Review Or Sample Copy Disclosure
Courage Sacrifice and Love.
Three words with such a great amount of meaning behind each one. When I first started reading Meant To Be By Jessica James I thought I was going to get your typical love story with a typical happy ending. I had no idea that I would end up turning that last page feeling as if I had gotten to know two people who not only chose courage in the face of danger, sacrifice over themselves but found love in the midst of lives many of us could never imagine.
In this novel, Jessica shares with us the story of Lauren and Rad. Two strangers who meet on a beach in the early morning hours of a summer day. Typical romantic setting right? Maybe. Yet once we get to know Lauren and her past of tragedy, loss and courage along with Rad and his life of leadership, danger and sacrifice we realize that this love they find together is one like no other.
As a Military Spouse, I have always known how difficult it can be for my husband to ‘turn off’ the soldier who is as much a part of him as myself and our children. Still as I learned about Lauren I began to understand that being a woman who has chosen to take a stand for her country as a soldier is no easier. Lauren was a person who made the conscious decision to put aside her life and her possibility for love for the protection of her country. Her losses and desire for justice because of them fueled her so much that she barely noticed what she was giving up – that is until she stumbled upon him that early morning on the beach.
“Lauren tried to concentrate on the words, but she couldn’t stop her mind from racing. Who was this disarming, courteous man with his strong arms and his soft voice…”
Meant To Be | Jessica James (Chapter 8 – Pg. 86)
Radcliff. Michael Radcliff. Rad. The stranger on the beach who felt like anything but a stranger. He was a soldier, a leader and a protector but when he met her he was nothing but hers. He knew it from the moment he saw her and throughout their story Jessica allows us to get a glimpse behind the training, skills and mindset of the soldier and into the heart of a man who simply longs to love the woman he knows was meant to be his and a woman who wants to know the love she’s seen so many others enjoy.
“His spirit and character were forged for the fight. His innermost essence compelled him to shield and defend. He was a warrior, but he had a heart. A big one.”
Meant To Be | Jessica James (Chapter 17 – Pg. 161)
With each page, I turned I started to feel like I got to know Lauren and Rad a bit more. Yes, this was a love story. It was sweet, romantic and nice. But there was more. So much more to who they were and who they would become. They were soldiers each in their own right. Lauren used to handling things on her own, being independent and relying on no one but herself. Rad the leader of a team who became a family, strong and confident in who he was and what he had to do. Together they became each other’s best pieces.
“…it occurred to her that she’d spent almost five years in this country, never thinking twice about the loneliness of her life or the pressures of her job But that was before she had been wrapped in the warmth of his arms, lying content by the ocean. That was before him.”
Meant To Be | Jessica James (Chapter 14 – Pg. 137)
“Living on the edge and constantly making life-or-death decisions made him and his comrades more acutely attuned to the fragility and preciousness of life. It also made them more aware of the important things – the things that mattered.
Meant To Be | Jessica James (Chapter 11 – Pg. 109)
This brings me back to those 3 words: Courage Sacrifice and Love. They seemed to weave themselves throughout the story of Lauren and Rad’s lives. They were always making choices and decisions based on the courage they had been trained to maintain, the sacrifice they were always willing to make and then the love they had found in each other. Love that was unexpected but so well deserved by two people who in their daily lives thought of everyone but themselves were now finally getting the chance to experience over at it’s best.
Now obviously I can’t tell you the full journey of Lauren and Rad because I think you should experience that for yourself – first hand. I can tell you that once you do you will never regret picking up this book and finding out what it’s like to know when things are simply – Meant To Be
Interview With The Author – Jessica James
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Jessica – I started my writing career as a newspaper reportera job that I kind of fell into because it was the only thing available. (Funny thing how Fate works). Still, making the change to writing creatively was a slow process for me. Once I realized that not everyone has characters and scenes running their heads all of the time, I decided it might be time to start writing things down. Thats pretty much how it all began.
Your past books have been set during times such as the Revolutionary and American Civil Wars. Has history always been an interest of yours?
Jessica – Im from Gettysburg, so Ive always been surrounded by history and had some interest in it. But I actually caught the history bug when I moved to Virginia for a short time. Thats when I became intrigued by the cavalry unit Mosbys Rangers, which led me to do some research on this renegade band of warriors. Luckily, many of the Rangers had written first-hand accounts of their war years, and once I started learning about the human aspect of the war, I couldnt stop reading. In my writing, I try to weave a story that connects readers emotionally to the characters and time period so that they too will be inspired to learn more.
As the only 2 time winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction what do you love most about the south?
Jessica – Ahh, the South. So many things come to mindthe food, the traditions, the nice manners, the laid back way of living, the great Southern literature. But if I can only choose one thing, Ill say the weather. Seriously, Im just starting to thaw out from this past winter. I cant see myself living above the Mason-Dixon Line much longer.
