Her Soldier's Touch

Experience has taught single mother Rachel Madison that the only person she can truly rely on is herself. But what she wants most in the world—to give her son the life she never had growing up—means she must put her faith in a man who once walked out on her.

Retired from the service, U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Colten Taylor makes a detour to Phoenix to bury his brother. Nobody is more surprised than he is to see Rachel waiting for him at the airport. He regrets the morning he walked away from her, but coming from an abusive home taught Colt to put limits on all his relationships—especially this one.

So when he discovers he has a son, Colt knows this is a chance to prove to himself he’s not a chip off the old block. Turning his life around doesn’t come naturally, though. Then a drug dealer crops up from his brother’s dark past, threatening their son and forcing Colt and Rachel to face their demons … and each other.

Excerpt

“Maybe I do it to protect you. Did you ever think of that? I don’t do relationships, Rach. You’re better off finding someone who can give you what you need, because I’m not that man.”

That damn stony wall made her want to hit him just to see him react.

She clenched her fists. “Coward.”

Colt’s head jerked in her direction. His gaze seared into her as he studied her.

“I don’t need your protection.” She glared at him. “I’m perfectly capable of looking out for myself.”

He turned his body fully toward her and copied her stance, folding his arms across his chest. “All right. You really want to know what I’m thinking? Telling me you want me because our son needs his father wasn’t what I hoped you’d say. I wanted you to tell me you wanted me. But, I know damn well I have no right to want that, for exactly that reason … I walked out. And, for the record, I didn’t tell you all that stuff that night to scare you. I was being honest.”

His body heat radiated against her side as he closed the distance between them, stepping into her personal space then taking another step, until his scent of soap and man washed over her and his firm body brushed hers. His voice lowered to a husky murmur, his breath whispering across her cheek.

“More than I should have been. Those eyes of yours pull things out of my mouth I shouldn’t say. You’re my ultimate weakness, sweetheart.”

Reviews

"An emotional story that will keep you engrossed from beginning to end."
--Still Moment's Magazine

“Sweet-n-sexy.”
– Kerry, I am a Book Addict…and proud of it!

“Will quickly grab and squeeze your heartstrings until the end. In this story, JM has presented problems faced by those in today’s society with a respect that will touch your heart.”
--Morgan’s Musings

“Emotional and heartbreaking…will pull you in and never let go.”
–The Reading Cafe

“Touching and beautiful.”
–Books, Movies, Fandoms

"Fans of authors such as Susan Mallery, Robyn Carr, & the like will enjoy Her Soldier’s Touch.”
–Will Read for Feels

"Stewart delves into some uncomfortable issues in this second chance romance. She’s not afraid to tackle some of the challenges of our time—single parenting, drug addiction, spousal abuse and child abuse. A sign of a successful story is one that evokes emotion in the reader, and Stewart managed to pull me through a whole range of feelings from frustrated to frightened to satisfied."
- The Book Breeze

"This author has done an incredible job with these two characters."
--The Romance Studio

“Contemporary romance fans, and those who are looking for a story of lovers with broken pasts and love conquering all will enjoy this one!.”
— InD’tale Magazine