At His Command [Large Print]

This book contains all the elements of a heartwarming romance novel: likeable characters, believable problems, and self-sacrificing love. Nurse Maddie Bright is determined to take care of the man she loves, but Jake Hopkins avoids a relationship with her out of guilt for his role in her brother's death. Jake thinks Maddie deserves someone better, even though it's clear she disagrees. Their love for each other is obvious to everyone around them, but the emotional struggle Jake faces as the result of his war experiences keeps him from acknowledging his need for Maddie, and for God. Author Brenda Coulter does a great job of sharing her faith in a captivating story. I've read this book twice; it's that good.

At His Command is the third story in Love Inspired's popular Homecoming Heroes inspirational category romance line, a limited series from Steeple Hill honoring the men and women now serving in our armed forces and the heroes at home who support them. This book, Coulter's fourth, displays the hallmark of what we've come to expect from this award-winning author: a plucky heroine, a hero to die for; wry, witty romance and gut-wrenching emotion. In this story, Army Lt. Maddie Bright returns to Ft. Bonnell in Prairie Springs, Texas, to recuperate from an intense year of combat nursing in a Middle East war zone. Her path crosses with Jake Hopkins, a war vet wounded several years prior who wrestles with PTSD and his memories of a split-second combat decision that resulted in the death of Maddie's brother, Noah, Jake's best friend. Maddie and Jake's growing relationship as they care for a young refugee suffering from a life-threatening injury while awaiting news of the fate of their dear friends, a military couple MIA in the war zone, kept me up turning pages. Coulter just keeps getting better. Highly recommended.

Madeline Bright always seems as sunny as her name, but her positive outlook isn't helping her attract the attention of ex-pilot Jake Hopkins. In fact, Jake avoids her as if he's as allergic to her as he is to peanuts. He's the hero who can't get past the fact that he came home from a helicopter crash without his best friend Noah Bright, Maddie's brother. He's the hero who believes Noah's death was his fault. He's the hero Maddie has looked up to since she was a child. Jake can't let Maddie know what really happened after the crash. He can't let her know how he really feels about her either. He wants to protect her at all cost - since he couldn't protect her brother. Brenda Coulter's books are an interesting peek at the lives of heroes who have flaws, an unquenchable desire for the heroine, and enough sense to make things come together at the end. This book, Coulter's fourth, takes a look at an Army pilot turned civilian attorney and the constant problems he tries to ignore, but can't.

America's soldiers matter a lot to me. I've been a Soldier's Angel to some, and I've "adopted" three more on my own. We pray for them daily in Chapel at my cottage school. My Dad is a Korean War vet, and I am a Daughter of the American Revolution. These are a few reasons why I was eager to read Brenda Coulter's new book, AT HIS COMMAND. This book, published by Steeple Hill, is a part of a six-author miniseries called "Homecoming Heroes," but can be read as a stand-alone novel. Please note: "category" (often called "series") romance books are mass-market paperbacks that sell like wildfire the month they're released, then quietly fade away. So you'll need to hurry to get your copy! You will want to read the romance of service man and woman, Jake and Maddie! Jake Hopkins is allergic to two things. One of them is peanuts. The other is young army nurse, Madeline Bright. He thinks he's too old for Maddie and too jaded. Being around Maddie makes his throat close up and his brain stall. Being around Maddie also brings back the painful memories of her brother who died in his arms during war in the Middle East. Jake blames himself for her brother's death, and can't bring himself to let her love him. Brenda Coulter fashions her characters vividly and I was ready to throttle Jake Hopkins and bonk him on the head with the cane he uses to walk on his severely injured leg. But Maddie, in love with him in spite of his flaws, was much more patient than I! I think this book is perfectly timed. One of my favorite TV programs is ARMY WIVES. This book, too, gives us a lively picture of what it's like to be an American War vet in today's service. It's a poignant salute to the men and women in uniform. I give it five "boo-yahs!"