Writing Navy SEALs
by Sharon Hamilton
In my just released Navy SEAL romance, Fallen SEAL Legacy, the hero, SO Calvin Cooper is given a KA-BAR knife upon graduation from BUD/S, the day before he receives his Trident. On this knife is engraved the name of a fallen SEAL.
I can only imagine what it must feel like to hold one of these knives. In doing my research, I actually found a couple of them that had somehow been put up for sale, and were quietly re-purchased so they could be returned to their rightful owner, or to the family of the fallen. Life happens. Things go into storage and don’t get reclaimed, and the knives get lost.
I used this information about the ceremonial knives to form the storyline. The hero is ordered to find out about and meet the family of the man whose name appears on his own knife. And so the family who has lost their soldier some thirty years ago comes face to face with a young man who has just tragically lost his entire family in a tornado.
Of course, love blooms where neither the hero nor heroine expects it.
Men who face death together have a unique bond, a brotherhood that is thicker than blood.
I’m not a military reporter or journalist. I write romance. I don’t write blow ‘em up battle scenes with guts and gore because my readers are looking for something else. There are some great writers who do that with tremendous skill. My stories are about the emotions and the love between the hero and the heroine that develops, through the events in the story that throw them together. Frosty standoffs melt into passionate encounters that come on quickly, and strong. I like to make the hero and heroine fall for each other hard: easy to start and hard to stop.
One of the fun things about writing Navy SEALs is that I have a whole team full of other great characters I can choose from for future books. Sort of like what some writers do with large families, these SEAL teams are as close, perhaps closer than any family, and they are rather private. Men who face death together have a unique bond, a brotherhood that is thicker than blood.
They also possess the perfect hero qualities. They are quiet, unassuming. They study things closely, work together silently to achieve a task or goal. They are trained to know who is beside them and to keep each other safe, even if it means self-sacrifice. They always protect the innocent and defend those that can’t defend themselves. They can be counted on to do the right thing regardless of their own fate.
There are real guys who do this every day. My characters are just fictitious, as are my stories. I piece together what I’d like to read in a good military romance, and try to do my job: write a book that will keep someone up all night reading it.
Do you read military romance? If so, what do you like to see in a good book?
Follow Sharon Hamilton!
INT – Ends Jan 12
Every commenter will receive a free Kindle download of either SEAL Encounter or SEAL Endeavor, the two shorts/prequels to the full-length books Accidental SEAL and Fallen SEAL Legacy! Please leave your email in the comments with your reply to Sharon’s question!
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38 comments
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Sandy Wolters
January 11, 2013 at 7:18 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I have not read much military romance in the past because I thought they were probably loaded with big battle scenes. I guess I’m going to have to rethink that after reading this post. Fallen Seal Legacy sounds wonderful.
sandy(dot)wolters(at)q(dot)com
Sharon Hamilton
January 11, 2013 at 11:50 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Sandy,
I too used to think it would be all action and blow ups. There has to be a little suspense or action for the category, but I generally like to read romances with a heavy, heavy love angle, so that’s what I write. I don’t think you’d have to worry about my books not being a solid romance. Of course, everything is exaggerated, but that’s why we read romance, right?
Thanks for stopping by. I’ve interviewed some other great military romance authors on my blog if you’d care to stop by some time and check them out.
http://sharonhamiltonauthor.blogspot.com/
Kim in Hawaii
January 11, 2013 at 8:07 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Aloha, Sharon! Thank you for spotlighting the human side of military life! I have previously shied away from military themed stories because they hit close to home with combat wounds. I look forward to reading your stories!
Sharon Hamilton
January 11, 2013 at 11:52 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Aloha in return, and what a beautiful way to start a rainy and dark January day here in Northern California. Hope you’ll come back or email me your addy so I can send you a free short.
Yes, military romance is more about the personal side of these heroes, what makes them fall in and out of love, and how that conflicts with their honor and duty.
I am eternally grateful for what our men and woman have borne for us to preserve our freedoms and protect us from harm, in real life.
Sherry S.
