Once a Hero

Barbara Ankrum

Nov 2017 · Band of Brothers Book 2 · Tule Publishing

About this ebook

Navy SEAL widow Holly McGuire returns to small town, Marietta, Montana, at Christmas time to close a chapter of her life and begin again. She’s not looking for a second chance at love or romance at this reunion of the ex-SEAL team’s Band of Brothers. There’s only one thing she wants for Christmas—a child of her own. She has a secret plan to make that happen, no strings attached. But she knows not everyone will be on board with her decision. Especially the very handsome Trey Reyes, her late husband’s commander and best friend.

 

Buttoning up the past isn’t what Trey has in mind when he welcomes Holly to town. Secretly in love with her since day one, Trey’s old vow to his friend to watch over her, come what may, doesn’t include enabling a terrible idea. Trey must take one last stand to win her heart and prove to Holly he’s exactly what she needs. And an unexpected bit of Marietta Christmas magic might be just the ticket to make that happen.

*Previously titled A Little Christmas Magic 

Ratings and reviews

In this touching military romance, Holly is older and wiser having endured 9 years of marriage to a man she loved, but who wasn't husband material. She has decided to do what's right for Holly and make her own dreams come true, but not before completing the quest her late husband's will sent her on. As Holly follows the letter of her husband's will to complete the tasks set before her, she finds that she has more backbone and gumption than she ever thought. What she didn't expect was Trey upsetting the apple cart and making her re-examine all her old feelings for him. Nevertheless, Trey still fits the military mould, and Holly doesn't want anything military in her future. Ms Ankrum very ably brings out the depth of emotions experienced by both Holly and Trey as they work through the push and pull of their attraction for one another, combined with the feelings of guilt over secrets they are keeping. What they needed was a touch of magic and Christmas in Marietta has that in spades. This novelette is well written and touched my heart, making me feel the romance and the magic and I felt myself rooting for both Trey and Holly as they struggled with their feelings. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

I truly enjoyed A Little Christmas Magic by Barbara Ankrum. After the death of her husband, Tommy, and a year of scattering his ashes around the world, Holly McGuire returns to his home town of Marietta, Montana hoping to find closure and a new start to her life. The tight group of guys who served with her husband, the Band of Brothers, agreed to meet in Marietta, staying at the Marietta home of Trey Reyes as they honor Tommy. Trey promised Tommy to watch over Holly if anything happened to him. Trey and Holly have had a secret attraction for each other, which neither would act on while Holly was married. Now that Tommy is gone, can these two allow themselves a chance at happiness together, acting on their spark of attraction? Hopefully, the magic of Marietta along with it being Christmas time will help these two find the answers they need. I really loved enjoyed this book and had trouble putting this book down, reading this book in one day. Ms. Ankrum drew me in and did not let go until I read the last page. I loved these two characters as they worked to find happiness in their lives. I recommend this book to other readers and cannot wait for Ms. Ankrum’s next book. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Loved this Christmas story of starting over. Holly was married for nine years to the military and now she is ready to lay her husband to rest and start over. The one thing she has always wanted is a baby, no strings attached. She has returned to Marietta for her last journey, when she runs into her husband's best friend, Trey and sparks fly. Trey has always had feelings for Holly. Now with the little magic of Christmas make their dreams come true. Great characters that show so much emotion. Great to catch up with Canadays. Love Christmas in Marietta!!