She was a law enforcement officer. She was used to standing between the innocents and danger. Now she was the one hurt and in need of protection. That was his job.
Recovering from a car accident that nearly killed her, New Mexico State Police officer Aubree Cueva is part of a family dedicated to serving the people of New Mexico and Los Alamos. She wants to go back to work but she has to pass certain standards of fitness before returning to Active Status with the NMSP, both mental and physical. The loss of her memory involving the crash itself is a concern. So is the fear that she has about getting into closed spaces. Anti-anxiety meds aren't something you can take before getting behind the wheel.
Her last-ditch effort? Turning to The Refuge. She's hoping that the staff there can help her get over her anxiety as she works to strengthen her body enough to meet department standards.
Ruben "Leon" Chaucer left the Army when a blast triggered by another soldier threw him against a wall and damaged his spine. A surgeon was able to stabilize his spine and protect the nerves within it. He's come back a good distance from his injury, but he's not sure he's ready to venture out into the world. The Refuge is just that. A safe place to gather himself and help others while he does it.
Aubree is one of those people.
Just as Aubree needs to make her decision about whether or not she will return to the NMSP, the past comes back to haunt her. Or rather, the past comes back to finish what it started and kill her, so she won't be able to point the finger at them. Ruben is going to have to decide what's more important to him, The Refuge, which helped give him back his life or the woman who makes him want to live life to the fullest.
**Shielding Aubree is the 1st book in The Shield Series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.
Ruben and Aubree find themselves crossing paths at The Refuge, a wonderful place where people come to mend their hearts and spirits after facing tough times. Aubree is taking a little tour of the facility, soaking in the atmosphere, while Ruben is right there, working his magic at The Refuge. There's an undeniable spark between them, but Aubree feels a bit uncertain about diving into a relationship with Ruben. She's worried that her emotional journey might be a bit overwhelming for him. But here’s the exciting part—after she wraps up her time at the facility, they take the plunge and start dating! Everything seems to be going wonderfully until a shadow of danger looms over Aubree. Suddenly, it’s a race against time to keep her safe! Ruben is all in, ready to do whatever it takes, calling Ryleigh, our favorite computer genius of the refuge to help locate and ensure that he and Aubree can achieve the happily ever after they both dream of. I won't spoil the juicy details for you! But a HEA is definitely there.
I LOVE that this is based at Ms Stoker's The Refuge, we get to see all our favourite characters from that series alongside some awesome new ones, please tell me there will be more in this The Shield series...and hopefully more Alara too - we really love her! I also love Aubree and Ruben, two very different people that have suffered very similar, yet also different injuries. Ruben is further along in his recovery, but this helps him relate to Aubree and show her the path that helped him. Show her that it's ok to have bad days, it's ok to struggle and it's definitely ok to ask for help. Aubree has a fear that asking for help is showing a weakness, a belief Ruben is determined to crush. She is far stronger than she knows, which she proves when she is targeted again, she is smart and she doesn't panic. And whilst some might find it hard to believe, I love the idea that her brother came to protect her.....again. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.
Welcome back to The Refuge. This visit is courtesy of Reina Torres and the start to her series, The Shield. Aubree Cueva and Ruben Chaucer have both suffered on-the-job traumatic injuries and both have suffered personal loss. Their first meeting seems to be fated as they just click. Unwilling to cross a professional line Ruben knows he must wait to start anything personal with her but the minute shexs no longer a patient...all bets are off. Getting her life back is paramount but having the love of a man like Ruben seems to remove all the sharp edges surrounding her recovery. Finding out shexs in a bad guy's crosshairs is jarring to say the least. Being rescued by the most unlikely source has other worldly implications but it gives her and Ruben a chance for their HEA.
Ruben and Aubree meet at The Refuge. A facility people go to heal from traumatic events in their lives. Aubree is touring facility. Ruben works at the Refuge. They are attracted to each other but Aubree is hesitant to start anything with Ruben. She's afraid she might be "too much" for him to deal with. After her release from the facility they started dating. Everything is fine until danger finds Aubree. It's a race against time to find her. Ruben is ready to do whatever he needs to do so he and Aubree can have the HEA they deserve. Sorry, no spoilers. I read this book through Kindle Unlimited.
This is a quick read that crosses over to Susan Stoker books. Usually, first responders are the ones providing the protection, but in this book, a police officer is the injured person needing protection. Aubrey was injured when her police car went over an embankment, and she ended up stranded upside-down in the car for hours. Hours she doesn't remember.
Her therapy plan introduces her to Ruben, who fully understands what she's faced with in her recovery. It might not be right to act on their attraction right then, but she won't be his patient forever. But he will want to be her protector when it becomes clear that she's still in danger.
A good, quick to finish romance with likable characters.
Thanks to the author for the copy. All thoughts are my own.
Aubree and Ruben meet at The Refuge as she is undergoing trestment afett a tramatic event. Ruben is a therapist but they soon discover they have a lot in common. Once Aubree leaves the refuge their relationship beomes more personal and romantic. Before longthough, it seem the event that brough Aubree to the refuge, is more than it wsa beleived and Aubree may be in the crosshairs of danger once more. This was a great suspensful story, with characters we have met before in Susan Stokers The Refuge series. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to more in this series.
Aubree Cueva is a New Mexico State Police Officer. Rueben “Leon” Chaucer is a former Army now works at the Refuge helping People get their lives back. Henley Matlick is a therapist at The Rufuge.
Rueben and Aubree meet at the Refuge. It is wher they help people get their lives back as normal as possible after some traumatic incidents.. There is a definite attraction and chemistry. Can Henley , Reuben help Aubree recover and keep her safe from her stalker ( serial killer)and back to work? Can Aubree, Rueben help Alaina the FBI agent on the case solve the crime.
This book has suspense, danger, intrigue , and a second chance at love.
Thoroughly enjoyed this read. Two broken people that are just right for each other made for a good read I didn’t want to put down. Throw in some angst, a governmental old boy, and an unexpected villain, as well as the great guys from The Refuge makes for a read that definitely should be added to anyone’s TBR pile
I received a review reader’s copy of the book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Reina has given us a slow, sweet dip into over coming trauma. Aubree & Reben have a sweet instant connection that naturally flows. Healing & loving is the main focus while we get to indulge in characters known with some banter & laughter. A dangerous situation that brings the big guns to the rescue towards a HEA.
Aubrey had a target on her. She was I hired in a car crash and needed help to get back toher job. Ruben worked at The Refuge helping clients regain strength with work in the pool. Ruben and Winter felt a connection at their first meeting. The question was: Would Aubrey and Ruben survive Winter's situation to have a future? Good story.
The first book in the Shield Series will have you anticipating the others to come. Aubree and Ruben meet at the Refuge where Aubree is recuperating from an accident that has affected her memory. Ruben is there to help her but when she leaves the Refuge her safety is in jeopardy. A page turning, exciting, romantic suspenseful story.
We're at the Refuge where Aubree and Ruben meet. Aubree is there while recouping from a bad wreak that has left her in pain and afraid of being closed in. Ruben is a therapist who is trying to help her in the pool. Rubin has had a similar injury and knows some of what she is going through. As time has gone on it starting to look like her accident wasn't really one and she could still be in danger. Rubin will do whatever it takes to get their HEA.
Ruben and Aubree are attracted to each other almost immediately. I love how they interact with each other, no pretense or games. There was intrigue and mystery, family (birth and found), romance and love.
I could not put this book down. The suspense drew me in, wanting to see what happened next. The instant connection between Ruben and Aubree was charming. Loved how their relationship progressed throughout the book. Highly recommend!
Shielding Aubree: WOW! Exciting, intense and romantic! When she first set eyes on Reuben she intrigued by him. He felt the same way. He was determine that he would help her anyway he could. Wonderful story!