The Soldier's Homecoming by Donna Alward (Harlequin Romance)

Deep and intense emotional romance read. A soldier's homecoming. Can love transcend duty? In the heart, Does trust trump protection?

Shannyn Smith loved Jonas Kirkpatrick but he left her behind when he went off to serve his country at war. He had made his choices clear, and never looked back. When she discovered she was pregnant, Shannyn knew her daughter Emma had to be her first priority. Whatever the cost to her own heart, protecting Emma came first. When Jonas returns, he is a changed man, a man cold and distant and not like the man she once loved. When he demands to take up his role as father, can Shannyn trust him with Emma? Will Jonas be able to protect his daughter and be her father? Will Jonas be able to trust those around him enough for a real soldier's homecoming?

This book blog is a sort of a review in progress because quite frankly, although this is a short romance, it has such emotional intensity and depth that I am still digesting it, thinking about it. Liz Fielding said over on the HR forum about this line, "They are big books in small packages..." A person could definitely say that about this book.

There is bitterness between Shannyn and Jonas...and for good reason. Donna Alward really does a good job at setting up the situation between the hero/heroine so that this bitterness is not just about arrogant, mean characters but originates from a need to protect and from the situation in which they find themselves. The daughter Emma is well-written, both as a character and as a sort of axis for the narrative in terms of the action as well as the hearts of the hero and heroine. A couple of very well-written scenes with the daughter. She is not overly cute but the center of this romance in terms of the emotion, the characters, and the action.

This is one of those rare books where I think the bitterness works. There are real reasons behind why they feel like they do and should feel that way. Donna Alward makes it arise from the situation and not as some gratuitous conflict and she does not trivialize the issues either to get at the romance. Each has their own reasons to go into protect mode but isn't love about trusting too? What do we do with all these soldiers returning home? Does all the flag waving and hero talk ever really heal the soul of these men and women who have seen terrible things? Here in the US, coffins were hidden from view as a politcal measure. How do the military families in mourning feel if their loss is hidden from view and there is no public space for mourning? What about those things that are beyond politics? Those things deep in the heart. What happens to the families of soldiers? The part we don't see in the public eye but a part nevertheless? Now, this book is not a political book but one that looks at difficult situations and brings them to the hope of romance. It is beyond politics. Now, this soldier comes home wounded, but he does come home so it is not quite the same as my questions. The Soldier's Homecoming will appeal to those wanting a deeply emotional read versus a light romance. If you like tear jerkers or are in the mood for an intense read, this is a great pick. Don't race through it but see the world of this book through the eyes of the 3 characters as you read, and prepare to be moved. I finished this book days ago but I am still thinking about it. Big book....

Other thoughts from this book: This book made me think of Everlasting Love and how much I miss those books with their emotional depth and how difficult situations were not avoided but added to the depth of the romance. I will try the new ones under Superromance but reading Donna Alward's Harlequin Romance The Soldier's Homecoming made me glad I have some of the older ELs as a secret stash, unread for those times I need that kind of read. Who knows what the new ELs will be, but when I was reading this book, I just thought Donna Alward would be a natural for both this line and something like the original EL. I am still in a thinking stage about this book mostly based on the whole number thing.. I enjoyed her last romance Marriage at Circle M very, very much but I liked this one better and I also think the writing is better. It sounds stupid and so nebulous but reading this one just made me think something is really happening with this author's writing right now. I'm not a psychic or predictor or editor or writer but just a strange reader out there but.... Thinking of her last two books together, I had the thought of major breakthrough ahead in the works. Frankly, seeing this kind of growth in a writer so fast is much more intriguing than any silly number --- at least to me.

Number-wise rating: Immediately upon reading the book I thought: Between 4.5 and 5 on a sort of impressionistic sense.

Given the pleasure of thinking through this book, I ecided on a rating of 5 becuae I felt Donna Alward did an exceptional job in both areas of story and style, with the style adding to the story's power.

AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus