Crossing the Line

FROM READERS

"This is one of those books you could read in a night, or make last while you think deeply on the characters and their situations."

"The placement of a war veteran into a position of contrasting weakness and power is masterfull."

"Slaughter pulls no punches in her portrayal of officer-involved domestic violence, which is as it should be."

"With her talent for snark, Joy gifts her character with realism, making them living, breathing people."

"Her characters are burdened and lifted by the author's understanding of love, loss, and despair."

"As both a medical professional and a disable veteran, I thank Joy for doing the research required to get the smallest of details correct."

 
REVIEWS


Nathan is determined to be treated as able unless he says otherwise. No special treatment and no hesitation that he can do the job. Eventually his military past history does catch up with him but this doesn't take over the story. It merely adds a layer of believability to his character. We see some of his journey in the meds by his bedside and his reaction to the scene of another vet who couldn't overcome what he'd been through.

Megan is focused on improving her skills in a way that's awesome. She gets excited to read "A Complete Reference for Cave Rescue" for crying out loud. The woman is dedicated. But she also faces some issues brought on by calls she's attended as well as trying even harder than the men to overcome this so as not to be seen as weak. The descriptions of the calls she and Nathan respond to aren't overly detailed but from what is said, I can see how PTSD can be a result for EMTs.

It takes a while before we see more signs of Megan's bruises and injuries. She does snap back with plausible causes to cover these as legitimate events but how long will friends believe? Finally Nathan puts it all together and admits the truth to himself and then confronts Megan. 

There's lots of stuff happening in this book. Good, bad, funny and sad. I like that there is no magic healing or quick resolution of the serious issues brought into the story. I appreciate that these are not made neat or easy. The romance is a gradual one that progresses in stops and starts but given the main characters and their backgrounds, this makes sense.

~DEAR AUTHOR BOOK REVIEWS, Jayne
 




Crossing the Line is a story about a paramedic teams growing respect for each other. Of course there is also romance, intrigue, domestic abuse, and many other conflicts and adventures along the way. Caitlyn Armistead is an AEMT who has worked for EMS services and several hospitals, and it's obvious Armistead's past experience influenced her characters and settings.

One character and paramedic partner is a Sergeant who lost his leg in Afghanistan and the other hides a secret that could destroy her. This is a good EMT book if you are looking for a fictional story written by an EMT that takes place in the EMS setting. I find it refreshing to enjoy an EMS book that isn't a true story. 

~EMT TRAINING BASE, C. Beutler

A combat medic falls for his paramedic partner, but a rogue cop threatens tear them apart.

Sergeant Nathan Thompson lost his leg in Afghanistan. Megan hides a secret. When they are assigned as a paramedic team, tempers flare. He thinks she's a condescending know-it-all, and she resents a partner she can't trust. Then he notices bruises on her arms, and her excuses don’t add up. The next life Nathan must save may be that of his own partner.

Award-winning author, Joy Slaughter, portrays the highs and lows of life on the ambulance in this medical romance with the drama of Grey's Anatomy and the realism of Nightwatch.

"...masterful..." ~L. Fuell

"...a moving love story..." ~S. Carey

Joy Slaughter worked an an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician with county- and hospital-based EMS services, responding to 911 calls. Additionally, she worked for a state health office, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. She holds bachelor degrees in public health and psychology as well as masters level training in logotherapy and existential coaching. She and her husband, Alan, have seven children. Joy is currently working as a philosophical counselor.