4 stars! A MARINE FOR CHRISTMAS by Beth Andrews: After crashing his ex-fiancée’s wedding, wounded marine Brady Sheppard winds up in bed with her sister, and a few weeks later Jane Cleo Montgomery is pregnant with his child. Having always had a crush on Brady, JC still isn’t sure how she ended up in this position, but she’s willing to try to make it work anyway. At first, Brady wants nothing but escape; fortunately, he realizes that JC is everything he’s ever wanted. Andrews combines sparkling dialogue with characters that have real depth. Brady and JC are quite complex. Brady is likable in spite of his flaws, and Jane’s insecurities somehow come across as charming. Reviewed By: Alexandra Kay - RT Book Reviews

Brady Sheppard had to see for himself that his ex-fiance, Liz, was really marrying another man. He had received her “Dear John” letter while serving in Afghanistan but it didn’t seem real until today as he watched her walk down the aisle to another man.

Liz begged her little sister JC to get Brady away from her wedding by any means necessary. But she didn’t mean for JC to end up in Brady’s bed. JC has always had a crush on Brady and ending up in his bed was a huge mistake especially when she learns she is carrying his child. Despite Brady’s instant first denial, he soon discovers he is falling for JC even though he doesn’t deserve her.

Award winning author Beth Andrews draws her readers in with this heart wrenching romance with a dramatic twist, A MARINE FOR CHRISTMAS. Even though JC wasn’t his first choice, Brady learns that the love he thought he felt for Liz could not begin to touch what he now feels for JC. A must read with strong characters, a real-life plot and a feel-good romance for Christmas. - Donna Zapf, Cataromance

4 1/2 stars! One of the things I admire most about this 2010 RITA winning author’s writing is her willingness to tackle difficult subjects head-on. From the first page of A Marine for Christmas, the characters are sucked into the turmoil of an emotional maelstrom and I went right along with them, never even considering turning back. Brady Sheppard has loved Liz Montgomery for half of his life but she ripped his heart to shreds by breaking their engagement in a Dear John letter sent to Afghanistan. The book opens as a drunken Brady, a shattered man both figuratively and literally, crashes Liz’s wedding to another  man.

Twenty-six year old, JC Montgomery loves her older sister even though she’s spent most of her life trying, unsuccessfully, to measure up to her. Not only has Liz has always been prettier, slimmer, smarter and more successful, she’s always had Brady, the man JC has been in love with for as long as she can remember. When Brady threatens to ruin her sister’s wedding reception, JC convinces him to leave and drives him home, never intending to stay. But, when Brady kisses her, she throws caution to the wind and takes a moment out of time for herself…a moment that leaves her pregnant…and brokenhearted. Because Brady still loves Liz, wants nothing to do with JC or the baby and is headed straight for a lifetime spent at the bottom of a bottle.

See what I mean about tackling tough subjects? Brady is a broken man. His career dreams have been shattered right along with the shattered knee he received courtesy of roadside terrorists in Afghanistan, the love of his life dumped him for a doctor, the post-war guilt and flashbacks he suffers are just one symptom of the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) overtaking his life and the only comfort he can find is in a bottle. It’s going to take one very strong, very special woman to bring him safely out of the storm and back into the sunlight of a happy life.

Andrews doesn’t make things easy for her characters and, while Brady and JC have the happy ending they deserve, she doesn’t wrap up everything prettily with ribbons and bows. This is real life and relationships have suffered: JC and Liz, JC and her parents, Liz and her husband, Brady and his mother and brothers. All of these relationships face challenges because of the actions of the various characters and only with love, trust and time, will they begin to mend. As a reader, I appreciate that Andrews recognizes this and keeps her stories true to life. As this is the first book in a new trilogy, I have hopes that we will see the progression of these relationships throughout the series.

A Marine for Christmas is a new release. Next year it’s going to be one of those treasured friends I lovingly re-visit each Christmas. I have no doubt it will continue to be for many years to come. If you haven’t read Beth Andrews yet, I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of A Marine for Christmas. It’s a gift that should be on every romance reader’s list! - PJ, The Romance Dish