A SEAL Always Wins

Castillo’s second Texas Navy SEALs novel (after A Seal Never Quits) delivers a passionate but predictable adventure. The Bent Horseshoe Ranch serves as the cover for an international security operation run by the Navy SEALS. To keep up appearances, Enrique “Phantom” Ramirez needs to enter the ranch’s horses in local shows; to do that, he’ll have to win back Elena Garcia, the talented trainer he fired when the SEALs took over the ranch, to get the horses ready. Elena is eager to return to the Bent Horseshoe and enticed by the sexy, mysterious Phantom. Phantom is equally enamored with Elena, but knows he can’t risk revealing the truth about his identity. When the human traffickers the SEALs have been working to stop target Elena, Phantom must use all his training to save both the mission and the woman he loves. Castillo’s premise remains strong, but the instant love between the romantic leads is unbelievable and underdeveloped, and the plot offers few surprises. This by-the-numbers sequel fails to live up to expectations set by the series debut. (Mar.)