Broken Soldier: A Novel

Broken Soldier - Two Wounded Hearts CollideRafael Carpenter left behind everything in Afghanistan when his unit was nearly annihilated. Now he's back home, trying to fit the pieces back together, and learning to survive with the injuries that nearly took his life.Still recovering from the loss of her boyfriend a year ago, curvy Emily isn't ready to meet another man, even if one would have her. But her best friend Christa isn't the sort to take 'no' for an answer, and when Emily walks into a blind date and finds Rafael Carpenter waiting for her, she's left speechless. And intrigued.Two wounded hearts collide, but will either of them be willing to let go of their pasts in order to forge a new future together?This full length novel includes all four parts of the Wounded Love series, Broken Soldier, Heartache Warfare, Amor y Caos and Final Vows.Excerpt:Emily leaned into the hill, her breathing laboring as shetried to climb and chat at the same time. "Earth to Emily," Christa said."Sorry. What were you saying?""A blind date, Em." Christa Harlow had been Emily's bestfriend since they were both knee high to a kitten, and the entire time she'dalways been the sort to try to help a friend. Even when it wasn't wanted."You're not... I'm not... No! Not again." She wasn't ready.Christa knew that. Darn right she knew it. She didn't care, either.They crested the top of the hill, and Emily slowed down to abrisk walk. The warm breeze sent swirls of dirt on down the trail ahead of them.The Rocky Mountains stretched around and behind them, and the city of Bouldersprawled below. Christa slowed beside her. "It's been over a year, Em.""I'm a grown woman, Chrissy, and who I date, or not, is myown business." The way Christa rolled her eyes told Emily all she needed toknow about how the rest of the conversation was going to go. That wouldn't stopher from arguing her point, though. Definitely not. If she wasn't stubborn tothe end, Chrissy would start to think she really was getting old. Andtwenty-seven was not old, dammit."So Paul knows this guy that would be just perfect for you,right?" She swatted Emily's hand down when Emily tried to protest. "He's asoldier, home from Afghanistan. He's like, a special forces guy or something, andtotally ripped.""I'm not in the market. Not yet. And besides, even if I wasin the market--and I'm  not--I'm not intobulky guys. Body builders are gross."Christa snorted. "Special forces guys are fit, not bulky.They have to run up and down the mountains over there. I watched a specialabout it on the Discovery Channel."Emily looked down at her own curvy body and pursed her lips.She was too big to fit the modern definition of attractive. Hips too big, butttoo big, legs too thick. "So he's fit. That's great." "Stop worrying, Em. You're gorgeous. Just be yourself andyou'll be fine."Christa just didn't understand. Thin and pretty, she'd hadher pick of Boulder, hell, of Colorado. It wasn't so easy when you had morecurves than the road up to Pike's Peak.Emily spoke quietly. "It's been sixteen months since I lostScott. Before him, I dated two, count 'em," she held up both her middlefingers, "two guys.""You'll be fine. It's a done, deal, babe. He's a friend ofPaul's from way back, so even if he's a total drag, he'll be polite about it."Emily wiped the sweat out of her eyes as they reached thebottom of the trail. She could see the parking lot ahead them, maybe a halfmile. Their jog was almost over. Finally."I'm still not interested," Emily said."Of course you're not. But you're going to meet him anyway.You have reservations at eight at Utnam's.""At Utnam's?" Emily processed that a moment. Thai food wasfine, but-- "At eight? At eight tomorrow?""At eight tonight."