An Everyday Hero by Laura Trentham certainly wins my vote as a reader who loves a deeply satisfying story of redemption, second chances and sheer gutAn Everyday Hero by Laura Trentham certainly wins my vote as a reader who loves a deeply satisfying story of redemption, second chances and sheer gutsiness.
Greer has returned home after years of just plodding along in the music industry to find her boyfriend cheating on her. After a bout of drunkenness and disorder she is sentenced to helping at a music center for veterans and her families.
One of the people she is assigned is Ally, a really anti, sullen teen, who has lost her father in war. Everyone else has given up on Ally, but Greer with her quick comebacks and understanding born of years of hard graft, begins to make a chink in her armour. 4.5 stars Veteran Emmett Lawson has holed himself up in a cabin, shooting at anyone who visits. His worried parents have appealed to the music center for help. Greer is sent out and in spite of receiving the shooting treatment manages to get a foot on the step, eventually.
For all the characters its not an easy journey. They all have issues and deep seated pain and heart break. But when it comes down to it, they hang in there, and manage to eventually come through the chaos of their lives.
The story highlights the difficulties faced by war veterans and their families. It also says it's important to hang in there with them and not be put off by early rebuffs. Love, family and friendship along with challenge and tough love can win through....more
Right from the first page I was hooked into this story that explores military life from so many different viewpoints. Firstly the men themselves, thenRight from the first page I was hooked into this story that explores military life from so many different viewpoints. Firstly the men themselves, then the women who love them and the children in the family. Military men are tough but they are also human, Laura Trentham explores PTSD, grief and loss, women who worry about their men and children who have either lost a parent to war or must tiptoe around because their dad just isn't who he once was.
Harper Wilcox is a wonderful Mom to Ben. She has been through the mill - losing her husband Noah in a military mission. Fortunately she has the support of her mother and a delightful Ben. She wants more though about how Noah died beyond the terse military report. She believes Bennett who was on that mission may hold some answers.
Allison is Harper's friend, she has three children and a husband who since returning from active duty has been morose and the family have had to tiptoe around him.
I liked the way the story unfolded, the characters were ones I could take into my mind and heart. The story moved along at a good pace and I think gave me a good insight into the challenges, struggles and losses of those involved in military service. While I smiled from time to time, I also teared up. So an emotional read!
Such a mixture of loss, guilt, anger, despair coupled with love, strength, support, new hope and second chances. I will most certainly look for the next book in The Heart of a Hero series....more
I thoroughly enjoyed this military like romantic suspense novel - The Woman Left Behind by Linda Howard. It was pure escapist reading, that kept me upI thoroughly enjoyed this military like romantic suspense novel - The Woman Left Behind by Linda Howard. It was pure escapist reading, that kept me up reading two nights in a row.
Jina or "Babe" as her team name her to her disgust, is a gritty, sassy and very able young woman who just cannot quit. Her brothers have given her the basis for that and now when she finds herself thrown into a entirely new and different experience, she does not give up.
The team is a little like a Seal team, they train hard and they go on missions that involve stealth and secrecy. They might be government approved but they are not 'official'. The team is led by Levi or Ace as he is known to his team, on the first day that Jina turns up for training with a new group, they draw her out and make sure they train her. Its gruelling stuff, not for the fainthearted. However Jina is not one to take any nonsense and she has a mouth on her and the ability to stand up to them. And very soon bonds are formed and they are moving towards trust. I loved the whole team aspect and the guys on the team. The training period takes up a good deal of the story, and I liked that - all the challenges and the final one of parachuting which Gina finds really difficult.
Then they are out on missions and Gina is out with them, its her job to operate a drone that surveys the field while the team carry out there task - which usually involves weapons. And then one time things go really wrong and Gina is left on her own and lets just say it rocks her world.
A romance is obviously brewing - Gina and Levi are attracted to one another, but because they work on a team together they can't let it go any further. Watching the two sidestep each other was very entertaining - right through to the final resolution.
Action, romance, a little suspense and team comradeship. Now and then its just the kind of read I find perfect....more
No better writer of military romance than Jessica Scott. This one the story of a guy returning to the US and reacquainting himself with the wife and dNo better writer of military romance than Jessica Scott. This one the story of a guy returning to the US and reacquainting himself with the wife and daughter he left behind. It is a story of second chances, the tough and delicate issues of parenting. And it leaves you in no doubt about the cost of war, to both soldiers and family. Looking forward to the next one....more
No one writes a military romance like Jessica Scott. She writes the best. This one deals with the horrible aftermath that military people and their faNo one writes a military romance like Jessica Scott. She writes the best. This one deals with the horrible aftermath that military people and their families face of the consequences of the war experience. It also shows the courage involved....more
It's Always Been You is #5 in the Coming Home series by Jessica Scott. I have read these in rather quick succession, and as I picked up this one, I woIt's Always Been You is #5 in the Coming Home series by Jessica Scott. I have read these in rather quick succession, and as I picked up this one, I wondered had I read myself out of these books. However I was rapidly engaged by the story involving Ben Teague and Olivia Hale.
There is plenty of sizzle and passion between Olivia and Ben - great love story, and I enjoyed that very much. Another excellent story in the Coming Home series. ...more
Another excellent book in this series. Jessica Scott has a gift for storytelling and exploring the issues that are particular to the military but are Another excellent book in this series. Jessica Scott has a gift for storytelling and exploring the issues that are particular to the military but are still universal in their application to everyone's lives.
Great story, wonderful characters and a very difficult issue of suicide and addiction. ...more
Okay, it was short and wonderful. Vic is such a great character, in spite of all his joking around, he is a very caring character. He thoroughly deserOkay, it was short and wonderful. Vic is such a great character, in spite of all his joking around, he is a very caring character. He thoroughly deserves the wife he has. Jessica Scott did a great job with this novella. Loved seeing events from previous books seen through Vic Carponti and Nicole's eyes....more
I liked the way the author showed the good, the bad and the ugly side of the army as an institution. I liked the way modern medicine and the role of mI liked the way the author showed the good, the bad and the ugly side of the army as an institution. I liked the way modern medicine and the role of mental health workers was portrayed. Most of all I liked the way Jessica Scott showed me the deep well of courage that returning soldiers must dig into to gather up the pieces of their lives. I appreciated the way she portrayed their wives and families....more
Another interesting book in this series about women who have lost their husbands in war. I really like the way Therese hangs in there with her two steAnother interesting book in this series about women who have lost their husbands in war. I really like the way Therese hangs in there with her two step children and understands what they are experiencing, inspite of their not so friendly behaviour....more
Very pleased I took note of some of the reviews of other readers and read this book. Short book but very readable. Great characters, great plot. JessiVery pleased I took note of some of the reviews of other readers and read this book. Short book but very readable. Great characters, great plot. Jessica Scott my first new to me author of 2014 that I will want to read more from....more
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