1) The diction of the prose is not very high and the sentences are not very complicated. (For example, “rubbed him real good on the head.”) To be honest, this isn’t the kind of prose that wins literary awards. MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOWEVER, these sentences are accessible and fun and might even turn the very difficult trick of getting some men to pick up the book!
2) I love the ruggedness of these first couple scenes. Again, I don’t know if the author is doing so consciously, but the hardcore male bonding, the bad-ass veterans, the hero dog…this might just be the kind of romance that a couple might be able to enjoy together.
3) There’s an inherent pathos when it comes to amputees, particularly combat veteran amputees. We’re all decent people, so we have a natural sympathy. (But certainly not pity.) The author diffuses this counterproductive emotion by having Tyler demonstrate that his disability doesn’t hold him back when he creatively pops the top of the beer.
Check out the author’s web site and read her book!
