Picking Up The Pieces

by Brenda Adcock

Athon Dailey hasn't had many breaks in her life other than the ones she made for herself by living up to her reputation as a tough girl until she meets Lauren Shelton, a new girl at school in Duvalle, Texas. Tamed by Lauren's affection, Athon begins to believe there could be a brighter future. When Lauren's parents discover the growing relationship they send her away, making sure the two girls never have contact, leaving Athon alone and abandoned.Twenty years later the two women meet again. Athon has established a successful military career as a helicopter pilot while Lauren has returned to Duvalle to teach. It doesn't take long for them to rekindle their feelings for one another and they finally get the chance to rebuild their teenage dreams. Permanent happiness is within their grasp when Athon's unit is deployed.Athon comes home in a coma, diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. She awakens to find Lauren by her side to welcome her home. When Athon chooses to retire and return to Texas, neither realizes the twists and turns the journey home will take. The Athon Dailey who returned to Lauren is not the woman she remembers. In order for their relationship to survive, Lauren begins her search for the woman she loves. Will Athon finally find her way back to Lauren and the dream they both once had? Does Lauren have the courage to live with a woman who is now a stranger?

Genres: Romance, Military Fiction, Lesbian

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Originally from the Appalachian region of Eastern Tennessee, Brenda now lives in Central Texas, near Austin. She began writing in junior high school where she wrote an admittedly hokey western serial to entertain her friends. Completing her graduate studies in Eastern European history in 1971, she worked as a graphic artist, a public relations specialist for the military and a display advertising specialist until she finally had to admit that her mother might have been right and earned her teaching certification. For the last twenty-plus years she has taught world history and political science.

Brenda and her partner, Cheryl, have four grown children and three grandchildren. Rounding out their home are three temperamental cats and two dogs.

When she is not writing Brenda creates stained glass and shoots pool at her favorite bar. She is looking forward to retirement in 2013 and a move back to Knoxville, Tennesse, and her roots.

Reviews

[Jem · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book blurb pretty much describes the entire plot of the book. So, it was rather predictable until about 60%, when it started to get interesting. What is with these 'spoilery' blurbs? I am not criticizing the book, because it is very well written and I liked it immensely. But it would have been so much more of a page turner if I didn't know beforehand from the blurb what exactly would happen. I get that it is the author's intention to write a realistic book dealing w/PTSD and its effects on the victim's loved ones, but the potential for suspense was so much more. For example, in several instances, Athon's life was literally hanging by a thread, and Lauren is shown agonizing over it, but because we know (from the blurb) that she's gonna make it, we don't feel the urgency, even though suspense is clearly the author's intent. I can't help but compare this book to AJ Quinn's Show of Force. The plot is very similar, but the blurb of that book kept me totally in the dark...and only hinted at 'dangers' they might encounter. It's not necessarily a better book, but it succeeded both as a thriller and a drama. I love to be surprised and even shocked, and a little more discretion in blurb writing can make a book so much more enjoyable on more levels.

Now, on to the review: This is not a light read, as the lead character Athon can't seem to catch a break. Just when she has a chance at happiness, it is cruelly snatched from her--again and again. A few times, I wanted to stop reading because it was just so depressing. The first half of the book felt rather dry. The writing seemed detached ... like recounting events that happened in the their lives but not really delving deeper into the characters' minds or exploring their feelings. The instant reconnection after the 20 year split also felt a bit like a fanfic device--supposedly no one else ever came between them but how hard is it to find your lost love in this internet age? (sorry that was just nitpicking :))

The latter half of the book where the focus is more on Lauren and how she deals with Athon's PTSD is way better--more heartfelt, more heart-wrenching. Ironic, as nothing as horrific as the first half happens here, but this is the part where a box of tissues would come in handy. Even though the lead characters are portrayed here as flawed--weak or irritable or angry or just plain nuts, the second half of the book humanizes our heroines' struggle, and their journey to find each other again is what elevates this book to a great read.

So, to paraphrase a popular author, this isn't just a romance novel--it's a love story.

4 stars for the first half. 5 stars for the second half.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very heavy read, it is not a story where the soldier comes home a hero and lives happily ever after. This is the real story of the demons that most soldiers, who the world considers heroes, have to face once they leave the battlefield. Adcock has done a fantastic job of portraying both a soldier who is diagnosed with PTSD and the spouse of said soldier and what she has to contend with.

This story is brutally honest and shows the ugly truth of PTSD and the author chose the perfect timeframe in which to base her story because it shows the harsh reality of what the DADT policy did to same sex spouses of PTSD patients.

I like that although their is a love story that is being told, the author hasn't romanticised PTSD or the actions of those affected by it and I would actually really like a sequel to this story because I would love to know what happens with Shelby and Athon and Lauren.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good, heavy read dealing with PTSD and other issues associated with a combat veteran. Their struggles felt very real and I could empathize with both Lauren and Athon, for the most part (see spoiler). I was disappointed that Lauren cheated and acted like it was no big deal. Made her seem kind of selfish. Over all a good book.

[Lady Avalon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 rounded up.

[JWG1973UK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hard to read at times. I enjoyed the story line. The author really done her research on this one either that or has good knowledge about it.

I loved the characters of Athon and Lauren. You could tell from the beginning that they would be a great couple (IMO). I thought they were both loveable characters from the beginning. I liked the secondary characters of Pudge and Raynelle.

I would recommend giving it a read.

[Pin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read. Serious life issues dealt with well.

[Sascha Broich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traumatic childhood meets traumatic war experience. Astounding, that there is a positive outcome.

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this was a roller coaster of a story. Confusing to begin with as the story jumped about between decades and just as I settled in on one, it jumped back or forward. As the blurb says, TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) dominates the latter half, and at times it felt like a medical text book, but it moved me and, if feeling strong enough, a recommended read.

[Blink51n · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb of this book should really be classified as a 'blurt'. Seriously, this describes over 50% of the story.
Even still, I enjoyed this book. We lose Athon's POV half way through and I assume it's meant to mirror how she loses herself. I preferred Athon's narration to Lauren's, but it was interesting reading from the spouse's perspective. I would have liked less of the education/admin stuff.
This is no light read. It deals with a lot of dark and uncomfortable issues.
3.5 stars

[Bib · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating read that made me cry at certain parts, it feels a bit rushed towards the second half of the book.