Lieutenant Jay Southerland is confused about himself and his sexuality. Stationed in Afghanistan, Jay is married to Kerry and looking forward to returning home in a few short weeks. The only problem is that Jay cannot seem to get his mind off a man in his platoon, Darren. He finds his attraction irresistibly strong and yet he is a married man. This puts him into such a conflict with himself and everything he believed to be true. Time to return home leaves him no less conflicted. He is allowed a week of transition in Cyprus and he uses this time to wipe away memories in the arms of a prostitute. When his former patrol goes missing under suspicious circumstances, Jay returns to help find them. He is successful in his mission to find the missing platoon but he still is tormented by his feelings for Darren. Returning home only finds him further conflicted. The media picks up the unusual circumstances of the missing patrol; he cannot seem to forget Darren; and his life seems to be spiraling out of control. Kerry is unable to help and it is beginning to look as if Darren cannot either.

Jay is an interesting study in what can happen when Afghanistan keeps you from being able to fit in at home. Unable to handle all the conflicts and changes in his life, Jay is truly tormented. He turns to violence and alcohol to solve his problems which only makes them worse. His actions make the book hard to read at times but the ending does help some. Jay spirals down as far as any man can and still be able to pick up the pieces. The reality of war is never easy to depict but Iona Blair makes an effort. It may not be easy to read, but to some people, it is their reality. Torment by Iona Blair is disturbing and yet oddly relevant.

Filed Under: Club Lighthouse January 2010 Reviews	About the Book: Genre: contemporary Page Count: 53 pages Price: $ 4.99 Reviewer: Elise Lyn
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Sensuality Rating: Sizzling Star Rating: 4 Stars Author's Website: http://www.ionablair.blogspot.com/?zx=e17dcb76fb75d773

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