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, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn’t there–but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can’t take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he’s not sure he can handle sharing his deepest fears with such a beautiful woman.
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.
Bestselling author Lynette Eason is back with a new series that spans the globe and will have your heart working overtime.
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An intense fast paced read through most of the pages, lots occurs from Afghanistan to Tajikistan to the US. The suspense is held well through most of the book. Everyone from cops, to military, to eventually the FBI is involved in this one.
The characters are quite well done, and I really liked the main characters in this book. Though at times they seemed to act out of character, especially Brooke. They were military, though, so that isn’t perhaps unusual. The plot itself didn’t seem very realistic, and that was really the only negative to the fast paced romantic suspense. For me, the romance wasn’t too much so the ratio that is so frequently discussed about romantic suspense-well, this was just about as perfect as you can get for me.
I really liked how the author wove the faith thread into the book. In a fast paced suspense read that isn’t always easy. It was incredibly well done.
I don’t like picking star ratings over all for books. I’d prefer to choose stars for the various parts of a book such as character development, realism, fast paced,etc. It always complicates the review for me. This was a great read that I would definitely recommend to all the suspense fans out there.
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Good vs. The Really Bad! As a result of surviving brutal explosions in Afghanistan, both Asher and Brooke have left the military. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), each of them are trying to piece their lives back together. Not really knowing each other while in the military, they have now been thrown together because someone is trying to kill Brooke. Can it be related to something she unknowingly became linked with while overseas?
At the same time, a number of shallow graves are found in South Carolina, the people are multiple ages, races and nationalities, what common link do they all share that led to their deaths? Law enforcement is mystified about what the connection could be.
Meanwhile, back in Afghanistan, reporter Sarah is working incognito in an orphanage, and has uncovered a terrible crime involving the children. She fears the dangerous people behind it have found her out, making her life at risk–but she might not be able to get out in time.
Fast-moving thrills and action fill this book, with faith woven in lightly. Even though there are a lot of characters introduced at the beginning, stick with it, and the story will smooth out. Keep in mind that, once revealed, the subject matter is shocking, and, for me, it was difficult to read. This many layered 4 1/2-star tale will be enjoyed by those who like fast-paced, action stories.
Revell Publishing has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of Collateral Damage, for the purpose of review.
This book throws the reader into an intense and dangerous situation right away! Even from the first chapter my suspicions were on overload and I was trying to piece together what was going on beneath the surface.
This book was a little hard to keep up with at times. There were a lot of characters, a lot of different locations, and keeping them all straight made my brain hurt a little bit. I wanted more character development and more romance. I felt as though the only things that were focused on about these characters were PTSD related, and I wanted to know them beyond those issues.
The actual crime or mystery part of the plot was really detailed and had elements that surprised me. I pretty much had pegged the villain early on in the book. Perhaps the author meant it to be somewhat obvious. There was enough danger to keep me on my toes and it was a tense conclusion. All in all it wasn’t my favorite suspense novel from this author, but it was an entertaining read and I enjoyed it for the most part.
*I was given a copy of this book from the Publisher, however I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
This is an explosive start for Lynette Eason’s newest series! This high pace action-packed story focuses primarily on Brooke and Asher, but readers will also get to know many secondary characters. After going through a traumatic event in the Army, Brooke seeks to counsel those in need. Asher finally decides to seek help for PSTD and makes an appointment only to find a dead body in the office. After piecing together different things, they decide that maybe there is more at play than previously thought. It is a race to the finish to discover what is really going on in this story. For those of you who are fans of Ms. Eason, you will love this latest series by her! For those of you who are interested in trying a book, this book is a great place to start! I highly recommend this book! You will not be disappointed! I can not wait for the next book in the series to be released.
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the author for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.
COLLATURAL..DAMAGE
….Lynette Eason
Sergeant James was told to bring Michael in, by his Captain…Having proof he is a traitor and having sold information to the jihadist. James and his team didn’t believe it and didn’t want to do it, but orders had to be followed. Explosion, and his men rolled from the vehicle, they were ambushed.
Military Psychologist Captain Adams six months almost up she was ready to go home, feeling drained. Meeting the girls she worked with,at a café, when an explosion happened . Knocked to the floor, then a man landed on her. Telling her he didn’t know , giving her an item to keep safe, it was Michael, and badly injured. He missed his appointment with her, would that have kept him safe. Returning home Brooke has her own battles to work thru. When her boss, as a counselor to see a certain client, that’s unable to sleep. It was Asher James, together with the pieces that happened in Afghanistan. They find murder and a different target now. A new series and a good one, it starts with a strong punch, and lives lost. What is going on, with a little romance, one turns the pages faster to get clues. Great beginning to this new series. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion by Net Galley and Montlake.
This book quickly became a riveting read, and hard to put down, but will also lingering with you. At first, I was asking myself how what seems to be two different stories, what relates them?
When the answers begin to unfold it will make you sick, how much evil and greed there is and any anyone is expendable!
The author gives us a several women with a lot of compassion, and with what they have been through, you marvel at how they are there for their fellow man.
We are also given some good men, and without them the outcome of this story would surely have a different ending.
If you like Christian suspense this one will keep you right to the end, and then some!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell. and was not required to give a positive review.
“Collateral Damage” was another great read by Lynette Eason. This is the first book in her new series, “Danger Never Sleeps”. To me, this book was a little different than the other books that she wrote. But she definitely delivered with this one.
This book centers around Brooke Adams, a former military psychiatrist and Asher James, a former Army Sargeant. Asher decides that he needs help dealing with his “military demons”, so he goes to see Brooke. However, when he gets there, there is a dead body in Brooke’s office. This pulls Brooke and Asher together in non-stop action. Then they figure out that Brooke is really the target. This book has a few twists and turns along the way.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good, clean, romantic suspense novels. Lynette Eason is one of my favorite authors, and I’ve loved every one of her books.
I received this from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.
Collateral Damage
Danger Never Sleeps #1
By Lynette Eason
A missed appointment, a traitor in their midst, a deadly attack, and nightmares that won’t stop. Brooke Adams wants to stay as far away from everything that will remind her of her time in Afghanistan. And she won’t see former military personnel in her private practice psychiatric duties. But when pictures from the worst day of her life are published she soon finds her path crossing with Asher James, former Army Special Ops.
Asher needs to talk to someone who understands, someone who has been where he’s been and he’s fairly certain Brooke will get it. But when he shows up for his appointment with Brooke something is very wrong. Brooke’s office has been trashed and there is a murdered woman in it.
All too soon it becomes obvious that someone is targetting Brooke and it somehow seems to be related to her time in Afghanistan. But what exactly is something she and Asher will have to determine and soon.
FBI Special Agent Caden Denning is working a case that could have far-reaching repercussions – a secluded location that has been being used as a mass gravesite. But when he gets a call from his sister that he needs to warn Brooke that she is in danger he gets pulled into the situation with Asher and Brooke. Meanwhile, his sister Sarah knows that she has stumbled on to the story of a lifetime – she just needs to be sure no one realizes just what she is up to.
As each case races towards a potentially dangerous conclusion unexpected twists make this a page-turner you won’t be able to put down. The book quickly draws one in and doesn’t let go. The characters are quickly introduced and seemingly well-developed almost immediately so that the story progresses at a quick pace with no bogging down in attempting to create a rapport with the characters. And the conclusion lets just say WOW! Not quite what I was expecting and the way everything came together just made for excellent reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion, All thoughts expressed are my own.
Thank you to Netgalley.com for an ARC for an honest review.
This is a very fast-paced book that just may keep you up all night so you can read it all. The characters are well developed and the action is non-stop. I like Lynette Eason’s style of writing. She has a way of engaging the reader and drawing them into the story. If you’ve had any connection with someone who’s been in the military during this time and if you’ve talked with that person at all, you will be able to easily relate to the issues that face the characters in this book. Not only is PTSD a problem, but throw in a dying man’s last request and bad guys wanting to stop that wish from being fulfilled, and you’ve got yourself quite an adventure. After reading a book like this, I usually read a “cozy” mystery to calm my heart down. This book will not disappoint.
3.5 Stars
Collateral Damage was an action-packed and exciting start to Lynette Eason’s new Danger Never Sleeps series. It starts off with a bang and the lightning-fast pace doesn’t let up until the end.
There’s a big cast of characters, so it took me just a little while to get everyone straight and to figure out how all the different storylines connected. But once I did, I became even more invested and couldn’t read it fast enough. There were quite a few shocking reveals I didn’t see coming which made things even more intense. Dealing with a serious topic, it was disturbing, and quite chilling at times, but a very compelling read, nonetheless. I’m excited for the next book in the series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
Collateral Damage
In Collateral Damage, the first book of her newest series, Lynette Eason doesn’t disappoint. She once again drew me in from the very beginning pages and kept me engaged to the final page. Brooke and Asher met on the battlefield, but for them, the fight didn’t stay there. Once back in the United States, they discover the battle has followed them both emotionally and physically. Lynette Eason does a masterful job of creating a storyline that is modern and engaging as you see Brooke and Asher work through their personal issues and unravel the mysteries surrounding them both. Who is after Brooke? What information does she have? Who decides the value of a life? Lynette Eason is one of my favorite authors, and she proves why every time she publishes a new book.
—I received an ARC from Revell through Netgalley, but no review is required and all thoughts are my own.
One of my very favorite suspense authors, Lynette Eason has started an incredible new series: Danger Never Sleeps.
The content of Collateral Damage is quite current and full of excitement, intrigue and heroes to be envied. The series tells about a team of friends and acquaintances who are brought together by various crimes. This book focuses on former Army members Asher James, now an FBI agent and Brooke Adams, now a psychiatrist in private practice. The book starts out with a scene of how they are connected and proceeds with a new connection after they have left the military behind.
As always, Ms. Eason’s research is impeccable and the story comes together after she has you wrapped up in the circumstances, wondering how such things could happen.
A thoroughly enjoyable start to a new series that promises more romance and danger around every corner. While the focus is on crimes and suspense, Ms. Eason threads faith into the story and shows how her characters rely on God in their trying times.
*A copy of this book was provided by the Revell through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Collateral Damage, the first installment in award winning author Lynette Eason’s new Danger Never Sleeps series, is an action-packed romantic suspense novel filled with danger, corruption, and murder that will have the readers guessing until the very end.
Former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams and former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James both return home to the States after a dangerous stint in Afghanistan. Their time in Afghanistan seems linked to threats on Brooke’s life now that she has returned home, and Asher and Brooke must work together to find answers before more innocent lives are lost.
Lynette Eason is one of my favorite romantic suspense authors. She consistently creates compelling stories that leave the readers filled with hope despite the evil that exists in this world. She weaves the spiritual thread into the storyline and shares the message that everyone is created for a reason and has purpose in this life. Lynette Eason realistically portrays the effects of PTSD and the difficulties that members of the military face when reacclimating to civilian life. The romantic pairing of Brooke and Asher was very enjoyable to read. I can’t wait to read Acceptable Risk, the second book in the series.
Collateral Damage is highly recommended for readers of romantic suspense, especially those who enjoy books by authors such as Dani Pettrey, Lynn H. Blackburn, Rachel Dylan, and Irene Hannon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Lynette Eason kicks off a new series with Collateral Damage and she does indeed kick it off well! I am looking forward to what the next book brings already.
Brooke Adams, former military psychiatrist has come stateside and set up an office hoping to help others. But she is fighting some pretty serious battles herself, even though she is no longer military. Brooke struggles with occasional PTSD and has made a rule to never treat a veteran. Then she walks in on a dead body in her office one morning and a veteran, former Spec Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James is there, having found the body. Asher has finally decided to get help for his own PTSD and has arrived for his appointment. Soon it becomes clear that Brooke is the target of the killer and she and Asher are racing to find what is going on. Asher knows this is just what he wants to stay away from but he vows to protect Brooke at all costs.
The ensuing events lead both Brooke and Asher to realize that way more is going on that they both at first suspected. There is a huge, international crime in the background and it’s up to them to try and stop it, while hopefully staying alive at the same time.
Eason has done an admirable job here, blending several incidents into one story. I was captivated from the very first. And there is a great cast of secondary characters that I hope find their story in future books in the series. Honestly, there is so much to love about this story. Eason carries the reader along on a high octane filled journey of intrigue and heinous crimes and is sure to please all suspense fans. Highly recommended.
*My thanks to Revell Publishing for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
3.5 stars
“They were just collateral damage in a stupid war . . . ”
Following a traumatic incident in Kabul, Afghanistan, military psychiatrist Brooke Adams and Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James both return to civilian life. Unfortunately, they left behind more questions than answers, for the one person who could have answered most of them didn’t survive a brazen act of terrorism. Brooke came home with a keepsake bracelet for a grief-stricken wife and Asher came home to sleepless nights. However, when their paths cross again, it appears that another battle is going to be fought on their home turf; the release of evocative photographs from a bombing scene aftermath, sets off a puzzling series of attempts on Brooke’s life.
As Brooke and Asher find themselves swept up in all the things that they don’t understand, they become more than grateful for the unique support they are able to give each other; if the two former soldiers could pause long enough to examine those feelings, they might even classify them as attraction. But until they discover how the events that they left behind on the battlefield are generating their current circumstances, there’s no time to spare, for “danger never sleeps”.
“Collateral Damage” proves to be both a fascinating and mildly complicated suspense; displaying the author’s ability to position the past and present, the near and far, the known and unknown just outside the reach of her readers and characters; using every page to inch towards a climax that no one could have possibly foreseen.
I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.