Her Soldier's Touch

by J.M. Stewart

Experience has taught single mother Rachel Madison that the only person she can truly rely on is herself. But what she wants most in the world—to give her son the life she never had growing up—means she must put her faith in a man who once walked out on her.

Retired from the service, U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Colten Taylor makes a detour to Phoenix to bury his brother. Nobody is more surprised than he to see Rachel waiting for him at the airport. He regrets the morning he walked away from her, but coming from an abusive home taught Colt to put limits on all his relationships—especially this one.

So when he discovers he has a son, Colt knows this is a chance to prove to himself he’s not a chip off the old block. Turning his life around doesn’t come naturally, though. Then a drug dealer crops up from his brother’s dark past, threatening their son and forcing Colt and Rachel to face their demons … and each other.

Genres: Contemporary, Military Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Romance

240 pages, ebook

First published March 16, 2015

About the author

JM Stewart writes heartfelt contemporary romance. Whether the heat level is sizzling or sweet, her stories are always deeply emotional. Her heroes are strong but sensitive (no alpha jerks here!), and her heroines are more Cinderella than Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Recently transplanted, she now lives in a small town in Texas along with her husband, two sons and two very spoiled dogs. When not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking and playing computer games. As a sensitive soul with a romantic heart, she believes in angels and hopes everyone finds their happily ever after.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very kindly provided with an ARC of Her Soldier's Touch by the author to read and review.

Colten and Rachel have been friends since they were young but he has always watched her with more than friendship in his heart as she struggles to cope with her father running out, her mothers addicitons and even as she begins to date his own brother. She watches him through the years as he suffers abuse at the hands of his father, the loss of his Mother, the turmoil of his drug addicted brother and as he leaves to serve in the forces over seas. Six years previous to the start of the book their friendship escalates in to one crazy passion filled night, only for Rachel to wake the next morning to an empty bed. The consequences of which reach far and wide for her and Colt for many years to come.

I liked Rachel, a lot. She had a good head on her shoulders and both feet planted very firmly on the ground. Having had a difficult childhood after being abandoned by her father and having an addict for a mother she could quite easily of been a wreck but knowing that she has a five year old son to be a mother to she spends her life pulling her socks up and knuckling down, determined to be more to him than she ever received from her own parents. This is the kind of woman who is working two jobs to earn enough money to provide for them both and who refuses to look to anyone else on earth to help support them in any way other than kindness and friendship and it's impossible not to admire her

Colt could be a little harder to click with. He is very closed off and shut down for a large majority of the book. He had an awful upbringing, from his fathers vicious and constant abuse to his mothers awful suicide my heart ached for him as I read more of his back story. He has a pain staking ability to bottle up and hold on to every emotion and feeling almost always coming across as made of stone so it was fun to read as he tries to bond with his newly discovered son and the woman he ran out on six years previous while trying to learn to be a more open and accepting person.

This book covers an absolute abundance of emotional and physical abuses and issues between not only Rachel and Colt but also the third party characters and each and every topic is handled with complete respect and sensitivity. If I could change one thing about this book then I would wish for it to have a little more dialogue between Rachel and Colt but this was still an absolute joy to read. There is plenty of action, drama, life lessons and sexual tension to keep you hooked from beginning to end. It is the perfect tale of forgiveness, second chances and of learning to let go of our pasts to be able to have a future. I will definitely be looking for more from J.M. Stewart in the future.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will the haunting of the past interfere with the present and
future of retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Colton Taylor,
single mother Rachel Madison & the innocent child, Greg?
Will Colt be able to let go of the his demons? Will Rachel be
able to trust Colt? Will Rachel be able overcome her past to
learn to love again?
Both characters need to learn how to love themselves then
accept themselves before they can make the changes necessary
in order to attain a happy existence and succeed in life. The
author was able to tackle tough questions and issues such as
parental abuse, drug abuse, physical child abuse, mental and
verbal child abuse, abandonment, neglect, alcoholism,
dysfunctional family life, living with deceit, rejection, fear,
PTSD, loss and grieving but was able to incorporate the story
with faith, friendship, trust, forgiveness and love.
The story has a lot of drama, suspense and romance. The author
is able to weave the past and present effortlessly. The chemistry
between the main characters was intense.
Thank you to the author for this eBook. My opinion is my own.

