Sparkle in His Eye

Heroes in Hardhats #2

by L.J. Vickery

Zaine “Zero” Oates grew up under the worst of circumstances; trapped in a troubled life he never talks about. With hard work and perseverance, he reached his goal of becoming a Navy SEAL, but a dozen years into his dream-career, an insurgent with a knife inflicts an injury, cutting his military tenure short. Life after the teams looks pretty bleak until Tex the miracle-man sets him up with a job working for an ex-Army Combat Engineer building homes for wounded Vets. What he doesn’t count on when agreeing to come to Pleinfield, is forming a crush on the mystifying local librarian…a woman who clearly harbors deep secrets of her own.

Ginny “Sparkle” Smith—up and coming actress—is laying low, her current life as a small-town librarian giving her the cover she needs to hide from her stalker. But the stress is getting to her. When will her exile end? She yearns for a life outside her small duplex apartment and the little library’s story-hours, but as long as someone is after her, she’ll never be able to return to the big stage in New York. When an additional monkey-wrench gets thrown into the works, in the guise of a handsome, curly-haired ex-soldier who wants to date, how can she let her guard down and say yes? But how can she say no? Danger is in the air, but so is love.

Genres: Military Fiction

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 20, 2021

Reviews

[Dicina]

I struggle with the writing style of this author, it just isn't for me and I cant' get into the story

[Kathy Tozzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from an awesome Author.
Heroes in Hardhats are stories about a group of wounded vets building homes for other vets.
This time around is Zaine (Zero) Oats, highly trained Navy Seal and the spunky but quiet librarian in their town. Something about her actions sets off his Spidey senses. He knows deep down something is wrong and he will do anything to protect her.
He knows a bit about hiding pain, his childhood was anything but happy.
Ginny is being stalked but is afraid to talk to anyone until she meets Zaine. With a bit of courage she reaches out to her childhood friend, who just happens to be Zaines boss.
When things go very wrong, there is no one better to protect her than Zaine and the rest of the team. No one touches what is his, time to make his sparkle shine once again.
I can not wait for more of this incredible series. If I could give more than 5 stars I absolutely would.
Sparkle in His Eye

[Melanie Marnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sparkle in His Eyes met every expectation I had. L.J. Vickery has created truly unique characters and woven them into exceptional stories. Yes there is some drama, suspense and danger as well as spicy romance. But, to me, the emphasis is on her characters. What's their history and how did it affect their lives? Where are they headed? Ms Vickery really has done a stellar job with her character studies. I loved that Zaine's early life was told in short vignettes and interspersed throughout the story. Sparkle's affliction was worked seamlessly into the conversations. These two simply shined and there was no way that you would be rooting for them start to finish. Overcoming the odds...it just doesn't get any better.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of the series and it is a good one. The group of ex-military of wounded warriors are building affordable housing for Vets that need them. Keeping in mind the disabilities these men and women have suffered, the homes are taking shape. Zaine “Zero” Oates has had a life of struggles, became a SEAL, and, now needs one of these homes he is helping to build. His love of books led him to the library where he meets a “skittery” Librarian, Ginny “Sparkle” Smith. She is stressed, he knows something is bothering her, and, now he needs to see about her problem. This is the basic story of the book which was exciting, well written and thoroughly entertaining.

[Double T's book buddies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zaine and Ginny

Poor Zaine grew up with a tyrant as a father, but lucked out when a New York cop eventually helped him get out of a crazy situation and Zaine went on to be a Navy Seal. Ginny had left her hometown and became a star in the theater in New York, but had a stalker after her, so she slipped silently back to her hometown in Pleinfield where the guys also live, and she's the town librarian. A few twist and turns throughout. Another really good story and looking forward to the next story. Happy reading.

[Brenda Woodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It wouldn’t take much to ditch all her hard-won reclusiveness for Zaine Oates.

Running home to the small town she grew up in, Ginny never expected to meet the man of her dreams.
Zaine dealing with his own demons must come to terms with his own traumatic childhood to rescue the woman of his dreams.
Another great book in this series, comfortable friends to read about. And of course Tex!

[Lisa Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read

I really am enjoying this series. The author does a great job making her characters as real as possible. Ginny's speech issues were handled very well. The plot line was, unfortunately, believable, of Zaine's childhood. It was interesting who intervened on his behalf and what they were able to do for him.

[Stacy Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has done it again. A well written story with great characters that keep you invested. Love all the guys banter, and Ginny fits right in. Full of mystery, action and suspense.
I was given an advanced reader copy and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Annemieke Westerbeek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read from this LJ Vickery and I enjoyed it so much. It has romance, suspense it tugs at your heartstrings. The characters are wonderful it is vividly written and in a fast paste. I am definitely going to read more from her. I recommend. Loved it.

[Tracey Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

book 2 in the series

Enjoyed this edition of the injured hero’s series. Zero and Sparkles story was a enjoyable read, couple of twists and unexpected events at the end added to the suspense. Recommended

[Iris Hehe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Sparkle and Zero first met and took a shine to each other. Then Zero set limits on how long they had to date before he could get to first base, getting to second base and third base .

[Janice Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

I’m overjoyed to have found such an amazing series to read. Books one and two were absolutely fantastic, filled with an amazing assortment of characters to love. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Could not put it down. Read all night to finish. The one thing was settled and then there was a new problem. Did not want it to end.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I really loved this story was hooked from start to finish it was really good totally recommend reading it and the author

[CHANDRA RENEA FIELDS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chandra's Review

I truly enjoyed reading this book it was loving, mysterious, full of action, and sexy! I would definitely recommend this book to read!👏🏾👏🏾🤗🤗

[janelle beaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book keeps your attention. There's something going on all the time.Great characters and the way they all stand up for each other and help they just step right up to help.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

My rating 4-1/2/stars

[Ginny Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zaine had a horrible childhood but thanks to a police officer, he had a new chance in life. He meets Ginny at the library.
Ginny moved back to her hometown to get away from her stalker. She works at the library. She has just met a man that makes her feel alive. She finally goes to her old friend, Safety and tells him what she has been going through.
Zaine and Ginny are building a relationship when she receives a call to return to New York for a few days. Zaine is clearly upset by it. When she is kidnapped, she finds out why.
Will Zaine finally get the closure from his past? Will he get to Ginny in time?

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's some danger, intrigue and a second chance for a young boy. Now he's an ex Navy Seal, trying to start his life over with something different. HEA.