val·or: great bravery in the face of danger, especially in battleOnce, Jackson Richards had it in spades. As a member of the United States Special Forces, he fought alongside the bravest and most capable men he’d ever known.Then one mistake landed them all in Hell.For six months, he fought. But one terrible day, his captors learned the full extent of his skills, and that sealed his fate.Tortured … learned the full extent of his skills, and that sealed his fate.
Tortured and broken in conditions that made Hell look like a five-star resort, Jackson Richards died, and Isaad was born. Shaped into a weapon for the wrong side, he’d forgotten who he once was. Who he was meant to be.
Until the days his captor imprisoned Joey Taylor.
Helping Joey and her marine escape reminded Jackson of the man he used to be. And now, he’ll fight. For himself. For the friends he thought he lost in Hell. And for Cara. The woman with a secret he can’t ignore.
If he’s strong enough, he’ll leave Isaad behind. Maybe then, he can take back his true name.
Ripper.
WARNING: This book contains scenes of torture and implied sexual violence that may be disturbing to sensitive readers.
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This book is another in the series, Away From the Keyboard by Patricia Eddy. I’ve read this series from the start, although I have to admit to having read them out of order until Book 4. From there on out, you do not want to get them out of order. Honestly, with Fighting for Valor, you will want to have read at least the last two books in the series, although reading the whole series will make the characters come alive while you are reading.
The arc of the story in this book was compelling. There was not one place in this book where I hesitated, not knowing what was going on. The author is also spot-on while bringing the emotional portions of the story to the front. I doubt that there are a lot of people who could not feel deeply about the troubles both of the main characters have been through. But what is so great about this book, and this is something the author has been building on since In Her Sights (which I think was Book 3 in the series), is that the characters in the book (including my book-boyfriend Ryker) are not only supportive, they’ve also been through it all (in stories that have been told in the other books of the series). That, in my opinion anyway, makes each subsequent book even more powerful than the last.
When I read the last book, which was Dax’s story, I felt that something was missing, something that I couldn’t put my finger on. It showed up during this book, when Dax appears on the pages of Fighting For Valor. And it was surprising and so very simple – he tossed his cane and caught it. And that was Dax, a really really good friend to Ripper, showing himself.
I don’t like the term broken, as I don’t feel any human is truly broken. I prefer to think that they are imperfect, flawed, and wounded. The main characters in this book are all those things and more. But most of all, they display human emotions in very dire circumstances. Both Ripper and Cara are two souls who lost part of themselves in circumstances that no one could have foreseen. Ms. Eddy is very, very good at writing these wounded characters and that ability shows up as bright colors in this book.
To talk about the main characters in this book, I must also comment on all the characters, not just Ripper and Cara, because without those secondary people, this book would not have been as enjoyable as it was. Ryker, who only a short while before was Ripper-personified. Dax, who had his own struggles. Then Wren and Evianna, both only in this story briefly, but their contributions rank up there with Cara in the story. Ms. Eddy writes her characters and their mates quite well. She finds that easy, middle ground with each of these couples. The middle ground that holds them together and makes the books that much more enjoyable.
If asked, my answer is that of course I would recommend this book. While it felt a bit rushed in places, some of that could have been the pace of the story because once action moves, it moves quickly. And yes, before anyone makes a comment, Ripper and Cara don’t even so much as exchange a touch until well into the book. Is it a romance? Yes. Is it adventure? Sort of. What it really is? A well written book that will take you into the world of a man who was the third person (a fact unknown to the other two) to survive Hell. But his survival came by way of another imprisonment, this one managed to take his identity. But as you will find out in the book, that imprisonment could not steal his Heart, nor his Valor. And it is his Valor in this book which takes center stage.
I knew from reading the other books that Ripper’s story was going to be epic but it would also shatter me, be heartbreaking, and just rip your soul out. Poor Ripper has endured so much torture and pain for 6 years and finally we get his background on what has been going on, where he went, what he has endured, and what he has be doing. Trying not to give too much away the first part of the story is his background of exactly what I just said and it was so heartbreaking I was in tears, then the second half of the book is him trying to find himself in the real world again and trying to be normal again but he is definitely having a hard time until he meets Cara. Cara comes with her own baggage and things she is running from but together they find a certain amount of peace and calmness in each other. This story will shred you to pieces but then it will put you together again in a beautiful way. I absolutely loved it and Ripper is now my favorite.
