Wounded Healer by Donna Fleisher Published by: Zondervan (2005) 293 pages Rating: 8/10 Buy it Now:    Also by Donna Fleisher: Warrior's Heart Valiant Hope

Now here's a subject matter I haven't seen before: the story of two women who served in the military together, specifically Operation Desert Storm. Erin Grayson and Christina McIntyre served as part of a medical evacuation team and became close friends, until the incident that revealed a secret from Chris's past.

Since then, Chris has specialized in running away from Erin and anyone else who might get close enough to actually understand her. When tragedy devastates her life again, she's ready to end it all, until Erin shows up on her doorstep, with a friendship and love that will not quit.

While the heart of this story is a psychological drama, a friendship story, so to speak, there's plenty of action as well. The story opens with an incredibly tense standoff with a desperate criminal and a Search and Rescue team. Plenty of flashbacks to Desert Storm and the leadup to it pepper the ongoing narrative as well.

Chris is afraid of God, afraid of living, afraid of loving. Erin loves too much to let her friend (whom she hasn't seen in years) slip away. Her faith clashes with Chris's fear and Erin's husband Scott's suspicion.

The story grabbed me from the beginning and held on throughout. It slipped only a little when Erin introduced Chris to a large group of friend and co-workers mid-way through the book. I was worried that the cast was about to expand dramatically, but the new characters remained mostly in the background, leaving the focus where it should be: on Erin and Chris.

Ironically, I read the entire book without realizing when it was supposed to be taking place. I wondered if it was supposed to be prior to 2001, since there were no references to current events in Iraq. I say "ironically" because it turns out that the date "January 1996" is plastered on one of the first pages, facing the first chapter. I missed it, so it's good to mention it here, in case anyone else does...

Everyone needs a friend like Erin, a friend who sticks closer than a brother, who reflects Christ's love in every way. I loved seeing her refusal to surrender, to give up on Chris. The only part I hated was the tension this created in her marriage, but that's apparently intended to lead to future stories, if the preview at the end of the book is any indication.

Both of these characters are strong and compelling, worth reading more about. Recommended.