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Hidden Valor #0.5
Invisible Wounds : Prequel Novella
The deepest wounds are invisible...
Former US Army Special Agent Kate Holland once spent eleven horrific hours as a POW in Afghanistan. Hours she doesn't quite remember. Now medically retired, Kate's investigator's badge has long since rusted—along with her confidence and courage.
Kate's crawled back to her childhood home in Braxton, Arkansas, and she's finally ready to admit why. It's time to put her affairs in order. But when a fellow vet loses his own private battle, Kate must put his last wish ahead of hers. As she executes it, she's drawn into yet another war. This one's stateside.
This isn't the first time Kate's had to put her life on the line for another. But even if she succeeds, how will she ever find the strength to defeat her raging demons and self-doubt—and live?
Written by a former US Navy Lt., Invisible Wounds is a prequel novella to the Hidden Valor military veteran/K-9 suspense series & features Ruger—Kate's 3 yr old German Shepherd & self-appointed therapy dog.
Please Note: Graphic crime scenes abound throughout the Hidden Valor books. This series also contains a raw & honest portrayal of PTSD. If you like strong, female protagonists and seriously gritty, complex suspense that twists and turns all the way to The End, you'll love Candace Irving's Hidden Valor series.
Former US Army Special Agent Kate Holland once spent eleven horrific hours as a POW in Afghanistan. Hours she doesn't quite remember. Now medically retired, Kate's investigator's badge has long since rusted—along with her confidence and courage.
Kate's crawled back to her childhood home in Braxton, Arkansas, and she's finally ready to admit why. It's time to put her affairs in order. But when a fellow vet loses his own private battle, Kate must put his last wish ahead of hers. As she executes it, she's drawn into yet another war. This one's stateside.
This isn't the first time Kate's had to put her life on the line for another. But even if she succeeds, how will she ever find the strength to defeat her raging demons and self-doubt—and live?
Written by a former US Navy Lt., Invisible Wounds is a prequel novella to the Hidden Valor military veteran/K-9 suspense series & features Ruger—Kate's 3 yr old German Shepherd & self-appointed therapy dog.
Please Note: Graphic crime scenes abound throughout the Hidden Valor books. This series also contains a raw & honest portrayal of PTSD. If you like strong, female protagonists and seriously gritty, complex suspense that twists and turns all the way to The End, you'll love Candace Irving's Hidden Valor series.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2023
75 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Candace Irving
10 books1,358 followersA former US Navy Lt., CANDACE IRVING is the daughter of a librarian and a retired US Navy chief. Candace grew up in the Philippines, Germany, and all over the United States. Her senior year of high school, she enlisted in the US Army. Following basic training, she transferred to the Navy’s ROTC program at the University of Texas-Austin. While at UT, she spent a summer in Washington, DC, as a Congressional Intern. She also worked security for the UT Police. BA in Political Science in hand, Candace was commissioned as an ensign in the US Navy and sent to Surface Warfare Officer’s School to learn to drive warships. From there, she followed her father to sea.
Candace is married to her favorite soldier, a former US Army Combat Engineer. They live in the American Midwest, where the Army/Navy football game is avidly watched and argued over every year.
Go Navy! Beat Army!
Visit https://candaceirving.com/newsletter to sign up for Candace's newsletter & receive a free book.
*Candace also writes military romantic suspense under Candace Irvin.
Candace is married to her favorite soldier, a former US Army Combat Engineer. They live in the American Midwest, where the Army/Navy football game is avidly watched and argued over every year.
Go Navy! Beat Army!
Visit https://candaceirving.com/newsletter to sign up for Candace's newsletter & receive a free book.
*Candace also writes military romantic suspense under Candace Irvin.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 27, 2023
I got this book and was planning on reading it in a few weeks. But when I saw the profile pic of Ruger on the cover I knew that I'd be reading it now! I'm a sucker for any story that has a dog in it. At the beginning I was tied up with getting into a story about Kate Holland after having already read previous books that described her exploits. Sometimes prequels will do that.
