Camouflaged Bruises

Book excerpt: Written With Honesty That Stings Seventeen-year-old Jessica leaves her troubled home life looking for security and camaraderie. She joins the United States Marine Corps, an elite military organization known to take care of their own. Determined to win acceptance with her new Marine Corps family, Jessica becomes a star performer who surmounts rigorous physical and tactical training. However, the chivalry of her male peers turns to ugly rivalry when Jessica unexpectedly outperforms them and excels through the ranks. Jessicas indoctrinated Marine mentality of do or die keeps her hardened. She is determined to make the Marines a career despite harassment, assault and dirty politics. However, Jessica finds herself at a crossroads when she becomes reacquainted with her high school friend Jade and realizes that being an outstanding Marine ultimately means betraying herself.