A Soldier's Heart

The Flanagans #7

by Marta Perry

Wounded army officer Luke Marino was senthome, his career, his spirit shattered. Now hewanted only to be left alone, refusing even thephysical therapy he needed.

But Mary Kate Flanagan Donnelly, a widowwith two children to raise on her own, needed Luke's case to prove herself as a capabletherapist. Despite the revival of feelings shethought dormant since their high schoolromance, she was determined to helpthe stubborn hero and keep mattersstrictly business….

Genres: Love Inspired, Romance, Christian Fiction, Christian Romance, Military Fiction, Christian

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

Marta Perry is a Pennsylvania-based author of over 35 novels, many of them inspirational romances. She uses her rural Pennsylvania life and her Pennsylvania Dutch heritage in writing her books, especially in her Pleasant Valley Amish series for Berkley Books and her new Amish-set suspense series for HQN Books.

Marta and her husband live in a centuries-old farmhouse in a quiet central Pennsylvania valley. They have three grown children and six beautiful grandchildren, and when she's not busy writing her next book, she's usually trying to keep up with her gardening, baking for church events, or visiting those beautiful grandkids.

Reviews

[Lena Morrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of this was good, but a lot of it was also corny and cliche. Mary Kate was a good character, but I was also getting annoyed with how obsessed she was with doing things on her own. Her grief for Kenny didn't seem very realistic either. She seemed pretty over him. Luke was the typical wounded hero sort of man. Their romance was cheesy, but not fully. The ending came way too abruptly.

I found myself even more annoyed with the whole "reluctant-falling-in-love" thing. I'm tired of reading that plot. Therefore, I'm glad that I'm now done with this series. I didn't dislike it as much as I thought I would, but that is not really a compliment.

[Debbie Sue · Rating 1 out of 5]

none of the people in this book are very likable. Luke is bitter and angry over his accident and while its understandable doesnt make you want to read more about him. Mary Kate is sneaky and deceitful forcing him to accept care he would not have accepted if he had known it was from his father who was a really awful person. book destined for the donate pile

[Anna Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

'Kay, first... VETERANS DAY is the day we honor people who have sacrificed and served in our Armed Forces. MEMORIAL DAY is the day we remember those who have gone before us. Marta said that Memorial Day was the day we honor the Armed Forces... but then had our heroine putting flowers on her hub's grave (who never served and died of cancer). Apparently Marta is a little confused.

No, lemme correct that. She's massively fricked up, because THREE TIMES in the book she tells the reader that heroine's husband is 'in Heaven with Jee-zus'. That is utterly, completely and wholly contradictory to scripture. Messiah didn't tell the theif, "Dude, because you believe on Me, you'll go to Heaven when you die, tonight." NO... he was told he'd be in paradise. Scripture says that we DO NOT GO TO HEAVEN WHEN WE DIE... only Christ has gone, as the 'firstfruits of those who will rise'. It says that when He comes back, the 'dead in Christ shall rise, and we who are alive will rise and meet them in the air, and go with Him to that place'. Now, that's pretty dadgum cut-n-dried, there. The dead in Christ have NOT risen, they are NOT in Heaven, and STOP LYING ABOUT IMPORTANT THINGS!!! Cuz what ELSE can non-believers then expect not to be true? GAH!!!

Two other things: Why... please tell me: WHY are all the heroes named Luke or Logan anymore?? It's like the Emma/Sarah phenomena. I don't know. But there's gotta be someone out there named SOMETHING else.

And the other thing... WHY do theses 'Love Inspired' books have to have big, sprawling, close-knit families that have pot lucks on Sundays and are like something out of a fairy tale? Yes, I get that it's so the author can write a whole series (because, ya know, you make more $$ on a SERIES, and everyone writes series, anymore...) But honestly? I have never in my LIFE met a functional family of ANY size. The more people, it seems, the more likelihood of psychosis, angst, and dysfunction. But maybe that's just me, not being light n' fluffy with a side helping of suspended reality - like pew-warmers, r'something.

Leaving off the rant... I liked the book. Mostly. For a patient-falls-for-therapist book. It was well written, it was well researched, the characters were solid and had good chemistry, the conflicts were thought out and resolved well... I liked the book. It was realistic, gritty, honest, and uplifting.

I liked the relationship Luke had with the kids, even against his will. I liked the old guy at therapy, the healing that took place over the course of the book...

If the author would get her holidays and beliefs in order. That took MAJOR stars off my review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marta Perry writes an interesting story that displays some of the stages that adults go through when they have been injured and have lost normal functions that we often take for granted. This soldier, Luke Marino, is not only sulking but also is embarrassed that he can't walk. He doesn't want to leave his house, have anyone come to his house, go to a doctor's appointment or let anyone into his world. Too bad, soldier, because your old HS friend Mary Kate doesn't plan to let you interfere with her success as a Physical Therapist and you are her assigned case. She remembers that he likes challenge so this will be the approach;working hard. Once she gets him to go to the hospital indoor pool, he begins to want more than what he has right now. When Mary Kate's son wants to make friends with Luke, she is afraid. She has only been widowed a year and she doesn't want to push his father Kenny's memory farther away. Her teen daughter seems to be functioning fairly well or is she copying her mother in holding it all together? Luke and Mary Kate's parents both lived in the same neighborhood so the relationship in the family has been set. But Mary Kate wants to keep the relationship all business with Luke, after all, he did hurt her when they were in high school going steady. They work hard at his sessions and they seem to be drawn to one another. Do you suppose there is more to the story than a patient and a PT? Read and find out!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Description
Wounded army officer Luke Marino was sent home, his career, his spirit shattered. Now he wanted only to be left alone, refusing even the physical therapy he needed.

But Mary Kate Flanagan Donnelly, a widow with two children to raise on her own, needed Luke's case to prove herself as a capable therapist. Despite the revival of feelings she thought dormant since their high school romance, she was determined to help the stubborn hero and keep matters strictly business….





Turns out this book is actually part of the "The Flanagans" series but I had never read any of the others. I only picked it up because of the story. Great read though

[Olean Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book giving the reader a look into the pain and heartache that our service people face when they return from war injured. The struggles that these people go through are heartbreaking even for the people who love them

[Geri · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring story about love, loss and moving on...

[Kat]

heart warming

[Laura's Book Addiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice enjoyable read. I wish I had read the rest of the series.

[Veronica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was kind of cute. Would not read again but it was worth reading once.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary Kate needs this job to support her 2 kids after her husband died of cancer. Luke can't believe one of the girls he dated in high school is his new physical therapist.