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Gifts of Honor
I'll be home for Christmas…
A batch of special Christmas cookies helps a wounded ex-Ranger remember the love of his life. A surprise phone call reunites a woman with the soldier who once broke her heart. There's no place like home for the holidays, and there's no better way to spend them than with the one you love.
Edited by Angela James, this anthology includes:
Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail
Hero's Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley
Stories are also available for purchase separately.
69,000 words
A batch of special Christmas cookies helps a wounded ex-Ranger remember the love of his life. A surprise phone call reunites a woman with the soldier who once broke her heart. There's no place like home for the holidays, and there's no better way to spend them than with the one you love.
Edited by Angela James, this anthology includes:
Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail
Hero's Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley
Stories are also available for purchase separately.
69,000 words
249 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2013
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 21, 2025
Both of these stories were excellent. Both heroes who were ex soldiers coming back with different injuries, and the heriones who stuck by them. Not free on KU, but definitely recommend!
January 23, 2025
Two short stories of soldiers that don't come home whole, and the resilience of the women who love them. It's not so easy, they have to fight, but in the end get the sweet HEAs they deserve.
November 22, 2013
A wonderful duo of stories with the ability to make you bawl-
I'm going to start with the second story of the collection first:
Hero's Homecoming - Rebecca Crowley - 4 stars
In my opinion I would read this story first because the other story in this collection wore me out emotionally and this one just couldn't quite get me in the same way. I liked the story but for some reason it didn't resonate as deeply to me.
Beth met Chris and knew that he was it for her until he breaks things off abruptly with no true reason why. She's shocked when she gets a phone call from him asking for her to pick him up from the airport but she decides that this can be when she'll find out why and maybe get some closure. What she gets is a man who has lost his sight in Afghanistan and is dealing with his recovery by shutting out those he doesn't want to burden with what he knows will be a long, hard road to travel. She's still hurt by his shutting her out of his life but is also shook to the core by how much he still means to her even though his wounds, mental and physical, scare her. She isn't sure she's strong enough or can believe in him enough to let him in again. I liked her and liked that she did own up to her fears but still did everything she could to help a man who has been brought to his knees by the trauma in Afghanistan while serving his country. She gave him hell for his treatment of her but I liked that she didn't completely hold that over him for long.
Chris is a very proud man and really did have what he thought were her best interests at heart when he broke things off. He's not going to be able to be the man he thought she deserved but what he didn't count on is the fact that loving someone means you take on the good and the bad. You don't just get to have all good and that things that are hard are at times the best things you will ever find. I liked how he was honest with his struggles and faults once the cards were on the table but struggled with how he felt about his actions and what others thought of him. He doesn't feel like a hero but with love and time I think he'll come around. It did make me sad to see his struggles and know that many people have the same struggles day in and day out because of injuries they've suffered.
This was a sweet story with a bit of an emotional punch that is definitely timely and in most respects realistically done.
Starting From Scratch - Stacy Gail - 5 stars (Infinity stars truly)
I'm going to try to provide some needed items for you before you read this story:
Don't read this at work, on the bus/train, out in public or in a house/room with people who will panic when you ugly cry. Trust me on this you will cry cry cry.
There will be a point in the story where you will either want to throw your ereader or reach thru it to hurt someone... DON'T.
Kleenex... trust me on this one... boatloads of Kleenex
Comfort food - ie chocolate, cookies, ice cream.. or whatever you consider comfort food.
Decompressing time - this story will wipe you out emotionally so a time to rest/recharge is a good idea
Fluids.. did I not mention you will cry? You'll need stuff to replenish your liquids....
Comedies to watch or zone out to. I personally used Monty Python and other mindless TV in the background to come down from this story.
Someone to go OMG with after you read this
Blankie to cuddle with
Kleenex.. oh sorry I already mentioned this but dude trust me... YOU WILL NEED THEM!
Ok now for the story although I am going to keep this really short because trust me you don't want anyone to spoil it for you...
Lucy just wants to lick her wounds and try to live again. You see her former husband (you know the love of her life) is back in town with no real memory of her which is why he ripped her heart out and asked for a divorce. She's not happy but when war took him away from her to return him with massive head injuries and a gap in his memory that just happens to be of them, she's doing what she can to try to live again. As she and Sully keep running in to one another there is a pull between them that can't be denied but at what cost? I adored Lucy and found that her struggles with moving on were spot on and heart-wrenching to read. She's such a strong woman who has an amazing support system that knows parts of what happened but not everything. Her best friend in this is Coe who guards her as much as he can from Sully but is the brother she never really had... Coe knows everything and feels that Sully didn't deserve her at the time and especially doesn't deserve her now.
Sullivan just wants to build a life but knows there is something missing that he just can't put his finger on. He's amazed at the pull he feels for his former wife but doesn't know why exactly he feels this pull and writes it up to lust. He starts to spend more time with her but still doesn't remember their past even though almost everything else in his life is there in his head. As he starts to pursue her we get to see him struggle with his own issues along with struggling to do the right thing by her. I liked Sully most of the story and felt for him as he struggled but dammit the man almost made we want to kill him!!! Seriously I had to restrain myself and I know I was cursing at one point... He is just an amazing man that had something horrible happen to him but I think the man he ends up becoming is someone that anyone would be lucky as hell to have in their lives.
Ok.. I'm stopping there because otherwise I will give away too much and to be honest just thinking about their story makes me tear up... Once you finish the story head out to Stacy's website to read some deleted stuff from the story... it's worth it! And... maybe soon we will get Coe's story... you won't find a more loyal or amazing friend than him. :-)
Special thanks to Carina Press and NetGalley.com for giving me the chance to read these stories in exchange for a review. Please note that this did not influence my opinions as these are entirely my own.
I'm going to start with the second story of the collection first:
Hero's Homecoming - Rebecca Crowley - 4 stars
In my opinion I would read this story first because the other story in this collection wore me out emotionally and this one just couldn't quite get me in the same way. I liked the story but for some reason it didn't resonate as deeply to me.
Beth met Chris and knew that he was it for her until he breaks things off abruptly with no true reason why. She's shocked when she gets a phone call from him asking for her to pick him up from the airport but she decides that this can be when she'll find out why and maybe get some closure. What she gets is a man who has lost his sight in Afghanistan and is dealing with his recovery by shutting out those he doesn't want to burden with what he knows will be a long, hard road to travel. She's still hurt by his shutting her out of his life but is also shook to the core by how much he still means to her even though his wounds, mental and physical, scare her. She isn't sure she's strong enough or can believe in him enough to let him in again. I liked her and liked that she did own up to her fears but still did everything she could to help a man who has been brought to his knees by the trauma in Afghanistan while serving his country. She gave him hell for his treatment of her but I liked that she didn't completely hold that over him for long.
Chris is a very proud man and really did have what he thought were her best interests at heart when he broke things off. He's not going to be able to be the man he thought she deserved but what he didn't count on is the fact that loving someone means you take on the good and the bad. You don't just get to have all good and that things that are hard are at times the best things you will ever find. I liked how he was honest with his struggles and faults once the cards were on the table but struggled with how he felt about his actions and what others thought of him. He doesn't feel like a hero but with love and time I think he'll come around. It did make me sad to see his struggles and know that many people have the same struggles day in and day out because of injuries they've suffered.
This was a sweet story with a bit of an emotional punch that is definitely timely and in most respects realistically done.
Starting From Scratch - Stacy Gail - 5 stars (Infinity stars truly)
I'm going to try to provide some needed items for you before you read this story:
Don't read this at work, on the bus/train, out in public or in a house/room with people who will panic when you ugly cry. Trust me on this you will cry cry cry.
There will be a point in the story where you will either want to throw your ereader or reach thru it to hurt someone... DON'T.
Kleenex... trust me on this one... boatloads of Kleenex
Comfort food - ie chocolate, cookies, ice cream.. or whatever you consider comfort food.
