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Albert Camus

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

Friday, September 11, 2015

save herself or save the man who risked his life for her - Impossible Choice (Unchecked #2) by Sybil Bartel

After her parents were murdered, Layna Blair spent three years on the run—until Marine Sergeant Blaze Johnson stepped in and saved her. With him, Layna knew safety for the first time…but two weeks after shipping out for another tour in Afghanistan, Blaze comes home early.

Description:

Published: August 31st, 2015
Book two of Unchecked

After her parents were murdered, Layna Blair spent three years on the run—until Marine Sergeant Blaze Johnson stepped in and saved her. With him, Layna knew safety for the first time…but two weeks after shipping out for another tour in Afghanistan, Blaze comes home early.

When Layna sees the jagged wounds covering his body, every truth she thought she knew is destroyed. Blaze is distant and angry and though her heart is shattered, Layna desperately tries to keep their relationship together in the face of another tragedy. When the tenuous bonds holding them together are ripped apart by a revenge-hungry maniac, Layna must trust her survival instinct and bury her past for good.

But the enemy is two steps ahead, and before she can take action, Layna’s hand is forced by his deadly demands—save herself or save the man who risked his life for her freedom. Blaze saved her once. This time it’s her turn to protect him.

GUEST POST
The Military and Contemporary Romance

At first glance, you wouldn’t think Military and Romance would be two words that go together. But like hero and heroine or peas and carrots, they do, beautifully. Is there anything more romantic than a Military hero?

Before I answer that, I have to say that I love Contemporary Romance for many reasons, but one that stands out is how the stories can reflect what’s currently happening in our society. With all the sacrifices our troops are making for our country, I love that there has been a surge in Military Romance. I love how so many authors are telling these hero’s stories. I think this is romance at its best!

Military heroes are hands down, one of my favorite types of heroes to read and write about. There is something so humbling about a hero who not only will risk it all for the love of his life, but for the love of his country. Honor, duty, valor, integrity—you don’t have to look far beyond the pages of the book to see all the men (and women!) that embrace those standards and are real life heroes. 

Every Military hero I write about has a common denominator—strength in character. To me, as a writer, it’s a given. But what makes the character human, what makes our real life Military heroes human, are their struggles. We all struggle, even heroes. But the breadth and scope of Military heroes’ struggles are unique. Post traumatic stress disorder, blast injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, unfortunately, the list goes on and unfortunately, not all of our troops come out of the service unscathed. 

It wasn’t a light decision on my part to embark on writing about these heroes. Telling a Military hero’s story, even a fictional character’s story, is the most humbling endeavor as a writer I have ever embarked upon. I wanted to do my fictional hero justice. I wanted a story that showed his strength and his weaknesses. I wanted the reader to feel empathy for his struggles and gratitude for his service. I wanted the hero to stand out as a Warrior and as a man who loved deeply. I wanted the last page to leave you thinking, wondering, if there was more to the story. Because in my humble opinion there is more to the story, much more. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard—another man or woman joined their ranks today…and their story is just beginning.

Thank you for reading!!!
XOXO, Sybil
About the author:
I grew up in Northern California with my head in a book and my feet in the sand. I dreamt of becoming a painter but the heady scent of libraries with their shelves full of books drew me into the world of storytelling. I love the New Adult genre, but any story about a love so desperately wrong and impossibly beautiful makes me swoon.

I now live in Southern Florida and while I don’t get to read as much as I like, I still bury my toes in the sand. If I’m not writing or fighting to contain the banana plantation in my backyard, you can find me spending time with my handsomely tattooed husband, my brilliantly practical son and a mischievous miniature boxer…
But Seriously?
Here are ten things you probably really want to know about me.

I grew up a faculty brat. I can swear like a sailor. I love men in uniform. I hate being told what to do. I can do your taxes (but don’t ask). The Bird Market in Hong Kong freaks me out. My favorite word is desperate…or dirty, or both—I can’t decide. I have a thing for muscle cars. But never reply on me for driving directions, ever. And I have a new book boyfriend every week—don’t tell my husband.

Author's Giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

10 comments:

Juana said...

I liked both the book description, and the gorgeous book cover.

Karla S said...

Sounds great,thanks for the chance!!

Jan Lee said...

Love the cover :) I like to read about military men. I think it's because I can't resist a man in uniform lol ;)

Danielle merkle said...

Thank you for the giveaway!

Stephanie LaPlante said...

Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

Sharon E said...

Great cover and also liked the description.

Bridgett Wilbur said...

I love the cover and would love to read this book. ty.

Glenda said...

Great cover -- sounds like a great book!

Johnny's Girl said...

Great series Sybil!!

Betul E. said...

This book is high on my TBR list!