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?”
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don’t miss these upcoming titles in the Always a Marine series:
