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Homecoming Heroes #3
At His Command
In one short month, cheerful army nurse Madeline Bright has become the darling of Prairie Springs, Texas. And if ex-pilot Jake Hopkins isn't careful, she might just conquer his heart. She's young, pretty and blithe-spirited...he's older and jaded. But being around Maddie brings back too many painful memories. Jake still feels guilty about failing to save Maddie's brother in an army helicopter crash years ago. So no matter how much Maddie wants to be in his life, for her own good, Jake can't allow that. He'll never have a normal, stable life.
And sweet Madeline deserves nothing less.
219 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
4 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Coulter
10 books34 followersBrenda Coulter lives somewhere in the Midwestern U.S. with the hunk o' burnin' love she married way back in 1975. Having successfully brought up two boys (they chew with their mouths closed and they always remember to say thank you), Brenda now makes up love stories, spends far too much money and time on her cottage-style flower garden, and endeavors to wait patiently for grandchildren.
To read long excerpts from all of Brenda's books, please visit http://BrendaCoulter.com
To read long excerpts from all of Brenda's books, please visit http://BrendaCoulter.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 27, 2008
"In one short month, cheerful army nurse Madeline Bright has become the darling of Prairie Springs, Texas. And if ex-pilot Jake Hopkins isn't careful, she might just conquer his heart. She's young, pretty and blithe-spirited…he's older and jaded. But being around Maddie brings back too many painful memories. Jake still feels guilty about failing to save Maddie's brother in an army helicopter crash years ago. So no matter how much Maddie wants to be in his life, for her own good, Jake can't allow that. He'll never have a normal, stable life.
And sweet Madeline deserves nothing less. "
Quick and easy read. Perfect for the road, as that is where I am at the moment. In the process of a move.
And sweet Madeline deserves nothing less. "
Quick and easy read. Perfect for the road, as that is where I am at the moment. In the process of a move.
April 18, 2019
I really identified with Maddie . . . trying so hard to make sure that everyone around her was happy . . . ignoring the things that made her sad, and feeling like she failed because she wasn't a 'hero' the way she'd wanted to be.
I also liked Jake, though, TBH, I kinda wanted to shake some sense into him most of the time. The phrase 'methinks [he] doth protest too much' comes to mind with regards to his studious avoidance of not only the past, but of Maddie.
I liked how they both were able to learn to trust that God would be with them, even in the hard times, and even when they messed up. And, I *really* liked that their relationship was primarily a friendship (when Jake stopped running away from Maddie, that is).
I also liked Jake, though, TBH, I kinda wanted to shake some sense into him most of the time. The phrase 'methinks [he] doth protest too much' comes to mind with regards to his studious avoidance of not only the past, but of Maddie.
I liked how they both were able to learn to trust that God would be with them, even in the hard times, and even when they messed up. And, I *really* liked that their relationship was primarily a friendship (when Jake stopped running away from Maddie, that is).
September 30, 2017
Maddy is a cheerful army nurse that couldn't be overseas but is wonderful as a OB nurse. Ex-pilot Jake is a wounded warrior who fights his feelings towards Maddy. He feels responsible for the death of Maddy's brother went they were in a helicopter crash. This is a Christian fiction romance.
October 2, 2017
3.5 stars
A romance about two people, both scarred (both physically and emotionally) by military service.
A romance about two people, both scarred (both physically and emotionally) by military service.
June 25, 2018
Not your typical romance novel
Absolutely loved the characters and the back story of this would love to know if there are any more books about Jake and Maddie! 10/10 great read !
Absolutely loved the characters and the back story of this would love to know if there are any more books about Jake and Maddie! 10/10 great read !
March 11, 2020
I was a bit put off by the title of this book, but upon reading, it suits the military setting. Very good story, with patriotic and religious themes, heroes, PTSD and forgiveness.
January 11, 2024
Wonderful. I'm loving this series.
August 15, 2008
Recently, my taste in reading material came under fire by a neighbor/friend of mine. She basically told me that the books I read are trash. (Well, she says that is NOT what she said.... but that's what I heard.) She DID say that the books I tend to favor have no substance to them and that it was a shame that someone had to die in all the books I read. Same difference between that and saying they're trash, right? Well, I stood up for the authors I am loyal to and assured her that she should not judge what she had not read. But all the same, I had to wonder if she was right about me spending too much time in just one genre. So, I started looking around to see what else was out there and stumbled upon a blog (http://brendacoulter.blogspot.com/200...) by Brenda Coulter that I enjoyed very much. It was about goings on in her garden and I could relate to the one about the bird. (You should go read them!) But there was more to her than just a beautiful garden and a wonderful copper watering thingie that I was seriously coveting for a while there... Turns out, she writes "inspirational romance." Hmmm, I thought... I haven't read a romance novel in years. So, when the opportunity presented itself to read her latest creation, At His Command, I jumped at the chance. As it happens, I am SO glad I did! It was nice to take a break from the cozy mysteries that I love so much and especially nice to realize that I can have more than one genre in my life!!!
At His Command was a breath of fresh air for me. A story well told. Light, bright and as refreshing as cold lemonade on a 95 degree day. Now, I know it sounds bad but I don't read to improve myself or my intellect. I read to be entertained and to escape my own reality for short periods of time. Seriously, I read a few chapters every night to close out my day and put my mind in a good place for sleep. But this book intruded into my days something awful! I spent the whole day wanting bedtime to roll around so I could get back to Prairie Springs. The book held something unexpected... much needed comfort for my homesick heart. There was lots of "Yes, ma'am" and talk of Mama. I miss that kind of talk so much and had not even realized it. So, I recommend this book as highly as I know how. It would be $5.50 well spent. Especially if you love a happy ending, your country, and appreciate those who sacrifice so much to pay the cost of your freedom. If you don't feel a renewed pride in this country, those who serve her, and faith in the God whose grace put you here in the first place... I will eat a bug! (Gummy worms count, right?) Seriously, trust me on this one!
Now, you go on over to Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?...) or wherever you buy your books and get in line for this one, you hear? And let me know how much you love it and how right I was that you would! I'm gonna buy copies for all my aunties back home in TN to tuck in their Christmas stockings this year 'cause they need some refreshment too! Never too early to get some ideas for the holidays, is it? Hmm... I bet my mail carrier would love a copy too... (At this rate, the Christmas shopping will be done in no time!)
At His Command was a breath of fresh air for me. A story well told. Light, bright and as refreshing as cold lemonade on a 95 degree day. Now, I know it sounds bad but I don't read to improve myself or my intellect. I read to be entertained and to escape my own reality for short periods of time. Seriously, I read a few chapters every night to close out my day and put my mind in a good place for sleep. But this book intruded into my days something awful! I spent the whole day wanting bedtime to roll around so I could get back to Prairie Springs. The book held something unexpected... much needed comfort for my homesick heart. There was lots of "Yes, ma'am" and talk of Mama. I miss that kind of talk so much and had not even realized it. So, I recommend this book as highly as I know how. It would be $5.50 well spent. Especially if you love a happy ending, your country, and appreciate those who sacrifice so much to pay the cost of your freedom. If you don't feel a renewed pride in this country, those who serve her, and faith in the God whose grace put you here in the first place... I will eat a bug! (Gummy worms count, right?) Seriously, trust me on this one!
Now, you go on over to Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?...) or wherever you buy your books and get in line for this one, you hear? And let me know how much you love it and how right I was that you would! I'm gonna buy copies for all my aunties back home in TN to tuck in their Christmas stockings this year 'cause they need some refreshment too! Never too early to get some ideas for the holidays, is it? Hmm... I bet my mail carrier would love a copy too... (At this rate, the Christmas shopping will be done in no time!)
July 31, 2011
That first line reeled me in. It told me the heroine was going to be a young, dewey eyed, probably sunshiney girl, loved and adored by everyone she meets. Not my favorite kind of heroine (probably because I'm an old, weary eyed, well, you get the point). But it also told me we would get the story from both the heroine and the hero's point of view, which I'm a big fan of. And it told me there would be plenty of amusing lines and humor infused in the story, which I'm also a big fan of.
Jake and his best friend, Noah, who was Maddie's older brother, were in the army together, flying Apache helicopters. They were shot down by insurgents, and Noah was killed. Jake was severly injured, and still suffers pain in his leg, and has to use a cane to help him walk. He also blames himself for Noah's death. Not because they were shot down, but because of decisions he made immediately after. He suffers from flashbacks and nightmares, but he stoically keeps his feelings bottled inside and refuses to talk to anyone about what happened.
Maddie adored Jake from the first time he came home with Noah, when she was in the first grade, and they were Cadets at West Point. She grew up and pursued her dream of becoming a nurse, then, after hearing Jake express admiration for doctors and nurses who served at army combat hospitals overseas, she joined the army. She wanted to be a hero. But she soon realized serving as a combat nurse just wasn't for her, and now she's in Priarie Springs, working as a nurse in the maternity ward.
Maddie very much wants to talk with Jake about Noah, and about what he's been through, and she worries about him and prays for him. Jake lost his faith in God after the accident, and he is determined to fight his feelings for Maddie, convinced that he would not be good for her and would end up hurting her. And that if she knew the truth behind Noah's death, she might never forgive him. So he continually puts her off, and she doggedly continues to advance on him. If she can't have him romantically, she still wants to be his friend.
I'm not a very religious person myself, and I'll admit to you now that I was pretty far into this book before it hit me that the tile was a reference to God, not just a military reference. I've never read anything by Brenda Coulter before now, but I enjoyed her breezy style while addressing a serious topic, and her humor.
Jake and his best friend, Noah, who was Maddie's older brother, were in the army together, flying Apache helicopters. They were shot down by insurgents, and Noah was killed. Jake was severly injured, and still suffers pain in his leg, and has to use a cane to help him walk. He also blames himself for Noah's death. Not because they were shot down, but because of decisions he made immediately after. He suffers from flashbacks and nightmares, but he stoically keeps his feelings bottled inside and refuses to talk to anyone about what happened.
Maddie adored Jake from the first time he came home with Noah, when she was in the first grade, and they were Cadets at West Point. She grew up and pursued her dream of becoming a nurse, then, after hearing Jake express admiration for doctors and nurses who served at army combat hospitals overseas, she joined the army. She wanted to be a hero. But she soon realized serving as a combat nurse just wasn't for her, and now she's in Priarie Springs, working as a nurse in the maternity ward.
Maddie very much wants to talk with Jake about Noah, and about what he's been through, and she worries about him and prays for him. Jake lost his faith in God after the accident, and he is determined to fight his feelings for Maddie, convinced that he would not be good for her and would end up hurting her. And that if she knew the truth behind Noah's death, she might never forgive him. So he continually puts her off, and she doggedly continues to advance on him. If she can't have him romantically, she still wants to be his friend.
I'm not a very religious person myself, and I'll admit to you now that I was pretty far into this book before it hit me that the tile was a reference to God, not just a military reference. I've never read anything by Brenda Coulter before now, but I enjoyed her breezy style while addressing a serious topic, and her humor.
August 27, 2008
America’s soldiers matter a lot to me. I’ve been a Soldier’s Angel to some, and I’ve “adopted” three more on my own. We pray for them daily in Chapel at my cottage school. My Dad is a Korean War vet, and I am a Daughter of the American Revolution. These are a few reasons why I was eager to read Brenda Coulter’s new book, AT HIS COMMAND.
This book, published by Steeple Hill, is a part of a six-author miniseries called “Homecoming Heroes,” but can be read as a stand-alone novel.
Beginning August 26, look for At His Command at WalMart, Target, and other stores that sell romance novels. It will also be available in most large bookstores, but if yours doesn’t stock it, they’ll be happy to order it for you. The ISBN is 0373-874960.
Have you ever tried reading an e-book? For just $4.46 you can download At His Command and start reading it right now. Kindle readers will be thrilled to have this option now!
Please note: “category” (often called “series”) romance books are mass-market paperbacks that sell like wildfire the month they’re released, then quietly fade away. So you’ll need to hurry to get your copy! You will want to read the romance of service man and woman, Jake and Maddie!
Jake Hopkins is allergic to two things. One of them is peanuts. The other is young army nurse, Madeline Bright. He thinks he’s too old for Maddie and too jaded. Being around Maddie makes his throat close up and his brain stall. Being around Maddie also brings back the painful memories of her brother who died in his arms during war in the Middle East. Jake blames himself for her brother’s death, and can’t bring himself to let her love him.
Brenda Coulter fashions her characters vividly and I was ready to throttle Jake Hopkins and bonk him on the head with the cane he uses to walk on his severely injured leg. But Maddie, in love with him in spite of his flaws, was much more patient than I!
I think this book is perfectly timed. One of my favorite TV programs is ARMY WIVES. This book, too, gives us a lively picture of what it’s like to be an American War vet in today’s service. It’s a poignant salute to the men and women in uniform. I give it five “boo-yahs!”
This book, published by Steeple Hill, is a part of a six-author miniseries called “Homecoming Heroes,” but can be read as a stand-alone novel.
Beginning August 26, look for At His Command at WalMart, Target, and other stores that sell romance novels. It will also be available in most large bookstores, but if yours doesn’t stock it, they’ll be happy to order it for you. The ISBN is 0373-874960.
Have you ever tried reading an e-book? For just $4.46 you can download At His Command and start reading it right now. Kindle readers will be thrilled to have this option now!
Please note: “category” (often called “series”) romance books are mass-market paperbacks that sell like wildfire the month they’re released, then quietly fade away. So you’ll need to hurry to get your copy! You will want to read the romance of service man and woman, Jake and Maddie!
Jake Hopkins is allergic to two things. One of them is peanuts. The other is young army nurse, Madeline Bright. He thinks he’s too old for Maddie and too jaded. Being around Maddie makes his throat close up and his brain stall. Being around Maddie also brings back the painful memories of her brother who died in his arms during war in the Middle East. Jake blames himself for her brother’s death, and can’t bring himself to let her love him.
Brenda Coulter fashions her characters vividly and I was ready to throttle Jake Hopkins and bonk him on the head with the cane he uses to walk on his severely injured leg. But Maddie, in love with him in spite of his flaws, was much more patient than I!
I think this book is perfectly timed. One of my favorite TV programs is ARMY WIVES. This book, too, gives us a lively picture of what it’s like to be an American War vet in today’s service. It’s a poignant salute to the men and women in uniform. I give it five “boo-yahs!”
May 20, 2015
I was concerned about this book going in because I don't read many inspiration romance novels and the ones I have read are very often bad. Brenda Coulter took care of that by penning an excellent book. What I should have been concerned with was sleep…since I didn’t start reading the book until 7 o’clock at night and couldn’t put the darn thing down! Inspirational romance is difficult to pull off without sounding contrived or sappy. Brenda Coulter avoids that problem by simply writing a great story. She weaves the points of view of the two main characters seamlessly and runs the reader through the full gambit of emotions from start to finish. The characters are vibrant and real; the plot is smooth and the finish is strong. You find yourself trying to offer the characters on the page advise – (“Come on, Jake! Don’t you see how she feels about you?) If you are not inspired to live life a little more brightly after reading this book, than you really are not trying. I can honestly say that this book far surpassed my expectations. As I said, I couldn’t put it down. If you have ever considered reading an inspirational romance novel – or even if you haven’t – go get yourself a copy of this one. Now if you will excuse me, I need to get some sleep.
October 19, 2014
Following the last book I read which was a very heavy, suspenseful story, I wanted to read something filled with love and light. This story has both...along with a story of a very brave injured soldier who fights his way back after a serious injury which ended his military career as a pilot. He lost his best friend, but learned to walk again and became an attorney. He finds Maddie...sister to the best friend he lost in the crash and although he fights against his faith and his growing feelings for her, he finds his way back to God and finds love in the process. A great story and reminder that hometown heroes are everywhere and that God is still in control, through bad and good times. A very good read...
October 1, 2008
a great, quick read. not so lite, but ...
once again, i feel like i WAAYYY under-appreciate what SSOOO many do and sacrifice "just" for my freedom, and, those personally who do it. i need to make sure, in some way, that i include more in my children's home schooling so that they too realize freedom DOES come at a price, especially more so for some than others, and to find some way that we can CONTINUALLY say "thank you" to those who all too willingly pay that price for us
once again, i feel like i WAAYYY under-appreciate what SSOOO many do and sacrifice "just" for my freedom, and, those personally who do it. i need to make sure, in some way, that i include more in my children's home schooling so that they too realize freedom DOES come at a price, especially more so for some than others, and to find some way that we can CONTINUALLY say "thank you" to those who all too willingly pay that price for us
November 22, 2015
Jake Hopkins was an Apache helicopter pilot, now a lawyer in Prairie Springs, Maddie Bright is the nurse flying home with Ali. Maddie's brother was Jake's best friend and gunner. Can they get through all the hurt o find a peaceful life?
April 8, 2009
It seemed very emotional and you can find love at any time in life with anyone reguardless of your age
October 19, 2009
OK so far ... Turned out to be a cute Christian romance involving an Army nurse and a veteran ...
January 19, 2016
Getting a glimpse of how armies suffer post-traumatic stress even though its fiction. I may never know how terrible wars are for them. A nice read!
November 2, 2008
This is heartwarming story I ever read. This is recommand reading. You will enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews