She saved his life when everything was hopeless. He’s determined to return the favor. Not even Master Sergeant Harry Lockhart’s military expertise could stop the IED that killed his team and left him injured. Only Daisy Gunderson–a pen pal he’d never met–and her kind letters helped him survive. But Daisy in the flesh is the surly Marine’s polar opposite. She’s outgoing, talkative and putting … and putting his military training on high alert. A stalker named Secret Santa is targeting the kindhearted teacher…and the pranks are growing deadly.
In Daisy, Harry’s finally found the safe haven he needs. And he’ll be damned if anyone is going to take her from him.
The Precinct
more
I wept and I laughed while I was frightened and enamored. I loved this story, the riveting tension, the palpable fear, the deep emotions it all got to me from the very first scene and I inhaled the story, just could not get enough of Harry and Daisy and the amazing connection between them.
The way Master Sergeant Harry Lockhart and English teacher Daisy Gunderson met is so endearing and unique. Daisy’s class had been pen pals with the marine unit, and Daisy had been getting to know Harry via letters where they opened up their hearts to each other about their deepest fears, darkest nightmares, and faintest hopes and wishes. Finally having a chance to meet face to face, as they both are battling with challenges in their personal and professional lives, they have the chance to lean on each other, give a helping hand, and truly get to know each other in the mids of the crises, threats, nightmares, and Christmas preparations.
Harry is a broken warrior, the physical wounds are healing but his soul and mind need loving care until he is fit to get back on duty. He mourns his friends who lost their lives in combat, the constant battle in his mind is wearing him down. The only light in his heart has been the letters from Daisy, making him believe he could find healing peace of mind in her presence, being surrounded by her essence. But Daisy is nothing he had imagined while reading her letters.
Daisy is a sunny, caring, loving, talkative teacher who loves to bake, gives bear hugs, and adores her dogs. She has survived a tremendous ordeal in the past, and the current threats are making her nervous, bringing back frightening memories.
The chemistry between Harry and Daisy is searing hot, but even more than that, they have a deep friendship. The way they look after each other, protect the other, even from themselves, is admirable. They genuinely have grown to care for each other over the time, and this new physical attraction between them is a tangible force, nothing to be ignored, making the romance between them so delicious yet very much believable.
I loved how real and true to life the characters and the events were in this tale that flew off the pages and had such a smooth flow to it making it impossible to put down until the end. And at the end I wished that Harry and Daisy really were out there somewhere, as real people, doing the hard things but finding solutions, and living their best life while making each other smile every day.
Get yourself a box of tissues and get comfortable, because you will want to experience this story momentarily from cover to cover with all its delightful romance, swoon-worthy moments, and the intense, daunting threats and invasions
~ Five Spoons!
Terrific book that I read in one sitting. It opens with Harry, who was injured by an IED, being told by his doctor that he needs to take some time off to deal with everything that has happened to him. Once he has gotten “his head on straight,” the Marine Corps will decide if he is ready to go back on duty or if he will be discharged. I ached for Harry because, other than his sister Hope, the Marines have been his home and his family for seventeen years. He can’t picture his life outside the Corps. One thing that he believes will help is meeting Daisy, the pen pal whose letters were an integral part of his survival. He has a mental picture of the “angel” who he believes can help him heal.
Daisy is a high school English teacher. She is outgoing, friendly, and has a huge heart. She loves bringing out the best in her students and helping them achieve their goals. She has also received creepy gifts from someone who calls himself “Secret Santa.” These gifts stir up old memories of the ex-boyfriend who tried to kill her several years earlier.
I loved the first meeting between Harry and Daisy. He showed up on her doorstep just as she had spotted suspicious footprints in the snow outside her home. Though initially nervous about the stranger at her door, once she found out who he was, her attitude changed completely. I loved her joy at finally meeting him, and how she hugged him so fiercely. Poor Harry was confused and overwhelmed. She wasn’t anything like his mental picture of her, which upended his plan to have her help him. But even as he worked to extricate himself from her, he could see that something bothered her. I liked that she was comfortable enough with him to ask for his help. What he found made his protectiveness kick in.
I loved the development of the relationship between Daisy and Harry. His protectiveness won’t let him leave her vulnerable, and he insists on staying close to her. That closeness also opens him up to her caring nature, and it isn’t long before the walls around his heart start to crumble. I loved her empathy for the things he’s going through and how she shares her experiences to help him work through his pain. Thanks to the letters they had exchanged, there was already a deep friendship between them. Added to that is their intense attraction to each other. I loved seeing that attraction bloom and with it a deeper connection. Harry has some trouble believing that Daisy would want a physically and mentally messed up guy like him, but Daisy is unwavering in her belief in him. The ending was deeply emotional, and I loved Harry’s gift to Daisy.
The suspense of the story was fantastic. The creepiness of the “gifts” that Daisy received was chilling, and the fear they caused her was palpable. The escalation of the stalker’s activities added to the tension. The scene after the basketball game showed the danger that Daisy was in. The identity of the stalker came as a surprise as it was not the one I thought it was. The final confrontation was a nail-biter and had me glued to the pages until it was all over. Harry’s part in it was fantastic, and I loved his unexpected partner.
I loved all of Daisy’s rescue dogs, but the one who really had my heart was Caliban. I loved the way he took to Harry, which also helped Harry with his grief over the loss of his dog. There were some terrific scenes with Harry and the dogs. I also loved seeing various characters from previous books show up in this one. First and foremost was Harry’s sister, Hope, and her husband (Task Force Bride). Assorted members of the KCPD made their appearances during the investigation into the stalker.
Military Grade Mistletoe
Julie Miller
Another suspense filled story set in Kansas City, Missouri that can’t be put down until the end.
Harry is suffering PTSD and Daisy is determined to help him. Turns out he needs to help save her from a stalker.
As they go on this journey together can there be a happy ever after?
Two characters that compliment each other.
After 17 years in the Marine Corps, Master Sergeant Harry Lockhart survived an IED that killed his entire team and his K9 partner. Suffering from PTSD, he has been ordered to go home, get some R&D and get his”head on straight”, or he would be facing a medical discharge. The only family he has is his sister, Hope and her policeman husband, Pike and their young son. But also in the same small town is his pen pal, teacher Daisy Gunderson. He has dreamed about her and hopes that when he meets her in the flesh that she will also help heal him. Thought Daisy is nothing like he pictured in his mind, he is still drawn to her and when he finds out that she has a stalker, he is determined to keep her safe.
First of all, I love that Harlequin has the Cast of Characters at the begining of their books. So even though this is #32 and I had not read any of the previous books, I can easily keep the characters straight. The story is well written ,characters are skillfully developed and the scenario compelling.