At the Island's Edge: A Novel

An Iraq War veteran returns to Puerto Rico to reconnect with—and confront—the past in a heart-wrenching novel about duty, motherhood, and the healing power of home. As a combat medic, Lina LaSalle went to Iraq to save the lives of fellow soldiers. But when her convoy is attacked, she must set aside her identity as a healer and take a life herself. Although she is honored as a hero when she returns to the US, Lina cannot find her footing. She is stricken with PTSD and unsure of how to support her young son, Teó, a little boy with Tourette’s. As her attempts to self-medicate become harder to hide, Lina realizes she must do the toughest thing yet: ask for help. She retreats to her parents’ house in Puerto Rico, where Teó thrives under her family’s care. Lina finds kinship, too—with a cousin whose dreams were also shattered by the war and with a handsome and caring veteran who sought refuge on the island and runs a neighborhood bar. But amid the magic of the island are secrets and years of misunderstandings that could erode the very stability she’s fighting for. Hope lies on the horizon, but can she keep her gaze steady?

About the Author :
C. I. Jerez, who has a blend of Irish, Puerto Rican, and Cuban parentage, grew up near El Paso’s Mexican border experiencing a true cultural amalgamation. After graduating from the University of Texas at El Paso, she commissioned as a signal officer in the US Army and rose to the rank of major before transitioning out of the military. She holds an MBA from Webster University and a doctorate in international business from Liberty University. When not writing, she serves as cofounder and vice president for Ashire Technologies & Services Inc., a cybersecurity firm specializing in securing federal information systems. She lives in central Florida. For more information, visit www.cijerezbooks.com.

Review :
“At the Island’s Edge is an unflinching look at the choices made during war, PTSD, alcoholism, and the pure power of a support system…This book is not just about the very realistic pains of army life but also about healing and incredible empathy in the face of unfathomable suffering.” —Booklist (starred review) “An emotionally compelling, inherently engaging, and memorably entertaining read from start to finish. Author C. I. Jerez’s distinctive and narrative driven storytelling skills raise this novel of personal and family relationships to an impressive level of literary excellence—making it especially and unreservedly recommended…” —Midwest Book Review “C. I. Jerez’s enchanting novel At the Island’s Edge is a captivating and poignant debut about a young mother’s struggle to heal from the scars of war following her deployment to Iraq as a US Army medic. Jerez’s deeply moving prose dives into the realities of war for women in combat, the complexities of serving while balancing motherhood, and the sacrifices made. This heartwarming novel captures the beauty of Puerto Rico’s culture and leaves us wanting more!” —Robert Dugoni, author of Suspense Magazine’s 2018 Book of the Year, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell “C. I. Jerez’s At the Island’s Edge is an astonishing debut—an eloquent, moving, and heartfelt story about a young mother’s efforts to claw herself back from the precipice for the sake of her young son, even as she is convinced that she is beyond redemption. Jerez’s compelling prose and deep insights into Puerto Rican culture elevate this thoughtful and thought-provoking novel. I loved this book!” —Karen Dionne, author of the #1 international bestseller The Marsh King’s Daughter and The Wicked Sister “Rich with culture, vivid characters, and elegant prose, At the Island’s Edge is a knockout debut by an author who is sure to leave a bright literary mark on this world. I was swept away.” —Boo Walker, bestselling author of An Echo in Time “C. I. Jerez’s debut novel is a fresh and immersive delight. Somber and heartfelt, At the Island’s Edge offers a flawed but substantive protagonist plagued by the psychological trauma of war as she returns home to face her family’s failed expectations. It is also a love letter to the island of Puerto Rico and its people, a richly woven tapestry, filled with wonderfully palpable details. From beginning to end, I was utterly transported.” —Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Echo of Old Books “At the Island’s Edge is one of those rare debuts illuminating such poignant truths that the story is guaranteed to captivate readers. I fell in love with Sergeant Lina LaSalle as she and her young son found refuge, redemption, and new beginnings on the lush island of Puerto Rico. You will too.” —Christine Nolfi, bestselling author of The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves