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One-Eyed Jacks #2
The Way Home
A heartwarming Christmas story from the New York Times bestselling “true master of romantic suspense” (Romantic Times). Four years ago Jess Albert got the news that her husband Jeff was killed in action in Afghanistan, and a painful void entered her life. The more time passed, the more acutely she felt that emptiness. But when Tyler Brown, former military hero and all-around alpha male, shows up a year after she’d last seen him, Jess gradually begins to realize there is one thing that can make her feel whole again—love.
As they’re planning their wedding and new life together, Jess receives shocking news: her husband is alive, under the care of a young Afghani woman hiding him from the Taliban. Even as he sees their happily-ever-after slip away, Ty arranges for the One Eyed Jacks and Black Ops, Inc. teams to make a daring and dangerous rescue mission to bring Jeff home. The hardest thing Ty or Jess has ever done is to let the other go.
When Jeff returns to Jess, broken physically and emotionally and with no memory of their history, they try to heal their marriage and each other. But as time brings them together more as friends than lovers, an unexpected development helps them see the true way home, to the people they love.
As they’re planning their wedding and new life together, Jess receives shocking news: her husband is alive, under the care of a young Afghani woman hiding him from the Taliban. Even as he sees their happily-ever-after slip away, Ty arranges for the One Eyed Jacks and Black Ops, Inc. teams to make a daring and dangerous rescue mission to bring Jeff home. The hardest thing Ty or Jess has ever done is to let the other go.
When Jeff returns to Jess, broken physically and emotionally and with no memory of their history, they try to heal their marriage and each other. But as time brings them together more as friends than lovers, an unexpected development helps them see the true way home, to the people they love.
322 pages, Hardcover
First published October 29, 2013
62 people are currently reading
1596 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Gerard
156 books1,622 followersThe only thing Cindy had in mind when she started writing her first book was finishing it. The issue of actually selling it came much later. Only after she made that life-altering first sale did she realize that one book would never be enough. Now, over 20 books and numerous awards later, Cindy laughingly admits that she can barely remember life before...well, was there life before writing?
Actually, yes there was, and still is. A professional career woman, Cindy is a trainer for the Iowa Department of Human Services, a position she states is both challenging and rewarding. "Human Services is a front-line, real-life event. Everything about the job is immediate, from serving families in crisis, to assisting staff with difficult situations, to meeting tension-fraught deadlines."
Cindy's career has taught her much about the human condition, its frailties, its strengths, and its spirit. The evocative emotions that pour from the pages of her books are a reflection of some of her work experiences. Her writing celebrates life's richness and trials, offering a wide range of emotions — hope and elation, anger and indecision, laughter and, of course, love. And, according to her readers, her powerful love scenes run the gamut from steamy to tender to lusty to just plain fun.
Cindy's writing has netted her spots on bestseller lists, numerous RT nominations and awards, the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, a National Reader's Choice Award and two RITA nominations.
Between writing and working full time you wouldn't think Cindy would have much time for anything else. And while she does find her work and her writing rewarding, there does have to be more. Cindy has more. Much more. She is happily married to the perfect man. Tom's a cowboy, ladies!
Yes, even Iowa has its share of that saddle-straddling, Wrangler-wearing species who love their horses almost as much as they love their women. As a matter of fact, recently a whole herd of Texans gathered at the Gerard "Ranch" to treat their little ones to real horseback rides. Go figure.
Cindy has a passion for pink depression glass — she always has her eye out for the special piece to add to her collection. Cindy's down time often takes the form of the classic "busman's holiday." She loves to read and most of all, she loves to read at their summer place, a cabin in the woods on Lake Kabetogama in northern Minnesota.
Both Tom and Cindy enjoy gardening and have recently expanded their annual beds into a perennial garden. Cindy says she can hardly wait for spring and the promise of all that reawakening and the colorful blooms.
In addition to the horses, the Gerards have two dogs, Ellie and Boomer, who pretty much get anything they want. Tom and Cindy have one son, Kyle, who, after years of keeping them in suspense, found Eileen, the perfect woman.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/cindyg...
Actually, yes there was, and still is. A professional career woman, Cindy is a trainer for the Iowa Department of Human Services, a position she states is both challenging and rewarding. "Human Services is a front-line, real-life event. Everything about the job is immediate, from serving families in crisis, to assisting staff with difficult situations, to meeting tension-fraught deadlines."
Cindy's career has taught her much about the human condition, its frailties, its strengths, and its spirit. The evocative emotions that pour from the pages of her books are a reflection of some of her work experiences. Her writing celebrates life's richness and trials, offering a wide range of emotions — hope and elation, anger and indecision, laughter and, of course, love. And, according to her readers, her powerful love scenes run the gamut from steamy to tender to lusty to just plain fun.
Cindy's writing has netted her spots on bestseller lists, numerous RT nominations and awards, the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, a National Reader's Choice Award and two RITA nominations.
Between writing and working full time you wouldn't think Cindy would have much time for anything else. And while she does find her work and her writing rewarding, there does have to be more. Cindy has more. Much more. She is happily married to the perfect man. Tom's a cowboy, ladies!
Yes, even Iowa has its share of that saddle-straddling, Wrangler-wearing species who love their horses almost as much as they love their women. As a matter of fact, recently a whole herd of Texans gathered at the Gerard "Ranch" to treat their little ones to real horseback rides. Go figure.
Cindy has a passion for pink depression glass — she always has her eye out for the special piece to add to her collection. Cindy's down time often takes the form of the classic "busman's holiday." She loves to read and most of all, she loves to read at their summer place, a cabin in the woods on Lake Kabetogama in northern Minnesota.
Both Tom and Cindy enjoy gardening and have recently expanded their annual beds into a perennial garden. Cindy says she can hardly wait for spring and the promise of all that reawakening and the colorful blooms.
In addition to the horses, the Gerards have two dogs, Ellie and Boomer, who pretty much get anything they want. Tom and Cindy have one son, Kyle, who, after years of keeping them in suspense, found Eileen, the perfect woman.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/cindyg...
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September 17, 2013
4 stars.****Review completed September 17, 2013
Special Forces creed De Oppresso Liber (to free from oppression)
I'd like to think that many of you have read and loved Killing Time that featured the MCs Mike Brown and Eva Salinas. Mike's brother Tyler fills the hero's role in The Way Home. Eighteen months ago Tyler and Jess met for the first time in exceptional circumstances. Now Ty is back at Jess's store in Kabetogama to buy fishing equipment. Ty seems to be interested to reel in a very specific fish though. A fish with two legs and a nicely shaped body.
Lake Kabetogama
Since Jess got the message that her husband Jeff had been killed in action four years ago, she struggled with her life and wasn't really interested in the opposite gender. The prospect of falling in love again hadn't really occurred to her either. But that's about to change when Tyler Brown steps into her life. Her defense mechanisms don't impress Ty in the least and he is determined to convince her to give them a chance at love. The blurb reveals a lot already, so I'm going to stop here with my synopsis. In fact, I'm deliberately cautious with my review because it's not my intention to spoil it for you.
I struggled a bit with the heroine. To be honest, it was difficult to warm up to Jess due to her reserved and dismissive behavior that didn't really appeal to me. Although to be fair, I have to cut her some slack because she Besides, it's always the hero who makes a story for me. Also, in this case, Ty had plenty of support because the current BOI members as well as Mike's team made a substantial and very impressive appearance. Add in the presence of and I could be sure to get my fill of scrumptious alpha males. In fact, I almost ODed.
The Way Home provides two touching and heartwarming love stories, Gerard’s trademark wit and of course you’ll salivate over her heroes who are one-hundred-percent likable alphas, loyal and protective to boot. I love how they walk and talk and…er…do thesexy charming courting. I’m sure they could charm my panties off. Plus, Cindy’s stories are a boatload of fun because her characters make me smile and laugh on a regular basis. As always I loved the action which cranked up the entertainment value of the plot in a major way. Even in critical situations Nate’s Black Ops guys never lost their gallows humor and acted as a first-class stress reliever and made me a happy camper.
Some parts of the plot are rather emotional, so I'd like to encourage you to keep your tissues at the ready.
Quotes posted with the author's permission.
We all know that being a soldier in a war zone is a very dangerous task and takes its toll. Yet we shouldn’t forget it’s probably even harder on those left behind. The families. The not knowing where their loved ones have been deployed, but also living in constant fear and wondering if they will ever come back home is a huge burden and not easy to deal with. All those families deserve our utmost respect for being so supportive, understanding and patient and holding down the fort. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes. I bow to you all.
Thank you!
Finding your way home
You can count the steps. You can count the days. When everything is falling down and you think you can’t go on someone will call out to you and guide you home--out of the darkness and into the light. Sometimes things never turn out the way you expect and fate strikes in a way that makes everyone involved very happy.
Let love find you.
Guide Me Home by Sugarland. Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BFawf...
I know it's way too early to say it but…Merry Christmas!
Overall The Way Home is another engagingly penned military romantic suspense story by Cindy Gerard that focused (for once) more on the love stories. The release date is perfectly aligned with the content matter of the story and the well-timed HEA during a very reflective timeframe. I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series!
Recommended read.
