Tomorrow, September 21, is the one year anniversary of my first release, Heart of a Soldier.
My super talented daughter, Cat Hoffa did the cover for me. It is not Computer Graphics, but an actual painting.
There is always something just a little special about your “first” anything. I was so thrilled and excited to see something I had written published!
Heart of a Soldier was inspired, in part, by my darling blog mate and BFF, Beverly Ovalle. Bev’s son Nick had joined the Marines, and one of our other friends, Alice’s son joined the Air Force. I could just imagine how terrified I would be if my son chose to join the service.
I guess God thought that was funny. Because he did join the service, the service of the Lord, and frankly I’m not sure if this doesn’t scare me more. He intends to mission, so he will be going into hostile situations without the benefit of a gun.
So, Heart of a Soldier was born.
Blurb:
Soldier Jameson Hunter faces the battle of his life: winning the heart of Charlotte Mackenzie, widowed mother of a young recruit.
Excerpt:
What she wasn’t prepared for was the man sitting behind the desk.
Oh, my. Shoulders a mile wide, dark hair, with just a touch of gray at the temples, sunbronzed skin over sharp features and eyes so green they practically glowed in his handsome face.
Rising to his feet, the personification of Ares extended his hand.
“Warrant Officer Jamison Hunter.” When he spoke, the deep baritone of his voice sent tiny shivers down Charlie’s spine. What the hell was this? This was definitely not the time or place for her long dormant libido to decide to wake up. Pull yourself together girl! This is the man that wants to take Evan away. Remember, he is the enemy.
“Charlotte Mackenzie, Charlie. And I believe you know my son Evan.”
“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am. Please have a seat.”
Okay, Charlie, you can do this, all you have to do is convince a career military man that your son shouldn’t join the army. That shouldn’t be too hard, right?
* * *
An hour later Charlie’s mind spun with information overload. But, one thing was certain, she had a lot to think about. CWO Hunter seemed to sense Charlie’s trepidation.
“Evan, would you mind letting me speak to your mother a moment in private?” Jameson asked.
“Yes, Sir.” Turning to his mother Evan said, “I’ll wait for you in the car.”
Charlie wanted to refuse. She had enough to think about already and she didn’t need the added distraction of CWO Hunter interfering with her thought processes. But, one look at the excitement and anticipation on her son’s face and she nodded her agreement.
Jameson Hunter stared at the beautiful woman in front of him. A compact bundle of curves, with glistening red hair that brushed against her chin in a subtle sway and eyes as blue as the Caribbean, Charlie was everything that revved his engine in a woman. He knew she had concerns about Evan joining the army, but at the moment all he could think about was the woman, not her son. Keep it in your pants boy, he scolded himself. Maybe he could kill two birds with one stone and make a date with the delectable Charlie. Then he would have the chance to get to know her better and help allay her concerns about the army. Yeah, that could work. “Charlie, I know you have concerns about Evan signing up. Would you like to go out to dinner with me and we could discuss this in a more informal situation?”
Charlie stared at his face, was he asking her on a date or was this business? Charlie really didn’t know what to think. While Jameson Hunter was an attractive man, Charlie hadn’t been on a date in…well, truthfully since she was dating Phillip in high school. Charlie surveyed Jameson’s face, trying to read his expression. He was smiling, causing the skin beside his eyes to crinkle, eyes that held a slightly wicked gleam. It had been a while, but Charlie was pretty sure she could still read the signals and the signals she was receiving from CWO Jameson Hunter were shouting, “Hey baby, I wanna see you naked,” or maybe that was her and she was reading her own desires in his eyes. Charlie hesitated. But, her concern for Evan was genuine and she really did want to discuss it, so she acquiesced.
“I would like that,” Charlie replied.
What’s a Birthday party without presents? So… who would like to win a copy of Heart of a Soldier? In the comments below tell me What you love about military heroes. The more comments the more winners there will be… say one e-book for every ten comments.
SSLYblog 
Okay i WANT to win this!!! I will share begrudgingly your post!
Thank you sweetie!
I (at the age of 43) fell in love with and married a Msgt. in the Air Force a few years ago. At first it was of coarse the clean cut look and how sexy he looked in his uniform that caught my attention but it was his wonderfully unique personality, his honesty and the hot sex that hooked me for life!!
I absolutely love your cover by the way.
Thank you and congratulations!
I was married to a “boy” – he wasn’t a man when he left – he was only 20 years old and he got on an aircraft carrier – the Forrestal – and headed to the Mediterranean to take part in strikes over Libya and Turkey. I never knew what it meant to be in the military. Sure, my aunt was in the Air Force, but she was an officer and nurse – she was never in combat. My father served in the Korean War, also in the Air Force, but again, did not see combat. All I knew was that my husband, my Thommy, my love, was half way across the world fighting a battle that made not sense to me. Why wasn’t he home, holding me in his arms, whispering “I love you” in my ear, tickling me and making me giggle? Who were these monsters that took him away from me? When he came home on leave, I threw myself into his arms, and he held me so tight, but I knew right away he wasn’t the same person who left. He was now a man – he had seen things he never could tell me about; he had been to places no one should have to go; he had changed. He still loved me – so, so much – but it was different now. It wasn’t the pure, unadulterated love we had when he left. It was hardened somehow – grown into something I wasn’t prepared for. He held me tight; he whispered in my ear “I love you”, but it would never be the same again. I wept – for his lost innocence, for the horrors he endured, and for us – we would never be as we used to be.
Thank you for sharing your touching story. I think many military wives feel that same way.
You’re very welcome. 🙂
Congratulations Tamara 🙂
Fantastic!!! Love ya girl!!! You ROCK!
Happy Birthday to Heart of a Soldier! What can I say about a military hero? Besides brawny and brave, they can be bent but not broken. Of all the heroes penned, whether comic book, non fiction or romance novel, the military man will find that last ounce of courage and strength he keeps stored away for the pinnacle moment when all seems lost, and without doubt or concern for failure, seize the day. He’ll do it for country, for love, or sometimes just because he knows he must. Doubt there’s a woman alive whose feet don’t tingle when the soul searching gaze of a man in uniform stares at her from beneath the rim of his cap. A warrior doesn’t always need weapons to catch his target, especially if it’s the heart of the woman he loves! Lots of love FGM.