I’m thrilled to be joining Elle James’ Brotherhood Protectors World with the release of Under Fire in February 2025.

This book is the first in a series about four brothers in arms, but what makes it extra special is that it was inspired by Desiree Holt, a longtime beloved author friend. Desiree contributed several books to the Brotherhood Protectors World, and the readers were always supportive and enthusiastic.

I waited a long time to approach Elle about writing in her world, but I finally got the gumption. Elle said yes, and the plotting began! The book is dedicated to Desiree, and the main characters are named after her: Desiree, the heroine, and Holt, the hero.

Here’s a sneak peek from the book. If you’d like to be notified when it’s available, click here.

About the Book…

Holt Stevens had two choices–retire from his beloved SEAL team or face a dishonorable discharge. Neither was fair, and his forced departure left a chip the size of a mountain on his shoulder. When he hears about Hank Patterson’s elite organization, it is his last chance to find a brotherhood like the one he left behind. He’s ready to pledge his life and his allegiance to the man willing to give him a second chance. What he didn’t count on was an indefinite stay in a remote mountain cabin with a single mom and her belligerent fourteen-year-old daughter.

Desiree Harbaugh has dedicated her life to protecting her daughter from the father she never knew. A powerful political force behind the scenes due to his family money and connections, Desiree discovered he was peddling his influence to foreign powers soon after becoming pregnant. After fifteen years on the run, her secret has been discovered which means neither of them are safe. When Desiree turns to her old friend and employer, Sadie McClain, now Sadie Patterson, for help, she must entrust her and her daughter’s safety to a stoic stranger.

With unlimited resources and a maniacal determination to claim his daughter, Desiree’s ex-lover corners the trio in a standoff that may cost Holt his life. If they survive, saying goodbye to the woman and child he has come to love could demand an even bigger price–his heart.

Enjoy this Sneak Peek…

“Explain it one more time, son. This time without the attitude.” Hank Patterson crossed one booted foot over the other and leaned against the wooden beam at the top of the stairs leading up to the wide front porch like he didn’t have anywhere to be.

Holt Stevens clamped his back teeth together hard enough to grind rocks. One, Hank Patterson wasn’t old enough to be his father. Two, he intentionally played off the height differential, using the advantage to try to intimidate Holt. Three, he’d been trying to shake the attitude for three months now but its grip only tightened. It was a python around his chest, slowly squeezing the life out of him.

“I was instructed to voluntarily forfeit my military career or face court martial and potentially being dishonorably discharged.”

“It would take a helluva reason for a SEAL to give up his team.” Patterson narrowed his eyes, as if that made it easier for him to peer into Holt’s skull.

He stood his ground, unphased by the Montana man’s assessment. If anything, the astute observation that he’d been forced to quit his team–not a job, not a career, but the men he’d served with–reaffirmed Holt’s conviction that his future lay with Brotherhood Protectors. Only another SEAL would understand the depth and strength of those bonds.

Which made his CO’s betrayal burn even deeper.

“I didn’t have a choice, sir.” He held Patterson’s gaze, waiting to see how hard he’d push.

“There’s always a choice. Doesn’t mean it’s easy. And a lot of times it isn’t fair.”

There it was. The open door. The invite. The test.

If he wanted a job with Patterson’s organization, there had to be trust. And it apparently went both ways.

“My commanding officer has a nineteen-year-old daughter.” Holt sucked in a breath, eyes momentarily drifting to the view of the hazy purple foothills leading into the Crazy Mountains. “She caught me in the parking lot outside a bar one night, came onto me, and I sent her on her way. She must have hooked up with someone later that evening who took advantage of her offer and assaulted her. She went to Daddy with her black eye and torn sundress and blamed me.”

“Why didn’t you fight it?” Patterson looked more curious than judgmental. “Why would she name you and not the actual perp?”

“With what proof?” Holt barked, no humor in his laugh. “It was a case of he said, she said. No one witnessed the encounter in the parking lot, and I spent the rest of the night alone at my apartment. Someone beat her up, and my CO was willing to take her word over mine. At least I left on my own terms instead of living under a cloud of suspicion and disgrace.”

“There you go.” A grim smile creased Patterson’s face. “You made your choice. But I’ll bet you’re still living under a dark cloud.”

For the first time since leaving San Diego, the python’s grip abated and Holt could breathe again. “I need a job.”

He needed more than that–a new start, a new brotherhood, a new purpose–but he’d start with employment. Steeple McGuire, one of the instructors that got him through SEAL training now retired and living in Key West, had told him about the elite organization that provided protection to those in danger. If Patterson didn’t take him on, Holt wasn’t sure what his next move would be.

“McGuire gave me a heads-up you might land on my front porch. Had a lot of good things to say about you, but he warned me you’re the type to simmer. You tend to hold a grudge. We deal with enough explosions, literal and figurative. Don’t need any more.” Patterson relaxed his stance and hitched a thumb toward the front door. “Hungry? I was just sitting down for lunch. Sadie, my wife, went into town with Emma. I’m not used to eating in silence.”

He shifted uncomfortably, remembering how things had gone south with his CO. The guy had known him for almost a decade. He was family, just like the rest of the SEAL team. But blood really was thicker than water, and the betrayal left him wary about getting close to people again.

Still…Patterson would never hire him if he doubted Holt’s loyalty and commitment.

“I’ve been sleeping in my truck and eating fast food for the past month. A homecooked meal sounds great.” He followed Holt into the rustic house, drawn in by the warm colors, natural textures, and expansive framed views of the landscape. A woman’s touch had softened the rough beams and angular spaces, turning the structure into a beautiful home.

Something hot and uncomfortable exploded in Holt’s chest. It took a few seconds to recognize the emotion as envy. The loss of his career and community left a vast empty space in his life, underscoring the consequences of choosing to serve in the military. With sudden, painfully sharp clarity, he realized how much he’d given up to become a Navy SEAL.

Now, here he was with absolutely nothing to show for it.

A burst of anger replaced the envy. All of his sacrifice and dedication had proven worthless, ripped away by the false claims of a spoiled young woman who couldn’t handle rejection. Hell, he’d done the right thing and still lost it all.

“Stewing in all that misery is going to ruin your appetite,” Patterson commented. “If you’re too obsessed with whatever dark thoughts are running through your head, I’ll make you a baloney and American cheese sandwich on white bread. My wife’s green chili enchiladas deserve your undivided attention.”

Coming in 2025!