Steam 2
All quotes are taken from the pre-published copy and may be altered or omitted in the final copy.
**ARC courtesy of Cindy Gerard in exchange for an honest review**
Special Forces creed De Oppresso Liber (to free from oppression)
I'd like to think that many of you have read and loved Killing Time that featured the MCs Mike Brown and Eva Salinas. Mike's brother Tyler fills the hero's role in The Way Home. Eighteen months ago Tyler and Jess met for the first time in exceptional circumstances. Now Ty is back at Jess's store in Kabetogama to buy fishing equipment. Ty seems to be interested to reel in a very specific fish though. A fish with two legs and a nicely shaped body.
She couldn't look at him because, for God's sake, live bait had not brought him back to Kabetogama. Neither had fishing, but she wasn't ready to process that yet. Head down, she started scooping up minnows.
"Couple dozen do you?"
"I don't know. WILL a couple dozen do me?"
Lake Kabetogama
Since Jess got the message that her husband Jeff had been killed in action four years ago, she struggled with her life and wasn't really interested in the opposite gender. The prospect of falling in love again hadn't really occurred to her either. But that's about to change when Tyler Brown steps into her life. Her defense mechanisms don't impress Ty in the least and he is determined to convince her to give them a chance at love. The blurb reveals a lot already, so I'm going to stop here with my synopsis. In fact, I'm deliberately cautious with my review because it's not my intention to spoil it for you.
I struggled a bit with the heroine. To be honest, it was difficult to warm up to Jess due to her reserved and dismissive behavior that didn't really appeal to me. Although to be fair, I have to cut her some slack because she Besides, it's always the hero who makes a story for me. Also, in this case, Ty had plenty of support because the current BOI members as well as Mike's team made a substantial and very impressive appearance. Add in the presence of and I could be sure to get my fill of scrumptious alpha males. In fact, I almost ODed.
"You're going to learn not to tease me, flyboy." She spun around and headed back to the store for his water. "There will be retaliation."
"If I said, 'Oh, goody,' would I lose my stud card?"
The Way Home provides two touching and heartwarming love stories, Gerard’s trademark wit and of course you’ll salivate over her heroes who are one-hundred-percent likable alphas, loyal and protective to boot. I love how they walk and talk and…er…do the
"Gentlemen." Reed snagged Ty's hand with a grin. "The conductor will be by soon to check your tickets."
Some parts of the plot are rather emotional, so I'd like to encourage you to keep your tissues at the ready.
For long, indulgent moments, he lost himself in the feel of her skin. In the tender kisses she pressed to his jaw. In the promise of her gentle hands that finally touched him as a lover.
Quotes posted with the author's permission.
We all know that being a soldier in a war zone is a very dangerous task and takes its toll. Yet we shouldn’t forget it’s probably even harder on those left behind. The families. The not knowing where their loved ones have been deployed, but also living in constant fear and wondering if they will ever come back home is a huge burden and not easy to deal with. All those families deserve our utmost respect for being so supportive, understanding and patient and holding down the fort. Honestly, I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes. I bow to you all.
Thank you!
Finding your way home
You can count the steps. You can count the days. When everything is falling down and you think you can’t go on someone will call out to you and guide you home--out of the darkness and into the light. Sometimes things never turn out the way you expect and fate strikes in a way that makes everyone involved very happy.
Let love find you.
Guide Me Home by Sugarland. Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BFawf...
I know it's way too early to say it but…Merry Christmas!
Overall The Way Home is another engagingly penned military romantic suspense story by Cindy Gerard that focused (for once) more on the love stories. The release date is perfectly aligned with the content matter of the story and the well-timed HEA during a very reflective timeframe. I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series!
Recommended read.
Steam 2
All quotes are taken from the pre-published copy and may be altered or omitted in the final copy.
**ARC courtesy of Cindy Gerard in exchange for an honest review**
March 25, 2015
I have to admit, I love Cindy Gerard books because of the suspense part. It's always amazing and intense to read, definitely my favorite part of the book :)
Here...
I read it for the romance <3
It was just wonderful <3
At some parts I actually wanted to skip the action just so I could see what happens with the characters after it <3
The story
Jess is a widow who can't seem to move on with her life.
Her husband was killed in action four years ago and she still can't get over it.
Then... She sees Ty again.
A man she met one year ago, a man she was waiting one year to contact her.
Now he's back, and he wants to see if there's a possibility of them being together.
On the other side of the world, her "late" husband is in hiding from the Taliban, suffering from physical injuries as well as the horrors of flashbacks of his torture.
Then... Word comes to America that he's still alive.
The action
The Black Ops and The One Eyed Jacks make an appearance here, for all the lovers of the series, you'll be happy to see them :))
BUT!
If you're looking for huge suspense, you won't find it here.
This book is more centered on romance, and honestly, I like it better because of it.
With how the stories were, lots and lots of action wouldn't fit here.
The action that was, was great! And I completely loved it :D
The romance
Jess and Ty were a lovely couple, I enjoyed every scene between them <3 He is funny and relaxed and just a normal guy with a hint of macho <3
Jess feels guilty because she wants to move on with Ty, and I liked how it was all done with them :)
I can't put any spoilers here but I just have to say that I'm very surprised, but in a good way with how the romance part of this book was made.
I actually liked something I thought I wouldn't, and now it's my favorite part of the story :)
Overall
Yep. That's me :)
This is a lovely winter story that will make you both happy and sad, but in a good way :)
For all romance lovers, try it, you won't be disappointed :)
*ARC received by the author in exchange for an honest review*
November 19, 2015
Romantic, passionate, and heartwarming!
The Way Home is the second book in Cindy Gerard's One-Eyed Jacks series, but don't let the cover fool you! Yeah, this is a romantic tale filled with the kind of joy the holidays deliver, but it's also one exciting, heartbreaking, uplifting, steamy, and hope inspiring love story.
The Story
Four years ago Jess got the news every Army wife dreads - her husband has been killed in action and won't be returning home to her. She had struggled with Jeff's Special Forces 'here today, gone tomorrow' assignments, and they'd even fought about it before his last deployment, but his death left a gaping, empty place inside her, one she tried to fill - or mask - by throwing herself into work. But Tyler Brown, ex-military hero and all around sexy, alpha male, has Jess realizing that maybe it's time to stop merely existing, and time to start living again. And maybe even love again. Wedding plans are set and these two wonderful people who have both known great loss are looking forward to a future filled with the kind of love they never thought they'd find again, when word comes down that Jeff's been found alive - though not necessarily well - and a team is being sent to Afghanistan to rescue him and bring him home.
My Thoughts
This type of storyline is tough to write and even tougher to write well, but Cindy Gerard has pulled it off with flying colors! I wasn't sure what to expect, but I should have known better than to doubt Ms. Gerard's ability to tell a story that would draw me in and touch me deeply.
Tyler Brown, younger brother to Killing Time's Mike Brown, is such an amazing guy. He's not your typical action romance novel hero, but he's a hero, nonetheless. Caring, compassionate, sexy-as-sin, and patient yet determined to get what he wants - he's got what it takes to get my *swoon-worthy* stamp of approval.
Jess turned out to be every bit as amazing as Ty. She's also compassionate and caring, but I respected her for her loyalty to Jeff and her honesty with Ty and Jeff, both. She's strong and independent, but she's got an ability to love and nurture that made me admire and care about her and her happiness.
I'll admit that the happily ever afters fell into place a bit quicker and more conveniently than is realistic or likely to happen, but as I said, this is one of those special love stories, the kind that we hope for, the kind that happens through the magic of Christmas.
My sincerest thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for providing me with a copy of this wonderful story!
November 4, 2013
Jess is a widow, living beside a lake and running a small general store.
She lives alone with her dog, Bear.
Jess and Tyler had met briefly the previous year when Tyler was on a mission with his brother in the area. He said he would get in touch again but he never did.
He appears one day at the lake and they make a connection. Jess is not sure if she is ready to move on to a “real” relationship after the death of her husband. But Tyler is persuasive.
The courtship is sweet and they fall in love.
A little later we find out that Jess’s husband is not actually dead but is alive and in hiding in Afghanistan.
His story and his relationship with Rabia, the woman who found him and is caring for him is heartbreaking.
It all came right in the end and we got our HEA. I really like this author’s work.
She lives alone with her dog, Bear.
Jess and Tyler had met briefly the previous year when Tyler was on a mission with his brother in the area. He said he would get in touch again but he never did.
He appears one day at the lake and they make a connection. Jess is not sure if she is ready to move on to a “real” relationship after the death of her husband. But Tyler is persuasive.
The courtship is sweet and they fall in love.
A little later we find out that Jess’s husband is not actually dead but is alive and in hiding in Afghanistan.
His story and his relationship with Rabia, the woman who found him and is caring for him is heartbreaking.
It all came right in the end and we got our HEA. I really like this author’s work.
November 14, 2013
Oh, you guys! I loved this book so much!!
This was basically two stories in one, built from four people who are connected by a thin line, an old love, and a recent tragedy.
Jess and Jeff were high school sweethearts, living in the small town they grew up in and making a happy life for themselves. When Jeff joined the army soon after their marriage, Jess thought she could handle being a military wife.
While the lonely days turned into months, she began to question Jeff's dedication to her. Would she always come second to his love for the Army? But when she gets the call that makes her a widow, she'd give anything to stay a simple army wife.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
JESS AND TY
Now, Jess is picking up the pieces of her broken life. Lonely is now her only companion, and she's trying to be okay with that. Until one night, she is caught up in a Special Ops fiasco (from the last book in Gerard's BOI series) and she feels a connection with yet another military man. When he shows up a year later, she can't deny the excitement she feels. And so they begin an easy, natural relationship; one built on attraction, respect, and an instant, deep and lasting love.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
JEFF AND RABIA
Jeff has been in constant agony since escaping from his Taliban captors. The woman who rescued him, Rabia, has gone from a reluctant nurse to a compassionate caregiver in the months that she and her father have given him refuge. Besides his grave physical injuries and amnesia, Jeff has no way to contact the American soldiers without alerting the enemy to Rabia's help. And as his health improves, he and the beautiful forbidden woman form a bond that started from necessity and turns into a passion that neither could have expected.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Needless to say, the dual love story poses a problem when the two world collide. A marriage is no easy thing to set aside, but that's the least of everyone's problems. The action in this book was so exciting and intense! And the boys from the BOI series all make a cameo appearance, which made my day, let me tell you!!! I was beyond excited.
The ending was pure magic. The way that this author feels about the American soldiers that protect our country and the sacrifices they make just shines through in her words and her story. The characters are fictional, but not the possibilities. And the way that Ty handles the news that his new love's husband is back fro the dead showed what a stand up guy he really was.
Simply put, this story spoke to me. It broke my heart and then put it back together. I was a bit unsure that the dual stories could both hold my interest but that was absolutely not the case. I was fully invested in both Jess and Ty AND Jeff and Rabia. Rooting for them both and yet still hoping for the best between the separated couple. A fabulous book right here...one that reminds me why I love military Romantic Suspense, and why Cindy Gerard is considered the tops!!
This was basically two stories in one, built from four people who are connected by a thin line, an old love, and a recent tragedy.
Jess and Jeff were high school sweethearts, living in the small town they grew up in and making a happy life for themselves. When Jeff joined the army soon after their marriage, Jess thought she could handle being a military wife.
"Always the fear that something would happen to him."
While the lonely days turned into months, she began to question Jeff's dedication to her. Would she always come second to his love for the Army? But when she gets the call that makes her a widow, she'd give anything to stay a simple army wife.
"Her heart felt as though it had started to bleed. For what he had endured. For what he had lost. War was loss on a grand scale. An abomination. Unending suffering. But one man's loss in the midst of war was larger than life itself."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
JESS AND TY
Now, Jess is picking up the pieces of her broken life. Lonely is now her only companion, and she's trying to be okay with that. Until one night, she is caught up in a Special Ops fiasco (from the last book in Gerard's BOI series) and she feels a connection with yet another military man. When he shows up a year later, she can't deny the excitement she feels. And so they begin an easy, natural relationship; one built on attraction, respect, and an instant, deep and lasting love.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
JEFF AND RABIA
Jeff has been in constant agony since escaping from his Taliban captors. The woman who rescued him, Rabia, has gone from a reluctant nurse to a compassionate caregiver in the months that she and her father have given him refuge. Besides his grave physical injuries and amnesia, Jeff has no way to contact the American soldiers without alerting the enemy to Rabia's help. And as his health improves, he and the beautiful forbidden woman form a bond that started from necessity and turns into a passion that neither could have expected.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Needless to say, the dual love story poses a problem when the two world collide. A marriage is no easy thing to set aside, but that's the least of everyone's problems. The action in this book was so exciting and intense! And the boys from the BOI series all make a cameo appearance, which made my day, let me tell you!!! I was beyond excited.
The ending was pure magic. The way that this author feels about the American soldiers that protect our country and the sacrifices they make just shines through in her words and her story. The characters are fictional, but not the possibilities. And the way that Ty handles the news that his new love's husband is back fro the dead showed what a stand up guy he really was.
"Ty's head hit his chest. He closed his eyes. He could not wish a man dead. Even if that mans existence could mean the end of the best thing that had ever happened to him.."
Simply put, this story spoke to me. It broke my heart and then put it back together. I was a bit unsure that the dual stories could both hold my interest but that was absolutely not the case. I was fully invested in both Jess and Ty AND Jeff and Rabia. Rooting for them both and yet still hoping for the best between the separated couple. A fabulous book right here...one that reminds me why I love military Romantic Suspense, and why Cindy Gerard is considered the tops!!
November 15, 2013
Opening Line: “It wasn’t the memory he would have chosen -not when he couldn’t remember his own name.”
I’m a big Cindy Gerard fan so of course I was more than a little excited to read this mash-up connecting her Black Op Inc and One Eyed Jacks characters. Yup, Merry Christmas to me!
Simply put CG is the master of romantic suspense. Her action scenes and exotic locations always drop you right into the thick of it. With proper military jargon and weapons lingo she doesn’t stray into OTT territory either. Gerard also excels at writing the tortured hero (I’ve lost track of how many literary boyfriends this woman has given me) yet still manages to provide comic relief with some serious male bonding and a bromance or two.
The Way Home was no different; it hit all my happy buttons even though I will admit to being slightly put off by the small-town-romancy feel we had going in the beginning. Jess and Tyler’s romance was just a little too sweet for me (although lots of people like those Virgin River-ey type reads) However when you pair that aspect up with the events taking place with her presumed dead husband in Afghanistan you’ve got something special.
I found these two divulging storylines very clever, because as the reader you’re watching Jess and Tyler fall in love, healing and learning to love again but you’ve also got the knowledge that Jess’s husband J.T is getting closer and closer to rescue. And with that the whole story flips and becomes more poignant, taking on a level of suspense and heartache, because you know that this just can’t end well for anyone.
I loved all of Jeff (J.T’s) scenes in Afghanistan, now this is the epitome in a tortured hero, (however more in the literal sense here.) His story is absolutely heartbreaking on so many levels and I give kudos to the amount of research that must have gone into not only head trauma and PTSD but the realistic view we also get of an Afghani woman’s life. Rabia was an excellent, well fleshed out heroine and I appreciated learning the little things about her life; regarding her religion, what she’s allowed to do (drive), say, how to dress as well as her fear of the Taliban and Americans. Her love scenes were written differently too, more respectful, fade to black. Very much in character.
Ultimately this book was everything I had hoped for; romantic, angst filled and passionate. I seriously didn’t know how CG was going to bring these two romances together and make them work. Oh and there’s also one hell of an action scene for the big extraction which goes from bad to worse to FUBAR and includes cameos from Mike and all the BOI’s (we even get a couple Reed-isms Yay!) Just a great read. Cheers
*My thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books, who provided a copy in exchange for an honest review.
393jb45
"Just as they’re planning their wedding and new life together, Jess receives shocking news: her husband is alive, and under the care of a young Afghani woman hiding him from the Taliban. Even as he sees their happily-ever-after slip away, Ty arranges for the One Eyed Jacks and Black Ops, Inc. teams to make a daring and dangerous rescue mission to bring Jeff home. The hardest thing Ty or Jess has ever done is to let the other go."
I’m a big Cindy Gerard fan so of course I was more than a little excited to read this mash-up connecting her Black Op Inc and One Eyed Jacks characters. Yup, Merry Christmas to me!
Simply put CG is the master of romantic suspense. Her action scenes and exotic locations always drop you right into the thick of it. With proper military jargon and weapons lingo she doesn’t stray into OTT territory either. Gerard also excels at writing the tortured hero (I’ve lost track of how many literary boyfriends this woman has given me) yet still manages to provide comic relief with some serious male bonding and a bromance or two.
The Way Home was no different; it hit all my happy buttons even though I will admit to being slightly put off by the small-town-romancy feel we had going in the beginning. Jess and Tyler’s romance was just a little too sweet for me (although lots of people like those Virgin River-ey type reads) However when you pair that aspect up with the events taking place with her presumed dead husband in Afghanistan you’ve got something special.
I found these two divulging storylines very clever, because as the reader you’re watching Jess and Tyler fall in love, healing and learning to love again but you’ve also got the knowledge that Jess’s husband J.T is getting closer and closer to rescue. And with that the whole story flips and becomes more poignant, taking on a level of suspense and heartache, because you know that this just can’t end well for anyone.
I loved all of Jeff (J.T’s) scenes in Afghanistan, now this is the epitome in a tortured hero, (however more in the literal sense here.) His story is absolutely heartbreaking on so many levels and I give kudos to the amount of research that must have gone into not only head trauma and PTSD but the realistic view we also get of an Afghani woman’s life. Rabia was an excellent, well fleshed out heroine and I appreciated learning the little things about her life; regarding her religion, what she’s allowed to do (drive), say, how to dress as well as her fear of the Taliban and Americans. Her love scenes were written differently too, more respectful, fade to black. Very much in character.
Ultimately this book was everything I had hoped for; romantic, angst filled and passionate. I seriously didn’t know how CG was going to bring these two romances together and make them work. Oh and there’s also one hell of an action scene for the big extraction which goes from bad to worse to FUBAR and includes cameos from Mike and all the BOI’s (we even get a couple Reed-isms Yay!) Just a great read. Cheers
*My thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books, who provided a copy in exchange for an honest review.
393jb45
"Just as they’re planning their wedding and new life together, Jess receives shocking news: her husband is alive, and under the care of a young Afghani woman hiding him from the Taliban. Even as he sees their happily-ever-after slip away, Ty arranges for the One Eyed Jacks and Black Ops, Inc. teams to make a daring and dangerous rescue mission to bring Jeff home. The hardest thing Ty or Jess has ever done is to let the other go."
November 3, 2013
4 Stars
"What can you do that I haven't been able to do in three and half years?"
"I can give you a reason and enough time to get used to the idea."
I've been a fan of Cindy Gerard since her Bodyguards series. Her name has become synonymous with Romantic Suspense for me. Her books have never failed to keep me at the edge of my seat with suspense, action, and just enough steam to make it even better.
This book was different. But in the case here, it's not necessarily a bad thing. While it was not quite what I had suspected, I enjoyed it immensely. It was a little less on the action and the suspense, and a little more on romance. It was a heartwarming and poignant story about love and second chances It was, in a word, wonderful.
When Jess lost her husband four years ago, the last thing she expected was to see Tyler Brown again. Lost in a dark emptiness that has become her life's companion, the only thing that Jess feels is empty.
I adored the way that Tyler pursued Jess. He wasn't pushy, he respected her boundaries, but at the same time he knew just what to do to get past them. As much as I wanted to get irritated with Jess at times and the way she seemed to almost push Ty away, I could't help but feel for her. I understood her hesitancy, but I loved watching her walls slowly crumble for Tyler.
But then the news that the husband she had thought was killed in action is actually alive, Jess and Tyler's world comes to a crashing halt.
I wasn't quite sure how I would like having a dual story, but Miss Gerard pulled it off seamlessly.
My heart broke for Jeff and everything that he has been through. Reading about his captivity and struggle to survive after was not easy, nor was his struggle to pick up his old life after being rescued. I'm not going to lie, I spent quite a few parts of this story a blubbering and crying mess. Nothing was glossed over. It was real, gut-wrenching, and incredibly emotional.
It was great to get some more of my favorite characters from previous books; Mike Brown, Jonny Reed and Nate Black. But this book was not about action and suspense, or even the steam that we've gotten in Gerard's previous books. And I did not mind one bit.
What we did get was a wonderful and emotional story that I enjoyed from beginning to finish.
**ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
For more reviews visit
"What can you do that I haven't been able to do in three and half years?"
"I can give you a reason and enough time to get used to the idea."
I've been a fan of Cindy Gerard since her Bodyguards series. Her name has become synonymous with Romantic Suspense for me. Her books have never failed to keep me at the edge of my seat with suspense, action, and just enough steam to make it even better.
This book was different. But in the case here, it's not necessarily a bad thing. While it was not quite what I had suspected, I enjoyed it immensely. It was a little less on the action and the suspense, and a little more on romance. It was a heartwarming and poignant story about love and second chances It was, in a word, wonderful.
When Jess lost her husband four years ago, the last thing she expected was to see Tyler Brown again. Lost in a dark emptiness that has become her life's companion, the only thing that Jess feels is empty.
I adored the way that Tyler pursued Jess. He wasn't pushy, he respected her boundaries, but at the same time he knew just what to do to get past them. As much as I wanted to get irritated with Jess at times and the way she seemed to almost push Ty away, I could't help but feel for her. I understood her hesitancy, but I loved watching her walls slowly crumble for Tyler.
But then the news that the husband she had thought was killed in action is actually alive, Jess and Tyler's world comes to a crashing halt.
I wasn't quite sure how I would like having a dual story, but Miss Gerard pulled it off seamlessly.
My heart broke for Jeff and everything that he has been through. Reading about his captivity and struggle to survive after was not easy, nor was his struggle to pick up his old life after being rescued. I'm not going to lie, I spent quite a few parts of this story a blubbering and crying mess. Nothing was glossed over. It was real, gut-wrenching, and incredibly emotional.
It was great to get some more of my favorite characters from previous books; Mike Brown, Jonny Reed and Nate Black. But this book was not about action and suspense, or even the steam that we've gotten in Gerard's previous books. And I did not mind one bit.
What we did get was a wonderful and emotional story that I enjoyed from beginning to finish.
**ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
For more reviews visit
October 9, 2013
The set up
It's been over three years since Jess Albert was widowed when her husband J. R. was killed in action in Afghanistan. While she's moved on with her life, she hasn't done so romantically until Ty Brown suddenly showed up on her doorstep again. She hasn't seen him in the eighteen months since she helped him and his brother one night by supplying them with emergency weapons to take down a master criminal. He promised to come back and see her but never contacted her again. He's there on a leap of faith that there may be something for the two of them to explore.
The issues
Meanwhile, as Jess and Ty move forward and deepen their relationship, a young Afghan woman, Rabia, finds an American soldier along the roadside who is severely injured. She spends the next months nursing him back to health as he also struggles to remember who he is and his past. It is extremely dangerous for Rabia and her family as they can be executed by the Taliban for harboring and aiding an American.
What makes this story work REALLY well
The two situations unfold and are presented in parallel to each other. As Jess finally finds happiness after all this time, her husband is fighting to regain his health and memory and figure out a way home with Rabia's help. It is tragic and at the same time lovely to see them gather strength and deepen these relationships, knowing the heartaches destined ahead. Jess is an incredible woman, self sufficient and independent. Rabia has the same qualities and is even more courageous by being so in the midst of a war and the Taliban who consider women chattel. You want to root for all of them but a happy ending for all seems futile.
There's a level of tension underlying the story, both romantic and dangerous as discovery by the Taliban is a constant threat and J. R.'s inevitable extraction will be problematic considering he's assumed dead by the Americans and still hunted by the Taliban. I had so many mixed emotions from start to end and I didn't want to ever walk away from the story.
What was missing
Absolutely nothing.
The bottom line
Loved the story, the characters and the writing. It's all here...love, pain, tragedy, honor, conflict, courage, humor...and perfectly woven into an extraordinary tale. There are no wasted words or imagery and I easily transitioned from the Afghan village to the Minnesota lakeside at will. I felt like I was witnessing the covert extraction operation, plugged into the action and communications. This is an exciting series and a must read.
(I received an ARC from Edelweiss)
It's been over three years since Jess Albert was widowed when her husband J. R. was killed in action in Afghanistan. While she's moved on with her life, she hasn't done so romantically until Ty Brown suddenly showed up on her doorstep again. She hasn't seen him in the eighteen months since she helped him and his brother one night by supplying them with emergency weapons to take down a master criminal. He promised to come back and see her but never contacted her again. He's there on a leap of faith that there may be something for the two of them to explore.
The issues
Meanwhile, as Jess and Ty move forward and deepen their relationship, a young Afghan woman, Rabia, finds an American soldier along the roadside who is severely injured. She spends the next months nursing him back to health as he also struggles to remember who he is and his past. It is extremely dangerous for Rabia and her family as they can be executed by the Taliban for harboring and aiding an American.
What makes this story work REALLY well
The two situations unfold and are presented in parallel to each other. As Jess finally finds happiness after all this time, her husband is fighting to regain his health and memory and figure out a way home with Rabia's help. It is tragic and at the same time lovely to see them gather strength and deepen these relationships, knowing the heartaches destined ahead. Jess is an incredible woman, self sufficient and independent. Rabia has the same qualities and is even more courageous by being so in the midst of a war and the Taliban who consider women chattel. You want to root for all of them but a happy ending for all seems futile.
There's a level of tension underlying the story, both romantic and dangerous as discovery by the Taliban is a constant threat and J. R.'s inevitable extraction will be problematic considering he's assumed dead by the Americans and still hunted by the Taliban. I had so many mixed emotions from start to end and I didn't want to ever walk away from the story.
What was missing
Absolutely nothing.
The bottom line
Loved the story, the characters and the writing. It's all here...love, pain, tragedy, honor, conflict, courage, humor...and perfectly woven into an extraordinary tale. There are no wasted words or imagery and I easily transitioned from the Afghan village to the Minnesota lakeside at will. I felt like I was witnessing the covert extraction operation, plugged into the action and communications. This is an exciting series and a must read.
(I received an ARC from Edelweiss)
November 4, 2013
Because of the cover, I almost passed this book. I didn’t know it was loosely tied to the BOI and the One-Eyed Jacks series. However, don’t let the holiday-themed cover fool you. Yes, there is a holiday vibe to it, but if you read the blurb, you are immediately struck by a heady dose of angst and heartbreak. I thought I was ready for this book. But I never expected it to touch me so deeply.
Cindy Gerard is the master of Romantic Suspense. She simply excels when it comes to writing action-packed scenes that are highly detailed and infused with passion and fun. Similarly, her heroes have been some of the hottest in RS that I’ve read, so why then did I expect a different vibe to this story?
Well, there actually is a different vibe to it. There are highly detailed and often tragic scenes of the action, but Gerard also further explores the angst that has been so popular in stories today. Jess is a sweetheart heroine. Her husband was killed in Afghanistan four years ago. Since then, she hasn’t lived for herself, instead busying herself with running the shop and generally avoiding anything that involved emotions. For too long, she hurt and I could understand her need to distance herself from that.
