Publisher and Publication Date: Kregel. June 25, 2019.
Genre: Biography. Christian nonfiction.
Pages: 256.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from Kregel, but was not required to leave a positive review.
Audience: People who have PTSD related to war experiences.
Rating: Excellent.

For more information about the book visit Kregel.

Amazon link

PTSD Foundation of America

About the authors:
•Sgt. (Ret.) Carlos R. Evans is a minister with the Assemblies of God USA, a Wounded Warrior spokesman, and a motivational speaker. Born in Puerto Rico, Carlos was an avid athlete through his high school and college years. At university, he studied Theology and was very active in his church. When the tragic events of September 11th occurred,
he felt compelled to join the family legacy of service in the US Marine Corps, and originally planned to join as a Chaplain.
Carlos served three tours of duty in Iraq and was assigned to Afghanistan for his fourth deployment. In May 2010, he was the squad leader on foot patrol when he stepped on an improvised explosive device. The blast took both of his legs and his left hand. Medically discharged after his rehab at Walter Reed, Carlos served in the Marine Corps for eight years.
•Rosemarie Evans, an experienced nurse, is now a full-time caregiver and student working toward a master’s degree in marriage and family from Liberty University.
Carlos and Rosemarie live in Orlando, Florida.
•Cecil Murphey has written or coauthored more than one hundred books, including the autobiography of Franklin Graham, Rebel with a Cause and the New York Times best-seller 90 Minutes in Heaven. Cecil lives in Georgia. Check him out at www.cecilmurphey.com

Summary:
During his fourth deployment, US Marine Corps Sergeant Carlos Evans stepped on an IED–and the loss of both legs and his left hand was just the beginning of the struggle for his life.
For the next two years, he and his wife, Rosemarie, went through the rehabilitation process together. As a nurse and mother of two young children, Rosemarie was used to caring for people, but the task of taking care of her triple-amputee husband brought new challenges every day. In addition to his limb loss, Carlos faced PTSD and developed an addiction to painkillers. He was sure Rosemarie’s life would be better without him–and that it might have been better if he hadn’t survived at all.
But unlike the majority of marriages put under similar strain, Carlos and Rosemarie stayed together. With the help of family, friends, and–most importantly–a strong faith, they’ve built a solid marriage and discovered a ministry they never expected. By the hand of God, their story, which began in devastation, has turned into one that draws in and lifts up more people than either of them would ever have dreamed.
Not only will disabled veterans and their loved ones find help here, Carlos and Rosemarie’s captivating journey also speaks to those who long for stronger marriages, care for loved ones with disabilities, or are facing a new normal in their own lives, small or large. It is a powerful resource for leaning on God in the midst of life’s great difficulties–and for finding ways that, through faith, profound loss can bring incredible blessing.

To read an excerpt: Standing Together.

My Review:
When I heard about this book I was anxious to read it. My son is a Veteran. He too has PTSD. His tours in Iraq were in the beginning years of the war. Help for Veterans were limited to prescriptions to help with depression and anxiety. The support groups were limited to older Veterans in attendance. A younger Veteran often felt uncomfortable sharing with older Veterans. Counseling was not available unless you had cash to pay the bill.
I’m thankful for progress in helping Veterans. I’m thankful for Veterans like Carlos R. Evans who write books and speak publicly about their experiences and the help that’s available.
Several reason led me to give Standing Together an excellent rating:
•The couple both share their stories. As a result, Standing Together helps Veterans and their spouses or loved ones.
•Carlos Evans is transparent and honest about his feelings post injury.
•Their story gives insight to the process of how the family finds out about an injury or death. Most of the civilian population is not aware of the process.
•PTSD is explained not so much in words but in sharing the symptoms that Carlos has endured. For example: nightmares and hallucinations.
•Carlos and Rosemarie explain their Christian belief. How they came to believe in Jesus Christ. They share points when their faith seemed small and about to disappear. Through their story and words I see how their faith grows.
•Their marriage is a strong witness. All married couples go through hard times. Not all people experience what they have, but they persevered and stayed together.
•And going a little further on the previous point. Standing Together is an inspirational story. They inspire all people to serve one another in love, compassion, and mercy!