Where to Start: The Recommended Reading Path
If you are jumping into Susan Stoker's high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled world of military romance, the best place to start is at the very beginning with the original SEAL of Protection series. While each book is written as a standalone romance with a resolved happy-ending and no cliffhangers, the characters are deeply interconnected. Characters introduced in one book frequently appear as supporting cast in subsequent stories, and their shared history builds a rich, evolving backdrop. Reading them in order ensures you won't spoil major life events or relationship developments for the other members of the team.
We recommend starting with the book that launched Susan Stoker's self-publishing career, Protecting Caroline, and following the team in their original run before moving on to the spin-off series, SEAL of Protection: Legacy and SEAL of Protection: Alliance.
1. The Original SEAL of Protection Series in Order
Set primarily around the naval bases of San Diego, California, the original series follows a close-knit Navy SEAL team and the strong, resilient women who capture their hearts. The series blends pulse-racing suspense, military rescues, and deep emotional bonds.
- Protecting Caroline (Book 1) (2014) – Follows Matthew 'Wolf' Steel and Caroline. A chance meeting on a plane turns into a high-stakes hijacking rescue, setting the template for the series.
- Protecting Alabama (Book 2) (2014) – Features Abe 'Alabama' Powers and Alabama. Abe rescues a young woman dealing with deep scars from her past.
- Protecting Fiona (Book 3) (2014) – Features Hunter 'Cookie' Fletcher and Fiona, a woman fighting her own battles after being rescued from a kidnapping.
- Marrying Caroline (Book 3.5) (2015) – A sweet novella focusing on Wolf and Caroline's wedding, proving that even their path to the altar is filled with action.
- Protecting Summer (Book 4) (2015) – Features Sam 'Koala' Rowlins and Summer, a woman targeted after witnessing a crime.
- Protecting Cheyenne (Book 5) (2015) – Features Faulkner 'Loch' Hamilton and Cheyenne, a woman dealing with a dangerous stalker.
- Protecting Jessyka (Book 6) (2015) – Features Mozart and Jessyka. A high-stakes mission leads to a romance forged in danger.
- Protecting Julie (Book 6.5) (2015) – A novella focusing on Roarke 'Woody' Teague and Julie.
- Protecting Melody (Book 7) (2015) – Features John 'Tex' Keegan and Melody. Tex must step up when Melody becomes the target of a threat.
- Protecting the Future (Book 8) (2016) – A team-centric novel where Wolf and his fellow SEALs embark on a treacherous mission to rescue Sergeant Penelope Turner from ISIS.
- Protecting Alabama's Kids (Book 8.5) (2016) – A novella focusing on Abe, Alabama, and their growing family.
- Protecting Kiera (Book 9) (2018) – Features Cooper 'Coop' Nelson and Kiera Hamilton. Coop, a former SEAL adjusting to hearing loss, finds new purpose volunteering at a school for the deaf.
- Protecting Dakota (Book 10) (2017) – Features Slade 'Cutter' Cutsinger and Dakota James. Cutter is a 'Sleeper SEAL' protecting Dakota from a terrorist threat. (Note: While published in 2017, this is chronologically read after the 2016 books).
- Protecting Tex (Book 11) (2025) – A special bonus book featuring John 'Tex' Keegan. Years after his own story, Tex gets kidnapped in broad daylight, prompting an epic reunion of his SEAL team and friends to save him.
2. SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series Order
Once you finish the main series, transition directly into the SEAL of Protection: Legacy spin-off. This series shifts the spotlight to a new generation of operatives and team members (such as Rocco, Gumby, Bubba, and Phantom) working in the same universe. Like the parent series, these are standalone romantic suspense novels with deep character overlaps.
- Securing Caite (Book 1) (2019)
- Securing Brenae (Book 2) (2019)
- Securing Sidney (Book 3) (2019)
- Securing Piper (Book 4) (2019)
- Securing Zoey (Book 5) (2020)
- Securing Avery (Book 6) (2020)
- Securing Kalee (Book 7) (2020)
- Securing Jane (Book 8) (2021)
3. SEAL of Protection: Alliance Series Order
The latest expansion of the universe is the SEAL of Protection: Alliance series. This spin-off maintains the signature balance of military action, vulnerable alpha heroes, and capable heroines.
- Protecting Remi (Book 1) (2024)
- Protecting Wren (Book 2) (2024)
- Protecting Addison (Book 3) (2024)
- Protecting Josie (Book 4) (2025)
- Protecting Maggie (Book 5) (2025)
- Protecting Kelli (Book 6) (2025)
- Protecting Bree (Book 7) (2025)
Understanding Chronological Caveats and Crossovers
While the internal reading order of individual series is straightforward, Susan Stoker's broader 'Stoker Universe' is highly interconnected. Many characters from SEAL of Protection cross over into her other major romantic suspense series, including Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes and the Delta Force Heroes series.
For the absolute best reader experience, reading all of Stoker's series in order of their publication is highly recommended. It allows you to encounter guest appearances, references to previous operations, and character cameos exactly as they were written. If you prefer to focus solely on the Navy SEALs, sticking to the SEAL of Protection, Legacy, and Alliance lists in sequence will keep you perfectly on track.
What to Know Before You Start
Susan Stoker's writing style is heavily inspired by her real-life marriage to a retired Army veteran. Her portrayal of the military lifestyle, naval base backdrops, and the emotional realities of post-service life is grounded in personal experience. Stoker's hallmark is her ability to craft protective, alpha heroes who are emotionally open and vulnerable, alongside relatable heroines who are survivors of trauma or difficult pasts. Expect a fast-paced mixture of action, steamy romance, and found-family themes.