January 11, 2013 at 9:38 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I haven’t read a lot of military themed books but the ones that I have read I enjoyed how they seemed like family and would do anything for each other.
sstrode at scrtc dot com
Sharon Hamilton
January 11, 2013 at 11:54 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Sherry,
You have that right. “Family” like in the movie, Act of Valor, which I highly recommend, btw, is everything. They’ll sacrifice themselves, and so their family can suffer. But it’s how they train.
Thanks for stopping by.
julie barrett
January 11, 2013 at 10:04 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
thanks so much for this topic. I love reading how they train and work nd are able to accomplish so much.
julie
jbarrett 5 at cox dot net
Sharon Hamilton
January 11, 2013 at 11:56 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Yes, the training is copied by many but duplicated by few. In one BUD/S class alone there were 192 participants, but less than a dozen graduated, so I used that in Accidental SEAL. One could almost write a book on each one of those brave men.
But anyone who tries out for the Teams is brave, in my book. Takes a lot to want to learn to face your limits. That’s what they do every day.
Elizabeth H.
January 11, 2013 at 11:31 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I do read some military romances. I love the honor bound heroes and the buff, tight military fighting machine bodies aren’t so bad either
I love the dedication of the military men and that that dedication and honor bleed into other aspects of their lives.
ehaney578 at aol dot com
Sharon Hamilton
January 11, 2013 at 11:57 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Yes, Elizabeth, you have that right. In truth, anyone who would wear a uniform of any kind in public service, is a hero. But these special guys make super heroes because of their training, and the quiet, gentle manner in which they do their jobs.
It gets tricky when these big buff guys fall in love. And they fall hard, don’t they? At least, that’s what I like to write. Thanks for stopping by.
julie beasley
January 11, 2013 at 11:52 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I love reading military themed romance, i know the emotions, because my husband was in the British Army. Sharons SEALs are exciting, chivalrous and very sensual. and im in love with them all. I wish Sharon all the best with the book and the future ones
Sharon Hamilton
January 11, 2013 at 11:59 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Thanks, Julie. Your support and kind words mean a lot to me. Your husband’s brave service is a thing of honor, and I thank him, and you for your sacrifices. When a man or woman serves, it is a whole family commitment.
Love seeing you here, Julie! You’ve brightened my day…
Jeannie Platt
January 11, 2013 at 12:11 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I love Military Romance… Married to my own Hero and Best Friend who is a Marine Veteran I love reading Marine, Seals, and SF books… I come from a huge military family so nothing is hotter to man in uniform… I love reading them in any form…(traditional, paranormal, suspence, erotic.) If it has a hot hero you can bet i am reading it.
Sharon Hamilton
January 11, 2013 at 6:31 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Jeannie,
I’m with you. Hope you like my SEALs. I’m also finding some SEAL-like qualities in the dark security forces in my Golden Vampire book I’m working on right now. They just “appeared” on the page.
Viki S.
January 11, 2013 at 12:19 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I enjoy SEAL books. Stephanie Tyler writes an excellent series. Thank you.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
Sharon Hamilton
January 11, 2013 at 6:32 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Viki,
I’ve read several Stephanie Tyler books and liked them too. Mine are different, as we all have different talents and perspectives. I read just about everyone and try to tell the story I would like to read.
Gayle Latreille
January 11, 2013 at 12:45 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Good Friday Morning.
Just dropping by to say hello, I have ALL of your books, Sharon, and just wanted to let everyone know that this ‘SEAL Brotherhood series’ of yours is absolutely ‘awesome’ and I highly recommend them.
Have a great day.
gayle2b74@gmail.com
Sharon Hamilton
January 11, 2013 at 6:34 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Thanks, Gayle. I appreciate the support. I love these guys too, and can’t wait to bring more to the public.
Trudy Choate
January 11, 2013 at 2:41 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I love reading these books.. They are awesome.. Thank you purplecarn6@yahoo.com
Sharon Hamilton
January 11, 2013 at 6:37 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Thanks Trudy. Hope you love my SEALs. Thanks for stopping by.
