Review: 5 Awesome Stars!! Chad's story did not disappoint and was well worth the wait!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 27, 2014
Chad is haunted by nightmares, has a severely damaged arm, lost a limb, but he remains positive, is kind hearted, determined and sexy as all get out!! J.M. Madden goes where most authors don't dare to go and gives us the "perfect imperfect" hero, and nails it every time!Lora is a victim of domestic abuse and even though she's divorced, her ex still has it out for her. He is brutal and what he does to her is not easy to read about, but unfortunately, the reality for many woman. Her daughter, Mercedes "Mercy" , is a beacon of light, what a doll, and she plays a huge role in this story. A child's innocence and acceptance can bring the toughest most hardened warriors to their knees, and Mercy works her magic and wins over more than a few hearts. Her interaction with the Lost and Found team was so sweet and beautiful, and it added something extra special to this read.Chad and Lora don't have an immediate attraction, but a slow build that eventually transpires into a possibility of what could be. Chad lets Lora dictate the relationship, set the pace for intimacy and works through his own insecurities. While the sexual aspect is not as high in this book as others in the series, it is appropriate for this read. Considering what Lora has been through, it would have been ridiculous for it to happen any other way. I was happy that the author didn't base the relationship on sex, but more about self-discovery, limitations, and the characters being comfortable in their own skin, as well as with each other. Not sure if that makes sense, but it felt right to me!Spending time with Chad's family was another huge plus, we get to see him as son and brother, and he wears all his hats so well. I don't know if it's in the cards, but I would love to see Cheyenne, Chad's sister, end up with one of the men from Lost and Found. What a fierce woman!!Embattled Home is so much more than Chad and Lora's story, the series is propelled forward as the author weaves more than one plot into this story. They all enhance the read, bring us up to speed on characters we already know and expands on their lives. We are also introduced to more intriguing characters, who no doubt, will get stories of their own.The set-up and build up for Duncan's story begins here, or so it seems. I love that man, just love him, and if I'm guessing the direction his story is going to take...oooooooh...it's going to be good, but it won't be the next one, because Harper's story needs to be told first. Who's Harper you ask, and why does he go first?! You'll have to read Embattled Home to find out!I had one issue, which is slight, not so much an issue, but I was confused over the timeline and a character. Flynn plays a significant role in this book, and his story was already told in SEAL's Lost Dream, a short featured in the anthology SEALed With A Kiss: Heroes With Heart. He was very disgruntled and unhappy in this book and it threw me off, because he got his HEA. I'm not sure what his deal was, unless Chad's story is before his in the overall scheme of things. Not sure, but it doesn't really matter, I still loved the book and will not detract from my rating.Embattled Home is a gripping, intense read, with the ideal blend of suspense, sexual tension, engaging dialogue, familiarity, romance, and new heroes and heroines to love! The Lost and Found series by J.M. Madden is in a class and category all by itself! There is nothing out there like it! Through her stories, the author mixes fiction with reality, and educates the reader on the mental and physical struggles wounded warriors face every day. Embattled Home is the epitome of what is at the heart of this series; surviving off the battlefield, acceptance and a sense of normalcy, and it brings it "home" in a big way!*A copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*