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SEALS and Sourcebooks

 A Blog Post by 
Romance Author Anne Elizabeth 
 

In the Fall of 2012, Sourcebooks will launch the first book in the West Coast Navy SEAL Romance series.  My husband is retired from the Teams and I can honestly say, “The Navy SEAL community is a family.”

What does family and military mean to you?  For me, the Navy SEAL Family...this one phrase or concept inspires emotions of fidelity, loyalty, and familial bonds surpassing the everyday norm and moving into the realm of extraordinary.  When I began my journey into this tight-knit community I knew it would be memorable but I had no idea it would be both awe-inspiring and heartbreaking.

The “awe” comes from the incredibly demanding jobs these men do – everything from covert missions, Intel-gathering, crucial rescues, nearly impossible Ops, and so much more – to the women and children who continue on with or function in ordinary life as they wait patiently and provide constant love, support, and a stable base for their hero.  None of these jobs are easy – being in harm’s way or worrying about your loved one.  Every family in the military – no matter the branch – has it rough and they sacrifice greatly.  My respect for them is enduring.




In terms of rare insights, I found the courage of the wives and children to be as incredible and inspiring as that of their husbands.  Behind this often secretive role of the Navy SEAL man beats a flesh-and-blood soul, a complex and complicated man, whose depth of emotion is many, many layers deep; and his wife often has similar unique qualities of strength also steeled with Alpha characteristics, tremendous passion, and infinite dedication.  Also, not surprisingly, Navy SEAL men are humble.  They rarely speak of their personal endeavors -- it is always for The Team, The Country, and Their Families.  That quiet confidence says so much. Together, these husbands and wives create hardcore bonds that cement their present and inspire their future.  It is tangible, and definitely easy to admire.

During times of loss, the “heartbreak” of losing members from this tiny world, it hurts all of us.  Whether the individuals are well-known or an acquaintance or possibly even a distant part of this group – it is the same training, the same sacrifice, the same pain, and the horror never goes away.  These men and women don’t know the meaning of the Q-word. They never...Quit! One bleeds and they all do.  No matter what, Navy SEALS always come back harder, faster, and more powerful, and their families have their backs.

It makes me proud and honored to be a part of this unique group whose heart is so big and whose might reaches around the globe.  We are part of the Navy, part of the military, and all of us are Americans.  As I create romance stories to honor these souls, my only wish is to bring this community pride and to share details on some of the rare insights into SEAL nature.



Thus I pose to you, my friends, what does family and military mean to you?  Who do you fight and sacrifice for, and what would you do to keep them alive?

For those individuals attending the New York Comic Con, Anne Elizabeth will have a special keepsake to promote her Navy SEAL Romance series.  Stop by her booth #1142, while supplies last.  HOOYAH!

Comments

  1. Thank you, Anne, and congratulations on your upcoming release.

    Family and military individually mean a lot of things, but the one word that comes to mind when I think of them both is safety. They both represent a safe haven of sorts.

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  2. Congratulations, Anne!

    I'm going to my son's AF graduation from navigator training in a few weeks and am very proud of him. But I'm also a retired LTC from the USAR, my father was retired from the AF (an EX-POW for 16th months and survived several death marches, starvation, and frigid cold) and my mother even had served in the Army. My son's grandfather was a Navy pilot and fought also in the war. My sister retired with the Army also, and her husband did. One of her sons is now in. So family and military mean military and family to me. It's all one and the same. :)

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  3. As a younger woman, I would not have understood that there is a connection between family and military. Soldiers are for war, families are for love.

    Then I became not just a mom, but a single mom. My definitions of love and war morphed. I can see that soldiers are for protecting and defending, and love entails protecting and defending. It makes sense that the men who are best trained as soldiers would also have some of the most impressive families.

    Terrific post, Elizabeth Ann, and I'm sure the book will be terrific too. Can you tell us a little more about it?

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  4. Great post, Anne! I'm looking forward to your new series and wish you much success with it. To me family is....everything. Friends come and go but family is forever. In regards to our military and their families, I have an enormous amount of respect for them and their daily sacrafices. Hope I'll catch a glimpse of you at Comic Con!

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  5. Awesome post, Anne.
    Husband was in the army when we met via the US postal service. He comes from a long line of military folks. Our son was AF, our grandson is serving in the army in Georgia. Our daughters married military and our next grandson up is already talking military. We have a flag raising and the Pledge in our front yard on July 4th.
    It's a family thing!

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  6. Wonderful post, Anne! Thanks for the glimpse of the SEAL Community.

    There is so much more to the military hero than what is on the outside and the job he does--it's the heart and soul of the man beneath those outer layers that enable him to do what he has to do to for our Country, therefore making him a true hero--whether he thinks of himself that way or not.

    I can't wait to read the first book in the series. :)

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  7. Due to a family emergency, Anne will be responding to comments tonight.

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  8. My highest praise to all the men and women in all branches of the military. They are true heroes.
    Amelia

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  9. I am so honored that we have so many men and women, as well as their families, who are willing to give so much of themselves and their time to protect our country. Great blog. Thank you!

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  10. Wonderful blog, Anne! As a military spouse of over 20 years, I'm looking forward to your books!!

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  11. Hi everyone! My apology for the delay. Thank you for the wonderful comments! I am overwhelmed by the love and support I read in all of your posts. I am going to address each one individually.

    To Tracey Devlyn: Thank you for the congratulations and your words. I adore your wonderful phrase "a safe haven of sorts" as it inspires marvelous visions of home and hearth. Whenever I meet a soldier or family member of a soldier I 'thank' him or her for the sacrifice and service, and I wish him or her safety for as they protect us, so we too can hold these heroes safely in our hearts.

    To Terry Spear/Terry Lee Wilde: I appreciate the congratulations and send an enormous shoutout to you and your family: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! WE ARE GRATEFUL! YOU AND YOURS ARE IN OUR PRAYERS AND HEARTS! May your son be safe and successful in all endeavors, and let's hoist a cup of something in his honor next time we meet.

    To Grace Burrowes: I'd be happy to share more information about the book. My hero is a Navy SEAL who is wounded in a covert operation. His best friend has died on this mission, and to complicate matters further he is missing part of his memory. This SEAL is determined to get to the root of the issue and he enlists the help of a rather saucy psychotherapist who uses some very unusual methods to help him. All in all, both the hero and heroine find that though the road to the truth is pitted with obstacles, determination and love will always triumph.

    To Sara Taney Humphreys: Great hearing from you! Please come find me at the Comic Con. I'm in booth #1142 and you're welcome to make it your home base. I agree, family is wonderful! And, friends are a vital part of that precious formula for happiness! Hooyah, my friend! See you soon!

    To Carolyn Brown: Thank you for the beautiful post and for sharing news about your family. Now, you'll have to hear the shoutout again: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! We are truly indebted to all who service and those that support our servicemen and women. HOOYAH, Carolyn! Next time we met, the first raised glass is on me. Cheers to you and your hubby!

    To C.H. Admirand: One of my dearest friends in the world! Thank you for every hug, every supporting post, and every moment of being one of my best buds! Hooyah & hugs!!!

    To Amelia: Yes, they are! I agree, Amelia! :)

    To ShanaGalen: Thanks for the post, Shana! It makes me proud, too. This country was founded on honor and integrity and it does my spirit good to see people continue to honor our soldiers.

    To Catherine Mann: Thank you!!! I'm glad you liked the blog. Just so you know, you are one of my personal heroines and a role model, too! You're amazing, Cathy!!! Hooyah!

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