It isn’t until Ty Brown, a former military person himself, returns to explore the ember of chemistry he sensed when he first met Jess. Though cautious at first, their romance soon blooms into something magical under the gentle care of this alpha male.
But it isn’t suddenly a happily ever after for these two because soon Jess learns that her husband, J.R. or Jeff is actually alive. He suffers from reterograde amnesia which means he doesn’t remember events, even those from his past. In fact, he has no idea that he has a wife back home waiting for him.
As Jeff recovers as much as a warrior can, he is aided by Rabia, an Afghani woman hiding from the Taliban. Just as Ty and Jess’s romance festers slowly, Jess and Rabia also discover a meeting of hearts in this dark time. As you can expect, there is a ton of angst, but it makes this book so much more heartfelt and moving. I questioned how I would feel about the two couples: How would Gerard fit two romances in one book? Would it be potent enough? Would it be too much? Would I care about one couple more than the other?
Honestly, the whole thing exceeded my expectations. Gerard’s writing has always been fabulous, but I think this book might be my favourite story she has ever written. You can’t fake the type of emotion Gerard squeezes out of you while you read this book. It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s simply fantastic!
*ARC provided by publisher
Read my alternate review with Fresh Fiction
February 28, 2015
Finally decided that this snowy day in Oklahoma was the day to read Gerard's heartbreakingly beautiful story of the costs of war and the ravaging results on the human body and soul. I was entranced from start to finish with this bittersweet dual love story. The characters, both main and secondary, new and old, brought smiles as well as tears to my eyes. I love how CG brings each of her characters to life on the pages and leaves this reader feeling like I'm sitting right in the middle of the group.
Another wonderful and memorable story from one of my favorites!
Another wonderful and memorable story from one of my favorites!
October 26, 2013
I am not ashamed to say I cried as this had some very sad and emotional parts but it also had love, it had understanding, but most of all it had a very happy ending!
The Way Home tells the story of Ty Brown and Jess Albert who we met in the previous story Killing Time. Ty is Mike’s brother and Jess was the war widow that helped the crew out when they needed weapons. Several months later Ty goes back as he never forgot her and it seems she never forgot him, but she was scared to take the risk in having a relationship with another military man as she had lost her husband in Afghanistan nearly four years ago. Eventually Ty wins her over and they fall in love and plan to marry, then they hear that her husband is alive after all. Ty immediately signs on with his brother’s Black Ops team to go and bring him home… BUT what will that mean for them?
Unlike Ms Gerard’s pervious stories this is more of a romance rather than a romantic suspense. We do get to read some action but the focus of the story is on the love between the characters and the journey they have to travel in order to find their HEA. The journey of J.R. (Jess’ husband) is very sad and a little tough to read and that is where I had to have my box of tissues handy to mop up my tears.
Ms Gerard is a fantastic writer and I would recommend her every time, she knows how to extract almost every single emotion from you as you are reading. Her stories grip you from beginning to end and leave you wanting more…..My only hope is that we don't have to wait too long for the next instalment
ARC courtesy of Gallery Books via Netgalley
The Way Home tells the story of Ty Brown and Jess Albert who we met in the previous story Killing Time. Ty is Mike’s brother and Jess was the war widow that helped the crew out when they needed weapons. Several months later Ty goes back as he never forgot her and it seems she never forgot him, but she was scared to take the risk in having a relationship with another military man as she had lost her husband in Afghanistan nearly four years ago. Eventually Ty wins her over and they fall in love and plan to marry, then they hear that her husband is alive after all. Ty immediately signs on with his brother’s Black Ops team to go and bring him home… BUT what will that mean for them?
Unlike Ms Gerard’s pervious stories this is more of a romance rather than a romantic suspense. We do get to read some action but the focus of the story is on the love between the characters and the journey they have to travel in order to find their HEA. The journey of J.R. (Jess’ husband) is very sad and a little tough to read and that is where I had to have my box of tissues handy to mop up my tears.
Ms Gerard is a fantastic writer and I would recommend her every time, she knows how to extract almost every single emotion from you as you are reading. Her stories grip you from beginning to end and leave you wanting more…..My only hope is that we don't have to wait too long for the next instalment
ARC courtesy of Gallery Books via Netgalley
November 4, 2013
I received this book from Netgalley for my honest review.
I simply love how Ms. Gerard writes her books! I have not enough words of prise to write for her!
Here the focal point is the uselessness of the war. The utter destruction of everything that makes us human.
The 4 MCs' stroies are intertwined tightly. One in the USA and one in Afghanistan. I love all four of them!
Jess and Ty... wonderful!!! Jess, the widow of a KIA soldier is sweet and lives an almost freezed life since her husband died, but is not bitter and angry at the whole world. She knows that life must go on and when Ty comes into her life, she's ready to live again. Very refreshing! I got tired of MC who feels he/she is to blame for her/his partner's death!
Ty... WOW! Sweet, tender, wonderful Ty!!! So funny and so incredibly open to love. He knows that Jess is his from the start and he does everything to convince her in a very sweet way.
Jeff... I felt so sorry for him and all he suffered. And I felt deeply when he fall in love with Rabia because even if he knew he coudln't and shouldn't love her he just couldn't resist her and her heartfelt offer of tenderness and love in a place where almost all hope and humanity has died. It was bitter-sweet and heart-wrenching.
Rabia was great too for her selflessness and her honest desire to help Jeff. Her faith was pure and her heart was loving and nutruring.
Usually in Ms. Gerard stories there's scorching heat, but here I felt a hear warming tenderness instead and it was sweet!
Also, the suspense was missing too. You know eveything that is happening to everybody, but this too was good!
A great book that will speak to your heart!
I simply love how Ms. Gerard writes her books! I have not enough words of prise to write for her!
Here the focal point is the uselessness of the war. The utter destruction of everything that makes us human.
The 4 MCs' stroies are intertwined tightly. One in the USA and one in Afghanistan. I love all four of them!
Jess and Ty... wonderful!!! Jess, the widow of a KIA soldier is sweet and lives an almost freezed life since her husband died, but is not bitter and angry at the whole world. She knows that life must go on and when Ty comes into her life, she's ready to live again. Very refreshing! I got tired of MC who feels he/she is to blame for her/his partner's death!
Ty... WOW! Sweet, tender, wonderful Ty!!! So funny and so incredibly open to love. He knows that Jess is his from the start and he does everything to convince her in a very sweet way.
Jeff... I felt so sorry for him and all he suffered. And I felt deeply when he fall in love with Rabia because even if he knew he coudln't and shouldn't love her he just couldn't resist her and her heartfelt offer of tenderness and love in a place where almost all hope and humanity has died. It was bitter-sweet and heart-wrenching.
Rabia was great too for her selflessness and her honest desire to help Jeff. Her faith was pure and her heart was loving and nutruring.
Usually in Ms. Gerard stories there's scorching heat, but here I felt a hear warming tenderness instead and it was sweet!
Also, the suspense was missing too. You know eveything that is happening to everybody, but this too was good!
A great book that will speak to your heart!
October 30, 2025
The Way Home is a must read for the up coming holiday season! Wrapped in the cover of a sweet and tender romance you will also find an intense, pulse pounding, heart wrenching story that will stick with you long after you finish reading.
Jess Albert is trying to make her way in the world after she is told her high school sweet heart and husband, Jeff, will never be coming home. Jeff was killed in action. Now running her family store when Tyler Brown, former military hero, comes waltzing back into her life. He's come to make his feeling for Jess known. Just when Jess finally accepts her life without Jeff and a future with Ty, Jeff is discovered alive and on the run from the Taliban.
This was such a surprising story of friendship and love. I did not anticipate the outcome. I found myself utterly and completely emotionally invested in these two individual stories that collide at the end. The Way Home is one of the most heart warming and exciting holiday story I've ever read.
I received this ARC copy of The Way Home from Gallery Books in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication October 29, 2013.
Written by: Cindy Gerard
Series: One-Eyed Jacks
Sequence in Series: 2
Jess Albert is trying to make her way in the world after she is told her high school sweet heart and husband, Jeff, will never be coming home. Jeff was killed in action. Now running her family store when Tyler Brown, former military hero, comes waltzing back into her life. He's come to make his feeling for Jess known. Just when Jess finally accepts her life without Jeff and a future with Ty, Jeff is discovered alive and on the run from the Taliban.
This was such a surprising story of friendship and love. I did not anticipate the outcome. I found myself utterly and completely emotionally invested in these two individual stories that collide at the end. The Way Home is one of the most heart warming and exciting holiday story I've ever read.
I received this ARC copy of The Way Home from Gallery Books in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication October 29, 2013.
Written by: Cindy Gerard
Series: One-Eyed Jacks
Sequence in Series: 2
October 14, 2013
4.5 stars. Boy, she can tell a story! Beautiful and touching.
