Harlequin Special Edition
Featuring: Major Forrest Traub; Angie Anderson
224 pages ISBN: 0373657048 EAN: 9780373657049 Kindle: B008X4BK9U Paperback / e-Book Add to Wish List
This romance novel has some pretty serious material as the
central theme. Returning vets have issues returning to
civilization and fitting into the communities they left
behind while doing sometimes multiple tours of duty abroad.
There's no denying these returning soldiers have witnessed
very violent actions. And their issues can be physical,
emotional or both. Easing back to their old lives is
complicated and some just can't handle facing the familiar.
It is sometimes easier to just start a new life. Leanne
Banks handles these issues with respect and dignity and at
the same times doesn't diminish the strength of these men
and women. Combining the search for survival skills for
returning vets with families and kids learning to cope with
family problems of various natures is just brilliant.
Forrest was seriously injured during his second tour in
Iraq. His leg is badly injured and he faced more surgeries
to hopefully get it close to normal so he could stop
feeling like a very old man. At the same time he is
learning to cope with nightmares that hopefully would
lessen in frequency and strength with time. He needs
therapy on both levels to achieve what will pass as his
new normal.
Angie keeps her schedule pretty jam packed with work,
schools and various volunteer jobs. Those activities keep
her from feeling alone when returning home at the end of
the day to an empty house. Both her siblings are now
married and as excited as she is for their happiness she
can't help but feel alone. She has boundless energy
so why shouldn't she put that to good use. It is better
then moping around feeling sorry for herself.
Thunder Canyon seems the ideal place for Forrest to try to
find his new norm. No one knows him from before his military
days and there will be less looks of pity. He immediately
catches Angie's attention and is summarily sought out as a
valuable resource for her ROOTS group that targets
troubled teens. He is not only reluctant to work with her
programs but spending any length of time with her is going
to test
his resolve to keep her at arm's length.
Angie has other ideas. Her immediate attraction to this
amazing man surprises her. Forrest has other ideas. He is
too old for this vibrant lovely young lady. Sure he is
attracted and if honest with himself flattered. But this
can and will go nowhere if he sets his mind to it. But it
isn't his mind that is in play here. Angie is good for
him and she is doing her best to let him know how good he
is for her as well. Together they can accomplish so much
for the teens in their community and at the same time
perhaps provide some happiness for each other. They are a
good team. Now maybe they will realize how good a couple
they are too.
Good strong characters and storyline bring A MAVERICK FOR
THE HOLIDAY so
much substance. Learning to lean on others for support
while getting your sea legs back is a valuable lesson
indeed and love can make that transition so much easier.
All you have to do is open the door and let it in. Leanne
Banks gets to the heart of the matter in this lovely
heartwarming story about not just learning to survive but
learning how to live again and it is done with grace and
class.
Thunder Canyon Nugget
A Season of Thanks and Giving
Next time you pass Major Forrest Traub on the street, make
sure you give him a real Thunder Canyon-style welcome! The
handsome soldier hasn't smiled much since moving here from
Rust Creek Falls, but this hasn't deterred our favorite
do-gooder, Angie Anderson. Angie's convinced she's met the
man she's going to marry.
Forrest sees Angie as a rosy-eyed optimist, too young and
innocent for a man who's lived through Iraq. Yet her
irresistible warmth may actually be thawing his hardened
heart. Suddenly she's got him volunteering with teens,
arranging holiday events, even—gasp—smiling. Can Angie's
unwavering faith rescue Forrest from himself? Give thanks,
loyal readers, for your many blessings—and hope that Angie
and Forrest can find theirs!