The Soldier and the Rose

by Linda Barrett

From the Greatest Generation, a love story to remember... Two soldiers march off to war in Europe. Both from the same neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. Only one returns home. Rose Kaufman's grief is soul deep. Her husband, Joe, had been her one true love, so right for her that a lifetime together wouldn't be enough. When Charlie Shapiro shows up with stories of Joe--eager to rebuild his war-shattered life with Rose and her baby daughter--she warns that a marriage of convenience would be unfair--to him. She cannot promise her heart to this kind and gentle man. Through the years, Charlie wonders if love can grow or if he'll always be second best. Who is her true love? The man she married with all her heart, or the man who married her with all of his? It's a question only Rose can answer.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Linda's emotional stories of contemporary romance have earned many industry awards through Romance Writers of America chapter contests. In 2011, Quarterback Daddy took first place in the Write touch Reader's contest while in 2010, Summer at the Lake did the same. Previously, she's garnered the Holt Medallion and The Award of Excellence among others. With laughter and tears, she touches the hearts of her readers by writing stories they'll remember long after the book is finished.

This year, Linda is publishing her first women's fiction novel. Family Interrupted will be available in the spring of 2013.

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The soldier and the rose

Well I have got to say,you got me.The tears kept flowing in this book.rose and Charlie how sweet they became,enjoyed

[Aisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit it. I only pick this book only for the cover (and the title). I usually avoid Harlequin because the stories are usually ... well, no story actually. But I decide to give this book a chance. Afterall, like a reader once commented, finding a good story in Harlequin stack is like finding a gem. So, could I be lucky this time?

It is about second chance. Second love. But should it be second best?

Rose is just about to find out about that when her life crumbles infront of her in the middle of the war which took her young husband's life from her. She is widowed with a baby-girl and struggling financially to support both of them. It is a hard time for all of them, her and their friends and family. Comes along Charlie, the friend and a soldier who also went with her husband. Charlie managed to come back home alive, determined to start a new beginning and along the way, he also falls in love with Rose. This book does not only tell you a story about how Rose falls in love with Charlie but also the stories of their children, their struggles, their ups and downs. It takes about 60 years of marriage life to fit into this one book.

It is a heart-warming story about love and family. Although it is not a perfect one, I like if for the reality and the growing process of the characters here. It is worth a try and I'm glad I did.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful love story of two people brought together after WWII and their 60 years of marriage.

Rose and Joe had know each other most of their lives, they got married and six months later he shipped out to WWII. She discovered she was pregnant with his child about a month later. Just after Susan was born, her mother came down with cancer, then died, then in July in '44 her young husband died at the Battle of the Bulge. She didn't think she would be able to go on. Then almost two years later Charlie his best friend from the unit came home and came to see he. He had been a prisoner of war after the battle. He fell in love with Rose and finally got her to agree to marry him. They had some shaky years, twenty-five, even though they seemed very happened to everyone. One thing I found highly romantic about them was Charlie could sing, and he would sing to Rose and they would dance. It was wonderfully romantic every time they did it, usually when one or the other was upset, or they had been arguing. It is their 60 year anniversery, and Rose still has one suprise left for her husband.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a lovely little book I enjoyed a lot. It's one of those reminiscing-type books--the hero and heroine are about to celebrate their 60th anniversary, and it begins with the heroine looking back at her First wedding. She married her soulmate when she was very young, on Pearl Harbor day. Six months later, he's sent off to war, while she stays home to have their baby. Turns out, one of the guys in his company is from the same neighborhood--and is also Jewish. (I enjoyed the Jewishness of this story.) The guys all make a pact that, if one of them doesn't make it, the others will visit his family and tell them that the death was quick and painless. The husband dies in the Battle of the Bulge. The neighborhood boy is taken prisoner. The heroine is devastated by the death of her true love. She starts writing letters to her dead husband as a way of dealing with her grief, and keeping them in a box with the letters he sent her. The neighborhood boy, who is the hero, comes to visit--and things progress from there. This is a sweet story, and a good read.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading books about World War II. The hardships faced, the love expressed from miles away to one another, and the heroes stories of life after the war all bring truth to what our world went through several years ago. I love the plot of this book. You won't be disappointed! I kept wanting to read to the next page :)

[✮ rach ✮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars