Review: Whether for Lunchtime or Dessert, Heart of a Soldier Serves It Up!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 30, 2012
...Wrapping his arms around her waist, he kissed her cheek. She inhaled his masculine scent, he smelled of engine grease, citrus hand cleaner and man. She turned in his arms and laid her cheek over his beating heart, treasuring the haven of his embrace...I love a good military romance and was intrigued by the concept of Lunchbox Romances. I was unsure I could read a book in an hour that would leave me feeling satisfied with the storyline. Let me put you right at ease - Tamara Hoffa knows exactly how to do that! You walk into the story and meet all of the main characters, learn some of their background and the plot takes it from there. While I did not read it at lunch time - it was more like time for dessert - I sure didn't want to put it down, even to go to sleep.The Good: Charlie and Jamie are both extremely likeable characters and their chemistry is immediate. Charlie became more and more endearing, each time you read her thoughts or heard her express her misgivings, inadequacies, or fears. Don't get me wrong, she is a very capable and strong woman but her concerns make her realistic. Jamie seems to 'get' her, right from the start. I loved what a gentleman he was and how he made Charlie feel...like she was precious to him. Tamara wrote just the right amount of dialog between them and just the right amount of action. The side characters were perfect to help move the story along and the events unfolded seamlessly. This book was a delightful and happy surprise!The Bad: I guess the only thing I could have wished were different was for the story to have continued. Not because it left me wanting or hanging at the end but because I fell in love with the characters that much. Perhaps Tamara might consider a follow-up book?? (hint, hint)The Snuggly:Heart of a Soldierhad some of the best small romantic gestures and tender, thoughtful dialog of any book I have read in a long time! That alone had my heart going pitter-pat. Then you add the way the character's fell into love with one another and all of the intimate scenes were poignant and beautiful. There is explicit intimacy involved so this is not the book for just anyone.Final Thoughts: Oh, to have been Charlie during the timeline of the story! This is not just a one trick pony however; the feelings involved cover a large part of the emotional spectrum. You will be so engrossed in reading this book, that if you do read it at lunch time, it is a good thing that it ends after 39 pages or you'd be late getting back for sure! I would not hesitate to recommend this book to lovers of romance everywhere.Heart of a Soldieris well worth your time.*Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.*