A wounded K9 needs care while his equally wounded Navy SEAL handler recovers. She falls in love with them both.Erin Knox has never dealt with a dog as difficult as Wicked, an injured Military War dog, but then, she’s never had a dog with the kind of experience that he’s had. Since being blown up in an IED, the dog has traveled around the world and been separated from his long-time handler, who … who was also wounded in the blast. It’s going to take a lot of work to foster him. The dog is broken in more ways than one.
Luca Carmichael was told his best friend had died in the explosion in Afghanistan, so it’s a shock when he receives a letter from the woman fostering Wicked back to health. A desolate future suddenly takes on fresh hope and he waits impatiently for every email. As they both heal, he and Erin share more and more of themselves. Before long he’s waiting to hear from her, but not just for a report on Wicked. Would she be willing to take two wounded soldiers into her heart?
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Enjoyed the book and main characters, especially the wounded military war dog Wicked. Liked the ending too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is the second book in J.M. Madden’s “Helping Hands, Healing Hearts” series. In Wicked Healing, Erin Knox owns a service that takes care of animals for working or injured military.
Erin is currently taking care of Wicked, a military dog who was injured when he and his handler ran into an IED. He was severely injured and has a prosthetic for the leg that had to be amputated. Wicked is also severely depressed because he misses his handler.
The first part of the book is an absorbing depiction of how Erin slowly and lovingly works to heal Wicked’s physical and emotional condition.
Eventually, Erin discovers Wicked’s handler, Luca Carmichael, is also in a hospital after being severely damaged at the same time as Wicked. As expected, he is also very depressed because he thinks that Wicked is dead and that it is his fault for ignoring Wicked’s warning.
Ms. Madden devotes the middle of the book to describing how Erin gently and gradually works to heal both victims as she unites Wicked and Luca. After that, this book is an unbelievable depiction of how much Luca and Wicked need each other in order to be able to physically and emotionally heal enough that they can move on.
In her books, Ms. Madden skillfully portrays characters who are severely injured military men or women who need to heal and retrain so they can move on and live normal lives. She also successfully portrays the men and women who love them enough to allow them to be themselves in a successful relationship.
I always expect incredible stories from this author. However, Ms. Madden certainly outdid herself with Wicked Healing!
The second installment in the “Helping Hands, Healing Hearts” series, I adored the first book, and I really looked forward to this one. I am a HUGE sucker for stories about War Dogs, and I’m an unrepentant J.M. Madden fan – she does Wounded Warrior stories like nobody else!
Erin is great with the dog, Wicked, and the descriptions of Luca’s feelings/connection to Wicked were amazing. I could honestly see how both humans were more attuned to animals than people, and why, especially in Luca’s case.
The romance aspect was a bit different, but this was a fine line to walk, because Erin isn’t the kind of woman who is full of self-doubt or insecurities. She’s confident, self-assured, doesn’t play emotional games and is generally OK with being alone. I can certainly appreciate that in a female character. A lot of Romances seem to be based on misunderstandings, or characters with serious self-image issues, who pine for a man though, so I can see how some readers would feel unsure or confused as to where the usual “conflict” would come in, moving the plot along.
There wasn’t as much humor as in the previous book, but Erin and Luca are more serious people. I’m looking forward to the third book in the series.
She’s done it again folks! J.M. Madden has once again penned a book that you won’t be able to put down. Wicked Healing is a contemporary romance with a wounded warrior and a wounded Military War Dog. Erin was asked to board Wicked, an injured dog, by Helping Hands, Healing Hearts. Luca and Wicked were both injured in battle and Luca was told Wicked died. Erin was having no luck with Wicked until she emailed his military handler and he gave her some tips. Erin and Luca’s story is filled with drama, humor, sexy bits and a spectacular cast of characters. I loved every page of this book and look forward to my next book by J.M. Madden. Wicked Healing is book 2 of the Helping Hands, Healing Hearts Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I read a print copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Loved this book. Wounded Warrior and his K-9 partner were both would overseas and were sent to Germany. But the dog was separated from him. He assumed his K-9 was killed. Both their injuries were similar. Erin was asked to take in Wicked and to be honest he was a little hesitant. But the reunion was great between man and dog. Loved the military aspect of this book. Luca is recupperating in rehab center in California. Erin tracked him down to tell him about his dog. His mom a piece of work though. I don’t want to say to much and give something away, but this is an excellent read. HEA.
JM Madden’s new series Helping Hands Healing Hearts is a must read.
I dove into book 2 Wicked Healing and couldn’t put it down. The flow was perfect, the H/h were engaging and Wicked was a scene stealer. An emotional uplifting book that is a great addition to this author’s lineup.
I devoured this book in a few hours, I just couldn’t put it down. Wicked stole my heart from the beginning. What an amazing dog, and when he’s with Luca? Magic! Erin and Luca were made for each other, and seeing a SEAL (and his K9) recover from something traumatic is always a win. I highly recommend this book, and if you haven’t read the first book, Healing Home, start there. I can’t wait for more!
4 – Stars. Our H (Luca) is a wounded navy seal, K9 handler, in the hospital, without his K9, slowly losing the will to live, until he get a life changing email. Our h (Erin) is strong, beautiful, kennel owner who goes out of her way to house pets for deploying soldiers. Going as far as to check shelters to see if any have been dropped off. If they have she brings them home and fosters them until she can find them a good home. Erin receives a call from Helping hands about a wounded K9 that needs care and fostering she gladly brings him home. The K9 (Wicked) has paperwork which names his handler as Luca and she is told where he is. She contacts him and the the rest, as they say say, is history. This story really touched me.