Six years ago Shannyn had a baby and chose not to let Jonas know about their daughter Emma. Jonas is back in town and discovers his daughter. He left town an optimistic, outgoing, cocky young soldier. He comes back an embittered, hardened, broken down soldier. But when he discovers the little girl with his moss green eyes he also becomes an angry man. Shannyn made the decision to withhold information because she didn't want to hold Jonas to her for the wrong reasons.
Numerous others have already reviewed this book; I find it a daunting task to write something more about it. But...
First--WOW! Who said Harlequin's were nothing but fluff? This is one very gritty book. Alward takes on the subject of PTSD and writes about the impact it can have on the individual and all who are a part of that person's life.
Second--WOW! There is so much angst in this book. The reader well be left reeling by the time the turn the last page. Wrung out? I sure was. I find the story haunting. And yes, I know it's a romance, but I still booed all backwards steps the H/h took and cheered every step closer they took.
There are some books I put down feeling dissatisfied that there was not more character development. No worries here! Jonas is one of the best-developed H I have ever seen. It is hard not to fall just a little bit in love with him.
Shannyn is this steadfast character that is a bedrock for Emma and Jonas. (This is not to say that she isn't fearful, because she is!) She is not quite as well fleshed out--a limitation of word count--but we do see enough of who she is to know that she too has work to do and she does it. She is who she needs to be to make the story work.
I will be looking forward to reading more Alward books. This is a great read. Thumbs up!
Nancy
Nancy
Nancy, thank you SO much. My cp sent me the link to your review and I love your comments. I am so glad you fell for Jonas...he really threatened to take over the story, you know. And he really deserved a happy ending.
Someone commented to me on TSH yesterday in fact about a choice or two the heroine had made. It made me sit down and think, and I thought, no, I don't think I could have had Shannyn do that. It wouldn't be true to who she was. So when you say she is who she needs to be...well that struck a chord with me. Thank you.
And for someone who found writing more about it daunting - you did a great job. Made my day.
Cheers,
Donna
FALLING FOR MR DARK AND DANGEROUS, Romance, August 08, Aus/NZ Sept. 08
THE RANCHER'S RUNAWAY PRINCESS, Romance, January 09
http://www.donnaalward.com
http://www.donnaalward.blogspot.com
Donna, as far as I'm
Donna, as far as I'm concerned I would have like to know more about Shannyn, Jonas did kind of take over the story. But in reality PTSD can take over the individual and anyone in relationship to the individual. It's a lop-sided balance--so, in that regards the book reflects reality. IMHO. Still I can't help think there is more to Shannyn, both in her strengths as well as in her need for growth. I really loved this book and it is going into my keeper pile!
Nancy
LOL
Well....now you know the trouble I had while writing it! There was just SO much to Jonas...we won't even go into the revisions...by far the hardest book I've ever written thus far...and that includes the 9 before I sold to H/S.
But it was a story I needed to tell, so your comment about Shannyn makes perfect sense. And thank you for understanding that we do have to deal with word count, and sometimes fitting everything in we need to can be a huge challenge! Especially with someone as dynamic as Jonas. :-) There are a lot of people who don't realize that with Category we do have an upper limit. :-)
Donna
FALLING FOR MR DARK AND DANGEROUS, Romance, August 08, Aus/NZ Sept. 08
THE RANCHER'S RUNAWAY PRINCESS, Romance, January 09
http://www.donnaalward.com
http://www.donnaalward.blogspot.com
Oh, look...I have two
Oh, look...I have two upcoming Donna Alward books to look forward to--August and January. Yippee! Can't wait (but I guess I have to, don't I?)
Nancy