Member Reviews
This new series has the potential to be a great one if this first book is any indication. Doesn’t surprise me, as I love Lynette Eason’s books. There were several storylines that all intersected by the end, which I don’t tend to like—too many coincidences—but this story was well written and mostly believable. Nice romance with her signature suspense. Recommended.
A start to another amazing series from Lynette Eason! I thoroughly enjoyed Collateral Damage, the characters are real and believable, the storyline will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. The banter is delightful, and the characters will become beloved friends long before the last page. I love how this book highlights those struggling with PTSD. Thank you Lynette for another wonderful read.
Absolutely Amazing. You will get sucked in and not be able to put it down. Brooke and Asher will stay with you long after the book is over. Don't worry, there is a sneak peek afterwards of what is to come with Sarah, Brooke's friend. This book will pull at your heart though at times, with the unnecessary death that comes from war. Definitely a must read. Eason portrays everything in such a way that you can visualize the words you are reading.
Zu Beginn des Buches erhält Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James den Auftrag einen vermutlichen Verräter zu verhaften, bei dem es sich allerdings um einen guten Kameraden handelt. Bereits auf dem Weg in die Stadt wird der Konvoi angegriffen und eine komplette Besatzung kommt zu Tode. Trotzdem erhalten sie den Befehl den Auftrag zu Ende zu bringen. Derweil trifft sich Military Psychiatrist Brooke Adams mit einer Freundin in einem Café. Dort versucht eben dieser Kamerad vergeblich Kontakt mit ihr aufzunehmen. Dann ereignet sich plötzlich eine schwere Explosion. Man ist sofort in der Handlung drin und das Buch hat gleich einen heftigen Auftakt.
4 Monate später werden dann in South Carolina 12 Gräber gefunden, mit Leichen unterschiedlichen Alters und Geschlechts. FBI und lokale Polizei befürchten dass der Killer wieder zuschlagen wird. Als Leser rätselt man sofort los, wo hier eine Verbindung sein kann...
Brooke Adams und Asher James sind sehr sympathische Hauptfiguren, in deren Schicksal man sich gut hineinversetzen kann. Ihre Probleme mit PTSD, Albträumen und Flashbacks werden sehr überzeugend und realistisch dargestellt. Die Zusammenhänge der beiden Erzählstränge bleiben natürlich für eine ganze Strecke des Buches völlig unklar. Die Ermittlungen zu den verscharrten Leichen werden in unabhängigen eingestreuten Kapiteln erzählt. Geht es um einen Kult oder Menschenhändler? Noch fehlen jegliche Anhaltspunkte. Weitere Ereignisse folgen Schlag auf Schlag und machen einen atemlos.
Während sie verfolgt werden und versuchen den Grund für die Angriffe zu finden, kommen sie in vielen Dialogen, auch ohne offizielle Therapiegespräche, therapeutisch Schritt für Schritt weiter. Sie werden immer wieder mit ihren Problemen und schrecklichen Erinnerungen konfrontiert, können sich es aber nicht leisten auch nur eine Sekunde in ihrer Konzentration zu verlieren. Finden Unterstützer und kommen allmählich weiter. Das Vertrauen, Verständnis und Zuneigung wachsen, auch in dieser Suspense Situation glaubhaft. Man rätselt mit ihnen über die Hintergründe. Schreckliche Verbindungen treten zu Tage. Die Enthüllung des Bösewichts kann überraschen und es kommt zu einem atemberaubenden Finale.
Ein toller Romantic Suspense mit einem herzerwärmenden Liebespaar. Ich freue mich schon auf Teil 2!
Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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Story Notes
Lynette Eason brings readers a literally explosive new series that is based in both Afghanistan and the US and will keep you guessing until the final chapters.
Lynette Eason has quickly become a favorite suspense author with her realistic stories and damaged characters looking for redemption. She begins this new Danger Never Sleeps series with a military psychiatrist who carries the literal scars of her time in the Army and finds herself once again in danger. Brooke Adams has physically healed from her injuries but is still sorting through the mental and emotional struggle of moving beyond her experiences in Afghanistan. Working with non-military clients has given her the distance she desires but that distance will be challenged with the murder of her assistant and subsequent arrival of former Special Ops officer Asher James. Realizing danger may have followed her home, Brooke reluctantly accepts the help that Asher offers to figure out what is going on. As they work towards figuring out why Brooke is being targeted, they will find themselves having to face the happenings of the past if they want to move forward into the future. But the more pieces they connect to Brooke, the more they find that there is a bigger game going on than they ever suspected – one that spans from the US to Afghanistan and leaves others in danger because of what they know. When they find themselves connected to an ongoing FBI case, both Brooke and Asher discover that those they thought they could trust have ulterior motives and much to hide. If they don’t find everyone that’s connected to these crimes soon, many more innocent people will die here at home and overseas before all is brought to light. I enjoyed this story for the most part but will admit that it was a bit hard to get into at the beginning. Ms. Eason drops readers right into the action and while I can appreciate this writing tactic, it made it hard for me to connect with the story at first. As the many threads introduced began to tie together, I really started to love the story. The action and intrigue were very well done and were non-stop. I liked how Ms. Eason gave clues into the ones responsible without giving them away, making the story more complex and interesting. And the journeys of healing physically, mentally, and spiritually that Brooke and Asher were on throughout the pages made them very realistic and characters to root for through the happenings. Additionally, I liked the interesting way Ms. Eason tied the situations in Afghanistan and the US together in a cohesive way. It’s hard to make two such different places seem similar in any way but I felt like it was done very well. The tension rising with each subsequent chapter drove me to read way past my normal bedtime to find out what was going to happen by the end of the book. I will certainly be recommending this book to others, hopeful that they will enjoy it as I did. Looking forward to the next one coming out later this year!
I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Revell Publishing via NetGalley in order to provide an honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
What an intense story! This one’s a thriller with no-holds-barred action! The story starts in Afghanistan, but when the characters come back to the US, the mystery only grows bigger. When Brooke comes back to the states after her assignment, she isn’t expecting the war to follow her home.
I sympathized with Brooke easily, especially as she sees friends hurt and killed by the relentless folks after her. While I did manage to work out what was going on fairly early, I didn’t feel that the plot was easily figured out—I’ve simply been reading a lot of Eason lately and even reread several parts on the instinct that there was some clue on that page.
The crime is gross and tragic. In the light of recent events <spoiler>news reports of Chinese political prisoners, especially Christians, being sold for body parts </spoiler> the premise of the crime was sadly not far-fetched in the least. <spoiler>Black-market organs is something that both scares me and grosses me out, and it wasn’t a shock to find out the bodies in the mass grave were from that. </spoiler>
The action is very intense and at times they don’t even have an inch to spare in their escape. And at the end, when there isn’t an inch, I was ready to audibly yell at the characters to avoid the obvious (to me) trap. Sarah and Brooke both walk into one of those at some point and I was on the edge of my seat and a nervous wreck during those scenes!
An excellent thriller.
Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
Another great book by Lynette Eason. I enjoyed how she worked the military into the plot and and dealt with issues such as PTSD. The story is very suspenseful and keeps you guessing as to who you can trust and who you can’t. The author is one of my favorite and she didn’t disappoint me with with book. A copy was given to me by NetGalley with no expectations.
Great start to a new series. Lynette Eason has put together some interesting characters with a complex storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the rest of the series.
Lynette Eason, the queen of nonstop action, has done it again. Collateral Damage is the first book in her new series Danger Never Sleeps. Brook Adams is newly discharged from the Army and is anxious to get her psychiatric practice going. Asher James had rescued her from an explosion, now he is discharged and needs counseling. Who better than Brook to help him? I enjoyed the touch of romance amidst the bombs and murder that follow the pair everywhere they go. The story does take a disturbing turn and maybe a little too realistic for some. So grab a pot of coffee and a comfy chair with a blanket and a good light, settle in for a fantastic read, but don't plan on sleeping until you are done!
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.
Loved this complex international suspense. So many threads and point of view characters. Pacing was fantastic!
SWOON! Lynette is combining her unique talent for suspense with a military themed story. I am getting faint Kendig vibes and loving all parts of it. I cannot get book two fast enough!
When a military psychiatrist (Brooke) and a Special Ops Army guy (Asher) start working to solve a mystery stateside, you know it’s going to be good! Close calls and dead bodies all point back to Brooke, and they are on the hunt to figure out who is after her.
This book kicked off with action, and kept your heart racing the entire time! This was one of those books that forces you to fall into the story and characters right from the very first page, and you’re sad to climb out when it’s all over. Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly love Eason any more, she added another mesmerizing element to her writing technique that drew me in. I.AM.A.FAN!
I also can’t post a review without praise for her willingness to tackle the hard subject of PTSD, playing it out so well within the characters, and creating a safe place for them to heal, grow, and seek help. PTSD is so prevalent, and while we talk a lot about it, we aren’t always doing a lot about it. Bravo, Lynette, for shining a light in a very dark place that many of our heroes are living.
This book has a diverse and dynamic character base that you’ll want to figure out and pay attention to from the beginning. I am so excited to explore more of these characters in future books!
Collateral Damage was written by Lynette Eason, and is book one in the Danger Never Sleeps series.
Summary: Psychiatrist Brooke Adams arrives home from the Middle East with scars-on the inside, and on the outside. Still recovering from a horrific bombing attack during her time in the military, she is wracked with guilt-haunted by the death of a soldier under her care.
Retired Sergeant Asher James is also back from the Middle East with his own mental and emotional scars. Unable to bear the nightmares any longer, he seeks out Brooke Adams for counseling.
But stepping into the counseling office does more than just wound his pride when he discovers a woman’s dead body. Suddenly, he is on the run with Brooke-trying to protect her from an unknown foe.
Their nightmares have followed them home, and now someone wants them dead.
My Thoughts: This is a great action/suspense novel. Straight from the beginning to the end, the action never stops. It has a great plot, is highly entertaining, and has interesting characters.
I particularly liked the military angle to this book, and am definitely looking forward to reading the next one.
If you enjoy action, suspense, and/or military books with a little bit of romance, this will be right up your alley.
I would like to thank Revell for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review. Thank you!
Book #1 in The Danger Never Sleeps series
It took some time before I was hooked by this story and I still wonder why I was so ridiculously slow in grasping how good it was. After all, “Collateral Damage” is fast-paced, very suspenseful, has great characterization and to boot a great storyline….so why did I find it hard to stay focus and this from the get-go. Distraction is my best guess….but in hindsight I admit the story did gel and I loved it.
The story line has two main characters: military psychiatrist Brooke Adams honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her and Former Army Special Ops Sergeant Asher James who has nightmares from his time in Afghanistan. Both have flashbacks and struggle with PTSD and are helping each other heal from their past trauma. But trouble keeps on following them even back home with the duo drawn into a web of terrifying circumstances……from then on I was tenfold into this mystery and flipping pages furiously….
We have two storyline, at first this may be a bit confusing but I knew that eventually things would fall into place and as the threads come together it would make perfect sense. The story has villains, intrigue and unthinkable acts caused by greed but we also have heroes, faith and strong values. There is a light romance in the background that doesn’t take anything away from the overall suspense. This is a complex plot that also touches the sensitive subjects of illegal adoption and organs trafficking for gain.
Lynette Eason's books never fail to far exceed my expectations for romantic suspense, and Collateral Damage was no exception.
Asher and Brooke's story had me hooked from the first page. Their story was full of jaw-dropping twists and turns that kept me guessing right up until the final chapters.
I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!
*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
This book is filled with suspense!
The tension is tight from the beginning and doesn't loosen up till the very last page.
The story starts with Asher James admitting he needs help for his PT.SD. He seeks out a counselor he remembers from Afghanistan, Brooke Adams. When he arrives for his appointment he finds the office ransacked and a woman dead on the floor.
The characters are fantastic and the two stories lines are exceptional.
Lynette Eason is a gifted writer. If this book is any indication of what the rest of the series will be like, I can't wait to get my hands on those books.
If you like a suspenseful inspirational romance, you'll love this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Brooke Adams was a military psychiatrist when a deadly explosion had her hearing a dying soldier's last words.
She is now back in the states working as a psychiatrist on the condition that none of her clients are military. She has too many flashbacks, nights of waking up screaming of her own to deal with.
Dealing with PTSD, Asher James, a former Special Ops Sergeant, who is also back in the states, makes an appointment for help. He'd seen Brooke around when both were overseas, and felt he'd be comfortable with her as she personally knew what he'd experienced in Afghanistan.
He was given an appointment with Brooke, as he didn't identify himself as former military. When he showed up for his appointment, he discovered the office had been ransacked, and in Brooke's office the body of a dead woman. He pursued the attacker without success.
Brooke is, understandably, shaken up when she arrived at work shortly after.
Once discovered that the killer mistook the secretary for Brooke, Asher becomes her protector, while trying to find out who is behind this.
Very fast paced action while attempts are made on both Asher and Brooke's lives. Is this connected to Afghanistan and the orphanage there?
I was surprised there weren't far more five star reviews for this book. I loved it and had a difficult time putting it down each time I read. I highly recommend this book! Great mix of action, suspense, romance and faith.
I was given a complimentary copy to read by the publisher, Revell and Netgalley. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
My rating is a 3.5 on Lynette's newest read. This book is certainly action packed. It starts off with action just a few pages in and it's a thrill ride from start to finish. I liked Brooke and Asher and meeting the side characters we are sure to see more of as the series continues. The plot was interesting and unique but the what the crime ended up being was a little much for this Mama's heart. There was also another plot twist that wasn't my favorite element. It fit the storyline well, but the evil in this book was a mite overwhelming to me. That being said, Lynette crafted a well plotted story that moved extremely well. It was a fairly easy read as I read most of it in one day. Looking forward to the next in the series later this summer.
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. This review is my honest opinion.
This title has all the suspense, action, and plot twists you want! Beginning on a middle eastern military base with accusation of treason moving to a heartbreaking orphanage conspiracy and back to US soil with two separate mysteries tethered by a tenuous cord, you'll want to strap in for all the fast-paced twists and turns. Likeable, damaged characters and elements of faith balance out the novel as a whole. Gripping - I couldn't put it down!
Whew!! What an intense, action-packed top-notch suspense novel! Just incredible,
I loved it! Lynette Eason is a master at telling suspense-filled tales, and this one is no exception!
First, there's Brooke. Brooke has faced some really hard things in life, not the least being in an explosion in Afghanistan, where she almost lost her life. Now she's back in the US trying to move on.
And then, there are deaths. And break ins. Her life is in danger, but why?!
Asher was a great hero. Strong. May I say heroic?! There when he was needed.
Asher was also in the army and found it hard to resume his normal life after he was sent back home.
Then, it became apparent that Brooke's life was in danger, and someone was doing their best to kill her.
Asher and Brooke were determined to find out what was going on and uncover truth.
They realized that the attacks on Brooke only began after photos of her were published, photos showing her having a last conversation with Michaels, an army guy who died in that explosion that almost killed Brooke.
The suspense was incredible. Twists, turns, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
There are enough clues given, I felt like I had solved part of the mystery before I reached the end of the book, but the pieces weren't all quite fitting together for me, until...
This is one of those books that you won't want to start reading unless you have enough time to sit down and read it all at once, from cover to cover!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
I liked the theme of the book how the author explored military personnel and the repercussions war has on them. It was nice to read about PTSD in a realistic way and show how hard it is to overcome this illness. The title is perfect for this story and was intriguing to read.
Two peoples lives collide in this action packed story as a dead body turns up and danger follows. The two main characters work well together and I liked how they each had a past that was similar.
It is a fast paced story that looks at the military and delivers an edge of your seat thrilling book with danger, adventure and a bit of romance. This is one book you don’t want to miss.
I received a copy of this book from Librarything Early Readers Program. The review is my own opinion.