2012 ~ Book 20 Home Front by Kristin Hannah

Wow!  I frequently read books based on military ways of life ~ as a military spouse I feel drawn to them.  Some I find ridiculous some I find more accurate.  Rarely have I had the opportunity to read a book based on a woman soldier ~ a mother ~ a wife ~ a friend.  I spent a majority of this book wiping tears away.  It was somber at some times, and gut wrenchingly real.  I had hoped for a different ending as it was a little predictable, but then again, it was a pretty accurate portrayl of what could happen.  There is the expeience of war, of a troubled marriage, of a teenage daughter you want to choke, of love and loss, and of recovering from a war.  Initially I thought it was going to be an anti-war, pro-liberal book which I am never thrilled to read (both as a spouse and as a conservative).  Overall, if you have a deployed spouse or family member I would avoid it.  It was very moving, but its definitely not something I would want to read if my husband were far from home regardless of the branch of service.

In her bestselling novels Kristin Hannah has plumbed the depths of friendship, the loyalty of sisters, and the secrets mothers keep. Now, in her most emotionally powerful story yet, she explores the intimate landscape of a troubled marriage with this provocative and timely portrait of a husband and wife, in love and at war.
All marriages have a breaking point. All families have wounds. All wars have a cost. . . .
Like many couples, Michael and Jolene Zarkades have to face the pressures of everyday life---children, careers, bills, chores---even as their twelve-year marriage is falling apart. Then an unexpected deployment sends Jolene deep into harm’s way and leaves defense attorney Michael at home, unaccustomed to being a single parent to their two girls. As a mother, it agonizes Jolene to leave her family, but as a solider she has always understood the true meaning of duty. In her letters home, she paints a rose-colored version of her life on the front lines, shielding her family from the truth. But war will change Jolene in ways that none of them could have foreseen. When tragedy strikes, Michael must face his darkest fear and fight a battle of his own---for everything that matters to his family.
At once a profoundly honest look at modern marriage and a dramatic exploration of the toll war takes on an ordinary American family, Home Front is a story of love, loss, heroism, honor, and ultimately, hope.