Sanctuary

They thought it was safe to lose their hearts. But the past is a dangerous stalker. A smart SEAL knows when it’s time to pack it in. After 12 years on the teams, and a horrific mission that stretched him to the breaking point, Steve “Smoke” Tannen is transitioning to civilian life and a new job helping other vets who’ve forgotten how to see the world in shades of grey. One spot of color is his pretty next-door neighbor. Delicate features, chestnut hair—and a fight-or-flight wariness in her grey-green eyes that triggers his protective instincts.

Former SEAL Hugh “Heff” Bradley has put aside his womanizing ways to focus on making the Sanctuary a place for veterans in need. He knows how difficult the transition back to civilian life can be; he’s walked the razor’s edge himself a few times. His plan: Use his special skills to make the project a reality and stop those trying to sabotage it. That means keeping his head down and his hands to himself. Then he meets her.

It takes a village ... to ruin a perfectly good love story. Former SEAL Brian “Mad Dog” Sheppard might look like a gentle giant to some, but there's a very good reason for his call name. Threaten someone he cares about and he'll stop at nothing to protect them. That includes his new team of fellow SEALs. They’re all about creating a safe haven for vets trying to readjust to civilian life. Everyone agrees it’s a great idea, but there are those who would much rather they take their good deeds somewhere else—preferably far away from the sleepy mountain town of Sumneyville.