Books & Spoons review for LOCKED, LOADED, AND SEALED by Carol Ericson

A navy SEAL sniper turned bodyguard, he’ll protect his target…at any cost… 

The SEAL’s secret assignment had been to protect a certain important doctor. But when the man is murdered, Austin Foley’s mission changes. The navy sniper must now protect the doctor’s protégé, the irresistible Sophia Grant, at any cost.

​For Sophia has information that could endanger the entire country. There’s only one problem: Sophia has no idea what those secrets are.  

With lethal terrorists on their heels, Austin and Sophia must embark on a covert operation. But it will mean placing Sophia even more in harm’s way — a sacrifice not even the steel-hearted SEAL may be able to make.

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The intense cover makes promises that the story delivers, and delivers well. I was mesmerized by the escalating tension and danger, the constant deadly attacks making it real and gruesome, someone really was after Sophia Grant, was willing to go to the extreme measures to find out what she knew, and for unknown reasons. The fact that even the characters themselves were not sure what the information was, that they were supposed to have, that had made them the target, gave desperate, fear-filled intensity to the tale, and kept me on my toes. 
Sophia Grant had had a horrific childhood. As the little bits of facts of her past are revealed, I was craving more information about her. She had made a remarkable job to survive and make something of herself, despite the circumstances. I admired her, her guts and the bravery she demonstrates in the story. 
Austin Foley had grown up in a big, loving family in Wyoming, and had the good old-fashioned family values, he had true gentleman manners and was willing to protect Sophia from any attack in any way he could. His kindness and gentleness with Sophia won me over. The attraction between them was intriguing, the passion they had for each other was fervent yet it was the tenderness and caring that made the feelings take root and bloom. 
I enjoyed the story immensely, the fierceness of it, the uncertainty, the courage of the characters, and what they were willing to do and sacrifice to catch the terrorists. I wish there would have been a bit more about the characters themselves, even though the epilogue did open up a little bit more insights to them.
Delicate, poignant romance blossoming in the middle of a savage, violent, and fatal action-filled tale.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side

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KOBO

B&N

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