Shelby Having faith in human beings isn’t something I grant easily. My childhood was filled with yelling, anger, and beatings so bad I feared I would die. My Papa was my savior. He saved me from the beatings and hate, filling my life with love and happiness. He made sure I got the best education possible, and I was able to follow in his footsteps. Now, being back home – with a past like mine – my … with a past like mine – my nightmares are coming back. The flesh and blood kind.
Charlie
As a Sheriff’s deputy, I’ve seen many things. I’ve had to handle some stuff that would make a saint roll over in his grave. Yet, I never give up. I wear my badge as a statement. I fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. When the woman I love is put in danger, and my world starts falling into disarray, there is only one thing to do. Take a stand and fight for her – with her even.
No one from her past is going to take her from me. She’s my forever and I plan to do everything I can to keep her that way.
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SHULER DELIEVERS ANOTHER HIT!!!
This author has talent so freaking awesome it literally takes my breath away. She never ceases to amaze me. A whirlwind, rollercoaster of emotions that will keep your attention till the last word. Heart pounding, pulse racing, adrenaline pumping, nailbiting read that grabs you from the first page. When she weaves a world around you, you have no choice but to follow. And follow you will. I believe Shuler embeds pieces of herself woven throughout the entire read. A strong storyline where the characters and scenes are so realistic and vividly detailed that it comes alive before your eyes. Incredible job Shuler and thank you for sharing this little jewel with us.
The prologue was very intense and had me especially eager to dive into this book, emotions be damned. I wanted to know more about the darkness that had been conquered and that was seeming to creep in again.
Shelby had a heartbreaking past before Papa. Each nightmare gutted me and had me hurting right along with her. It was definitely traumatic.
As with the other books in this series, there were moments of peace and then the action and anxiousness would ramp up again and have me in a tizzy. I loved getting to know Shelby and Kaitlyn in this one. They definitely have a place in my heart for sure.
It will be bittersweet to start the final book in this terrific series, but I can’t wait to see what Shuler will put me through next!
Our childhood has a way of defining us as adults for better or worse. When your nightmares revolve around your formative years how can you find a way to move on, to heal, to thrive? Even with all the love and support in the world sometimes you still find yourself slowly descending into your own personal hell.
Shelby was given verbal abuse instead of food, pain instead of encouragement, scars instead of love. When she finally finds success, love, and a home all it takes is a familiar face to threaten it all. She thought she escaped her past but it turns out that her past has come back to show that her escape was an illusion.
Charlie loves Shelby with everything he has. He also has a calling as a Sherriff’s deputy. When his two worlds collide he’s willing to do everything he can to protect Shelby. But how can he protect her from something he can’t see?
I loved that Shelby was intelligent, determined, fierce, protective, and so full of love for her chosen family. She was a kick-ass woman both literally and figuratively. When there’s something worth fighting for she’s all in. With an awesome cast to support her and love her through her trauma as it slowly comes to light she thrives. Her confrontation with her past makes her fierce before she gives in to shock and fear. The way she can keep her head in a crisis is both admirable and a surprise especially because the crippling fear that comes from a child is what she’s struggled her whole life to get a handle on.
Her love and partner in Charlie is a great choice. He’s willing to help her through all the crazy as well as be there for her during the quiet. His love for her is apparent in everything he does and he’s a good man. I do think he’s a little hot under the collar when it comes to protecting Shelby, though, because he goes from level-headed to so heated that he would make terribly rash decisions if not for the control and guidance of some of his coworkers, family, and friends.
The entire cast was unfamiliar to me because I started with this book, book 5 in the series. I’ll definitely need to go back and read the rest to get to know each of these women and the community that accepts, supports, and loves them. As for the drama in this book, I was glad that it was mostly streamlined. It kept the story focused and allowed the progression to flow well. The additions to their make-shift village were essential to the individual’s growth and healing as well as the plot itself. Each person played a role that was vital to the MC’s situation and made for a much more cohesive story. Overall it was an intense ride from start to finish and I’m looking forward to more.
What a incredible story. The author has once again created a story that grabs you and refuses to let go. The characters are relatable and realistic. They’re lovable, or despicable, depending on the character. The story is so tense that at times I was emotionally confused. I wasn’t sure which emotion I was supposed to be feeling. I bounced from once feeling to the next so quickly reading this one that I lost track of what I was feeling a time or two… maybe three. I truly can not wait to see what the author creates next.