Blurb:
Sometimes getting lost is the
best way home . . .
After a painful youth spent in
foster homes, Special Forces soldier Edward Giordano has all but given up on
love. Returning to New York from a dangerous mission in Costa Rica with no one
to welcome him home, he knows he must find a way through his bitterness and
embrace faith, or he’s destined for misery and loneliness. But he never expects
that saving someone else’s life might help him save his own…
Audra Lorenzo is a first-year
school teacher with a bright future. All she’s missing is a man to share her
happiness. Her father wants her to rekindle her relationship with her
ex-boyfriend, but she can’t stop thinking about the handsome, kind, and
courageous soldier who rescued her from a near-deadly car accident…
Edward too, has not stopped
thinking of Audra. After making peace with God and with his difficult past,
he’s ready to re-connect with her and reveal his feelings. Edward knows that
opening his heart will mean risking pain, but he’s prepared for whatever
comes—from a perilous deployment to Audra’s meddling father…
Excerpt:
A seed of a smile sprouted on
Greco’s face and he stepped a little closer.
“Do you know what my wife said to
me last time she saw you at this very airport? She said you were one of the
handsomest men she’d ever seen. Not as handsome as me, of course,” he added
quickly, evoking a grin from Edward. “But she said to remind you that your face
wouldn’t break if you smiled once in a while. You’re wound up tight. Loosen up,
son. Dismissed.”
Edward relaxed his posture but
stood glued to the spot.
Greco took a few steps, but
turned back when Edward didn’t follow. “What’s the matter?”
“I’m sorry I embarrassed you and
the men. You’re right. I behaved badly and I have no excuse. I’ll try to
control myself, sir.”
“Edward, may I speak to you as a
friend and not as your commanding officer?”
He nodded.
“Look, I’m not saying you’re
crazy or anything like that, but maybe you should see someone, you know,
professional. You shouldn’t have to live a life of controlling yourself. Work
on getting rid of those internal demons instead. Something is eating at you all
the time. You don’t seem to enjoy life very much, and you should. Come on.
Let’s go home.” Greco patted Edward’s back.
The men collected their gear and
made for the door.
“I don’t suppose I could persuade
you to meet my wife today, could I, Lieutenant?” Greco asked.
“Maybe another time, sir.”
“Need a ride, Lieutenant?”
Jackson asked.
“Thanks, but my brother’s picking
me up.”
“Hey, tell Hank we miss him. He’s
a great guy, and the best demolition man the unit’s ever had.”
Outside, Greco dropped his duffel
bag and kissed his wife passionately. Before she got in the car, she turned and
waved at Edward. He returned her gesture with a nod and a quick flick of his
hand. The major gave Edward an informal two-finger salute and slipped into the
driver’s side.
Author Bio and Links:
Irene Onorato was born and raised
in Bronx, New York. Her father, a first-generation American whose parents were
born in Italy, was an Army veteran who had served with the 178th combat
engineers during WWII. He told numerous stories of battles, hardships,
tragedies and triumphs. The glimpses he gave into the hearts of many American
warriors would later become the inspiration for much of Irene’s writings.
In 1972, a few months after
graduating high school, Irene met James Onorato, a soldier who had just
returned from Vietnam. After dating two weeks, they married, raised three
children, and are still happily married today.
Irene and James, both radiation
protection technicians, retired from the nuclear power industry in 2014 and now
reside in Louisiana. Readers can visit Irene’s website and
find her on Facebook.
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting me and my novel today.
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