Zeke Foster has little to no experience with women over the past couple of years, after being injured in Afghanistan. Brutally scarred, he has no expectation that he’ll ever find a woman capable of accepting him the way he is. But he can’t help but be enamored of Ember, the waitress of a local watering hole. Ember Norton’s life has turned into one devastating catastrophe after another. When the … When the scarred soldier with the kind eyes brings some security to her life, she’s afraid to trust her luck. She’s been self-sufficient for a long time. But his wounded soul calls to her and she finds herself falling for him.
In spite of the secrets he continues to keep.
Lost and Found Series Reading Order
The Embattled Road- Prequel- 0.5
Embattled Hearts- Book 1
Embattled Minds- Book 2
Embattled Home- Book 3
Embattled SEAL- Book 4
Embattled Ever After- Book 5
Embattled Return- Book 6
Connected Novellas-
SEAL’s Lost Dream- Book 2.5
Her Forever Hero- Book 3.5
Unbreakable SEAL- Book 3.6
Embattled Christmas- Book 3.7
Loving Lilly- Book 4.2
Her Secret Wish- Book 4.3
SEAL’s Christmas Dream- Book 4.7
Mistletoe Mischief- 5.1
Lost and Found Pieces 1- Book 5.2
Lost and Found Pieces 2
Connected Spinoffs-
The Lowells of Honeywell, Texas
Forget Me Not- Prequel
Untying His Not- Book 1
Naughty by Nature- Book 2
Trying the Knot- Book 3
The Dogs of War-
Genesis- Prequel
Chaos- Book 1
Destruction- Book 2
Retribution- Book 3
Catalyst- Book 4
more
I like the narration. I like the characters. The subject matter is interesting.
I feel like the stories are not completely developed. This is the third book I have read in this series and once again, I got this really abrupt ending.
Ember hung out with Zeke’s friends and seemed to have a real connection with Shannon. But, that connection was never explored any further.
Zeke did something that would have a MAJOR effect on his life and didn’t let Ember know about it. I thought there would be a whole thing written about it that would give us more insight into the characters, their relationship, what was going on with Ember’s dad, some explanations to her son, etc. None of that occurred.
It is almost like a thread of the story is picked up, it starts to develop, then it is dropped. Over, ended, finito! What happened after they went home? Did Ember and Drew move in with Zeke, or vice versa? Did her father’s counseling help him out? Did they decide because they have known each other such a short time that they were going to slow it down?
I feel like I’m left hanging, wanting more story each time. I want to read Chad’s story, and Duncan’s. After that, I will decide if it’s time to let this series go.
This story deals with veterans and also PTSD. This was a wonderful story with some of the agents of Lost and Found. Zeke was a fantastic character and I loved how Ember was with him. Both characters were likeable and I just loved all their interaction and chemistry. This author is on my 1 click list. Loved it!
I absolutely love this book! JM’s characters are portrayed in such a way that in no way do you feel sorry for them you actually cheer them on.
Zeke has had a hard road, with his face brutally scarred, it has also scarred his confidence. He feels unworthy of anything but disgust for his looks.
Ember sees beyond all the scars and sees the man beneath it all. On a personal level her problems are beyond the physical and she finds herself dealing with a lot of changes for both her and her son Drew.
PTSD is very real and many older veterans, like Ember’s Dad, didn’t have the resources that are now available.
Zeke on the other hand has more surgeries to endure, but what he least expects is Ember’s anger simmering behind her love and support.
Drew is a piece of work, a typical four year old boy, and I fell for him just like Zeke did.
This one will have you laughing and crying.
I give this one 4 stars without hesitation! Embattled Minds is book three in the Lost and Found series, but the second full-length novel. J.M. Madden has written a series dealing with injured vets from the Iraq/Afghanistan wars. Their injuries aren’t always visible, but they are no less devastating. The injuries that are easily visible, like Zeke’s, aren’t easy to overlook and causes these vets to be wary of civilians. Zeke suffered not only severe physical injuries but a traumatic brain injury (TBI). His once quick mind and wit is now hindered with stuttering and carefully having to thinking through everything before he speaks. Still, it often isn’t enough. He never thought he’d get a normal life back until he got the phone call from LNF Investigative Services. Now, he’s working with fellow disabled vets.
Ember is a wary bartender/owner. She and her father are partners in a local waterhole frequented by vets and civilians alike. She’s gotten used to seeing Zeke and his cronies come in at least once a week. She’s not had an easy life and now, after the death of one of his best friends, she’s watching her father slide back into that dark place he once inhabited. Her father is a retired Marine suffering PTSD from the Viet Nam war.
TBI and PTSD are injuries that are too often misunderstood. This book helps to highlight the day-to-day difficulties of those suffering from these conditions. Embattled Minds is written with compassion and knowledge. It will grip your heart