In Meant To Be you share the story of bravery, courage and love between Lauren and Rad. What do you feel should be the take away from their story?
Jessica – Just like with my historical fiction, I hope readers connect with the characters and understand that there are men and women making sacrifices for us every day. Our military is made up of ordinary people who have put duty to country before themselveswhich is an extraordinary thing!
If you could only give a Reader one sentence to describe why they should read Meant To Be what would it be?
Jessica – That is a great question! I hope a compound sentence is not cheating.
Readers should read Meant To Be to be swept away by an epic love story that depicts the sacrifices the two main characters must make as they answer the question: What do you do when the person you most want to protect is the one risking everything to make sure you survive?
Get To Know Jessica James on Facebook and Twitter
Jessica will be celebrating the release of Meant To Be
on Facebook Tomorrow, June 14th from 1-3pm EST!
Click Here To Join
With Prizes!
Meant To Be Giveaway
Now I want to give you a chance to read and experience the story of Lauren and Rad for yourself! Enter below for a chance to win your ver own copy of Meant To Be from the Author herself, Jessica James.
**Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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36 thoughts on “Courage Sacrifice and Love | Meant To Be”
i need some new books for summer – this looks great. I love the connection to military.
Then Meant To Be should definitely be on your list!! 🙂
Sounds like a nice love story! I really need to get some great books this summer!
Yes, it is a sure ‘add on’ for your Summer Reading List…
That sounds like a great book. I love a good romance novel. Great article too, Thanks!
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It is! A perfect summer read…thanks for coming by Crystal 🙂
This sounds like an amazing read indeed and I so love love stories. The two of them seem to be a perfect match that equal each other out. I will have to check this out for sure. Thanks for sharing.
It surely was Rebecca…a perfect addition to any Summer Reading list… thanks so much for coming by.
Oh I love books like this that make you feel like you know the characters. I just told myself today that I WILL read a book this week. I use to love to read, and motherhood and housekeeping seems to rob me of my time lol. Thanks for the review.
Me Too! Those are the best because you walk away with a memory… this is the perfect book to add to your list 🙂 Thanks for coming by Amy!
Sounds like a great read! I love books that drag me in and make me feel like I know the characters in real life!
It Is! Those are definitely the best books…
I love a book that gets you drawn into feeling like you, yourself has a relationship with the characters. You always get so drawn in!
This sounds like an awesome read.
Me Too…you never want to put the book down because you need to know what happens next.
Ooooo this book sounds fantastic!!! I need afew more books to add to my poolside reading list! Crazy how fast i go threw books!
It’s he perfect summer read!! Be sure to Enter to WIN a Signed Copy 🙂
I love a great summer beach day book! Thank you for the recommendation on the book – now I just need a beach to go with it. I will definitely add this one to my read list during our road trip!
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Then Meant To Be is just for you Jaime! Perfect beach day read… or car ride 🙂
Thanks for sharing! This seems like a really great book. We're working through a list this summer so I'll have to add this 🙂
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Thank for coming by Jacob! You should…let me know how you like it.
This sounds like such a fun book for summer. I love to read books like this as a way to escape my busy reality of blogging and parenting. Thanks for the recommendation!
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Yes! Meant To Be is a great summer beach day read for sure! Thanks for coming by Amanda…
Sounds like a great read. I just joined the giveaway. Thanks for the chance!
It really was! Wishing you the best of luck in winning your Signed Copy 😀
sounds like a wonderful and inspiring read. have to check it out.
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It was Karen! Don\’t forget to enter for a chance to WIN your own Signed Copy… and thanks for coming by 🙂
Sounds like a great read! Great giveaway too. I love when you finish a book and feel like you know the characters.
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It really is Penny! I think that is one of the biggest signs of a great book! Be sure to enter for your chance to WIN a Signed Copy of Meant To Be 🙂
This sounds like a very powerful book. I Love books like this because I always end up taking so much away after I am don reading.
It was. Surprisingly so because I expected no more than a romantic novel but ended up with so much more. Thanks so much for coming by Robin.
What a great giveaway and really enjoyed reading your review today! I am always after that next interesting read and will be sharing this with friends! I must find out more about the author too!
Thanks Joanne! Definitely look into Jessica, she has an amazing skill for bringing you into the world she has created whether it be in times past or present.
This definitely sounds like one of those books that will kind of pop up in your mind years after you have read it. I am putting this one on my YBR list for sure.
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It is Michele !! I have already read it twice and I know I will be reading it again 🙂
What a great idea for a book! I've read tons of military spouse stories….but the spouse who served was always the husband! I absolutely love this, it's going on my must read list!
That’s what amazes me so much. A wonderful twist to the story. Yay!! Don’t forget to enter the Giveaway for a chance to Win a Signed Copy 🙂