A Soldier's Heart

De: Sherrill Bodine

Narrado por: Susan Duerden

Nothing is fair in love or war, especially when they are one and the same. When the handsome Lord Matthew Blackwood approached her, Serena Fitzwater immediately knew they were meant to be together. Bold and brash, the qualities that made Matthew an excellent soldier made him her soul mate as well. A storybook romance and marriage followed, only to be interrupted by the call for Matthew to return to the frontlines. When Matthew returns months later, he’s no longer the knight in shining armor of Mary’s fairy-tale dreams. Wounded in action, this man is a stranger. The true battle begins as the lovers must fight to find themselves, and a new happily ever after.

©1991 Elaine Sima and Sherrill Bodine (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Definitely give this a listen

Setting: London and Sussex, England & Belgium 1813 - 1815
Genre: Romance

Wonderful narration because...Susan Duerden. She draws you into the story, and keeps you there. I can't say I get totally immersed, but her delivery is smooth and pleasant.

Idealistic soldier Sir Matthew Blackwood meets, courts, and marries sweetly innocent debutante Serena Fitzwater within a matter of weeks. He gets called back from leave early the day after the wedding, leaving her with his family who are, essentially, strangers. The book's main focus is on Serena's adjustment to being the wife of an absent soldier and the way she matures during Blackwood's time at war. His growth and disillusionment are shown through rare letters home, as well as when he returns injured from "the colonies." The couple have to get to know one another as their new selves, and to accept the essential parts of one another's personalities. The sex is mainly implied rather than with graphic details, and the violence of war is present but also not graphic.

This is a new author for me, and I have to say it was worth taking a chance with her. Her language is accessible without being simplistic, and she crafts her story very well. It is mainly told from Serena's point of view in 3rd person singular, though she departs from this briefly and focuses on Matthew's POV.

Yes, use a credit on this one.

Not Worth the Credit

I don't know why this got so many stars. It was devoid of emotional involvement by any characters. Limited romance and absolutely no sex (I like a little sex in my "romance" novels), but there was a lot of talking about very little. I stopped listening halfway through and tried to return it, but was not able to. Although the narrator is one of my favorites, I'll give this author a pass on reading any more of her books.