What do you think?
Rate this book
Homefront Hero
Dashing and valiantly wounded, Captain John Gallows could have stepped straight out of an army recruitment poster. Leanne Sample can't help being impressed—although the lovely Red Cross nurse tries to hide it. She knows better than to get attached to the daring captain who is only home to heal and help rally support for the war's final push. As soon as he's well enough, he'll rush back to Europe, back to war—and far away from South Carolina and Leanne. But when an epidemic strikes close to home, John comes to realize what it truly means to be a hero—Leanne's hero.
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
12 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Allie Pleiter
116 books618 followersAn avid knitter, coffee junkie and firm believer that “pie makes everything better,” Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction working on as many as four novels at a time. The bestselling author of over fifty books, Allie has enjoyed a twenty-year career with over 1.5 million books sold. In addition to writing, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on the creative process, publishing, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management for writers. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com to learn more.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 30, 2012
This book is absolutely wonderful. I stopped reading LI because they were all alike but Allie has always had a twist of humor that makes her books delightful. This one is her best yet!
This book has three of my favorite things, knitting, wwI and socks for soldiers. The hero John Gallows learns to knit for a Red Cross drive with the aid of Leanne Sample. He starts on socks which are tricky and on camera no less. The romance devolving around knitting is just wonderful and what is more is historically accurate.
The 1918 flu is dealt with very well and captured the horror of it without being explicit. My Great-Great Grandfather died of it so I have a personal interest in it.
One thing that I really liked is that the internal monologs of the characters are historically accurate as well which is a big problem in romances.
One of the other things I liked was that the characters had a deep internal connection that you don't always see. Leanne is able to see through John to a almost disturbing, to him, level. There is something about their interactions that just sparkles.
This book has three of my favorite things, knitting, wwI and socks for soldiers. The hero John Gallows learns to knit for a Red Cross drive with the aid of Leanne Sample. He starts on socks which are tricky and on camera no less. The romance devolving around knitting is just wonderful and what is more is historically accurate.
The 1918 flu is dealt with very well and captured the horror of it without being explicit. My Great-Great Grandfather died of it so I have a personal interest in it.
One thing that I really liked is that the internal monologs of the characters are historically accurate as well which is a big problem in romances.
One of the other things I liked was that the characters had a deep internal connection that you don't always see. Leanne is able to see through John to a almost disturbing, to him, level. There is something about their interactions that just sparkles.
April 20, 2012
Some romances are so good they leave you stunned, unable to read anything else for days. Maybe a hero comes along who changes before your eyes from an ordinary man to a person of great sacrifice, thanks to the friendship, love and example of a marvelous heroine. Maybe an author uses the inspiration of an unexpected footnote of history, men knitting during wartime, to weave romantic scenes throughout her story. Maybe life, death and faith are written about in such a compelling manner, the emotions they evoke and the lessons they teach mean an immediate re-read is in order. Homefront Hero, Allie Pleiter’s newest historical set in South Carolina, is the book. Bringing together the effects of WWI on returning soldiers, the Great Influenza, and homefront challenges, Pleiter creates a stunning love and faith story with scenes so romantic, so compelling; they take the reader’s breath away.
John Gallows, anointed war hero, believes he is an imposter playing a brave soldier. Wounded in body and spirit, he meets nurse Leanne Sample who challenges him in ways he never thought possible. A woman of faith, Leanne fights her attraction to this man who is only in her life for a brief moment. Knitting brings them together for publicity purposes. He has healing to do. She has so much to teach. But will they be torn apart by circumstance? Knitters and romantics alike will be thrilled with this story of Captain John Gallows and Nurse Leanne Sample. Those who love WWI stories or medicine mixed in with their romance will be just as excited. If I had an infinite number of stars, this book would get all of them. “Keeper” is too small a word for a book packing so much into less than three hundred pages.
John Gallows, anointed war hero, believes he is an imposter playing a brave soldier. Wounded in body and spirit, he meets nurse Leanne Sample who challenges him in ways he never thought possible. A woman of faith, Leanne fights her attraction to this man who is only in her life for a brief moment. Knitting brings them together for publicity purposes. He has healing to do. She has so much to teach. But will they be torn apart by circumstance? Knitters and romantics alike will be thrilled with this story of Captain John Gallows and Nurse Leanne Sample. Those who love WWI stories or medicine mixed in with their romance will be just as excited. If I had an infinite number of stars, this book would get all of them. “Keeper” is too small a word for a book packing so much into less than three hundred pages.
April 16, 2012
Allie's Homefront Hero is set in one of my favorite periods of modern history, World War One. So much time is spent on Nazi Germany that The Great War is often ignored these days. So when I had the opportunity to read this book, I jumped at it.
The first thing I noticed about this book was how wonderfully real the characters were. Leanne was so real and so was John. I loved the scenes at the beginning of the book where she's trying to teach him to knit for the war effort.
John is an injured soldier that Leanne and her friend Ida meet when he's giving a speech to recruit new soldiers. His injury has made him a hero and he has a way with words that make men and women want to do his bidding. I really expected his character to be more arrogant than he was. Harlequin's are full of alpha males. But he didn't really strike me as that. What he did strike me as was very human. You could feel his frustration with his injury and you could definitely feel his desire to get back to the front lines.
John Gallows was probably the most real hero I've read in a romance novel. To make John even more wonderful, he ends up staying in SC to help the sick (Leanne included) when an influenza epidemic occurs, rather than travel to Chicago and then to flight training.
This is a sweet wartime love story. It is also Christian fiction, so there is a good measure of faith involved and the story is clean, so it can be read by any age group.
Lovely book! Oh and can I just say, I adore the cover for this book. The Love Inspired Historicals always have the prettiest covers!
The first thing I noticed about this book was how wonderfully real the characters were. Leanne was so real and so was John. I loved the scenes at the beginning of the book where she's trying to teach him to knit for the war effort.
John is an injured soldier that Leanne and her friend Ida meet when he's giving a speech to recruit new soldiers. His injury has made him a hero and he has a way with words that make men and women want to do his bidding. I really expected his character to be more arrogant than he was. Harlequin's are full of alpha males. But he didn't really strike me as that. What he did strike me as was very human. You could feel his frustration with his injury and you could definitely feel his desire to get back to the front lines.
John Gallows was probably the most real hero I've read in a romance novel. To make John even more wonderful, he ends up staying in SC to help the sick (Leanne included) when an influenza epidemic occurs, rather than travel to Chicago and then to flight training.
This is a sweet wartime love story. It is also Christian fiction, so there is a good measure of faith involved and the story is clean, so it can be read by any age group.
Lovely book! Oh and can I just say, I adore the cover for this book. The Love Inspired Historicals always have the prettiest covers!
June 5, 2012
Homefront Hero had a lot of realism in it. I found the knitting theme and the promo done to get people knitting socks for soldiers to be a cute theme and an interesting way to bring the hero and heroine together and make them have a reason to have physical contact. I loved how they didn't like each other at first, but at the same time were attracted to each other. This theme is not uncommon in romances, but the author did a great job showing those walls coming down between them. In fact, that was the best part of the book. I felt the hero's discouragement over his body not healing as planned, and his faith journey seemed genuine as well. There was a stronger faith message in this book than in many Love Inspired novels, and I appreciated that. The horrors of war and the influenza epidemic at the time caused a lot of people to seek spiritual truths where they may not have cared otherwise. All in all, this was a good book. At first I wasn't sure how the author would draw me in and keep me there, but she did it with the romantic tension and the knitting themes. I enjoyed this story and read it in less than two days.
June 29, 2017
Amazing read. You wouldn't think a romance set in the final months of WWI/beginnings of the Influenza pandemic would be all that uplifting, but this book was so great. I will admit that the heroine, Leanne, was a little too neatly perfect in the beginning, but when the outbreak happened, she turned into a character that was much more relatable. John had a lot of layers to his character, many of those layers being only revealed by/in front of Leanne. Their romance was a definite slow burn, but the sexual tension was strong. Who knew knitting socks could be so intimate?
I also liked the secondary characters, especially Colonel Barnes, Dr. Madison, and Ida Landway. Each was distinct enough to flesh out the story and not keep the couple in isolation. Ida's and Leanne's friendship was a nice boost to the story. The death of Private Carson allowed Leanne to grow as a person and as a nurse, especially as a military nurse and prepared her for the fight ahead. I loved Colonel Barnes and John's post-outbreak conversation - finally using John's "gifts" even after the service/war is done and yet a complete surprise to John.
I also liked the secondary characters, especially Colonel Barnes, Dr. Madison, and Ida Landway. Each was distinct enough to flesh out the story and not keep the couple in isolation. Ida's and Leanne's friendship was a nice boost to the story. The death of Private Carson allowed Leanne to grow as a person and as a nurse, especially as a military nurse and prepared her for the fight ahead. I loved Colonel Barnes and John's post-outbreak conversation - finally using John's "gifts" even after the service/war is done and yet a complete surprise to John.
September 28, 2012
Loved.this.book!!! Being a history geek, I thought this was an awesome, well-researched story of the Spanish flu epidemic:) Can't wait to read her next book!! ><
July 20, 2012
Homefront Hero by Allie Pleiter
4 STARS I started the book and before long I did not like hero at all. Then things began to change as I got to know him longer the more I grew to like Captain John Gallows. In the end I was sorry to see them go. Homefront Hero takes place in 1918 during World War 1 at Camp Jackson Army Base Columbia, South Carolina. Leanne Sample has just graduated from nursing school at University of South Carolina and is now working at base army hospital. Leanne is also signed up to teach knitting classes. The army needs socks badly and they are trying to get more people involved into making them. Captain John Gallows is a hero but he doesn't think he is a hero. He risked his life and saved others but if he did not do anythink they would all crash and he would be dead too. So he risked his life to save his life. The army is using him to help with the support the war at home. He really wants to get healed enough that he can be sent over seas again. The Doctors don't think he can be made well enough. John is a good looking and smooth talker and does really well to get people to support the war effort. He tells the General he will do anything to be considered again for a chance at active duty. The General takes him up on anything. He wants Captain John Gallows to be in the Red Cross sock knitting campaign. Have his picture taken of him getting lessons on how to knit so other young men and women will learn to do it too. Leanne is the one to teach him how to knit. John wants Leanne to teach him some knitting before he gets photographed learning how to knit socks. Leanne is wondering if that will be cheating, but decides to go ahead and teach him first. John has a hard time learning how to knit. John tries and get Leanne to do some of the knitting for him. John is very spoiled but then he is going through a lot of pain and still wants to get better. John also gets Leanne assigned to help with his physical problems. While he is getting his leg iced down and staying still she can help him with his knitting. John also makes a side deal with her. He wants her to dance the waltze with him at one of the Generals ball so that he will look more healed than he really is. Leanne agrees if he gets his sock so far along by the dance. Leanne was praying for ideas to help John with his exercises to help him and got the answer to waltze with him. His doctor thought that was a good idea for him. It is one of the harder things for him to walk side ways. It does get him motavated. Leanne wants to share her testimony with him. At the same time as World War 1 thier also comes wide spread Spanish Influenza that kills millions around the world. John and Leanne have to cope with that too. I will read more by Allie Pleiter in the future. I love Harlequin Love Inspired novels. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley. 05/01/2012 PUB Harlequin Love Inspired Historical 288 pages
4 STARS I started the book and before long I did not like hero at all. Then things began to change as I got to know him longer the more I grew to like Captain John Gallows. In the end I was sorry to see them go. Homefront Hero takes place in 1918 during World War 1 at Camp Jackson Army Base Columbia, South Carolina. Leanne Sample has just graduated from nursing school at University of South Carolina and is now working at base army hospital. Leanne is also signed up to teach knitting classes. The army needs socks badly and they are trying to get more people involved into making them. Captain John Gallows is a hero but he doesn't think he is a hero. He risked his life and saved others but if he did not do anythink they would all crash and he would be dead too. So he risked his life to save his life. The army is using him to help with the support the war at home. He really wants to get healed enough that he can be sent over seas again. The Doctors don't think he can be made well enough. John is a good looking and smooth talker and does really well to get people to support the war effort. He tells the General he will do anything to be considered again for a chance at active duty. The General takes him up on anything. He wants Captain John Gallows to be in the Red Cross sock knitting campaign. Have his picture taken of him getting lessons on how to knit so other young men and women will learn to do it too. Leanne is the one to teach him how to knit. John wants Leanne to teach him some knitting before he gets photographed learning how to knit socks. Leanne is wondering if that will be cheating, but decides to go ahead and teach him first. John has a hard time learning how to knit. John tries and get Leanne to do some of the knitting for him. John is very spoiled but then he is going through a lot of pain and still wants to get better. John also gets Leanne assigned to help with his physical problems. While he is getting his leg iced down and staying still she can help him with his knitting. John also makes a side deal with her. He wants her to dance the waltze with him at one of the Generals ball so that he will look more healed than he really is. Leanne agrees if he gets his sock so far along by the dance. Leanne was praying for ideas to help John with his exercises to help him and got the answer to waltze with him. His doctor thought that was a good idea for him. It is one of the harder things for him to walk side ways. It does get him motavated. Leanne wants to share her testimony with him. At the same time as World War 1 thier also comes wide spread Spanish Influenza that kills millions around the world. John and Leanne have to cope with that too. I will read more by Allie Pleiter in the future. I love Harlequin Love Inspired novels. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley. 05/01/2012 PUB Harlequin Love Inspired Historical 288 pages
June 23, 2012
September 1918, Leanne Sample and her roommate, Ida Landway, just arrived at Camp Jackson Army Base in Columbia, South Carolina. Both had join the Red Cross as nurses to work at the military base. They would be roommates in the Red Cross House. Leanne's mother and father would have rather had their daughter closer to home. She was adamant in taking her job seriously and she would write.
Captain John Gallows was in Columbia to give a "rousing patriotic speech". He was a patriotic hero to others, but to himself he thought otherwise. He had been wounded and was also at Camp Jackson for therapy to his leg. He would rather be out again doing his part. So, a speech he gave and happened to meet Leanne and Ida. He was taken with Leanne and she wanted just to acknowledge that he needed help as well as the rest of the soldiers that were there for treatment. Captain Gallows somehow managed to have Leanne assist him with his daily exercises. She didn't like the special treatment but went about the job very professionally.
It didn't take long before Leanne and John became friends, but John would have wanted more. Wait. She knew he was only home long enough to heal and help rally support for the war's final push.
An epidemic strikes the camp and other areas all over the states. The Spanish flu was upon them all. Quarantined. No one could leave where they were. Leanne, Ida and John had gone over to the University that had been made into a makeshift hospital also. So many were dying from this awful disease. Not many lived. Then the unthinkable happened: Leanne was stricken. John would not leave her side. He sat with her many nights and prayed that she would get well. He couldn't lose her now that he found her. Praying was hard for him as he was not a religious person as Leanne was. She had said many prayers for him to heal so that he could go on to do what he felt he needed to do in this war.
Now, you will need to read this wonderful book to see what happens to Leanne and John.
This book was a free book that I had won in the giveaways by Goodreads First Reads. I am glad that I got to receive a copy of this book to read. I really enjoyed the novel and I think others will too. Thank you Goodreads and Allie Pleiter.
Captain John Gallows was in Columbia to give a "rousing patriotic speech". He was a patriotic hero to others, but to himself he thought otherwise. He had been wounded and was also at Camp Jackson for therapy to his leg. He would rather be out again doing his part. So, a speech he gave and happened to meet Leanne and Ida. He was taken with Leanne and she wanted just to acknowledge that he needed help as well as the rest of the soldiers that were there for treatment. Captain Gallows somehow managed to have Leanne assist him with his daily exercises. She didn't like the special treatment but went about the job very professionally.
It didn't take long before Leanne and John became friends, but John would have wanted more. Wait. She knew he was only home long enough to heal and help rally support for the war's final push.
An epidemic strikes the camp and other areas all over the states. The Spanish flu was upon them all. Quarantined. No one could leave where they were. Leanne, Ida and John had gone over to the University that had been made into a makeshift hospital also. So many were dying from this awful disease. Not many lived. Then the unthinkable happened: Leanne was stricken. John would not leave her side. He sat with her many nights and prayed that she would get well. He couldn't lose her now that he found her. Praying was hard for him as he was not a religious person as Leanne was. She had said many prayers for him to heal so that he could go on to do what he felt he needed to do in this war.
Now, you will need to read this wonderful book to see what happens to Leanne and John.
This book was a free book that I had won in the giveaways by Goodreads First Reads. I am glad that I got to receive a copy of this book to read. I really enjoyed the novel and I think others will too. Thank you Goodreads and Allie Pleiter.
June 12, 2012
Homefront Hero by Allie Pleiter
Captain John Gallows has survived the war and been dubbed a hero. He is suave and smooth and as a Gallows….gets pretty much what he wants. And he wants to get back to France and fight in the war. To earn the title “hero” the world has given him. Only his bum leg is keeping that from happening, but he’s a Gallows and he’ll get his way. Even if he has to get by learning to knit a sock and be a poster boy.
Leanne Sample is a nurse. The pride she feels at being in Camp Jackson and helping her country is immense. When she meets the prideful and arrogant Captain Gallows she almost dismisses him completely….until a glimpse behind a stage curtain shows her the human inside that handsome shell. She sees even more of John when she has to teach him to knit and help with his recovery. He is someone she could care about if he shared her faith and was not so determined to go back to war. Can two opposites find love in the midst of war and turmoil?
Allie’s writing pulled me headlong into this story. I’m a visual reader and I felt the walk through the hospitals with the hopeless cases of influenza and the fight for life and death. She also wrote an excellent spin on Leanne’s struggle as a strong Christian and John’s unbelief. And the parts I won’t mention as not to give the story away were so intense and well written. I found this to be one of those books that I just couldn’t stop reading until the end.
**Received through NetGalley for review.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Captain John Gallows has survived the war and been dubbed a hero. He is suave and smooth and as a Gallows….gets pretty much what he wants. And he wants to get back to France and fight in the war. To earn the title “hero” the world has given him. Only his bum leg is keeping that from happening, but he’s a Gallows and he’ll get his way. Even if he has to get by learning to knit a sock and be a poster boy.
Leanne Sample is a nurse. The pride she feels at being in Camp Jackson and helping her country is immense. When she meets the prideful and arrogant Captain Gallows she almost dismisses him completely….until a glimpse behind a stage curtain shows her the human inside that handsome shell. She sees even more of John when she has to teach him to knit and help with his recovery. He is someone she could care about if he shared her faith and was not so determined to go back to war. Can two opposites find love in the midst of war and turmoil?
Allie’s writing pulled me headlong into this story. I’m a visual reader and I felt the walk through the hospitals with the hopeless cases of influenza and the fight for life and death. She also wrote an excellent spin on Leanne’s struggle as a strong Christian and John’s unbelief. And the parts I won’t mention as not to give the story away were so intense and well written. I found this to be one of those books that I just couldn’t stop reading until the end.
**Received through NetGalley for review.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
August 8, 2012
I must say that ALLIE PLEITER continues to amaze me with her historical novels. Her writing style for them is so different then her contemporary, yet there is still that touch of Allie, that makes her books so great with the wonderful lines she delivers.
Leanne Samples is a Red Cross nurse with a job ahead of her that doesn’t include a handsome Captain who doesn’t intend to stick around. When she gets a glimpse into the real Captain John Gallows, her heart softens towards the man.
John Gallows may be injured, but there’s no way he’s going to let that stop him from getting back on active duty. This nonsense of being the poster boy for the war effort won’t cut it. When faced with an opportunity to knit a pair of socks in trade for his early medical release to active duty, he takes it. The last thing he expects is to fall in love with the woman giving him knitting lessons.
HOMEFRONT HERO is a delightful read with a unique storyline. ALLIE PLEITER was able to incorporate her skills and knowledge of knitting to the story to add authenticity. The hero was not your typical hero, with an injury that made his character come to life.
HOMEFRONT HERO is not only an pleasurable read, but educational. I really enjoyed learning about the Red Cross, the knitting of socks during the war, and the devastation of the influenza epidemic. The way MS. PLEITER wove different aspects of the characters journey, was remarkable. The story seemed to evolve more than your typical Love Inspired book, with an ending that was phenomenal.
Leanne Samples is a Red Cross nurse with a job ahead of her that doesn’t include a handsome Captain who doesn’t intend to stick around. When she gets a glimpse into the real Captain John Gallows, her heart softens towards the man.
John Gallows may be injured, but there’s no way he’s going to let that stop him from getting back on active duty. This nonsense of being the poster boy for the war effort won’t cut it. When faced with an opportunity to knit a pair of socks in trade for his early medical release to active duty, he takes it. The last thing he expects is to fall in love with the woman giving him knitting lessons.
HOMEFRONT HERO is a delightful read with a unique storyline. ALLIE PLEITER was able to incorporate her skills and knowledge of knitting to the story to add authenticity. The hero was not your typical hero, with an injury that made his character come to life.
HOMEFRONT HERO is not only an pleasurable read, but educational. I really enjoyed learning about the Red Cross, the knitting of socks during the war, and the devastation of the influenza epidemic. The way MS. PLEITER wove different aspects of the characters journey, was remarkable. The story seemed to evolve more than your typical Love Inspired book, with an ending that was phenomenal.
July 4, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It made me smile, it made me cry, it made me want to try knitting socks! (Or maybe crocheting them instead. My last knitting effort was pretty disastrous.) It's always fun to see a story incorporate a craft into it, and of course I love a well-written historical. This one had both. The characters were interesting, their journeys were believable, and it had a really nice message about what it means to be a hero. The epilogue, an article in the magazine that helped to bring Leanne and John together was a really cute touch. The last of the "Questions for Discussion" really struck a chord as well, encouraging readers to use their love of crafts to support those in the armed forces; great idea! The Internet is indeed full of worthy causes that crafters of every persuasion can get behind. Two enthusiastic thumbs up for Ms. Pleiter's latest!
April 21, 2012
Captain John Gallows is recovering from a wound to his leg. He's become the poster boy for the war effort. Nurse Leanne Sample is startled to discover that her newest knitting student is the handsome hero. Sparks fly as they begin to knit. When an outbreak puts their lives in danger, will he heed the orders of his commander or the call of his heart?
What a fun read. I enjoyed this book a lot. As someone who practices a craft similar to knitting, I crochet, I understood the struggles that John faced as he tried to learn the basics of the craft. Leanne's a good example of a woman of faith. I highly recommend this book.
What a fun read. I enjoyed this book a lot. As someone who practices a craft similar to knitting, I crochet, I understood the struggles that John faced as he tried to learn the basics of the craft. Leanne's a good example of a woman of faith. I highly recommend this book.
May 13, 2012
Another stellar read from Allie Pleiter! This one takes place in South Carolina at the tail end of World War I. Leanne is freshly-graduated from nursing school and working as a Red Cross nurse; John is a war hero, giving speeches and trying desperately to heal from a grievous wound and to prove that he's healthy enough to go back to the trenches. Trying to charm a general into clearing him for duty, John reluctantly agrees to participate in a publicity campaign which requires him to learn to knit socks with Leanne as his teacher. I'm not sure what it is about Allie Pleiter's writing that I love so much, but love it I do and I can't wait for the next one.
May 29, 2013
I admit, I've long avoided the shelves of little Love Inspired Historicals at my local Mardel because I looked down on them as inferior. I only picked up "Homefront Hero" because I was desperate for comps for my own early-20th-century historical WIP. I am delighted to say this little book completely won me over. I laughed and cried and laughed some more. Allie Pleiter brought her characters to life with glorious honesty and detail, and the story was deftly woven (or should I say knitted) together. I will not only be looking for more books by this author, but I will definitely be heading back to that little LI shelf at Mardel very soon.
June 29, 2012
Awesome book! I absolutely loved it! Excellent! This book had it all, strong characters, a great heroine, a great hero. And they had depth and insight. You could really feel the deep connection the characters formed with one another, physically, mentally and spiritually. The book also had an inspirational side, adding God's love and strength to the relationship. Last but not least the heroine in the book was a nurse so it even had a medical scenario to it! An absolute, excellent feel good love story! I will definitely be looking for more from this author!
May 10, 2012
I go to the LoveInspired Historical line when I want a sweet, romantic story that has a great emotional core. This one was very well done; the faith parts worked well with the story and were not too heavy-handed. I liked that the hero changed so much and gained a lot of depth through his interaction with the heroine. I particularly liked the knitting aspect as it served as a great metaphor for the hero's healing. All in all, a solid and interesting time period and story.
July 27, 2012
I enjoyed reading this book. It was interesting to see how the "hero" reacted to his heroics, saying he wasn't a hero, he was only thinking of saving himself. And then when Leanne was able to totally understand how he felt when she was getting all the attention. The scene where he finally turns her over to God, even though it about killed him, was very touching to me. Awesome job on this book.
June 23, 2012
I enjoyed these characters. The storyline was slightly different, as most heros are hail and hearty, and the whole point of this book was the injured hero. I enjoyed getting to know him in this story. :)
February 4, 2013
WWI setting. Hero's a recuperating war hero, heroine is a nurse. There's a PR campaign, his fight to heal his injury & go back to war, his cynicism vs. her faith, & then the great flu epidemic strikes. Good read. I liked the unusual time setting.
May 31, 2012
Great story with many poignant--as well as humorous--moments.
One of Pleiter's best historicals so far!
One of Pleiter's best historicals so far!
February 19, 2024
This is FIRST in a duo of books. There's no indication of this, however, and I read the books out of order, as a result. Just a heads up to people.
I should start this review by stating that the history in it is *AMAZING*. Allie really did her research, and it shows. It's written very, very well, and reflects the horrors of WWI injuries and the subsequent Spanish Influenza pandemic here in the States - a double whammy most people are unaware even happened.
Having said, CLVID-19 is too fresh in my mind for this to have been an enjoyable read. We've all lost friends and family to the plandemic, and some of us even are willing to admit that the jabs are - in fact - the Mark of the Beast, and what we've been through is only the start of what's going to happen when the mRNA-altering qualities reach optimal delivery through peoples' systems (read: VAIDS), and Vial #1 as foretold in the Book of Revelation opens. And it's not. that. far. away.
Not that it matters - most people would vehemently deny that truth, because if they don't, they would have to acknowledge that they just gave up eternity for a poke in the arm - read Rev 14:9-11, because YES, you can lose your salvation... by taking the Mark. And yes, I know it says 'in the forehead or the hand'... that's a reference to cellphone technology - put at your ear (talk) or hand (text)... and how the 'mark' (QR code that certifies the person is vaxxed) is shown to others. If you were John the Revelator in 90AD, how would you describe a QR code (mark) that's on a cellular device that's used for talking at the head or texting in the hand?
Churchianity has NO idea where we are in the end times timeline, and picks/chooses, ignoring the fact that we're at Revelation 14, and the whole thing was set into motion in 2007 with Javier Solana's ENPI (seven year covenant 'with many' - Israel being the first to sign on - only it was broken in June of 2010... 3.5 years in, or halfway through. Christians are still looking for a 7-year trib, even though Daniel 9:27 is clear it's otherwise. But I digress.
There are good things, here. Even Pleiter admits that masks are worthless against airborne disease. (Which is why my family and I never cowed and put masks on. We flat-out refused, and weren't allowed to buy/sell, as a result.)
I didn't like John, at all. The hero of this book is arrogant, smooth-talking, handsome, egotistical, and selfish beyond words. But the events of the book shape him as time goes on, and it's really something to see how he changes. I'm still of the mind to dislike him, but... he *WAS* amazingly good to Leanne.
I just can't figure out why. It's completely out of character for him to have anything to do with someone who cannot further him. He's a user... and there's no use for Leanne, so the book has some serious issues, IMHO.
"A healthy ego is a heroic trait," we're told in the book. But it flies in the face of more Bible verses about selflessness and humility than I can even HOPE to list here...
There's also the whole pious censuring of John when he 'takes the Lord's name in vain'. Nevermind that this is chrischun BS... 'god' is not Adonai Elohim's name, for the love of all that is holy. The word 'god' refers to a diety, and is used for MANY deities, false and otherwise. This grinds me. Another reason I have so. many. issues with churchianity. They don't even know what words they're saying, half the time. And they certainly don't use their god's name - not ever. Half of them don't even know what it is.
Hint. Yud-hey-vav-hay. YHVH. With vowels inserted, it becomes YeHoVaH.
Another issue I had was the 'voice' of the story. These two are Southerners - from Charleston South Carolina. But half the book they 'speak' with British accents: "Really, I thought I botched the explanation", for example. I was kind of irritated by it.
And then the fun on pg 205: "You've done it - you've 'saved' the last soul on earth I'd ever thought possible". As if Leanne or anyone can 'save' or even 'lead someone to salvation'. Only the Spirit can do that, but christianity is ALL about how integral the church members' efforts are to salvation. That's not ever how it worked, in scripture. 'For by grace are we save thru FAITH... it is the GIFT OF GOD, not of works, lest any man should boast' (Eph 2:8-9). Christians can't stand that. They have to be a PART of it, their 'deeds', their 'chats', their 'influence' or 'seed-planting'. WORKS.
So while this was an amazing historical, scripturally it's got SERIOUS issues, and considering my current mindset and the present times (those who have an ear, let them hear)... it's a really tough read. I still would recommend it - it's right up any christian's alley. But that's really kind of an insult, if you think about it too much. Which they won't.
I still loved the insights from 1919, and the retelling of how things went at both Camp Jackson and the university.
I should start this review by stating that the history in it is *AMAZING*. Allie really did her research, and it shows. It's written very, very well, and reflects the horrors of WWI injuries and the subsequent Spanish Influenza pandemic here in the States - a double whammy most people are unaware even happened.
Having said, CLVID-19 is too fresh in my mind for this to have been an enjoyable read. We've all lost friends and family to the plandemic, and some of us even are willing to admit that the jabs are - in fact - the Mark of the Beast, and what we've been through is only the start of what's going to happen when the mRNA-altering qualities reach optimal delivery through peoples' systems (read: VAIDS), and Vial #1 as foretold in the Book of Revelation opens. And it's not. that. far. away.
Not that it matters - most people would vehemently deny that truth, because if they don't, they would have to acknowledge that they just gave up eternity for a poke in the arm - read Rev 14:9-11, because YES, you can lose your salvation... by taking the Mark. And yes, I know it says 'in the forehead or the hand'... that's a reference to cellphone technology - put at your ear (talk) or hand (text)... and how the 'mark' (QR code that certifies the person is vaxxed) is shown to others. If you were John the Revelator in 90AD, how would you describe a QR code (mark) that's on a cellular device that's used for talking at the head or texting in the hand?
Churchianity has NO idea where we are in the end times timeline, and picks/chooses, ignoring the fact that we're at Revelation 14, and the whole thing was set into motion in 2007 with Javier Solana's ENPI (seven year covenant 'with many' - Israel being the first to sign on - only it was broken in June of 2010... 3.5 years in, or halfway through. Christians are still looking for a 7-year trib, even though Daniel 9:27 is clear it's otherwise. But I digress.
There are good things, here. Even Pleiter admits that masks are worthless against airborne disease. (Which is why my family and I never cowed and put masks on. We flat-out refused, and weren't allowed to buy/sell, as a result.)
I didn't like John, at all. The hero of this book is arrogant, smooth-talking, handsome, egotistical, and selfish beyond words. But the events of the book shape him as time goes on, and it's really something to see how he changes. I'm still of the mind to dislike him, but... he *WAS* amazingly good to Leanne.
I just can't figure out why. It's completely out of character for him to have anything to do with someone who cannot further him. He's a user... and there's no use for Leanne, so the book has some serious issues, IMHO.
"A healthy ego is a heroic trait," we're told in the book. But it flies in the face of more Bible verses about selflessness and humility than I can even HOPE to list here...
There's also the whole pious censuring of John when he 'takes the Lord's name in vain'. Nevermind that this is chrischun BS... 'god' is not Adonai Elohim's name, for the love of all that is holy. The word 'god' refers to a diety, and is used for MANY deities, false and otherwise. This grinds me. Another reason I have so. many. issues with churchianity. They don't even know what words they're saying, half the time. And they certainly don't use their god's name - not ever. Half of them don't even know what it is.
Hint. Yud-hey-vav-hay. YHVH. With vowels inserted, it becomes YeHoVaH.
Another issue I had was the 'voice' of the story. These two are Southerners - from Charleston South Carolina. But half the book they 'speak' with British accents: "Really, I thought I botched the explanation", for example. I was kind of irritated by it.
And then the fun on pg 205: "You've done it - you've 'saved' the last soul on earth I'd ever thought possible". As if Leanne or anyone can 'save' or even 'lead someone to salvation'. Only the Spirit can do that, but christianity is ALL about how integral the church members' efforts are to salvation. That's not ever how it worked, in scripture. 'For by grace are we save thru FAITH... it is the GIFT OF GOD, not of works, lest any man should boast' (Eph 2:8-9). Christians can't stand that. They have to be a PART of it, their 'deeds', their 'chats', their 'influence' or 'seed-planting'. WORKS.
So while this was an amazing historical, scripturally it's got SERIOUS issues, and considering my current mindset and the present times (those who have an ear, let them hear)... it's a really tough read. I still would recommend it - it's right up any christian's alley. But that's really kind of an insult, if you think about it too much. Which they won't.
I still loved the insights from 1919, and the retelling of how things went at both Camp Jackson and the university.
December 9, 2023
I was not prepared when I started reading for what comes to the Army Base. Captain John Gallows is home after being injured in his left in battle. He has become the Army's recruit poster boy. Leanne just sent to base as a Red Cross nurse. She teaches knitting to make socks for all the soldiers through the Red Cross. All John wants is to get back to battle. But something happens that changes all that. Sometimes God's plans are not same as ours
August 12, 2023
Janet checked out of the library this was really a good story. Enjoyed it.
dnf-never-again
January 7, 2025DNF on 2025-01-07, on page 42. It hasn't pulled me in.
March 22, 2016
I already knew that Allie Pleiter doesn't write run-of-the-mill historic romance. Still, I wasn't expecting the details in this book. Homefront Hero is about John Gallows, a WWI soldier who inadvertently became a hero by saving himself, and others along with him. He feels dishonorable recuperating from his injury in the States and being used as a poster boy to promote the war effort, and desperately wants to go back and fight. Leanne Sample is a new nurse, drafted to teach him how to knit a sock for a Red Cross campaign. She's also a Christian who finds herself drawn to John despite the fact that he doesn't share her faith. I usually dislike this type of book, because the believing girl always falls in love with the unbeliever, goes against her conscience to date or marry him, and it all works out in the end. Baloney. However, Leanne doesn't allow her attraction for John to lead to more than friendship, which I really like.
When the Spanish flu hits the US things get more complicated for Leanne and John. I love it when I read historical fiction for entertainment and learn things, too. In this case I'm learning how really awful the Spanish Flu was. At first they didn't know anyone could ever survive. I knew it was terrible, but not like that. And the symptoms make the regular flu sound like a walk in the park.
When the Spanish flu hits the US things get more complicated for Leanne and John. I love it when I read historical fiction for entertainment and learn things, too. In this case I'm learning how really awful the Spanish Flu was. At first they didn't know anyone could ever survive. I knew it was terrible, but not like that. And the symptoms make the regular flu sound like a walk in the park.
November 2, 2024
Historical inspirational romance. World war 1.
January 9, 2013
This was a beautiful story and it brought tears to my eyes multiple times. I really enjoy the Love Inspired Historical collection for two reasons: I love a good period-set story and they are about love and romance more than other romance novels nowadays that concentrate more on sex. My one issue, however, was, myself not being religious, all the talk of God. I found it to be annoying and illogical just as I do any talk of God. Still a great story, though.
August 5, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It was more real than some books in the way that because she was a nurse, she dealt with death. John is a war hero who can't wait to get back to the front lines. Before a rally John meets Leanne, a red cross nurse, who he finds interesting. Leanne can see through Johns facade and soon their paths continually cross. Can Leanne show John Gods love? What will John do if he finally gets the okay to go back to the front lines? A great book!
Read
December 20, 2013review pending
November 17, 2013
At first I was like, "This is a pretty good book," then I was like, "They are so adorable! I love this," and I ended up like, "THIS IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews