The Marine’s Return by Rula Sinara – Book Review, Preview

Item: The Marine's Return
Rating: 3.5
Author: Phyllis Helton

Posted January 29, 2019 by Phyllis Helton in Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Giveaways /

“Don’t move. Don’t breathe. And especially, don’t try to take any pictures!” the guide admonished my friends.

I was in South Africa for a conference and we all had the opportunity to go on game drives. This was an amazing trip!

One of the groups that had gone out on a drive was sitting near a stream taking a break when all of a sudden, a bull elephant materialized next to the Jeep! He was close enough that they could have probably reached out and touched him. Aside from the fact that it would have been terribly dangerous, of course.

Everyone held their breath and watched in awe. After a couple of minutes, the bull disappeared into the gathering dusk.

And they returned to our lodgings with no photographs but this wonderful memory. . .

The Marine's Return
by Rula Sinara

Series: ,
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming
Publication Date January 1, 2019
Genres: Clean Romance
Setting: Kenya Contemporary
Main Character Ages: 18-24
Written for: Adults
Pages: 384

Synopsis:

He can’t be her hero…

But he made a promise to keep her safe

Wounded marine Chad Corallis just wants to be left alone. Until he discovers his best friend’s very pregnant widow is in danger. A dedicated nurse, she refuses to leave her Serengeti medical clinic when it’s threatened by poachers. Chad is honor-bound to protect her, but who will save him from falling for his best friend’s wife?

I would like to thank Prism Book Tours for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.

Romance in the heart of Kenya

Kenya is a country on my list of places I would love to visit. And I enjoyed being able to do that vicariously through The Marine’s Return.

Though wounded, Chad was a strong character. He had been injured and was suffering from phantom pains in his arm that was no more yet still had a strong need to protect and to serve. Until he helped his dad secure the clinic in the bush, he had felt he had lost his purpose. I liked Chad with his vulnerability and fears and was so glad to see him heal.

There was a mystery about missing medical supplies and a poacher who was known to be injured and lurking somewhere “out there”. While this played into the story, I would not consider this to be an action or mystery or suspense story. We knew by little bits and pieces about what was going on with the poacher which was done well.

I found it interesting how few details were given about the characters. Other than build and hair color, very little was revealed. It allowed me to use my imagination to decide what they looked like and deemphasized the physical, which I thought was nice.

The story was interesting but it did drag in parts. While it stands alone, there were hints along the way of other stories that came before it. And the Epilogue attempted to wrap up not only this story but others in the series as well. It did seem more like a list of what had happened, though, instead of a narrative.

Overall, I am glad I read the book.

Tour Schedule

January 28th:

Launch

Christy’s Cozy Corners

underneath the covers

January 29th:

January 30th:

January 31st:

Book Reviews & More by Kathy

Remembrancy

Locks, Hooks and Books

February 1st:

Thoughts of a Blonde

Reading Is My SuperPower

Hallie Reads

Wishful Endings

February 2nd:

Grand Finale

Giveaway

1 WINNER WILL RECEIVE:

Autographed print copies of the first three books of the ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series – The Promise of Rain, After the Silence and Through the Storm.
A set of three, 15x15in canvas tote bags featuring the first 3 covers of the ‘From Kenya, With Love’ series.
A 12×18 Harlequin Heartwarming tote bag
A ‘Teenie Beanie Baby’ (TY trademark) elephant named ‘Peanut’
Bookmarks

Open internationally

Ends February 6, 2019

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Rula Sinara

National and USA Today Bestselling author Rula Sinara lives in rural Virginia with her family and crazy but endearing pets. She loves organic gardening, attracting wildlife to her yard, planting trees, raising backyard chickens and drinking more coffee than she’ll ever admit to. Rula’s writing has earned her a National Readers Choice Award and HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, among other honors.