October 21, 2013
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: B+
*Warning: minor spoilers, but the book blurb gives a lot away on its own…*
Jess has been a widow for over three years after her husband Jeff was killed in action in Afghanistan. She’s now running her parents business in a small town and hasn’t really let herself move on. After a random meeting over a year ago with a black ops group who came into her store needing any weapons she could provide, she took them to Jeff’s gun safe and gave them their pick. It was that moment when she met Tyler Brown and even with that quick meeting, she never got the man out of her head. He took her number but never got in contact with her and even though she tried to forget about him, she couldn’t. Tyler had his own issues he was dealing with in his home state of Florida that kept him from reaching out to Jess, but he’s back now to see if what’s between them has any chance of becoming something more.
Meanwhile half way around the world, Jeff wasn’t killed in action, but rather was captured, tortured and held all this time after his team was caught in an explosion. He managed to finally escape but is in no physical condition to do anything. He was saved on the side of a road by Rabia, who puts her life and that of her father’s on the line when she takes Jeff in to help him recover and hides him from the Taliban who are actively searching for the missing American. He stays with Rabia for months, initially having no memory of who he is or what happened to him. Slowly the memories come back but only so far back as the explosion. He has no memory prior to that time and he’s still dealing with many medical issues including a broken leg that was never properly set, intense vertigo and severe malnutrition. Seeing him through all of this is Rabia, a woman who is terrified that they’ll be found out but she can’t turn her back on this man who needs her. She cares for him, helps him regain some of his strength and they become closer over the weeks as his memory starts to come to him in bits and pieces.
Having read the book’s blurb ahead of time, I had no clue how Cindy Gerard was going to make this work. I did NOT want to become emotionally invested in Jess and Tyler to only have Jeff come back into the picture, make this a love triangle and have some poor person be the odd man out because I knew I’d end up feeling deeply for all the characters caught in this impossible situation. I’m not sure I could have handled that and I was very pleased with how everything plays out. I can’t say that one couple stood out more to me than the other as I ended up becoming attached to both Ty and Jess as well as Jeff and Rabia. Through Jess, we get some details about her marriage with Jeff and it’s made clear that while there was love between them, Jess wasn’t happy in the marriage because for Jeff, service to his country came #1, everything else including Jess came after that and it wasn’t enough for her. So it wasn’t all sunshine and roses for this couple and it took away a little bit of the relationship suspense early on since it was clear their marriage wouldn’t be much of an issue once Jeff came back into Jess’s life.
I adore Tyler and loved his presence in Jess’s life. I found them to be a couple that I couldn’t get enough of and he’s so honorable that when he found out there was a chance that Jeff was alive and that the Black Ops team, including Ty’s brother Mike, was heading out on a rescue mission, he put himself on the team, against Jess’s wishes. He didn’t stand in Jess’s way when it came to Jeff and I guess if I had one niggle it was that Tyler did just stay away. He didn’t make any moves to contact Jess when she was trying to figure out things with Jeff, Ty just disappeared. I’d have loved to have seen him stay in contact more, keep himself present in Jess’s life, but it all works out in the end with a sweet happy ending.
I also really enjoyed Jeff and Rabia’s story, especially Rabia. She’s such a strong character and tries to do the right thing even when she knows she’s putting her life on the line to help this hurt stranger. There is a lot of page time given to Jeff and Rabia’s story and I enjoyed getting to know them almost as much as Jess and Tyler. In all of the relationships that Cindy Gerard writes, there’s always something sweet and tender that comes across so well on page and that’s especially true here for both couples. I think it’s what helped me believe in the relationships that Jess and Jeff were building with other people.
Always an exciting moment for me is when I see the names, Nate, Gabe, Johnny Reed, Joe Green (to name a few) show up on page. I love these guys so much, anytime they show up for a mission, I get giddy with excitement. They make up the team that goes out to rescue Jeff and secure Rabia and her father, taking them to safety as well. Not all goes smoothly, of course, and we get to see Crystal and B.J. in action (albeit “in person” on page, but via communications with the team) and they’re really the brains that keep their men alive. I wouldn’t necessarily call this story a romantic suspense book, as the only action takes place with Jeff’s rescues mission, but that scene was action packed and brought a lot of life to the story.
Gerard is an author whose stories I always have an easy time falling into and thoroughly enjoying and The Way Home is no exception. I loved Tyler to pieces and his relationship was Jess was full of heart, heat and love. I was also satisfied with the relationship between Jeff and Jess and where their lives take them post-rescue. You can never go wrong with a story in the Black Ops world and I enjoyed the romances for these two different couples, very much.
Blog rating: B+
*Warning: minor spoilers, but the book blurb gives a lot away on its own…*
Jess has been a widow for over three years after her husband Jeff was killed in action in Afghanistan. She’s now running her parents business in a small town and hasn’t really let herself move on. After a random meeting over a year ago with a black ops group who came into her store needing any weapons she could provide, she took them to Jeff’s gun safe and gave them their pick. It was that moment when she met Tyler Brown and even with that quick meeting, she never got the man out of her head. He took her number but never got in contact with her and even though she tried to forget about him, she couldn’t. Tyler had his own issues he was dealing with in his home state of Florida that kept him from reaching out to Jess, but he’s back now to see if what’s between them has any chance of becoming something more.
Meanwhile half way around the world, Jeff wasn’t killed in action, but rather was captured, tortured and held all this time after his team was caught in an explosion. He managed to finally escape but is in no physical condition to do anything. He was saved on the side of a road by Rabia, who puts her life and that of her father’s on the line when she takes Jeff in to help him recover and hides him from the Taliban who are actively searching for the missing American. He stays with Rabia for months, initially having no memory of who he is or what happened to him. Slowly the memories come back but only so far back as the explosion. He has no memory prior to that time and he’s still dealing with many medical issues including a broken leg that was never properly set, intense vertigo and severe malnutrition. Seeing him through all of this is Rabia, a woman who is terrified that they’ll be found out but she can’t turn her back on this man who needs her. She cares for him, helps him regain some of his strength and they become closer over the weeks as his memory starts to come to him in bits and pieces.
Having read the book’s blurb ahead of time, I had no clue how Cindy Gerard was going to make this work. I did NOT want to become emotionally invested in Jess and Tyler to only have Jeff come back into the picture, make this a love triangle and have some poor person be the odd man out because I knew I’d end up feeling deeply for all the characters caught in this impossible situation. I’m not sure I could have handled that and I was very pleased with how everything plays out. I can’t say that one couple stood out more to me than the other as I ended up becoming attached to both Ty and Jess as well as Jeff and Rabia. Through Jess, we get some details about her marriage with Jeff and it’s made clear that while there was love between them, Jess wasn’t happy in the marriage because for Jeff, service to his country came #1, everything else including Jess came after that and it wasn’t enough for her. So it wasn’t all sunshine and roses for this couple and it took away a little bit of the relationship suspense early on since it was clear their marriage wouldn’t be much of an issue once Jeff came back into Jess’s life.
I adore Tyler and loved his presence in Jess’s life. I found them to be a couple that I couldn’t get enough of and he’s so honorable that when he found out there was a chance that Jeff was alive and that the Black Ops team, including Ty’s brother Mike, was heading out on a rescue mission, he put himself on the team, against Jess’s wishes. He didn’t stand in Jess’s way when it came to Jeff and I guess if I had one niggle it was that Tyler did just stay away. He didn’t make any moves to contact Jess when she was trying to figure out things with Jeff, Ty just disappeared. I’d have loved to have seen him stay in contact more, keep himself present in Jess’s life, but it all works out in the end with a sweet happy ending.
I also really enjoyed Jeff and Rabia’s story, especially Rabia. She’s such a strong character and tries to do the right thing even when she knows she’s putting her life on the line to help this hurt stranger. There is a lot of page time given to Jeff and Rabia’s story and I enjoyed getting to know them almost as much as Jess and Tyler. In all of the relationships that Cindy Gerard writes, there’s always something sweet and tender that comes across so well on page and that’s especially true here for both couples. I think it’s what helped me believe in the relationships that Jess and Jeff were building with other people.
Always an exciting moment for me is when I see the names, Nate, Gabe, Johnny Reed, Joe Green (to name a few) show up on page. I love these guys so much, anytime they show up for a mission, I get giddy with excitement. They make up the team that goes out to rescue Jeff and secure Rabia and her father, taking them to safety as well. Not all goes smoothly, of course, and we get to see Crystal and B.J. in action (albeit “in person” on page, but via communications with the team) and they’re really the brains that keep their men alive. I wouldn’t necessarily call this story a romantic suspense book, as the only action takes place with Jeff’s rescues mission, but that scene was action packed and brought a lot of life to the story.
Gerard is an author whose stories I always have an easy time falling into and thoroughly enjoying and The Way Home is no exception. I loved Tyler to pieces and his relationship was Jess was full of heart, heat and love. I was also satisfied with the relationship between Jeff and Jess and where their lives take them post-rescue. You can never go wrong with a story in the Black Ops world and I enjoyed the romances for these two different couples, very much.
November 4, 2013
I enjoyed this book but I didn't love it. There were two romances here and I didn't think the author did either of them justice. It seemed to me that the only person I really knew well was the husband being held prisoner in Afghanistan. I just don't think there was time to develop the four people involved enough to really get the reader involved. It wasn't as poignant as it could have been since you knew from the start what the outcome would be. The author made a choice that for me negates the angst and drama in a big way.
Another thing that bothered me is the whole angle involving Maya.
