Forged in Fire

Scott’s well-constructed third Fort Hood contemporary (after After the War) providers an insider’s view into the trials and triumphs of military life when love gets in the way. After seeing combat in Iraq, Capt. Sal Bello is Stateside at Fort Hood preparing his troops to go to war. When one of his platoon sergeants gets into a bar fight that’s indicative of some of the other problems he is having with his platoon, Sgt. Holly Washington is assigned to replace him. Though Sal initially bristles at having Holly imposed on his company, he comes to respect her opinions. The physical attraction between Sal and Holly is evident from almost their first meeting, but they don’t act on that attraction right away, adding sensual tension to their eventual intimate encounters. Scott entices readers with her ability to portray the intricacies of military life and the dangers of a forbidden romance, with risks that go far beyond those faced by most bosses and subordinates. Those unfamiliar with military terminology might need to read a little more carefully, but will be rewarded with a fast-paced story revealing the deep humanity of even the gruffest, toughest soldiers. [em](BookLife) [/em]