Dubbed the “American Princess” after her rescue from months in the hands of ISIS, soldier and firefighter Penelope Turner has struggled silently since her return to Texas. The media, the danger of her job, the pressure of knowing lives are in her hands…all of it and more has combined to slowly fill Penelope with seething guilt and doubt. Missing memories from her moment of capture cause even more … more angst. Is she responsible for the deaths of her Army patrol unit? And without knowing what happened, how can she be trusted by her fellow firefighters—or trust them in return?
Worse…how can she ever be worthy of the man who believes in her most?
It took seeing Penelope in the hands of terrorists—in viral videos seen around the world—for Tucker “Moose” Jacobs to realize just how much he loved his fellow firefighter. He died waiting for her rescue, then died all over again when Penelope abruptly left Texas, trying to outrun her past. Now that she’s returned, the kid gloves are off. Moose is a patient man, but even he has his limits. He loves Penelope, and he knows it’s past time for her to face her fears, and remember she has an entire tribe of friends who not only have her back, but need Pen to have theirs, as well.
In the end, Penelope will have to trust Moose, her friends, and most of all herself, if she’s going to make peace with her past…and have any kind of future.
** Shelter for Penelope is the 15th and final book in the Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings. Penelope’s story started in Protecting the Future, and over the years, she’s struggled with her inner demons. Read on to see her finally get her HEA.
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My whole soul waited for this book. I had to read it a second time, just to make sure I got read it right the first time. Pen is my soul sister, best friend, and all around amazing.
I love all of Susan’s books, some more than others, but only because those characters speak to me more. This is one of those books. Pen and Moose’s story has heart, love, pain, healing and forgiveness. It touches on subjects that many people try to avoid or cover-up, PTSD, anxiety, mental health and equality.
Pen is a tough cookie, but not because she fights, but because she lets others help her, because she knows she needs help and has the support she NEEDS to get through this horrible situation. She has family, friends and Moose.
After a trip with Smokey, her beloved donkey, Pen is home, but still running from her demons. With the help of her loved ones, Pen makes progress and starts to really live life again.
Forgiveness and trust are key to everything, and when Pen learns this, her mind and heart open.
This book has it all, but be warned you will ugly cry, you will sob, you will -like me- need to read it again, because your tears will make everything blurry. You’re heart will break, then mend again, it will feed your soul, and make life better for it.
I recommend this book, an the entire collection of Susan Stoker to anyone who has not read her.
New release from Susan Stoker!
New release from Susan Stoker!
Penelope is known as America’s Princess and a firefighter. She was in Turkey, keeping the peace as a soldier, and was kidnapped and held by ISIS soldiers until she was rescued. She doesn’t remember what happened after they were taken, so it’s making her depressed and not able to do her job. She takes off with her miniature pet donkey and travels for a while. Moose is a fellow firefighter and has been in love with Penelope for a long time. When she finally returns, she’s no better and seems worse. Moose promises he’ll always stand by her and have her back. She stays with Moose and decides to be hypnotized, to make sure her actions didn’t get her friends killed in Turkey. It’ll take a lot of work if Penelope wants to have a future with Moose.
Be prepared to shed some tears. A woman trying to fix herself mentally and emotionally and the man who will stand behind her. Friends to lovers. The last book in this series .
New release from Susan Stoker!
New release from Susan Stoker!
What a way to end the series, right back where it first started. I love the full circle aspect and the fact that Pen got to visit with both the SEALS and the Delta’s. Great wrap up to all the guys and girls in The Badge of Honor Series. FIGHT LIKE A GIRL (HERO)
I loved this whole series! I felt this one was more emotional and made a great finale.
Susan Stoker absolutely made the wait worth our while before Penelope and Moose’s story came out. Following Penelope’s and Moose’s journey and how they deal with her PTSD is amazing. You will definitely need a box of tissue for this one.
This is the last book in the Badge of Honor series by Susan Stoker. This book is an emotionally heavy read, but well worth the tissues and tears. Moose has watched Penelope struggle with her PTSD without help for too long. He’s done waiting for her to come to him. Moose pushes past Penelope’s defenses and makes her deal with her past. He knows they can never have a future if she can’t learn to cope with her capture by ISIS. Penelope has always been a natural leader, headstrong & smart, but lately finds her self confidence & trust of others deeply depleted. Can Penelope trust Moose to lead her back to the light as she battles the demons only she can see? Will she be able to fill in the blank spaces of that fateful day? And if she does, will she be able to live with her actions? And just how far and at what cost will Moose go to in order to help his Penelope heal?
