AUTHOR: Lynette Eason
DATE: 2020
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: ****
Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others--but her days of helping military personnel are over. She's got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she's not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way--terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.
Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor. When he arrives at her office she isn't there--but a dead body is.
When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack--and that her secrets go even deeper than his own--Asher vows to protect her no matter what.
Fast-paced Collateral Damage is a superb suspense novel, perfect for those who enjoy action, military-based ordeals, and romance. This is book one of a new series, so several characters were introduced in the beginning, making me thankful for a print copy—much easier to flip pages and check the identities when I became confused. It didn’t take long to recognize different personalities, evidence of skillful writing.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder plays a large role in this story, a reality too many deal with on a daily basis. I’d expected more evidence of faith in the struggle against its effects, but it was hardly mentioned. The other negative, on my part, is the horrific depravity revealed. I believe the author chose this subject matter out of courage and a desire to shed light, but it was more than I could handle.
Collateral Damage is truly well written, as I expected from Lynette Eason, and would have earned five stars if not for the reasons mentioned above. I award it four stars and recommend it for those with tougher psyches than mine. I received this book from the publisher.