THE REUNION, by Dan Walsh

Aaron Miller is a Vietnam veteran. Once upon a time a hero, now forgotten--except by three of the men with whom he served in the jungles of Vietnam. Aaron's job as handyman in a trailer park is about as far from heroism as he can get, and he prefers it that way.
Dave Russo is a reporter for his local paper. In his spare time, he’s working on a book about men who served in the Vietnam war. He's compiled a list of names from old news accounts, and when he contacts John Lansing, one of those names, the former Marine makes him an offer too good to refuse--find Aaron Miller. After John shares his reasons, Dave agrees to do what he can to find a man whom no one who knew him has seen for decades.
Walsh's storytelling skills shine in The Reunion. His descriptions of jungle battle scenes were so realistic I was transfixed in horror. The novel moves at a brisk pace, with surprises in every chapter. Be sure you have tissues on hand when you read the final scenes.
I don't normally get too personal in my reviews, but my husband is a Vietnam vet. Reading about Aaron's (and the other men's) struggles brought me to tears more than once. In addition to being a gripping novel, The Reunion is a tribute to Vietnam veterans, all of whom bore the brunt of our nation's dislike of an unpopular war at that dark time in our history.
I recommend The Reunion wholeheartedly. Just don’t forget to keep a box of tissues handy.

My thanks to Revell and the author for providing me with my review copy.

WITH EVERY LETTER, by Sarah Sundin

Lt. Mellie Blake has always felt like an outsider. Raised primarily by her father, with much of her life spent accompanying him on research trips, she feels awkward around other women. Her shyness makes her appear stand-offish.
Lt. Tom MacGilliver has spent his life trying to live down his father’s legacy. Nicknamed "MacGilliver the Killiver" for committing a double murder, Tom's father was executed when Tom was a young boy.
When Tom and Mellie become involved in a letter-writing exchange intended to build troop morale during World War II, their lives intertwine. The anonymity of the program assures their freedom to share their hearts with one another in ways neither has experienced. The fun lies in wondering how or when they will discover the other's identity.
With Every Letter is Sundin's best book yet. Her knowledge of WWII flight nurses, the Army Corps of Engineers, and battles on the Italian front, set this novel apart. As I neared the end of the story, I found myself slowing down to make the book last longer.
With Every Letter is a heart-warming romance wrapped inside a compelling drama. I can't wait for the next two books in the series. I loved With Every Letter and recommend the book highly.
My thanks to Revell for providing my review copy.