Happy 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans. May we remember the precepts that led us to becoming an independent country and focus on how important tolerance and teamwork are!





If you are looking for ways to honor the soldiers who are risking their lives for us, please remember organizations such as:

Operation Gratitude
(yes, I am honing my skills at making paracord bracelets and I was there--but not packing boxes--this past weekend when they packed more than 8,000 boxes in fewer than three hours!)


AnySoldier.com


Wounded Warrior Project


Soldiers' Angels



Operation Paperback

The Grand Canyon

Veteran's Day

Just wanted to stop and say how much I appreciate those who have served or are serving, both in active duty or by supporting those who are.  It is difficult for those of us remaining safe in our homes to conceive the kind of horror and stress that these brave souls endure daily and I know that I am inadequate at expressing my true gratitude and empathy for them.  There are many great authors who give us a glimpse of the lives of those who serve in the military but it is impossible to know what life in the warzone is truly like unless you have experienced it yourself.  I am always shy about greeting strangers in uniform so I try to show my support through agencies like Soldier's Angels, AnySoldier.com and Operation Paperback but there are countless organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project which need support as well.  Those who are able to send letters or Christmas cards may wish to contact Kim at the SOS Aloha blog for addresses to use to brighten some soldier's day with a note or a card.

Some of my many favorite military romance authors are:

Suzanne Brockmann (Troubleshooters series), Mary Margaret Daughtridge, Jessica Scott, Tanya Huff (sci-fi Valor series), Linnea Sinclair (actually sci-fi romance but still a military theme), M.L. Buchman, and many, many more....and don't forget that Anne Elizabeth's delightful new book, A Seal at Heart will be released the first week of December!

                 

                                   

Stolen and a suggestion for volunteer service

Stolen 
by Shiloh Walker is a romantic suspense novel that introduces yet another of the author's tortured heroines but has the twist that she has already broken up with the man who wants to be her hero.  It was a bit disconcerting to follow the heroine's path as she discovers that she is and has been under attack when all she wanted was to be left alone to write and remain unmolested by the person who wreaked such havoc in her life and left her with scars on her mind and body.  The tension continues to rise as the attacks intensify and the struggle to overcome the insecurities induced by a horrific childhood is a handicap as current events resurrect nightmarish memories.  This was a somewhat difficult read for me as the author has done her usual fine job of creating a vivid and intense story that feeds my own paranoia and desire for privacy even as it shows the danger of being a semi-hermit and communicating primarily through the internet and telephone!  It will be released just before Halloween...which will be perfect timing as it is a chilling read that is leavened by the sensual and complicated romance that gradually unfolds.


Speaking of communicating solely through the internet--there are some benefits as well!  I am delighted to say that one of my adopted soldiers has come home safely although I hold the others who are still serving in my thoughts and pray for their safety.  He tells me that he really appreciated the e-mails that he received as it helped remind him what they are fighting for when they are so far away from home.   He was so very appreciative of the small gifts that I was able to send him to remind him that he was being thought of and I am delighted that he will be back with his family soon.

Those of you who are able might consider adopting an e-pal or becoming part of a letter writing team through the Soldier's Angels (link) or, if you are able to send occasional packages, you can also sign up at Soldier's Angels or at AnySoldier.com (link) or consider supporting the Wounded Warrior Project (link).  I mention this now because one of my soldiers has requested holiday decorations to help with morale and I know that some of us do handcrafts for the holiday season and will need enough lead time to get projects done.  I will be happy to answer what questions I can if needed and encourage those of you with time on your hands to give back in this small way.