I give kudos to the author for having an Afghani heroine but I wanted a lot more time in her head and background to really get into it.
I thing it's worth reading especially for a fan but I would have preferred either a longer book or two closely allied books.
Still looking forward to CG's next book because I generally enjoy them very much.
Another thing that bothered me is the whole angle involving Maya.
I give kudos to the author for having an Afghani heroine but I wanted a lot more time in her head and background to really get into it.
I thing it's worth reading especially for a fan but I would have preferred either a longer book or two closely allied books.
Still looking forward to CG's next book because I generally enjoy them very much.
October 29, 2013
When I began this story I had an idea that things would be different than normal, but I never expected just how heartwarming and heart-wrenching this story would be by turns. I cried often seeing all the trauma and fears that the two couples had to overcome. Circumstances and their own decisions led both couples to make unexpected decisions, but in the end everyone found their happiness and were able to embrace this new idea of their new family. Jess, Ty, Rabia, and Jeffery were all wonderful characters, full of depth, intensity, and all the emotional confusion that lead both couples to find their bliss in unexpected ways. It was great to get to see some of the characters from previous books and catch up with them, but the beauty of this story was definitely in the emotions between these couples. The best lesson we can take from this story is that love can come in many forms and at any time, if only we open ourselves to the emotions and embrace those that would offer the chance at love. I cannot wait to see where this series goes from here, but I honestly don’t know if this story can be topped. If you’ve never read a story by Cindy Gerard I suggest you go and buy this one now and read it immediately! You can’t find a better story to begin with, but just understand that this is different from most of her work. Thank you Ms. Gerard for one of the best stories of the year, but you owe me a few boxes of tissues now. :)
for full review see my blog at:
http://romancewitchreviews.blogspot.c...
for full review see my blog at:
http://romancewitchreviews.blogspot.c...
November 5, 2017
Not as good as her Ops series. I liked Ty from that series and his brother Mike but this book was to slow for me. Not enough action or an intense plot.
November 1, 2013
This was the hardest book I have ever read in my life, which makes this author amazing!
While reading this book, it flashes back and forth from Jess & Ty to Jeff & Rabia... Knowing the whole time what's going to happen, makes it worse! Because you know that Jeff is alive & Jess is going to feel like she's betrayed him by moving on.
There are so many ups and downs & heart stopping moments, this book was different than any other book I have read from Cindy Gerard. It is so sad at times & I absolutely cannot stand being sad. In fact, before I watch a movie I find out if it's sad & if it is... I DO NOT watch it!!
This book was so good & goes somewhere no other author I have read has gone. Thank God it all worked out in the end, because I would have thrown my kindle across the room if it didn't... So Now I need to read a cheesy book to get out of this funk. Because this book was such an emotional book I still feel it & it took twice as long for me to read it!
It is so worth it, but you should read her Black Ops series first, then the first book in this series which is the spin off to the Black Ops series.
While reading this book, it flashes back and forth from Jess & Ty to Jeff & Rabia... Knowing the whole time what's going to happen, makes it worse! Because you know that Jeff is alive & Jess is going to feel like she's betrayed him by moving on.
There are so many ups and downs & heart stopping moments, this book was different than any other book I have read from Cindy Gerard. It is so sad at times & I absolutely cannot stand being sad. In fact, before I watch a movie I find out if it's sad & if it is... I DO NOT watch it!!
This book was so good & goes somewhere no other author I have read has gone. Thank God it all worked out in the end, because I would have thrown my kindle across the room if it didn't... So Now I need to read a cheesy book to get out of this funk. Because this book was such an emotional book I still feel it & it took twice as long for me to read it!
It is so worth it, but you should read her Black Ops series first, then the first book in this series which is the spin off to the Black Ops series.
November 4, 2013
4 stars – Contemporary/Military/Holiday Romance
February 1, 2015
I effing loved it.
Reviews in the making.
November 19, 2022
Cindy Gerard is my aunt and, somehow, this is the first book of hers that I have read in a long time. I absolutely loved it. I read it as a buddy read with a friend so it’s doubly special to me.
October 25, 2013
I loved it!
Review to come
I haven't read much romantic suspense but I really, really loved this one. This is my first book by Cindy Gerard and definitely will not be my last. I really enjoyed the lyrical writing style of Ms Gerard which drew me gently into the lives of the characters. She told their stories in an engaging way making me care deeply for the heroes and heroines, experiencing both they pain and suffering and their joy and happiness.
There are two main plot lines in this book - Jess and Ty's relationship on the one hand and the story of Jeff (Jess's husband, presumably killed in action in Afghanistan) and Rabia, the Muslin woman who saved him. These stories develop parallel to one another and even though they are told from the POV of the four characters, the narrative flows very smoothly.
The four character have unique and strong voices each telling his/her story in a deeply engaging and moving way.
I really liked both couples, though naturally, I have my favourites. I liked Jess and understood her difficulty to move on after losing hers husband and especially her reluctance to get involved with another (ex)-military man. Yet, Ty was no Jeff. His perseverance, his openness and ultimately his love won Jess over. Out of this couple I found Ty far more appealing. He was the ultimate alpha male military man - honourable, loyal, protective and at the same time patient with Jess, giving her time and space to make her own choices. She came out as a it passive in their relationship, it was Ty was doing all the giving, taking steps towards their common future and she just allowed him to love her and take care of her.
Ty and Jess may be the central couple in this book, at least on first glance, but it was Jeff and Rabia who stole my heart and took my breath way. I felt very deeply for their suffering and all the pain they had to go through. Jeff's struggles initially just to to survive and then to regain what he had lost (his memory, his past, his physical and mental health) were presented with great sympathy and compassion and I found his story absolutely riveting.
Rabia, the Muslim woman who became his saviour both literally and figuratively was also a well developed strong character. There was some politics involved around her but they were in no way intrusive and just completed her character without taking away the romance of the story.
Initially my heart broke for Jeff and Rabia when he first remembered the attack on him, then when he was finally rescued and returned home, Jess's attempts to restore their previous life brought tears to my eyes.
I loved the romance in this book, but the suspense element also worked well for me. I liked that it didn't overshadow the love story but complemented it perfectly showing the strength and honour of all the military men involved.
Overall, it is both a heart-breaking and a heart-warming story beautifully told. It focuses on all the important things in life - love, honour, loyalty, family. And the ending provides the perfect HEA for everyone.
PS: Now I need too go back and read Mike's story asap. I just can't help it :)
Review to come
I haven't read much romantic suspense but I really, really loved this one. This is my first book by Cindy Gerard and definitely will not be my last. I really enjoyed the lyrical writing style of Ms Gerard which drew me gently into the lives of the characters. She told their stories in an engaging way making me care deeply for the heroes and heroines, experiencing both they pain and suffering and their joy and happiness.
There are two main plot lines in this book - Jess and Ty's relationship on the one hand and the story of Jeff (Jess's husband, presumably killed in action in Afghanistan) and Rabia, the Muslin woman who saved him. These stories develop parallel to one another and even though they are told from the POV of the four characters, the narrative flows very smoothly.
The four character have unique and strong voices each telling his/her story in a deeply engaging and moving way.
I really liked both couples, though naturally, I have my favourites. I liked Jess and understood her difficulty to move on after losing hers husband and especially her reluctance to get involved with another (ex)-military man. Yet, Ty was no Jeff. His perseverance, his openness and ultimately his love won Jess over. Out of this couple I found Ty far more appealing. He was the ultimate alpha male military man - honourable, loyal, protective and at the same time patient with Jess, giving her time and space to make her own choices. She came out as a it passive in their relationship, it was Ty was doing all the giving, taking steps towards their common future and she just allowed him to love her and take care of her.
Ty and Jess may be the central couple in this book, at least on first glance, but it was Jeff and Rabia who stole my heart and took my breath way. I felt very deeply for their suffering and all the pain they had to go through. Jeff's struggles initially just to to survive and then to regain what he had lost (his memory, his past, his physical and mental health) were presented with great sympathy and compassion and I found his story absolutely riveting.
Rabia, the Muslim woman who became his saviour both literally and figuratively was also a well developed strong character. There was some politics involved around her but they were in no way intrusive and just completed her character without taking away the romance of the story.
Initially my heart broke for Jeff and Rabia when he first remembered the attack on him, then when he was finally rescued and returned home, Jess's attempts to restore their previous life brought tears to my eyes.
I loved the romance in this book, but the suspense element also worked well for me. I liked that it didn't overshadow the love story but complemented it perfectly showing the strength and honour of all the military men involved.
Overall, it is both a heart-breaking and a heart-warming story beautifully told. It focuses on all the important things in life - love, honour, loyalty, family. And the ending provides the perfect HEA for everyone.
PS: Now I need too go back and read Mike's story asap. I just can't help it :)
November 2, 2013
Received an ARC courtesy of the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
New York Times best-selling author, Cindy Gerard opens her novel with a prologue set in a dark cave in war-torn Afghanistan and a dramatic irony sure to compel readers to keep turning pages...
Book description from Amazon:
"Killed in Action – the most dreaded words imaginable for a soldier’s wife. Jess Albert has been living with them for four years since the death of her husband in Afghanistan. Finding blessed numbness in routine, she doesn’t dare to look ahead, any more than she can bear to look back. Then Tyler Brown, a former special-ops warrior, shows up at her small general store in Minnesota North Woods, helping her look toward the future...
A world away, a man ravaged by years of captivity and torture, a man with no memories, finally escapes- clinging to life and sanity in a hostile land. In his darkest hour, he awakes in a lantern-lit cave to find a woman at his side. Dark-haired and dark-eyes, her touch is caring, despite the resentment he hears in her voice and sees on her face...
While a Black Ops team plans a daring rescue mission to bring the solider home, two women on opposite sides of the world walk a dangerous path between betrayal and honor, and must find for themselves where to draw the lines between duty and love."
This story could not be adequately told in the number of pages this book contained. Overall, it was a fast read; however, some parts dragged. For instance, the rescue mission scenes went on too long for my taste, especially when there was a lot of story left undeveloped. I would have liked to seen those pages dedicated to the development of these characters and their story.
I loved the idea of the dual stories running parallel to each other. Unfortunately, perhaps Gerard tried to do too much...There was little real development in either woman's story. We are told about Rabia's complicated feelings for an American soldier, but we are not shown enough about how those feelings evolved. We are told Jess and Tyler have an undeniable chemistry now and a long time ago, but I was left unconvinced. I will say that I found Rabia and J.R.'s story much more compelling, and enjoyed the story being told from a world so far away from our reality. I would have enjoyed an entire book just about JR's service, capture, survival, and rescue.
And while I like a happily ever after just as much as anybody, its ending was rushed and way too perfect to feel real. This setting (Afghanistan) and the very real Taliban, currently in the news every day, are too much in a daily conscience for such an ending...
All in all, I give it three stars just for its compelling premise. It was an ambitious undertaking on Gerard's part, but to do both stories real justice, this book should have been much longer in order to give its words life and tell what is a very complex story...
New York Times best-selling author, Cindy Gerard opens her novel with a prologue set in a dark cave in war-torn Afghanistan and a dramatic irony sure to compel readers to keep turning pages...
Book description from Amazon:
"Killed in Action – the most dreaded words imaginable for a soldier’s wife. Jess Albert has been living with them for four years since the death of her husband in Afghanistan. Finding blessed numbness in routine, she doesn’t dare to look ahead, any more than she can bear to look back. Then Tyler Brown, a former special-ops warrior, shows up at her small general store in Minnesota North Woods, helping her look toward the future...
A world away, a man ravaged by years of captivity and torture, a man with no memories, finally escapes- clinging to life and sanity in a hostile land. In his darkest hour, he awakes in a lantern-lit cave to find a woman at his side. Dark-haired and dark-eyes, her touch is caring, despite the resentment he hears in her voice and sees on her face...
While a Black Ops team plans a daring rescue mission to bring the solider home, two women on opposite sides of the world walk a dangerous path between betrayal and honor, and must find for themselves where to draw the lines between duty and love."
This story could not be adequately told in the number of pages this book contained. Overall, it was a fast read; however, some parts dragged. For instance, the rescue mission scenes went on too long for my taste, especially when there was a lot of story left undeveloped. I would have liked to seen those pages dedicated to the development of these characters and their story.
I loved the idea of the dual stories running parallel to each other. Unfortunately, perhaps Gerard tried to do too much...There was little real development in either woman's story. We are told about Rabia's complicated feelings for an American soldier, but we are not shown enough about how those feelings evolved. We are told Jess and Tyler have an undeniable chemistry now and a long time ago, but I was left unconvinced. I will say that I found Rabia and J.R.'s story much more compelling, and enjoyed the story being told from a world so far away from our reality. I would have enjoyed an entire book just about JR's service, capture, survival, and rescue.
And while I like a happily ever after just as much as anybody, its ending was rushed and way too perfect to feel real. This setting (Afghanistan) and the very real Taliban, currently in the news every day, are too much in a daily conscience for such an ending...
All in all, I give it three stars just for its compelling premise. It was an ambitious undertaking on Gerard's part, but to do both stories real justice, this book should have been much longer in order to give its words life and tell what is a very complex story...
November 4, 2013
1-Cindy Gerard writes a great romantic suspense story.
2- Two romances. Told in separate chapters and interconnecting.
3.5 stars.
The Way Home is listed as bk 2 in the One Eyed Jack’s series but it didn’t really have that feel. More like a single read featuring Mike Brown in a very minor roll along with an even smaller role for his Team.
3- Special guest appearance: The real thrill here for me was (clapping hands)….The Black Ops Team are part of a rescue op (Oh how I love Johnny Reed and Gabe! (Gushing)…Thank you Cindy Gerard for that little high in my reading day). Just wish their part had been longer, I’m just not ready to give them up.
There was one erroneous part I had to laugh about….there is a line about one of the characters being from Oklahoma rarely seeing snow. LOL! My snow shovel will tell you differently. Does Oklahoma get snow? Does a bear (well, you know).
But back to the story…This one had a softer edge to it than most of CG’s bks. Because of the double romance there wasn’t as much detail or depth for each which was kind of disappointing and didn't have nearly as much action, but overall I enjoyed the story and the characters, especially the rescue mission. If you weren’t already looking forward to it, the little taste we got of Mike Brown and his crew has me anxious for the next bk in the One-Eyed Jacks series.
2- Two romances. Told in separate chapters and interconnecting.
3.5 stars.
The Way Home is listed as bk 2 in the One Eyed Jack’s series but it didn’t really have that feel. More like a single read featuring Mike Brown in a very minor roll along with an even smaller role for his Team.
3- Special guest appearance: The real thrill here for me was (clapping hands)….The Black Ops Team are part of a rescue op (Oh how I love Johnny Reed and Gabe! (Gushing)…Thank you Cindy Gerard for that little high in my reading day). Just wish their part had been longer, I’m just not ready to give them up.
There was one erroneous part I had to laugh about….there is a line about one of the characters being from Oklahoma rarely seeing snow. LOL! My snow shovel will tell you differently. Does Oklahoma get snow? Does a bear (well, you know).
But back to the story…This one had a softer edge to it than most of CG’s bks. Because of the double romance there wasn’t as much detail or depth for each which was kind of disappointing and didn't have nearly as much action, but overall I enjoyed the story and the characters, especially the rescue mission. If you weren’t already looking forward to it, the little taste we got of Mike Brown and his crew has me anxious for the next bk in the One-Eyed Jacks series.
September 25, 2013
Cindy Gerard's The Way Home was excellent from the first page to the last. Her writing style brings her characters alive for me, with human emotion, so many readers get angry when the characters do not march in line with falling in love NOW, this instant, with no consideration for the things that have shaped you in life, the baggage we all carry. I think Cindy brought out the perfect Jess, you were really fighting emotionally for her to get her HEA, and Ty well he was that perfect man for her. There are really two stories going on in this book granted JR's was secondary for me, because well the story for me was Jess and Ty, not that I didn't want him to have a happy ever after too, I did...Trying to do this with no spoilers...Cindy brought this together and left you feeling perfectly content and happy for everyone....isn't that what we are looking for in a good book....if that is what YOU are looking for then please read this one. I can already tell you I have people in mind that I am getting this for Christmas, it is that kind of read for me.
I am not a reviewer I am just a woman who loves to read and I do not have a way with words, however I do like to share the authors that I enjoy with my friends and trust me I will be doing that!
I am not a reviewer I am just a woman who loves to read and I do not have a way with words, however I do like to share the authors that I enjoy with my friends and trust me I will be doing that!
November 8, 2013
I wish I could give this more than 5 stars! If I could, I'd give it 254929663269 stars!
Cindy Gerard writes some of the best romantic suspense books I've ever read. She balances action and romance and it's always perfect. This was so unlike anything I've read by her before; and it was still perfect. The scenes with Jeff absolutely broke my heart. I couldn't help but want him to stay missing and at the same time, hope that he was saved. And Ty. *sigh* I want a Ty for myself. I kept wishing I was Jess and I could have him :)
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley
Cindy Gerard writes some of the best romantic suspense books I've ever read. She balances action and romance and it's always perfect. This was so unlike anything I've read by her before; and it was still perfect. The scenes with Jeff absolutely broke my heart. I couldn't help but want him to stay missing and at the same time, hope that he was saved. And Ty. *sigh* I want a Ty for myself. I kept wishing I was Jess and I could have him :)
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley
November 16, 2013
Based upon the synopsis, I was doubtful that I would enjoy reading this book; however, I was pleasantly surprised. The author did an excellent job bringing the stories (lives) together and successfully pulled off two wonderful romances in this Christmas-themed book set in Minnesota.
Feel good, Christmas-theme, romance that was very nicely written and told.
5 Stars from This Reader!
Feel good, Christmas-theme, romance that was very nicely written and told.
5 Stars from This Reader!
January 26, 2014
This book is such a downer even the happy ending can't lift your spirits. Even bringing in all the main characters from past books doesn't make it better. Hopefully for the next one-eyed jacks book Ms. Gerard takes some anti-depressants and gets back to telling an exciting, hot story that doesn't leave you in tears at the end (and not in a good way).
November 15, 2013
Raw, emotional and gut wrenchingly good!
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