The Purple Heart
by Christie A.C. Gucker
Contemporary Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Categories:
Inspirational, Military, Mystery/Thriller
Publisher:
Pagan Writers Press
Release
Date: February 22, 2013
Heat
Level: Sizzling
Word
Count/Length: 52,000 words/164 pages
Available at:
Amazon
| ARe
| B&N
| Smashwords
Description:
When does hiding the truth become an outright
lie?
As an Army psychologist, Sydney Porter has heard
her share of horror stories. The battle-scarred, down-trodden, and guilt-ridden
have come to her office, seeking her help. When a highly decorated soldier is
referred to her, she feels confident she can help heal his wounds. The chemistry
between herself and Sergeant Aiden Thane is instantaneous. Sparks
Torn between a voice of reason and her undeniable
feelings, Sydney
And does she really want to know?
Warning: This title is intended for readers over
the age of 18 as it contains explicit sex scenes and/or situations (including multiple
partners) and adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.
Dedication:
This book is dedicated to every man and woman who
has served as a soldier to defend freedom for all. You are heroes. It is also
dedicated to the families of those soldiers who give up their fathers, mothers,
husbands, wives, brothers, sisters and friends so that we can have those
freedoms. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed. Thank you all.
Special dedication to the soldiers in my family,
My father, John P. Choida, grandfather Stephen P. Gaida, brother-in-law
in-Darren Dreher, my father-in-law Donald Gucker and my grand uncles who have
served or continue to do so for our country.
I want to give a special shout out to Battling
BARE for all their hard work to help soldiers and their families recover from
PTSD! They have a special place in this book!
Reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars – from KimCheck
5.0 out of 5 stars – from KimCheck
“I have read 2 of Christie's books and
one of her short stories and I have to say I'm very impressed with her writing.
I have had the pleasure of meeting her as she was so very gracious to call in
to my book club and chat about her books and her writing which impressed me
even more! The Purple Heart was a story that draws you in and makes you feel
like you are living within the story line. This story took me to a place I did
not expect at all. The characters in the book became so alive in my head that I
truly felt connected to every turn the story took. I highly recommend The
Purple Heart and will be sure to let everyone know how great it is.”
5.0 out of 5 stars – from tori muise
“This book had me on the edge of my seat
and I couldn't put it done! Beautiful book and I've been telling everyone I
know to read it!!!”
5.0 out of 5 stars – from Ireland
“This book was one that I could not put
down. I started it on Friday night and finished it on Saturday night, it was
that good! I did not want it to end. I can't wait to read the next book that
Christie Gucker writes!”
5.0 out of 5 stars – from BRIAN E
LAROCQUE
“Her best book yet! Great story and
great characters! I loved the Cheryl and Gina story as well. I'm sure we will
be reading more great stories from this new author!”
5.0 out of 5 stars – from Newest Fan
“Although I am an avid reader, I seldom
feel the need to write a review for a book. With The Purple Heart, I just had
to. I discovered this book by accident, wanted something to read on a cold
winter's day. I no way expected to be pulled into this love story. It pulled me
in alright. Pulled at my heart strings. What a beautiful love story. Classic,
romantic but completely unpredictable. Discovering this book and this author,
Ms. Gucker was a delightful surprise. Can't wait to read your other works.”
About the Author:
Christie A.C. Gucker lives in NJ with her
husband, two daughters and a menagerie of pets. Being a
mother is one of the
greatest joys of her life. She has worked in the advertising industry for over
20 years as a degreed artist, but also works in the fine arts, especially
sculpting out of stone or snapping photographs. Christie is also a singer and
musician, and can be found singing on a few CDs.
After the death of her father, Christie searched
for something to fill her desire to make a mark in this world. Her love of the
arts and creativity allowed her to search for a new medium, which she found
with a pen instead of a brush. Being an avid reader her whole life, and with
her family cheering her on, she decided to take her shot, and began writing.
Christie is fascinated by the supernatural and
sharks, and studies both avidly. You’ll be sure to find something spooky
lurking somewhere in her stories. Her greatest joy is sitting on a beach with
her family while surf fishing, flying kites or building sandcastles with her
girls.
Christie is on FOUR Amazon Best Selling Lists:
Romance, Short Story Paranormal Romance and Fantasy.
Connect with
Christie A.C. Gucker
EXCERPT #2:
“Excuse me, Sergeant Thane?”
The soldier stood up, perfectly
at attention, and addressed me with a serious, military tone and utter respect.
“Yes, Ma’am.” He offered his hand
to shake mine.
My breath hitched in my throat
immediately. Any man in uniform was to die for, but he was just drop-dead
gorgeous. His dark, messy hair was longer than it should be for someone
returning from a tour, and appeared as though he had just rolled out of bed.
Sex hair is what I would call it, although others might refer to it as bed
head. He must have been at the infirmary for some time. His face was squared
and chiseled, and accentuated by a shadow of scruff. His eyes seemed to be
piercing right through me. They were a deep shade of blue, but somehow had the
appearance they were glowing. I bet now that he was home, all the girls would
be knocking down his door, if he didn’t have someone already waiting for him. I
couldn’t imagine he wasn’t already spoken for, unless he was a player.
I reached out to shake his hand,
and when we touched, I could feel this humming vibration thing happening, from
his skin directly to mine. It was reminiscent of something, but I couldn’t
quite place it. I found myself holding onto his hand a little longer than was
socially acceptably for a first meeting but just didn’t want to let go. I
managed to stutter out a few words.
“Um, hi. I — I’m Sydney Porter.
I’ll be handling your case.” This reaction was so unlike me. No one ever had
this type of effect on me.
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said, and he
released my hand with a small squeeze.
“Maybe you can just call me
Sydney, okay? You’re making me feel old by calling me ma’am.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said again, but
this time, I noticed a small smirk make an appearance at the corner his lips.
“Okay then, great. Would you like
to go to one of the meeting rooms to talk for a bit?”
“Ma’am.” He nodded his head.
I walked over to the nearest open office, and he followed quietly behind me. He was so silent I couldn’t even hear his footsteps. I wondered if he had been trained for covert military missions or was special ops. I showed him to a seat, which he stood behind until I took mine. One thing about soldiers, they were extremely respectful. I loved that.
My 4 Star Review
Unpredictable is the best word I can use to describe the end of this book. Now looking back I can see there was several clues leading up to the perfectly crafted plot line, but I for one did not see it. While preparing this post I thought okay I should have guessed, but I didn't notice the part that said paranormal until I done the post and after reading the book. Maybe in away it concealed the nature of the book so that I could enjoy it the best. The four characters in the book, Aiden Thane, Sydney Porter, Cheryl and Gina played their different parts well building the story effectively and making it an interesting read.
There were times that I was annoyed with Sydney's character, her little drama's and meltdown at the end wanted me to skip paragraphs. As a care manager working for the military I expected more professionalism, more in the zone with Aiden, a Purple Heart Soldier just back from the war zone, but she was like a pendulum that went from one side to the next, swayed easily by people's attitudes and questions, causing her to be off-balance at times. Explosive at the time and at loose ends her character had a lot of growing to do. But as a whole her character made sure that you turned the page trying to understand her struggles and at the end coming to grips with her life and where she ends up.
A heart warming story as their love grows, and unfolds and you could feel the chemistry like a life current between them. Their different view points of fate would give you hope, knowing that there is more to life than we see. Secrets and holding back became major issues between them, and it almost cost the couples break-up.
Loved the character Gina as the voice of reason, grounding her and asking the correct questions coming to a place of peace and doing something about the relationship.
Aiden although a main character was more in a supportive capacity, at the back, but yet his role was the center of the plot. The reason why it was beautifully crafted by the author. She allowed just enough focus on him so that you could stay clueless until the very end. And as I already said, I did not see it coming.
Thanks to Christie for a wonderful and entertaining read.
I walked over to the nearest open office, and he followed quietly behind me. He was so silent I couldn’t even hear his footsteps. I wondered if he had been trained for covert military missions or was special ops. I showed him to a seat, which he stood behind until I took mine. One thing about soldiers, they were extremely respectful. I loved that.
My 4 Star Review
Unpredictable is the best word I can use to describe the end of this book. Now looking back I can see there was several clues leading up to the perfectly crafted plot line, but I for one did not see it. While preparing this post I thought okay I should have guessed, but I didn't notice the part that said paranormal until I done the post and after reading the book. Maybe in away it concealed the nature of the book so that I could enjoy it the best. The four characters in the book, Aiden Thane, Sydney Porter, Cheryl and Gina played their different parts well building the story effectively and making it an interesting read.
There were times that I was annoyed with Sydney's character, her little drama's and meltdown at the end wanted me to skip paragraphs. As a care manager working for the military I expected more professionalism, more in the zone with Aiden, a Purple Heart Soldier just back from the war zone, but she was like a pendulum that went from one side to the next, swayed easily by people's attitudes and questions, causing her to be off-balance at times. Explosive at the time and at loose ends her character had a lot of growing to do. But as a whole her character made sure that you turned the page trying to understand her struggles and at the end coming to grips with her life and where she ends up.
A heart warming story as their love grows, and unfolds and you could feel the chemistry like a life current between them. Their different view points of fate would give you hope, knowing that there is more to life than we see. Secrets and holding back became major issues between them, and it almost cost the couples break-up.
Loved the character Gina as the voice of reason, grounding her and asking the correct questions coming to a place of peace and doing something about the relationship.
Aiden although a main character was more in a supportive capacity, at the back, but yet his role was the center of the plot. The reason why it was beautifully crafted by the author. She allowed just enough focus on him so that you could stay clueless until the very end. And as I already said, I did not see it coming.
Thanks to Christie for a wonderful and entertaining read.
Was my review helpful?
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GIVEAWAY INFO:
Prize is a signed print copy of "The Purple Heart"
and a signed bookmark from Christie A.C. Gucker.
Contest is tour-wide and ends July 21.
Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.
LINK TO SCHEDULE:
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