Gifts of Honor: Starting from Scratch\Hero's Homecoming

Gifts of Honor by Stacy Gail and Rebecca Crowley

Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail

Christmas is the perfect time to start from scratch

Lieutenant Sully Jax saved his unit during an IED attack, but he couldn't save his marriage. He can't even remember it. Recovered from his injuries, he's come home to the family and friends he knows—and an ex-wife who's a stranger to him.

Lucy Crabtree was heartbroken last Christmas when Sully announced his plan to go on one last tour of duty, and devastated when he asked for a divorce after he awoke in the hospital with no memory of her. She's finally moving on from her hurt and from losing the man she loved more than anything, and her cookie-baking business is taking off just in time for the holidays. But now Sully's back, and she can't deny she still loves him. But how can she trust her heart to someone who breaks it every time she sees him?

Sully might not remember Lucy, but something inside won't let her go. With every bite of her cookies, he finds a new love for Lucy, and he soon realizes he wants to rebuild his life… with her by his side.

I was sucked in to this book from the start. I could feel the sadness that Lucy felt when she knew that her ex-husband was back in town from recovering from a war injury.  It's been a year since she had to let him go and try to move on. Sully can't remember her. He remembers everything else, but nothing about her. He even remembers things that happened while she was around but not HER. 

Even though Sully can't remember Lucy, there is something that he can't put his finger on. A craving for sweets that no cookie he eats can cure. He starts to think maybe all the time she was there for him there should've been someone helping Lucy cope. 

I couldn't imagine living in the same town as the person you thought you were going to spend the rest of your life with, and the reason you got the divorce was because they didn't remember you and you could remember the good times. Also having to deal with the love you still have for the person. Heartbreak doesn't even describe it.  There were quite a few times where I was tearing up for Lucy and all she was feeling. Read this book, it was excellent!

Hero's Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley

Six months ago, being snowed in at Christmas with the amazing woman he met on R & R at Fort Riley would have been a dream come true, yet now, as a blizzard swirls outside Beth Tate's house, Captain Chris Walker knows he shouldn't be there. Blinded in combat and emotionally scarred, he never wanted Beth to know the man he's become—but stranded by the storm, he had no one else to call.

Hurt and bewildered when Chris abruptly ended his faithful contact from Afghanistan, Beth tried to put him and their whirlwind romance out of her mind and prepared for a quiet holiday alone—until the phone rang. Now that he's here, she's more confused than ever, torn between love for the man she once knew and anger at the one who broke her heart.

A life with Beth was everything Chris wanted, but the wounds of battle are nothing compared to the agony of heartbreak. It will take more than mistletoe, but perhaps this holiday season Chris will find his way home.

This was another one that I was sucked in to completely from the beginning. I felt for Chris. I didn't feel sorry for him because honestly he was being an ass but I felt for him thinking he wasn't worthy of Beth now that he was blind.  

Beth was floored when she got a phone call from Chris to pick him up at the airport. She wanted answers for the email that he sent her a few months prior. She got her answers. 

Watching them learn to be around each other again was tedious. Chris has PTSD and his injuries make him snappy. Beth can't trust him with herself even though thats all she wants is to be with him again. Loved this one and I'm sure you all will too!! 

Thank you to all the military serving and that have served. We owe you for our freedom.