Review – Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (Always a Marine #10) by Heather Long

….a very touching, heart wrenching read, but I absolutely LOVED it. ~ Guilty Pleasures

Description:
Have you ever woken up every day afraid of everything?

For single mom and widow Melody Carter, six months passed since an IED ripped her life apart. Everyone is sympathetic and offers platitudes of comfort and support. Everyone thinks they know why she’s grieving, but Melody isn’t mourning her broken heart. She’s ashamed to be grateful her abusive husband won’t hurt her anymore and scared for her child. Born with a mild heart defect, her daughter needs lifesaving surgery and with her funds tight and her emotional scars tighter, she’s running out of options. When she receives an offer for assistance from Mike’s Place, can Melody put her faith in the men her husband called friend?

Have you ever woken up, day after day, to discover your body’s betrayal?

Marine Captain, Joe Anderson Cooper, received the Silver Star for Valor when he led his unit through heavy fire to rescue fellow Marines. Despite numerous injuries, the Captain refused medical aid, insisting that the medics attend others. A broken back and shattered bones put Captain Cooper in a wheelchair and every day is a battle to keep his recovery on track and his sanity intact. When a single mom moves in to the apartment next door to his and he recognizes kindred—damaged—soul, can he overcome her fear and be the man she’s always needed?

Can these two lonely souls rise to the challenge or will their scars trap them forever?

Captain Joe Cooper has been told he won’t ever walk again, well as far as he’s concerned the doctors can take that diagnosis and shove it. He’s a Marine and Marines don’t retreat. Then one evening he’s playing a game and hears the neighbors baby once again, something he’d been hearing an awful lot. Wondering what was going on, he rolls on over to find out and is greeted by a timid, tired yet brave Mrs. Melody Carter and her young daughter Libby. He instantly feels the need to sooth her and let her know that he’s available to help should she need it, after all a guy in a wheel chair isn’t a threat.

Melody Carter is exhausted, both emotionally and physically. Her husband died serving their country so she should be grieving and heartsick that he’s gone….right? Not Melody. She’s relieved that he’s gone, relieved that he won’t be coming home to hurt her or their daughter. But now because of her daughters delicate condition she’s been pushed to the point of exhaustion and is on the brink of collapse, then her neighbor wheels into her life…..

I loved this book from the moment I read the little excerpt, and the book didn’t disappoint in the least! I’ve always been a sucker for a good military guy, something about a guy in uniform. (Yum) But this story was a bit more than just a really awesome guy in dress blues. This story hit a few hardcore issues that many of our veterans, female and male, deal with. As well as their spouses and families. Yeah some of our guys and girls aren’t the greatest, but there is always help available if you’re willing to reach out and ask.

Then there is the added factor of the single mom struggling to do right by her child, my own mom was a single parent for most of my life so I can relate in part to that. I am in awe of those parents that deal with the single parent troubles everyday. I know I couldn’t do it, so kudo’s to them.

All in all this book was a very touching, heart wrenching read, but I absolutely LOVED it. I’ll definitely be picking up more books by this fabulous author.

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