Captain Sabine Fleischer is a skilled and dedicated U.S. Army surgeon deployed to a combat hospital in Afghanistan. She is also one of the thousands of troops who are forced to serve in silence because of the militaryâs anti-gay policy of âDonât Ask, Donât Tell (DADT).â
Usually driven and focused, Sabine finds that battles raging both inside and outside the perimeter walls are making it more and more difficult for her to deal with her emotions. Dealing with loss and mortality, lack of privacy, sleep deprivation, loneliness and the isolation forced on her by âDonât Ask, Donât Tellâ are all taking their toll. Plus, her long-term relationship with a civilian back home is quickly becoming another casualty of war.
Colonel Rebecca Keane is an enigmatic career officer who runs the surgical unit like clockwork. Well liked and respected by those who work with and under her, she walks a fine line to preserve the militaryâs chain of command while connecting with those under her care and supervision. Sabine knows the Colonel is way off-limits, but canât help fantasizing about her. Especially when she starts picking up unspoken cuesâa stolen glance, a secret smile, an âaccidentalâ brush of hands. Or is it just wishful thinking? After all, Rebeccaâs wedding ring shines almost as brightly as her deep blue eyesâĶ
 E. J. Noyes lives in Australia with her partner, a needy cat, aloof chickens and too many horses. When not indulging in her love of reading and writing, E. J. argues with her hair and pretends to be good at clay target shooting.