Blog Tour: Not Another Soldier by Samantha Holt, Review + Giveaway!

Release Date: January 17, 2014

Not Another Soldier

by Samantha Holt

3 stars

I was really looking forward to NOT ANOTHER SOLDIER because of the synopsis. I loved the idea of a widow who falls in love with the best friend of her dead husband. I have to admit, the idea of the hero being a soldier was also a huge draw for me. Since it was implied that the husband is not what he seems to be, I had no worries about the story being full of angst or being an emotional read. It is made clear that the heroine will discover something bad about her husband, and the best friend will be there to support, protect, and offer her a second chance at being happy in love. 

Basically that is precisely what happens in this book. It's as simple as that. We have Sienna, whose husband Rob just died due to DUI. Nick is Rob's best friend who had to be temporarily excluded from the action because of a bomb accident that maimed his leg. We soon find out though that in recent years, he became more of Sienna's best friend as Rob's indiscretions and bad habits become more pronounced. 

There is a twist that attempts to add some excitement into the story. I say attempt though because the circumstances behind that "twist" was so obvious from the very beginning, it just made me impatient reading the paragraphs where Sienna is asking what could the things happening around her mean. She couldn't possibly be too naive not to realize the involvement of her husband in a particular illegal activity! But sadly she is, she is just too naive for my liking. 

Nick was okay for me. I thought he could have shone more as an alpha leading man though if Sienna's personality wasn't as it is. He consistently stands out. He is a very likable character and the author did a great job with him. Sadly, I just don't feel the same way about Sienna's character. She didn't quite match Nick's appeal, in my opinion. 

Although the author's words flow smoothly, her propensity to delve into every detail and nuance in the scene slowed my momentum. I didn't have that urge to finish the book right now. I didn't feel like I really, really, really want to find out what happens next. It was just okay. 

I was so ready to love this book, but sadly it just didn't happen for me. :(  It is very possible for other readers to connect more with this story, though, plus the writing is not at all bad (hence my 3 star rating). 

Buy Links: Amazon

Synopsis:

I’ve just buried my husband. I was going to divorce him and now he’s dead.

After five years as a military wife, Sienna is moving on. She’s keen to leave behind the misery of her marriage to Rob but for some reason the past won’t let her go. It doesn’t help that her closest friend, Nick, is also a soldier. 

Unfortunately Sienna is struggling to deny her attraction to the sexy marine, even knowing there can be no future in it. When the injured soldier admits he wants her just as badly, and has always wanted her, the fight to control her feelings becomes harder. 

And now she’s learning things about her late husband that surprise even her. When the secrets of Rob’s life come to light, Sienna finds herself involved with some very nasty people and Nick is determined to protect her, no matter what. 

As the danger grows to both her heart and her life, Sienna needs to decide if it was the army that was the problem or her late husband. Is Nick worth the heartache of being a military spouse again? And will he be able to protect her from the ring of drug dealers slowly closing in?

Giveaway!

1 Paperback copy of Not Another Soldier

3 x $2.99 ebook of reader's choice