Semi-Finalist #6: Proud Army Wife, Jenn Elliott

My Name is Jenn Elliott, I have been an army wife for over 7 years now in the 8 years my husband has served our country. We have been through thick and thin in the 10 years we have been together. We are not the common military marriage. Unlike most, we dated for 3 years before we got married. So we had a pretty good idea of each others habits before entering the vows of marriage, little did I know I was marrying the army as well.

You think I should of known since my one grandfather served 20 years and retired from the U.S. Army and my other grandfather served in the U.S. Air force. Back then the air force paid you with cash and cartons of cigarettes lol. My husband's side dates back many years in the military as well we have our great grandfather who served in the Italian army, as well as our grandfather who immigrated to America who served in the Sicilian Navy.

People say you know what you got yourself into, but it doesn't seal the hole that is in your heart every time your husband has to leave for training or deployment. My husband missed out on so many life changing events ie the birth of our daughter, her birthdays, first day of pre-k, losing her first tooth, I could go on and on, but I honestly think she makes more of sacrifice than I do at all most 6 years old. I am here to wipe the tears and comfort her that everything will be ok. This process makes paying the bills look like a breeze quite honestly.

My husband is scheduled to deploy the beginning of next year but has been gone on training so much since April and will continue to be up until deployment. Honestly, I rather have him deployed than have him miles away. I don't think I will ever get use to having an empty side of the bed, even if I have two Great Danes hogging it. Sure my life might have heartache, but you know what I would not change a thing. Its because of great people like my family and others, that serve this great nation that keep it a great one! Someone has to step up to do job, and I do it with honor for my loved ones and my country. I am a proud army wife and my child is a proud army brat! As us army wives say "Hoover", leave "hooah" to the soldiers.

**Thank you for sharing your story Jenn and many thanks to your husband for his dedication to our country.**

If you are a proud military wife, please send your story and picture to sarataneyhumphreys@Hotmail.com

Put 3rd Annual U.S. Military Wives Contest in the subject line.

You can find full contest info on my website http://www.sarahumphreys.com/events.php

Semi-Finalist #5: Proud Military Wife & Mom, Lori McPhate

Douglas and I were High school sweet hearts, and we got married in 1985. We have been married through it all and we are still married. We will be celebrating our 27th Anniversary come March 2012. We have lived in Idaho, Connecticut, Georgia and Hawaii. Douglas is now retired but spent most of his time on submarines. We have 3 awesome children, all of who love our country.

Our oldest is currently serving in the Army and has done 1 tour in Iraq (I have included a picture of him as well).

I think my favorite time as a Navy wife was once my husband made chief, starting with chiefs initiation and until we retired. I really enjoyed helping wives while our husbands were gone and home if need be. I really miss the military life but I enjoy having my husband more often. He still works for a military company and is gone often but not as often than being on sea duty...


We have defied many statistics.
Being married young, being in the military, being from divorced families and having 2 special needs children.

Thank you-

Lori

Thank you, Lori for sharing your story with us! If you want to learn more about Lori and her journey, you can check out her blog.

Are you a proud military spouse like Lori? Then send in your story! All of the contest details can be found on my website http://www.sarahumphreys.com on the EVENTS page.

Entries welcome until September 1st!

Semi-Finalist #4: Proud Army Wife Diana Herrmann

I thought I'd give this a shot and Enter. Win or lose I always enjoy sharing a bit about being a Army Wife with people. My husband serves in the Army and has been for the past 8 years. I myself come from a military family. My father is in the Army soon to retire, my grandfather is retired Air Force, my father in law was in the military and my brother is serving in the Army. Both my father and my brother just got deployed and my husband is due to deploy next year.

We have been stationed to Ft. Huachuca AZ, Fort Hood Tx, and many other places. We have 3 little boys, the youngest looks up to his dad and grandpa and wants to be in the Army like them. He is our little soldier. The toughest job isn't being a mother and holding down the fort at home while he is deployed, taking care of our children, finances etc....The toughest thing is saying goodbye to him every time he has to leave for a deployment or for his training. He has been gone for months on end this entire year, home maybe a week and then off again. It's really tough saying goodbye to him - Sometimes it feels like I am a single mother raising our kids by myself when he is gone.

The one thing that is most rewarding for me is when he comes home. Every time he is ready to come home I get those "first date" butterflies in my stomach and seeing him again is like I am falling in love all over again with him . It really is the best reward I could get to have him home even for just one week. I do NOT like that he has to leave as much as he does but I accept it because I am his wife and I understand the sacrifices that come with his duty as a soldier. I will never take anything for granted because I do know what I have, I have a best friend, a soldier, a hero, a father, a soulmate in a bundle! He is my rock I lean on when things get rough at home.

I really Am not sure what else I could/should Write as I've never entered contests like these but it seems I could go on for hours the pride I have for my soldier and my Family and being in their lives on a daily basis. I am proud To call myself his wife and a sister, daughter, daughter-in-law and granddaughter of U.S. Military Soldiers who have served in the past, present and future. I couldn't see my life any other way then what it is now.

--Diana Herrmann

Thank you for sharing your story with us! Are you a proud military wife like Diana? Then send me your story & picture! Email it to sarataneyhumphreys@hotmail.com

Please put 3rd Annual U.S. Military Wives Contest in the subject line.

Contest runs until Labor Day when the 3 winners will be announced. Here's what's up for grabs.

Second Prize: A $25 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of Unleashed and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

First Prize: A $50 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of Unleashed and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

Grand Prize: A book signing event at their local Bookstore and the winner will be the special guest of honor. 3 Free Signed copies of Unleashed. (1 for them and 2 of their friends) A $100 Amazon Gift card and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

There's more info on my website http://www.sarahumphreys.com/

Interview with Erotic Romance Author, Cheryl Brooks

Hey there! Long time-no blog.

This has been one nutsy summer! Kids. Work. Deadlines. More kids. More deadlines...you get the idea. Things are really starting to crank up as the release date of UNLEASHED approaches. Only 54 days to go :) Woot~!

At RWA in June, I was able to sit down and get a one-on-one interview with erotic romance author Cheryl Brooks. She is a lot of fun and so are her books. (hubba hubba) She writes a very HOT sci-fi romance series called the Cat Star Chronicles. Very cool and very different.

Her latest release is Virgin (Book #7) and I really enjoyed it. I think Dax is my favorite hero from her novels....so far. Stud (Book #8) will be released in February 2012 and it sounds like a hoot! But don't take my word for it...check out the video below and let Cheryl tell you in her own words.

For more information about Cheryl and her books you can go to her website!