Made the Grade: The Other Soldier by Kathy Altman

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 288; Kindle Edition - File Size: 549 KB | Expected Release Date: June 26, 2012 | Publisher: Harlequin SuperRomance | Obtained: NetGalley

"The Other Soldier" by Kathy Altman

My Book Summary : The day that Sergeant First Class Dean (Tim) died changed the lives of not only Parker (his wife) and their daughter Natalie (Nat) but also the life of Corporal Reid Macfarland (the man who accidentally killed Tim). In effort to make amends, try to ask forgiveness, and forgive himself for the death of Tim, Reid decides to take a month of leave, meet Parker, tell her he's sorry, and find out if there is anything he can do during his month of leave to help Tim's family out.

After Parker meets and finds out who Reid is, she immediately wants nothing to do with him. However, trying to establish a struggling gardening business is hard to do when there are no extra funds to deal with. So, after Parker's friend and employee, Harris, persuades her into thinking that Reid helping them out during his leave would be valuable she reluctantly agrees.

Soon though Reid finds himself wanting more then forgiveness from Parker & Nat, he wants something he hasn't had in a long time .... a family, with them. Can Parker, Nat, & Reid be able to get over what happened between them enough to think about their possible futures or is the heartache and loss to great?

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars. This is a sweet novel about love, friendship, and finding out how to forgive. The plot was elegantly written in a way that you could understand what the characters were going through while keeping the storyline light and fun. Also, I liked how Parker's role was written in a way that she always stayed truthful to herself and her love for Tim (her dead husband).

I recommend this novel to anyone who likes to read military romances.

Author's Novel Extras : Characters and Setting Collage | Playlist | Parker Dean’s Famous Castle Creek Carrot Cake

Book Teaser(s) :

He's shut Chance inside the greenhouse.
Shit. How the hell had the dog gotten in without Reid noticing?
He yanked open the door and startled the Lab just as he was lifting his leg in the corner. "Whoa! Hold on there, boy." Her hustled over and bent down to grab hold of the collar and caught air instead. Chance dove under the nearest table. Damned dog wanted to play. Reid grabbed for the Lab's tail and missed. Chance scampered halfway down the concrete path, looked back at Reid and pissed on the nearest table leg. "All right," Reid growled. "Game on." ~ within Chapter 6

Rough, expectant laughter. Then Noble Johnson pushed his way to the front of the crowd and Reid rolled his shoulders up and back. Here we go.
The pale-haired giant set aside a half-empty mug of beer, licked his thumb and bounced twice on the balls of his feet.
"Too bad I never collected on that keg," Gallahan muttered.
"We survive this and I'll throw in an autographed poster of Halle Berry."
"In her James Bond bikini?"
"Nothing but."
"Deal." ~ within Chapter 13

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Kathy, then please check out her website.