(Heart of a Wounded Hero)
Publication date: July 14th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

What do you do when your life plan goes up in flames?

Army sniper Reid Colborn has nothing left. His last mission was technically a success. Enemy hit. Boy rescued. Day saved. Getting trapped in a burning building, however, wasn’t part of the plan. Now Reid doesn’t have a steady shooting arm, and his military career is over. Heading back to his hometown of Maplehaven, Vermont is not the next target he’d hoped for, but he’s out of choices.

Until architect Valerie Bellerose gives him another option.

When Valerie sees Reid, every detail of their one night together as teens nearly ten years ago comes flooding back. Not that the memory had ever died. Reid had given her something that had made it impossible to forget him. Now that he’s back, can they have a second chance to hit their mark?

Is one kind hero high enough caliber to build the family they’ve always wanted?

One Kind Hero is a second-chance, small-town, steamy contemporary romance novella with a wounded military hero searching for what comes next after losing everything. For more romances set in Maplehaven, check out the One Kind Deed Series also by Christine DePetrillo.

The Heart of the Wounded Hero series was created to pay tribute to and raise awareness of our wounded heroes. Each of the over eighty authors involved have contributed time, money, and stories to the cause. These love stories are inspiring and uplifting, showing the sacrifice of our veterans but also giving them the happily ever after they deserve.

By increasing awareness through our books, we believe we can in a small part help the wounded heroes that have sacrificed so much. Thank you for reading.

Excerpt

Valerie

The shed is only a few yards away as we exit my parents’ house. Twilight has fallen, crickets putting on their concert from the tall grass that needs mowing. The garden of night-blooming flowers I’ve planted around the perimeter of the shed is taking on that ethereal glow as the white petals open. The silvery leaves of some of the plants catch the fading light just right. An owl hoots from the woods and normally that would pull me in that direction. I love owls and a chance to see one always interests me.

Except tonight.

Tonight, I’ve got something—someone—far more interesting walking beside me toward the shed.

“Your parents are great,” Reid says. “And your mom really knows how to charm a dog with leftover chicken. Akira couldn’t have cared less that I left the house.”

We’re standing close enough that our arms brush against each other’s once in a while as we near the shed. Each touch threatens to light me on fire. I’ve dated here and there after Ryan was born, but none of those guys ignited me the way Reid did on our only night together.

The way he is right now.

“I’m glad you like my parents,” I say. “Pretty much everyone does.”

“Your brother seems nice too, but he doesn’t approve of me.” Reid turns to face me after we reach the shed.

“He just doesn’t know you,” I say. “He’ll come around.” I hope that’s true. Den has his troubles, but they’re troubles I caused him to have. “When Ryan was nearly ready to make his grand entrance into the world, there was a complication. There was bleeding. I passed out.” I gather my hair onto my right shoulder and study my shoes for a moment. “I almost died. Almost lost Ryan too. Den found me.” I look up at Reid. “It was traumatic for my brother. That led him to develop unhealthy coping strategies.”

“Like drinking?”

“Bingo.” I draw in a breath. “He’s doing better now though, and as far as you go, he’s just looking out for Ryan and me.”

“I’m glad you and Ryan were okay, and I understand why your brother is protective. I’d be the same.”

“Do you have any siblings?”

“No. It’s just me. My parents passed when I was twelve. I went to live with Uncle Karl after that.”

“There’s so much I don’t know about you,” I start, “but . . .”

“You feel as if you do know me,” Reid finishes.

“Yeah. How is that possible?”

He shrugs. “Not sure, but I feel the same way.” He closes his hand around my wrist like he’d done earlier today. I like his touch even more after spending time with him this evening. “As soon as I saw you this morning, I was transported back to our night together. I wanted more back then, but we had our different paths to travel.”

My entire body buzzes with desire as I stand, linked with him, in the fading light of the day. “And now?”

He uses his other hand, his scarred one, to hook my hair behind my ear. His hand slides down to hook on my neck, his rough thumb caressing my cheek.

“Now,” he whispers, taking a step closer, “I still want more.”

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About the Author

Christine DePetrillo can often be found hugging trees, conversing with dragonflies, and walking barefoot through sun-warmed soil. She finds joy in listening to the wind, bathing in moonlight, and breathing in the fragrances of things that bloom. If she had her way, the sky would be the only roof over her head.

Her love of nature seeps into every story she tells. As does her obsession with bearded mountain men who build, often smell like sawdust, and know how to cherish the women they love. Today she writes tales meant to make you laugh, maybe make you sweat, and definitely make you believe in the power of love.

She lives in Vermont with her husband and cat who defend her fiercely from all evils.

Visit her and sign up for her newsletter at www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com anytime.

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