Title:Ravaged River

Lindsay Cross

Series:Men of Mercy #6

Release Date :Jan 31 2016

Rating : 4 Stars

Special forces operative Hoyt Crowe wasn’t just damaged… he was broken. After suffering brutal torture in captivity, his once lively spirit is shattered. Now his greatest adversary isn’t some unknown terrorist in a foreign country, it’s himself.

Hayden James watched Hoyt slide into a private purgatory of post-traumatic stress disorder, taking her heart with him. No longer warm and loving, he is cold. Hardened. A shell of his former self.

When an old enemy threatens Hayden’s life, Hoyt must find the strength to slay his inner demons or lose the woman he loves forever.

“Ravaged River” was not my “First Rodeo” with Lindsay Cross’s “Men of Mercy”. Even if I have not been following up the line of Books, it is still an easy enough standalone.

At least once you read the first few pages. The story shows no mercy (pun intended) to reader. It paces at such a high speed that I felt almost out of control at times.

I had to stop and take a deep breath at times before continuing. The story itself is as complex and confusing when it comes to the military parts of it – as it is simple and easy when it comes to the relationship between Hoyt and Hayden.

There is no question really that they belong together – the only question is when Hoyt will realize that (if ever).

Hayden really does her best to continue her life but it is easy to see how much she struggles.

Hoyt is really deep inside the purgatory of his own mind and at times not even able to see what is right in front of him.

Their story is told believable insofar as that the reader can relate to their feelings. And even the complex plotline – years ago I might have said that such stuff can not happen – but I guess recent history teaches us otherwise.

So – yeah – the reader is invited to relate to those characters as hard as that might sound – it is unfortunately possible.

Great story – well written –

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