The Soldier

The Soldier is the first novel in the no-holds barred Rise of the Jain series, by bestselling science fiction author Neal Asher. Her mission is vital. Her failure is unthinkable. A corner of space swarms with alien technology, a danger to all sentient life. It’s guarded by Orlandine, who must keep it contained – as it could destroy entire civilizations. An alien intelligence shares her vigil. But she doesn’t share everything with Dragon . . . Orlandine is hatching a plan to obliterate this technology, removing its threat forever. For some will do anything to exploit this ancient weaponry, created by a long-dead race called the Jain. This includes activating a Jain super-soldier, which may breach even Orlandine’s defences. Meanwhile, humanity and the alien prador empire also watch this sector of space, as neither can allow the other to claim its power. However, things are about to change. The Jain might not be as dead as they seemed and interstellar war is just a heartbeat away. The action continues in The Warship.

The Return of the Soldier recounts the return of the shell shocked Captain Chris Baldry from the trenches of the First World War from the perspective of his cousin Jenny. The novel grapples with the soldier's return from World War I with mental trauma and its effects on the family, and sheds light on their fraught relationships. The successful treatment of the traumatised returned soldier is a fundamental element of The Return of the Soldier. Unlike Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway and Dorothy L. Sayers' The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, this novel lends certain optimism that the soldier can be reintegrated into society. The novel was adapted into a film of the same name in 1982. Excerpt: "That day its beauty was an affront to me, because, like most Englishwomen of my time, I was wishing for the return of a soldier. Disregarding the national interest and everything else except the keen prehensile gesture of our hearts toward him, I wanted to snatch my Cousin Christopher from the wars and seal him in this green pleasantness his wife and I now looked upon. Of late I had had bad dreams about him. By nights I saw Chris running across the brown rottenness of No-Man's-Land..."

When fifteen-year-old Elizabeth finds an antique doll in a garage sale, she thinks it would be a good gift for her dad who's about to ship out for Afghanistan. She doesn't realize that the doll might be a missing (and very valuable) historical artifact. With the help of Evan, the cute guy who works at the local used bookstore, Elizabeth discovers that the doll is THE soldier doll: the inspiration for a famous World War I poem. Elizabeth becomes the newest link in an epic history of more than a century of war, her story ingeniously interwoven with a cast of characters who we follow from World War I to Nazi Germany in the 1930s, a Czech concentration camp during World War II, Vietnam in 1970, and the aftermath of September 11th.

"Ever wonder what a soldier actually does? Why does he dress that way? Could I be a soldier one day? Private First Class Sam Smith is a soldier in the U.S. Army. Come along with Sam as he tells all about what it's like to live, work, and (even) relax like a soldier."

When Charlie Barrett was killed in Iraq, he left behind a grieving widow. Charlie was the love of Annie�s life and three years later, she still cannot put the past to rest. Lee McCord is on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. He knows the impact war has on a soldier and he understands Annie�s pain. Can Lee help Annie get on with her life? Will Annie reveal the depth of her hurt and find the solace she so desperately needs? Is it possible for a grieving widow to put the memory of her dead husband to rest?

"Grace Burrowes is terrific." —Julia Quinn, NYT bestselling author of the Bridgerton series A New York Times and USA Today bestseller from Grace Burrowes's lush Regency series, featuring the beloved Windham family and a duke obsessed with getting his sons married... A weary soldier home from war A beautiful neighbor who could be his salvation Even in the quiet countryside, Devlin St. Just, the oldest but illegitimate son of the Duke of Moreland, can find no peace. His idyllic estate is falling down from neglect and nightmares of war give him no rest. Then Devlin meets his new neighbor... With her confident manner, the lovely Emmaline Farnum commands all of Devlin's attention, even when he realizes the previous owner's five-year-old daughter has become a fixture on his property. Calling on Emmaline to become the girl's governess, he soon learns that she can nurture him too, in ways no other woman ever has before... The Windhams: The Duke's Obsession The Heir (Book 1) The Soldier (Book 2) The Virtuoso (Book 3) Praise for The Soldier: "Captivating... Burrowes's straightforward, sensual love story is intelligent and tender."—Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW "A powerful story that touches readers' hearts. Her powerful and complex characters will enthrall you."—RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 Stars "Burrowes continues her winning streak with a delicious, sensual historical romance capturing the spirit of the time."—Booklist "A treat for fans of Regency romance at its best."—Night Owl Reviews "A breathtaking love story that lingers in the mind and heart."—The Long and Short of It

He had a plan… She changed it all! Major Aidan Murphy arrives in the charming small town of Hollydale to take full guardianship of his six-year-old nephew. Only there’s a slight problem—his vivacious, fiery co-guardian. School teacher Natalie Harrison has no intention of letting Aidan take her best friend’s heartbroken little boy away. Now Aidan must convince Natalie that blood is stronger than love…even if his heart tells him otherwise. From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.