Review: Not 'An Excellent First Book', But An Excellent Book, Period
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 19, 2011
I bought this book because a whole covey of my favorite romance authors recommended it; so how could I not? The good news: They were right. The bad news: It will be several months before Scott's next book comes out.Sergeant Shane Garrison has just been divorced by his philandering wife and is on his way back into Iraq when he meets Jen St. James. The attraction bewteen them is immediate, but he's determined not to get involved with anyone, and she's hiding a secret - considering herself damaged goods after a life-altering battle with breast cancer. The very next day, Garrison finds himself in Jen's medical checkout line, and it is she who must give him medical clearance to return to Iraq. But Shane's not fit for duty, and when Jen finds fresh stitches on his abdomen, he begs her to clear him. Against her better judgement, she does.Months later, Shane is back at Ft. Hood, hospitalized with dreadful wounds.Jen, of course, feels responsible for his injuries. After all, if she hadn't cleared him for combat, he wouldn't have been in Iraq.As one of a cadre of medical people who provide his care, she gradually comes to love Garrison, in spite of his frequent spells of irascibility. Trying to help him heal, physically and emotionally, Jen is finally able to share her own scars, and in the process continues down her own road to recovery.Jessica Scott is a fresh new voice in women's fiction. Her writing is unique and fearless, her dialogue as genuine as it comes. Her honest, insightful characters are wonderful additions to the genre. I'll buy anything with her name on it.