Disarmed by Love by Gail Chianese

A Navy man with a damaged past. A beautiful woman enlisted to help him. Falling in love is the healing they both need. But it comes with a risk neither expected...

When Fiona Sinclair’s reckless ex-husband piles on the anxiety, the resilient single mom has the perfect outlet: her days spent whipping Navy men into shape through yoga, meditation, and—as one of her new students puts it—“all that New Age crap.”

For seventeen years, Lieutenant Dante Torres disarmed explosives. Stress level: over the top. Then one wrong move scrambled his brain. But nothing compares to dealing with a no-nonsense pint-sized fireball like Fiona. He has to admit, she’s working wonders. In more ways than one. As things warm between them, Dante even discovers he can be of help to her: by becoming best buddy to her troubled young son.

But when the boy’s father pushes for custody, everything Fiona’s worked so hard for is thrown into jeopardy, including her relationship with Dante. Now it’s going to take all her resolve to fight back—for herself, her son, and the man she loves.

Books 3
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Fiona is a strong woman who is just trying to raise her son in a manner that will make him into a good man. Her ex is anything but good and despite her trying to make sure that her son always can spend time with his dad, the ex is both trying and mean. I really enjoyed watching Fiona figure out that she carries a strength in her that nobody can take away from her.

Dante is finding out that even though he can no longer do what he loves, he will find other things in this life that make it an excellent life. While he's teaching on base, he starts a "granola" program to help him gather his brain function and work on his anxiety. When he sees Fiona, he knows that he's attracted to her personality and looks. When he gets to know her and her son, he sees that he can have a large role in their lives, if he's only brave enough to take it.

When Fiona's life becomes more complex due to her ex and his demands, she leans on Dante. For the first time in a long time, she's allowing herself to feel something and see where it goes. What Fiona and Dante have to figure out together is whether or not their relationship is something they both want to fight for, or if they are both too tired to fight another battle.

Overall, the development of this story was nice. I felt that the relationships had time to grow and the conflict was well thought out. I wish that we were given more of a conclusion – further into time.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
Every hero has a past, something that makes him or her believe that they are not worthy of the title of ‘hero.’

Dante is biding his time, working the program in an effort to get back to his former unit and back to his life. He knows that his medical issues prevent him from being on the front-line but what he can't make himself believe is that the job he has now been assigned is just as important as defusing bombs.

Fiona is a single mom trying to raise her son with limited input from her ex-husband. She works two jobs and does her best to make sure he's not missing out too much not having a full-time father.

When Dante is assigned to one of Fiona's classes to help with his triggers, sparks fly. Fiona is hesitant to take it to the next level, but Dante's personality wins her over.

As Dante and Fiona's relationship heats up, so does the tension between Fiona and her ex. When things come to a head, Dante makes a tough decision, then a medical intervention keeps him from Fiona while she has to come grips with her ex wanting full custody.

Lots of realism and heroism on all sides.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
A wounded warrior falling hard for his physical therapist is a brilliant premise for a romance. And Dante is a pretty perfect leading man. When we first meet him, he’s a military hero struggling with a traumatic brain injury. His future in the Navy is uncertain and so is his sense of self. I loved him from the start.

As Dante’s physical therapist, Fiona is formidable. But the fierce ‘Mistress of Pain’ has a personal life that starts to crumble when her ex-husband reappears. Like Dante, Fiona is a mix of fragility and strength and the two of them work very well together.

While I always really enjoy Gail Chianese’s writing, I did prefer the first book in this series. This is very much a family drama and much of the focus is on Fiona’s son and Dante and Fiona’s extended families. The stressed-mum-cute kid-perfect-stepfather combination is a little bit too predictable and way too domestic for me. I enjoyed both Fiona and Dante as characters – both of their jobs are interesting and both of them have fascinating back stories. I just found the happy family scenes a bit tedious.

Oddly, this story just stops. We don’t get to know if any of Fiona’s problems resolve and we don’t get to know about Dante’s future. I really cared about Fiona, Dante, and Dylan by the end of the story and I was frustrated not to get a glimpse into their future.

Also Available in the Changing Tides Series

Books 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Love Runs Deep post.

Books 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our A Hero to Love post.

