A piece of advice if you are about to read Justice for Mackenzie, Susan Stoker’s first book in the Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series:

•       Settle down and keep your mind clear of clutter;
•      Share the book with a significant other, if possible; if not,
•      Keep a box of tissues ready;
•      Prepare to hug your loved ones.

Justice for Mackenzie is the story of Texas Ranger Daxton Chambers and Mackenzie Morgan, whom he apprehended on a traffic violation. Daxton falls for Mackenzie at a time when he and his fellow Rangers are tracking a serial killer targeting women.

Known as the Lone Star Reaper, the killer takes it on a personal level when he starts targeting women whose features look eerily similar to Mackenzie and it will be up to Dax and his friends to keep her safe.

This story kept me on tenterhooks from the first page to the last. I loved that I got to witness the relationship that built between Dax and Mackenzie; I blushed at times, feeling giddy and yes, even envious of the love between these two fictional characters. And of course, I loved the way Dax acted so possessive of Mackenzie!

I felt like I was right there with them in the story that when everything came to a head and Mackenzie’s life was hanging in the balance, I bawled. I cried for Dax, for his helplessness, I cried for Mackenzie in her struggle to survive.

And yes, my heart hurt even when everything settled down in the end. 

Lesson here? Never take life for granted. Never, ever, trivialize relationships, for we honestly never know if and when everything and everyone we hold dear will be taken from us. 

Above all, never, ever, take yourself for granted, because if you do, if you believe less of yourself, you may never be able to forgive yourself the moment that life demands that you do. 

And oh, listening to the audiobook is a must. Let Erin Mallon lure you into Susan Stoker’s world. I promise, you will appreciate, and love, Dax and Mackenzie’s more with the expert narration of one of Susan Stoker’s best narrators!

Shelter for Blythe is Susan Stoker’s take on the plight of the homeless. Here, she introduces us to Blythe Coopman, a homeless woman who lost everything caring for her mother, who eventually succumbed to cancer. 

We meet Sawyer “Squirrel” McClay, a firefighter, who falls for Blythe after encountering her in one of the fires that he helped put out. 

Sawyer and Blythe’s lives cross when, while lending Blythe his sweater, Sawyer inadvertently left his mobile phone in its pocket. Instead of going after Blythe, he saw the loss of his phone as a means to keep in touch with her, and that he proceeds to do as he tries to convince her to get off the streets. 

Circumstances force Blythe to accept Sawyer’s help when, one day, she was attacked in an alley. The rest, of course, you have to read to appreciate the story. 

I understand that some readers are put off by some stories shining a light on the plight of the homeless. Whatever their reason, that is theirs to keep, and I know I should let that be. 

But. 
“The homeless know they can always go to a shelter.”
“The homeless won’t do anything because they know they can always beg for food/help/money.”
“The homeless are lazy, entitled people who believe society owes them something and will not do anything to help themselves.”

Why even shine a light on their plight, right? And what’s up with Sawyer, taking one look at a homeless woman and knowing that she is the love of his life? Creepy much?

Yes, some of those who are homeless resort to a life of crime and drug addiction to make ends meet, and these are the ones we should be wary of. 

But. Let us face the fact that not all homeless people are out for handouts. Just because they live in the streets, it does not mean that all of them are lazy. Some of them may have experienced circumstances that prevented them from having a roof over their heads, or, worse, a home with loved ones they can turn to when needed. 

I have heard of a countless number of war heroes who go home thinking they have something to look forward to, someone to turn to when they needed them the most, only to end up in the streets because they have been abandoned by those who could not wait for them to come home. 

I have heard the story of a teacher who, even with his master’s degree, was forced to live in the streets when he fell ill and could not return to his profession. 

I have read the story of a child who had to use a street lamp so that he could study at night–yes, he is can go to a public school, but he lives on the streets with his Mom, who picks up discarded plastic bottles and barters them for food at recycling stations. His mom, I heard, was thrown out of their home, for giving birth to a child of rape. 

So yes, turn a blind eye to the homeless. But when it happens to you, or your loved ones, know that you, yourself, can make a difference in their lives, and I hope that you do. 

Susan Stoker brings us the story of struggling single mom Emily Grant and Delta Force soldier Cormac “Fletch” Fletcher.

Fletch feels an instant connection to Emily and her daughter, Annie. He offers to rent the room above his garage to them, and for a while, all is well until Emily is blackmailed by someone intent on doing harm.

