Life has a way of turning your world upside down. Just when you think you’re away from the eye of the storm you find you were never really the central target but instead, the aftermath of the physical and emotional destruction.
Jordan’s life was full of losses. He lost his friend EJ when he disappeared during a Don’t Ask Don’t Tell debacle. He lost his livelihood after career ending injuries … injuries during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He returned home to find he’s also lost his life partner Michael, and while traveling to receive intense treatment of his PTSD, he suffered yet another catastrophic loss. He’s angry and depressed. What else could life take from him?
Ron has led a solitary life in the Rocky Mountain foothills of Colorado. He trains service dogs to meet the needs of clients suffering extreme anxiety driven illnesses. For this reason, he has a stellar reputation and relationship with the military serving war torn veterans. He knows there is something missing and he’s sure it’s not love because, well, been there, done that…
As life brings Ron and Jordan together, will they each have what the other needs to weather the storms of life? Or, will each man continue to wander through the detritus of fate, nothing more than collateral damage.
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Collateral Damage is the second book in the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell series by author Miski Harris. This is a really well-done book. I liked the little details like the artwork in this book. That attention to the small details makes this book an extra special read.
The two men in this book have issues and emotional baggage. I liked their emotional connection and how I could feel for both of them. This is my first time reading this series and I was not lost at all.
Jordan, he has been through a lot. He is a good man a soldier with a broken soul. He keeps getting his feelings stomped on. He needs someone to see him and not the broken man he is right now.
Ron is that man. He is kind, loving, and strong. He trains dogs. He feels drawn to Jordan he sees the man he is and the one he will become.
I loved these two together they each have what the other needs. I also liked the side characters. I cannot wait for more from this series, I would love to see where it goes next.
Five Shooting Stars
Good story
Harris pens a good story in Collateral Damage. I have read work from this author before, and I really enjoyed it. The characters, Ron and Jordon, were interesting and intriguing, especially when the backstory isn’t told all at once. The author’s writing style works for this type of story. It was a good read, a few small things felt like the Ron and Jordon were not compatible, but the story ended up working for them. Angst and intimacy fit the story genre, and I did like the concept of the story. The characters were pretty well developed, but I think there is more to their story. It’s a good story to follow and try to figure out what will happen next. This author’s characters develop and interacts well with the other characters. I did like this story, so don’t let the rating fool you. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews.
What a wonderful take of finding oneself
To have suffered so much loss in such a short time is overwhelming. When it all comes crashing down, there is no way to avoid the anxiety associated with it.
I enjoyed this story of veteran Jordan and service dog trainer Ron. Though most of the story focused on the struggles that Jordan went through, dealing with physical disability and PTSD, as well as time spent in the military hiding his sexuality due to Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Jordan had a tendency to fly off the handle over things at times, but that was understandable, after all he’d gone through. Ron sometimes seemed to have the patience of a saint, though that changed a bit as Jordan got to know him better. It turned out that Ron also had a painful past that he still needed to deal with.
I liked these men together, though they were not a couple for the majority of the book. If you can wait a while for the MC’s to figure things out and get together, this is a good story with a satisfying ending. Plus, it has an amazing service dog I fell in love with!
4.5 stars Jordan’s career with the Air Force is over, he got injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom. There are other traumatic circumstances that left him with PTSD. In Colorado, with the Rocky Mountains in the backyard, he will be getting treatment.
As if he hadn’t had enough anxiety yet, before he even reached Colorado, he lands in another nightmare.
Ron’s business ‘Pawz with a Cause’ provides serves animals with special talents to help people with hard-to-resolve anxiety-driven problems, he also works with psychiatric specialists treating veterans with PTSD.
Ron feels as if he’s leveled on the same wavelength as Jordan. From the first moment, he feels Jordan is special to him.
Jordan has to go through some heavy stuff to get to the core. Heavy can’t even describe what he’s been through. My heart hurt for him.
As if it’s not enough, also his relationship with Ron goes at some point downhill. Thank goodness for their maturity and strength to overwin.
I got thick goosebumps reading about what Deejay means for Jordan.
My deep respect for Jordan, so many terrible hard events got on his way and still, he held his head high and worked on it. The moment he redeemed himself I thought he needed a medal with the name ‘hero’
Both men were quite considerate and mature, I found them engaging.
The nice thing about this story was how it all fit well with the right proportion.
There was time for healing, redeeming, truth, fun and even some romance. For my pleasure, there could have been much more romance.
Overall a steady story with a quit heavy content that didn’t felt depressing understanding the circumstances.
This was a lovely story of acceptance and healing.
The main characters are both dealing with scars, both physical and psychological.
They had to learn to trust themselves and each other.
I really enjoyed the military aspects of the story and the real sense of camaraderie from the team.
A great story of healing and new beginnings!
The author created amazing characters with backgrounds a mile long and emotional scars bone deep. This story is a brilliant and uplifting talenof overcoming various hurdles, very well written and not letting go of the heart until the very end.