Customer Reviews

All The Right Reasons [Damaged Heroes, Book 3] (BookStrand Publishing)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lena's Review

Lucas Mitchell is back, but he's a different person. When he left years ago he was a young man anxious to travel and fight for his country. Yet, like all wars, it changes a person--in Lucas's case dramatically. Now back in the States, he is trying to lead a normal life. What he doesn't need is a woman like Joy Kovacs turning his life upside down. Something about Joy makes him want to be alive again but his past comes back to haunt him. As a soldier he knows how to maintain control but whenever he's near Joy he wants her like a bee finding their honey. Joy is like a breath of fresh air for him and in a way it scares him. The war not only changed him but has made him run away from the past. A past that he knows will never leave him until he faces it again. Can he be the man Joy needs in her life?

Joy Kovacs is a gypsy, and because she is one, she must maintain tradition. He father has already selected her betroth but she wants a life of her own. Working in the family restaurant she knows she can never find her real love but fate has made her mind for her. Meeting Lucas she feels that at last she has found her soul mate. She has dreams of him and knows he is the one fate has in store for her. The thing is, he is not a gypsy, but an outsider. Joy has never hurt her family before but something about Lucas makes her want to be with him more than anything. She knows that if she stays with Lucas she loses her loved ones. Yet Joy knows Lucas needs her more than ever to be alive again and find the peace he needs in his life. Can she just leave her family for a man she doesn't know that much about except in dreams?

Part 3 in the Damaged Heroes series is definitely one that will capture your heart. We lose many men in the war but Lucas Mitchell is a survivor who is dying inside each day. He has seen things in the war that have changed him dramatically. Now Sandy did a great job in creating a woman who is just what he needs in life and in his soul. I felt for Lucas for the pain he went through yet root for him in hoping he finds that peace again that he lost in life. The passion between them is bittersweet, yet tender in a way that Sandy did a beautiful job in creating between them. I loved how she brought in a culture that not many people know about, yet in a creative way that made it easier to understand. This is definitely a great book and I can't wait for more of this series.



5 Tea Cups and a Recommended Read!

Ms. James' very readable third in her `Damaged Heroes' series will engage readers, whether or not they have read the earlier books.

Lucas, the attractive once-soldier, enters Joy's life quite casually - almost by a side door. She is intrigued by his looks, but values her separateness, and the peace some degree of isolation has given her. She understands damage to the soul - and Lucas Mitchell has most certainly suffered. We expect the two of them, from the first moments, to find one another - and to find both healing and joy through one another.

In a kind of timeless `romance' way, of course their immediate challenge is trying to have their match accepted...but James added twists (and a thoroughly enjoyable villain) so that this theme did not make the plot entirely predictable. Perhaps, the references to the traditions, or the old-style family still bossing a young woman (Joy,) make this work seem like it should be happening in an older time, although there are enough present-day influences. This sort of point recurred, and plausibility became a tiny factor for me... it by no means detracts from the overall story. Details, from ordinary things like horse races and affection for kitties, to Joy's pursuit of art, to her near-magic intuition, is always just-enough; believable and interesting. The sensual scenes were well-described and re-read worthy, every time.

The best hook for the readers here, is the exceptionally evocative nature of the work. The depth of attraction, then love, cannot be doubted. The strength of emotions, the suffering, guilt, and regret all make for a compelling read. You will be completely immersed in the characters' emotions. Secondary characters -from young Chelsea to Joy's oh-so-tradition bound family, also show interesting depth as well.

This very contemporary and timely work is immensely readable, with good character development and powerful emotions throughout.

[...]

This was a great story, with wonderful people. You wanted to see a happy ending for this couple, and their families.
Very well written, and very enjoyable.

