The Captive (Griffin Force #1) by Julie Coulter Bellon

Former Navy SEAL Jake Williams is the newly appointed head of a task force assigned to rescue a kidnapped American diplomat. Their only hope is Mya Amari, the daughter of a notorious Algerian hostage negotiator, but she is full of secrets and complications–something Jake takes as a personal challenge. As they grow closer, the threat to the mission escalates and time runs out for the hostages. Can Jake unravel the web of deception to save them all without getting caught in the crossfire?

Mya Amari has been in hiding nearly her entire life to escape her father’s enemies. But when her sister is kidnapped along with an American diplomat, she’ll do anything to bring her home–including walking into the enemy’s lair. She doesn’t trust anyone, especially the too-handsome-for-his-own-good Commander Williams, but when all her careful plans explode out of control, he’s the only one she can turn to with the truth about her family. Is it too little, too late?

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It is always a happy day when I get to sit down and read one of Julie Bellon's books.  New releases from her are like Christmas for me.  Lucky me, I got to read this book over the Christmas holiday so it was like Christmas and Christmas for me!  :)

This book is the beginning of a new series but still brings the same elements that I've come to know and expect from Julie Bellon.  There is always action and mild suspense along with the romance in her books and this book was no different.

Jake is all things a male lead should be.  Strong, brave, smart, handsome and determined to keep people safe.  He is a take charge kind of guy but he is also kind.  Especially to Mya when she doesn't really look to deserve it.  I really loved Jake consistently in all situations.

Mya was a bit more prickly but it's her moments of weakness that helped me connect with her.  That and her love for her family.

I read through this book quickly and was a bit sad to see it come to an end.  It's so easy to get wrapped up in books by Julie Bellon.  She is one of my favorites!