Gail Chianese's love of reading began at the tender age of three, when she'd make her grandpa read Fourteen Country Rabbits over and over and over again (and correct him when he skipped parts). While she's branched out over the years by reading mystery, women’s fiction, and urban fantasy, she always circles back to romance in the end. That's probably because she's married to her real-life hero. Her wonderful hubby has served in the US Navy for the past twenty-two years and he’s done things he can’t tell her about. But it doesn’t stop her from being extremely proud of him and the sacrifices he makes for her, his family, and his country. He’s also uber-supportive of her dreams and of their three children. Living in Mystic, CT and a member of Connecticut Romance Writers of America, Gail loves to hear from readers.

Connect with Gail

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Google+  ~  Instagram

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Disarmed by Love (Changing Tides #3) by Gail Chianese to read and review.

A Hero to Love by Gail Chianese

A military police officer on the verge of a new beginning. A beautiful woman devoted to her career and her dream of putting down roots. The hardest thing they’ll ever do is to take a chance on love...

Navy Chief Master at Arms Jackson “Jax” Faraday is at a crossroads. He has to decide whether to reenlist or get out while he’s young enough to make a difference in the civilian world. Either choice could mean leaving behind his girl: his K-9 partner, Bella. But when she’s injured during a training session, Jax’s only concern is making sure she’s okay.

As the Navy base veterinarian, town local Risa Reynolds is right where she belongs: close to her parents in a farmhouse full of animals—with room to grow. She’s seen enough to put military men are on her “not happening” list, because they always leave.

But when a tall, hazel-eyed sailor arrives in her clinic with his dog in his arms, Risa finds herself falling hard. And all kinds of rules will get broken when Jax, a man who sticks to the straight and narrow, learns that there’s no predicting the twists and turns of the heart...

Books 2
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

I love a good romance and when it involves a hot military soldier and his dog, it doesn't get much better.

Jackson "Jax" Faraday is trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life: stay in the Navy and accept his next posting or try to find a job in law enforcement that lets him stay in New England. One of the main sticking points is that he doesn't want to lose Bella, his K-9 partner. He knows that she's not his dog, but she has saved his life and the lives of his friends on more than one occasion.

When Bella is hurt, local vet Risa Reynolds is on hand to treat her and soothe the ruffled feathers of her handler. Problem is that Risa finds herself wanting to soothe Jax as much as Bella.

Risa has a rule about dating military men but she never really explains why. Risa also seems to have a deep seated fear of being left behind or not being loved enough for people to stay.

Jax has a hard time understanding Risa at times, but he truly is the ultimate book boyfriend.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Unrequited love

This was a sweet story. There are some communication issues, but it's mostly because both Jax and Risa are scared of the feelings that they feel for each other.

Jax is at a crossroads with his career. I'm unsure why he is seen as being some kind of trouble, but his superiors believe that he needs to get his act together or be sent to a base that, apparently, nobody wants to be sent to. When his dog, Bella, is acting strange with her new handler, Jax needs to find a way to reach her.

Risa is doing her best to prove herself to the owner of the vet clinic that's on base. She has worked very hard to get where she is and loves it there. She has great friends and even though her best friend has questionable taste in men, she sticks by her.

When Jax and Bella are out playing and Bella is injured, Risa comes to the rescue. It's over Bella that Risa and Jax take a chance on each other. Their relationship is somewhat juvenile, but the relationship progresses quite naturally. I think that the animals helped create the story.

I can't wait to see what happens next.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
The only thing better than a man and his dog has to be a military hero and his K-9 partner. At the end of his naval career, Jax is devastated when his K-9 partner, Bella, is injured during training. Risa is the vet who cares for Bella and sparks immediately fly between Jax and Risa.

It is impossible not to fall for Jax. The man would do anything for his dog, even spending his nights at Bella’s kennel when she’s injured. Where Risa is settled in her home and her job, Jax is conflicted and struggling to secure a life beyond the Navy. He is an alpha protector for Risa but he is also able to accept her help and care.

Risa is a fantastic female lead. She is passionate about her work as a vet, she lives with a menagerie of rescued pets and at times, she struggles with her human relationships. I love well developed women in romance and Risa is pretty amazing.

As much as this is a very sweet romance, there is also a suspense angle to this story when Risa finds herself the target of vandalism and stalking. Jax helps Risa stay safe as he tries to identify the person who wants to harm her. There are some quite frightening scenes as Jax and Risa evade her stalker.

I really enjoyed this story but I do have to complain about the cover – the story fits best in a romantic suspense category and I’m not sure we ever see these two frolicking on the beach with a dog. The story has quite a bit more grit than the sunny cover suggests.

Also Available in the Changing Tides Series

Books 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Love Runs Deep post.

Gail Chianese's love of reading began at the tender age of three, when she'd make her grandpa read Fourteen Country Rabbits over and over and over again (and correct him when he skipped parts). While she's branched out over the years by reading mystery, women’s fiction, and urban fantasy, she always circles back to romance in the end. That's probably because she's married to her real-life hero. Her wonderful hubby has served in the US Navy for the past twenty-two years and he’s done things he can’t tell her about. But it doesn’t stop her from being extremely proud of him and the sacrifices he makes for her, his family, and his country. He’s also uber-supportive of her dreams and of their three children. Living in Mystic, CT and a member of Connecticut Romance Writers of America, Gail loves to hear from readers.

Connect with Gail

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of A Hero to Love (Changing Tides #2) by Gail Chianese to read and review.

Love Runs Deep by Gail Chianese

Active duty is no time for romance, but when two naval officers find themselves in truly close quarters on the USS California, the temptation to fraternize is hard to resist. Can two ambitious sailors follow orders long enough to see if love is on the horizon when they’re finally above water?

Lieutenant Nic Riley is the only girl in a long-time Navy family, and she’s determined to prove she’s just as seaworthy as her brothers. When she aces training for submarine duty, it calls for a celebration—and one incredibly hot guy is happy to party with her all night long. But when Nic boards the sub and finds herself face to face with her hunky fling, the idea of spending six months underwater takes on a whole new meaning...

Having a girl in every port was Lieutenant Kyle Hutchinson’s style—until the explosive night he spent with Nic. Dating onboard is firmly off limits, but Kyle can’t get her off his mind much less out of his vicinity—until a junior seaman’s devastating stunt puts Nic’s career in danger. Kyle won’t let her take the heat alone, even when it means risking his own reputation, but fighting for a future together will be a whole new battle...

Books 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Military Romance
Triggers: Voyeurism

Kyle is a really great guy. He takes care of his family, loves them unconditionally, despite them not being all that appreciative. When he takes in his younger brother, his life gets even more complicated. However, what he doesn't expect is to see Nic, the one-night stand that he hasn't been able to forget.

Nic is just getting her career underway. Because of her lineage, she knows that she might have a harder road ahead of her. Being a woman in the Navy, one of the first to go down with the sub crew, she knows that there will be hurdles. However, she wants this career and has worked very hard to get where she is. The last think she expects is to see Kyle, her hot, one-night stand after her celebratory night with her girlfriends.

Kyle is supposed to show Nic around the sub. He is her equal, in terms of rank, but since he has been on the sub longer, it's Nic's duty to learn the ship and her duties. When one of the lower ranking men on the ship take advantage of Nic, the entire ship is put under a microscope. That includes the relationship that Nic and Kyle have started – Nic's family is Navy royalty, so there are a lot of obstacles.

I like how Nic was able to come out of hiding – she wasn't going to be run off from what she had worked so hard to achieve. However, because there always needs to be some kind of drama or misunderstanding, this is where the story tugs at the heart strings. Kyle is kind of your typical guy who is afraid of commitment, but that's just the impression that Chianese wanted to give off. In reality, he loves Nic and wants her in his life, but doesn't really know how to achieve this. Both have to overcome their own insecurities and doubts to come together.

Overall, I really liked this story and despite the overprotective family members and friends, Nic and Kyle work their relationship out. I can't wait to see who is going to be the focus of the next book.

Gail Chianese's love of reading began at the tender age of three, when she'd make her grandpa read Fourteen Country Rabbits over and over and over again (and correct him when he skipped parts). While she's branched out over the years by reading mystery, women’s fiction, and urban fantasy, she always circles back to romance in the end. That's probably because she's married to her real-life hero. Her wonderful hubby has served in the US Navy for the past twenty-two years and he’s done things he can’t tell her about. But it doesn’t stop her from being extremely proud of him and the sacrifices he makes for her, his family, and his country. He’s also uber-supportive of her dreams and of their three children. Living in Mystic, CT and a member of Connecticut Romance Writers of America, Gail loves to hear from readers.

Connect with Gail

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Love Runs Deep (Changing Tides #1) by Gail Chianese to read and review.