In this story, Susan Stoker brings us face-to-face with the lengths a mother will do to ensure the safety and well-being of her child. Blackmailed into giving away her hard-earned money, Emily would rather go hungry than see her child starve.

Other people would see Emily’s actions as an act of cowardice. Why did she keep on paying the blackmailer? Why did she not tell Fletch? Why would she let herself get sick, knowing that someone was threatening her and her child?

Some would even go to the length of asking—why did Susan Stoker introduce such a weak character? Why did she create someone stupid enough to fold in the face of trouble?

And Annie, she is just a child, why did Susan Stoker portray her as too worldly?

I cannot, in all honesty, agree with those who would say that Emily was weak. She is not. Yes, most of us would have acted differently, given the same circumstance.

But, and I say this mildly:

In a perfect world, women are not considered the weaker race.
In a perfect world, all of us women know how to fight.
In a perfect world, women are accorded the same respect as men who demand respect.
In a perfect world, women are given the same opportunities as men.
In a perfect world, ALL women are allowed to speak up for themselves.

I have fought against tyranny and oppression. I have stood toe-to-toe against a pastor who believed me too opinionated, one who insisted that my place was a few paces behind a man; that I should do nothing but obey and do what I am told to do.

Fortunately, I was brought up to fight for what I believe and knew, was right. I survived, and I can stand proud and say I can slug someone without an ounce of remorse if push comes to shove. Or when boundaries are breached and those who want to hurt me do so through those I love.

People like Emily? We cannot honestly say they are weak for succumbing to pressure. I would say that they are by far stronger than some of us. Especially when there is a child involved. As a mother, a sister, an aunt, or simply a friend—should we just scoff when one of us needs our support our understanding and help, the most?

Or should we be aware enough to tell them to not be afraid to reach out? To tell them that they are not alone.

Susan Stoker is a well-known author from Texas, who has written several successful military-themed novels featuring the US Delta and Special Forces, Navy SEALs, Texas Rangers, and the like.

She has successfully written a couple of novel series that which has helped her to establish herself as a reputed author.

Susan Stoker’s first-ever series, written in 2014, was called “SEAL of Protection,” and was self-published. It featured the lives of six Navy SEALs led by Mathew Steel and his lady, Caroline.

Giving in to popular demand, especially after authors and readers alike started clamoring for crossover stories, Susan Stoker created what is now known as the Special Forces Alpha World, where authors get to write stories based on her beloved characters.

To date, the Special Forces Alpha World—which features some of the indie author world’s best military and suspense writers—boast of a total of ___ authors, collaborating with Susan every month.

One notable thing about Susan Stoker’s books, besides her use of characters based on the different branches of the Armed Forces of the United States, is her unapologetic take on real-world issues.

Bullying, rape, human trafficking, physical and mental abuse, homelessness, addiction, obesity, cancer, war, and of course, post-traumatic stress disorder, even suicide—Susan Stoker does not shy away from these topics.

Her characters, while some might find them over-the-top, are no less human enough for us readers to relate to.

My first foray into Susan Stoker’s world of badass alpha men and the women worthy enough to stand up to them, came when I stumbled into Rescuing Rayne, the first of her Delta Force Heroes.  

Rescuing Rayne

A flight attendant used to cancellations, Rayne Jackson never dreamed her latest stop would lead to a whirlwind tour of London with a handsome stranger…or a life-altering night in his bed.

Heading home after a mission, Delta Force soldier Keane “Ghost” Bryson never planned to seduce Rayne during his layover, but she was too sweet to resist, even if it was only one night.

Both Ghost and Rayne were shocked when, months later, they meet again–under the worst possible circumstances. Rayne is taken hostage, and it is up to Ghost to rescue the woman he realized was made perfectly for him.

Rayne and Ghost’s story was the book that led me down the rabbit hole. From the first page to the last, everything that happened to Rayne and Ghost gripped my attention, and I felt like I was on a roller coaster of emotions—happy (and envious) when Rayne got to spend the night with Ghost, sad when they had to go their separate ways, scared when Rayne was taken hostage, and glad when Ghost came through at the end.

The story itself was fast-paced, so much so that even for a lengthy story, I could not put it down.

Today, dozens of Susan Stoker’s novels—both in e-book and audiobook format, the only thing I can say is, I cannot wait to get my hands on hard copies of all my favorite Special Forces heroes.

Last but not the least, I would like to thank this author for giving me an appreciation of the sacrifices the men and women in uniform do just to make sure that the rest of us sleep soundly at night. My heart is filled with gratitude for their service!