Operation: Camouflage Christmas

Rules of Engagement #1

by DeeDee Lake, Susan M. Baganz

How can love blossom when dating is forbidden?

Setting aside broken dreams of love and marriage, Samantha “Brooke” Cooper-Sanchez is determined to complete Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, so she can be a nurse in the Army Medical Corps. She wasn’t looking for love. Then surprise Christmas gifts begin showing up. Who is sending them and how does this person know her so well?

Bernard Travis has been friends with Brooke since high school. They’d remained in contact over the years, and now for the first time, she is available to pursue, except dating is forbidden in OCS. When she doesn’t realize who her mysterious gift giver is, Bernard begins to doubt he’ll ever win her heart. Will God make his fondest Christmas wish come true?

115 pages, ebook

First published November 1, 2022

About the author

I'm an avid reader and chatter! I love to chat with my friends, neighbors, and strangers. It's been said, I came out talking. The rumors must be true.

I grew up a Navy brat and lived in Spain for 9 years until I was a junior in HS. Then a couple of years later married my Army pilot. We've been married for 39 years. Now we live in Colorado and I can see the Rocky Mountains from every room in my house - well, not the bathroom.

We adopted a Cuna Indian baby girl in Panama and then four years later adopted our son in New York City. Both are amazing adults and have sweet mates!

I'm Nana to my 3 grandkids - Dom, Layla, and Gio. I work hard to be the nutty, fun loving granny.
Recently, my two-year-old golden-doodle loves to bust into zoom meetings and demand attention.

You can check out my social media. Here are the links

FB: https://www.facebook.com/DeeDeeLake.s...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconnecti...
LI https://www.linkedin.com/in/deedee-la...
Pinterest: DeeDee Lake

Reviews

[Susan Miura]

A light, sweet Hallmark-style romance to read during the Christmas season or anytime. I loved the glimpses into military life as I followed the two main characters, Brooke and Bernard, through Officer Candidate School (OCS). Brooke begins with a heart wounded by a fiancé who decided he didn't want a military wife. Reeling from her canceled wedding, she's happy to see that Bernard, an old friend from high school, is in her OCS class. She's not interested in romance, but Bernard has other ideas. When a mystery gift shows up on her bunk, then another and another each day, Brooke is intrigued. The giver seems to know just what she likes, but she can't imagine who it could be. She hopes it's not the cadet whose unwanted advances cross the line into harassment. As the story unfolds, Brooke begins to hope that her old friend might just become her new flame. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end!

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke and Bernard, friends since high school (when she had a secret crush on him and he was afraid to ask her father if he could date her), meet up again in OCS in the Army. While they have a friendship, there's no chance to see if it could go further, because OCS has a rule of no PDA. Coming off of a broken engagement, Brooke is determined to do well, graduate OCS and be deployed as an Army nurse. She's gorgeous, tough, and heads of fellow male soldiers turn and notice her. Bernard is protective of Brooke (and possibly jealous?). Suddenly, someone is leaving daily gifts for Brooke on her bed, and each gift is accompanied by a touching bit of poetry. As Brooke begins to develop warm feelings towards the anonymous gift giver, she prays for God's direction in her life and future.
I was occasionally confused by the many characters in the story, but overall I enjoyed this warm clean romance portraying second chances and God's redeeming love. I was also touched by the level of dedication, hardships, and commitment that our men and women in the Armed Forces overcome as they sacrifice for their country.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have given my honest opinion in this review.

[Nancy Garbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This military based Christian romance was a pleasure to read. Brooke is seriously focused on becoming an Army nurse and officer and Bernard is on the same general track to become an Army psychiatrist and officer. Brooke and Bernard have known each other since high school and Bernard is hopeful that with some thoughtful planning and a series of special surprise gifts, he might win Brooke’s heart. However, there are rules against romantic relationships and also challenges from another fellow who threatens to undermine growing affections.

I enjoyed the characters that were very believable and the steady development of the relationship between Bernard and Brooke. There were also good supporting characters and very realistic descriptions of Officer Candidate School.

I received a free copy of this book from BookSirens for my honest voluntary review. This book was a very enjoyable and clean romantic story.

[BJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love this story, and I am not much of a book reader. I am always up for hearing a great romance story. I love the details in the military day to day i.e. singing cadences. I can relate with Brooke when she spoke about calling the dinning facility the mess hall the terminology from when my god parents were serving is totally different than the friends I have currently serving.
I love the confessions spoken over Kobbe by her sister Brooke when speaking on her past decisions.
Focusing on your goals and having the desire for love is a tough place to be and I can relate to that. It is possible to have it all, career and family. My favorite part is the characters seeking God before making decisions. God’s way is always better.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this short, sweet love story of Brooke and Bernard's. Short story but jam packed with a lot of emotions, heart and feelings for our military and how hard they train for us civilians. The deep gratitude toward our military ran deep and felt it throughout this story. Thank you and God bless.

Also, nice to see how well one of faith fits in perfectly with our military background. Like how the prayers were realistic and not just calling upon God when they needed Him.

This story touched my heart in more ways than one. Thank you, DeeDee and Susan. Beautiful in many ways as well and am recommending to friends.

Received an early copy for my honest and voluntary review.

[Kim Slye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Officer Candidate School, this Christian romance is sweet and clean and a quick enjoyable read. However, the character development needs more. This romance is mostly in the minds and prayers of the main characters with little dialog or action beyond marching to cadences.

As one who personally doesn’t enjoy good poetry, the author’s self admittedly poor poetry is just that… poor. There’s a good base story, but it needs to be developed further.

I received and advance review copy for free; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ellen Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brooke and her friend from home Bernard are at OCS school together. Neither of them can go home for Christmas. Gifts keep appearing on Brooke’s bed and she has no clue who they are from, but she has hopes of who she wants it to be. Sweet Christmas story in a military setting. Really like the characters of Brooke and Bernard. Nice clean book.

I was given this advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[CORINNE · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a advanced reader copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily

I have never read a military romance before in a Christian context this was nicely done

I personally respect the military but what a harsh existence I felt cold just reading it

The gift giving was so sweet what a guy

What heartache his family had gone the but his faith made him strand loving not bitter

A lovely clean romantic story

[Nancy Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and short love story. Lovely story of two people finding each other in a gentle and enduring love. And to be able to build that love in the midst of the rigorous (tough) training of Officer Candidate School. Wow. I certainly got a vivid lesson in what men and women must endure just to become officers. I have even greater respect for these heroes. This book is very short (108 pages) but packs a lot of love and respect throughout those pages.

[Deb Gardner Allard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in the Navy for one tour of duty, and I remember the company marches to and from events. The author depicts authentic military life. I especially love the cadences. I eagerly awaited them throughout the story. For anyone in the military or with a spouse in the military, this book will make you smile and bring back memories of the early days. The romance element was also enjoyable with a bad guy thrown in for fun. I received an advance reader copy for an honest review.

[Audrey Shrive · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book! I truly enjoyed reading it.