Books

At the Island’s Edge

May 28, 2025May 29, 2025 by onemoreexclamation

Welcome to the At the Island’s Edge by C.I. Jerez book tour hosted by Suzy Approved Book Tours.

Inspired by her time as an Army Officer during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, C.I. Jerez has written a heartbreaking and gripping debut novel, about a single mother who returns to her native Puerto Rico with her son to heal from the trauma of war.

About At the Island’s Edge

Title: At the Island’s Edge

Author: C.I. Jerez

Released: March 18, 2025

Find it: Amazon

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.

Book Blurbs

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 U.S. 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 internationally bestseller The Marsh King’s Daughter and The Wicked Sister

More Praise!

“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 substantiative 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

My Thoughts on At the Island’s Edge

This book hooked me right away. A gripping redemption story set from Afghanistan to Puerto Rico, it blends action, heart, and healing in the best way. The handling of PTSD was raw and eye-opening, and I loved watching Lina grow. Even tropes I usually dislike were handled so well, I barely noticed. Emotional, vivid, and deeply human—this one’s a gem. Highly recommend!

About The Author

C.I. Jerez is a proud Latina who was born in Miami. Her mother, a native New Yorker, blessed her with both Puerto Rican and Irish roots, while her father, a Cuban immigrant, inspired her to embrace the culture of the Caribbean. These multicultural influences, including growing up on the West Texas border in El Paso, have shaped her desire to bring Latina and Latino characters to life in her stories.

After graduating from the University of Texas at El Paso, she was 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 co founder and vice president for Ashire Technologies & Services Inc., a cybersecurity firm specializing in securing federal information systems. She lives in central Florida.

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