by Reiss, CD
As always, thank you to my readers: The new ones for taking a chance on a genre-straddling series and the old for sticking with me. I hope I can continue to entertain you for years to come.
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I took liberties with history, military procedure, and medicine. I’ve listed them below in the order they occurred to me. There are probably more I’m not aware of. I apologize if any of these took you out of the story.
There was no major shamal (sandstorm) in Baghdad in 2007. There was one in 2005 and 2008. The May storms are called Al-Haffir or “the driller,” which is a fact irrelevant to this list but delightful nonetheless.
Surgeons didn’t go with medevacs regularly until 2011. Their presence saved lives, but not in 2007.
Medical teams worked for eight days straight at the outset of Phantom Fury (the second battle of Fallujah) with minimal rest. I have no evidence they were being given amphetamine or any other performance-enhancing drug.
Abu Ghraib was the site of horrible acts of torture I never want to see again. As far as I am able to ascertain, the Department of Defense did not order these specific acts as a way to “use their culture against them.” Ronin’s quote is an expression of my belief that people do not act in a vacuum, not point of fact.
This one isn’t really a fudged fact, but it’s worth mentioning. I have done bioenergetic/circular breathing many times. The effects are exactly what’s in the book. You should give it a try.
The characters’ personality problems were the result of an experimental drug that I made up, so the presentation of very real, very serious dissociative disorder wasn’t even close to textbook. Mental illnesses, in general, are not as easy to cure as some made up drug side effect in a book. I hope I was clear in that.
On capitalization: I know the military has their own style guide, but I don’t like it. I follow the Chicago Manual of Style. I don’t capitalize army or rank unless I’m specifically talking about the US Army in a formal way or using rank with a person’s name. This can get pretty fuzzy in casual prose. When there was even the slightest bit of doubt, I opted to not cap army or rank. The word “soldier” should never be capitalized unless it’s the first word in a sentence. It’s my book. I do what I want. End.
The word “crazy” is only used in context of character. If the character would think or say it, they do. Greyson wouldn’t. Caden would (though by book three, he was less dismissive). Mental illness is serious, debilitating, and worthy of compassion and resources. I hope I dealt with it in a way that expresses reality as well as respect. If you don’t think I lived up to my ideals, let me know.
Jake’s abduction is loosely based on the capture of US military personnel in May 2007. It is not meant to match the historical record or erase the stories of the lives that were lost.
Getting these two to jump from a plane/helicopter/building without her knowing she’d live was a puzzle I was putting together, taking apart, and rearranging until the last minute. Seriously. Do those bags just stay inflated all the time? Doesn’t someone have to be there to deflate at the point of impact? Six stories? Really? I hope I didn’t push credulity too far in this or anything.
Also by CD Reiss
The Games Duet
He’ll give her a divorce on one condition. Spend 30 days in a remote cottage with him, submitting to his sexual dominance.
She thinks this is his pathetic attempt to save their marriage. She’s wrong.
Marriage Games | Separation Games
The Submission Series
Jonathan brings out Monica’s natural submissive.
Submission | Domination | Connection
The Corruption Series
Their passion will set the Los Angeles mafia on fire.
SPIN | RUIN | RULE
Forbidden Series
Fiona has 72 hours to prove she isn’t insane. Her therapist has to get through three days without falling for her.
KICK | USE | BREAK
The Edge Series
Rough. Edgy. Sexy enough to melt your device.
Cutting Edge | Rough Edge | On The Edge | Broken Edge | Over the Edge
Contemporary Romances
Hollywood and sports romances for the sweet and sexy romantic.
Shuttergirl | Hardball | Bombshell | Bodyguard