Crippled both physically and emotionally by his war injuries, First Lt. Gilbert Ballard struggles to find himself again in civilian life. After breaking his engagement to Annemarie Kendall, he has found solace in the arms of Mary McClarney, a spunky Irish immigrant nurse he met at the Army and Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Yet Mary’s love for Gilbert goes unreturned.
If it’s not Gilbert’s insane jealousy over his former fiancée’s new marriage, it’s his addiction to pain killers and gambling that thwarts Gil’s own happiness. Worse, Gilbert’s mother, Evelyn, continually reminds him of what he lost when he pushed Annemarie away. Under Evelyn’s critical eye, Mary fights to believe in her worth, wondering if she will ever be enough.
As Mary longs for the day when Gilbert will finally let go of the past and learn to love her as she loves him, she realizes that the only way to open Gilbert’s heart is to whisper her goodbyes . . . and pray God will bring them back together.
“Without a doubt, Johnson can write engaging, emotion-driven historical fiction.” —RT Reviews (4 1/2 stars)
What readers are saying:
This second outing in the Till We Meet Again series picks up with Gilbert trying to move beyond his war injuries and hash out his feelings for Mary. Strong characterization and the emotions and longing between the two main characters give the story a realistic, tangible feel. Readers of predominantly mainstream romance will appreciate how the love story is clean, yet it’s not completely tepid. Without a doubt, Johnson can write engaging, emotion-driven historical fiction. ~~ 4.5-star review by Susannah Balch, RT Book Reviews
Myra skillfully weaves a story of patience, hope, and redemption. The setting of Hot Springs Arkansas circa the beginning of Prohibition gave the historical realism that I look for in period pieces. . . . Myra took each of her characters through a period of personal growth and realization that made the romantic scenes more poignant. Lovely story. Highly recommended for lovers of historical romance. ~~Goodreads review
Johnson rounds out each of these characters into a full-fledged hero and heroine with her themes of hope, forgiveness and redemption. If you love a heart-warming historical romance, you’ll love Whisper Goodbye. ~~Goodreads review
