5 comments about In the Dark (Navy SEALs, Book 2).

1. I just found this author when I picked up the first book in the series, Forget Me Not. I was so impressed with her writing style. Not a cookie cutter romance or suspense novel. This second book in particular starts out very strong and keeps pace the entire way- I stayed up until 4am to finish it - wow! It was intense!



2. I really cannot understand the people who recommended this book, either they haven't had the chance to read something better or our tates really differ! Through out the story you never feel a connection with the characters, which is imperative in order to enjoy a book and feel part of it...As an avid reader I've had the opportunity to read romances, suspense and my favorite, a combination of both these elements and I can honestly say that there is so much better out there you can pick out from than this book...sorry! but it is just not worth your money!



3. In the Dark is the second book in this series that deals with 3 Navy SEALs - Gabe Renault (aka Jaguar - his story was the first book in the series Forget Me Not), Luther Lindstrom (aka Little John - his story is this book), and Chase McCaffrey (aka Westy - his story is in Time to Run).
   
   In this book, Luther Lindstrom, a Navy SEAL, has been assigned to save and protect Hannah Geary. Hannah has mysteriously disappeared and Luther and his team have learned that she's being kept in Cuba. While he and his team try to rescue Hannah, she's saving herself and meets up with Luther and his team as she makes her escape from the cell where she's been held.
   
   Hannah Geary, a CIA agent, was working with her partner on a suspected arms smuggling investigation when her partner was mysteriously killed. Now she's been kidnapped and in Cuba - what's going on? Why was she kidnapped but not killed like her partner?
   
   After Hannah escapes from Cuba, she works with Luther to determine what her partner learned. They need this information as Gabe Renault is facing a court martial due to his actions in Forget Me Not. Luther is torn - he's attracted to Hannah but he needs information to save his commander. And just who is trying to get Hannah out of the way?
   
   Along with the mystery is the romance between Luther and Hannah. Luther just broke off his engagement to his fiancée who was cheating on him. He knows what he wants in a relationship - he wants a woman who he can wants children and keep the home fires burning while he's away on missions. While he is attracted to Hannah, he knows - and Hannah agrees - that she's not that type of woman.
   
   Hannah Geary is a wonderful heroine - strong and determined to figure things out. She's not content to stay at home and be protected. She's taking action - which doesn't always suit Luther.
   
   As far as the mystery here, I found that, like in Forget Me Not, it was pretty easy to figure out the bad guy. But that didn't stop me from enjoying this book. It has a nice balance of romance and suspense (though I wouldn't have minded a bit more romance). There's also the secondary story of Sebastian and Leila, a romance first hinted at in Forget Me Not which gets resolved very nicely here.
   
   I'm usually not that crazy about sequels - I figure - couldn't the author have figured out a different storyline instead of continuing something I just read? But it works here. In fact, I liked this book more than Forget Me Not - I think because the female heroine is such a strong intelligent woman. If you plan on reading Forget Me Not, be sure you read it before you read this book - if you read this book first and then go back to read Forget Me Not, you'll know the basic storyline and the bad guy of that book.



4. To start, I read MMelton's 'Next To Die' first and fell in love with that book, so then I started reading her previous books of this series. The great news is that her books get BETTER and better. The bad news is that I didn't like the older books as much as I enjoyed Next To Die, so I'll have to wait till a newer one comes out.
   
   About this book, I really like the hero and heroine, alpha male and super girl. Hannah is strong, and not sitting there helpless waiting for rescue. And Lindstrom is an ex-football star who also have manners and modesty, a real hunk of a sweetheart.
   
   But, there wasn't enough dialogue. The sizzle is not quite there. And the side story about another SEAL and the woman who only wanted to have a baby did not really tie in to this story; seems kind of thrown in, not adding much. Although I did enjoy their cooking scene, and who can resist a man who cooks chicken mole for you from scratch?? and of course, he has a nice body too.



5. This series was recommended to me and I'm reading them in order. I enjoyed book 1 and this one! Nice uncomplicated romance with Luther (SEAL) and Hannah (CIA Agent). They worked well together and for me this book was a fun read. I like a good book, once in awhile, that I don't have to think too hard and this was it. I also enjoyed the additional story/romance running along, too. I thought it was...romantic.

5 comments about Term Limits.

1. After assassinating three powerful and corrupt politicians, a paramilitary group demands that the U.S. president and congress reform the government or face more deaths. In the mix is freshman congressman and former marine Michael O'Rourke who correctly guesses the identity of the group's leaders and tries to stop them. This political thriller has violence and some strong language.



