I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
Captain's Log, Stardate 08.29.2008
At His Command
by
Brenda Coulter
In one short month, cheerful army nurse Madeline Bright has become the darling of Prairie Springs, Texas. And if ex-pilot Jake Hopkins isn't careful, she might just conquer his heart. She's young, pretty and blithe-spirited…he's older and jaded. But being around Maddie brings back too many painful memories. Jake still feels guilty about failing to save Maddie's brother in an army helicopter crash years ago. So no matter how much Maddie wants to be in his life, for her own good, Jake can't allow that. He'll never have a normal, stable life.
And sweet Madeline deserves nothing less.
Camy here:
This was a really great book! I tend to be very moved by military stories, and the way the author handled the pain of losing deployed loved ones was well done. I teared up in several places and thoroughly enjoyed crying. LOL
Maddie is an effervescent character who’s easy to like, and Jake’s pain makes him very sympathetic. Jake reminded me very much of the TV character House, with his bum leg and cynical view on life, but Jake is softer and more likable, less bitingly sarcastic.
This book was completely enjoyable and also very clean. I’d have no hesitation in giving this to a junior high school student to read.
Readers who have been in the armed forces or who have family members serving will really like this story. It brings to the forefront the emotions people deal with in having family overseas, but also the kinds of stresses our military have to face.

by
Brenda Coulter
In one short month, cheerful army nurse Madeline Bright has become the darling of Prairie Springs, Texas. And if ex-pilot Jake Hopkins isn't careful, she might just conquer his heart. She's young, pretty and blithe-spirited…he's older and jaded. But being around Maddie brings back too many painful memories. Jake still feels guilty about failing to save Maddie's brother in an army helicopter crash years ago. So no matter how much Maddie wants to be in his life, for her own good, Jake can't allow that. He'll never have a normal, stable life.
And sweet Madeline deserves nothing less.
Camy here:
This was a really great book! I tend to be very moved by military stories, and the way the author handled the pain of losing deployed loved ones was well done. I teared up in several places and thoroughly enjoyed crying. LOL
Maddie is an effervescent character who’s easy to like, and Jake’s pain makes him very sympathetic. Jake reminded me very much of the TV character House, with his bum leg and cynical view on life, but Jake is softer and more likable, less bitingly sarcastic.
This book was completely enjoyable and also very clean. I’d have no hesitation in giving this to a junior high school student to read.
Readers who have been in the armed forces or who have family members serving will really like this story. It brings to the forefront the emotions people deal with in having family overseas, but also the kinds of stresses our military have to face.
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