cut and dried. But it was still a great read.
I LOVED seeing Tyler, Jax and Pickett in this book again.
WARNING - my friends that like the Tempting Seals and Elite Ops...this is not an erotic series. Just good old love stories. Sex scenes are harlequin-esque...some are detailed some are they kiss, the door closes and then it's the next day.
I LOVED seeing Tyler, Jax and Pickett in this book again.
WARNING - my friends that like the Tempting Seals and Elite Ops...this is not an erotic series. Just good old love stories. Sex scenes are harlequin-esque...some are detailed some are they kiss, the door closes and then it's the next day.
January 10, 2012
This is the second in a series, and for some reason, this story grabbed me. It is one of my new favorite contemporaries. The characters are intelligent (there was some Amazon discussion about how the author beat us over the head with this fact, but that seems to be a theme with her other titles as well), and faced morally questionable situations. I found the banter witty and I really like how the hero and heroine come out changed for the better on the other side. I found the situation that brought them together in the first place believable. I like how h/h stay together and find out that they really like each other. Sometimes, characters just stick with you, and for some reason, this fictional people and their story have stayed with me.
May 19, 2012
Mary-Margret pulled me in again. I love her SEALs when they're off-duty - no spoilers but you need to read about these guys and the wedding cake! One of my favorite scenes ever. I feel like I know these guys. You'll want to too!
April 28, 2013
I really liked this story. I didn't believe it would have a positive ending and I was feeling that the main characters wouldn't come together.
Mary Margaret writes great characters who are deep and complex.
Mary Margaret writes great characters who are deep and complex.
August 22, 2014
How long can a SEAL keep a promise? How long can he remain focused on a mission? A lifetime, but should he? The second of four books in the series, and just as good as the first. I read them all again and again, and always enjoy them.
January 2, 2019
Came out early. Ordered 3/19/09; says ships now.
April 22, 2010
Strong men and credible story lines ...
December 31, 2010
Two and a half stars is a more realistic review. This was the first one I read in the series and I may read more, but only if the library has them. The story was good, but something was missing.
June 10, 2011
Kind of disjointed, but overall, entertaining.
July 4, 2011
another winner from this author
August 2, 2011
It was ok not the best so far
August 12, 2016
3.5 stars Liked the characters more than the plot.
August 11, 2015
The first book in the series had so much promise but this one just fell flat.
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