2. Get this one! The character Fitzgerald makes you think of that son of a bootlegger, that old murdering lush, Senator Teddy Kennedy. Mark Pumphrey's review in the Library Journal is just another liberally biased review from your typical left wing lunatic, probably saw some of the bozos he voted for represented in these characters. Great read and a page turner, would recommend to all but the mental midget Pumhprey.



3. This was a "nail biter" for me!! Great reading and a fast read, despite the 500 pages. I just found another favorite author to read.



4. If you want a real page turner, that you can't put down this is it. My only regret is that it ended. Can't wait for the next Vince Flynn book. He really knows how to keep it moving.



5. As a fan of Vince Flynn this was the last of his current titles that I hadn't read yet. Nobody that likes his other titles should be dissapointed in this one. The concept of the book makes, especially in todays economy, easilly grabs your attention.

5 comments about Forget Me Not (Navy SEALs, Book 1).

1. Wanting a light read to help pass the time on 5 hour airplane flight, I picked up Melton's FORGET ME NOT because a reviewer here compared it to Suzanne Brockman's navy SEALs books. Melton's plot is interesting: A navy SEAL escapes captivity and returns home with PTSD-induced amnesia after a year-long bout of brutal torture, but the SEAL's amnesia renders him vulnerable to the treasonous military who sold him out in the first place. Meanwhile, the SEAL's relationship with a wife he doesn't remember is turned upside-down when this once macho and emotionally distant man returns home emotionally vulnerable and in touch with what really matters in life. The problem with FORGET ME NOT, unfortunatley, is shoddy writing and unforgiveably poor research. Melton spends the entire book telling the reader how her characters feel, rather than showing us with action and dialogue. Also, Melton's phobic-like avoidance of the word "said" became annoying quite quickly. For example, in the span of
   2 pages, her characters
   "drawled," "muttered," "inquired," "interrupted," "encouraged," "asked, "prompted," "gasped," "agreed" - rather than "said." And her lack of research was way beyond lazy. For example, one character is introduced as a psychologist, then for a few chapters he's referred to as a psychiatrist, then he's referred to as a psychologist again. Does the author really not know the two professions are entirely different?
   
   Where was Melton's editor???
   
   Which brings me to another point: Why is it so difficult to find a well-written romance novel? It's books like this, published in draft form (by major publishing houses!), that give the romance genre a bad name. This is entirely the fault of the publishers. Rather than churning out a glut of unpolished, unedited novels, I wish they'd get themselves back into the business of publishing quality fiction.
   
   That said, if it's a well-written romance with a military backdrop you're after, stick with Suzanne Brockman. (She probably edits her own work!)



2. I loved this book!
   
   After one year of being announced "missing in action" Gabe Renault, a navy Seal, returns alive from the jaws of hell, after having been double crossed on enemy territory, in which one of his own team betrayed him. Gabe has endured a terrible year of torture. He has lost his memory, and does not remember the mission, or his wife and step daughter of 3 years. Upon his return Gabe begins to discover the kind of husband and father he was before his disappearance. He had always ignored Helen his wife, refusing to give her his love, or open up to her. He was always distant. He had even refused to legally adopt Helen's daughter Mallory, and been absent from Mallory's life for most of the time.
   
   Helen Troy, is ready to rebuild her life. After one year of being MIA, her husband Gabe Renault was announced dead, just the week before. So it was with no small amount of shock that Helen learned that Gabe had just returned from the dead. She is wary of him, and she is bitter because of his mistreatment of her. While she had given him her love, he had ignored her and abandoned her, hence breaking her heart and shattering all the beautiful feelings she had harbored for him. Now she just wants to help him get better, and regain his memories, then they would get a divorce. He'll return to his life and work as a Seal, and she'll return to bask in her new gained independence. Helen is honest with Gabe, informing him that once he is better they will get a divorce.
   
   And so the story starts, as Gabe struggles to come to terms with who he had been, and why. While this new "real" Gabe is not distant from his wife or daughter. He shows love, care and compassion towards them. Helen retains her wariness of him, as Gabe sets out to regain his family and prove to Helen that he really loves her. He just wants a second chance to prove to her how wrong he was. He had always assumed that allowing himself to feel and care would weaken him, but it was only his love for Helen that had sustained him through the terrible torture and imprisonment in the past year. Gabe loves his wife and his step daughter, and he will do all in his power to regain their affections and trust. They are the most important in his life, and nothing comes before them.
   
   And we the readers get to see how Gabe and Helen get together, as they heal each other and have a chance at a new start. While Helen may seem a bit cold and distant through a good portion of the book, it was understandable due to her past experience with Gabe. And her fear that once Gabe regains his memories he would return to that distant man who had so callously broken her heart.
   
