Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Sheriff Brandon Schofield is smitten by the new arrival in Clear Water Creek, Finn Austen. But Finn is living in the house by the lake where a murder took place, and his story is no less unhappy than the previous occupant's. Finn is on the run from a violent past and he trusts no one.

Brandon is desperate to break down his defences and win Finn's love and trust, but time is running out, and perhaps he can only protect Finn for so long.  

NOTE: This book was previously released by Silver Publishing in April 2011.

 

Book Review

This second volume of the ‘Clear Water Creek Chronicles’ tackles yet another difficult topic. After the love-hate relationship between a gang-rape victim and the man who looked on without helping in the first book, this second story takes a closer look at abusive relationships. They are very hard to understand for people who have never experienced them. This book attempts to show some of the effects, and some of the steps an abused person goes through as they try to struggle free – which is very rarely successful and never, ever easy.

Finn has been the victim of sexual and physical abuse for ten years. That is a very long time. We never find out why he decided to run as far away from Iowa as he did this time, but when he ends up in Clear Water Creek, he still has no life. The problem is that he is too afraid, and he no longer knows what it's like to make his own decisions. He isn't able to trust anyone and even though Brandon offers his support repeatedly, Finn has no idea how to deal with anything.

Brandon is a good guy. He is extremely protective, and falls in lust and love very quickly. He has seen and dealt with a lot of abuse victims on his job, so he is pretty sure he knows the sort of thoughts Finn has as he tries to gain is trust so he can really help. Thank God he never gives up, no matter how often Finn rebuffs him.

This book is not a fun read, but it made me think. While I would classify it as a love story, it is not a traditional romance by any means. Yes, love is the force that drives the characters (more Brandon than Finn, initially), but there is so much more than love going on between those two. Giving an abused man new hope and making him want to try to live an independent life needs more than love, but it is a good, no, an essential, start.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been purchased by the reviewer.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 134 pages/35248 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	01-December-2014
Price	$4.99 ebook
Buy Link	http://www.extasybooks.com/scarlet-blackwell/Smashed-into-Pieces/