Fleet Hospital

At thirty-three, Lori Sepank has grown tired of living in cheap hotels or out of the back of her car. Indeed, hunger and a safe place to sleep are prime motivators for being at Camp Pendleton as an invited civilian guest assigned to cover a simulated emergency. A freelance reporter, Lori spends almost the last of her money for ID that will get her on a marine base as an Associated Reporter. She hopes that the reputable press will pick up this story, saving her from the necessity of the stories of ill repute that she's been penning. Simulation quickly turns into reality, however, when Lori discovers a murder.Captain Michael McLowery vowed years ago to honor his uniform and uphold his duty. The tragic death of his sister and his mother still haunts him, and when his cousin is found murdered on his base, Michael finds himself confronting old ghosts as well as new pain. Further, the base chaplain is the very person Michael blames for the death of his sister and mother. While he quickly suspects Lori's claim to of being an AP reporter, he does not disregard her ability to handle difficult people and situations with finesse. While she's a bit too street-wise for his liking, Lori has the insight to catch things Michael might miss. He does not realize one of those things might be his heart.Author Anne Marie Duquette exercises her creative license in FLEET HOSPITAL to great effect. Granted, a military investigation would never include an unauthorized civilian who lies about her credentials; nevertheless, Duquette puts such a marvelous spin on this story that most readers will overlook her stretch of plausibility. Further, these characterizations are absolutely delightful. Lori blatantly breaks the stereotype for most heroines with her East St. Louis background and second hand clothes. Her lack of social veneer makes her a survivor, despite living out of the back of her car and wearing secondhand clothes. Michael's painful motivations make him a sympathetic character as he struggles to reconcile the past and achieve healing. Secondary characters likewise sparkle, from the chaplain to the hippie stepmother, bringing the novel a touch of levity and added depth. With a hard-hitting beginning and emotional struggles that never slow, FLEET HOSPITAL is a fast paced read that truly entertains. Highly recommended.

At the FLEET HOSPITAL at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base, California, the military conducts an "emergency" exercise. Captain Michael McLowery leads the exercise that includes numerous "wounded" officers and enlisted. Tabloid reporter Lori Sepanik observes the exercise hoping this story will take her from alien abductions to real journalism and to the use of her real name Jo Marchi on the story byline. Lori hits on an exclusive that will more than legitimize her reporting credentials. She has found a "live" corpse among the make believe dead. As she helps Michael on his investigation into the homicide, she falls in love with the career officer. He reciprocates but this tour of duty may be short lived. FLEET HOSPITAL is an exciting investigative romance that stars two hot characters. The story line is loaded with action, but readers will need to accept the stars conducting the inquiry. Lori is not a Department of Defense employee nor is she or Michael military or civilian law enforcement officials. Thus the probability of either, especially the heroine, actively participating in an on-site investigation is near zero though he will have a passive role answering questions. Ignoring that key premise, the readers receive a treat as the inquiries are filled with twists and turns, including the romance between the two delightful lead protagonists. Anne Marie Duquette furbishes her audience with a good romance.Harriet Klausner