Holiday for a Hero

Heroes at Heart #8.5

by Maryann Jordan

Behind every hero is someone who offered them timeless love. Ethel fell for the handsome George Wiseman when she was only sixteen. She found the love of her life only to lose him too early. Determined to live her life with purpose, she became a foster mother. And discovered a new kind of love as she offered her home, her heart, and her wisdom to the heroes she raised, through a lifetime of Christmases. The sweet companion novella of Miss Ethel, the character that many have called their favorite character of all time. You've read about her boys... now discover the holidays of Miss Ethel as she learns about love, loss, and the renewing spirit of everlasting love again. This novella can be read first, last, or anytime in the middle of the series! Loosely based on the fairy tale, The Little Girl and the Winter Whirlwinds.

83 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 4, 2020

About the author

As an Award Winning and International Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo Best Selling Author, I have always been an avid reader. I joke that I "cut my romance teeth" on the old historical romance books. I’ve written as a hobby for over 30 years. In 2014, I finally gave in to the characters in my head pleading for their story to be told. Thus, Emma's Home was created.

My first novel, Emma's Home became an Amazon Best Seller in 3 categories within the first month of publishing. Its success was followed by the rest of the Fairfield Series and then led into the Love's Series. From there I have continued with the romantic suspense Alvarez Security Series and now the Saints Protection & Investigation Series.

My books are filled with sweet romance and hot sex; mystery, suspense, real life characters and situations. My heroes are alphas, take charge men who love the strong, independent women they fall in love with.
I worked as a counselor in a high school and have been involved in education for the past 30 years. I recently retired and now can spend more time devoted to my writing.

I have been married to a wonderfully patient man for 35 years and have 2 adult, very supportive daughters.
When writing, my dog or one of my cats will usually be found in my lap!

I love to hear from readers, so please email me!
authormaryannjordan@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/authormaryann...
www.maryannjordanauthor.com

Reviews

[Diane (Books and Tequila Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday For A Hero is a prequel of sorts to the Heroes at Heart series. Throughout the series, the biggest constant is Miss Ethel, the foster mom who raised these lost boys into heroes of men with hearts of gold and Holiday is her story.

“You thought you were just giving me a safe place to stay. But you gave me you. You gave me brothers. You gave me a family. You gave me life.”

I read this story with tears in my eyes but not tears of sadness. Holiday For A Hero is a celebration, a reminder of all the good that life has to offer when your eyes and heart are open to the possibilities.

“Life is funny like that. You sometimes have to lose to gain. You sometimes have to suffer to celebrate. You sometimes have to give up to be given.”

Thank you Maryann Jordan for giving your readers this book. It is truly the gift of your heart in story form.
-5 Stars-

[L E Bahe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never in the 56 or so years since I learned to love and escape into reading and the thousands of books I have enjoyed in that time have I encountered such a completely heartwarming story as Holiday for a Hero. Miss Ethel and George are simply the definition of a loving couple, of good people; they lived their beliefs through respect of others, generosity, kindness, and caring. Though Miss Ethel's success as a foster mother is well documented in the Heros at Heart series, the road to that success was a fascinating and touching journey described in this story, so touching I needed to make sure I was in reach of a tissue box at all times. As I reflected on Miss Ethel's story I took a closer look at my own mother's life and realized with surprising clarity just how closely her philosophies mirrored Miss Ethel's, it made me appreciate her memory and all she went through as a widow raising children alone even more than I did. I sincerely and highly recommend this book, it is so good!

[Sue Dayoub · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are not enough stars for this book!
This book is filled with so much love and emotion I’ll be the first to admit I had tears in my eyes from the beginning.
If you know anything about the Heroes at Heart you know Miss Ethel is a special lady but until you read her journey from the beginning with George to the end with her boys you see the strength and love that this woman possess, even George how he never quite leaves her side.
To say this is a favorite story of the year for me is a understatement!
Thank you Maryann Jordan for your story that filled my heart!

[Nancy Lochary Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday for a Hero was such a heartwarming story about Miss Ethel and her life. I can honestly say that I have never teared up so much while reading a book. The love that is shown throughout the story was something I wish could be seen and heard of in everyday life. I will miss reading new stories about this “family unit” but I will certainty revisit them in the future.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous novella for fans of the Heroes at Heart series! We've fallen in love with Miss Ethel throughout the series, and - at least for me - become curious about her George. I highly enjoyed getting to know him a little bit & how he inspired her to let her heart of service shine.

Beautiful, tearful story!

: )

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tissue alert. Especially if you have read the entire series. Nobody who is familiar with this author will deny her books pull at the ❤️ strings and leaves reader with tears of joy at the end. This book included.

[Lisa Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, I absolutely loved how Ms. Jordan told the story of Miss Ethel and her husband George. Their struggles to have kids, his death, and her ability to open her heart to 8 boys who desperately needed a family. Ms. Jordan told the story through time-lapse and we were given glimpses into how the family grew with each added boy and some surprises and struggles along the way. I was in tears as the story was heartbreaking at times and full of love at other times. You could feel the love pouring out from the pages. This was truly a love story between a man and a woman and a woman and her foster sons. Ms. Ethel had an amazing journey and her faith in God carried her through the dark times as well as knowing that her husband was never far from her even in death.

Ms. Ethel has always been a favorite of mine and I have always wished that I could remember quotes the way that she did and taught her boys to do the same. Ms. Jordan did a wonderful job of making me feel like I was sitting on the floor in Ms. Ethel's living room listening to the stories being told. This was a perfect gift to give to the readers who love this series so so much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Ms. Jordan.

[CarolKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughout this series, I was always wondering about Miss Ethel. She is the boy's, well now men's hero.

Her husband George was the love of her life, and he was now he is gone. Their love however lives on in this story, as we see when Miss Ethel fell for him right to the day he died. The two of them were always doing for others in some way or another. They just tried to fill a need.

The decision to take in foster children came easy once she realized the need. It was her friend Julia who made her aware and Miss Ethel has so much love to give and a now empty house.

We get to see each of the boys as they come to Miss Ethel and learn her method of showing them how to love and respect themselves and others. The stories they read, the quotes and so much more as they grow into men under her loving care.

So much laughter, love and even some tears in this wonderful holiday tale. Don't miss this wonderful series!

[Ginny Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of how Ms Ethel and her relationship with her husband George.
After she loses her husband, she decides to open her home and become a foster mother. Read on to learn more about "her boys."

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethel and George met at a dance and fell in love, then they got married but after trying for a baby for years they realised that it wasn't going to happen. They then decided to go out and help people in need in there community and this fulfilled part of Ethel even though she was devastated at not being able to give George a family as they both had so much to give. This story takes you on an emotional ride of love, hope, loss and being strong to carry on and believing in yourself and that is when Miss Ethel really comes into her own with the help of the love her and George shared even though he is no longer with her. Miss Ethel is a truly remarkable women as she guides the boys into men and those men are a credit to her as they go through life and now have there own family but they are still there for her though out everything. I couldn't put this book down and I cried so much while reading it so make sure that you have tissues handy because you are definitely going to need them. Just remember that you need to read the whole series starting from book one so that you can get all the background history of each one of them and all that they have been through. I definitely recommend you read this book and others by Maryann and you will definitely not be disappointed as she is an incredible author and writer.

[Wendy Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is emotional and so very loving. First we have Ethel and George, their story is one many couples experience, the love and wanting a family to complete it. The disappointment and sadness but the strength of love still holding strong. Then her life moves on and she is supportive and loving, so constant in the lives she helps shape. A mother in every way but blood, in this case a way better one than some. This group became one very strong and loving family. Sweet, sad, loving it had me smile, cry and left a huge lump in my throat in a good way. I thank the author for not taking this any further and allowing it to finish as it did and not how I thought it might. Wonderful but you do need some tissues.

[Teresa Christianson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Miss Ethel's story. So heartwarming.

Miss Ethel's story begins when she met her future husband. They were never blessed with children of their own, and then George died much to young. Several years later she decides to take in foster boys and over the next several years ends up with eight boys that are permanently placed with her. She shows them what it is to be truly loved and to respect each other, to be the kind of men that can be proud of themselves.

It was heartwarming to read this book and see from her side of how raising these boys was and that she always keep her husband in her heart and talked to him like he was still here. There were times that I had to blink back tears just because of the emotions.

[Dawn Cruikshank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday for a Hero

OMG! What a FANTASTIC story! You will definitely need tissues when reading about Miss Ethel. This story has its sad moments as well as happy and anguished moments. Maryann takes us through her years of being with George and with taking in 8 boys who were in the foster system. She raised these boys with love and George was there every step of the way. I loved her conversations with George - very heartwarming. I am very happy that Miss Ethel got her story told. FANTASTIC job Maryann! Thank you for telling Miss Ethel's story! I would highly recommend this book!

[Shelley C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday for a Hero 😍🤧

To me you know when you’ve read a good book, is when you fail to keep your emotions in check.....let’s just say tissues should be suggested in the requirements section of reading this novella as they are certainly needed more than once❣️

This is the story of how all eight boys found themselves in foster care with a woman who’s heart was so big and her house was filled with acceptance, kindness, love and respect and they took these lessons to heart😍 An amazing story filled with a lifetime of lessons and reflections which make you reassess your own life😳

I received a free copy of this story from the author and voluntarily have left my honest review❤️

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be sure to get out a box of tissues before beginning this book because you are going to need it! I cried some pretty ugly tears reading this as there were some pretty emotional parts throughout. I loved everything about this story, from the wonderful relationship between George and Ethel to the stories about all of the ways Miss Ethel shared her love. This was truly a remarkable book and I know it is one I will be re-reading. Thank you Ms Jordan for another amazing story in this outstanding series.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may be the last book in a series and I haven't read any of the previous books. But, I so enjoyed this story about Ethel and George. How they met, their life and his death. And how she came to raise 8 foster sons. This is a wonderful Christmas story of love and hope.

If you're a fan of this series, I know that you will love this book. And even if you haven't read any of the books, I think you'll find this uplifting and a great novella for Christmas.

I was provided with this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Tracey Tranter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read most of the books in this series and always Ms Ethel has a major part in each of the stories.

This story focuses on Ms Ethel and it describes her strength, conviction and the love, respect, and dignity she gave each of the boys and helped them to become the men they are.

Loved this book and the insight into the woman who shaped the heroes in the other books in this series.

All the books in this series are all wonderful stories.

I received an author’s copy and have left an honest review

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful book. A strong woman who finds she can do so much more than she imagined, with a heart overflowing with love. I opened the book and could not put it down. A huge Bravo. I did not expect so much of it, making the story so much more. A very emotional journey. Also a glimpse into the early lives of members of another series.

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

[Rita Sheppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book and am overwhelmed at the love and kindness that Miss Ethel showed for her eight foster boys. She welcomed and cared for them as her own giving each of them a loving home.

It was very touching to see that husband George and Miss Ethel were able to continue their love through George's visits even after he was gone.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a loving feel good story.

[Merle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet ending (?) to the Heroes at Heart series. This begins with young Ethel meeting the young man she will marry at a high school holiday dance. It follows their lives together until George passes away. Her life begins s again when she realizes the need for foster parents and begins her new career as foster mother. We meet young Zander, then Rafe and Cael and so on. The lessons are always in the stories and the stories help the whole family to learn. Warning, though: there may be tears.

[Dawn Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG can I just say this was definitely a story that will pull at your heartstrings and bring a tear or two to your eyes and bring plenty of smiles. Holiday for a Hero was so well written it just made you feel like you were in the story and like the characters were someone you know. I absolutely loved Miss. Ethel and am so happy Maryann Jordan gave her her own back story. I have to say this is probably my favorite 2020 book. I highly recommend this amazing story.

[Jeannine Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful book - have tissues close by

I resisted purchasing this book for quite some time. I knew that Miss Ethel was a widow and I also knew that her love for her late husband was deep and true.

I finally caved and purchased it and I’m glad I did. I cried, I smiled, and I identify with Miss Ethel so much, her deep true love for her husband, her grief at his passing and the love that she had for her “boys”. Well done, Miss Ethel and Ms. Jordan, well don.

[Dana zamora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motherhood

Miss Ethel and George always wanted kids and sadly unable to have their own, after a few years of being alone she heard of foster parents and wanting to give all the love she has to others, ultimately raising 8 boy's into amazing, loving men, family men that have remained close to Miss Ethel and the brothers they grew up with, absolutely beautiful, heartfelt, tear jerker finale to an awesome series, thank you, Dana Zamora

[Cheryl Shearer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fitting ending to this series

I am glad I read this book at the end of the Heroes at Heart series. While it could have been read at pretty much any point, reading it at the end was fitting as it answered the questions about Ethel and George and the love they shared and the love Ethel passed on to the boys, their wives and their children. A lovely series, laughs and love and tears and great backstories to inform the reader about what made these men and women so special.

[Paula D. Boyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Wonderful feel Good Series

I just read all nine books in the Heroes at Heart Series. I so loved each and every single story. Miss Ethel was the main character whose presence in each book helped tie the storylines together. While there were protagonists in each story , their presence did not dominate the true essence of each love story as it unfolded. I urge you to read this series if you enjoy a good love story.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In all of my 46 years of reading I have never had a book character have a bigger impact on me. When reading the series I could not tell enough people about the wonderful Ms. Ethel. For Ms. Jordan to end this series with Ms. Ethel’s story was the icing on the cake. Be prepared to cry from getting to end because it is just so beautiful. Five stars is not enough.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a simply beautiful love story even if it wasn’t conventional. Loving Miss Ethel’s character as we’ve gotten to know her it was a joy to walk down memory lane as we learned how she became the mom to eight boys. I can’t explain the bittersweet joy and sadness that this wonderful series is over. It was lovely to catch up with all the boys and their families.

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC for honest review with no compensation

Holiday for a Hero is book 9 in the Heroes at Heart series by Maryann Jordan.

If you read the other books in the Heroes at Heart series you read about Miss Ethel and each book is a standalone about a different couple.Now you get the backstory of Miss Ethel and her boys can to be apart of her life.

What an amazing, emotional read!!

[karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of all time. I am so glad you wrote Ethel’s story. I lived your stories of all her boys, but this story wove it to completion . What a caring , protective amazing lady.
She saved all those boys, taught the live and made them all a family. They all made her proud and gave her life with and after George. Well done,

[Julia M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fitting conclusion to the heroes at heart series. It was lovely to discover Miss Ethel’s backstory and about her life with George. I am so glad he never really left her . It also sets the scenes for why the boys grew up as they did.I really enjoyed this novella, a true Christmas treat.