   Gabe also has no memory of his last mission, leaving him vulnerable to the attacks of those who do not want him to remember. For someone is still out there waiting for the right moment to silence Gabe forever, before he can remember the truth and reveal it. This is the story of a hero and a man, who upon return from the jaws of hell, after one year, starts to rebuild his life on a journey of self discovery and love, while trying to stay alive and protect his family from a danger and an enemy he does not know. For only Gabe's memories can save him... if they do not kill him first...
   
   A great romantic suspense read. Highly recommended!



3. This was my first Marliss Melton book and I enjoyed it. Helen and Gabe (SEAL) were only married two years when he was listed as MIA (Missing in Action) and after almost one complete year, he returns. He battles Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental challenges while trying to rekindle the relationship he so badly neglected before his capture.
   
   The suspense comes from his lack of ability to remember his wife and stepdaughter. He loved her before the capture, but some strange sense of manhood told him if he loved her too much he was neglecting his SEAL team, so he kept her at arms length.
   
   He has flashbacks of his behavior and sees himself as a real jerk and tries to win back his family. I really liked how he handled the "Mallory Incident." And that's all I'll say on that.
   
   It was a good read, well written and romantic with a touch of suspense in "who the bad guy is." I plan to read more in this series.



4. This is book 1 in Ms Melton's Navy SEALS series. I was decidedly entertained by the story. Lets just say that immediately upon finishing this one, I quickly ordered the other 3 books in this series and have book five on pre-order.
   What I liked. I love books with alpha males.
   This is one of the few books I've read aside from S. Brockmans where the author sucessfully intertwined the comraderie between a group of guys who work together and who are loyal friends as well as co-workers.
   I like the 'lone wolf' hero's, but its kind of refreshing to read a book where a group of guys have friends and a 'regular life' outside work.
   Others have already summarized the story well. I just wanted to add a note about a book thats not only a romantic suspense but a good friendship book as well.
   I recommend this a all of Meltons Navy SEAL series.



5. I really enjoyed the characters. Ms Melton creates great settings and builds wonderful tension. Very enjoyable.

No comments about Into the Fire (Troubleshooters, Book 13).

5 comments about Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy.

1. "Six Frigates" is a real keeper. It will grace my bookcase for a long time. Being an engineer, I like the technical details of how something was built and of course, how it was used. "Six Frigates" contained just enough of the technical details to keep your interest. One of the interesting themes of the book is the way it relates to the present day situation in Iraq, and how history repeats itself. When will today's politicians learn? We can't keep paying tribute to the terrorists of the world.



2. A very good story told in a recording that could have been done better. Ian Toll has written a very enjoyable and instructive account of the first six frigates built by the U.S. Navy. Laymen like myself with an interest in the Age of Sail, the Quasi-War with France, the Barbary Pirates, and the War of 1812 should enjoy it. A nice book to listen to on your way to visit USS Constitution. Mr. Toll covers bits of the political background of events, snapshots of key figures, and recounts of many of the famous actions of these frigates. He says enough about each of those topics to be interesting and to keep the story going by quickly. It can be appreciated without constant reference to a map which is very nice since most of us purchase audio books for times during which reading is impractical. The reader speaks at a good speed and is clearly understandable although some of the early chapters are read in a monotonous tone. The audio recording leaves much to be desired, however. Most of us purchase audio books for times during which reading is impractical. For me, that is exercising on the treadmill. So any issues with the recording tend to be quite a nuisance. Most of the chapters start in the middle of a track, making it clumsy to find a stopping and restarting point. The last track on each CD starts and runs for several minutes of nothing before finally switching to the next CD - it distracts you into doing something and then resumes the reading on the next CD just before you could do anything. The audio level is not consistent between many tracts, requiring frequent readjustment of the volume. The first audio book I purchased had at least two bad tracks on the second CD but it was exchanged for me with one that worked. It is a great story but don't expect the quality of its recording to match.