Please allow the author to share this information about All the Right Reasons:

2010 More than Magic Winner ~ Best Single Title Romance

2010 Heart of Excellence Readers' Choice Finalist ~ Best Mainstream Romance

2010 Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence Finalist ~ Best Mainstream Romance

2010 Lories Best Published ~ Third Place ~ Best Single Title Romance

2010 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Finalist ~ Best Single Title Romance

As a horse lover and a lover of romance, Sandy James' books are always on my must-read list. You can't go wrong with one of her books. This entire series delivers its promise of a great, satisfying read.

While in Iraq, Lucas Mitchel is involved with a life changing experience and returnes home bitter as well as wracked with guilt. When he meets Joy Kovacs, a descended from gypsies, he finds his life changed once again.

All The Right Reasons is a great read! If you like romance you'll like this book!

Lucas Mitchell was a complex character who had emotionally given up after losing his buddy on his tour in Iraq. Joy was the woman that could save him when no one else could. The relationship between Lucas and Joy was one unlike any I have read so far. Being a Gypsy, Joy could sense what Lucas needed. In subtle ways, Lucas would be able to sense what Joy wanted and needed. To add to this intriguing plot line, the Romungro culture is steeped in tradition and Joy's family would not let Lucas join their tight circle as he was not of full Romungro ancestry. Joy had to choose and one way or another, would let someone down. Would it be her closely knit family or the love of her life? The addition of the villain, Tamas, was priceless.


I anxiously delved into this book anticipating the third book of the Damaged Hero's series. The other two books in the series were amazing and All the Right Reasons did not disappoint. I was in for a shock when I cracked open the book. It was extremely hard to put down. All the Right Reasons evoked unexpected emotions in me. I felt a part of Joy and Lucas' lives and the pain in my heart ached for Lucas and the issues he was dealing with. The guilt he was carrying around was almost suffocating at times. It was truly phenomenal how Ms. James was able to so accurately depict how a soldier would feel in such a situation. All the Right Reasons was a multilayered, emotionally gripping story of the guilt of a soldier, the love of family, and just trying find closure. All the Right Reasons is laced with humor and oh my gosh, you have got to read the bachelor party scene, I laughed so hard. Joy and Lucas are my favorite couple in this series so far. I know I say this after each and every book but the characters truly get better with each book.

Ms. James has once again gone above and beyond and delivered an exceptional well written, well rounded, touching love story with deep meaning. I can't recommend this book enough. I can promise that anyone who is not a fan of Ms. James yet, will most certainly be by the end of this book. I am anxious to read the fourth book in the Damaged Hero's series, Faith of the Heart. I am listing all the books so far in this series because, trust me, you will want to read them all. Although they can all be read as a stand alone book, you WILL want to read the entire series.

Murphys Law (Book 1)
Free Falling (Book 2)
All the Right Reasons (Book 3)
Faith of the Heart (Book 4)

Lucas Mitchell has returned from Iraq a different man than when he first got there. He is now riddled with guilt over a friend's death. He was wounded and left scarred. He is a bitter man, not sure how to overcome his pain and be the man he used to be; until he meets a woman who captures his heart and soul.

Joy Kovacs comes from a Hungarian gypsy family that believes in the old ways. They have already chosen who she should marry, a man she does not love. Although she is torn over her loyalty to her family and wants the freedom she knows her family will object to, she follows her heart on a path that will change her life.

The attraction to each other is instantaneous for Lucas and Joy. Although each has wounds to heal, they cannot deny their love for each other. Yet her family objects. Joy does not want to hurt her family or loose Lucas, leaving her with a hard decision to make. Lucas must face his past in order to overcome his pain. Is their love strong enough to survive?

What an emotional story, filled with anger and bitterness, love and joy, heartache and pain, acceptance and trust. Lucas and Joy's story is all that. Ms. James takes you into the most intimate parts of her characters and shows you the real essence that makes them come to life. In turn capturing the reader's attention and holding on till the last word. This is a book that you will want to add to your bookshelf. This reader is ready to explore the other stories in the Damaged Hero Series.

Matilda
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More