Review: Heartrending Hanukkah Reunion for a Hero
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 26, 2013
Eight years.  That was the length of time that separated Zehava Elbaz and Marine Sergeant Isaac Janko.  Eight years and the fact that she gave their baby up for adoption.  I have read many holiday-themed reunion stories over the years.  NOTHING prepared me for the poignant reunion inA Candle for a Marine (Always a Marine).  As I wrote this review, I continued to dry my tears.When Isaac joined the Marine Corps, he was ill-prepared to receive the news that his high school girlfriend, Zehava was pregnant.  When she reached out to let him know she had bravely decided to place the baby up for adoption, he angrily lashed out at her.  That was their final conversation.  In the years that followed, Zehava created a community center where the neighborhood's children could have a safe place to stay, while their parents worked.  Isaac served our country, in some of the most dangerous places on Earth, while his community proudly kept up with his career and prayed for his safe return.A Candle for a Marine (Always a Marine), found him taking much needed leave and going home to see his family.Over the eight days of Hanukkah, two beautifully broken, yet incredibly strong characters began the process of forgiveness and healing.  Isaac's Nona (grandmother) was his "tough love," advocate who helped him dig through layers of hurt and resentment, to his unresolved feelings about Zehava and their child.  Zehava, who built a wall around her heart, opened herself up to the possibility of trusting Isaac, again.  Their reunion was deeply emotional, exposing their heartbreak.  Layers of pain were peeled away to give a new, adult, dimension to their love.  Their sex was steamy, as this was a Heather Long story, after all.I appreciated that Ms. Long brought back Shannon (from "Her Marine") and Zach (fromRetreat Hell!  She Just Got Here (1 Night Stand Series)andNo Regrets, No Surrender (Always a Marine)) further establishing the interconnectedness of the "Always a Marine" series.A Candle for a Marine (Always a Marine), marked the beginning of a new happily ever after for Zehava and Isaac and I look forward to hearing about them or seeing them in future stories.Proceeds from this book will benefit "Toys for Tots," so please buy this book and give it to your friends.  Not only was the story the perfect reminder of why we celebrate holidays, but each purchase will help Marines continue to inspire hope for those in our communities who need it the most - children.