by Donna Alward
Deeply and intense emotional read in a
short romance. Protection or trust?
Intensely
emotional, Donna Alward's The
Soldier's Homecoming tells the romance of a man and woman
separated by bitterness from circumstances who work together for the
sake of their daughter, discovering that something more moving than
just duty --- love. Shannyn Smith loved Jonas Kirkpatrick but he left
her behind when he went off to serve his country at war. He had made
his choices clear, and never looked back. When she discovered she was
pregnant, Shannyn knew her daughter Emma had to be her first priority.
Whatever the cost to her own heart, protecting Emma came first and
still does. When Jonas returns, he is a changed man, a man cold and
distant and not like the man she once loved. War has changed this
bright young man. When he demands to take up his role as father, can
Shannyn trust him with Emma? Will Jonas be able to protect his daughter
and be her father? Will Jonas be able to trust those around him enough
for a real soldier's homecoming?
There is bitterness between Shannyn and Jonas...and for good reason.
Donna Alward does an exceptional job at setting up the situation
between the hero/heroine, displaying their inner thoughts and conflict
to the reader so that this bitterness is not just about arrogant, mean
characters but originates from a need to protect and from the situation
in which they find themselves. The daughter Emma is well-written, both
as a character and as an axis for the narrative in the action as well
as the hearts of the hero and heroine. Stylistically, by making Emma
the focus, the reader understands the motivations of the heroine and
even the hero, allowing the goodness of her characters to show forth in
the midst of their conflict. Both Shannyn and Jonas are sympathetic
characters precisely because Donna Alward allows the reader to view
them through Emma's needs. With just several precise emotionally
satisfying moments, Donna Alward crystallizes both the romance Shannyn
feels for Jonas and how Emma herself is the center, drawing her hero
and heroine together and expanding their hearts. The Soldier's
Homecoming is one of those rare books where the bitterness between the
hero and heroine works to create an emotional read while maintaining
the reader's empathy and investment in her characters. There are real
reasons behind why they feel like they do and indeed should feel that
way. Donna Alward makes it arise from the situation and not as some
gratuitous conflict and she does not trivialize the issues either to
get at the romance. Consequently, when Shannyn and Jonas do find love,
the romance has a richness and depth that accompanies the emotional
intensity.
Even more satisfying is the look into love that Donna Alward creates
through her pairing of this particular hero and heroine. Each has their
own reasons to go into protect mode but isn't love about trusting too?
Shannyn and Jonas focus on duty towards others, but through putting
Emma first, each one grows to understand that love is more than
something about duty. As they begin to trust each other again, and
indeed themselves as well, Shannyn and Jonas learn that their love can
transcend duty. As they face difficult situations, their love becomes
more whole, replacing protection with trust. Donna Alward's The Soldier's Homecoming is a real
homecoming, and with its depth, a tribute to those who serve!
The Soldier's Homecoming
will appeal to those wanting a deeply emotional read versus a light
romance. If readers are in the mood for an intense or moving read, The Soldier's Homecoming is a great
pick. Don't race through it but see the world of this book through the
eyes of the 3 characters as you read, and prepare to be moved. In
length, this is a short romance, but in emotion, this is a big book.
Style and story work together, turning romantic conflict into a vision
of a rich understanding of love.
Publisher:
Harlequin
Romance (March 2008)