I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. The reader almost gets two books for the price of one. They get the before and after version of Ripper. The before is the extremely tortured, lost and broken soul who literally dies right in front of your eyes. After being drugged and brutally abused Ripper can not only remember who he is but at the same times knows in his heart that he is doing something wrong. But finally he is saved and rescued. Part two is what is left when he returns to the states…a broken, shattered man who cannot come to grips with his new reality. Plagued with episodes of PTSD, Ripper feels he left one hell behind and was taken to another one. That is until he meets Cara, who in her own right has equally troubling battles and hurdles to overcome. What happens when to broken souls come together? Can they save each other while they try to heal? This book had my emotions all over the place. From disgust at the brutality of Ripper’s abuse, to tears when he is still lost and broken after he was saved, to a feeling of peace when Cara and Ripper find each other. All of the characters were so well written. Everyone’s battles were easily connected and the brotherhood and family sense was heartwarming. I think this story was the best so far in the series!! Job well done Patricia D. Eddy!!
Every long term reader has a book that they judge all other books against and this is my new standard I have never read such a gut wrenching story that at the same time is so uplifting. Every book that I have read in this Away from the keyboard series as got better and better proving to me over and over what a brilliant writer Patricia D Eddy really is.
This is Jackson T Richards (Rippers) story He survived six months in hell the torture camp buried deep inside a mountain in Afghanistan and when he sees an opportunity to help him and the two remaining survivors he takes it sending a message on a antiquated keyboard that will lead to their rescue but that one act of bravery has placed a target on his back now the enemy knows exactly what he is capable of and they intend to use his skills. He is taken away and subjected to a regimen of torture that made what came before seem like child’s play and in the process Ripper was destroyed and Isaad was born but deep inside Ripper was just waiting for that chance to reassert himself and the saving of Dr Joey Taylor was the spark he needed Now his team mates who survived due to his bravery have been alerted he is alive and nothing will stop them from bringing him home but that is only the start of his battle now he will have to learn to live with what he has done even though he can’t remember anything and only suspects what he may have been involved in When he meets a woman Cara he begins to feel again she is just as broken as him but in an entirely different way and when her past comes after her he will have to stand and fight for her with the help if his new teammates and in doing so he will find that his and her past are seriously intertwined and that he actually left messages in everything he did while a prisoner that will help him to right so many wrongs. Because he is about to discover that he may have been a prisoner and they may have tried to take his soul but they never took his valor.
Oh, this was just as gut-wrenching as the previous books, if not more. Jackson goes through so much and I loved it when he finally remembers and his brothers bring him home. I cried a little at what he had experienced. The connection he has with Caro though is undeniable and I could see how their experiences could draw them together.
Fighting for Valor
Away from Keyboard Collection, Book 6
By: Patricia D. Eddy
Narrated by: Aiden Snow, Grace Grant
I genuinely cannot get enough of this series. Patricia D Eddy is a master of romantic suspense and I crave these characters. This one has to be close to the top for me(Dax is still my favorite). Ripper is left behind in Afghanistan, unbeknownst to his squad. Now 6 years later, they bring him home, ghosts apparent and broken. His best friends do their best to pull him back, but the friendliness of a woman who thinks he is homeless is the one that helps the most. Cara is in hiding. Overhearing information that can get her killed, she is running for her life. Befriending the homeless man can’t hurt, can it? What she finds is so much more. This story is incredibly moving. It’s heart wrenching and the details Eddy provides us are gruesome. But unfortunately, it’s more realistic than we would like. Her writing bringing this to forward is enlightening. From corruption to love, we live, learn and heal. The characters are our friends, from book to book and truly bring that sense of family. And the addition of Charlie just melted my heart. A better dog could not have been found. This is a fantastic addition to this series and I am ready to pull down the next in the series, Call Sign:Redemption.
The narration continues to be impeccable. I have to compliment both Aiden Snow and Grace Grant. Snow provides a broken, tortured soul for Ripper, and his performance fits the character. Grant finds the perfect balance of strong and confident with scared and vulnerable. She makes Cara! These two are an amazing team.
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I am so emotionally spent right now. This book was so much more than I was expecting when we learned that Ripper was alive at the end of the last book. I was also pleasantly surprised that we saw other POVs in this story, because Ripper’s redemption truly felt like it was so intertwined with Dax and Ry that we needed to see inside their heads too. (Plus, Ry’s still my #1, so I’m always happy to see more of him!)
Every time a new book in this series is released, I go back and read them all from the beginning. Each time, I come away just utterly amazed at the flaws, strength and beauty woven into each of the characters Eddy creates. This book had me on the edge of my seat (and, admittedly in tears for a great deal of it) from start to finish, and I cannot wait for the next story she shares with us.
WOW. Best book in the series so far. Ripper ripped my heart out. Cara helped put it back together with her love for him. Watching Rip learn to be himself again with Cara’s love and the love of his brothers in arms was heartwarming. It was also clear that Dax and Ry had healing of their own to do after the rescue. The best part? Ripper wasn’t miraculously cured and all the characters, including Cara, know that. He is a work in progress but moving in the right direction. I hope we see more of his growth as the series progresses. Oh and I can’t forget about Charlie. I love dogs and he was perfect.
Patricia Eddy is a gifted writer pulling you into her story. This book had me in tears, gave me hope, and had me cheering for her characters. There were a lot of challenges for the hero and heroine. How do they reconcile what happened in the past and find how to live with valor?
This is a phenomenal story which had me on tenterhooks throughout! What Ripper endured when he was captured, and the depth of his torture and pain is absolutely horrific, and when fate brings Cara who is strong and determined, into his life, she is the calm to his storm. This is a well written story which is raw, gritty, emotional, intense, and has suspense, suspense, action, which all leads to a dark and memorizing read. There may be triggers for some readers so heed any warnings. I am looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
I am relatively new to Patricia D. Eddy’s books; with that said, I have read all of her Away from Keyboard Series. I read “Fighting for Valor,” in one day. The book tore my heart of my chest and shredded it to pieces. Yet, I can’t wait for the next book in the series. The characters are gut-wrenching honest and real. The book truly embodies Patricia’s goal of reminding readers that people are “beautifully broken.” Hands down one of the best and most moving books I’ve read in a long while.
We left a man behind…….
Jackson Richards aka Ripper lost who he was in the worst possible way, but even as Isaad there was always a sliver of his old self and just needed the right person or should I say the right team to help him come back. There is many times when emotions will get the best of you whether for good or bad reasons and this is one of the best books I have read this year as it really sucker punches you with the raft of emotions not just for Ripper, but for the rest of his brothers, their partners and Cara. This is definitely a gritty, brutal, confronting read but it is also about redemption, not giving up, fighting for life, love and friends and that no one is perfect and to some extent we’re all beautifully broken.
Fighting for Valor is the sixth book in the Away From Keyboard Series, a Military Romance. I love this Series so much. You can read this story as a standalone, but believe me, you don’t want to miss one book in this Series. I would love to have the words to express how I love this story/Series, and convince you to listen to it.
This emotional story is beautifully written. My heart broke to pieces for Ripper and Cara. Ripper is an amazing character, damaged, but strong, protective and caring. Cara is a beautiful character, also damaged, but strong, supportive, resourceful, and caring. The storyline is intriguing and suspenseful. I love the ending. It was amazing to see the previous characters in the Series together, with Ripper and Cara. They share a precious and wonderful brotherhood. They truly are a family. Charlie, the German Shepherd, is an amazing addition to this beautiful family.
Aiden Snow and Grace Grant did an outstanding job with the narration. Aiden Snow’s performance is absolutely breathtaking as Ripper.
I HIGHLY recommend this audiobook, and the entire Series. If you like Military Romance or Romantic Suspense, this Series if for you! (review updated with audiobook review)
Patricia D Eddy’s masterful storytelling puts you front row center to all the action in this raw, gritty, emotionally gripping and powerful story about two beautifully broken people who find love and acceptance in each other. That love leads to forgiveness of self and the start of finding peace in their lives. I shed tears several times as I read through Ripper’s ordeal and its resulting aftermath. And, Cara…wow! Her tenderness and intuitive empathy for Ripper was phenomenal. Likewise, Ripper’s ability to center Cara when she is paralyzed by her fears was incredible. All the Away From the Keyboard crew play vital roles in Fighting For Valor which only enhances this mesmerizing tale.
This is one of the most heart-wrenching books I’ve ever had the privilege of reading, and it cements my belief that Patricia Eddy is an extraordinarily talented writer. Jackson Richards has lived through nightmares others can only dream about; finally rescued after six long years of being held against his will, beaten, tortured, starved and assaulted, most men would have broken long before. But Ripper survived and now he’s adjusting to life as a free man. It’s not easy, trying to readjust to what his life once was before he was brainwashed.
Cara Barrett is hiding a very big secret, one that means she can’t get close to anyone. But when her path crosses Jackson’s, she drawn to this man. He’s an enigma, but there’s something about him she knows she can trust. For his part, Jackson feels oddly protective of this woman, one he knows is hiding secrets. But when her past catches up with her, she pushes him away because she can’t risk getting him involved – until they realise that they’re both at risk. Will the flame that burns between them burn bright enough to save them both, or will it be snuffed out forever?
This book is one that will stay with you for a very long time after you finish it. Well-written, both hauntingly sad and hopeful in equal measures, you’ll find yourself cheering for Jackson and Cara like no other couple you’ve ever read.
This author has a way of telling stories that’s awe inspiring and heartfelt. I’m an absolute fan of this series and Valor does not disappoint. It’s an intense, soul deep read that’s real, down to earth and thoroughly captivating. I love the depth of connections and chemistry between all. Jackson is deep, troubled and intense, but he is also and the tantalizing, enthralling, honorable and a true pleasure to read. His story took my emotions to places long forgotten but loved revisiting.
Cara and Rippers story wrecked me! They are two broken people who fate brings together in the most unusual circumstances. Their story had so many twist and turns that wove wonderfully together. Patricia made the characters come alive so the reader feels the sorrow, anxiety and the happiness.
This couple was “beautifully broken”
I have so many emotions rolling around in me now, this book was an emotional whirlwind. I’ve invested a lot of emotion in these guys, they are unforgettable and this one……….it really made me cry. Jackson, I think of him as Ripper, is one of the strongest, bravest men I’ve ever read about. The depths of his pain and torture are unimaginable, I thought Dax and Ry were strong but Ripper, he just awed me.
Cara was no weak wimpy woman either, perfect for him and fate must have stepped in to let these two meet.
Will he be strong enough to overcome the horrors he lived through and the guilt he feels? I just know I couldn’t put this one down. It was a straight read, no pausing, had to walk away and unwind after it, emotional hangover for sure.
Firstly, it is very important to read this series in order to understand all characters interactions and get the best out of the books. You’d be missing out if you start with this book.
As a huge fan of the series I can honestly say that it only gets better. Each character has their own conflicts, insecurities and self-doubts and they feel lost until they find another equally “broken” person with whom they connect on so many levels. This is the beauty of these books. How these human interactions occur and develop to bring them some sort of peace they thought they would never have again. Emotions run raw and I found myself often feeling a squeeze to the heart but anticipating a happy end so overall it is a very good mix of feelings.
You feel an immediate connection with the characters and jump head on in the emotional whirlwind til the end. I’m always happy to reach the end and very sad at the same time as I want to be with them so much further than the pages.
Very privileged to have received an ARC but nonetheless I am buying the book as a thank you to the author and also to enjoy the bonus scenes.
I am at loss for words and I don’t think anything I can write as a review would give this book justice. It is by far one of the best books in this series that I have read and probably in this past year. The pain, anguish, and torture that Jackson Richards aka Ripper goes through many years….at a loss for words….then him trying to regain who he was before his capture, the Special Forces man, who fights for people who can’t and one who would give his life for his country. Not only that but his brothers in arms, two men who survived the mountain who find out that one of their brothers who they thought was gone, is someone they didn’t know existed.
Then there’s Cara, a woman who meets Ripper and sees him, not the broken man he is, but the beautifully broken man that he really is.
Oh man, no spoilers here just warnings…warning – make sure you have time to read because once you start, you won’t be able to stop….warning – plenty of tissues on hand…warning – some disturbing scenes that will make your heart hurt for Ripper…warning – comfortable seat with plenty of support so you don’t fall off while gripping the edges with the suspense….warning – read in private unless you want others to hear you gasping, crying in sadness, crying in joy…warning – a read not to be skipped. 5 stars does not give this book justice.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*