Wounded Warriors: The Complete Collection by J.M. Northup and Simone Beaudelaire
Theresa‘s review Jan 29, 2018
It was amazing.
Read 3 times. Last read January 12, 2018 to February 4, 2018.
September 21st 2015
Julie Northup has looked into the major basic problem with war and coming home. Sam joined the military in a patriotic pride. His hometown celebrity and easy life style had given him many admirable traits. Sam has seen great tests of his strength in life and in war. He is not ready for the biggest test in his life, coming home. Amy’s life was not easy until her mum brought her to Sam’s father’s ranch. Where she found the home she always wanted. Amy has loved Sam all her life, she has given him more than anyone else free reign of her life. His return will be not only his greatest challenge, but Amy’s as well. They need to learn how to deal with their own past, and how they view themselves, and those they love the most. This book opens the eyes to those who doubt the problems in war especially the personal cost of war. Great job Julie, and I can understand where both of these characters are coming from. Thank you for sharing this story of love, triumph and understanding.
Justifying Jack
by J.M. Northup
Justifying Jack is the second story in the Wounded warrior series, is the story of love, survival and justifying how you continue after a great loss. The book centers on the leader of the small platoon that has lost two members in battle. Jack was injured in the fire fight that took his fellow soldiers and after a lengthy recovery has returned home. Jack is pursued by the ghost of his own making. Some from the injury some from the responsibility that he feels toward his brothers in arms. Jack has many personal struggles but he finds through helping others his greatest strengths.
Marie Teresa is the widow of Jorge, one of the soldiers lost in battle. Jack reaches out o his family to help support this widow. She is forced to move from base housing and its Jack’s family that not only finds her work, and a place for her children, but a family that she can be supported by.
The story shows the resilience of the human soul, and the ties that bind. With a remarkably sweet romance in the core of the story. Thank you Julie for sharing this all too realistic story and allowing others to know that the struggles of war not only face the soldiers but the family at home.
Making Mike (The Wounded Warriors #3)
by J.M. Northup
Miking Mike is the last of the Wounded Warriors series, giving us a glimpse in the world of our returning soldiers. We have looked at how injury has affected soldiers in Justifying Jack. Looked at PTSD in Saving Sam. Now we look at the cost of war where there are no injuries of the body or mind.
Mike shows the nature of the military service to bring people from all areas of life and from all ideals. Sam is a prototypical American Texan, living on a ranch and coming form a world of service as a birthright. To Jack a strong African American soldier brought up in faith and love, and duty. Now we have Mike, the slight figure of a man who came from the rebellious sixties mentality. He was raised with ideas of acceptance, and rebellion from the “man” and and societal constructs that restrict thoughts and protencities. Mike does not embrace wholeheartedly his parents and grandparents ideas but find that military service is his own escape from their dictatorial upbringing. He has his own personal struggle, how does he fit back into society after service. Mike shows us how our boys and girls can better themselves with service, but that service can give them the tools to learn and adapt. There are many pathways to service to country and community, and Mike shows that they are not something to be limited but to be expanded. His acceptance of a position as a VA representative shows how the military attempts to help the men and women back into society.
The book also shows cultural ideologies at conflict. Camile is a strong woman who has to break with her own family traditions to establish her own future. She was not supported by her family in her drive or ambition, and the fact she has to make it on her own is not lost to the reader. Mike becomes a part of the puzzle that she is struggling to fit together. Her acceptance of him, and his acceptance of her shows that love can be supportive and nurturing without over burdening the individual.
A great finish to the series, and an eye opening aspect of what society needs to understand. Thank you Julie for allowing us to sojuren in this world that many are not part of.