Title: A Soldier’s Heart
Author: Nancy Fraser
Genre: Sweet Contemporary/Military Romance
Book Blurb:
Captain Brianna Higgs is a little over three months short of retirement after serving her country for fifteen years. She now has a chance to be a full-time mother to the daughter she shared with her late husband, military sniper Liam Higgs. Brianna looks forward to telling five-year-old Bailey all about her hero father.
The military has taught her to pivot with the punches. However, the one punch she never expected was to be in a custody battle with her late husband’s family. Brianna’s mother had been Bailey’s caretaker. But after her mother’s unexpected death, Brianna hired a housekeeper to help out, and Liam’s parents took over as part-time/weekend caregivers. Now, they’re looking to make their guardianship permanent. While she waits for the outcome of her request for an early return to the states, Brianna must find a way to handle things at home. Fortunately, her younger brother Dean has asked the woman he loves to marry him. Can Dean and Alicia help out until Brianna gets home?
Christopher Miller, Alicia’s brother, specializes in family law. When Alicia and her fiancé approach him for help, he has to refuse due to a conflict of interest. He’s already been hired as the counsel for the Higgs family.
Brianna arrives home just in time to attend the custody hearing, and Chris is knocked for a loop at their very first meeting. Not only is Brianna Higgs impressive in her dress uniform, but she’s also beautiful and determined. The fact that she could easily knock him on his butt in hand-to-hand combat doesn’t scare him away at all. If anything, it intrigues him.
Will Chris jeopardize his job to make sure the right party wins? And, once the smoke has lifted, can he convince Brianna he had no intention of taking her child away?
Excerpt:
Prologue
Office of the Commandant
U.S. Army Reserve Center
Lansing, Michigan
Three Years Earlier
Captain Brianna Higgs entered the commandant’s office, removed her cap, and stood at attention in front of Colonel Harlan Winslow’s desk. Her direct supervisor, Major Keith Alward, stood off to the side. Brianna wasn’t sure what she’d done to merit being called on the carpet—so to speak—but if the solemn look on both men’s faces was anything to go by, she’d screwed something up. Royally.
“At ease, Captain,” Winslow said. Nodding toward the chair directly opposite his own, he suggested, “Why don’t you have a seat?”
As soon as she settled in, Alward took the chair next to hers. The urge to ask a myriad of questions sat perched on the tip of her tongue. Yet, years of military training kept her silent.
The colonel drew a deep breath, the unease she could see on his weathered face at odds with his usual no-nonsense demeanor. Brianna’s stomach knotted with apprehension.
“We received a call today from the DOD,” Winslow began.
“The DOD?” she responded, the knot now moving up into her chest.
“About Major Higgs.” Winslow sucked in another breath. “There’s no easy way to say this, Captain, but Major Liam Higgs was killed earlier today during a routine security sweep in a remote area of Saudi Arabia.”
Every bone in her body melted, every muscle turned to jelly. She sank into the worn, leather chair. “Are they sure?” she asked, her voice a mere whisper, her lips trembling.
“Yes. He’s been positively identified by his CO, and the detachment chaplain.”
Blinking back the threat of tears, she swallowed, and began, “I... um... I...”
“We’ve arranged a three month leave for you,” Alward told her. “Hopefully, that will give you time to get both Major Higgs’ and your own affairs in order.”
“While your current posting here in Lansing was considered temporary while your husband was deployed, we can look at making it a permanent transfer to keep you close to family,” the colonel confirmed. “At least until you decide what you want to do going forward.”
Brianna thought first of her two-year-old daughter, Bailey, then of her mother who was undergoing chemo. Her brother Dean was also deployed, not far from Liam’s unit. Mr. and Mrs. Higgs, her in-laws, would need to be notified.
“I was scheduled to deploy myself upon Liam’s return,” she stated simply, her thoughts running the gamut of emotions.
“We can look at reassigning you,” Winslow said. “Given you have a young child at home and considering your mother’s health issues.”
“Can I think about it?” she asked. “This was going to be my final deployment before I officially retired.”
“Let’s get through the next few months and see what happens,” Winslow suggested. “You’ve served your country, and this Army, admirably for twelve years. No one would fault you for getting out earlier than planned under the circumstances.”
“May I be excused, Sir?” she asked. “I need to update my clerks before I can leave for the day. I have to speak to my mother, and my in-laws.”
“The Army is sending someone to the Higgs’ home in Ann Arbor, once we verify that you’ve been notified. Major Higgs’ parents will no doubt be waiting for your call later this evening.”
“We should have details on Major Higgs’ repatriation within the next day or two,” Alward assured her. “In the meantime, I can update your clerks on the project in your place. You need to get home to your family.”
Brianna pushed herself to her feet. As badly as she wanted to turn and run, she stood at ease waiting to be dismissed.
“Take all the time you need, Captain,” Colonel Winslow said. “Weigh your options.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“On behalf of the U.S. Army, Major Alward, and myself, our sincere condolences on your loss.”
“Thank you, Sir... Sirs... I appreciate it.”
“You’re dismissed, Captain,” Winslow said. “Godspeed, young lady.”
Fifteen minutes later, Brianna climbed behind the wheel of her dusty SUV and laid her head back against the seat. Liam. Her best friend, her husband, the father of her precious little girl.
Gone.
She had a lot of ducks to line up, beginning with a call to her in-laws to discuss arrangements, and ending with a decision about her own future as a member of the U.S. Military, as a daughter of a terminally ill parent, and the mother of a toddler. Not to mention everything in between.
Including becoming a widow at the age of thirty-one.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMGJHSNS
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/a-soldier-s-heart-small-town-holiday-romances-by-nancy-fraser
On sale for 99¢!
What makes your featured book a must-read?
As both the daughter and mother of military personnel, I’ve always been a fan of military-themed romances. I’ve written a few featuring former military, but never delved much into someone who was still on active duty. When the chance came to do one who was not only active, but a woman, I knew I had to do it. Add to that the fact that she’s facing a personal issue far more challenging than the danger she faces on deployment, and the book practically wrote itself (but not quite).
Giveaway –
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Open Internationally.
Runs May 22 – May 28, 2024.
Winner will be drawn on May 29, 2024.
Author Biography:
NANCY FRASER is a bestselling and award-winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.
The majority of her recent books have all been western historical/inspirational, but the occasional sweet contemporary sneaks in from time to time.
When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.
Social Media Links:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B09FTH655Z
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RomWriterNancy
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