Lena Clark moves to Independence Falls, Oregon hoping to find "normal". At twenty-eight, Lena leaves the battlefield with PTSD attached, ending her marriage in Portland. Eighteen months have gone by and she is no closer to overcoming her fears and anxiety. Traveling with her is Hero, her golden retriever service dog. Katie Summers offers her the apartment above the barn where she and her three brothers, Josh, Chad and Brody live in the main house in the small logging town. Meeting Chad at a get together has Lena wishing her PTSD didn't keep her from pursuing the sexy guy with the panty-melting smile.

Chad is taken in by Lena's beauty but quickly learns she's a loner. Arranging to meet a one-night stand at the very apartment offered to Lena causes a catastrophe when he slips into bed with the wrong woman. Lena isn't the one supposed to be there. Having an erotic dream, it takes Lena a little time to awaken to reality and the hunk trying to share her bed.

Chad is shaken at finding his error and quickly sets it to rights since Hero has taken a stance between Chad and Lena. Chad has a reputation of a love 'em and leave 'em guy caused by the desertion of his mother years ago. Eric, his partner in the logging business, wants him to settle down with one woman to keep his mind on operating his helicopter and preventing accidents.

Befriending Lena she eventually suggests the ruse of being involved, solving Chad's problem and her need for privacy. He begins to gain Lena's trust with his patience at not forcing her in conquering her PTSD. If it was only that simple! Chad is falling fast and like a fish out of water. Saving seven soldiers in Afghanistan, Lena is a hero. She is receiving a Silver Star from the Vice-President of the United States, the army's third highest honor, for her bravery.

Arriving to receive the honor, Lena is spooked and her PTSD causes her to bulk at being surrounded by all the people. Chad instigates a more private setting to give her the honor and award she rightly deserves. Realizing that her problem is at square one again she breaks off the relationship with Chad, feeling it is no longer fair to him. Now what will it take for Chad to earn her respect and trust again to become a part of her forever life?

HERO BY NIGHT is the third book in the Independence Falls series. This is the second book I have had the pleasure of reading in the series and enjoyed this one equally as much as the first. The characters are wonderful, sexy and loveable as well as Hero, the golden retriever service dog. Delving into the thoughts and fears of a veteran suffering from PTSD definitely gives the reader a better understanding of the sickness and what it takes to succeed. The sex between Chad and Lena is sizzling, even substituting with a pink vibrator!! I will absolutely read the new installment coming out in April. Sara Jane Stone is extremely gifted keeping HERO BY NIGHT fun, loveable and totally interesting throughout as well as educational.