Shelter from the Storm by Lara Williams

ISBN: 1-905393-14-8

Erotic/Contemporary

Linden Bay Romance

Electronic

Jennifer is an independent woman who proudly runs an events planning business called “Seasons" with her former college roommate and best friend Rachel. Life is exactly how she wants it. It's safe, organized and completely on her own terms. Jennifer fears intimacy and shies away from romantic relationships because of her horrifying past. She has tried to leave behind the memories of her abusive stepfather and alcoholic mother. When Mac becomes her roommate, he does more then just move into her apartment. He moves into her heart and it terrifies her.

Maclain Moore is very dedicated to his work with Child Protective Services. He chose that line of work because he wants to make a difference in the world and in the troubled children lives. However, when he moves in with the lovely but confusing Jennifer, things become more complicated. The key to that complication is that his friend is working on a case about her mother and little sister. Jennifer's mother committed suicide, leaving her nine year old Sara with no place to live. Jennifer is her only option for a happy home. Mac has to approach this situation with Jennifer carefully, because she has a huge commitment problem, which includes having or taking care of children. What he did not expect was that Jennifer's emotional problems would bring out some of his repressed ones.

Jennifer and Mac thought they would just be roommates. They were only kidding themselves. The attraction between them is intense but cautious. This is only because Jennifer is afraid to depend on someone or have them depend on her. She has one very tragic relationship behind her, and the damage of her childhood. She considers herself, much damaged goods. Mac has his own issues with having for over a decade loved a woman who became a drug addict. The issue of learning to trust and build intimacy is something that Jennifer and Mac will have to do together, while trying to heal an emotionally scarred little, nine year old sister. The key to becoming a family is learning to let go and move forward together. Jennifer, Mac and Sara will do whatever it takes to make this happen.

Shelter from the Storm is one of the most intense, beautifully crafted stories I have read in a long time. It is not just a love story, but one about healing and starting again. Jennifer has had a life that no girl should have, and it is doubly tragic that her nine year old sister Sara was destined to follow that pattern if the mother had no died. The hero Mac is to die for, his intelligence, compassion makes him more then just an ordinary man. It truly makes him a hero, and one that is perfectly suited for a woman like Sara. The blunt honesty in this story was refreshing; there are no head games or wimpy no-nos. These are realistically built characters that will bond with the reader. This is a fantastic story that will take you on an incredible journey of the true meaning of love and commitment.

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