[Hopelessly Hooked on Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars
When Colt Taylor stepped off the airplane after he retired from the army, the last person he thought would be there to pick him up was Rachel Madison. It had been six years since he'd seen her, since the early morning after he walked out her door without even a goodbye. They both had something important to tell one another and both things would change their lives forever.

I received HST as an ARC for an honest review. This is the first book of JM Stewart's and it definitely will NOT be the last. This book had my heart from the first page. Every page was filled with so much emotion, from heartache to anger to love and much more. Colt and his brother Paul were physically abused by their father all their young lives. As soon as Colt turned 18, he joined the Army to escape the torcher everyday. He came home on leave when Rachel's mom had died of an overdose. He found her drunk in the bar and took her home. That one night they spent together would forever change their lives.

I wish there was a little more to the story than where it ended, but I understand why it ended where it did. This is a must read!!!!

[Tabitha Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed. I was hooked from the get go.I love military type books especially one when the Solider's have a heart. In this book Army Sergeant Colten Taylor comes back home after six long years. He is totally caught off guard once he sees Rachel Madison his old flame. Rachel is determined not to let Colten in on her hidden secret that is until he finds out himself. Can Colten and Rachel rekindle the love they had for each other once? Can Colten set aside his demons that he is dealing with long enough to figure out that this is where he belongs with Rachel? I love that Rachel is a strong willed character in this book. She is not afraid to fight for what she wants and she can dish it our pretty good. If you are looking for a great military read this one is for you!


I was given a copy of this book to read and review for my honest opinion

[Ann Meemken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel has kept a secret for six years and is having a hard time believing she made the right choice. She now has a chance to right a wrong. She needs to open up her heart and forgive Colt for walking out on her and let him know they share a son. In the process of doing that give her son a chance to meet and get to know his dad. They both have a lot of baggage from there past that they need each other to help overcome. They both want Greg to have a life they never did. Can they have there happily ever after together? You must read to find out.

A beautiful story of second chances. I am so glad I had a chance to read this book. I will be keeping an eye out for more books by this author. I was gifted an ARC thru Isalovesbooks review team.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely lcved this book. I give it 5 stars. It deserves many more stars in my opinion. It was that good.

This is the first book I have read by J.M. Stewart and I can't wait to read more.

I was pulled into this story from the first page and didn't not want it to end. I read it in one sitting.

Colt and Rachel grew up together, they were friends their whole lives.

A one night stand happens...Colt leaves before moring.

Rachel has kept a secret for 6 years. Her son Greg doesn't know who is dad is, and is starting to ask questions about his dad.

Rachel meets Colt at the airport, he is home to take care of family stuff and is now retired from the military. Rachel needs to talk to Colt, and come clean with him.

This is a beautiful second chance at romance story. Both Colt and Rachel have lots of stuff to over come from years gone by, but can they find a way to become the family they all desereve.

They both want their son to have a better life then they did growing up but can they get past all the hurt and worries and give Greg what they want for him.

This story made me want to punch things at times, and at other want to be a shoulder for the characters to cry on.. this book pulled at my heartstrings for sure.

One click this book when its available you will enjoy it!

thank you J.M for writing a beautiful story!

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received and arc for an honest review.

Colt returning home from is picked up at the airport by the last person he expects to see Rachel Madison. it's been six years since he had a one night stand with her and left in the morning never to get in contact with her since. Colt is retired and has come home to bury his brother Paul. Rachel and Colt have known each other for years but after that one night together Rachel has no intentions of starting a relationship with Colt again. It's not like he wants one anyway. But she has kept a secret from him and it is time to come clean.

Rachel and Colt both had difficult childhoods. They both have trust issues and no matter how the sparks fly when they are together they both shy away from getting together. Once Colt finds out about his son, he wants to be a father and slowly starts to realize that he wants Rachel in his life also. I really enjoyed the story. It was touching and the characters evolved through out the book. As Rachel and Colt got to know one another they became closer and start opening up their hearts and taking that chance.

[Jenni Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am giving this review on behalf of Kats Book Promotions/ Katsindiebookblog. Wow! I was hooked from word one and could not put this down till it was done. Rachel, Colten, and his brother were friends growing up. Family issues came a problem in the brother's lives so once Colten was able to leave and join the military, he jumped to the opportunity. Where as his brother took the bad road to drugs and debt. Rachel had became a single mother after one lust filled night. After deployment, Colten comes home not only to bury his brother, because of his own mistakes, but also find out he's a father. The reunion isn't all sweet with roses and wine, it's actually the total opposite. Rachel hasn't trusted anyone but herself for a few years now, so she can't just let Colten walk back into her life. She wants to make sure their is a good relationship with her son and his father first and foremost. With trouble looking around the corner, will it be possible to build any relationship? Or are the doomed just before they can get started?
This was such a great book, love me some military men! This is a MUST read!

[Judyrudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Soldier’s Touch by J. M. Stewart was such a heartwarming story to me that I couldn’t put it down. I read Rachel and Colt’s story in an afternoon. Rachel’s kept a secret from Colt for six long years. When he returns to Phoenix to bury his brother, Rachel meets him at the airport. At that time, she has no idea about his brother and he has no idea what’s waiting for him. This is a wonderful story about second chances. It’s a story about learning how two people overcome the addictive behaviors of a loved one. And, it’s a story about finding a love that was always waiting in the wings only waiting for the right moment to appear. I truly loved this book and can’t wait to read Ms. Stewart’s next release. I received a copy of Her Soldier’s Touch in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Rurae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely fantastic. I cannot reccommend it enough! The story pulls you in and grips you from the start. It is heartfelt and full of emotion.

This story is a second chance at love heartwrencher - with a hot military hero and a great heroine.

When Colt returns home, the last person he expects to see is Rachel, the woman he's been holding a flame for. Both of them have issues. Rachel is keeping a secret from Colt. And Colton is afraid to let people in, due to his abusive past.

Ms Stewart handles difficult themes such as abuse, PTSD, death, and addiction with a skilled touch, and the angst is always interwoven with happy times, affection, love, and the sizzling attraction that exists between these two.

I was lucky enough to beta read this a long while ago - then read it again in it's most recent guise. A wonderful story as good second time around.

I absolutely adored this story. Colt is up there as one of my top romance heroes of all time, he really touched my heart. You need to read this book!

[Books Movies Fandoms · Rating 4 out of 5]

My star rating for HER SOLDIER'S TOUCH is: 4 out of 5 stars. :)

My ‘Blogging Reader’s Review’ after reading
a copy of ‘HER SOLDIER'S TOUCH’
(via:BooksMoviesFandoms.wordpress.com):

I was given a chance to read and review Her Soldier’s Touch by author J. M. Stewart. This is a wonderful story about people who came from broken pasts and try to deal with life as it comes to them. When a major secret is revealed, lives will no doubt be changed. The struggles that the characters face are emotional at times but the flow of this story makes it a terrific story. You’ll be reading Her Soldier’s Touch in the two main character’s P.O.V’s(point of views), Colten “Colt” Taylor and Rachel Madison.

U.S. Army Sergeant 1st Class Colten Taylor returned home after serving twenty years in the Army. He only had one month until he was officially done. But the reason he was back in Phoenix, the place he grew up, was to come and bury his younger brother Paul. Paul was the last of his blood so after this, he really had nothing keeping him there. All that lurked around his old childhood home were horrible memories of a brutal father who never hesitated to share his anger with his fists on his wife or either of his sons.

It’s been six years since the day Colten left Rachel Madison behind in Phoenix. She was someone who had once been a close friends with both brothers throughout their childhood. He’s found it hard to forget her since the one night they shared together beyond friendship after the death of her mother. He left without a word and never reached out to her because the feelings he felt scared him and he felt she could do better than him. Now that he’s returned, he’s come face to face with the woman he left behind that probably would hate him now. He wasn’t sure what exactly to expect but he knew that he was going to have to face her and deal with the way he left her without a word.

Now that Colten was back, Rachel Madison had to deal with all of the old pain and hurt feelings that were surfacing once again. But that was the least of her worries. Her main concern was the heavy secret that has been weighing on her shoulders that she’s kept from him through the last six years. After he left and never made the effort to reach out to her, she decided to keep things to herself about something that was huge, important, and life changing. Now that he was back, this would be the time to confess the truth to him. They have a five year old son he has never met.

Colt’s late younger brother Paul had a bad addiction problem. His ties to bad people didn’t end upon his death. Now that Paul was gone it seems that his debt and problems have fallen into the laps of those in his life. Someone is out there looking for him and will do anything to get what he says is owed to him. What will he do to get what he wants? This situation brings on a dark twist of suspense to the storyline.

Will Colten hate and resent Rachel for keeping their son’s existence from him? Can Rachel and Colt ever understand what happened after that one night they shared? Is there any hope for them to fall for each other or will their scars from the past tear them apart? So many questions that can be answered when you check out this book. It’s a gripping story about love, pain, and dealing with the past. The relationship between Rachel and Colt is dynamic and emotionally deep. I adored how Colt was even though he had issues and problems, he still was such a great character. When he finally meets Greg…*aww* is all I will say. This is a touching and beautiful story. You should pick up a copy of this one today readers!


My star rating for HER SOLDIER'S TOUCH is: 4 out of 5 stars. :)

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[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 16, 2015

Experience has taught single mother Rachel Madison that the only person she can truly rely on is herself. But what she wants most in the world—to give her son the life she never had growing up—means she must put her faith in a man who once walked out on her.

Retired from the service, U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Colten Taylor makes a detour to Phoenix to bury his brother. Nobody is more surprised than he to see Rachel waiting for him at the airport. He regrets the morning he walked away from her, but coming from an abusive home taught Colt to put limits on all his relationships—especially this one.

So when he discovers he has a son, Colt knows this is a chance to prove to himself he’s not a chip off the old block. Turning his life around doesn’t come naturally, though. Then a drug dealer crops up from his brother’s dark past, threatening their son and forcing Colt and Rachel to face their demons … and each other.

~~

REVIEW: 4 stars--HER SOLDIER’S TOUCH is a stand alone adult, contemporary romance storyline from author J.M. Stewart-a second chance trope that finds single mother, nurse and part time waitress Rachel Madison, and retired Army Sergeant Colten Taylor struggling with the rebuilding of their relationship after a six year separation, and too many dark and tormented memories.

Told from alternating third person perspectives the focus of the storyline finds Colten Taylor returning back to the States to bury his brother-a brother whose addictions led to the destruction of his own life. Finding Rachel Madison at the airport was the last thing he expected but is the secret she reveals that totally blows his mind. After meeting Rachel’s five year old son Greg, Colten knew he was the child’s father.

Colten and Rachel’s childhoods were horrific. Colten’s father was an abusive and murderous alcoholic whose demons led to his youngest son’s addictions and troubles. Rachel’s own father walked out on his family leaving Rachel behind with a drug addicted mother and a revolving bedroom door. Colten and his brother Paul, along with Rachel sought refuge with one another-best friends from an early age-and eventually lovers and strangers when their world’s began to completely fall apart. Paul’s death from an overdose is a reminder that all was not well, and now the people to whom he owed money are looking for retribution and revenge.


The secondary and supporting characters include Rachel’s best friend Amy; Colten’s childhood friend Jake Ramirez, and Jake’s mother Rose who became Colten and Paul’s refuge in the storm. Rose’s motherly advice plays a significant role in Colten’s decision to remain and fight for the family he never knew he had.

The relationship between Colten and Rachel is a friends to lovers/ second chance storyline that finds our couple at odds with their future path. Colten is a man who tends to run when the world comes crashing down; he keeps his emotions reigned in tight. Rachel fears that Colten’s habit of running with leave her and her son alone-once again. She has been a single parent and has no problems continuing to be a single parent if Colten is unable to overcome his past. The $ex scenes are intimate without the heat of the erotic.

HER SOLDIER’S TOUCH touches on many family issues including drug and alcohol addiction, physical and emotional abuse, abandonment and single parenthood. It is an emotional and heartbreaking storyline where the sins of the father (and mother) continue to haunt the next generation. J. M. Stewart will pull you in and never let go.

