RPM Rockin' in the Free World

Submitted by Hodge Wood on January 21, 2013 - 17:41

Book Information:
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Author's Summary

"Once in awhile, right in the middle of ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale." So begins a gripping memoir written by a young Special Forces Army wife as her husband lay dying. Ryan Means grew up wanting to be a soldier. At age thirty-one, after the loss of his best friend in the 9/11 attacks, Ryan joined the US Army. He barely got to know his daughter Elizabeth when he was deployed to Iraq. In 2009, Ryan was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of liver cancer and quickly passed away due to complications. RPM Rockin' in the Free World is a raw and inspirational tale of modern love and war that reminds us to appreciate life and live it to its fullest. It is proof that grief does not have to prevail over eternal love. Portions of sales from this book will be donated to Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

MWSA Review

A phenomenal, but heartwrenching story of life's unpredictable path down an entirely different trail than originally planned.  Author Heather Means had her goals mapped out, became a physical therapist, and stayed near home.  Then she fell in love, moved everywhere, and married the charismatic and always positive Green Beret, Ryan Means.  Nothing would ever be as envisioned again.  I was fully moved as the Mean's love proved everlasting through enormous trials.  Heather got Ryans call just before his Iraq tour was to end.  She was eight months pregnant wih their second daughter ... the studies revealed an unseen enemy called cancer would take him fast.  A monstrous tornado of dilemnas twisted through the Means family as they devoted their final days together.  They weren't blown away.  Heather Means honors Ryan Means.  She powerfully writes how their love's treasures and unbearable pain were both constant companions in the Army but adds humor at just the right time.  Romance, family,  sacrifice, and loss are all artistically woven into a beautiful memoir blanket that covers the widowed author and her special operator husband, Ryan Means.

Reviewed by: Hodge Wood, (2013)

Author(s) Mentioned: 
Means, Heather
Reviewer: 
Wood, Hodge
Work Type: 
Book Reviews
Tags: 
Army
Memoir
Military
Non-Fiction