Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Fall in Love with a National Guardsman by Donna Michaels

I did. ☺

My husband is full time National Guard and the inspiration behind my hero in my upcoming release WYNE AND DINE. He and his unit have inspired me to write the Citizen Soldier Series set in the Poconos of PA (my back yard) where fall is so dang pretty! This series is a spin-off from my cowboy series, so don't fret, you'll still get some cowboys and cowboy-isms. These servicemen are rough and tough and tortured and sweet and passionate and deserve an HEA.

 
 
 
 
I've met many men and women in the National Guard over the past thirty years, and I've noticed in the publishing world that not too many books with military heroes and heroines are National Guardsmen. They're Marines, SEALs, Rangers...etc., which are wonderful, heck, I've written books featuring each of those great branches of service, but I felt it was time to showcase the guard. There will even be some heroines in this series that are part time soldiers. It doesn't take the threat of world domination to send these men and women into action. They are here for us when disaster strikes on the homefront. My husband has been state activated during floods, blizzards, hurricanes, ice storms, presidential inaugurations, and yes, some units where activated to help out in New York on that fateful day.

The Guard was originally created to guard our homeland. They were not supposed to be deployed, but times have changed, and so have the world's needs. These men and women are there when their community or the world falls to pieces, or to the wayside or even seems like it's falling apart. So, I figure it's time we fall in love with them. ♥

The Wyne brothers were first introduced in Book 3 HER UNIFORM COWBOY in my Harland County Series. They are the heroine Brandi's brothers, and this first book will feature the wedding between Brandi and Kade up at the Pocono resort she'd helped design for her brothers to run. Look out, Pennsylvania, the cowboys are coming up north for a visit. :-)



Here's the unedited blurb:

Sweet, reliable Lea Gablonski has a dream. Two dreams. To work at a museum in NYC, and to gain other-than-sisterly attention from her best friend’s brother. So far, she’s 0 for 0. With her MA in History just a wall decoration at her family’s diner where she’s working while her dad recovers from surgery, she enjoys her encounters with the sexiest man alive—even though he would sooner pat her on the head than take her to bed. 

Military born and bred, Btn. S4 Sgt. Benjamin Wyne thrives on order and control in his fulltime career in the PA National Guard and in his personal life. But when he’s forced to ask his sister’s best friend—his childhood sweetheart’s younger sister—to pose as his girlfriend to thwart unwanted advances from his boss’ wife, his world turns chaotic. Lea is full of life and energy and tastes so damn good he’s addicted. And when the attraction takes on a new level at his sister’s wedding, his carefully guarded heart begins to thaw. 

He’s seen many relationships go wrong in the military. If he takes a chance on Lea and gives up control, will she be like her sister and leave him for a career in the big city? But if he doesn’t take a chance, will the best damn thing to ever enter his life become history?
 
**♥**
 
I'm shooting for a September 22nd release, and hope I do these men and women justice. They are human, with normal lives and jobs, but when they get the call they will put their lives on hold and on the line for you and your family.

Here's the link to my website where you'll find more about the buy:
 


Have you ever been up to the Poconos of PA? It's a year-round playground for outdoor activities. In the series, the Wyne brothers own and run a resort. ☺

Thanks for reading,

~Donna


6 comments:

Leah St. James said...

Love the premise, Donna. You're right, guardsmen aren't well represented and deserve to be! My husband is from NEPA. We were married there and spent the first two years of our marriage there. Love the walk around Lake Scranton, especially this time of year, or maybe a month from now. The foliage is glorious. Thanks for bringing back some good memories.

Diane Burton said...

Please thank your husband for his service, Donna, and thank you for yours. One thing we often forget is the service that spouses and children give to our country. Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden try to help us remember that.

Love the idea of your books about the guardsmen.

Jannine Gallant said...

Sounds like an awesome new series, Donna. Best of luck with it!

Margo Hoornstra said...

Thanks to all our military heroes and heroines for their service. I've driven through PA, never had a chance to stop. Maybe I will now. Best of luck with the newest books.

Donna Michaels said...

Thank you so much, Leah, Diane, Jannine and Margo! PA is beautiful during the fall, and I'm honored to be able to bring some light to the National Guard and their support system. :-)

Alicia Dean said...

I'm sorry I'm late!!! These past few days have flown by. What a wonderful idea for a series. You are correct. I actually served in the National Guard myself many, many years ago, although I was not called to serve. I have the utmost respect for these unsung heroes.