pararescue jumper

I held off reading this book for months. Why? Because it’s Cheryl Wyatt’s debut novel and although I only know Cheryl over the internet so far, I do enter her monthly prompt contest and try to publicize it as well. But I’d never actually read anything of hers – blog posts excluded.  I’d heard and read so much about A Soldier’s Promise that I wanted to love it to. And I did.

So much that it’s #11 on my Top 10 list for 2008.  Okay, I'll worry a bout my math at the end of the year.

You know how readers always say a book was so good they couldn’t put it down? Well, not only was it like that, but I also wanted to prolong it b/c I didn’t want it to end. So I took longer to finish it than I usually do. And I still loved it when I was done. A totally satisfying book.  

Bk #62--My thoughts: I really like Ms. Wyatt's writing style and voice. There's such a seemless flow and the stories seem so authentic.

109. A Soldier’s Promise (Wings of Refuge, 1) – Cheryl Wyatt, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Inspirational Romance Larger Print, January 2008, ISBN: 9780373813445, 299p.

Featuring: Joel Montgomery and Amber Stanton

Second in the Wings of Rescue series by Cheryl Wyatt is a delight! Manny Peña, whom we met in A Soldier's Promise is back, along with Amber's best friend Celia Muñez. A challenge a minute: will Celia ever speak to Manny again, considering he propositioned her at Amber & Joel's wedding? She can't deny the attraction between them, but she doubts his word when he tells her he's become a Christian. Celia's opinion of Christians and churchgoing is on the low side, anyway, due to the bad example of her parents. As Celia struggles with her attraction to Manny, she has increasing problems with her teenage son, Javier. Is he really doing drugs, or is something else going on?

     This book definitely fits the bill for March's challenge, the New to You  theme, that Lorie announced via email.  In fact it covers all three points:  a new Harlequin author who is also new to me (well, yeah!) and a new line.  And to top it all off, it was a beautiful portrayal of love ~ romantic and family love ~ as well as faith; strong and lasting faith in a loving God. 
     In the Steeple Hill Love Inspired line, one of the biggest differences from most mainstream romances is the element of faith throughout the story; day-to-day, living faith that is a real part of the characters.  Faith in God, rather than religion, plays a big part in this line.  There is no preachiness, no proselytizing, just a story that follows the lives of people for whom God is a real and necessary part of their lives.  If you haven't tried a book from this line, this story is a wonderful introduction.
 

RATING:
Excellence: Excellent ~ 4 stars
Steaminess: Friends (kisses, no sex)