Maple Springs is the town and the series title in this
story set in Michigan. In spring a young man's fancy turns
to thoughts of love, but never more so than on Valentine's
Day. Let's see what lies in store for A SOLDIER'S
VALENTINE.
Zach Zelinsky has come home and opened a glass studio. Not
what you'd expect of a former soldier, but it shows you
mustn't make assumptions. Ginger Carleton tries not to be
intimidated by the man; he's her new landlord, and he's just
raised the rent on her café, next door to his studio. At
the start of the year, her customers are down, and she
doesn't have time for dating the guys in town who'd like to
get to know her better. Not one for romantic daydreams, she
nevertheless goes along with the chamber of commerce idea
to hold a Valentine's store window contest. If she wins,
her advertising for a whole year will be free.
The thorny issue of Zach being Ginger's landlord of course
means any relationship beyond friendship is out of the
question, and even that doesn't happen easily. They're just
busy, and Zach who seems to me a nice guy keeps a mental
distance from others. He's still working through some bad
experiences from his service, not to mention he doesn't
really feel part of town life.
I found the glass blowing and firing fascinating, with some
inevitable glass cuts it must be said. The ideas Ginger
comes up with for window decorations are enjoyable as she
tries not to do anything hackneyed. Winter weather is still
with them and snow and ice have to be coped with,
attractive but dangerous too. Zach tries to go to church
but finds his traumas emerge too easily in this
environment; regaining his full strength will take some
time. He left the Army as a captain, but this disappoints
his father who retired as a lieutenant colonel. There is no
pleasing everyone. Still, his dad seems reasonable about
it, and Ginger's coming in with the rent. Maybe he really
is allowed to get on with the rest of his life.
Jenna Mindel has written a really unusual book for
Valentine's Day; not too intense a romance but quite
realistic and convincing. Her high-heeled heroine is
determined to be strong and independent - A SOLDIER'S
VALENTINE indeed. Romance fans will enjoy this tale which
is suitable for any age.
Retired army
captain Zach Zelinsky is determined to put his harrowing
past behind him and start a quiet life selling his artwork.
But the storefront building he buys comes with a tenant—a
too-pretty tea shop owner who doesn't give him a moment's
rest. Ginger Carleton is rallying the merchants of Maple
Springs, Michigan, for a Valentine's Day window-decorating
contest. And she's on a mission to convince Zach to lose
the
gruff exterior and open up to her. As February 14
approaches, the wounded warrior may just find that Ginger
is
offering exactly what he's been missing: love.
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