Decompressing time - this story will wipe you out emotionally so a time to rest/recharge is a good idea
Fluids.. did I not mention you will cry? You'll need stuff to replenish your liquids....
Comedies to watch or zone out to. I personally used Monty Python and other mindless TV in the background to come down from this story.
Someone to go OMG with after you read this
Blankie to cuddle with
Kleenex.. oh sorry I already mentioned this but dude trust me... YOU WILL NEED THEM!
Ok now for the story although I am going to keep this really short because trust me you don't want anyone to spoil it for you...
Lucy just wants to lick her wounds and try to live again. You see her former husband (you know the love of her life) is back in town with no real memory of her which is why he ripped her heart out and asked for a divorce. She's not happy but when war took him away from her to return him with massive head injuries and a gap in his memory that just happens to be of them, she's doing what she can to try to live again. As she and Sully keep running in to one another there is a pull between them that can't be denied but at what cost? I adored Lucy and found that her struggles with moving on were spot on and heart-wrenching to read. She's such a strong woman who has an amazing support system that knows parts of what happened but not everything. Her best friend in this is Coe who guards her as much as he can from Sully but is the brother she never really had... Coe knows everything and feels that Sully didn't deserve her at the time and especially doesn't deserve her now.
Sullivan just wants to build a life but knows there is something missing that he just can't put his finger on. He's amazed at the pull he feels for his former wife but doesn't know why exactly he feels this pull and writes it up to lust. He starts to spend more time with her but still doesn't remember their past even though almost everything else in his life is there in his head. As he starts to pursue her we get to see him struggle with his own issues along with struggling to do the right thing by her. I liked Sully most of the story and felt for him as he struggled but dammit the man almost made we want to kill him!!! Seriously I had to restrain myself and I know I was cursing at one point... He is just an amazing man that had something horrible happen to him but I think the man he ends up becoming is someone that anyone would be lucky as hell to have in their lives.
Ok.. I'm stopping there because otherwise I will give away too much and to be honest just thinking about their story makes me tear up... Once you finish the story head out to Stacy's website to read some deleted stuff from the story... it's worth it! And... maybe soon we will get Coe's story... you won't find a more loyal or amazing friend than him. :-)
Special thanks to Carina Press and NetGalley.com for giving me the chance to read these stories in exchange for a review. Please note that this did not influence my opinions as these are entirely my own.
November 22, 2013
Review originally posted here: http://thebookpushers.com/2013/11/21/...
Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail
MinnChica: Oh, this story killed me in the best possible way!! I’m not always a big fan of amnesia stories, but I thought Gail put such an amazing touch on the characters, their situation, and the overall book. I can’t even count the number of times I burst into tears, both happy and sad. With this one story, Gail has cemented a place in my contemporary authors to buy list!
E: I started getting worried about this story when I saw numerous accounts of reviewers read this with a box of tissues. I attempted to start reading this story on my morning commute and quickly decided that since I was without my box of tissues I needed to wait until I was home and away from the public eye. I was very glad I made that decision because this story gripped my heart and really never let go.
MinnChica: There was so much awesomeness in this story, I can’t even tell you. The emotions that Lucy had to go through, knowing that her husband remembered almost everything in his old life except for their marriage was so heartwrenching. Yet, the strength she showed by still trying to support him in any and every possible way was so amazing. When we got to the end and realized that Sully had started to gain some of his memories back killed me. I was a big old puddle of tears by that point, and I loved every second of it. I just wish Gail would have had more time to explore them re-building their marriage.
I give Starting from Scratch an A
E: Gail did a great job with this story by emphasizing that it isn’t only the the military member who has to adjust to their new normal but also the family members. I thought the way Gail had Sully receive his epiphany about the connection with Lucy was extremely touching. I just wish there was more shown about the journey of Lucy learning to trust Sully as they worked to build a new relationship together. As a result while this story packed a punch I found myself slightly let-down by the conclusion.
I give Starting from Scratch a B+
Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley
MinnChica: After having to follow Gail’s amazing story, Crowley had a lot to live up to. While I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first story in the anthology, it was still a beautiful telling of a soldier dealing with the fallout of wartime injuries. I just wish that Crowley would have given us a little more in the end, especially pertaining to Chris’ injuries and prognosis.
E: I enjoyed the change of pace with this particular story. While it didn’t pack the same heartwrenching punch as the first story I loved how Crowley focused on Chris’ emotional growth. He really needed to start seeing beyond himself and how his attempts at self-sufficiency were actually causing more harm than good. At the same time I could also see how difficult it was for a man accustomed to being the strong one to suddenly transition into needing help from those who had depended on his strength. Unlike MinnChica I felt that this was a complete self-contained story and I did not find myself wanting the rest of the story spelled out.
MinnChica: I wanted to give poor Beth a huge hug from almost start to finish. The pain that she went through, realizing why Chris cut ties with her was hard for me to read. Especially when he continued to push her away for reasons she was clearly okay to deal with in their relationship. I did enjoy watching Chris realize the extent of the pain he was causing Beth, and how he tried to deal with not only showing her he cared, but also dealing with his injuries to the best of his abilities. I really did want more though, while we absolutely got our HEA at the end, I wanted that extra special, rainbows-on-top HEA of knowing that Chris would recover completely and they could ride off into the sunset.
I give Hero’s Homecoming a B.
E: I thought it was great when Beth didn’t let Chris get away with his actions towards her nor did she attempt to baby him. She expected that he would tell her what assistance he needed instead of just presuming. To me that attitude probably helped Chris sense what he could have. Crowley did a fabulous job of making Chris understand exactly what he symbolized and how much his small town cared about who they considered one of their own. Seeing that car extended to Beth was very touching. I think that scene was one of my favorites because it all came together, his hopes, fears, and the possibilities.
I give Hero’s Homecoming an A-
Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail
MinnChica: Oh, this story killed me in the best possible way!! I’m not always a big fan of amnesia stories, but I thought Gail put such an amazing touch on the characters, their situation, and the overall book. I can’t even count the number of times I burst into tears, both happy and sad. With this one story, Gail has cemented a place in my contemporary authors to buy list!
E: I started getting worried about this story when I saw numerous accounts of reviewers read this with a box of tissues. I attempted to start reading this story on my morning commute and quickly decided that since I was without my box of tissues I needed to wait until I was home and away from the public eye. I was very glad I made that decision because this story gripped my heart and really never let go.
MinnChica: There was so much awesomeness in this story, I can’t even tell you. The emotions that Lucy had to go through, knowing that her husband remembered almost everything in his old life except for their marriage was so heartwrenching. Yet, the strength she showed by still trying to support him in any and every possible way was so amazing. When we got to the end and realized that Sully had started to gain some of his memories back killed me. I was a big old puddle of tears by that point, and I loved every second of it. I just wish Gail would have had more time to explore them re-building their marriage.
I give Starting from Scratch an A
E: Gail did a great job with this story by emphasizing that it isn’t only the the military member who has to adjust to their new normal but also the family members. I thought the way Gail had Sully receive his epiphany about the connection with Lucy was extremely touching. I just wish there was more shown about the journey of Lucy learning to trust Sully as they worked to build a new relationship together. As a result while this story packed a punch I found myself slightly let-down by the conclusion.
I give Starting from Scratch a B+
Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley
MinnChica: After having to follow Gail’s amazing story, Crowley had a lot to live up to. While I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first story in the anthology, it was still a beautiful telling of a soldier dealing with the fallout of wartime injuries. I just wish that Crowley would have given us a little more in the end, especially pertaining to Chris’ injuries and prognosis.
E: I enjoyed the change of pace with this particular story. While it didn’t pack the same heartwrenching punch as the first story I loved how Crowley focused on Chris’ emotional growth. He really needed to start seeing beyond himself and how his attempts at self-sufficiency were actually causing more harm than good. At the same time I could also see how difficult it was for a man accustomed to being the strong one to suddenly transition into needing help from those who had depended on his strength. Unlike MinnChica I felt that this was a complete self-contained story and I did not find myself wanting the rest of the story spelled out.
MinnChica: I wanted to give poor Beth a huge hug from almost start to finish. The pain that she went through, realizing why Chris cut ties with her was hard for me to read. Especially when he continued to push her away for reasons she was clearly okay to deal with in their relationship. I did enjoy watching Chris realize the extent of the pain he was causing Beth, and how he tried to deal with not only showing her he cared, but also dealing with his injuries to the best of his abilities. I really did want more though, while we absolutely got our HEA at the end, I wanted that extra special, rainbows-on-top HEA of knowing that Chris would recover completely and they could ride off into the sunset.
I give Hero’s Homecoming a B.
E: I thought it was great when Beth didn’t let Chris get away with his actions towards her nor did she attempt to baby him. She expected that he would tell her what assistance he needed instead of just presuming. To me that attitude probably helped Chris sense what he could have. Crowley did a fabulous job of making Chris understand exactly what he symbolized and how much his small town cared about who they considered one of their own. Seeing that car extended to Beth was very touching. I think that scene was one of my favorites because it all came together, his hopes, fears, and the possibilities.
I give Hero’s Homecoming an A-
October 23, 2013
I adore to read the books about kick ass hero's from the war. The action, drama and look behind the lines of fire as always been a favorite to me, and when the author take the time to go behind the lives of those that serve it is even better than all the action bom'bs and gunfire.
Yet there are not enough reads focusing on the lives of the men and woman who put it all on the line to protect others. Therefore I was simply delighted to be offered the chance to read a double look into the lives of two men and the life after war.
The first read Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail is about the life of Sullivan and Lucy. Wounded in action he returns home but has no memory of his life with Lucy, he asks for a divorce and it seems the happy ever after is no longer. But the miracle of Christmas might just save them both.
I loved the emotion in this read, it was so touching and powerful it was as if I could grab both characters and bang them both over the head to let them see that it is neither one's fault, and simply a test of life and how strong their love can be to withstand tragedy. A truly sweet, romantic and sensual read.
" Can their love be found in the memories from the past" 5/5 star review
*********************************************************************************
The second read is from Rebecca Crowley titled Hero's Homecoming and tells of the whirlwind romance between Chris and Beth. Chris is wounded in battle and returns home blind and cannot help but feel like less of a man than he use to be, he takes this new found frustration to life out on Beth and it looks like the love once found on the fast and furious ground of passion has brunt out.
This read was of course a whole lot more intense than the first read in this book, leaning to move around in life when suddenly blind is not something I think anyone can imagine as being easy.
The author showed tru insight into the differences of being able to see the ones we love and to only being able to touch them whilst relying on the image our mind brings into focus.
The emotional and truly vivid look into blindness and the learning curve was so strong and so fantastically brought to life by the author, I cried the entire read through. It did at first feel like the instant connection between Chris and Beth was a bit fast, but then again love happens at first sight and goes from there, but at one stage it did feel like it was happening a little easily as it goes from meet, fall in love in a few days and then separated for months before being thrown back at each other.
However it reminded me that as in real life, sometimes love has no limits and logical goes out the back door. A really heart-wrenching look into letting someone else help you pick up the pieces of your once perfect life when you are simply not strong enough to do it on your own.
"The power of touch"
5/5 star review
** E-arc provided in exchange for a honest review
Yet there are not enough reads focusing on the lives of the men and woman who put it all on the line to protect others. Therefore I was simply delighted to be offered the chance to read a double look into the lives of two men and the life after war.
The first read Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail is about the life of Sullivan and Lucy. Wounded in action he returns home but has no memory of his life with Lucy, he asks for a divorce and it seems the happy ever after is no longer. But the miracle of Christmas might just save them both.
I loved the emotion in this read, it was so touching and powerful it was as if I could grab both characters and bang them both over the head to let them see that it is neither one's fault, and simply a test of life and how strong their love can be to withstand tragedy. A truly sweet, romantic and sensual read.
" Can their love be found in the memories from the past" 5/5 star review
*********************************************************************************
The second read is from Rebecca Crowley titled Hero's Homecoming and tells of the whirlwind romance between Chris and Beth. Chris is wounded in battle and returns home blind and cannot help but feel like less of a man than he use to be, he takes this new found frustration to life out on Beth and it looks like the love once found on the fast and furious ground of passion has brunt out.
This read was of course a whole lot more intense than the first read in this book, leaning to move around in life when suddenly blind is not something I think anyone can imagine as being easy.
The author showed tru insight into the differences of being able to see the ones we love and to only being able to touch them whilst relying on the image our mind brings into focus.
The emotional and truly vivid look into blindness and the learning curve was so strong and so fantastically brought to life by the author, I cried the entire read through. It did at first feel like the instant connection between Chris and Beth was a bit fast, but then again love happens at first sight and goes from there, but at one stage it did feel like it was happening a little easily as it goes from meet, fall in love in a few days and then separated for months before being thrown back at each other.
However it reminded me that as in real life, sometimes love has no limits and logical goes out the back door. A really heart-wrenching look into letting someone else help you pick up the pieces of your once perfect life when you are simply not strong enough to do it on your own.
"The power of touch"
5/5 star review
** E-arc provided in exchange for a honest review
November 18, 2013
Why I read it: I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley. Gifts of Honor releases on November 21.
Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail
I do like second chance at love stories and I think they often work well in a novella, as I can more easily accept a HEA when the characters know each other already. Except… – well Lucy knows Sullivan but Sullivan can’t remember Lucy. After he woke up in hospital Stateside to a woman at his bedside he didn’t recognise and didn’t remember, Sullivan asked Lucy for a divorce, thinking to release her from a marriage of strangers. When the story begins, Sullivan has been released from hospital/rehabilitation and has returned home to Bitterthorn Texas, where Lucy works in a local bakery. Lucy has always and still loves Jax but she is crushed that he cannot remember her – in fact, it seems that she is the only one he doesn’t remember. The previous Christmas relations were very strained between them, as Sullivan had re-enlisted for another year without discussing it with his wife (which is a SHITTY thing to do). This Christmas, it’s even harder for Lucy because Sullivan is back home safe, but she’s lost the love of her life nonetheless. Even though Sullivan can’t remember Lucy, he is nevertheless drawn to her and he has an inexplicable craving for cookies.
Read the rest of the review here: http://www.kaetrinsmusings.com/2013/1...
Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley
This story also had the set up where the hero and heroine had a prior romance. When the hero, Chris Walker is blinded and burned as a result of a suicide bombing while serving in Afghanistan, he decides to break things off with Beth “for her own good”. This is the part of the story which also had me grating my teeth. There is something about that kind of action which bothers me as it indicates the hero thinks the heroine cannot or ought not to think for herself. As Beth ably demonstrates after they get together again around Christmas time as a result of a snowstorm, she took some time to think rationally about whether she wanted to be in a relationship with someone who was disabled by blindness and PTSD. It was interesting to me that the blindness wasn’t the main issue for Beth at all – for her it was a matter of making some practical changes and they didn’t really daunt her. It was the PTSD she was more concerned about – whether Chris would be violent with her as a result of a nightmare for instance, as well as various other effects of PTSD which are real and which affect a portion of the people diagnosed with it. She asked questions and took some time to think rationally. See Chris? She CAN make her own decisions!!
Read the rest of the review here: http://www.kaetrinsmusings.com/2013/1...
Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail
I do like second chance at love stories and I think they often work well in a novella, as I can more easily accept a HEA when the characters know each other already. Except… – well Lucy knows Sullivan but Sullivan can’t remember Lucy. After he woke up in hospital Stateside to a woman at his bedside he didn’t recognise and didn’t remember, Sullivan asked Lucy for a divorce, thinking to release her from a marriage of strangers. When the story begins, Sullivan has been released from hospital/rehabilitation and has returned home to Bitterthorn Texas, where Lucy works in a local bakery. Lucy has always and still loves Jax but she is crushed that he cannot remember her – in fact, it seems that she is the only one he doesn’t remember. The previous Christmas relations were very strained between them, as Sullivan had re-enlisted for another year without discussing it with his wife (which is a SHITTY thing to do). This Christmas, it’s even harder for Lucy because Sullivan is back home safe, but she’s lost the love of her life nonetheless. Even though Sullivan can’t remember Lucy, he is nevertheless drawn to her and he has an inexplicable craving for cookies.
Read the rest of the review here: http://www.kaetrinsmusings.com/2013/1...
Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley
This story also had the set up where the hero and heroine had a prior romance. When the hero, Chris Walker is blinded and burned as a result of a suicide bombing while serving in Afghanistan, he decides to break things off with Beth “for her own good”. This is the part of the story which also had me grating my teeth. There is something about that kind of action which bothers me as it indicates the hero thinks the heroine cannot or ought not to think for herself. As Beth ably demonstrates after they get together again around Christmas time as a result of a snowstorm, she took some time to think rationally about whether she wanted to be in a relationship with someone who was disabled by blindness and PTSD. It was interesting to me that the blindness wasn’t the main issue for Beth at all – for her it was a matter of making some practical changes and they didn’t really daunt her. It was the PTSD she was more concerned about – whether Chris would be violent with her as a result of a nightmare for instance, as well as various other effects of PTSD which are real and which affect a portion of the people diagnosed with it. She asked questions and took some time to think rationally. See Chris? She CAN make her own decisions!!
Read the rest of the review here: http://www.kaetrinsmusings.com/2013/1...
August 14, 2016
4/5
Deux belles histoires touchantes sur les difficultés du retour chez soi après une blessure à la guerre, avec de beaux personnages.
Avis complet
Deux belles histoires touchantes sur les difficultés du retour chez soi après une blessure à la guerre, avec de beaux personnages.
Avis complet
November 17, 2013
In Gifts of Honor you will read two great romances...Both novellas give us a glimpse of military life and the heart ache that can come with that life.
In Starting From Scratch by Stacy Gail, Sully initially joined the army for the educational benefits...but soon he was a Ranger, leaving his wife Lucy each time he volunteered for another mission. That wasn't the life Lucy envisioned, but each time he left she waited and worried.
Married young and full of hope, Lucy is devastated when Sully is injured in and IED attack. What makes it even worse is that he has no memory at all of his wife Lucy. Sully convinces Lucy that the best thing for them would be a divorce, something Lucy agrees to with a heavy heart.
Now Sully is back in his hometown, the same town Lucy lives and works in, the same town they fell in love in. Sully still can't remember Lucy, but Lucy can sure remember Sully. Even with no conscious memory of Lucy, Sully is still drawn to her. And Lucy can't say no to her heart when she still loves Sully. Will the magic of Christmas, Lucy's cookies and love prevail?
Stacy Gail gives us a fantastic romance in Starting From Scratch. She gives us real life feelings and the sense of what it is like to have someone you love injured in the line of duty. Lucy and Sully are both characters that will pull you in emotionally. Lucy have strength, loyalty and understanding even if she is deeply hurt. I really admire that she tries to be accepting of how things have turned out and she never talks down about Sully. She is striving to get on with her life without Sully. I really felt for Sully too and what he's going through. It's hard to imagine how that would feel to have something so completely erased from your memory. I would have liked to have had a bit more background on Sully so that I could have a better understanding of who he was and why he did what he did.
I love that Lucy and Sully are people with real life experiences that they are struggling with, ones that can realistically happen. In Starting From Scratch Stacy also gives us a glimpse into what life must be like as the spouse of someone serving in the military. She gives us a whole new appreciation for not only those who serve, but those they leave at home.
From the small town setting to the most appropriate title and the emotional roller coaster throughout Starting From Scratch, this is one romance you will hold close to your heart.
In Hero's Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley, Beth and Chris met while he was on leave from the army. After a whirlwind 4 day romance in person, they keep in touch after Chris leaves again. Through emails and phone calls, they become closer and closer, each knowing this is the one. When Chris suddenly ends things with a brief email, Beth is confused and hurt.
Close to Christmas, with an unexpected phone call and then an unexpected house guest, Beth is shocked when she discovers that Chris has had a life altering injury. As much as Chris loves Beth, he doesn't feel it's fair for her to be 'stuck' with him. Beth doesn't feel that Chris should be making her decisions for her. She is still hurt and angry, but she also still loves Chris. Spending a few days together just proves the attraction is still there for Chris and Beth...but is it an attraction that can last? Is their new love strong enough to withstand the trials that might come their way? Can Chris accept that Beth loves him and wants to be with him no matter what?
Hero's Homecoming is an intense, even more emotional love story. Beth and Chris's romance was so new, but had felt so right that it felt like they'd been together for much longer than they had. Sometimes love at first sight really does exist. Beth and Chris will have to show us if it can last... Hero's Homecoming was a more in the moment novella, probably because Beth and Chris don't have much of a past together, but I still loved to see how they were trying to work through things. Chris keeps trying to push Beth away, but Beth has decided Chris is worth fighting for!
In Hero's Homecoming Rebecca gives us a great romance that will remind you that in life anything can and will happen!
In Starting From Scratch by Stacy Gail, Sully initially joined the army for the educational benefits...but soon he was a Ranger, leaving his wife Lucy each time he volunteered for another mission. That wasn't the life Lucy envisioned, but each time he left she waited and worried.
Married young and full of hope, Lucy is devastated when Sully is injured in and IED attack. What makes it even worse is that he has no memory at all of his wife Lucy. Sully convinces Lucy that the best thing for them would be a divorce, something Lucy agrees to with a heavy heart.
Now Sully is back in his hometown, the same town Lucy lives and works in, the same town they fell in love in. Sully still can't remember Lucy, but Lucy can sure remember Sully. Even with no conscious memory of Lucy, Sully is still drawn to her. And Lucy can't say no to her heart when she still loves Sully. Will the magic of Christmas, Lucy's cookies and love prevail?
Stacy Gail gives us a fantastic romance in Starting From Scratch. She gives us real life feelings and the sense of what it is like to have someone you love injured in the line of duty. Lucy and Sully are both characters that will pull you in emotionally. Lucy have strength, loyalty and understanding even if she is deeply hurt. I really admire that she tries to be accepting of how things have turned out and she never talks down about Sully. She is striving to get on with her life without Sully. I really felt for Sully too and what he's going through. It's hard to imagine how that would feel to have something so completely erased from your memory. I would have liked to have had a bit more background on Sully so that I could have a better understanding of who he was and why he did what he did.
I love that Lucy and Sully are people with real life experiences that they are struggling with, ones that can realistically happen. In Starting From Scratch Stacy also gives us a glimpse into what life must be like as the spouse of someone serving in the military. She gives us a whole new appreciation for not only those who serve, but those they leave at home.
From the small town setting to the most appropriate title and the emotional roller coaster throughout Starting From Scratch, this is one romance you will hold close to your heart.
In Hero's Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley, Beth and Chris met while he was on leave from the army. After a whirlwind 4 day romance in person, they keep in touch after Chris leaves again. Through emails and phone calls, they become closer and closer, each knowing this is the one. When Chris suddenly ends things with a brief email, Beth is confused and hurt.
Close to Christmas, with an unexpected phone call and then an unexpected house guest, Beth is shocked when she discovers that Chris has had a life altering injury. As much as Chris loves Beth, he doesn't feel it's fair for her to be 'stuck' with him. Beth doesn't feel that Chris should be making her decisions for her. She is still hurt and angry, but she also still loves Chris. Spending a few days together just proves the attraction is still there for Chris and Beth...but is it an attraction that can last? Is their new love strong enough to withstand the trials that might come their way? Can Chris accept that Beth loves him and wants to be with him no matter what?