As sad as I am that the Badge of Honor series is ending, this final book leaves a sense of completion and satisfaction with all of the Badge of Honor characters finding new joyful steps in the phases of their relationships. Thank you Susan for an amazing journey through this book series.
BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS
Plot: 5/5
Main Characters (hero/heroine): 5/5 Penelope “Pen” Turner & Tucker “Moose” Jacobs
He is: -Hot -Bossy in the bedroom -Firefighter -Supportive
She is: -Beautiful -Strong -Firefighter -Likes to be in control – Battling PTSD -Has trust issues
Secondary Characters: 5/5 We get little snippets of all the Badge of Honor characters.
Angst: 5/5 – What starts as a slow burn turns into a blazing fire about 75% of the way through the book.
The Feels: 5/5 – Box of tissues required for this book! You’ll cry all the tears – the sad, frustrated & happy ones!
Pace: 5/5
Addictiveness: 5/5 – I couldn’t stop listening to the audiobook version! Erin Mallon, the narrator, did an amazing job!
Steam/Hotness/Chemistry: 5/5 – Lots of HOT love scenes & dirty talk! Vanilla & more!
Theme or Tone: 5/5
Flow (Writing Style): 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Ending: 5/5 – Very sweet ending!
Triggers? Yes – kidnapping, PTSD flashbacks, re-living the attack through therapy
Book Cover: Sexy
Trope: Friends to lovers, best friend’s little sister.
Romance Sub genre: New Adult Romance
Source: Audible audiobook
Would I recommend this book? Yes! One click this book now!
Would I read more from this author? Yes, absolutely!
Wow! Shelter for Penelope was phenomenal! I’d been eagerly anticipating the release of this book, and it totally blew me away.
Moose has loved Pen for years, and she loved him also, but kept him at arms length as a friend and leaned on Smokey, what she calls her service donkey! She not only hasn’t come to terms with what happened in Turkey before she was rescued while serving in the Army, but her PTSD is getting worse and she has run from San Antonio and is traipsing around the country (fortunately Tex know where. – as always!) only calling Moose occasionally. Until she finally goes home. You do get to see some old friends, which is fun also, that try to give advise to Pen.
This is a run, don’t walk, to click “buy me” button. Now if you will excuse me, I need to read it again, but need to get a new box of tissues first.
Exceptionally and emotional!! Penelope and Tucker story is the soul burning love story of your dreams. “Shelter for Penelope” is beyond fabulous! I’ve been a fan of Susan Stoker for years, but I have to say this series has taken my appreciation to a whole new level and I’m only sad that it has come to end but still smiling. I connected with Penelope really strongly and saw some of her struggles close to home with losing the person you use to be and really help me loads. This has to be my number 1 MUST READ/BEST book of the whole of 2019 out of all the books I’ve read this year. This book will stay with me for ever! Definitely reading this whole series and other linked to it again and again!! This book, series should be on your reading list and in your favourite library too so what are you waiting for? Go grab your copy today and get reading!! Happy reading everyone!!
Do not miss this one! If you are a fan of Susan Stoker, you need to read this book.
This is an extraordinary story. No doubt about it!
Not many writers have the skill to envelope their characters in the Hero’s Journey as described by Joseph Campbell, but Ms Stoker does just that. Penelope has been through hell and back. She has displayed courage and fortitude, love and caring, discipline and devotion in all circumstances of her life. And then, after her time as a POW, she developed PTSD.
I appreciate that this book doesn’t take a “wham, bam, you’re magically cured ma’am” approach to the complex condition of PTSD. I appreciate that the man who loves Penelope hangs in there for the long haul and demonstrates his love by his actions rather than just saying the words. And I appreciate that the elite soldiers, friends, and families we know from the other Stoker books, continue to surround Penelope with love and attention and they honor the work she does to get through her struggles.
I have read two hankie books before, but never have I needed a full box of tissues while reading a book. Some of my tears were due to sadness and frustration, and some were happy tears. I also did some cheering in some places and sucked in my breath during difficult scenes. And it was all worthwhile to make the journey with Penelope and her amazing friends.
I promise that this series will only be complete for you if you read this book. I guarantee that it is very, very good!
What an ending to a series that had me cheering for Moose and Penelope but also disappointed that this was the last book in this series.
The author didn’t hold back the emotions playing out in this read, the PTSD and the struggles that Penelope goes through still after all the years since becoming the “American Princess”…oh boy…needed a few tissues, actually a few boxes of tissues. On top of that the steadfast, gentle giant known as Moose, who stands by Penelope, giving space and hard love when needed to Penelope to help her overcome her past….holy smokes.
An emotional gripping story with past characters from many past reads, even ones not in this series, coming out to help Penelope to find her way back to the living and finding her way back to Moose.
There may not have been much suspense, no bad guys to hunt or hunting the woman, but the fight to overcome, to live with the PTSD was just as dangerous and it did NOT take away anything from this read. It was the perfect ending to Moose and Penelope, a love that had been growing since the beginning, coming to a conclusion…a conclusion that did not disappoint, giving justice for these two who we have come to love and adore just like all the other characters this author has brought to us…okay…maybe a bit more than the others. 10 ++++ stars
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*
Penelope & Moose’s story was the perfect ending to this series. I’m sad to see the end of the series – but this author has MANY more coals in her writing fire, and her characters / worlds are intertwined enough that we get to see ppl pop up for updates. It’s such a nice way to do connected stand alone series…! : )
Penelope has been an integral part of many ppl’s lives, spanning different teams & series. Her story of healing & finding herself after tragedy has been much anticipated. She & Moose did not disappoint! I love the story of trust we’re given, the friendships (not only the growing & changing one between our two main characters, but all of them!), and of course – the donkey. Smokey has his own story to tell, and I was so happy to see the way he gets to have a spotlight in this story.
Thumbs way up!!! : )
OUTSTANDING !
I was gifted an advanced readers copy of Shelter For Penelope . The 15th and final in the Badge Of Honor series (tears ) . I absolutely love this story . Penelope Turner a Soldier and Firefighter was captured and held for months by ISIS . Since being rescued
She’s tried to deal with PTSD and the trauma , doubt and memory loss . Not being able to deal with it all and not asking for help she fled Texas . Tucker (Moose) Jacobs fellow Firefighter and the man in love with Penelope has been patiently waiting for her return . Penelope and her companion pet finally return home and Moose has had enough . Penelope needs to realize he and their unique group of friends have her bacdefink and will never let her down .
This story is absolutely beautiful and an amazing story , definitely very emotional journey for Penelope and Moose . A real tear jerker . Moose is the perfect support and security for Penelope . I’m sad to see this series end but look forward to the next series . I love the way all the characters from other books and series were included in this final story in The Badge Of Honor Series . I highly recommend taking the time to read this Magnificent story .
This is a wonderful read that will fiercely tug on your heart strings. Pen and Moose’s story will send you on a epic roller coaster ride of feels. Penelope is brave and strong but she is also broken. My heart hurt for her. Moose was everything you could ask for in a book boyfriend. Totally swoon worthy and a certified good guy, this man was a serious catch. The storyline is poignant, suspenseful, romantic, sweet and intensly emotional. What a powerfully moving read!
Penelope and Moose had such a hard road to travel to be together, but their love found a way to shine. Susan Stoker wrote a beautiful ending to this series. Shelter for Penelope has action, all the feels, sexy scenes, and a happily ever after. Grab your Kleenex and clear your day because you won’t be able to put this book
“Fight Like A Girl ”
I have waited very patiently for Moose and Penelope to have their story. It wasn’t time until now. I am definitely sad that it is the end of the series because as much as I love ALL of Susan Stoker’s books, this series is my favorite.
After Penelope was rescued, she tried to put up a good front but after not being able to help with the fire that could have killed Taco and Koren, she ran. Of course, thanks to her tracker, Tex knew where she was and left her to people he thought could help her. She played it up that they were helping, but Dude was the one that seemed to kind of get through.
Moose is done with the kid gloves. He lets her have it. He also keeps telling her how much he loves her.
Will she finally let the guilt go and live her life? Will she finally admit she loves Moose?
Absolutely loved this story!!!
Thank you Susan Stoker for sharing all these amazing people with us!!
5 Stars
The time has come for the final book in Ms. Stoker’s Badge is Honor Series, and one of the most highly anticipated as well. Penelope and Moose’s story is so you could want and more. The path to happiness and acceptance is never easy. Penelope is attempting to overcome her traumatic life experiences, while struggling with relying on those who love her to help. This story will bring tears of sadness and joy to your eyes, while also bringing plenty of heat and humor we expect from the series. I will not give away any details, but I will say this story was all it needed to be and so much more
Cara – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog