I want to thank everyone for the amazing response Cadence of Love has received. With book 2 (Broken Battlefield, Mended Hearts) on the home stretch of being completed, I want to share a few more Army fun facts that are or will be included in the series. Did you know? In Afghanistan and Iraq, the roads are chaotic. Our organized driving rules do not apply. Vehicles push others off the road, ramming and shoving their way to their destination. So, when a civi car/truck tries to cut into a convoy, the trucks and hmvees will do any means necessary to force them away.
The first week after my husband got home, riding with him was like a ride on the bumper cars at the carnival. I don't think I have ever been so scared lol..There are natives who have pet monkeys they use to swindle money from the soldiers. Every day on his way to chow, hubs would stop and visit with the one on their base as a vendor. If he didn't take it bottled water and treats, the ornery little fur ball would empty his pockets and rip his cigarettes into pieces. He had to quit carrying money. Monkey would unbutton his pockets and take off running with it! Beef stew MRE's are the best. Soldiers are known to bribe and or fight over this treasured flavor. The jalapenio cheese packet is also. In Breaking Protocol book 2, I dig into subjects that are both touchy and upsetting, but I want to give the readers a chance to hop inside the minds of a spouse or soldier and experience their emotions. I hope you all can fall into my little world, and in love with the team of Breaking Protocol. My muse keeps coming up with more and more for them, and I plan on writing it all as fast as my fingers will type! Have a great week, and happy reading! <3
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1. Did you know- The background picture used in the cover for Cadence of Love, Breaking Protocol was a picture my husband took in his hanger? The Kiowa helicopter in the picture is one he was fixing and loading to send back out for air support to the ground troops. The dullness in the picture was caused by the sand that blew in the wind. At times, the sand storms would get so bad they had to bunker down and wait until it passed before they could move. You can also see the heat radiating off the ground in waves if you look close enough. This deployment he was away for right at 2 years. So, using this for the cover just seemed necessary.
2. Every soldier has traditions of some sort they do with their spouse before deployment. Ours were kids first- taking them places and giving them full one on one attention as much as possible to the days leading up for departure. The nights were ours. Snuggles, cuddles, and tapping into those sentimental words and feelings that normally don't get spoken get laid out on the table. Deep from the heart, words are shared to fill each other enough to get us through what was to come. On the morning he was set to leave, (which I might add was usually 3 or 4 in the morning... ughhh) My soldier would wake me up gently caressing my cheek and smiling down, singing " All my bags are packed I'm ready to go I'm standin' here outside your door I hate to wake you up to say goodbye But the dawn is breakin' it's early morn The taxi's waitin' he's blowin' his horn Already I'm so lonesome I could die So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you'll wait for me Hold me like you'll never let me go Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane Don't know when I'll be back again Oh baby, I hate to go There's so many times I've let you down So many times I've played around I tell you now, they don't mean a thing Every place I go, I'll think of you Every song I sing, I'll sing for you When I come back, I'll bring your wedding ring So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you'll wait for me Hold me like you'll never let me go Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane Don't know when I'll be back again Oh babe, I hate to go Now the time has come to leave you One more time let me kiss you Close your eyes I'll be on my way Dream about the days to come When I won't have to leave alone About the times, I won't have to say So kiss me and smile for me Tell me that you'll wait for me Hold me like you'll never let me go Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane Don't know when I'll be back again Oh baby, I hate to go Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane Don't know when I'll be back again Oh baby, I hate to go Now, it didn't take but a few verses to get me to wake and start bauling. Where he would say 'So kiss me and smile for me', He would pause and I would smile. He would sing some more, and I would answer, 'I will wait for you, forever and eternity baby.' and the song would go on. To this day, I still cry when I hear this song lol. 3. While Alaina is packing up the team's rucks, she sneaks little candies and notes into each pocket in all of their clothes for them to find later...one day at a time. Elizabeth wanted to send stuffed animals too, so they managed to conceal a sleeping buddy in for everyone. Before every deployment, my kids and I would write tiny little notes, draw pictures and the kids would make little things for hubby so that when I went to pack his duffle bags and ruck sack, I could hide it in all of the ACU pockets, flak vest pockets, under the lining of his Kpot, in every pair of socks, and tons of other hidey spots! He would be stocked up with treats for over a week. More fun facts to come, so stay tuned!!! New Members-
SSG. Jared Shaver- a.k.a. Venus 2LT. Mitchel Gram- a.k.a. Poppa Smurf SGT. Robert Weiser- a.k.a. Bud SFC. Paul Fredericks- a.k.a. Juju Team- SGM. Leland Reynolds a.k.a. Rock CPT. Brody Williams a.k.a. Maverick MSG. Nick Hughes a.k.a. Kodiak SSG. Drake Shields a.k.a. Joker SFC. Wesley Newman a.k.a. Romeo SGM. Zane Monroe a.k.a. Hulk SFC. Alexandria Strong a.k.a. Vice 1LT. Jeremy Jagger a.k.a. Dom The time has finally come- release day! This Tuesday, Cadence of Love, Breaking Protocol book 1 will be released on all major book sites! I am so excited about this series. There is so much emotion that goes into something that has to do with the military. After being an Army wife for twelve years, there are so many emotions that are locked in my heart. All of the up's and down's, the worry, the tears, the anger and frustration, the loneliness and the relief that comes every passing day in the lives of our soldiers and their families is inconceivable. In this series, I want to bring notice to some of the hardships they face, and give my readers a taste of the emotion that every spouse feels. I have added special little memories that my husband and I have shared along the journey, and hold this series very dear to my heart. I hope you enjoy reading it, and can reserve that special little spot in your heart for our men and women in uniform, and the loved ones that are behind them, keeping them going with encouragement and love. God Bless Our Troops!
Hugs, Willow Happy weekend! We are in Arkansas visiting with family this weekend and enjoying the great cool weather! There is nothing more comforting than a yard full of kids out finding ways to fly down the hill or climb a tree while the adults get to kick back and relax. What are you up to?
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