Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is here!

Buy Whiskey Tango Foxtrot HERE
Joe Cooper is a hero and active duty Marine sent to Mike’s Place to complete his recovery from injuries sustained during a firefight. His one-in-a-million injury includes a bullet to the back that cracked a bone in his spine, but left the nerves intact. His right leg was shattered in two places. Extensive reconstructive surgery and weeks trapped in a wheelchair haven’t dampened this wounded warrior’s pride or his devotion to duty—but they have left him needing to be needed because he is not an idle man, his waiting is very soon rewarded when recently widowed mom Melody Carter moves in next door.  Today, I wanted to share with you five reasons I love to write military heroes like Joe and all the Marines in my Always a Marine series.

They’re Heroes – This is the most obvious reason, but the men and women who serve in our armed forces choose to serve, sacrificing blood, sweat, tears for our country and knowing they could, at any time, give up their lives in our defense.  It’s not hard for these Marines to earn my respect, my sympathy, my empathy, and my desire to see them receive the happily ever after so many richly deserve.

They’re Human – In addition to recognizing their heroic service, it’s vital to remember that those who serve are human. They have flaws, fears, needs, and that makes them all the more real to me. I’ve known many people who served our country in peacetime and in war, I adore them all.

They Commit – Marines sign contracts for terms anywhere from four to eight years. Many recommit when they’re contracts are up. They are the first ones in to regions of conflict and some of the last ones out. They go through intensive training to become Marines and once they are, they always are. I’ve met Marines in their 70s who are as absolute in their commitments and dedication as they were when they were on active duty. They don’t give up and they know how to get the job done.

Reliable in a Crisis – Marines undergo rigorous training to handle dangerous situations, that same training is designed to help them keep their heads when the shooting starts. They contain their fear and act, not react. They improvise and they get the job done. These are the men and women you want at your back in war and at home.

Courage – The definition of courage is mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear or difficulty. These are men and women who run toward danger and bodily put themselves in harm’s way to defend everyone else. What’s not to love?

In Whiskey Tango Foxtrot we meet Captain Joe Anderson, a man who put himself in harm’s way and is working on his recovery. His need to help the widow of an abusive Marine becomes more than a mission—and this was a painful story for me to right, one that made me deeply sad and yet gave me such hope as they two souls struggle to overcome, connect and find love in the process.


Blurb:

Have you ever woken up every day afraid of everything?
For single mom and widow Melody Carter, six months passed since an IED ripped her life apart. Everyone is sympathetic and offers platitudes of comfort and support. Everyone thinks they know why she's grieving but Melody isn't mourning her broken heart. She's ashamed to be grateful her abusive husband won't hurt her anymore and scared for her child. Born with a mild heart defect, her daughter needs lifesaving surgery and with her funds tight and her emotional scars tighter, she’s running out of options. When she receives an offer for assistance from Mike's Place, can Melody put her faith in the men her husband called friend?

Have you ever woken up, day after day, to discover your body's betrayal?
Marine Captain, Joe Anderson Cooper, received the Silver Star for Valor when he led his unit through heavy fire to rescue fellow Marines. Despite numerous injuries, the Captain refused medical aid, insisting that the medics attend others. A broken back and shattered bones put Captain Cooper in a wheelchair and every day is a battle to keep his recovery on track and his sanity intact. When a single mom moves in to the apartment next door to his and he recognizes a kindred—damaged—soul, can he overcome her fear and be the man she's always needed?

 Can these two lonely souls rise to the challenge or will their scars trap them forever?


Excerpt:
   Letting herself out of the apartment, she locked up and turned to find her neighbor locking his door. He caught sight of her and smiled. “Good morning.” His deep baritone hummed over her senses. She appreciated the low voiced greeting.
   “Good morning.” She wanted to say something more, but her brain locked up around the words. He eased his wheelchair back until nearly off the sidewalk and motioned for her to precede him. Biting her lip, she found another smile for him. “Thank you.” Her heartbeat accelerated and sweat cooled her spine. She didn't hug the wall, but she couldn't help widening the distance between them.
   The wheels made the faintest squeaking noise after she passed, and she glanced back to see him following her down the path toward the parking lot. Maybe she should have offered to push. He wore an olive green t-shirt and a matching pair of slacks, though they were cut up the side of the large cast encasing his right leg from mid-thigh to his toes.
   He—Joe, he said his name was Joe—met her gaze and gave her another easy smile. His eyes crinkled at the corners and the dimple in his cheek deepened. The sidewalk widened and she slowed to let him catch up.
   “I'm sorry. I'm not the best company this morning.”
   “No worries, ma'am. Little ones take a lot out of a body.” The buttery softness of his voice washed over her like a soothing balm—like the night before when he knocked on her door and introduced himself. He scared the hell out of her, but not in the same breath.
   I must be tired. I have no idea what I'm feeling from one moment to the next. As if summoned by her thought, fatigue wavered through her and she stumbled. The diaper bag swung down her arm. She couldn't catch it and hold the baby at the same time. Joe stopped the bag's arc, and gave her a chance to catch her balance.
   “May I?” He offered, still holding the bag.
   May he what…? He wanted to carry the bag for her and she winced. It was heavy and he…
   “I have plenty of room and then you don't have to worry about it taking you off balance again.” The sound logic quashed her natural objections. She shifted Libby carefully and let the strap fall off her arm. Her internal alarms sounded. Giving him the bag didn't give him some kind of power over her, but her gut tightened at the surrender of her possession.
   He settled the bag against his lap and nodded encouragingly. “Just point me to your car…”
   “Oh, I don't drive. Well, I do but I'm not driving here. I'm actually just staying here for a few weeks and I'm waiting for the shuttle.” She tacked the last on with a grimace. “And apparently I'm as muddleheaded for real as I feel. Sorry. Thank you. The shuttle is scheduled to pick us up here in about…” She couldn't look at her watch.
   “Two minutes.” The captain supplied. “I'm waiting for the same shuttle.” His warm brown gaze turned studious. “Are you okay?”

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2 comments:

Unknown said...

This series is awesome! Keep them coming!

Barbara Elsborg said...

Sounds fascinating!! And you're right - these guys are heroes. They don't even have to be injured to be a hero. They just are.