The Protector by Marliss Melton

Eryn McClellan teaches ESL in Washington, D.C., until the day she’s targeted by terrorists avenging her father’s actions in Afghanistan. The FBI has stepped in, but when it looks like they are using her for bait, General McClellan enlists the aid of the only man he knows he can trust: former Navy SEAL Ike Calhoun.
Embracing solitude in his remote cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ike thought he’d left the War on Terror far behind. Now he’s stuck shielding a blue-eyed beauty from ambitious federal agents and crazed jihadists. More disturbing still, the charming Eryn seems intent on shattering his self-imposed isolation. Ike does his best to resist her welcoming ways, but he can feel his resistance crumbling like a mountain in a mudslide. With the FBI hot on their heels and the terrorists not far behind, Ike willingly wages a one-man war in defense of the woman whose passion and faith have given him the strength to rise above his past.

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I love it when the story gets right into the action, and takes off with a bang.
The story is told by three different point of views: the couple's, the FBI's, and the terrorist's. It gave the suspense part of the story a well rounded view, and brought up the tension and anxiety. The FBI agents nearly made the story into a tragicomedy. The leader's desire to advance his career rode over any and all good and right decisions towards national security, and saving Ryan's life, that could have been made.
Eryn and Ike seemed at the beginning to bring out the worst in each other. The dire situation they were in, constant fear for Eryn's life, don't hinder the connection and attraction between them. While learning the basic survival skills from Ike, Eryn falls for this man, who seems so ruff and tough outside, but really is caring, protective, and loyal man, whose soul has been bruised in the war.
I liked that the story wasn't over at the end of the action, but the author took the time the couple needed, for them to heal, and be able to love each other fully. I usually don't quote the books, but this one: "She was his universe, his field of operation" - yeah, swoon worthy right there!
The story had original voice, and with the multiple point of views, many layers to the story. Add sacrificing, protective, and passionate love story, that had the time to develop for HEA they deserved, a very promising start to the new series ~ Three big spoons, and a teaspoon on the side!