Out of the Ashes by R.C. Boldt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars Phoenix /fēniks/: (in classical mythology) a unique bird inhabiting the Arabian Desert that burned itself on a funeral pyre before rising from the ashes with renewed youth to live through another cycle. This isn’t mythology, it’s war, and Hendy is left in the hands of Hell’s cruelest gatekeepers. His team is killed before his very eyes, and despite his efforts to save them, he’s captured and subjected to merciless torture—losing virtually every piece of his identity but his pulse. After his rescue, he returns home from Afghanistan, saddled with facing the daunting task of healing his physical scars as well as the invisible ones—his emotional demons. Dr. Presley Cole isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. Embarking on a new journey, she makes it her mission to prove to Hendy that his life isn’t over; that he’s worthy of love. Because sometimes even a phoenix needs help to rise… ********************************************* RC has become one of those authors that I don't really read the blurb, I just buy or request to review her book - because I know in my heart it's going to be 5 stars. This was NO EXCEPTION!!!! That girl can write. I met her at a book conference and I didn't fangirl because I hadn't read all her stuff...If I had read this book before I had gone I would have hugged the snot out of her. I absolutely adored this book. Can you tell that I loved this book?? I've already preordered it for 3 friends...1 of whom has PTSD. I work in mental health and I believe that this book is about as true in its facts as they come. Okay, enough of my word vomit of how awesome this book is and let's talk about the actual book... My thoughts on Hendy (Aka Cristiano Hendrixson) and former Navy SEAL. He's one hot guy until he's taken hostage while overseas and his entire unit is KIA. He's tortured for an entire year and presumed dead before being brought back to life and the states. He isn't just scarred internally but externally and now he's jaded. Enter Dr. Presley Cole, chiropractor and Jeopardy enthusiast who wants to heal Hendy from the inside out. From the first page to the last page, I absolutely loved everything in between. I didn't find any inconsistencies or things that made me shake my head. Coming from a Navy family and having a dad who was Navy, I know the information that should be in there and I hate when I read a book and it's incorrect - this wasn't!! I want a Kane...I'll just throw it out there. The man is awesome and I can't wait for his story. If the cover looks just as good - If I lick it...it's MINE!! I've always had a thing for badass heroes but badass heroes who go through something that is tragic and come out on the other side better than they were before = Perfection. The next time I see RC, she better prepare to get a giant hug because coming from a Navy family - she did an awesome job and deserves the accolades and then also PTSD is all too common among our veterans and us as a society need to open our eyes and see it. It's a problem when the suicide rate among veterans is higher than it is for teenagers. Sit on that for a minute. When a veteran can't go and watch fireworks because it throws them into an episodic nightmare - there's a real problem. When they wear earplugs to these events and they do...I've spoken with a couple that says it's easier to do that than to skip out on what their families want - What are we doing? For me, this is a real issue with no end in sight. It's my cause and this book touched me in a way that very few have. Some may say "Oh, it's just fiction!" but to be honest...we live in a world where this happens. Go to Walter Reed Medical and you'll see it. I had the pleasure to review this and I'm glad I did. If you get the pleasure to read it, then do it. It's worth your time. Veterans are worth your time and the next time you see one...Instead of thanking them for their service - Donate to the Wounded Warrior Project Wounded Warrior Project I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher/author for an honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's. View all my reviews
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
|