Finding Peace

Title: Finding Peace

Author: T. A. Chase

Publisher: Amber Quill Press

Publisher URL: http://www.amberquill.com

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-61124-575-2

Rating: 3.5 Nymphs

Genre: {M/M} Contemporary Series

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Chad Mitchell’s life is out of control. Suffering from PTSD from his deployment in Afghanistan and his long-term use of alcohol, he can barely function. He’s been working at Cookie’s Diner but even that job has become more than he can cope with.

After recovering from his war injuries and beating his own addiction, Sergeant Zane Smithson is checking up on the men he served with in Afghanistan. When he gets to the diner, he discovers Chad has gone missing and sets out to find him. He’s been attracted to the younger man since they served together and now that they have a chance at being a couple, he’s determined to do whatever is necessary to help him overcome the demons destroying Chad’s life.

Finding Peace is the second release in Nowhere Diner series by TA Chase. This story takes up shortly after the first book ends, so I recommend they be read in order.

Finally. It’s been nearly five years. I was beginning to despair Chad’s story would ever be told, so I was pleased to learn that Finding Peace was being published.  After being introduced to this wounded man in the previous release I was curious as to his story—what, in his past, had formed him into the present man. The personal history the author created is painful but rich in details and is believable, whether it’s events from his childhood or military service. I got caught up in his story and what dealing with it—or maybe I should say not dealing with it—had done to him and his life. Nearly destroyed it.

I enjoyed Zane just as much and appreciated that his past is just as varied—and injured as Chad’s. He’d just chosen to deal with it differently. That’s what’s so compelling about this tale. It shows how people deal with pain and tragedy differently and it sets them on paths of healing or destruction.

We’re told Zane and Chad had a previous attraction. And when they actually begin a true relationship, while it’s rather quick given Chad’s situation, the author makes it work. And they do make a good couple. What my big issue is Chad’s recovery. It’s quick. Too quick considering how many years he was plagued with inner turmoil and pain. From my viewpoint, I’m disappointed with a mention of the small amount of follow-up therapy. It doesn’t seem realistic for the situation. Still, I found the rest of the story enjoyable, with a smooth pace and good integration of previous characters. In fact, it looks like Quinn and Wes might be featured next. I’ll be watching and waiting to see if I’m right.