Review: Carponti's Promise
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 3, 2013
Vic Carponti is an Army sergeant being deployed (again) to Iraq. As a military wife, Nicole is better prepared for this latest separation but it doesn't mean it's any easier. In fact, knowing the emotional toll makes their last days together bittersweet. His promise to return for Christmas is her lifeline and becomes Vic's as well.This prequel to the series gives us insight into Vic's experience in Iraq before his injury. Because it's his nature to always joke about any situation, Vic makes it easy for people to believe he's not taking life seriously. He especially thinks it's his life's mission to keep Nicole laughing and he loves hearing her do it. It was so special to see what lies beneath all of that and find a really sensitive man who desperately loves his wife and cares deeply for the men under his supervision. That serious side drives the humor.It was also so important to learn more about the extent of the contributions of our military families, including how they support one another even as they cope with their individual stresses. What makes the story even more compelling is how all of this is blended with a really great romance. Vic and Nicole manage to keep the flames burning even when they're continents apart. I loved their relationship in the first book and now knowing what sacrifices each made for one another makes it more of a treasure.This is a wonderful addition to an extraordinary series and a great start to the season. Vic's promise that he'd return home to Nicole for Christmas was the best present both could imagine. The story is timeless, appropriate beyond the holidays. It also was perfect for one of the more interesting characters in the series. For a short story, it managed to achieve everything I normally expect from a full length novel.(I received an ARC from the author)