Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason

Posted by abakersp in Mystery/Suspense, Reviews / Spotlights / 2 Comments

Hello my friends! I’m happy to report that I have been reading some fantastic books so far this year! WOW. I can’t get over how good they all are. Slowly but surely I’m getting my reviews written. For whatever reason I keep jumping from book to book. Just kind of got on a roll for lack of a better description. Do you ever get on a reading kick? It’s so wonderful don’t ya think!?

Today I’m sharing the first of (hopefully) a bunch of reviews in the coming days about all these delightful reads. Starting with Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason. All I can say is wow. This book was so good!! I’m still thinking about it.

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.

Amazon / Goodreads / Bookbub

I think this just might be my favorite Lynette Eason book of all time. WOW it was amazing from page one to the very end. I was sitting on the edge of my seat, fidgety until I could start reading again (why does work get in the way?!), and holding my breath through most of the action. This book has it all – suspense, twists, action, romance, surprises and more!

Here are some notes I took while reading (omitting any spoiler information):

Um the hero has a tattoo on his neck – Wowza!

Eason brings several real topics to light. Thankful for that.

The chemistry between Brooke and Asher is immediate. Yes I already love this couple.

Bringing Caden’s storyline is like solving two mysteries at once!

I cannot put this book down!

WOWZA. That kiss! Phew, get the fans going.

That moment the light bulb goes off and your heart breaks (because you figure out the who and you don’t like it!).

Oh that dirtbag!! (sorry can’t reveal more or you’ll figure out the whodunit)

Yeah, I was flipping through these pages as fast as my eyes would read them. Here are the emotions I went through while reading – surprise, fear, astonishment, disgust, surprise, love, shock, happiness, heartbreak, and delight. I don’t know how Eason managed to include all of these in one novel, but she did so brilliantly.

Now, one thing I do want to point out, and I don’t consider this a spoiler, is the way Eason dealt with Asher being from the military. Well both him and Brooke really, but it’s Asher’s interactions with his family, namely his brother, that really got to me. It made me wonder how many other service men and women deal with families in the same way – either ashamed or embarrassed by their decision to enter the military. And maybe that’s not how they truly feel at all, maybe it’s shock, denial, or just the fact that they don’t understand. I was really touched by this part of the storyline, and it made me want to make even more sure that I treat our service people with more respect and dignity than I do now.

Collateral Damage is an engaging story with a side of romance, and real world issues. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“Just like that she trusted him to do what was best for her. For them. It kind of blew him away.”

Lynette Eason

Award-winning, best-selling author, Lynette Eason writes for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line and for Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Her books have hit the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won numerous awards such as the prestigious Carol Award, the Selah, the Daphne, the IRCC award and more. Lynette is married, has two children, and lives in Greenville, SC.

Connect with her at www.lynetteeason.com!

What was the last book that had your emotions going all over the place!?

2 responses to “Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason