Review: A damaged but unbroken heroine and a fine, wounded warrior hero
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 26, 2013
This is shorter read, around 80 pages, so it's not a long or complicated read, but it is emotional and heartfelt. And for me, it was satisfying and very enjoyable. Just a good, romantic read, a gradual romance big on heart. It's about a damaged widow recovering from abuse and tragedy; it's about her baby who is in need of her own type of care and healing; and it's about a wounded warrior still ready to fight for and to protect what he so very badly wants to be his- this woman and her child. They meet as complete strangers, both seeking aid and care at Mike's Place, and from there this romance develops very gradually and slowly.If you like a slow-type of romance, you'll like this one for that. It is not heavy on sex, and the h/H don't even have any sort of sexual contact until around 90% into the book. While that scene is certainly sexy and sweet, it is not drawn out, and I feel the main focus of this story is the romance and the building of trust and love between Joe and Melody. The author builds up that progression to HEA and the I-love-you, takes her time doing it, and this makes the ending very believable for me. I wanted these two characters together, for them to be a family, and I only wish I'd had an epilogue for that reason. I'm a sucker for a good epilogue, but maybe I'll see or hear about these two again in another story.This book is listed as book 10 in the Always a Marine series, and we do see some previous characters here, briefly, but I really feel this book is a stand-alone read. Don't be afraid to try it; you'll probably read it and then want to know more about these other Marines and about Mike's Place. I've read several in this series and have enjoyed them, and although WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT is not as erotic as other stories in the series, it was still a very good read, more romantic and with a gentle feeling to it, and a very warm and caring feeling to the characters and their struggles and issues.This novella has so many things I like to read in romance: 1) IR, 2) military hero, 3) wounded hero, 4) a wounded/abused heroine, and 5) a single mom heroine. While the IR aspect doesn't play a huge part in this romance, it is there and I loved the cover immediately. Loved that handsome man and the soulful, kind eyes, and really, it's a good depiction of this tender, sweet hero, Joe. Just loved him. Reading him was like the softest of touches, and despite the heavier issues in the story, despite the challenges both characters face, I ended this story with a warm feeling and with a smile on my face. It's a sweet romance with one very sweet, protective and caring hero.If you're interested in checking out other books in this series:book 1Once Her Man, Always Her Man (1 Night Stand Series)book 2Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here (1 Night Stand Series)book 3Tell it to the Marine (1 Night Stand Series)book 4Proud to Serve Her (1 Night Stand Series)book 5Her Marine (1 Night Stand Series)book 6No Regrets, No Surrender (Always a Marine)book 6.5Merry Christmas Marine, Semper Fi, & Good Night (Always a Marine)book 7The Marine Cowboy (1 Night Stand Series)book 8The Two and the Proud (1 Night Stand Series)book 9 A Marine and a Gentlemanbook 10 Whiskey Tango Foxtrotbook 11 Combat Barbie