A heart full of love for the orphaned boy he saved from a war-torn country? Check. Adoption forms filled out? Check. Yet M.A.S.H. surgeon Mike Montgomery is barely back on U.S. soil when his plans are squashed. Someone else has already petitioned to adopt little Sarah Alpert, the boy’s foster mother—and Mike’s former fiancée. Sarah broke his heart, but he won’t break hers by sticking around. Until a little boy outs his holiday wish - for the mom and dad of his dreams - into adorable action.
Jillian Hart grew up on her family's homestead in Washington state, where she raised cattle, rode horses and scribbled stories in her spare time. After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel. When Jillian isn't working on her next story, she can be found puttering around her rose garden, curled up with a good book and spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
This would have been a really good book had the story not 'spun out' in several places. Seemed like the story was going along really good then the author just kind of repeated the same sentiment until I got sleepy then eventually would move the story on. Other than that it was a really good on of dealing with Post Tramatic Stress Syndrome and how a soldier feels he must be alone when he's really not. And an orphan boy and his ex girlfriend reminds him of their and God's love
This was a sweet ending to the series. I liked how it told the story of characters that had been present (if not in person in Prairie Springs, at least talked about by the residents) and gave them their own story. I thought the way Sarah and Mike both thought about (and eventually learned from) the issues behind their past breakup was appropriately introspective. At first they were content to blame the other for the problems, but then they realised the ways in which they themselves needed to improve, especially so as to be a blessing to Ali. I also liked the 'cameos' by other characters from the previous books in the series, especially Olga. (Why is it that LI books almost have an adorably wonderful 'grandma' type person?)
A heart full of love for the orphaned boy he saved from a war-torn country? Check. Adoption forms filled out? Check. Yet M.A.S.H. surgeon Mike Montgomery is barely back on U.S. soil when his plans are squashed. Someone else has already petitioned to adopt little Ali: Sarah Alpert, the boy's foster mother—and Mike's former fiancée. Sarah broke his heart, but he won't break hers by sticking around. Until a little boy puts his holiday wish—for the mom and dad of his dreams—into adorable action.
not quite the wind-up i would have liked, for a series finale, ESPECIALLY since it felt like paragraphs, if not pages, were missing in parts thru-out the book, but ...
i think some of that was due to the fact that each book was written by a different author? anyway ...
not sure, but think i'm now done w/ the "mushy stuff" again for a while, and am ready to get back to some twisted thrillers. we'll see ...
Sweet little story about a soldier/surgeon who experiences the heartbreak of war, but his soul his saved by the sweetness of one of his surgical patients in the war torn area. Little Ali loses his whole family in the war, but his life is saved by his journey to the states where he will need additional surgery. He finds a whole new family as his foster mom and Dr. Mike find their way back together. Nice read, but a little disjointed in spots...not Ms. Hart's best writing IMHO.
Endearing, and at times poignant, I enjoyed this delightful holiday story. It is the conclusion of a cooperative series with several authors involved, and is the only one I have read. Emotional attachment, post-traumatic stress, romantic second chances, and foster care/adoption are all touched on, and handled extremely well.
As I wrote in another review, I do really like books where hurt people find hope, as it gives me, well, hope.
This book does have several hurt characters--two that most likely have PTSD, and I found myself rooting for them to work through their stuggles for the entire book.
However, it wrapped up a bit too nicely/conveniently in my opinion.
Another book on the Homecoming Heroes series that talked about a military doctor and how the effect of fixing soldiers in action affected him. Saving lives among soldiers may never be easy. It makes me think and be grateful for them somehow. A good read!