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Hearts of the South #8
Facing It
There are worse things than facing your greatest fear.
A Hearts of the South story.
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...
A Hearts of the South story.
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...
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2009
3 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Linda Winfree
26 books84 followersHow does a high school English teacher end up plotting murders? She uses her experiences as a cop’s wife to become a writer of romantic suspense! Linda Winfree lives in a quintessential small Georgia town with her husband and two children. By day, she teaches American Literature, advises the student government and coaches the drama team; by night she pens sultry books full of murder and mayhem.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 23, 2017
The eighth book in the Hearts of the South series by Linda Winfree. Ruthie Chason made the decision to leave her controlling criminal of a husband, along with her three children and heads back to her family in Georgia. But she takes her husband's ledgers with her. Knowing this may be her death sentence she goes to her brother, Tick, hoping he can protect her and the children. Tick assigns the job to Deputy Chris Parker, who is going on vacation.
Another one in the series that I really liked. There is a secondary romance in the story between two FBI agents. Love this series!
Another one in the series that I really liked. There is a secondary romance in the story between two FBI agents. Love this series!
February 10, 2015
*This review was originally published in 2009. For some reason it disappeared from our database when we switched to our new site.
I’m a huge fan of Linda Winfree’s Hearts of the South series. Although I’ve had issues with some of her books in the past, she continues on as one of my auto-buy authors. As a matter of fact, I’m currently on a campaign to get Rowena to read this series. Come on Ween, you know you want to…
While I liked aspects of this book, overall I’m afraid it didn’t work for me. I think in this case it really may be a “it’s not you, it’s me” thing. The thing is, I was in a marriage similar to Ruthie’s. I got married young and allowed him to pretty much take over my life. It wasn’t a period of time in my life I’m proud of – to have lost so much of myself in another person is, well, embarrassing.
Having said that, it was hard for me to accept Ruthie’s actions and reactions throughout the book. She leaves her husband – who is completely and totally psycho – and runs to her brother Tick for help, taking her kids with her. Tick needs some time to figure out just how dirty her husband is and buys some time by sending her and her kids away with Chris, who’s just heading out of town on vacation.
So, the day after she runs away from her psycho abusive husband Ruthie finds herself living with another man. A man she’s attracted to and totally at ease with? Even worse, a man she allows her children to get close to and become comfortable with. I think this was the clincher for me. As a mother, I couldn’t imagine letting my children get attached to a man I barely know. Not while I’m on the run from my crazy ex and they’re dealing with the trauma of having their lives ripped out from under them. Especially since this man I barely know obviously has issues of his own – one of which makes him jump away from any female touch. Hello, red flag.
Try as I might, I just couldn’t set that aside. Jumping into a relationship with a man who has issues while you’re trying to get away from another man who has issues isn’t a good idea. Doing it when your kids are involved is just plain wrong.
Having said that, I did find it as well done as her other books in terms of the writing, plot and other characters. Chris was a complex man who’d suffered greatly in his past. I thought his issues were dealt with in a believable way. I really appreciate that Winfree tackled a rather tough issue with him. I don’t want to spoil it, but I will say that I wondered if I’d have as much respect for him after learning what his problems were. The answer? A resounding YES! I adored him.
It was good to see Tick back to acting like the man I knew and loved from his book. I don’t know why, but he really wasn’t himself the last couple of books. Lori (who turned me onto the series) and I have been bitching about very annoyed with his behavior lately. I, for one, am glad to see he’s back to being himself.
I’m kind of curious to see where Winfree takes the series yet. Despite my issues with this book I’ll be buying the next on on release day.
3.5 out of 5
This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Holly.
I’m a huge fan of Linda Winfree’s Hearts of the South series. Although I’ve had issues with some of her books in the past, she continues on as one of my auto-buy authors. As a matter of fact, I’m currently on a campaign to get Rowena to read this series. Come on Ween, you know you want to…
While I liked aspects of this book, overall I’m afraid it didn’t work for me. I think in this case it really may be a “it’s not you, it’s me” thing. The thing is, I was in a marriage similar to Ruthie’s. I got married young and allowed him to pretty much take over my life. It wasn’t a period of time in my life I’m proud of – to have lost so much of myself in another person is, well, embarrassing.
Having said that, it was hard for me to accept Ruthie’s actions and reactions throughout the book. She leaves her husband – who is completely and totally psycho – and runs to her brother Tick for help, taking her kids with her. Tick needs some time to figure out just how dirty her husband is and buys some time by sending her and her kids away with Chris, who’s just heading out of town on vacation.
So, the day after she runs away from her psycho abusive husband Ruthie finds herself living with another man. A man she’s attracted to and totally at ease with? Even worse, a man she allows her children to get close to and become comfortable with. I think this was the clincher for me. As a mother, I couldn’t imagine letting my children get attached to a man I barely know. Not while I’m on the run from my crazy ex and they’re dealing with the trauma of having their lives ripped out from under them. Especially since this man I barely know obviously has issues of his own – one of which makes him jump away from any female touch. Hello, red flag.
Try as I might, I just couldn’t set that aside. Jumping into a relationship with a man who has issues while you’re trying to get away from another man who has issues isn’t a good idea. Doing it when your kids are involved is just plain wrong.
Having said that, I did find it as well done as her other books in terms of the writing, plot and other characters. Chris was a complex man who’d suffered greatly in his past. I thought his issues were dealt with in a believable way. I really appreciate that Winfree tackled a rather tough issue with him. I don’t want to spoil it, but I will say that I wondered if I’d have as much respect for him after learning what his problems were. The answer? A resounding YES! I adored him.
It was good to see Tick back to acting like the man I knew and loved from his book. I don’t know why, but he really wasn’t himself the last couple of books. Lori (who turned me onto the series) and I have been bitching about very annoyed with his behavior lately. I, for one, am glad to see he’s back to being himself.
I’m kind of curious to see where Winfree takes the series yet. Despite my issues with this book I’ll be buying the next on on release day.
3.5 out of 5
This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Holly.
April 16, 2012
Rating: B
I just can't seem to keep myself away from this series! This time it's the quiet deputy Chris Parker along with his police dog Hound who fall for the abused sister of Chris' friend and boss. Ruthie and her kids run home after escaping the man who controlled their lives. In Facing It Winfree examines domestic violence and does it in a way that is different but keeps the characters real.
For years Ruthie has been planning and hoping for the opportunity to escape her abusive, controlling husband. When she does, she heads home to Georgia and her family. Her brother, Tick Calvert, is with the local law enforcement and is more than willing to help Ruthie and her kids. I liked how Winfree shows Ruthie's fears and how she must overcome those fears not only for herself but for her kids.
Chris Parker has been a character in this series for some time now but we don't know much about him. Neither do his coworkers. They know he's a good cop and an all-around good guy but know very little about his background. There are even rumors that he's gay. It's odd that in this small town where everyone seems to know everyone and everything about each other, little is know about Chris. Which made it all the more interesting to get to know him right along with Ruthie. Turns out he's not gay, Ruthie confirms that. :) He is a good guy who has some deep buried secrets not so different from Ruthie's.
Ruthie is of course hesitant to start any romance, she's still married and her husband isn't about to give her and their kids up easily. But she does begin to feel something for Chris. I think it had to do with Chris' own experiences which gave him an ability to read Ruthie better than most. I won't say I found their romance truly believable under the circumstances but the emotions were so strong it was easy to get swept up in their story.
There is a secondary romance that was pure bliss to read. Two FBI partners are trying to fight off their attraction for each other, all the while not realizing the feelings are mutual. I think I was just as invested in their story line as I was in Chris and Ruthie's. I wanted to know where this romance was going and how it was going to get there. Considering it wasn't the main romance, it still left a strong impression.
I've mentioned before that this is a family centered series and that is unmistakably felt here. Ruthie's family rallies around her and her children, giving them many shoulders to lean on. In the end it's Chris' shoulder Ruthie leans on and he ends up leaning on her.
I just can't seem to keep myself away from this series! This time it's the quiet deputy Chris Parker along with his police dog Hound who fall for the abused sister of Chris' friend and boss. Ruthie and her kids run home after escaping the man who controlled their lives. In Facing It Winfree examines domestic violence and does it in a way that is different but keeps the characters real.
For years Ruthie has been planning and hoping for the opportunity to escape her abusive, controlling husband. When she does, she heads home to Georgia and her family. Her brother, Tick Calvert, is with the local law enforcement and is more than willing to help Ruthie and her kids. I liked how Winfree shows Ruthie's fears and how she must overcome those fears not only for herself but for her kids.
Chris Parker has been a character in this series for some time now but we don't know much about him. Neither do his coworkers. They know he's a good cop and an all-around good guy but know very little about his background. There are even rumors that he's gay. It's odd that in this small town where everyone seems to know everyone and everything about each other, little is know about Chris. Which made it all the more interesting to get to know him right along with Ruthie. Turns out he's not gay, Ruthie confirms that. :) He is a good guy who has some deep buried secrets not so different from Ruthie's.
Ruthie is of course hesitant to start any romance, she's still married and her husband isn't about to give her and their kids up easily. But she does begin to feel something for Chris. I think it had to do with Chris' own experiences which gave him an ability to read Ruthie better than most. I won't say I found their romance truly believable under the circumstances but the emotions were so strong it was easy to get swept up in their story.
There is a secondary romance that was pure bliss to read. Two FBI partners are trying to fight off their attraction for each other, all the while not realizing the feelings are mutual. I think I was just as invested in their story line as I was in Chris and Ruthie's. I wanted to know where this romance was going and how it was going to get there. Considering it wasn't the main romance, it still left a strong impression.
