TGIF…Heroes

Thank you, Leanne, for inviting me to your blog today!

So, I hear we get to talk heroes, right?

I love this idea. 🙂

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. They can be firefighters, military, police, or anyone that lays their life on the line to protect others.

Then there are personal heroes. Maybe someone’s parents, a sibling. Someone you look up to.  There could be young heroes that go above and beyond to make something special for someone else.

Then of course, there are the romance heroes we love to read about in books!

Let me introduce my latest hero. His name is Hunter Beckman.  He wouldn’t agree, but Hunter is a hero, and I mean that in more ways than he’s the hero of my book.

Hunter is Rebecca Lange’s hero.

Becca is the heroine of my upcoming release, A Masterpiece of Our Love.  And why is Hunter her hero? See, when they were kids, Hunter and Becca went through a tragic loss. They were two young survivors of a plane crash that left them orphaned.  Hunter saved Becca- pulled her from the water, brought her to dry land and he was her protector for five days alone until they were found.

Fast forward twenty years, and Hunter is still her hero. He never gave up, he never walked away. Becca suffers from long term traumatic brain injuries. Now, she still lives as normal as she can, but there are times where things don’t work out in her favor.  She lived with guardians that held her back. Becca had a long road ahead of her, and when doctors and her grandparents dubbed her a lost cause, Hunter didn’t.   He’s always found a way to keep her going.

Sometimes when we think of heroes, we tend to think of the ones that are more obvious. But to one person, a hero could be as simple as the person who brings a smile to their face every day. The person that takes care of someone that may be unable to do it themselves. The word hero has a different meaning for everyone.  For me, a hero is a person that takes the time to give. Takes the time to do something for someone else, no questions asked and never asks for anything in return. They do it out of the goodness of their own heart.

My own real life heroes in my heart have a big inspiration and role in this book.

What does a hero mean to you, and who are some of your heroes?

Thanks for letting me drop by!

Blurb for A Masterpiece of Our Love:

Two Lives Torn by tragedy

Eight year old Becca and twelve year old Hunter cling to each other and life after surviving a plane crash which stole their families.

Two Souls Seeking Love

Each year from the time she was old enough to travel on her own, Becca met up with Hunter on the island that altered their lives forever.

Until he stopped showing.

Her constant. Her link to the past. Gone in the blink of an eye.

Two Lives Bound by Secret

Suffering more heartbreak, Hunter returns to the one place he’s always sought comfort.
The island where he and Becca met. The place that stole from him, and in the same instance gave to him. He hasn’t been back or spoken to Becca in four years.

Though he’s sure she must hate him for disappearing, Hunter discovers the girl gone, now a woman in her place. Hunter is determined to prove to Becca he isn’t the same twelve year old boy of yesteryear.

But someone isn’t happy about their reunion…

Strange things begin happening, letters showing up in their hotel rooms and at home with cryptic messages.

Two Broken Hearts Heal as One.

With the mystery unsolved, Hunter convinces Becca to spend the remainder of the summer back home with him. For safety and to give them a chance to rediscover the adults they’ve now become.

Will love get a chance to blossom or will the past come back and tear the masterpiece of their love apart, once and for all?(

Excerpt:  “Guess what I found?” Hunter carried a sweater and a pair of sweatpants in his hands. “You’ll be nice and warm in no time.” He handed them to her.

Becca pointed to his head. She wished her words would just come out already.

“You don’t want to change into dry clothes first?” He raised a brow, then winced. “Damn that hurts. Okay fine, you win. I will probably curse and go stark crazy, so bear with me please?”

She may not have been able to find her voice to speak, but a quiet laugh escaped her throat. At least, that’s what she thought it was.

Hunter crossed his arms over his bare chest. “Are you laughing at me?” Amusement danced in his gorgeous eyes. “That’s so messed up! There is a little devilish side to you, after all. I like it.” He teased.

She smirked and pointed at the first aid kit. She wondered if he remember any of the sign language, back when she’d been mute and unable to communicate all those years ago. But so far, he’d been able to understand what she needed.  The very first time he came to visit her, he’d learned it so they could talk. She remembered that day well on her aunt’s back porch when Hunter sat beside her. He’d asked if she remembered, and she nearly cried that he’d taken the time to understand sign language for her.

“All right, little devil. Have at it. Just don’t get offended for any swear words I may use.” He cracked a smile. She loved that he could still have a sense of humor. It showed that even though he had some injuries, he was the same old silly Hunter she knew. She pointed down at the floor, wanting him to kneel before her. Again, he cued in right away and lowered to his knees.

Becca opened up the first aid kit and searched for what she needed. As she pulled out a large bandage, cotton swabs and the small bottle of peroxide to clean the wound, Hunter hissed. She flicked her gaze back to him.

“Call it psychological warfare. I’m anticipating that it’s going to sting like you wouldn’t believe. I know, I know. I’m being a baby and I should just shut up.” Hunter raised his hands. “Think you can do that one handed? I might need you to hold mine with the other.”

Becca grinned and held out her hand. She wished her voice would work with her so she could tell him how cute he was being. She couldn’t be too sure if he was putting on an act to make her laugh or if he really was bothered by what she had to do. Regardless, she felt needed. Important. Something she longed for. When his shaky fingers curled over hers, a ripple of electricity zipped through her.

Now those were strange, random thoughts.

“Your hand is so cold. Not that mine is any better.” Hunter said softly. “I know, I’m stalling. I’m should just man up and take it huh? You won’t tell anyone about my weak side there, will you?” He chuckled.

She slid him a knowing grin and put a finger to her lips, then ran the finger across them as if to say “My lips are sealed.”

“I knew I could count on you.”

For all things Nikki Lynn Barrett, visit me on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/NikkiLynnBarrettauthor

And watch for A Masterpiece of Our Love to release March 18th!