3. Ian Toll's remarkably objective analysis of the Early Republic Navy gives him a position, to me, alongside Theodore Roosevelt. Anyone worth his naval salt will certainly understand that that is something not to be taken lightly. Those with more than a passing interest in the early U.S. Navy will know that Roosevelt's "The Naval War of 1812" is the outstanding, and standard, work of analysis of the sea actions on the subject, superseding anything published before, or since (and Roosevelt's compendium was released in 1882)--until now. The passage of time will demonstrate, I believe, that Ian Toll's book will assume a place alongside Roosevelt's classic and exceed it in some instances, not the least of which is the overall scope and dimension of "Six Frigates." While Roosevelt enthralls us with the details, maneuvers and minutiae of the 1812-1815 naval actions, both on the oceans and on the lakes, Toll goes several steps further and places the frigates' sea war in a national and even international context. He effectively does this by consolidating the kind of background information that both enhances and defines our understanding of such salient aspects of the times as the political implications of the 1812 war (and others), the often haphazard "catch-as-catch-can" administration of the Navy Department and something of the personalities, egos and the consequent squabbles that evolved from the inevitable conflicts of those egos among the firebrand captains of the early Navy. What makes Toll even more instructive is the "lead-up" to the 1812 war in which he demonstrates how the early Navy, featuring its original six frigates--Constitution, United States, President, Congress, Constellation, and the luckless Chesapeake--cut its teeth, politically through the Congressional debates over the actual need for a Navy, to an actual baptism of fire in the naval operations against the French in the 1798-1801 Quasi War (mostly in the Caribbean), and even more significantly, in the Mediterranean Barbary Wars of 1801-1805 and 1815. All of this is necessary context leading up to what, for me, is the "main event" of the period covered, that being the performance of the young Navy against the overwhelming numerical superiority of the Royal Navy. Mahan's work on the 1812-15 conflict over a century ago is valuable principally from the perceptions and analysis of the diplomatic context provided, while, as noted, Roosevelt concentrates mostly on the tactical details of individual battles. Toll effectively blends the best elements of each of these approaches, thus producing a volume that is highly satisfying to both the serious historian and researcher like myself, or the reader perhaps venturing into these waters for the first time. Finally, and of equal criticality, Toll both emulates and amplifies the hallmark of Roosevelt with the sheer weight of his objectivity, both in his analysis of, and his tactical descriptions of, the various battles. This objectivity, with the necessary accompanying detail, is found throughout the book, most particularly in Toll's analysis of Constitution's famous action with HMS Java, and the defeat of Chesapeake by HMS Shannon, my two favorite frigate actions of the war and, not coincidentally the two sea battles described in such impeccable style by Patrick O'Brian in "Fortune of War", the sixth book in the Aubrey-Maturin series. I am pleased to see that Mr. Toll takes equal delight in the writings of the late P.O'B, for O'Brian's fictional discussions of these two naval actions follows the strict letter of the manuscript records, logbooks, official reports of both the victors and the vanquished and the court martial testimony in both instances--all roads down which Toll has clearly, and extensively, traveled. I have studied virtually every printed account known to man of the famous actions of the Six Frigates and thought there was little else to learn. Toll, however, has managed to enlighten us yet further and has done so engagingly, compellingly, and with readable, intelligent prose that will ultimately place his work among the pantheon of learned works of the early American Navy. This is naval history at its best, supported with telling authority through immaculate documentation and annotation. This kind of careful research thus affords Six Frigates with the whiff of credibility comparable perhaps to the pungent whiff of gunpowder from the long 24s on the gundeck of Constitution in her epic duels with Guerriere, Java, Cyane and Levant.



4. I'm a naval war buff, I'll admit. I was willing to be pleased by this book, and I was. Great information on the creation of our navy, the political fueding behind it, and the end result. Not only is it a great book to read for the fascinating description of the ships, but getting a glimpse at the political scene during the early decades of our navy and how it almost exactly mirrors our current situation. Well worth the money.



5. Excellent read. Author has the right touch when it comes to how much detail he adds. Very interesting to learn about the politics and the economics of our young country that lead to the continual funding/defunding of the first naval ships. Really well done descriptions of some of the naval engagements. Hard to imagine a time when England ruled the seas with 800 warships and we had ...none.

5 comments about Nauti Boy (The Nauti Trilogy, Book 1).

1. While I technically enjoyed reading this book, and the characters were likable enough, there were two common themes that started bugging me.
   
   1. The stalker. After reading For Her Pleasure, Forbidden Pleasures, Lora's Men of August series...etc., I'm tired of the overuse of the stalker. I also wasn't fond of having these cousins (the Nauti series) being related to the August brothers. Why? Not needed IMO.
   
   2. The virginal young woman being introduced into a menage a trois (or that's the plan). It's becoming a little too common for the guys to be oh so experienced while the woman comes in as a virgin. She holds back, they don't. I don't need or want to read about all-around promiscuity, but there could be a happy balance.
   
   It was an enjoyable read for sure, but I won't need to reread this one down the road.



2. I love Lora Leigh and I was eagerly looking forward to this book after reading the first few pages on her website, however the trio of men in the book were not very likable. The plot was good and it was well written. The story centered on Rowdy MacKay a US Marine who had the hots for his step sister Kelly ever since she developed womanly curves. He stayed away from her when she was younger not wanting to take advantage of her youth. When he finally returns home to try and get together with the now older Kelly he finds a shy and scared woman instead of the outgoing female she used to be. She was the victim of an attack and the attacker had not been caught. He is still after Kelly and Rowdy and his two male friends set up a sting operation to catch the bad guy.
   
   A hot romantic story.



3. This is the worst book that I have read. How can they call this romance? A man who says loves a woman but wants to share her with other men? Do not waste time reading this.



4. After reading Hidden Agendas by Lora Leigh, which was eh, I was intrigued enough to pick up this title. The book description was interesting... and totally misleading.
   
   The basic story seems innocuous enough: boy wants girl, thinks he's she's too young, goes away, then returns years later to fulfill their fantasies. However, there are quite a few issues with this book that bother me on a very intrinsic level.
   
   Issue#1: Rowdy and Kelly are step-siblings. I'm sorry, but to me this reeks of incest. Even if they are not related by blood, they are still siblings.
   
   Issue#2: Kelly has just survived a near-miss sexual assault, where a man broke into her house and attempted to sodomize her. So the first thing Rowdy does after finding out about this is make a heavy-handed pass at her. And she is okay with it. Okay, maybe I'm not a licensed therapist, but this doesn't seem right to me.
   
   Issue#3: Rowdy - even though he loves Kelly - has always planned on sharing her with his two cousins, with whom he has pleasured many ladies. Maybe I haven't read enough Lora Leigh, because I've recently found out that a number of her books have menage themes, but if you're not expecting it, it's a huge shock, and there really should be some warning in the book description of the sexual context of this book.
   
   As if all this weren't enough, there's supposed to be some suspense in this book featuring the man who attacked Kelly, but it really gets drowned out in all of the emotional turmoil and excessive badly written sexual scenes. If you're looking for a romance, look elsewhere. This is just bad erotica with little to no real chemistry.



5. I started this book in the morning and finished it by dinner that night. Lora Leigh writes an interesting fast read. Great personalities and stories.

5 comments about Dangerous Games (Tempting SEALs).

1. Clint 'Iceman' McIntyre is on leave from his duties as a Navy Seal. Clint deserves a break after his recent mission involving a Columbian drug cartel. Iceman wants nothing more than to take it easy and relax. But finding Morganna Chavez, his best friend's little sister, endangering herself changes his plan.
   
   Morganna is working undercover with the DEA on the hunt for the supplier for a dangerous date rape drug. When Morganna's mission turns deadly, Clint will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Whether she wants his help or not!
   
   I have one word for Clint 'Iceman' McIntyre. Pantalicious. From his dominant bedroom personna to his deliciously carnal piercings, Clint makes me melt. The sexual tension between Clint and Morganna is fiery and their banter wickedly delightful.
   
   And it's not just the sexual heat that will make your heart beat wildly. The danger and suspense is intense. I simply could not put this book down! Lora Leigh is one of my favorite authors and Dangerous Games is one of favorite books!
   
   Annmarie
   reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed



2. Dangerous Games (Tempting SEALs)
   I love Lora Leigh's books! I have read 1-3 of the Tempting Seal's and this one is my favorite. This book really lets you get to know all of the SEAL's and leaves you wanting to know more about each one.



3. I enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and characters were strong. Who cares for military definitions (one review claims there are mistakes in the book)? I am not a soldier and as far as I am concerned, I don't care if Lora Leigh writes that Seals come from Army (and not Navy). In my opinion, such little inconsistencies shouldn't matter. The story is what counts and for that I give it 5 stars.



4. A little bit beyond my comfort zone with the sex scenes, but still a really good read, I would definitely buy another of her books and just be more prepared.



5. Lora Leigh's Navy Seals books are my all time favorites to read and I can't wait for more.

5 comments about Don't Let Go (Navy SEALs, Book 5).

1. In Las Amazonas, Venezuela, La Mision de la Paz school teacher Jordan Bliss adopts four year old orphan Miguel. However, before she arranges to bring her son home rebels attack and occupy the mission. Her sister Jillian back in Suffolk County, Virginia calls in a favor. Soon afterward a US military team retrieves Jordon; however a navy officer rips her from her adopted child leaving the kid behind. Stunned and outraged, she vows to get her child back and will never forget the sailor's face nor forgive him.
   
   US Navy SEAL Solomon McGuire has never done a mission that has left him as upset as Operation Extraction; he cannot move past the female American's horrified face that he will never forget; even rationalizing that he followed orders fails to help his conscience. Especially since he knows what it is like to lose a child as he has only recently regained his own vanished son Silas. Feeling guilty and questioning the ethics of his team's snatch, Solomon offers Jordan a deal; if she tutors Silas in reading, he will try to locate and recover Miguel. Although she wants to tell him to shove it, she agrees. As they work together to locate Miguel, they fall in love; however Jordan hides from her beloved plans to act on the information that Solomon provides to her by rescuing her son without him.
   
