Review: In Good Company: Duncan, John, and Chad
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 25, 2012
**********Content: Dream sex, bloody gore, lots of F-bombs but minimal profanity :-)**********Nearly 4 stars for this heart-warming, compelling novella -- and since close counts in hand grenades, it counts here. I have read my share of military romances, so I was definitely intrigued by this story line, and JM Madden did not disappoint. Perhaps some of her success can be attributed to her own career in law enforcement, and to the fact that she asked at least one military expert to critique her work.This quick read is the prequel to her Lost and Found Series. It's not a romance, but the upcoming sequels will be romances -- and probably romantic suspense, given that the heroes open an investigation and protection agency, aptly named Lost and Found Investigative Services, or LNF.Madden introduces us to three brave Marines -- Duncan, John, and Chad -- all injured badly in Iraq in 2007. Although they were not strangers -- the Corps in Iraq is a small world -- their tight bond develops and is cemented in Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Bethesda, Maryland). The wounded trio become brothers while recovering in the hospital, over the course of about 7 months or so.!! Characters, with mild spoilers !!  -- but much of this is mentioned in the synopsis:1. Company First Sergeant Duncan Wilde, age 40, a brilliant tactician, a military strategist, and quite intelligent. Duncan must deal with the fear of paralysis, a broken pelvis, a cracked vertebra, and severe burns. On top of this, he's gotta contend with rejection from his feckless fiancée. But Duncan is one confident guy -- a leader and a learner. Moreover, he is supported by his family, who visit from Colorado and offer him a job. Duncan has gotta come up with a plan -- an occupation -- cuz he sure doesn't want to watch print dry in the family business for the rest of his life. I really liked the parts where Duncan ... (no, that's a spoiler).2. Gunnery Sergeant John Palmer (aka Gunny or Gunny John), age 34-ish, from North Carolina, is highly trained in weapons, explosives, etc. He had no close ties to Duncan or Chad before they met in the hospital, but he had some slight acquaintance with Chad. He has no family and gets virtually no visitors at the hospital for all these many months, so he must face paralysis on his own -- how crappy is that -- until Duncan becomes his roomy. However, Gunny welcomes Duncan with a battery of F-bombs, because he's NOT a happy camper, plus he has a chip on his shoulder. It was funny -- but sad -- hearing John reply to everyone's solicitous enquiries with an F-U. I don't like too much swearing normally, but anyone would want to cuss -- he's not only paralyzed in both legs, he can't get an erection!! And he had a reputation as a good lover! Is there possibly a romance in store for Gunny John? Madden thinks so. (Loved the scene when he had such a great day, towards the end!)3. Sergeant Chad Lowell is the youngest of the three, age unclear. He's an easy-going charmer from Texas with a supportive family and a ranch just waiting for him...if he wants it. His laid-back personality hides a shrewd intelligence and a keen sensitivity towards others. Chad worries about John, paralyzed in both legs -- will he take his own life as soon as he's released?? He feels bonded to John, because John calmed him down during his first full-out PTSD attack. He also feels bonded to Duncan, who was his HIGHLY ESTEEMED company first sergeant. Soon, Chad will be fit for a prosthetic, to replace his lower left leg. How well will it take? Will he overcome his PTSD, which is rather severe? And what about his weakened left arm?While the men slowly heal -- to various degrees -- we learn how each one got injured. Madden doesn't pull her punches, but it was bearable, and I have a soft stomach. She describes the sand, the heat, the grit, the blood, the bone, and the gore. One scene that stands out is when Chad tried to warn his comrade to only step in human tracks, avoiding landmines. "No!! Follow ... the footprints!"In only 20,000 words, Madden conveys a great deal. The men enjoy some (rare) laughter, oodles of home-made cookies, and -- oddly enough -- nightly Jeopardy games, but they also endure grim, hard dealing. These guys try to suck it up, but they're hurting and, frankly, terrified. Good thing they got each other...Seven months after leaving Walter Reed, the three are standing -- or not -- in their spanking new business, discussing office furniture and equipment. The stage is set for the sequel: John's story, coming out fairly early in 2013.I'm in.Flaws: I noted about 4 minor typos. The battles in Iraq were vividly portrayed, but I could use more descriptives to bring the hospital to life. Also, I'm no expert, but it seemed like the sentences were often short, and simple in structure.************