I've mentioned before that this is a family centered series and that is unmistakably felt here. Ruthie's family rallies around her and her children, giving them many shoulders to lean on. In the end it's Chris' shoulder Ruthie leans on and he ends up leaning on her.
February 28, 2011
I've been waiting for Chris Parker's story for awhile, and it turned out so different than anything I could have imagined. It was obvious he had some issues from his past, and falling in love with Ruthie (sister to Tick and Tori) brought those issues to the forefront. It was interesting to see domestic abuse portrayed from a female AND male point of view in this book. We often read about female victims, but hardly ever about male victims of abuse. Add the fact that he was a cop, and it was even more surprising. I think it helped him connect to Ruthie on a fundamental level taking into account all she'd been through as well. I loved their story, and only wish we could've gotten more of it, and maybe delved into Chris' past a little bit more. Instead, half the book was taken up by another couple involving two characters who were just introduced to us. I enjoyed their romance as well, but I would've preferred to focus more on the characters we know and love.
The next book is about Autry's sister and Ash, the farmer...opposites attract and all that. It should be fun! I'm so sad it's the last book in the series, though...I've enjoyed these books tremendously.
The next book is about Autry's sister and Ash, the farmer...opposites attract and all that. It should be fun! I'm so sad it's the last book in the series, though...I've enjoyed these books tremendously.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2010
Reread in 2010.
I loved both Ruthie and Chris. But I felt that the romance happened too quickly for Ruthie's past, and it bothered me that that Ruthie was the one who instigated the hurried pace.
I like that they agreed to go slowly, though (even if they couldn't keep to that promise). It showed they were both wary (Chris especially) and that they were aware of potential issues.
However, even though I thought it all happened too fast, I thought that Winfree handled the domestic violence aspect absolutely fantastically. She has a way of dealing with deep emotional issues that cuts right to the heart of the matter.
Chris is one of my favorite Winfree heroes, throughout the series.
I loved both Ruthie and Chris. But I felt that the romance happened too quickly for Ruthie's past, and it bothered me that that Ruthie was the one who instigated the hurried pace.
I like that they agreed to go slowly, though (even if they couldn't keep to that promise). It showed they were both wary (Chris especially) and that they were aware of potential issues.
However, even though I thought it all happened too fast, I thought that Winfree handled the domestic violence aspect absolutely fantastically. She has a way of dealing with deep emotional issues that cuts right to the heart of the matter.
Chris is one of my favorite Winfree heroes, throughout the series.
June 24, 2011
3.5 stars
I LOVED Chris and Ruthie's story. There was so much to their histories, and the healing they both needed to do. The only reason I didn't rate it higher is because of my frustration with the secondary romance. It was an interesting storyline, however, I really felt like each page dedicated to their relationship was one that wasn't about Chris and Ruthie.
I'm not usually crazy about the abusive/stalkery ex storyline, but it worked well in Facing It.
If you haven't picked up the Hearts of the South series, yet, I really recommend it. I'm sort of sad that I'm about to begin book 9 in the series, which is the most current one published.
I LOVED Chris and Ruthie's story. There was so much to their histories, and the healing they both needed to do. The only reason I didn't rate it higher is because of my frustration with the secondary romance. It was an interesting storyline, however, I really felt like each page dedicated to their relationship was one that wasn't about Chris and Ruthie.
I'm not usually crazy about the abusive/stalkery ex storyline, but it worked well in Facing It.
If you haven't picked up the Hearts of the South series, yet, I really recommend it. I'm sort of sad that I'm about to begin book 9 in the series, which is the most current one published.
July 5, 2015
In Facing It, we meet another member of the Calvert family, Ruth Ann (Ruthie Calvert) Chason. She is paired with the somewhat mysterious deputy Chris, who has been seen by fans of the HOTS series in previous books. Readers get a bonus along with the romance and suspense in Facing It, by way of a secondary romance which unfolds as the larger story advances. Winfree is excellent at weaving multiple story threads together to form a beautifully illustrated tapestry of the good and bad in life.
May 15, 2009
The relationship between the h/h moved way too fast considering her past. I was also very much bothered by the way things were handled with her kids. Otherwise it was as well done as the other books in the series (tight writing, good plot, excellent hero).
December 10, 2017
I really liked the story line for Ruthie and Chris but could have done without the secondary story of the FBI couple.
Reread.
Reread again, except I skipped the parts that were about the FBI couple.
Reread.
Reread again, except I skipped the parts that were about the FBI couple.
May 17, 2010
Once more Linda had me spellbound from the first page. Definitely a must read and a keeper as far as I'm concerned.
August 28, 2010
My review: http://bit.ly/8XCo6U
March 29, 2012
It was a good story. Should of left the second romance story out and just focus on Chris & Ruthie's romance.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews