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Mary Margret Daughtridge | Honors and Heroes and SEALs--Oh my!
May 20, 2011
SEALED FOREVER, my
latest release, landed in bookstores the same week the biggest story of the
year, put SEALs, whose very secret work usually goes unlauded, on the front
page. Suddenly from family, friends, and fans I’m getting phone calls and emails
praising me for showing the world what heroes SEALs are. My stories have more in common with Army Wives than with Saving
Private Ryan, but really, they don’t have much in common with either. I took
the quintessential action figure hero, and turned expectations about what a SEAL
story was like on its head. My stories are entirely character-driven. Where I got lucky was that SEALs not
only have great bodies, and warrior abilities honed to the absolute pinnacle of
the humanly possible, they have the characteristics every romance reader is
looking for in alpha hero. SEALs absolutely would not be SEALs if they weren’t the men they are.
Aggressive, violent, competitive, bulldog tenacious, self-assured to the point
of arrogance, a strategic thinker and also generous, protective and nurturing. Up to now my SEALed books have shown the heroes, away from what for them is the
"real world" of operations and the support of other SEALs. To meet their goals
they are forced to interface with civilian women (and vice versa). SEALED FOREVER breaks
precedent. The reader gets to see the hero Garth Vale operating, making command
decisions. He wants to see SEALs used more effectively and he’ll need a higher
rank to do it. As a means of forwarding his ambition, he snags an assignment
with a black ops outfit that uses a small airstrip in North Carolina to get
operatives into and out of the country. But everything changes when he finds a stowaway baby aboard an incoming spy
plane. He knows what his bosses would expect him to do, but SEALs are taught to
decide for themselves what’s an acceptable risk and refuse orders when
necessary. Ultimately, Garth must settle for himself what makes a man a man, a
man a SEAL, and a SEAL a hero. Every facet of Garth’s character-based dilemma, I drew from some nugget I
extracted as I read SEAL memoires, including stories of rescued babies--one
removed from danger when a SEAL was following orders, one saved when a SEAL
ignored orders. As I read SEAL memoirs, I don’t necessarily draw the same conclusions a SEAL
would. I’m repelled sometimes, roll my eyes others. I laugh out loud, and am
brought to tears by the tender, totally unsentimental care they give each other.
My heart aches for the sacrifices they and their families make without
complaint. I’m not worthy to unlace their boots; I know I could never fill them. I haven’t
done anything to either honor SEALs or make them heroes. They did that all by
themselves. So what shall I do with the fact that I, both as an American and as a writer,
reap benefits where I haven’t sown? My quandary was on my mind while I was having lunch with friends the other day.
Synchronistically, one friend told this story: "My father was in the Navy in World War II. One Sunday, a few years ago, his
church had a potluck social on what happened to be Veteran’s Day weekend. He
took his place in the serving line and a neighbor came up to him and said,
‘John! What are you doing at the back of the line? We’re supposed to be honoring
veterans today! Come with me.’ He took my father by the arm and began to push through the crowd, shouting,
‘Make way! Veteran coming through!’ When people heard the commotion, they stepped aside, and a lot of
them--people he’d known all his life, but who had thought of him only as a
farmer and a church member--shook his hand, and expressed their gratitude for
his service to our country. My daddy was around eighty at the time. He said it was one of the most moving
experiences of his life." Another person listening to the story asked, "When they got to where the food
was, did the man who shouted ‘Veteran coming through’ return to the end of the
line?" My friend shook her head and laughed. "Oh-h-h no! He had made it to the front
and there he stayed." See? That’s me. I haven’t earned a place of honor. I’m only the one who shouts,
"Here come the heroes!" But here I am. And here I’ll stay. SEALED FOREVER BY MARY MARGRET
DAUGHTRIDGE He’s got a living, breathing dilemma... In the midst of running an undercover CIA mission, Navy SEAL Lt. Garth Vale
finds an abandoned baby, and his superiors sure don’t want to know about it. The
only person who can help him is the beautiful new doctor in town, but she’s got
another surprise for him... She’s got a solution...at a price... Dr. Bronwyn Whitescarver has left the frantic pace of big city ER medicine for a
small town medical practice. Her bags aren’t even unpacked yet when gorgeous,
intense Garth Vale shows up on her doorstep in the middle of the night with a
sick baby... But his story somehow doesn’t add up, and Bronwyn isn’t quite sure who she’s
saving--the baby, or the man... ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mary Margret
Daughtridge has been a grade school teacher, speech therapist, family
educator, biofeedback therapist, and Transpersonal Hypnotherapist. She is a
member of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Romance Writers of America, and
Romancing the Military Soul, and is a sought-after judge in writing contests.
She resides in Greensboro, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.marymargretdaughtridge.com and www.sourcebookscasablanca.com.
Comments
43 comments posted.
Re: Mary Margret Daughtridge | Honors and Heroes and SEALs--Oh my!
I enjoyed this post; it was quite interesting. I look forward in starting this series.
(Tracey Dent 7:04am May 20, 2011)
I love to read and I always look forward to reading new authors, this would be a story to read and enjoy. We are so blessed to have so many dedicated authors they are truly gifted. Thanks for sharing your gift
(Donna Capps 7:13am May 20, 2011)
This series sounds fntastic. I loved this blogg and whole-heartedly agree with you.
(Barbara Hanson 8:35am May 20, 2011)
I just read Sealed with a Kiss and Loved it! I plan on reading more of your books. This books sounds great and I wish you the best of luck!
(Renee Pajda 9:17am May 20, 2011)
Great interview..on my to read list!!! Thanks for sharing
(Dawn Staniszeski 10:19am May 20, 2011)
I love the story about your father. My Dad was a WWII vet, too. I am so grateful to all the wonderful men and women who follow in their footsteps. Thanks for visiting. I look forward to reading your latest.
(G S Moch 10:27am May 20, 2011)
I have the deepest respect and admiration for military heroes. I love to read romances that feature them, too!
(Cheryl Castings 10:56am May 20, 2011)
I's love to read about an operation in NC! thanks.
(Beth Elder 11:05am May 20, 2011)
Sealed Forever sounds like a winner. The delightful story about our dad left me smiling. Isn't this a wonderful country?
(Anna Speed 12:50pm May 20, 2011)
What a great point of view: "See? That’s me. I haven’t earned a place of honor. I’m only the one who shouts, "Here come the heroes!" That's me too...but I hadn't conceptualized it before. Thanks!
(Jan Terry 12:56pm May 20, 2011)
what a wonderful excerpt. i can't wait to read the whole book. the characters sound amazing and so touching.
(Tammy Ramey 1:38pm May 20, 2011)
Sounds like a book I really would enjoy! Thanks for sharing!
(Colleen Conklin 1:38pm May 20, 2011)
I loved the excerpt and am looking forward to reading the book...As a child of the military (dad was Marine for 30 years, oldest brother was Navy for 30 years) I love books that honor our soldiers and their families...
(Kimberley Coover 2:12pm May 20, 2011)
Great and interesting post. Thanks!! We certainly need to honor our heroes!!
Valerie
in Germany
(Valerie Bongards 3:00pm May 20, 2011)
Yes, yes---hero's and SEAL's. Look forward to reading Sealed Forever, what a wonderful read this will be
(Shirley Younger 4:22pm May 20, 2011)
I have not read any of this series yet but they do sound great.
(June A, Manning 4:40pm May 20, 2011)
I read SEALed With A Kiss and loved the interaction between Jax and his son and Jax and Pickett. I can not wait to read more of this series. It put the SEALs in a different light for me; made them more real.
(Sue Klepinger 4:51pm May 20, 2011)
I've got SEAled with A Kiss on my kindle...it's on my todo list this weekend.
(Pamela Stewart 4:58pm May 20, 2011)
very interesting, i'll add to my list, thanks
(Julie Barett 4:59pm May 20, 2011)
Such a timely book. I shall seek it out!
Blessings and gratitude to all of our veterans.
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 5:02pm May 20, 2011)
Loved this book, but then again I've loved all the SEALed books. I got hooked with SEALed with a Promise. Then I had to go back and read the first one, then waited until the last 2 came out. I've really enjoyed this series.
(Summer Sharp 5:24pm May 20, 2011)
Got to love the SEALS!
(Margay Roberge 5:26pm May 20, 2011)
I love, love, love SEAL stories! And you are doing something for them - you're honoring them by telling their "tales". :)
(Kelli Jo Calvert 6:10pm May 20, 2011)
Any story with a SEAL in it automatically goes on my list.
(Mary Preston 7:01pm May 20, 2011)
Thank you so much for this blog post! The people in the armed
services deserve to always be noticed for their courage and
strength!
(Megan Root 7:29pm May 20, 2011)
These books sound so interesting, I can't wait to get my hands on them!
My Dad was in the Navy in WWII as well. I scrapbook and asked him some questions so I could create a page about it; well, once he started talking and sharing photos and his ribbons, it turned into an entire album. One that both of us loved and were very proud of. My Dad was a quiet guy and that is the most I have ever heard him talk. I have that album in a special place today so that others in my family can enjoy his memories.
(Jody Hollenbeck 7:48pm May 20, 2011)
I don't really know much about SEALs but your book sounds really good.
(Jessica Sutton 8:07pm May 20, 2011)
This is a wonderful post and I loved the friend's story about her father as well as the storyline for your book.
(G. Bisbjerg 8:32pm May 20, 2011)
My husband was a SeaBee in Vietnam and stationed with some Seals - he said they were the only ones that scared him!!
(Jeanne Sheats 8:40pm May 20, 2011)
Wonderful post to honor the Seals. I'd love to read this book. Seals, abandoned baby, NC connection - what more could I want?
(r w 8:54pm May 20, 2011)
Enjoyed reading a little from the book, can't wait to buy it. Sounds very interesting to me
(Frances Namuth 8:58pm May 20, 2011)
Great post; I'd love to read the book.
(Wilma Frana 8:59pm May 20, 2011)
Such a big change in the last 10 years in the public respect of the military - it's now "cool" - it's about time! I've enjoyed military romances for several years & this looks like a really good one.
(Diane Sallans 9:11pm May 20, 2011)
The Seals are definately to be commended!! Your book is definately one to be on my TBR list!! I enjoyed your blog, and I know that I will enjoy the book as well. My Father is also a WWII Veteran who served in the Army. He was a translator who earned a Silver Star, and from the stories I heard, barely made it out with his life!! Anyway, I do enjoy learning all I can about what our boys in uniform do, since if it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have the freedoms we have today, and still enjoy. Thank you for keeping those facts alive, and best of luck in the future.
(Peggy Roberson 9:22pm May 20, 2011)
Your books are new to me, but I've certainly become addicted to Suzanne Brockmann's SEAL series after reading Prince Joe when that first came out. Therefore, I was somewhat familiar with what SEALs do. I've also read a few SEAL books by other authors. I'd certainly love to read yours.
(Sigrun Schulz 9:36pm May 20, 2011)
Sigh. Ok, there went my book budget for the month. And you want to know what, uh, "sealed" the deal? The story about your friends dad, the WWII vet. My dad was one too, only Army (European Theatre), not Navy. He never talked about it much, but luckily it turns out that when our local Public Television station was doing a series about vets from different wars, he went in and did an interview. He died last July, and it's one of the last things I have from him, even though I haven't had the courage to watch it yet.
Thank you for that story. It brought my dad back for a few minutes.
Later,
Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 9:57pm May 20, 2011)
I loved your previous seals books and cannot wait to read this one.
(Pat Lieberman 10:03pm May 20, 2011)
I also come from a family of Veterans,my step-dad Marines,both brothers Army, me Army, my son Marines, and I have a daughter that is joining the Marines soon, I love to read books that include the military in any shape or form. I can't wait to read SEALED FOREVER!
(Kris Bowers 10:03pm May 20, 2011)
Putting this on my TBR list. My Dad was a WWII vet also so enjoy reading books with with a military theme. Thanks for the contest.
(Teresa Ward 10:43pm May 20, 2011)
Those serving the military don't do it for the money or the recognition and in today's society that says a LOT. Love to see the unsung heroes honored in an capacity.
Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 11:30pm May 20, 2011)
Thank you for being someone who brings needed attention to those who sacrifice for our country. I plan on finding your previous books that I've missed and look forward to reading your new one also...
(Cate Sparks 5:17am May 21, 2011)
Your books sound great. Love the Seals.
(Shirley Nienkark 2:23pm May 21, 2011)
When someone trains as hard as Seals and other elite forms of the military, their social skills may be focussed on the fighting rather than the emotions associated with relationships. They do have their "brothers" backs and will do what it takes to make the mission work. Sounds like a gripping read.
(Alyson Widen 4:50pm May 21, 2011)
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