Copy supplied by the author.

www.thereadingcafe.com

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 4 out of 5]

 
Her Soldier's Touch,  J.M. Stewart
Genre:  Contemporary romance.
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
I do like those second chance romances so was keen to review this one. Its a fun read, with a small suspense element added too. 
Poor Rachel had a tough upbringing, and has learned to rely only on herself. when she finds she’s pregnant after one night with Colt she doesn’t tell him. Well, he left without telling her and she decided that meant he’d lost his chance to know he was going to be a father....over the years she’s felt guilty over that but now he’s returning home and she has to face up to things. Greg is now five and asking about his dad, so she needs to man (wo-man?)  up and tell Colt, and see how involved he wants to be. Colt’s upbringing was tough too – he and his brother and mother were physically and mentally abused by their father, which was the catalyst for brother Paul's drug abuse and subsequent death. Now Colts back for the funeral, losing, he thinks, the last real family he has.  
He’s shocked by Rachel’s news, but decides he wants to be a proper dad, not one like his father. Its tough though and I felt for him. Rachel was incredibly understanding when things got too much for him, but she also couldn’t help those old feelings cropping up – the ones that say to her she can only rely on one person, herself, and that Colt will only let her down. She’s battling them to try to work with Colt, to be a family, he’s struggling his demons which tell him he’s just like his dad and not fit to be a father, and then to add to the stress the drug dealer Paul owed money to comes looking for cash and try to get Colt to pay up, threatening Rachel and Greg...It’s something that brings them all into danger.
Stars: Four. Its a great story, felt very real and I wanted Colt and Rachel to work. They were two people who deserved to be able to love each other and to have a family together. there’s a fairy tale perception sometimes about families, the 2.4 kids, nice house and secure future, when for most of us it’s like this, a struggle, a battle against life, our pasts and problems, and we have to really work to find happiness. I relate better to stories with a grounding of reality.  

ARC provided by Author.

[Rosemary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Madison is a struggling single mother. Greg is her life. Colt Taylor is the father, but he doesn't know that he has a five year old son. He's coming back to Phoenix to bury his brother. She has to tell him. What will happen when she does? Rachel is a wonderful character. She has courage and determination. Her little boy will not be hurt. She won't allow it. Her past has made her the woman she is today. Rach is an incredible character. I love a feisty heroine. She's a wonderful mother and a steadfast friend. Colt is an incredible man. He was abused as a child by his violent father as was his brother. He became the protector. I loved how he related to his boy. It was touching. The passion he and Rachel have is very sensual, but it's more than physical attraction. I wanted them to realize what they had and not be afraid to embrace it. J.M. Stewart wrote a wonderful second-chance at love story. It's captivating. The characters are strong and compelling and the danger that surrounds them made me keep reading. I had to know they were safe. They were surrounded by wonderful secondary characters. They were a colorful group. Her Soldier's Touch is gripping and powerful. This book is a keeper.

[Indies Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! J.M. Stewart has done a remarkable job with this one! Rachel and Colt have a past, one that she knows everything about, yet he is left in the dark for six years. Anger at him caused Rachel to hold back. When Colt's time in the Army is over, he heads home. These two reunite and it's tense at first. But the sparks that were there never left after all of this time. When Colt finds out the secret Rachel has been hiding, he can either run again, or stay and face it. The emotions are written so that you feel them along with the characters. There is action in this one as well. I recommend Her Soldier's Touch!

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will get you right from the beginning. Colt is a hot military man who just retired from the Army and came home to heartache, but when the one person he's been trying to forget for the last 6 years is waiting for him at the airport, his life gets turned upside down. Rachel has kept a secret from Colt and now needs to tell him but she is worried. Both with pasts that haunt them. Will they be able to ever have a happy ever after? A must read .

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching romance about two people afraid to trust in their feelings for each other. Colt and Rachel have great chemistry and he is great with with their son.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

[Stacie Marquart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great love story. You will fall I love with JM Stewart books.

[Lisa Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Loved the book! Joanne Stewart did a great job-I was hooked after the first couple pages! Military books are great to begin with-but add a soldier with a great heart it & is a great guy-even better!
He comes home after 6 years & is given a second chance at a life with his old flame Rachel & the son he never knew he had!!! They both want the best for their son & are willing to do anything to make that happen! The author did an amazing job keeping the storyline going & me interested!! Can't wait to read her next book!!! 5 stars for sure!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic heartfelt story. It pulled me in from the very beginning. I love the chemistry between Colt and Rachel. This is another terrific book by J.M. Stewart. I can't wait to read more of her books.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. When reading this one you can feel the pain Rachel and Colt have in their hearts from the past. I really loved Colt. He feels like he can't have it all and be happy because he's going to turn into someone like his father then his world is turned upside down when Rachel finally reveals her secret she's been keeping for the last five years. Rachel has learned she can only count on herself, but what will she do when Colt steps up to the plate? Can she let her guard down and take a chance? The ending in this one was perfect and left my heart with a happy sigh.

[M.L.]

4 of 5 stars. =)

Her Soldier's Touch was a great story about love, family and the things that threaten not only their hearts but their lives. Rachel and Colt have known each other since childhood. They both come from broken homes with parents that lacked in so many ways. But somehow, these two grew up into respectable adults regardless of the scars they carries from their past.
But nothing is perfect. Because of the the abuse from the past, Colten finds it hard to ever want a family or to fall in love because he worries he'll become the nightmare his father was.
Rachel and Colten share one special night that changes their lives. A life-changing secret is kept for 6 years until Colt returns to town to bury his younger brother. Now Rachel and Colt must deal with the secret that sits between them as well as the problems that fall onto them after Colt's brother's death.
This story was touching and gripping. The romance was on point, the relationships between all of the main characters progresses wonderfully. The suspense was entertaining but dark in certain moments. This book was worth the read! =)

My full blogging review can be found at:
BooksMoviesFandoms.wordpress.com

[Jonel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stewart’s approachable style makes it hard to put the novel down while the storyline grabs at your heart. The author approaches a myriad of topics with emotion and sensitivity, not only bringing them to the forefront of the story but also showing readers how they affected the characters in question on a real and deep level. Combine this with the larger than life secrets that are revealed and you have an emotional plot that will continue to drive you forward.

The characters are uniquely developed. It’s so easy to get to know what makes them tick & how they feel. Stewart develops them quite intimately on an emotional level. It makes them very easy to identify with. The contrast between her open nature & his very standoffish one made the trials that they’d both been through stand out even more.

This novel is definitely well worth reading for all romance lovers out there. The emotionally packed plot will keep you going from the beginning to the end.

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

a sweet-n-sexy read,

[Rianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know how you find a brand of jeans that you’ve never before tried, yet somehow, you fit into it as comfortably as though you’ve worn it before? (I hope that doesn’t just happen to me, LOL.) Well, that’s how I felt as I was reading Her Soldier’s Touch. It was the first novel that I’d read by J.M. Stewart, yet it felt familiar to me—and I mean that in a good way.

Her Soldier’s Touch kicks off with army sergeant Colt Taylor’s arrival in his hometown, where he’s welcomed by none other than Rachel Madison. Years ago, they called each other friends, but a one-night stand and Colt’s subsequent disappearing act destroyed their easy relationship. What he doesn’t know is that their hook-up left more than just hurt feelings in its wake.

When Rachel tells him about their son Greg, he does his best to do right by him despite his own horrific experience with his father. As they spend time with each other, it’s clear that there are deeper emotions at play other than their mutual love for Greg. However, Rachel’s wary of putting her faith in Colt and getting let down again, and then the past of Colt’s dead brother Paul catches up with them, giving them one more thing to worry about.

What I found interesting about this novel was that I actually felt more for the hero, Colt, than I did for Rachel. I’d expected it to be the opposite, because Rachel’s the jilted woman turned single mom who juggled jobs to provide for her son. But Colt tried so hard to make up for his failings, and even though he had his family issues to work through plus some bit of PTSD, he really did his best to be good to both Rachel and Greg. It was refreshing to find a hero who was willing to be so vulnerable to the heroine. While you often have to force a man to talk about his emotions, Colt did so willingly to Rachel—in fact, he was more open than she was. At times, it felt strange to me, but I did like how that defied gender stereotypes. Colt proved that a man can be strong yet sensitive too, and his journey of self-discovery gained my admiration.

On the other hand, I was a bit underwhelmed by Rachel’s character. I know she raised Greg largely on her own. The saying “once bitten, twice shy,” greatly applied to her, and I did understand her reluctance to fully let Colt in. I just expected her to have a stronger voice. I wish she could’ve been a more active character in the story. In fact, that’s what I would’ve wanted to see more of as a whole in Her Soldier’s Touch—more action instead of dialogue and introspection.

That said, I liked how J.M. Stewart combined both internal and external conflict to add layers to this story—and Greg was such a sweetie pie. I’m actually curious about what he’d turn out to be like as a grown man. I think fans of authors such as Susan Mallery, Robyn Carr, and the like will enjoy Her Soldier’s Touch. To me, it has a very Harlequin vibe to it. Though that may not be the type of story I’m into at this particular moment, I was pleased by my first experience of J.M.’s writing. 3.5 stars!

Oh, and she got me curious about her Cracker-ball Soup recipe. I might just try that one of these days!

*I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
**Review originally posted on www.WillReadforFeels.com

[Lynn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sergeant First Class Colten Taylor retires after 20 years in the army and returns to his childhood home in Phoenix. He's heartbroken as he does so, because he's home to bury his little brother Paul, who finally succumbed to his years of addiction and died of an overdose. The last of his family is gone. Or so he thinks.

Rachel Madison is there to pick him up from the airport. He hasn't seen her since he left her bed 6 years earlier. She was best friends with Paul when they were younger, even dating him for a short time before drugs overtook his life and changed him. He dreads telling her about Paul's death, but little does he know she has a bombshell of her own to drop on him. A 5 year old son ... that looks exactly like him!

Colten isn't sure he can stick around and be a father. He is haunted by his childhood. An abusive father, a mother that committed suicide and left he and his brother to continue to take the beatings instead of being brave enough to leave her abuser. He's terrified he's going to be just like his father.

Rachel has demons of her own. She is mad at Colten for walking out on her six years ago, and can't bring herself to forgive him. She thinks he'll always abandon her just like her father did. Leaving her to be raised by her addict mother. She figures it's better to be alone than to be hurt over and over again.

Can Colten overcome his fear and be the father his son deserves? Can he convince Rachel to take a chance on him even though he doesn't think he's worthy?

[Auria Jourdain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sexy from the get-go!

*I do not post spoilers*

This is the first book of J.M. Stewart's I've read, and it was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. From the first chapter, you feel Rachel and Colt's pain of a past relationship that hadn't been resolved before he left for the army, their chemistry undeniable. Returning home to bury his brother that committed suicide, Sergeant Colton Taylor didn't expect his childhood friend, Rachel Madison, to be waiting at the airport for him, especially since he'd left her without saying goodbye after a one-night stand. Add an unexpected surprise to the mix - a son that Colt knew nothing about - and the story takes on a new level: you want Colt and Rachel to bury the past and raise their son together. A suspenseful plot keeps the story moving, and you want nothing more than the HEA at the end.
Sweet and sexy at the same time, I was immediately drawn to these characters and their back story. J.M. Stewart's direct writing style and witty dialogue made me smile. I'm looking forward to reading other books from this author.

[Shakera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Stewart's writing is very simple and easy to follow. Her characters are developed with each chapter. There were times I was frustrated because I felt like there were words that should have been said, but weren't... but at the same time, I understood why they weren't said. It's hard to have an honest conversation where you have to tell someone the truth no matter how ugly it is. It takes a strong person to do that that.

I liked the storyline of Greg being in danger (I feel like I should explain that... that sounds really terrible) bringing Colt and Rachel together. They were meant for each other and the relationship progressed... it went a little show for me at times, but I enjoyed the story.

[Dixie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

JM Stewart has never disappointed yet! She makes the art of story-telling look effortless, and HER SOLDIER'S TOUCH is no exception. First of all, I love a military hero...because they just totally demand my respect from the get-go. So when someone says military or ex-military, I'm there. Colt isn't perfect. He's made a mistake or two, but when you see what he's had to overcome, you'll be rooting for him anyway. Rachel is a single mom, and she's doing a great job, but she wants more for her son and who can blame her. This feel-good tale with a huge serving of suspense thrown in is a perfect 2nd chance story. You're going to love this one!

[⚜️XAR the Bookwyrm · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really had a hard time enjoying this book! Both Rachel and Colt had a lot of issues from their childhood, which made them closed off emotionally, and scared of commitment and of having children. They took it out on each other, which made the book was filled with sniping at one another! I also had a major problem with Rachel keeping the fact that she was pregnant from Colt, all because he treated he exactly like the one night stand she was and snuck out. And what happened to using birth control like a condom?!. While it was a fairly quick read, it was not an enjoyable one, and I would not recommend this to other readers.