   Marliss Melton's latest SEAL romantic suspense (see NEXT TO DIE, IN THE DARK and FORGET ME NOT) is an exhilarating thriller that focuses on how far a parent will go for their beloved child. Although the Jordon-Miguel segue is the prime story line, there are a few other parental-offspring subplots that enhance the theme of parental love for a child that may not even share your DNA. Readers will enjoy this fine family drama as Ms. Melton provides a strong tale.
   
   Harriet Klausner



2. I've read all of her Navy Seal books and this is by far the best. The fast moving action, sassy characters and heartwarming storyline make this a must read.



3. Jordan Bliss has traveled to Venezuela in order to adopt a child. When she sees four-year-old Miguel, he quickly grabs her heart. But when chaos erupts from a government coup, she finds herself being extracted by Navy Seals against her will, leaving Miguel behind as he is not a US citizen. Navy Seal Solomon McGuire can't get the picture of Jordan out of his mind after her took Miguel from her arms and forced her on the helicopter. Solomon's own son was stolen from him by his ex-wife so he knows the pain it brings. That's why he finds himself determined to help her get her son back. Both Jordan and Solomon have had their hearts trampled by their ex-spouses but they find themselves unable to stop from falling in love. But when Jordan's quest to retrieve Miguel from Venezuela puts Jordan into danger, can Solomon get to her in time to save the woman who has given him a second chance at love?
   
   Marliss Melton has done it again! Don't Let Go is an action-packed romance that keeps the reader immersed in Solomon and Jordan, unwilling to put the book down. Add to this a tremendous secondary story involving Jordan's sister and the hint of the another story to come. Without a doubt Marliss Melton's Navy Seals are not to be missed!
   
   Melissa
   Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed



4. I love Suzanne Brockmann, but Marliss Melton is my new favorite author. Each book in her Seal series has impressed me, but this last one was incredible. Her intertwining plots, character development, and action had me making this a two-day read. I did not want to put it down! I can't wait until the next installment about Harlan. I highly recommend this series.



5. I picked this book up strictly because I did not have anything else to read. I wanted to love this book, but I agree w/ a previous reviewer who said everthing felt rushed. Even Harlequins have to have a little more character development. The secondary romance went lightspeed for a widow of less than a year, well 9 months. Everybody resolves the emotional conflict portions in one page or less. Too crowded w/ characters, too rushed w/ relationship (main character went from hating hero to kissing him in a few pages, too little personality.

5 comments about It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy.

1. It's Your Ship is a great read - fast but with leadership tips through and through! It's a perfect choice for a team building project!



2. I was given this book when I promoted to Fire Captain. It is the best book on leadership I have ever read. I have given many copies as gifts to friends that have also promoted. Clear and straightforward advice, loaded with practical and funny stories. Captain A. is an unpretentious, people kind of leader. There is no doubt he ran a tight ship, but after reading this book and his follow up book I know his ship ran tight because he empowered his folks and instilled a great pride in them, his crew were the owners of his boat.



3. "If all you give are orders," writes U.S. Navy Captain D. Michael Abrashoff, "then all you will get are order-takers." And so begins this new captain's voyage to change a ship's morale and create a polished crew of 310 self-starters. Trust me--this is a must-read!
   
   This risk-taking leader's dominant core value, "It's your ship, take responsibility for it. Don't ask permission; do it." Captain Abrashoff begins with his personal goal, "I was determined to be the captain these sailors deserved." Wow. He cites a Gallup study that said 65 percent of those who leave their companies are actually leaving their managers. So Abrashoff gives fascinating and fun stories demonstrating how he injected risk-taking leadership on his ship. He developed partners, not peons or parrots.
   
   He covers almost all of my 20 management buckets from my book, Mastering The Management Buckets: 20 Critical Competencies for Leading Your Business or Non-profit. Look at this list: lead by example, listen aggressively, communicate purpose and meaning, create a climate of trust, look for results--not salutes, take calculated risks, go beyond standard procedure and build up your people.
   
   Some estimate that the cost of losing a trained employee is one and a half times the annual salary of the outgoing team member ("as measured by lost productivity and recruiting and training costs for the replacement"). As you "supervise" team members (and volunteers, perhaps) are you creating order-takers or self-starters? What could you do to enhance your culture so being a self-starter is honored?
   
   Captain Abrashoff writes, "If a rule doesn't make sense, break it." Do you have that kind of "It's your ship" mentality onboard your company? Quick--order the book and pass it around to every manager.



4. On my bookshelf sit a wide variety and number of tomes on leadership and management, some of them provided to me as a result of my current job as a junior executive, while I purchased others myself based upon either recommendations from fellow executives or informal leaders within federal government whom I know and respect.
   
   Mike Abrashoff's book kind of "snuck up" on me, for while I had heard others mention it in passing, and noticed the cover on forays to the bookstore, I had believed - incorrectly - it was not in the league of "Good to Great," "First Break All the Rules," or other perhaps better known efforts.
   
   What I found was a leadership book that was not only a legitimate page turner, but something that I actually enjoyed well enough to read twice, which is almost unheard of for me given my schedule.
   
   Although I served in the U.S. military for almost a decade (sorry Captain, I was in the Army!), the bulk of my leadership training and experience has come from my work in the federal government, where targeted leadership texts are hard to come by and largely unfocused; that is, until now.
   
   I found Captain Abrashoff's writing to be succinct and to the point, his stories spot-on examples of problems with non-military applicability and his insights keen and consistently self-deprecating. The world in which I work (law enforcement) has a paramilitary structure, and contains many highly educated and intelligent "type-A" folks with matching assertive personalities. These in turn are mixed with a smaller number of people ranging from the unmotivated and unenthusiastic, to self-starting and virtually brilliant folks who are un-empowered and who therefore are not contributing as they could. Worse still, since law enforcement is hierarchical, the impact of a bad leader at the helm is even more damaging than you might imagine.
   
   When I found myself in a position of suddenly having control over a segment of our agency, one of the very first things I did was to provide all of my dozen or so subordinate supervisors and other key people with a gift of Captain Abrashoff's book at a staff meeting, along with the simple suggestion that they enjoy the gift and see what lessons they found within.
   
   Although this book is, in my opinion, best suited to organizations which are more structured or hierarchical, I think Captain Abrashoff's efforts have broad applicability if you are interested in trying some non-traditional, but surprisingly simple techniques, chief among them empowering your subordinates to excel by trusting and challenging them, sadly a rarity in a world where leaders are often ego-centric and/or authoritarian. I have rarely encountered such a readable and even inspiring book when it comes to pondering "what would I do if I were in charge?



5. I am both a Pastor, as well as a Critical Care Paramedic for a hospital in a nearby city where I live. This book, "It's Your Ship", contains a MUCH NEEDED MESSAGE that should be REQUIRED READING for ALL managers, CEOs, Presidents, Pastors, Administrators, Leaders, etc. in any and all organizations no matter their size. Too many of those, who are listed above, are still trying to "micro-manage" their employees, ignore the vast resources and ideas of their employees and personnel, as well as operate out of a system that is no longer relevant for today's generations, etc. The sad part is that they are doing it either out of ignorance, stubbornness, pride, refusal to change / adapt, or just plain stupidity which is 'destroying' organizations, companies, churches, by ignoring THE BEST RESOURCES they have available. Those who they are to lead and manage.
   
   I would HIGHLY recommend this book coupled alongside another book by Graeme Codrintgton entitled, "Mind The Gap". This book discusses the reality of generational differences (how they differ, why, etc.) in an easy to understand, well-researched manner that is both much needed and well-written book that would give anyone in leadership the foundation and principles that they need in understanding the 'WHY' they NEED to CHANGE and to APPLY those same principles that are mentioned in the book "It's Your Ship".
   
   Sadly, those in 'leadership' who "fail to do so", will, if not already finding themselves on a 'sinking ship' in their organization, and it is only a matter of time before they destroy the very company they want to succeed; by failing to change and adapt, by failing to make the necessary changes, by failing to 'grow themselves' "outside the box" they have placed themselves in, and by ignoring the awesome resources at their disposal which is found in the very employees they are supposed to "lead" instead of "drive and walk over".
   
   Again, this book is a very practical MUST READING for ANYONE who is in a leadership position, wants to improve their organization, grow themselves, etc. AND it could be a resource to bring about the very change needed in your organization. We could only PRAY & HOPE that in your or my situations we could have a leader who would become and embrace those principles and examples found in "It's Your Ship".
   
   However, be warned, IF you work for a boss who 'refuses to change', listen to others, and is determined to operate in a system that is no longer relevant from 20+ years ago, you WILL become frustrated. Even so, it may open your eyes, and the eyes of those around you how things "should be" as well as perhaps "ideas" on how things need to change, perhaps can change, motivating you to be the catalyst in brining about the change, or to seeing the hopelessness of the situation you are in until a new "admiral / captain" heads up 'your ship'.
   
   (Here is my suggestion: Leave a copy of this book for your boss. You might want to do it annonymously though. For in an abusive situation, "those that aren't the problem, who point out the problem, sadly, become the scapegoat or the problem they will focus on ignoring what the actual problem really is)
   
   Get this book and read it today!! :o)

5 comments about Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10.

1. As a vet of the military, I have always had great respect for people who join the special forces. I was very interested in this account, as I had been heartbroken to read the news back in 2005. The SEALS are a relatively small community and to lose 2 seal teams was a devastating loss.
   
   That being said, I agree with a previous reviewer in that I wish Luttrell had focused more on his buddies that did not make it out of Afghanistan alive. They can never tell their stories and he had such a wonderful opportunity here to do so, I'm disappointed that he didn't take advantage of that opportunity. This book gives you a detailed account of what it's like to be a Navy SEAL and a very tragic account of what happened up in the mountains of Afghanistan. The courage of the men who serve in the SEALs is, to me, unfathomable. What they went through, and that they fought until the very end without giving up was heartbreaking.
   
   Luttrell put too much of his personal political views (alhtough none of which were backed up with any facts)into this book by constantly blaming the "liberals" for everything that went wrong. The book could have done without that. Other than that, I came away from this book more impressed with the men who become Navy SEALs than I was before. It's a good read, and I think, an important story to get out to the public.



2. This book will renew your faith in the American fighting Man and also reveals that there are still heroes today in the American Military.



3. Marcus Luttrell writes a powerful book that shows the hardship of training, the perfection of the SEAL, and the courage of men.
   
   Marcus is one of the participants of Operation Redwing where nineteen special forces members died in one day. I remember the news stories back when I was in college. I remember seeing Michael Murphy's photo on television. Murphy is probably my idea of how a SEAL should look like; cool, calm, and incredibly fit. I felt a sort of sadness come over me when I saw Murphy's photo on television. Some time later, I heard Murphy got the Medal Of Honor and I knew from the get go after seeing a picture of this man, that he must of died heroically and probably behaved like how a true SEAL should to the end.
   
   Now I have the chance to read over the story about Operation Redwing. I was more interested in hearing what Murphy did that day, but then I found that Marcus did a wonderful job explaining the whole thing; from training to how he survived the slaughter.
   
   I won't go into much details about the story since I think most people will know the entire story. The one important lesson I learned about the training was take it one minute at a time, don't think about the future or how you will perform in the future; think about right now. I think this is an important life lesson that can be used outside of physical training and into everyday life.
   
   By the end of the story I was a bit sad. Marcus was rescued by villagers in the Afghan mountains and these people protected Marcus with their life. Not only that, they took the time to insure that Marcus would be rescued and that the Taliban didn't have the last shot. I was a bit sad that to hear about the village children and how the Taliban abused the children while they tried to gather things for Marcus. I was also surprised by how people gathered around Marcus's parents and family. I think it goes to show that even though the media might make it seem like everyone is against the current war in the Middle East, people still care about friends and families. I think it goes to show that America is a great country and its citizens care about others just as much as they care about themselves.
   
   Overall, I am happy with the book. I am sad of the fact how we lost so many young people, but I think the key thing about this book is that there are good people out there who are willing to lend you a hand when you're down. I heard another good book is Bravo Two Zero. I am planning to read that book in the future.



4. This book is a portrayal of a Navy SEAL - his early upbrining, the SEAL training program that so few pass and most importantly, his role in an operation in Afganistan that ended in disaster for his team and a rescue team. His biases and perspectives are not mine, but I didn't mind hearing them - after all, they probably reflect widely held beliefs within the military... On the other hand, there are parts of the book that stretch credulity (Marcus shot an Afgan between the eyes, who then fell screaming over a cliff), and there is more fluff than needs to be. Overall, a disappointment.



5. I really wanted to read this book, but found I couldn't get past the first 40 pages. The author he can't keep his personal political beliefs out of the narrative. If I heard one more great thing about George Bush or let's hear more about the "liberal American Media". Come on! Enough already, how about a good war story, not a rant taken from the Bill O'Reilly Show. And I'm sorry but modesty is not part of this guys lexicon. Ok, Ok, I get it the Seals are the Greatest soldiers, fighters, shooters, cooks, gardeners, painters, etc, in the world. Look I really wanted to like this book, but this guys ego and self righteous political comments were too much. Sometimes hearing someone being humble instead of saying how great they are goes down a little easier. I should have know when the jacket of the book had two good reviews, both from texas ( here's a little hint the author is also from texas).