Kate is dealing with debilitating pain, terrors, and flashbacks to her time in the Afghan Sandbox after being wounded in an IED explosion. Much of her memory regarding that experience is lost to the ether. But night terrors can leave her nearly anywhere on her 100+ acre farm at all hours of the day, mostly the night, with no memory of having gotten there. Her PTSD is not unique to her. A dear friend from childhood through the years of military actions is one who could not deals with his demons. This plants the seed of considering the same exit plan for herself. But before she can complete her plans, Kate finds herself dealing with a confluence of several scenarios that seem disconnected but in reality share some common threads.
Kate, however, is still preparing for her "exit" and, by the grace of God is distracted from that goal when she hears gunshots on her property that rips her from her "goal" and drives her to investigate the origin and cause of the gunshots. She stumbles upon a wounded German shepherd alongside her guest cabin. He is bleeding out quickly and this causes Kate to shift her entire attention on saving the life of the dog, who is eventually name "Ruger" because Kate saw the shooter who was carrying a Ruger long rifle. Getting the dog to a veterinarian friend barely in time Kate wants to leave to finish her plan. But those eyes, the eyes that looked to Kate to save him. When the vet finishes his work Kate goes to visit/sit with Ruger and immediately responds to Kate in such a way as to melt Kate's self-constructed shell she had built to keep the world out and her terror contained. This is the part where every dog lover will melt. Is Kate healed because of this interaction? No way! But Ruger's doing his part. How could Kate not do hers?
Kate is dealing with debilitating pain, terrors, and flashbacks to her time in the Afghan Sandbox after being wounded in an IED explosion. Much of her memory regarding that experience is lost to the ether. But night terrors can leave her nearly anywhere on her 100+ acre farm at all hours of the day, mostly the night, with no memory of having gotten there. Her PTSD is not unique to her. A dear friend from childhood through the years of military actions is one who could not deals with his demons. This plants the seed of considering the same exit plan for herself. But before she can complete her plans, Kate finds herself dealing with a confluence of several scenarios that seem disconnected but in reality share some common threads.
Kate, however, is still preparing for her "exit" and, by the grace of God is distracted from that goal when she hears gunshots on her property that rips her from her "goal" and drives her to investigate the origin and cause of the gunshots. She stumbles upon a wounded German shepherd alongside her guest cabin. He is bleeding out quickly and this causes Kate to shift her entire attention on saving the life of the dog, who is eventually name "Ruger" because Kate saw the shooter who was carrying a Ruger long rifle. Getting the dog to a veterinarian friend barely in time Kate wants to leave to finish her plan. But those eyes, the eyes that looked to Kate to save him. When the vet finishes his work Kate goes to visit/sit with Ruger and immediately responds to Kate in such a way as to melt Kate's self-constructed shell she had built to keep the world out and her terror contained. This is the part where every dog lover will melt. Is Kate healed because of this interaction? No way! But Ruger's doing his part. How could Kate not do hers?
November 19, 2023
I am so glad that this prequel was written.
Explaining PTSD to anyone is hard enough but living it is even harder.
When a friend commits suicide and the main character of this series is thinking to do the same, what can save her?
An injured dog comes to the rescue.
Very well written and full of what allows the reader to be part of a hidden community of people that sometimes are treated as if they should have recovered from their experiences and be able to fit right back into civilian life when the opposite is true.
Explaining PTSD to anyone is hard enough but living it is even harder.
When a friend commits suicide and the main character of this series is thinking to do the same, what can save her?
An injured dog comes to the rescue.
Very well written and full of what allows the reader to be part of a hidden community of people that sometimes are treated as if they should have recovered from their experiences and be able to fit right back into civilian life when the opposite is true.
June 13, 2025
Invisible Wounds by Candice Irving is a Prequel novella in the Hidden Valor series. This book introduces us to former US Army Special Agent Kate Holland and tells of how she was injured and medically retired with severe psychological issues. Returning to her home in Bruxton, Arkansas, and following the suicide of a colleague, she plans to do the same when she becomes caught up in a crime. We also find out the circumstances where she meets Ruger, a German Shepherd pup. A brilliant prequel that I could not put down and I can't wait to see what happens next. So glad that I read this first. The author does an amazing job with describing the symptoms and effects of PTSD.
