Special Forces: Operation Alpha; Heroes in Hardhats Series by L.J. Vickery

Zaine “Zero” Oates grew up under the worst of circumstances; trapped in a troubled life he never talks about. With hard work and perseverance, he reached his goal of becoming a Navy SEAL, but a dozen years into his dream-career, an insurgent with a knife inflicts an injury, cutting his military tenure short. Life after the teams looks pretty bleak until Tex the miracle-man sets him up with a job working for an ex-Army Combat Engineer building homes for wounded Vets... moreZaine “Zero” Oates grew up under the worst of circumstances; trapped in a troubled life he never talks about. With hard work and perseverance, he reached his goal of becoming a Navy SEAL, but a dozen years into his dream-career, an insurgent with a knife inflicts an injury, cutting his military tenure short. Life after the teams looks pretty bleak until Tex the miracle-man sets him up with a job working for an ex-Army Combat Engineer building homes for wounded Vets. What he doesn’t count on when agreeing to come to Pleinfield, is forming a crush on the mystifying local librarian…a woman who clearly harbors deep secrets of her own. Ginny “Sparkle” Smith—up and coming actress—is laying low, her current life as a small-town librarian giving her the cover she needs to hide from her stalker. But the stress is getting to her. When will her exile end? She yearns for a life outside her small duplex apartment and the little library’s story-hours, but as long as someone is after her, she’ll never be able to return to the big stage in New York. When an additional monkey-wrench gets thrown into the works, in the guise of a handsome, curly-haired ex-soldier who wants to date, how can she let her guard down and say yes? But how can she say no? Danger is in the air, but so is love. less

Colt “Heath” Fillyn lost an eye in an explosion of shrapnel, and since then, he’s also lost his sense of place in the world. He’s always viewed the universe with the soul of a poet, but nothing takes the lyricism out of life more than war. After witnessing the devastation to his team that day, he no longer wears rose colored glasses. He still sings on occasion, attempting to at least appear normal, but he’s stopped composing... moreColt “Heath” Fillyn lost an eye in an explosion of shrapnel, and since then, he’s also lost his sense of place in the world. He’s always viewed the universe with the soul of a poet, but nothing takes the lyricism out of life more than war. After witnessing the devastation to his team that day, he no longer wears rose colored glasses. He still sings on occasion, attempting to at least appear normal, but he’s stopped composing. Hell, he hasn’t even seen his parents since his discharge and recovery because…well…they’ d know he wasn’t himself. Then along came Freedom.Freedom Laramey, a nurse at the local hospital and the director of a safe-house for battered women, has a huge secret. Up until Colt enters her life, she hasn’t really minded that her past makes her live a reclusive, half engaged life. But the possibility of being with Colt has her eager to throw off those weighty shackles and grab onto some happiness. Her heart soars when he’s around, but her brain admonishes. It’s not fair to give Colt hope, when she can never honestly be his. less

There isn’t a speck of ambiguity in what the Navy doctors told Garvin “Echo” Tibes when he was discharged. He is slowly going deaf. After all the strife he’s had to put up with in his life, this is the capper. He’s bitter and disillusioned; the only thing giving him any comfort at all is the degree to which he’s been able to hone his other senses... moreThere isn’t a speck of ambiguity in what the Navy doctors told Garvin “Echo” Tibes when he was discharged. He is slowly going deaf. After all the strife he’s had to put up with in his life, this is the capper. He’s bitter and disillusioned; the only thing giving him any comfort at all is the degree to which he’s been able to hone his other senses. Roaming the streets of the nearby small city at night without his hearing aids has added to his sharpness, which is a good thing, because so far he sucks at sign language, and reading lips is incredibly frustrating. The crew at Safety’s whom he’s come to revere, doesn’t think less of him for his progressive condition. Hell, they all have challenges of their own. But Echo continues to be hard on himself. There’s no way he’s going to become a burden to anyone. Not even the intriguing Sonny, who’s just come into his life. Sonora “Sonny” Lashlee is a music therapist by day, a bartender by night. She’s also a lucky sweepstakes winner, which means she doesn’t have to work, but she won’t leave her jobs. They give her the personal satisfaction and social outlets she needs. Everything seems fine, if not very exciting, until one day it becomes clear someone is out to end her life. She can’t imagine why. She has no enemies; no ex-students or customers with axes to grind. She also has no close friends. So when Echo comes to her rescue with the help of a garden gnome, she embraces his protection with open arms. Of course, it would be an added bonus if Echo would welcome her with the same enthusiasm he gives his job, but something is holding him back. less