War Novels

Dear Maverick (Love Letters 3) Read Free Whoops!... She butted in!Dear Maverick,You weren't supposed to get my letter.I only needed to vent.But, I wouldn't change a thing.Dear True,I thought you were fake.Then you rambled, and lost your filter.Sometimes you just need to connect with someone. *************** Prologue True “Please, please, please, True.” I shouldn’t have such heartless feelings towards my best friend Lena for begging me to write to her cousin overseas in a branch of the Navy, but I can’t help it. I’d rather stick my hand down the garbage disposal than write to a man I’ve never met. “Don’t you dare think about it!” Lena warns stepping in front of the sink. The glare I send her way would shut anyone else down. Not her. She’s like a bull in a china shop. Or is that dog with a bone? Maybe both. “I don’t want to, Lena,” I tell her for the fiftieth time this week, I’m sure. “I know. But you’d be doing me a huge favor. He and I never got along, and I don’t even think he likes me, why would I write to him?” “I can’t imagine why.” My droll comment and eye roll are missed by the other woman. “Puhleaseeeeeee, True!” “Get off your knees, you’ll scuff my floor.” I have to walk away. Her damn puppy dog eyes are beginning to work on me. “He can be a good guy,” she calls after me. “It’s not like you’ll ever meet him! He lives half a world away.” Her shrug isn’t comforting. At all. “C’mon, Lena, why do you really want me to write him?” There has to be more to this story. Letting out a heavy sigh, she confesses. “I’m worried about you, True. Ever since douche canoe cheated on you, you’ve been…sad. I hate seeing you like this. Ever since preschool, you’ve always been happy and chipper. Never missing a smile. Now, I can’t even remember the last time I saw you crack a grin for crying out loud!” Tears hover in her eyes, and I worry if she’s right. “I haven’t been that bad.” My words are muttered. “True, you’re twenty-one, and you haven’t been out since dick-smack left.” She refuses to use Eldon’s real name. “I’ve been out.” I try to defend my actions. “You’ve been to the grocery store,” Lena fires back. “He really is a good guy. Mav is… soft, quiet. Just write him a letter, mail it, don’t mail it. Do it for you. Connect with someone, True.” “I’ll think about it, Lena.” Pacified, my friend heads home, and her words follow me into the night, leaving me tossing and turning in my stupid, lumpy bed. Creaking floors and walls make it nearly unbearable to stay still without screaming my head off with fright. Connect with someone. I can do that. Chapter One Maverick Dear Maverick, You don’t know me. I’m your cousin Lena’s best friend. Wow, it feels even more awkward and desperate reading it than hearing it out loud. My name is True Sidero, I’m 21 years old, and a full-grown loser. Okay, maybe that was a tad harsh, but Lena told me I didn’t have to mail this letter, so I’m allowed to be that way, right? Connect to someone. It’s what she told me, you know. Like I

Home Front Read Free In this powerhouse of a novel, Kristin Hannah explores the intimate landscape of a troubled marriage with this provocative and timely portrait of a husband and wife, in love and at war.All marriages have a breaking point. All families have wounds. All wars have a cost. . . .Like many couples, Michael and Jolene Zarkades have to face the pressures of everyday life—children, careers, bills, chores—even as their twelve-year marriage is falling apart. Then a deployment sends Jolene deep into harm's way and leaves defense attorney Michael at home, unaccustomed to being a single parent to their two girls. As a mother, it agonizes Jolene to leave her family, but as a solider, she has always understood the true meaning of duty. In her letters home, she paints a rose-colored version of her life on the front lines, shielding her family from the truth. But war will change Jolene in ways that none of them could have foreseen. When tragedy strikes, Michael must face his darkest fear and fight a battle of his own—for everything that matters to his family.At once a profoundly honest look at modern marriage and a dramatic exploration of the toll war takes on an ordinary American family, Home Front is a story of love, loss, heroism, honor, and ultimately, hope. *************** Part One From a Distance There are some things you learn best in calm, some in storm. —WILLA CATHER Prologue 1982 The way she saw it, some families were like well-tended parks, with pretty daffodil borders and big, sprawling trees that offered respite from the summer sun. Others—and this she knew firsthand—were battlefields, bloody and dark, littered with shrapnel and body parts. She might only be seventeen, but Jolene Larsen already knew about war. She’d grown up in the midst of a marriage gone bad. Valentine’s Day was the worst. The mood at home was always precarious, but on this day when the television ran ads for flowers and chocolates and red foil hearts, love became a weapon in her parents’ careless hands. It started with their drinking, of course. Always. Glasses full of bourbon, refilled again and again. That was the beginning. Then came the screaming and the crying, the throwing of things. For years, Jolene had asked her mother why they didn’t just leave him—her father—and steal away in the night. Her mother’s answer was always the same: I can’t. I love him. Sometimes she would cry as she said the terrible words, sometimes her bitterness would be palpable, but in the end it didn’t matter how she sounded; what mattered was the tragic truth of her one-sided love. Downstairs, someone screamed. That would be Mom. Then came a crash—something big had been thrown against the wall. A door slammed shut. That would be Dad. He had left the house in a fury (was there any other way?), slamming the door shut behind him. He’d be back tomorrow or the next day, whenever he ran out of money. He’d come slinking into the kitchen, sober and remorseful, stinking of booze and cigaret

Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy Read Free When a quilt shop owner  finds a former Marine’s journal, she longs to heal his heart…  When Sophie Davis sorts through a box of donated books to her church, she’s surprised to discover a soldier’s journal. As the daughter of a veteran who watched her father struggle over the years, she feels a deep connection to the man who wrote the emotional entries. Former Marine Cole Aaron battled to find peace after returning to civilian life. He’s always needed to protect others. Now, fighting fires in Pine Hill, Kentucky helps him put out the demons within him. When Sophie shows up at the fire hall with his journal from when he’d first returned stateside, Cole can’t believe it was in the box he’d donated. Not wanting to face painful memories, he tells her to trash it. Sophie and Cole are drawn together as they both volunteer for their community, but it’s hard for Cole to let down his guard, and he doesn’t need anyone’s pity. After all he’s been through in the past, can he find faith in a more hopeful future…one touched by joy? This heartwarming romance includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Dilly Duchess Potatoes. *************** Chapter One “I’ll pay somebody fifty bucks to take my place,” Cole Aaron offered his fellow firefighters at the Pine Hill Fire Department. What were the odds that he would be the one to pull the “winning” green candy cane from the fuzzy red stocking he and the guys had passed around? Not that he felt like he’d won anything. If anything, getting stuck in the role of Santa felt like a huge mistake. Did they really think it was a good fit for a former tough-guy Marine turned firefighter to dress up as Santa in the Pine Hill Christmas parade? He didn’t have any Christmas cheer whatsoever. Christmas generosity, perhaps, such as when he’d offered to pay for poinsettias for the nursing home residents—but trying to make up for all the bad things you’d done in life didn’t suddenly make you qualified to be Santa. “This one is all you…Saint Nick,” Andrew snickered. Of course, his best buddy Andrew would find humor in the idea of Cole donning a red suit, fake belly, white beard, and wig. Had the roles been reversed Cole would be cracking up, too. Only, Andrew hadn’t gotten the short end of the stick, er…candy cane, in the “Who Gets to be Santa on the Rescue Truck for the Christmas Parade?” lottery. Cole knew they should have gone with rock, paper, scissors. He was good at that. He turned to Ben, another of his close friends. “Don’t look at me,” Ben advised, continuing to help Jules and another firefighter decorate a ten-foot tree to “give the fire station a festive spirit,” as the chief had put it. The Christmas music blasting over the intercom system all week had also been Chief’s idea. As if to taunt Cole, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” came on. The guys all snorted with laughter. Cole groaned. “I look nothing like Santa.” “Which is what that’s for.” Andrew gestured to the red suit Chief had sa

Dear Killian (Love Letters 1) Read Free A love that defies time and distance. Dear Killian, Those two words start something I wasn't intending - something I wasn't looking for. Dear Jersey, When every battlefield leaves me feeling alone, only letters from her give me peace. **Each book in the Love Letters series is short sweet and to the point. Has new couples for each short story. Complete stand alone. If you're looking for depth, this series isn't it, this is about a quick fast love. *************** Prologue Jersey “Miss Gunner?” The middle-aged assistant my father had hired on the Navy base finally called me forward. He called me down here this morning and yet I’ve had to wait more than an hour to see him. “Jersey!” His voice booms as I enter his office. Military paraphernalia covering every surface, the American flag standing tall and proud in the corner. “What’s up General?” I can’t remember ever calling him dad, it was always by his title. “I have a favor to ask of you,” he seemed hesitant to ask, which in turn has me worried. “Okay.” “You know of the adopt a soldier program right?” I nod. “Morale is down in some soldiers with no one back home, I’d like if you and maybe a friend or two could write to a few soldiers. Let them know they’re not alone.” “Pen pals?” I ask after his explanation. “Yes.” It’s the oddest request he’s ever asked of me, but writing a letter a few times a month won’t hurt anyone. Especially if it helps a man get through his tour. “Sure General, I’ll let some of the other teachers at school know about it too.” He smiles in triumph. “Wonderful Jersey, the men will appreciate it. I’ve got a list of names from this base I’d like you to start with.” My brows furrow, wasn’t it supposed to be anonymous or something? He hands me the file, and I leave feeling so much more confused than I’ve ever been after a surprise meeting with him. The drive home from Fort Meade to Odenton is short and quiet as I ponder his odd request and who I could possibly get to write letters to strangers. I only graduated college with a Bachelors in Child Education in the spring, and with it not even being fall I hadn’t made too many friends at the school I was lucky enough to land a full-time position at since graduation. The women I work with are either married or older in years. I’m not sure any of them would be interested in doing this. Parking in the drive of my small house, as I gather all my things from class, papers that had to be graded mostly, and the home projects I’d had the students do, a thought strikes me. I could have the children write letters too. That way no soldier was forgotten. With that thought in mind I practically skip to my front door. As soon as it’s open, I drop everything on the side table and slam it shut behind me. Prancing to the table I slap the folder my father gave me on top, remove my coat, kick my shoes off and dive in. I’m given ranks, base name, station country, ages, gender, and a few small details. I’m disap

Dear Gage (Love Letters 2) Read Free IT'S LIVE! **ARC RECEIVED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **I really enjoyed this short, sweet love story. If you read Dear Killian (book 1), you know that the heroine in that story assigned her students a soldier to write to. For Tomas, Gage was just what he needed-exactly when he needed it. His blatant attempts to play matchmaker got his mom and Gage talking. -no cheating-no ow/om drama - her jerk of an ex shows up but didn't cause the couple problems-not very steamy - being that a large part of the book they are in different locations. -insta love -Gage knew right away he was making this little family his. -short epilogues that were cute but not very far out. ( 2 months, then 6 months) *************** Prologue GAGE To whom it may concern, My name is Tommy Anderson, and I’m eight years old. I’m in third grade, and my teacher, Miss Gunner, is making the whole class write letters to soldiers. I like riddles, do you? This one always makes me laugh: What currency do they use in space? My mom thinks it’s funny, too. She has a nice laugh. Gotta go do my homework now! Your friend, Tommy I couldn’t help my chuckle as I read the boy’s letter. I’ve been in the Navy for fifteen years, and I think this is the best letter I’ve ever received. My family writes me every once in a while, but this is different. I have a real chance to connect with someone who might need me. After being in this hell hole for so many years and feeling like it’s getting worse rather than better, I like the idea of starting fresh once my tour is over in six months. Tommy “I hate you!” I’m screaming at my mom again because my dad ditched me. I don’t hate her; I know she does the best she can. I just wish my dad were here. “Tomas Gregory Anderson.” Her voice is quiet, and I can tell she’s sad. I hate making Mom sad. Sometimes, I can’t control my temper, though, and she doesn’t understand that. “What is going through your mind when you do these things, baby?” I’m so angry I scream again. Tears are rolling down my cheeks. I don’t know how to make her understand that I need my dad. “Cassie threw that stupid pencil first. She deserved it!” “Miss G. said– “ “Miss G. is stupid! You’re stupid! Cassie’s stupid!” I see the tears pool in Mom’s eyes at my words, and mine stream down my face harder. Stomping my feet, I run up to my stupid room and slam the door shut. Flopping down on my bed, I scream into my pillow like I’ve seen Mom do so many times before. I just want my dad. Paisley I ache for my little boy’s pain. I hate that he feels abandoned by my ex, Jack. We were high school sweethearts, had our entire lives planned. We thought we were ready to be intimate at sixteen. We were so wrong. I don’t regret Tommy for anything. He’s the best thing in my life. Jack, however, is an asshole I could do without. As soon as he found out I was pregnant, he’d run. His parents handed me money for an abortion, and I never heard from any of them again. About a year aft

Dear Desmond (Love Letters 4) Read Free When North’s father places her in rehab for crashing her car while trying to avoid hitting a stray cat after a few too many energy drinks, she’s left with nothing to do for the next 12 months except to play the games expected of her. When she receives a letter from a Navy Officer who was writing a letter to at-risk youth she figures she may as well write him back.When Desmond decides to become a pen-pal to an at-risk youth, he certainly never expected North. He doesn’t even know if she is male or female at first. But, as their connection starts to grow and she begins writing him her deepest feelings and secrets, he knows she was meant for him.Neither had any expectations, but what they found in one another was someone to care for and love and ease the loneliness they were both living with.KL gifted fans with a wonderful Christmas installment of her Love Letters series. I really love getting to know the characters through their letters to one another. While it’s a shorter story, the characters always have great depth and North and Des are no exception. This series is insta-love at its best and Dear Desmond is a quick and romantic holiday treat for readers. 5 stars! *************** For you. Loneliness is what happens when you put your life on hold. When you choose to be something bigger than yourself. Loneliness is what happens when you watch your friends, your commanders, find the girl of their dreams. Loneliness is not knowing if you’ll make it home, and if you do, will someone be waiting for you. As of right now, I have no one. Nothing. An empty condo on the fifth floor of a small downtown block in Kitsap, Washington. Growing up in Seattle, it wasn’t a stretch for me to join the Navy. With no family and few friends, the decision had been easy. Now, ten years later, I wish I’d taken the time to form some type of relationship with other people outside of Navy life. Witnessing Maverick—one of my best friends—find the love of his life, preceded by our former Captain and Lieutenant, I can admit I’m jealous of their luck. Mav suggested getting my own pen pal. So I have. The person’s name is North Williams. He or she—we don’t get told gender—is nineteen and part of a rehab program in Everett that matches troubled youth with a good influence. Yeah, I laughed at that one too. Growing up in foster care, I wasn’t the best role model. Thankfully, I managed to do something with my life before I became another statistic. I look forward to helping someone redirect their attention. It’ll pass the time until I find my special girl. This is a joke. It has to be. There’s no way this can be my life. My father, a county judge, decided that because I crashed my car four months ago, I needed help. I was a wayward youth in his words. I wasn’t drunk; I don’t do drugs. For god’s sake, I was trying to miss hitting a stray cat! Wound up in a ditch on the wrong side of the road, and because I had one too many energy drinks after a ful

Ever lived in fear of not knowing who, better yet what you are?Ever lived in fear of harming those you love, those you think love you the most? Evangelina has grown not to bother other people with her problems and this has brought her to confide in very few people. Raised to conquer her fears, she has only told her best friends, Isabella and Andrey about the voices in her head for fear of being called insane.Suddenly things begin to change when her nightmares slowly begin to come to life.Then comes the big question; Is everybody who they say they are? Or are some people wolves in sheep's skin? *************** Made for doom Prologue Eva's POV I had been left home alone again as my five cousins were on vacation with their father and my Aunt Mauda gone to work. At the age of 9, I was used to staying home alone and I could do literally every chore without needing adult supervision or help. As I put the clothes into the washing machine, I thought I heard creaking of the floor boards above as the laundry room was directly under the living area. Being a nine year old, my aunt had continuously told me about my overly imaginative brain and right about now was the time to convince myself that I was imagining the soft foot falls I was hearing. Another creak and I had to gather what little courage I had to go check what was going on up there. Maybe Aunt Mauda was back from work, but it was not like her to come and not call my name on arrival. I made my way up the small staircase that let out in the kitchen. "I don't like this,"I thought I heard someone say in a bored tone. Right then I froze at the top stair and looked back in the laundry room to see if that's where the voice came from. "Yo! I thought we were going to go check on what is in the living area! " I heard another voice say but this time I was sure that it was in my head. "Evangelina, I think now would be the time when you choose whether to find out or hide,"the bored voice said. "Actually I think you should peep then run cause something doesn't feel right,"that was the second voice panicking. I must be surely running mad because I was almost one hundred percent sure that those voices felt like they belonged to two completely different people. And neither of those two voices belonged to me. I finally regained my mobility and stealthily entered the kitchen looking in all directions to make sure that whoever it was hadn't already made their way to me... yet. As I turned to walk into the living area, I was faced with... "Umm... Run! Then again we all know we'll probably get caught anyways. I'm Evy the way," the vo...