March 15, 2025
4.5 stars
April 17, 2025
I don't remember how I found out about this series of books but I'm glad I did. This is a prequel to the series about a former US Army detective and her dog Ruger.
This isn't exactly an easy read as it deals with PTSD, war, animal death, and all kinds of other things that will ring you dry. but it is well written and makes me look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I enjoyed it quite a bit even with the emotional journey it puts you through.
This isn't exactly an easy read as it deals with PTSD, war, animal death, and all kinds of other things that will ring you dry. but it is well written and makes me look forward to reading the rest of the series.
I enjoyed it quite a bit even with the emotional journey it puts you through.
July 21, 2024
Phenomenal story
This book is extremely well written, it involves the dark subjects of PTSD, suicide and the harsh reality of never being able to go home again.
An Iraqi war veteran and former MP, Kate Holland is medically discharged from the army and goes back to the home of her teenaged years. It is a small town where everyone, knows everyone else’s business, an eighteen year old Kate, couldn’t wait to leave and shake its legacy from her skin. Her father is now dead and she is offered his old job as deputy but she is far from ready for that responsibility. Kate is scarred inside and out, riddled with PTSD, living with night terrors and sleepwalking experiences, she is barely hanging onto her sanity, when a childhood friend and another veteran, loses his battle with PTSD and suicides. Kate decides to tidy her affairs and follow in his footsteps, fate however has other plans.
This book is extremely well written, it involves the dark subjects of PTSD, suicide and the harsh reality of never being able to go home again.
An Iraqi war veteran and former MP, Kate Holland is medically discharged from the army and goes back to the home of her teenaged years. It is a small town where everyone, knows everyone else’s business, an eighteen year old Kate, couldn’t wait to leave and shake its legacy from her skin. Her father is now dead and she is offered his old job as deputy but she is far from ready for that responsibility. Kate is scarred inside and out, riddled with PTSD, living with night terrors and sleepwalking experiences, she is barely hanging onto her sanity, when a childhood friend and another veteran, loses his battle with PTSD and suicides. Kate decides to tidy her affairs and follow in his footsteps, fate however has other plans.
November 15, 2023
Invisible Wounds - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
Candace Irving's thrilling series, A Kate Holland Suspense novel, Invisible Wounds, brings the PTSD caused by US Army Special Agent Kate's military past erupting horrifically into her present life, taking her to the edge of despair.
Confrontation with a former schoolmate, now a predator of teen girls, the loss of one former comrade-in-arms and the desperation of another, drag her into a downward emotional maelstrom that can only end one way...or will it?
Who's Ruger and how does he turn her life around?
An amazing small-town thriller that packs a huge emotional punch, get your copy of Invisible Wounds by Candace Irving, today.
Guaranteed to grip you firmly by the imagination throughout - don't miss it!
Candace Irving's thrilling series, A Kate Holland Suspense novel, Invisible Wounds, brings the PTSD caused by US Army Special Agent Kate's military past erupting horrifically into her present life, taking her to the edge of despair.
Confrontation with a former schoolmate, now a predator of teen girls, the loss of one former comrade-in-arms and the desperation of another, drag her into a downward emotional maelstrom that can only end one way...or will it?
Who's Ruger and how does he turn her life around?
An amazing small-town thriller that packs a huge emotional punch, get your copy of Invisible Wounds by Candace Irving, today.
Guaranteed to grip you firmly by the imagination throughout - don't miss it!
December 8, 2023
I have read all of the Kate Holland books which I believe are excellent examples of detective work and of military veterans’ experiences working to return to civilian life with all the complexities that entails. This is a new work and a prequel to the series. Again, an excellent read particularly with a more extensive backstory to Kate and her time as a MP then with CID while overseas. I might just have to reread this series with this new information and perspective.
December 11, 2023
This is an amazing book. I have enjoyed all of the Kate Holland books and each one has been better than the one before. But this book had me in tears and just broken hearted over the story line, the PTSD that our Veterans face. I have never served myself, but my husband is a Vietnam Veteran and the things these men and women have faced is simply hurts your heart.
Very good, very well written, just the best.
Very good, very well written, just the best.
