Review: Battlefronts Aren't All Fought Overseas
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 24, 2012
Jessica Scott does a fabulous job of bringing the world of the American military both on the home front and in the action zone to life in this fictional tale.  This book was so compelling in many ways.  It has action, intrigue, die-for-you friendships, intrigue, and at the heart of it all a touching romance.The story doesn't pull any punches of what life for our troops and their families is like when thousands of miles and lots of danger separate them.Truthfully, though much of the story surrounds Shane and Jen, there are several storylines taking place.  There are many characters and they are all well written with depth to them.  Shane's buddies are so well written they hijack the scene many times and the three gals back home are just a triumvirate of gal power together.The story begins stateside just before Shane's unit is deployed.  He and Jen make a brief but serious connection that he takes with him to Iraq and she returns to in her mind as she works as a nurse in the military hospital on base and helps her friend with the military family readiness group.  Then the story switches POV between Shane in Iraq and Jen in Ft. Hood until Shane is injured and flown home to Ft. Hood where Jen is his nurse.  In the mean time his buddy Carponti is shipped home while his other buddy Trent continues to lead his men in Iraq.  Each man comes back with his own inner demons to fight along with the painful process of healing.  Underlying even these difficulties, something odd is going on in their unit overseas and a pain in the butt Lieutenant has been sent home to investigate a few missing pieces of equipment that he is trying to pin on Shane and the boys.Shane has lost everything when he is shipped home barely in one piece.  He has lost his independence, his home, and his career.  He has no family and no money.  But could this be the beginning of something new for him?Jen has her own inner demons though she chose to bide her time before revealing them to Shane when he challenges her that she cannot understand what he is going through.  But she can and she does . . . and she is strong enough to bring him back from the black pit of despair just when he needs her most though she and he do not know this yet.Stories of this nature are not for everyone, but I have to say this one touched me.  I recommend this story if you wish to have a snapshot of what living the military life is like.  I grew up in the military so I was pleased by the knowledge and use of the special 'talk' as well as the feel of the world this story is set in.  There were some dangling threads so I am truly crossing my fingers for a sequel.  Hard to believe this is a debut author!