Casee‘s review of Facing It (Hearts of the South series, Book 8) by Linda Winfree.
Mired in a brutal marriage for far too long, Ruthie Chason takes her courage and her children in hand to flee the trap that has become her life. Yet she’s no fool. She knows he’ll come after her once he discovers she possesses criminal evidence that will put him away for good—and seal her deadly fate if he ever catches up with her.
Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Parker offers emotional refuge, a safe place to begin to reclaim her life…if she can let herself trust the strong, quiet cop that far.
Chris surprises himself when he agrees to act as guardian for Ruthie and her children. He does it as a favor, then finds something about her calm strength soothes his battered soul. Now if only he can silence the demons from his past that make him cautious of falling too fast for any woman.
Their need explodes into a heart-stopping night of passion that exposes their deepest vulnerabilities. But just as they begin to explore how healing love can be, violence tracks them down. And backs them into a desperate corner…
There were two romances in this book and I wouldn’t say that Ruthie and Chris’ romance was the primary one.
When Ruthie Chason takes her children and flees her abusive husband, she goes home. Knowing that her brother, Tick, will do anything to help her, Ruthie arrives on his doorstep in the middle of the night. She tells him everything that has happened over the course of her marriage. When Tick realizes how much trouble Ruthie is really in, he asks his deputy, Chris Parker, to take her and her children out of town.
Chris has been a prominent part of this series, especially in Troy Lee’s book. He’s always seemed slightly reserved and we find out why in this book. The last thing Chris wants to do is take Ruthie Chason and her kids out of town, but he can’t turn Tick down. While they’re away, he finds himself drawn to her which is something he never expected.
What I consider the “main” romance was between two FBI Agents that were tasked with watching the Chason home and trying to get evidence to bring Ruthie’s husband down. Jennifer and Beecham have lived across the street from the Chason home for a year. For a year the two have had to pretend to be husband and wife. Each have feelings for the other, but Beecham is very commitment shy. I really felt that the romance between these two was more prominent.
After so long in an abusive marriage, I found Ruthie’s acceptance of Chris hard to accept. Trusting someone when you basically have no choice is one thing, but the way she acted on her sexual attraction just didn’t jive for me, especially when you consider the opening of the book. I’m all for moving on, but it seemed that Ruthie did it far too easily.
3.5 out of 5.
This book is available from Samhain Publishing. You can buy it here in e-format.
Other books in the series:
I agree that Ruthie seemed to move into a relationship w/Chris far too easily and quickly. I will say that I thought Chris was perfectly written. He was the one who felt the need to take everything slowly, and WInfree did such a great job w/his character.
As for the other romance between the 2 FBI agents, I liked Jennifer a lot, and liked Beacham, but thought he held onto his issues a little too long. I kind of felt – enough already1