Melissa C
January 11, 2013 at 2:44 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Thank you so much for teaching me something I didn’t know. I didn’t know that each SEAL received a knife with one of their fallen’s name on it.
Also, thank you for sharing more about this series. It sounds very interesting.
Melissa
abinormyl AT gmail DOT com
Melissa C
January 11, 2013 at 2:47 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Also, I haven’t read any military romances in a long while unless you count a historical fiction book with romance in it? I like being able to get into a character without having a struggle. I like that I can feel what they feel.
Again, thank you.
Sharon Hamilton
January 11, 2013 at 6:39 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Melissa, hope we can get you reading Military Romance again. There are some great authors out there. Enjoy your Endeavor.
Cathy P
January 11, 2013 at 3:10 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Hi, Sharon! I enjoy reading military romance. I just love those brave, strong, compassionate, caring military heroes. I had never heard about the knives either. Thanks for sharing and your giveaway!
kscathy AT yahoo DOT com
Sharon Hamilton
January 11, 2013 at 6:41 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Cathy,
Yes, I love that about the military heroes too. I hope you enjoy my SEALs.
Susan T.
January 11, 2013 at 5:58 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I love military romances. I agreed with your hero’s qualities. Looking forward to reading your books. Thanks.
kidsue99@yahoo.com
Cynthia (aka Artemis)
January 11, 2013 at 6:52 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Yes, I do read military romance. What I’m looking for is a good alpha hero with integrity, honesty, and honor. The branch of military doesn’t matter, as long as the author gets her (or his) facts straight. I am a veteran, married to a veteran, and both of my SIL’s are veterans. I can get nit-picky about some of those little things. The heroine needs to be a strong one. You can never have a dull as dirt heroine matched-up with a hulking SEAL, Ranger, Special Ops, etc.
cindersmaria AT gmail DOT com
erinf1
January 11, 2013 at 11:49 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Thanks for the great post and congrats to Sharon on the new release! I love military suspense and romance. The heightened tension and danger makes the romance that much more poignant and powerful.
bn100
January 12, 2013 at 12:44 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Yes, I do. I like strong and smart characters.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Veronica
January 12, 2013 at 3:05 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I haven`t read a lot. But in real life a man in uniform will do strange things to me lol
For me it has to be the connection between the two characters. They have to find eachother irresistible
Linda
January 12, 2013 at 8:33 AM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I love reading military heroes, =) they´re Alpha and i´m a sucker for an Alpha Hero *rawr*
Happy Saturday!
//Linda
fr_larsson at hotmail dot com
Pearls
January 12, 2013 at 2:21 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Just reading about the knives gave me chills. I can’t wait to see how else these alpha men will affect me {thud}.
Pearls
January 12, 2013 at 2:24 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Me again. I was so flustered, I forgot to leave my email. Lauraleetm@gmail.com
Emily
January 12, 2013 at 4:45 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Yes, I do read military romances. I like strong, alpha males, especially when they love each other, though I’m not adverse to strong heroines.
tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
Emily recently posted..Santa’s Slay Review
Allyson Brann
January 12, 2013 at 4:45 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I love military romance novels:) Most I have read have been fully of yummy alphas! What’s not to love! Your book sounds great and I can’t wait to read them! Have a good weekend!
allysonbrann06@yahoo.com
anna
January 12, 2013 at 8:26 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
Oh wow what a emotional thing that must be. I had no idea about the knives.
I love a good military romance with a strong hero that’s battling something in his past and may be hard on the outside but is a bit soft deep down. They always pull at my heart. And I do love the closeness with their teams when that’s worked into the storyline.
Thanks ladies!
acade29@gmail.com
Karen H in NC
January 13, 2013 at 12:39 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I haven’t read military themed books because, like others, I thought they would contain war scenes….guess I’ve been wrong about that. More romancing than fighting! I can live with that.
Anne C
January 14, 2013 at 7:09 PM (UTC -3) Link to this comment
I haven’t tried reading a military romance yet. Now is a good time to do that!
anne.j2 (at) gmail.com
Anne C recently posted..A Few Middle Grade Books