December 17, 2023
Background information on how Kate got where she is now. An interesting but sad story because our vets with PTSD are committing suicide. I have known two men with PTSD. One made the choose that the man in this book did. The other ended up divorced. He had accidentally tried to strangle his wife while having a nightmare. I wish more of them got more help. I liked the ending on this story. Very sad in some parts. The only thing in my ARC I didn't like was use of profanity.
December 22, 2024
This story is the first in a great series. Kate is a exceptionally gifted woman, but also struggles with a lot of serious problems. In this book you can read how most of these problems started. And throughout the rest of the series we see Kate handling all this. You really learn to know Kate and her friends, and once started the books are almost impossible to lay down. Candace does a great job in developing her characters.
December 14, 2023
Good Read
I read books 1, 2, and 3 of this series before I knew about and read this book. It was nice to finally hear Kate and Ruger’s beginning. Everyone, human and animal deserves to have someone love them unconditionally, and you can tell from the start that Kate and Ruger have that love for each other.
I read books 1, 2, and 3 of this series before I knew about and read this book. It was nice to finally hear Kate and Ruger’s beginning. Everyone, human and animal deserves to have someone love them unconditionally, and you can tell from the start that Kate and Ruger have that love for each other.
December 4, 2023
Brilliant
I have been where Kate Hallond has been and it was a dog that pulled me out . So glad to read the origin story of Ruger. Now I am going to re-read the rest of the books. Bravo.
I have been where Kate Hallond has been and it was a dog that pulled me out . So glad to read the origin story of Ruger. Now I am going to re-read the rest of the books. Bravo.
December 20, 2023
I really love this series and I love to read more but when towards the end I actually thought it was a bit run-down and that makes me sad coz I know Candace can so much better, so I am looking forward to her next book in this series and hope it will be better
January 4, 2024
What a fantastic book!!
Wow.. Amazing story! I don't know how you do it but I love your writing! Of course I was bawling my eyes out for a lot of it. But I'm serious.. I love your books!
Wow.. Amazing story! I don't know how you do it but I love your writing! Of course I was bawling my eyes out for a lot of it. But I'm serious.. I love your books!
July 11, 2024
How Kate and Ruger save each other.
Captivating read. It is rather short. I read it in one afternoon! Tells the back story of how Kate and Ruger find each other. Touches on some painful truths about combat and PTSD.
Captivating read. It is rather short. I read it in one afternoon! Tells the back story of how Kate and Ruger find each other. Touches on some painful truths about combat and PTSD.
December 16, 2024
best lead
Best to read this first but I didn’t. Definitely enjoyed even though I had read latter stories first. This series sticks with the reader and buries into your heart 💜. Author is truly talented and knowledgeable. Well done 👍🏼
Best to read this first but I didn’t. Definitely enjoyed even though I had read latter stories first. This series sticks with the reader and buries into your heart 💜. Author is truly talented and knowledgeable. Well done 👍🏼
January 3, 2025
Phenomenal!
What can I say? This prequel was a lot darker than the rest of the series just because it deals with the big S. The story really brings you into the mind of a veteran dealing with ptsd. Another great story by Candace.
What can I say? This prequel was a lot darker than the rest of the series just because it deals with the big S. The story really brings you into the mind of a veteran dealing with ptsd. Another great story by Candace.
November 21, 2023
This is an amazing story. I couldn’t put it down. An edge of the seat page turner. Keep your tissues handy.
December 8, 2023
I love this author's writing which brings a lot of her experiences and history to the pages in a wonderful way. This story will rock you in so many ways so be prepared with the tissues!
February 5, 2024
I really liked this novella. I am definitely looking forward to reading this series. Unfortunately, the story is an all too realistic narrative of what happens to way too many of our vets.
February 20, 2025
This book is so good. I’m not ex military so I don’t have any real world experience with what defence personnel go through. I do think that this book is pretty close to the mark.
April 22, 2025
Made me cry
October 11, 2025
Great Prequel
The details. Her thought processes. And knowing how far she had gone to end things only to fall in love and prepare to live. Great story.
The details. Her thought processes. And knowing how far she had gone to end things only to fall in love and prepare to live. Great story.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews