Book helps kids of wounded vets

She has years of experience researching and writing threat assessment summaries for the FBI and U.S. military. Her work has supported efforts to keep those who protect and serve the nation as safe as possible.

Kristen Zajac of Tampa can't divulge much about her career as a strategic analyst, where she studied threats to combat troops. A lot of what she did for the FBI and Booz Allen Hamilton, based at the U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, is classified.

It's not the work she could bring home when her twins were born in 2008. Not ready to return to long hours at the office, she resigned.

Still, Zajac wanted to support the military, and decided to analyze issues veterans and their families face when they return from deployment. Her research - and her heart - led her to write a book for children whose parents were wounded in combat.

"I didn't see any books for these families that approach the difficult topic of a family member coming home with an injury.

"I really had it in my heart that I wanted that to be my first book," she said.

She hopes to bring attention to organizations that assist these veterans and their loved ones.

"Ebeneezer's Cousin" tells the story of a young girl whose father comes home from deployment with an injury that leaves him in a wheelchair. Through his recovery, Maria and her father find new ways to connect.

It is the first of four books she has under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing. She hopes it resonates with military families and civilians.

For children whose parents have been disabled in combat, she hopes the story will be reassuring.

"You may not have the same happy ending, but there can be a different route and blessings can come out of it," Zajac said.

To donate a copy of "Ebeneezer's Cousin" to a military family, visit www.kristenzajac.com. The site also provides information about ways to help wounded veterans.