Review – AT HIS COMMAND by Brenda Coulter

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.