Hero Of The Heart

Witmer Warriors #1

by Jean Stokes

What happens when a girl is forced into a situation that she didn’t sign up for?
Something like a marriage that she doesn’t believe in perhaps...you get me.

I left behind my life in the city in search of something new.
A place where no one knew me, I had no family, and my mistakes remained in the past.
But when I arrive in the sleepy town of Witmer, I don’t know what it was I expected, but it certainly wasn’t what I got.
The surprise came in the form of a boulder of a man, with a cold personality to match. The kind of man that, like poking a bear, you tend to avoid.
So, don’t ask me what it was that drew me to my new neighbor Aaron Willet. Perhaps it was the brooding, or his insanely muscular arms, or even perhaps the fact that he wasn’t showing a direct interest in me.
Whatever it is, I feel a need to know him.
But this isn’t just a sleepy town like it might appear on the surface. There’s trouble brewing in Witmer. A family that wants to make trouble for the rest of us.
I won’t let that happen, and neither will my stubborn and rather arrogant neighbor, even if he won’t open up to me.
Author's Note
This is the Witmer story of Talia and Aaron, an enemies to lovers military romance in a small town western setting with an independent heroine, an alpha hero, a dash of humor, no cheating and a guaranteed happily ever after! There is a healthy dose of steamy scenes. There is no cliffhanger and can be read standalone but is ideally read as the first in the Witmer series as you will love the characters and want to find out what happens to them.

Genres: Romance

121 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2020

About the author

Please subscribe to Jean's free VIP Newsletter at JeanStokes.com for an instant free book, new book releases, and fun juicy gossip!

Jean came late to writing...only after a couple of failed career paths and finishing a messy divorce did she manage to dedicate herself long enough to string together her first novel...that initial writing was mediocre but the experience fantastic and an addiction was born!

Ever since then it's been Jean's outlet for frustrations, dreams, and desires. Romance is her niche and she loves to write them boldly, with alpha-males, independent women, and always looking for the perfect happily ever after!

Jean is an American exiled in London with eccentric dogs and lazy cats. When she's not in her cave writing or dreaming up the next book, she's watching trashy TV, drinking good coffee/wine with friends, and catching up on her backlog of romance reading!

Reviews

[Cheryl Drake johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talia decided that she didn't want to marry a man she didn't love so she left El Paso and went to a small town of Witmer where she had rented a house for a year and had to find a job where she could breathe and not let her family dominate her life anymore. She could not believe how ghostly the town seem when she arrived and she hardly saw a soul while driving to her house. She met her neighbor Aaron but she could tell he was definitely not a talker because she could hardly pull two words out of him. When she started working for his best friend Scott she found out some information about him from her new friend Ava who is crazy about Scott gives her some info on Aaron not why he treats her the way he does. But things get better as she becomes friendly with his friends and they begin to see each other more often. She also met the Bushnell brothers, whom she didn't care much for at all, even though when she met them she didn't know they were related. Somethings were going on in town that could be a danger to her and her friends seem to already be wrapped up in. Aaron makes a drastic decision. Romantic suspense. Short story. Great characters, and I like the storyline. I was given a free copy from Bookfunnel without obligations. I am providing an honest review.

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very entertaining book from start to finish. Talia and Aaron became neighbors and then into a relationship. However, Talia and Aaron both have things in their lives that they must overcome, as well as the downsides of living in a small town. However, with the support of good friends and their attraction for each other, they reach their HEA.

I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a fair and honest review.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I come from a military family and found the story on that front unbelievable. The characters are likable, but the writing didn't "pop". Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me.

"I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the first book in the Witmer Warriors series. In this book, Talia moved to a small town after running away from a marriage her family was pressuring her into. Talia moved in next door to Aaron, a soldier at the army base. Talia and Aaron clash and Talia wants to get to know Aaron, but he is not very friendly to her. Aaron is attracted to Talia and wants to be with her, but he doesn't think she would want him. Talia starts to make friends with others in town and finds Aaron in her new circle of friends. When they grow closer, Aaron finds out he has to leave on a tour and Talia is heartbroken. Aaron and his friends are also involved in a feud with the Burchell brothers and are trying to find evidence they need to prove the brothers are involved in criminal activity. I liked this story. I liked Talia and think she was brave to have started her life over. Aaron needed to know he was worthy of love. Good one.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talia runs the day before her wedding. Her parents arraigned for her to marry Antonio for a status marriage. She doesn't love him. And flees to Witmer. Her neighbor, Aaron, is a military man on leave. He's quiet, reserved and has put up big walls to keep people out of his heart. His brother was killed by a landmine while they were both serving in Iraq. Aaron get Talia a job at his buddy, Scott ranch and slowly Scott and Ava work to get Aaron and Talia together. Love the ending!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Runaway bride (sorry, drive away bride, to use the author's words) meets a stoic military neighbor. Both with issues, both are strong and daring yet yet each have shields. Meanwhile, a sleepy town has underlying threats. A first book of a warrior series. It is a standalone book with romance, friendship, and sinister characters as well. A promising first book with the promise of so much more.

I received a free copy of this book via BookFunnel and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running Towards Her Fate -
The interaction between Aaron and Talia was highly charged and filled with unexplainable complicated feelings, when they first met. Fortunately, time help them work out how they felt for each other. Although the road to their happily ever after was rocky, I was happy that they finally got there. This was a great story overall, as the drama filled storyline, angst and steamy moments, ensured I had a great reading experience. This book is a must read.

[Tracy Sylvester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talia leaves home and family behind to find her own life, a life she wants to lead and not have dictated to her. When she moves to small town Witmer she finds herself living next door to Aaron, a hunky, brooding military man. Aaron isn't looking for love but is instantly attracted to Talia. Talia is fresh out of running from a potential arranged marriage but finds that Aaron is someone she feels drawn to. Wonderful small town romance book and a great start to this book set.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the story entertaining. However, I found the author's knowledge of how things are done in the military lacking. That was a bit distracting. If you took all the military stuff out, the rest of the story was good. I do agree with one of the other reviewers, though. Carrying a sofa by yourself is a physical impossibility. You really do need two people.

[Book Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

running to or from what you believe in

Talia running from her future and Aaron running from his past.
Talia ran from family and her future husband.
Aaron ran from his past.
Neighbors learn to communicate, care and love each other through the most difficult times.
Wonderful book to read.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

[Stacey]

providing an honest review after receiving a complementary copy from the author via BookFunnel.

was enjoying this book but I found the ending very weird.

she just happened to be related to the bad guys?

Why did Aaron just decide to leave and reenlist only to turn straight back, would they even allow you to enlist then just change your mind?

just weird choices

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

His brother was killed while they both were serving together in the middle east. Blown up by an IED.
His home on leave because of how hard he was taking it. She ran away left her groom at the alter. She didn't love him but their families wanted them to. Their romance is difficult. Loved the book.

[Sammye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very entertaining enemies to lovers romance. There is some humor and very steamy scenes. And a guaranteed HEA is always nice! I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Pat Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaron and Talia were both running from their past Aaron from when he was in the Military and Talia from an unwanted wedding. They had to work on their past so they could move on to their future. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and gave my honest opinion.

[Rachel Brightey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little too short and sweet for me. I like a bit more of a build up to the romance and unfortunately I felt this was slightly lacking in the sexual tension.
I do feel that this was just down to it being a short story though so can be forgiven.
I may Pick up the other stories in time.

[Irene Kiew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the sample on Amazon and quit reading when the hero picked up a couch all by himself. I don't care how buff he is, I don't think that is physically possible.

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allow an afternoon for this NC17 tale set in Witmer, Texas about run-away bride Talia Fernandez and her neighbor Aaron Willett. I had a rough draft and this voluntary review was my own opinion.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, even if the hero feels very unapproachable – to the point of being an anti-hero almost. But I liked Talia's guts and once Aaron stopped brooding he was much more enjoyable.

[Noreen Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick easy read about how some relationships develop

[Darrell Nuner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good fun read.
It is worth your time to just enjoy a good story!

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a fine line between a stoic, quiet guy with his secrets and need to keep them and someone who comes across as a autistic and aggressive. In this book, that line was crossed.