"Collateral Damage" by Lynette Eason

Collateral Damage (Jan. 7, 2020) by Lynette Eason.*

Honorably discharged from the Army, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams’ battles are not over. Stemming from emotional photos that surfaced of her in the paper, in which she’s seen at the side of a dying soldier, multiple attempts have been made on her life. It’s clear the killers want something that she has or suspect she has, but what is it? And what is the significance? Adding this to her plate is the last thing she thinks she can handle. Brooke may be a psychiatrist, but that doesn’t stop her from having her own nightmares and struggles with PTSD.

            Retired Sergeant First Class Asher James has his own nightmares to deal with from Afghanistan (Brooke was serving in the same area he was at the same time). Unexpected loud noises have him ducking for cover, and he doesn’t want to sleep, as sleep only brings haunted memories. He’s decided he needs help, which is why he reaches out to Brooke, expecting that she’ll empathize (which she does); however, Brooke does not see military veterans in her civilian career. His appearance in her life is timely, though, as he’s the client who arrives at the practice before she does and finds the practice’s receptionist killed. And Asher is prepared to stick by her side until the end, since attempts on Brooke’s life have involved attempts on his. Add in that Brooke’s investigative reporter friend, Sarah Denning, who remains in Afghanistan, is uncovering a horrible trafficking ring that has ties to the area that Asher, Brooke and Sarah’s brother (Caden) are, and it’s “all messed up like a hot soup sandwich” (p. 119).

            The first in Eason’s Danger Never Sleeps series is strong out of the gate. Full of action from the first chapter and not often pausing for quiet moments makes it clear that danger isn’t resting. Of all of the books I have read thanks to Revell Books, Lynette Eason’s have consistently been my favorites. I found this to be a fast-paced and well-written inspirational fiction novel with strong yet vulnerable characters. It’s never quite believable when a flawless character seems too strong or too independent, but when there are characters with flaws and internal struggles of their own, we as readers can relate, and I appreciate when I’m able to make those connections and build that rapport, fictional though it is. I highly recommend this story to anyone interested in intensive action where the bad guys are truly bad and the main characters use faith as their pillars of support (though not in a preachy way).

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”