Review: A Welcome Addition to a Spectacular Series!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 12, 2014
The hero of this book first made his appearance is an earlier book in this series where his alcohol addiction brought him and others into harm's way.  It is a story that deals not only with the inner wounds of war, the willingness of many whose civilian experiences cause them to feel that the only value they have is as warriors and as extraordinary leaders in conbat, as well as dealing with the unique and often misunderstood aspects of addiction and the challenges of recovery.  As one who worked with alcoholics and addicts, I appreciated the realistic depiction of the struggles Reza endured, the dysfunctional thinking that fed his addiction to drink and his deep need for connection he found met in his budding relationship with Emily.  Few understand that alcoholics are world's greatest loners, life of the party though they may seem.  Ultimately it is a one sided relationship with a bottle, with an inanimate substance that won't talk back but which ends up "biting the alcoholic in the butt."  This is not an easy book to read and it shouldn't be.  It is also about the "coming of age" of a young mental health professional whose exposure to the brokenness in those who return from combat becomes overwhelming when one commits suicide right in front of her.  This is one of the books we all need to read to understand better the challenges our warriors face in coming home, in failing to find the sense of purpose in civilian life or even in Stateside military life they find in being a part of the pressures of combat.  Reza's experience is far to common and it behooves us readers to take the inner message that is at the core of this book to heart.  Thanks to Ms Scott for persevering in bringing this slice of military reality to us who are left behind.  Another fantastic read from a series that is "over the top."