Hero's Homecoming is an intense, even more emotional love story. Beth and Chris's romance was so new, but had felt so right that it felt like they'd been together for much longer than they had. Sometimes love at first sight really does exist. Beth and Chris will have to show us if it can last... Hero's Homecoming was a more in the moment novella, probably because Beth and Chris don't have much of a past together, but I still loved to see how they were trying to work through things. Chris keeps trying to push Beth away, but Beth has decided Chris is worth fighting for!
In Hero's Homecoming Rebecca gives us a great romance that will remind you that in life anything can and will happen!
October 16, 2013
Two short stories, one theme, love, loss, and hope for the future. Includes a short novella by Stacy Gail, Starting from Scratch and an offering by Rebecca Crowley, Hero’s Homecoming. Both focus on returning soldiers who have been injured, damaged and almost broken in war and the women who loved them before they left. Both stories are short, yet filled with heart, and hope for the future when the present seems so bleak.
Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail follows the return of Sullivan Jax after he is wounded in action and has no memory of the woman he loved, his wife, Lucy. Emotionally shredded by his indifference to her and his request for a divorce from a woman he doesn’t know, Lucy tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart. Sully struggles to remember their life together, but comes up blank. Could the magic of Christmas bring them back together if they start from scratch? Can Lucy’s heart survive another rejection?
Stacy Gail has poured just enough emotion into her story to make me feel for both Lucy and Sullivan. From the smell of Christmas baking to the internal struggles of each character, I was watching, just like the rest of their town, hoping for a Christmas miracle for these two!
Rebecca Crowley’s Hero’s Homecoming is a little darker and less sweet. Chris returns home after being blinded in battle, his world is now dark and he is faced with challenges a sighted person can never imagine. He met Beth just before he left for his tour of duty, but their connection was immediate and deep. Now he is home, and feels the need to protect Beth from becoming his caregiver, a job she is more than willing to take on, if he would just give her a chance. Beth is confused, because the tender lover she began to fall in love with was replaced by a bitter stranger. Are they ready to truly commit to each other? More importantly, can Beth get over her bruised feelings and understand what the future holds for them?
Rebecca Crowley wrote a very good story, but I didn’t believe that these two were meant for each other, they didn’t seem to have that connection that comes with time and truly knowing another person. A few days physically together followed by months of separation and correspondence just didn’t feel like enough to base a lifetime on. Ms. Crowley did paint incredibly vivid scenes regarding the trials faced by a sightless person and her ability to make Chris’ anguish feel real was a remarkable plus to this romantic novella.
I received an ARC edition from Carina Press in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: November 21, 2013
Publisher: Carina Press
ISBN: 9781426897467
Page Count: 177
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Available from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail follows the return of Sullivan Jax after he is wounded in action and has no memory of the woman he loved, his wife, Lucy. Emotionally shredded by his indifference to her and his request for a divorce from a woman he doesn’t know, Lucy tries to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart. Sully struggles to remember their life together, but comes up blank. Could the magic of Christmas bring them back together if they start from scratch? Can Lucy’s heart survive another rejection?
Stacy Gail has poured just enough emotion into her story to make me feel for both Lucy and Sullivan. From the smell of Christmas baking to the internal struggles of each character, I was watching, just like the rest of their town, hoping for a Christmas miracle for these two!
Rebecca Crowley’s Hero’s Homecoming is a little darker and less sweet. Chris returns home after being blinded in battle, his world is now dark and he is faced with challenges a sighted person can never imagine. He met Beth just before he left for his tour of duty, but their connection was immediate and deep. Now he is home, and feels the need to protect Beth from becoming his caregiver, a job she is more than willing to take on, if he would just give her a chance. Beth is confused, because the tender lover she began to fall in love with was replaced by a bitter stranger. Are they ready to truly commit to each other? More importantly, can Beth get over her bruised feelings and understand what the future holds for them?
Rebecca Crowley wrote a very good story, but I didn’t believe that these two were meant for each other, they didn’t seem to have that connection that comes with time and truly knowing another person. A few days physically together followed by months of separation and correspondence just didn’t feel like enough to base a lifetime on. Ms. Crowley did paint incredibly vivid scenes regarding the trials faced by a sightless person and her ability to make Chris’ anguish feel real was a remarkable plus to this romantic novella.
I received an ARC edition from Carina Press in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: November 21, 2013
Publisher: Carina Press
ISBN: 9781426897467
Page Count: 177
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Available from: Amazon / Barnes & Noble
For more reviews check out Tome Tender's Book Blog or find us on Facebook.
November 4, 2013
Posted on Les Romantiques - Le forum du site
Reviewed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher
Unlike the other Christmas anthologies I’ve read until now, I found that the ambiance of the Holidays Season wasn’t really advanced. As a result, there’s more room for the stories themselves, which talk about the difficulty of the return after war for soldiers, especially after major injuries.
Starting from Scratch, by Stacy Gail, is a touching story. Sully, our hero, came back from a special mission for the Rangers not only wounded, but with a partial amnesia: he forgot everything related to Lucy, his wife for several years. Thinking to do what is best for them both, he asked for a divorce. Once healed he comes back to the small town where they both grew up, at his father’s home. They can’t avoid meeting again.
I liked how Sully recovers his memories gradually, and how his subconscious tries to have him remembering Lucy through his irresistible craving for Christmas spicy cookies (those she usually made, even if he doesn’t remember it). I liked too how he realizes the hurt his amnesia has dealt to this woman he doesn’t recognize but with whom he's falling in love again.
I found Lucy really touching. She blames herself for reacting badly when Sully told her he had re-upped for one year, and she tries to make up for it by hiding her pain. I liked how their relationship evolves differently for both of them because of the amnesia: for her it’s a bittersweet awakening of memories, for him a rediscovery. I appreciated that for once the roles are switched, and that it’s Lucy who slows down and Sully who wants more.
Hero’s Homecoming, by Rebecca Crowley, is very touching too, but differently. Chris and Beth fell in love at first sight but spent only a few days together before he went back to Afghanistan. After several months of email exchanges and phone calls, Chris broke it of suddenly without an explanation. A few days before Christmas he calls her, asking her to come and pick him up at the airport because his parents are stranded by the snow.
Chris is probably the one of the four characters who evolves the most. Severely wounded during an attack, he is covered by scars and first and foremost blind. He minimizes the importance of his survival when his men died, and he depreciates himself a lot, especially towards Beth. He too is dumbfounded when he realizes the hurt he dealt to the woman he was (and still is) in love with. His anguish towards his handicap is really touching.
Beth is endearing. I liked that she doesn’t let Chris wallows in self-pity, and that she learns quickly how to help him being independent, like describing the contents of his plate. Her fears of a possible post traumatic syndrome are justified and realistic.
I liked the things in common in these two novellas. Each time the hero takes a difficult decision “for the heroine’s sake”, and I liked that in both cases that decision comes right back at him like a boomerang (I usually dislike the I’m-not-good-enough-for-her moments). Similarly I liked how each time the heroines are reluctant to rekindle the relationship, and the heroes want more and try to convince them.
These two novellas, each in its own way, talk about how to rebuild trust. Both the authors knew how to create in a short format endearing characters and touching stories, even though my favorite is Hero’s Homecoming that I found a little more filled with emotion.
4 stars for both stories.
Reviewed by Rinou
Review Copy from the Publisher
Unlike the other Christmas anthologies I’ve read until now, I found that the ambiance of the Holidays Season wasn’t really advanced. As a result, there’s more room for the stories themselves, which talk about the difficulty of the return after war for soldiers, especially after major injuries.
Starting from Scratch, by Stacy Gail, is a touching story. Sully, our hero, came back from a special mission for the Rangers not only wounded, but with a partial amnesia: he forgot everything related to Lucy, his wife for several years. Thinking to do what is best for them both, he asked for a divorce. Once healed he comes back to the small town where they both grew up, at his father’s home. They can’t avoid meeting again.
I liked how Sully recovers his memories gradually, and how his subconscious tries to have him remembering Lucy through his irresistible craving for Christmas spicy cookies (those she usually made, even if he doesn’t remember it). I liked too how he realizes the hurt his amnesia has dealt to this woman he doesn’t recognize but with whom he's falling in love again.
I found Lucy really touching. She blames herself for reacting badly when Sully told her he had re-upped for one year, and she tries to make up for it by hiding her pain. I liked how their relationship evolves differently for both of them because of the amnesia: for her it’s a bittersweet awakening of memories, for him a rediscovery. I appreciated that for once the roles are switched, and that it’s Lucy who slows down and Sully who wants more.
Hero’s Homecoming, by Rebecca Crowley, is very touching too, but differently. Chris and Beth fell in love at first sight but spent only a few days together before he went back to Afghanistan. After several months of email exchanges and phone calls, Chris broke it of suddenly without an explanation. A few days before Christmas he calls her, asking her to come and pick him up at the airport because his parents are stranded by the snow.
Chris is probably the one of the four characters who evolves the most. Severely wounded during an attack, he is covered by scars and first and foremost blind. He minimizes the importance of his survival when his men died, and he depreciates himself a lot, especially towards Beth. He too is dumbfounded when he realizes the hurt he dealt to the woman he was (and still is) in love with. His anguish towards his handicap is really touching.
Beth is endearing. I liked that she doesn’t let Chris wallows in self-pity, and that she learns quickly how to help him being independent, like describing the contents of his plate. Her fears of a possible post traumatic syndrome are justified and realistic.
I liked the things in common in these two novellas. Each time the hero takes a difficult decision “for the heroine’s sake”, and I liked that in both cases that decision comes right back at him like a boomerang (I usually dislike the I’m-not-good-enough-for-her moments). Similarly I liked how each time the heroines are reluctant to rekindle the relationship, and the heroes want more and try to convince them.
These two novellas, each in its own way, talk about how to rebuild trust. Both the authors knew how to create in a short format endearing characters and touching stories, even though my favorite is Hero’s Homecoming that I found a little more filled with emotion.
4 stars for both stories.
October 4, 2013
This review may contain a few spoilers.
For this review and more visit my blog
Gifts of Honor is a two story anthology featuring Starting by Scratch by Stacy Gail and Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley. Both are set at Christmas time and both are about military men.
The problem with anthologies, especially when there are only two stories involved is that they both have to be the same standard or half the book is just not as good as the other. That was the big problem with this book. One of the stories was great, the other annoyed and frustrated me.
Starting by Scratch by Stacy Gail was a lovely, sweet little story that I really enjoyed. It had a lot of depth and I found it really emotional in parts. Luce and Sully’s story was not an easy one. After an argument at Christmas Sully deploys for another tour abroad despite promising Luce that he would not be going again. Luce feels betrayed because he didn’t even talk to her about it and he just left. Whilst abroad he is injured and despite remembering everything from his life before he cannot remember he wife and divorces her quickly, leaving her even more heartbroken.
Their story back to each other was a hard one and I found it difficult not to blame Sully for everything but it wasn’t his fault that he lost his memory. The characters were great and the story built slowly towards a satisfying and sweet ending.
I did not enjoy Hero’s Homecoming as much. The writing was good and there was nothing wrong with the structure of the story but the main character annoyed me. Chris and Beth get caught up in a whirl wind romance before he deploys for his next tour of duty. They stay in contact and one day Beth gets an email saying that Chris wants to end their relationship leaving her heartbroken. A few months later she gets a phone call from him asking for help as he is stranded at the airport. When she gets there she finds him scarred and blind but still cannot let go of the fact he dumped her.
My issue with this book was Beth. I get that he hurt her feelings, nobody likes to be dumped, but her actions towards him really got under my skin and irritated me. She came across as heartless and selfish. Chris has lost his job, sight, independence and all she goes on about is her hurt feelings, she even slaps him after she realizes what has happened to him which in my opinion was really low. She cannot understand why he dumped her and assumes it can only be because she isn’t interesting/pretty/sexy enough not because his life had blown up in his face and he is suffering from bad post-traumatic stress (which she instantly assumes makes him a psycho and dangerous.) she is so self-involved that at one point she hears him stumbling around at night and instead of assuming that he is blind and in a place he doesn’t know and might be trying to get to the bathroom or kitchen, she assumes that he is faking being blind and is trying to rob her. I just didn’t like her at all and she ruined what was a great premise for a story.
Starting from Scratch is worth getting this anthology and I am sure many will enjoy Hero’s Homecoming but it wasn’t for me.
The publisher provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
For this review and more visit my blog
Gifts of Honor is a two story anthology featuring Starting by Scratch by Stacy Gail and Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley. Both are set at Christmas time and both are about military men.
The problem with anthologies, especially when there are only two stories involved is that they both have to be the same standard or half the book is just not as good as the other. That was the big problem with this book. One of the stories was great, the other annoyed and frustrated me.
Starting by Scratch by Stacy Gail was a lovely, sweet little story that I really enjoyed. It had a lot of depth and I found it really emotional in parts. Luce and Sully’s story was not an easy one. After an argument at Christmas Sully deploys for another tour abroad despite promising Luce that he would not be going again. Luce feels betrayed because he didn’t even talk to her about it and he just left. Whilst abroad he is injured and despite remembering everything from his life before he cannot remember he wife and divorces her quickly, leaving her even more heartbroken.
Their story back to each other was a hard one and I found it difficult not to blame Sully for everything but it wasn’t his fault that he lost his memory. The characters were great and the story built slowly towards a satisfying and sweet ending.
I did not enjoy Hero’s Homecoming as much. The writing was good and there was nothing wrong with the structure of the story but the main character annoyed me. Chris and Beth get caught up in a whirl wind romance before he deploys for his next tour of duty. They stay in contact and one day Beth gets an email saying that Chris wants to end their relationship leaving her heartbroken. A few months later she gets a phone call from him asking for help as he is stranded at the airport. When she gets there she finds him scarred and blind but still cannot let go of the fact he dumped her.
My issue with this book was Beth. I get that he hurt her feelings, nobody likes to be dumped, but her actions towards him really got under my skin and irritated me. She came across as heartless and selfish. Chris has lost his job, sight, independence and all she goes on about is her hurt feelings, she even slaps him after she realizes what has happened to him which in my opinion was really low. She cannot understand why he dumped her and assumes it can only be because she isn’t interesting/pretty/sexy enough not because his life had blown up in his face and he is suffering from bad post-traumatic stress (which she instantly assumes makes him a psycho and dangerous.) she is so self-involved that at one point she hears him stumbling around at night and instead of assuming that he is blind and in a place he doesn’t know and might be trying to get to the bathroom or kitchen, she assumes that he is faking being blind and is trying to rob her. I just didn’t like her at all and she ruined what was a great premise for a story.
Starting from Scratch is worth getting this anthology and I am sure many will enjoy Hero’s Homecoming but it wasn’t for me.
The publisher provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
November 24, 2013
Gifts of Honor features two heart-warming holiday tales about loss, hope and second chances that had me crying, signing and craving chocolate. I am a sucker for holiday themed novels, but when you add in injured, damaged military men and their romances, lord have mercy this woman gets gooey on the inside. The book contains two stories; Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail, an author, whose work I have previously enjoyed, and new to me author Rebecca Crowley shared a Hero’s Homecoming. Both authors had me breaking out the tissues and believing in the power of love. Mini review: heart-warming, sensual and perfect for the holidays.
Starting from Scratch – This was delightful from the small-town to the wounded couple. Sullivan Jax has been in love with Lucy since high school, and the two grew up and wed. When an IED wipes out all memory of his wife he asks Lucy for a divorce. She agrees even if it almost kills her. For Lucy, the Christmas spirit is all bah and humbug, especially when Lucy learns Sullivan is back. How can she see the only man she has ever loved and be nothing more than a stranger? As Sullivan struggles to put back the piece, he is drawn to the woman who was his wife. I really got caught up in these two and felt their emotions. Lucy was so brave, and I literally consumed this as I searched and hoped for my Christmas miracle. I love tales of rekindled love and second chances and Gail nailed this one. Even the secondary characters, like Lucy’s best friend sprung to life and had depth. I would love to read more stories from this small-town. I laughed; I cried and thoroughly enjoyed this heart-warming tale.
Hero’s Homecoming- The previous holiday Beth met and had a whirl-wind four day romances with an officer named Chris. She thought it would be a weekend fling, but Chris continued to email her, and call her while stationed overseas. She fell in love, and then suddenly his calls and emails stopped. She feared the worse, only to get a two-line email saying it was over, she should move on. Imagine Beth’s surprise when she gets a phone call from Chris asking for her help. Chris has been injured, and breaking off things with the girl he fell in love with seemed liked the noble thing to do. A snow storm forces him to spend time with Beth and he begins to realize he was a fool. While this couple’s romance was still in the fragile stages when it ended, Crowley did a great job of expressing Chris’s fears and Beth’s tender heart. This couple didn’t have the history of Gail’s characters, and while enjoyable, it didn’t slam me with the emotions that the first tale wrought. Crowley captured Chris’s disability, and PST allowing me to feel his struggles, but I needed Beth to be fleshed out more. I didn’t feel her emotions. Despite wanting more depth, I got caught up in their tale and enjoyed myself.
Gifts of Honor offers two delightful tales perfect for reading around the holidays. Both tales were heated, but Gail’s was spicier in part because I felt the relationship more. Holidays are busy, and these are perfect for stepping out of the rush, curling up by the fire and escaping for an hour or two. Oh, bring tissues, wine, and chocolate you’ll need it!
Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Starting from Scratch – This was delightful from the small-town to the wounded couple. Sullivan Jax has been in love with Lucy since high school, and the two grew up and wed. When an IED wipes out all memory of his wife he asks Lucy for a divorce. She agrees even if it almost kills her. For Lucy, the Christmas spirit is all bah and humbug, especially when Lucy learns Sullivan is back. How can she see the only man she has ever loved and be nothing more than a stranger? As Sullivan struggles to put back the piece, he is drawn to the woman who was his wife. I really got caught up in these two and felt their emotions. Lucy was so brave, and I literally consumed this as I searched and hoped for my Christmas miracle. I love tales of rekindled love and second chances and Gail nailed this one. Even the secondary characters, like Lucy’s best friend sprung to life and had depth. I would love to read more stories from this small-town. I laughed; I cried and thoroughly enjoyed this heart-warming tale.
Hero’s Homecoming- The previous holiday Beth met and had a whirl-wind four day romances with an officer named Chris. She thought it would be a weekend fling, but Chris continued to email her, and call her while stationed overseas. She fell in love, and then suddenly his calls and emails stopped. She feared the worse, only to get a two-line email saying it was over, she should move on. Imagine Beth’s surprise when she gets a phone call from Chris asking for her help. Chris has been injured, and breaking off things with the girl he fell in love with seemed liked the noble thing to do. A snow storm forces him to spend time with Beth and he begins to realize he was a fool. While this couple’s romance was still in the fragile stages when it ended, Crowley did a great job of expressing Chris’s fears and Beth’s tender heart. This couple didn’t have the history of Gail’s characters, and while enjoyable, it didn’t slam me with the emotions that the first tale wrought. Crowley captured Chris’s disability, and PST allowing me to feel his struggles, but I needed Beth to be fleshed out more. I didn’t feel her emotions. Despite wanting more depth, I got caught up in their tale and enjoyed myself.
Gifts of Honor offers two delightful tales perfect for reading around the holidays. Both tales were heated, but Gail’s was spicier in part because I felt the relationship more. Holidays are busy, and these are perfect for stepping out of the rush, curling up by the fire and escaping for an hour or two. Oh, bring tissues, wine, and chocolate you’ll need it!
Copy received in exchange for unbiased review and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer
August 3, 2016
I received this as an ARC for a honest review. This can also be seen on http://chillreviews.blogspot.com/
Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail
I was sucked in to this book from the start. I could feel the sadness that Lucy felt when she knew that her ex-husband was back in town from recovering from a war injury. It's been a year since she had to let him go and try to move on. Sully can't remember her. He remembers everything else, but nothing about her. He even remembers things that happened while she was around but not HER.
Even though Sully can't remember Lucy, there is something that he can't put his finger on. A craving for sweets that no cookie he eats can cure. He starts to think maybe all the time she was there for him there should've been someone helping Lucy cope.
I couldn't imagine living in the same town as the person you thought you were going to spend the rest of your life with, and the reason you got the divorce was because they didn't remember you and you could remember the good times. Also having to deal with the love you still have for the person. Heartbreak doesn't even describe it. There were quite a few times where I was tearing up for Lucy and all she was feeling. Read this book, it was excellent!
Hero's Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley
This was another one that I was sucked in to completely from the beginning. I felt for Chris. I didn't feel sorry for him because honestly he was being an ass but I felt for him thinking he wasn't worthy of Beth now that he was blind.
Beth was floored when she got a phone call from Chris to pick him up at the airport. She wanted answers for the email that he sent her a few months prior. She got her answers.
Watching them learn to be around each other again was tedious. Chris has PTSD and his injuries make him snappy. Beth can't trust him with herself even though thats all she wants is to be with him again. Loved this one and I'm sure you all will too!!
Thank you to all the military serving and that have served. We owe you for our freedom.
Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail
I was sucked in to this book from the start. I could feel the sadness that Lucy felt when she knew that her ex-husband was back in town from recovering from a war injury. It's been a year since she had to let him go and try to move on. Sully can't remember her. He remembers everything else, but nothing about her. He even remembers things that happened while she was around but not HER.
Even though Sully can't remember Lucy, there is something that he can't put his finger on. A craving for sweets that no cookie he eats can cure. He starts to think maybe all the time she was there for him there should've been someone helping Lucy cope.
I couldn't imagine living in the same town as the person you thought you were going to spend the rest of your life with, and the reason you got the divorce was because they didn't remember you and you could remember the good times. Also having to deal with the love you still have for the person. Heartbreak doesn't even describe it. There were quite a few times where I was tearing up for Lucy and all she was feeling. Read this book, it was excellent!
Hero's Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley
This was another one that I was sucked in to completely from the beginning. I felt for Chris. I didn't feel sorry for him because honestly he was being an ass but I felt for him thinking he wasn't worthy of Beth now that he was blind.
Beth was floored when she got a phone call from Chris to pick him up at the airport. She wanted answers for the email that he sent her a few months prior. She got her answers.
Watching them learn to be around each other again was tedious. Chris has PTSD and his injuries make him snappy. Beth can't trust him with herself even though thats all she wants is to be with him again. Loved this one and I'm sure you all will too!!
Thank you to all the military serving and that have served. We owe you for our freedom.
November 19, 2013
Gifts of Honor: Starting from Scratch\ Hero's Homecoming by Stacy Gail and Rebecca Crowley
Publication Date: November 21, 2013
Reviewed By: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated: 4 Stars
REVIEW:
Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail
This is a story of Sully, a wounded soldier returning home with partial amnesia and Lucy, the woman who loves him. This heartfelt romance was touching and at times tense as they work their way through their love and constant longing. I thought the author did a good job making it realistic and compelling with just the right amount of heat.
Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley
This is a story of Chris, a wounded soldier’s returning home and with out knowing what his future will bring. He is unexpectedly in need of help from Beth, the woman whose heart he broke months ago. This story was at times gut-wrenching, but also quite touching. The anxiety and apprehension was realistic in showing how they both overcame the obstacles and gave in to their undeniable passion.
Both stories were thought provoking and provided a glimpse into what many in the military go through on a daily basis.
*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
BUY LINKS:
Kindle $3.82 http://amzn.to/HZ7izD | Nook $4.99 http://bit.ly/HZ7nU4 | Kobo $4.39 http://bit.ly/1fKkxj7 | iTunes $4.99 http://bit.ly/17zmaL2
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Publication Date: November 21, 2013
Reviewed By: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated: 4 Stars
REVIEW:
Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail
This is a story of Sully, a wounded soldier returning home with partial amnesia and Lucy, the woman who loves him. This heartfelt romance was touching and at times tense as they work their way through their love and constant longing. I thought the author did a good job making it realistic and compelling with just the right amount of heat.
Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley
This is a story of Chris, a wounded soldier’s returning home and with out knowing what his future will bring. He is unexpectedly in need of help from Beth, the woman whose heart he broke months ago. This story was at times gut-wrenching, but also quite touching. The anxiety and apprehension was realistic in showing how they both overcame the obstacles and gave in to their undeniable passion.
Both stories were thought provoking and provided a glimpse into what many in the military go through on a daily basis.
*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
BUY LINKS:
Kindle $3.82 http://amzn.to/HZ7izD | Nook $4.99 http://bit.ly/HZ7nU4 | Kobo $4.39 http://bit.ly/1fKkxj7 | iTunes $4.99 http://bit.ly/17zmaL2
http://readinginpajamas.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/ReadingInPaj...
http://www.goodreads.com/readinginpaj...
Twitter: @readingpajamas
September 27, 2013
My copy was an ARC I received from the publisher for an honest review.
I have no idea how to rate this book. I'll explain that later.
Sometimes I'm right in the kind of mood that makes me want to read a simple, angsty book and it has to be a quick read. I decided to give Gifts of Honor a try. There were two reason - the motif of damaged military hero coming back home, and southern setting.
The first story in this dualogy is Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail and the plot follows the struggling of two protaginsts, Lucy Crabtree and Sullivan Jax, with coming to terms that they belong to each others. I will not provide spoilers, the story is simple and even the one detail would spoil the fun. But it's very good story and I've read it with pleasure. If the book of Stacy Gail was the standalone novel, I would give it 3.5 stars rounded up.
The second book is Hero's Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley. The main characters, Chris Walker and Beth Tate need to decide if they wanted be together or not after the breakup. I dare to say that the story surely had some potential, but it just seems shallow compared to the story of Stacy Gail. I would give it 2 stars.
So, that's why I had no idea how to rate it. I just calculated the average.
I have no idea how to rate this book. I'll explain that later.
Sometimes I'm right in the kind of mood that makes me want to read a simple, angsty book and it has to be a quick read. I decided to give Gifts of Honor a try. There were two reason - the motif of damaged military hero coming back home, and southern setting.
The first story in this dualogy is Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail and the plot follows the struggling of two protaginsts, Lucy Crabtree and Sullivan Jax, with coming to terms that they belong to each others. I will not provide spoilers, the story is simple and even the one detail would spoil the fun. But it's very good story and I've read it with pleasure. If the book of Stacy Gail was the standalone novel, I would give it 3.5 stars rounded up.
The second book is Hero's Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley. The main characters, Chris Walker and Beth Tate need to decide if they wanted be together or not after the breakup. I dare to say that the story surely had some potential, but it just seems shallow compared to the story of Stacy Gail. I would give it 2 stars.
So, that's why I had no idea how to rate it. I just calculated the average.
August 31, 2016
The two stories in this book were both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I’m not sure I would be strong enough to handle what these ladies went through. Although they do say that you’ll do anything for love.
In Starting From Scratch by Stacy Gail, I felt horrible for poor Lucy. She got the raw end of the deal in her life and even after finding happiness, she got the shaft again. I was a little uncertain about this story at first, but then as soon as we meet Sullivan and learn what truly happened, I knew I had to keep reading. There were still times I wasn’t sure if I really even liked the characters, but because of the emotional storyline I had to finish. Once I was done with the story, I was really glad I kept going.
I knew Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley was going to be a tough ride. I felt horrible for Beth after the way Christ treater her, but then I felt horrible for what he went through. I understood where both characters were coming from and I appreciated the journey they took. It was a really sweet story even though occasionally, I wanted to smack Chris around for being such a jerk to Beth. The way this story ended was perfect and exactly what this couple needed.
Arc provided by the publisher via Netgalley
In Starting From Scratch by Stacy Gail, I felt horrible for poor Lucy. She got the raw end of the deal in her life and even after finding happiness, she got the shaft again. I was a little uncertain about this story at first, but then as soon as we meet Sullivan and learn what truly happened, I knew I had to keep reading. There were still times I wasn’t sure if I really even liked the characters, but because of the emotional storyline I had to finish. Once I was done with the story, I was really glad I kept going.
I knew Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley was going to be a tough ride. I felt horrible for Beth after the way Christ treater her, but then I felt horrible for what he went through. I understood where both characters were coming from and I appreciated the journey they took. It was a really sweet story even though occasionally, I wanted to smack Chris around for being such a jerk to Beth. The way this story ended was perfect and exactly what this couple needed.
Arc provided by the publisher via Netgalley
October 4, 2013
*ARC from NetGalley and Publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Wow. Just wow. Both stories in this short anthology was seeped in the emotions of a military family.
Sully and Lucy must deal with Sully’s selective amnesia (he forgot her and nothing else) which was the last straw in their rocky marriage. This is their journey back to falling in love again, this time with the person they are now as opposed to who they were when they first embarked on their disastrous marriage. Sweet and spicy. And yummy (Puns definitely intended).
Chris and Beth must take a seed of a relationship and make it grow despite Chris’ desire to play the hero and not subject Beth into a highly supportive role (he sustained injuries) and Beth is bewildered by how tender lover she knew could reject her so cruelly. This is their journey of taking out the thorns in their relationship and nurturing the struggling bud of love. (Sorry for the flower references.)
Wow. Just wow. Both stories in this short anthology was seeped in the emotions of a military family.
Sully and Lucy must deal with Sully’s selective amnesia (he forgot her and nothing else) which was the last straw in their rocky marriage. This is their journey back to falling in love again, this time with the person they are now as opposed to who they were when they first embarked on their disastrous marriage. Sweet and spicy. And yummy (Puns definitely intended).
Chris and Beth must take a seed of a relationship and make it grow despite Chris’ desire to play the hero and not subject Beth into a highly supportive role (he sustained injuries) and Beth is bewildered by how tender lover she knew could reject her so cruelly. This is their journey of taking out the thorns in their relationship and nurturing the struggling bud of love. (Sorry for the flower references.)
November 28, 2013
I've a hard time liking amnesia stories so it's no surprise that Starting From Scratch wasn't my favourite story. Though I have to say, I ended up really liking it. My main niggle was I never really knew why Sullivan wanted his wife back suddenly even though he couldn't remember her.
Now Hero's Homecoming fit he bill perfectly. I liked how wounded and also pissed off the hero, Chris, was and that he wasn't always fair to everyone because I think the situation he was in needed a lot of adjustment and that needs time. The heroine, Beth, didn't make it easy for him because he was a jerk to her several times and she didn't forgive him easily.
Now Hero's Homecoming fit he bill perfectly. I liked how wounded and also pissed off the hero, Chris, was and that he wasn't always fair to everyone because I think the situation he was in needed a lot of adjustment and that needs time. The heroine, Beth, didn't make it easy for him because he was a jerk to her several times and she didn't forgive him easily.
October 26, 2013
Two short novellas about men returning from war and the women they are returning to. Both are Christmas small town settings with home grown problems and solutions. Both stories deal with true life problems faced by returning soldiers and the families that love them.
December 9, 2013
I'd give a B to both of these novellas. Nice reads. Review coming
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