Shelter for Elizabeth by Susan Stoker Pages: 217
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Also by this author: Protecting Cheyenne (SEAL of Protection #5), Justice for Mackenzie (Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes #1), Protecting the Future, Rescuing Rayne, Justice for Corrie, Rescuing Emily, Justice for Boone, Rescuing Harley, Shelter for Adeline, Marrying Emily, Claiming Grace, Rescuing Kassie, Protecting Kiera, Claiming Alexis, Shelter for Sophie, Rescuing Bryn, Justice for Erin, Claiming Bailey, Rescuing Casey, Claiming Felicity, Justice for Milena, Rescuing Sadie , Rescuing Wendy, Shelter for Blythe, Defending Allye, Defending Chloe, Securing Caite, Defending Morgan, Rescuing Macie, Defending Harlow, Claiming Sarah, Shelter for Koren, Securing Piper, Defending Everly, Securing Zoey, Shielding Gillian, Securing Avery, Shielding Kinley, Trusting Skylar, Trusting Molly
Goodreads
Elizabeth Parkins lived through a nightmare come true—getting kidnapped by a serial killer. Seeking a fresh start, she moves to Texas, but escaping her demons proves impossible when she’s too terrified to leave her own apartment. A small, accidental fire sparks a coping method she’d never expected, and brings an amazing man to her door.
Firefighter Cade “Sledge” Turner’s idyllic life ended the day his sister was kidnapped. Now he knows firsthand that tragedy can befall anyone, at any time. Meeting Elizabeth on the job was a gift. Cade can envision spending his life with this woman. He understands what she’s been through, is willing to help her heal…though even Cade is unaware of Beth’s new secret obsession.
As Beth takes steps to help herself heal, and Cade attempts to earn her trust and prove his own, they’re both about to be tested—in a way that could see everything they’ve worked for go up in flames.
* Shelter for Elizabeth is the 5th book in the Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.
Shelter for Elizabeth
Susan Stoker
I love Susan’s books. I gobble them up like candy. Her books always give me what I want! I know I will get a great hero who isn’t a douche canoe, manwhore, alpha-hole. I will get a heroine who is tough and smart. I will get my HEA. I find great comfort in that. Shelter for Elizabeth is a book I have been eagerly waiting for because it deals with the topic of agoraphobia.
If you read Protecting Summer (if you haven’t read the SEAL of Protection books you NEED to!), you know Beth. She was kidnapped and tortured by a serial killer. Now, years later, we get her story. Her agoraphobia really struck a chord with me. I have severe OCD and struggle with agoraphobia. For me, I panic when I leave my home because I don’t know what could happen in my absence. My brain goes crazy thinking of all the things that could happen that I wouldn’t be there to stop (my house could catch on fire and my dogs would be trapped, someone could break in and kill my dogs, etc). So, going anywhere is tough. I also can’t stray from my routine. I leave for work at the same time. I drive the same route, I come home at the same time. If this doesn’t happen, then I am sure bad things will occur (God help me if there is construction that forces me to drive a different route; a few times before I got my medication worked out I actually had to call in sick to work because I couldn’t make it going a different route!). Anyway, my reason for OCD/agoraphobia is nothing as tragic as Beth’s but I understood her all the same. The panic that occurs when you are faced with a trigger is paralyzing. You know its irrational but that doesn’t stop it from happening. I felt such kinship with Beth even though her story was different from mine. Cade was the perfect book boyfriend. He was devoted, patient, and loving. Honestly, the only thing that really bothered me was perhaps Cade was TOO perfect. There were times when it just felt unrealistic for him to be THAT good.
Shelter for Elizabeth is a great read if you want dynamic characters who have real life issues. It is a bit formulaic and some people might find it cheesy at times. However, I love it-the hot, steamy moments and the sappy, cheesy ones too!
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: For me, yes, but only because I felt so connect with Beth’s struggle
- Trope: Mental Health Issues
- Triggers: rape and torture mentioned but not described in this book
- Series/Standalone: Standalone within an interconnected series
- Cliffhanger: No
- HEA: View Spoiler »
SEAL for Her Protection by Paige Tyler, Serial Love by Maryanne Jordan…then you will probably like Shelter for Elizabeth!
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.
Connect with her at www.StokerAces.com ** For text alerts, text STOKER to 24587
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I haven’t heard of this author, but sometimes cheese and formulaic is exactly what you need. 🙂
I like it when a romance book also tackles some serious issue, in this case mental health illness, so I’m very interested in giving this a try. Plus a hero who isn’t an asshole or a manwhore? I’m in!
Great review!