The Orphaned Heart

Athena #2

by Kelly DeSalis

Natalie's Story:

My twin sister and I were abandoned at a local park by our parents when we were just toddlers.

When they discovered us the state authorities split us up and sent my sister to a loving foster home.

I got sent to an orphanage and was then totally forgotten by the outside world.

The sinister acts of abuse that were done to me as a young child there made it impossible for me to have an intimate relationship as an adult.

If someone even tried to give me a hug, I would have PTSD attack causing me to lash out.

Any man that has tried to rush a relationship with me has ended up in the hospital, courtesy of my automatic violent reactions.

But now I have found a strong, gentle, patient man, who won't give up on me, who has put every one of my needs before his.

I am falling deeper and deeper in love with this man with every passing hour.

But someone from his past wants to take him from me. 

Two attempts have been made on his life, I can't loose him now.

I'm not going to let that happen....... 

You mess with my man and you will endure the full wrath of my fury.

Find out if Natalie can help save the man she loves and bury the trauma from her past...

                                                                                    

NEW ROMANTIC SUSPENSE AUTHOR

★★★★★ "I have never read a book with such strong chemistry between the two main characters!!"

★★★★★ "I honestly did not want this book to end."

★★★★★ "After reading this book I want to be Natalie"

★★★★★ "I read this book, cried, and then read it all over again"

Publishers The Orphaned Heart is a Romantic Suspense novel and is the second in the Athena Series.  There is some violence,swearing, PTSD and references to child abuse in this novel.  No Cliffhanger.  It is recommended to read this series in order.

153 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2020

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natalie and Florine are twins who were
abandoned at a park when they were
toddlers. After several foster homes,
Florine was placed in a good home
while Natalie placement was an abusive
nightmare. This has left Natalie damaged.
She does not like to be touch nor is she
open for a relationship.
Natalie owns and runs her own shop.
She has become friends with the town
sheriff Jack. He is in love with her and will
wait while she heals.
Enter a sniper.....shooting through Natalie’s
front store window. The catalyst which will
bring them together.
The author does an amazing job addressing
Natalie’s problem with PTSD. I was impressed
by how the author worked Natalie’s therapy
into the story.
The mystery of the sniper kept my interest
throughout the book. I enjoyed that there
were past secrets coming to light as the story
unfolded.
This is book # 2 in the Athena Series. It can
be read as a stand alone as enough of the
past mixes effortlessly with the present.
I volunteered to read The Orphaned Heart. I
received a free copy of this book via Booksprout
and voluntarily leaving a honest review.
A Kindle Unlimited Read.
A Kindle Unlimited Customer.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two of The Athena series and tells the story of the Natalie. She and her twin sister Florine were abandoned in a local park when they were just toddlers and unfortunately separated by the authorities. Florine went to a loving foster home, but Natalie ended up in an orphanage and was completely forgotten about and had a multitude of abuses done to her during that time that scarred her for the future. Her twin sister told her foster mother about Natalie and she came to get her out of the orphanage, but not before a lot of damage had already been done to her and others. Her twin sister Florine, managed to have a daughter called Mercy, but lost her soldier husband whilst she was pregnant. Natalie was left unable to have any sort of intimate relationship as an adult and even a hug could set her off. She thrashes out at people when she is touched unexpectedly and especially from the back. She had to leave Florine’s home for the safety of her daughter Mercy, as she had very bad nightmares and while she could fall asleep with Mary, Mercy or Florine, she would hit out violently if she awoke after one of her frightening nightmares, so would never sleep the night with any of them, for fear of hurting them.

She is working in her small boutique salon when she faces yet another puffed up muscle man, who thinks he is god’s gift to women, and refuses to believe she wants nothing to do with him. Luckily for her, or more the still healing bullet wound in her side, from when she and her twin were kidnapped by her evil ex, her friend and town sheriff Jack steps in and teaches the romeo a lesson. She has known him for years, through her sister and always felt safe with him. He is the only man she seems to get any funny feelings about in her guts, after all her abuse and distrust of most of man kind! She knows that Jack wants a relationship with her, a romantic one, but she doesn’t want to ruin their friendship, especially if her past failures at attempting relationships was anything to go by. But her own twin sister told her not to give up on the chance of happiness with someone who loves her. He has given her space and never pushed her into making any sort of choices she isn’t comfortable with, even waiting over six months after last asking her out for dinner.

Shortly after this man is forced to leave, Natalie is just about to tell Jack she is willing to go out with him, when she spots a red circle on his head. She throws him to the ground, slightly too slowly to avoid him getting shot, but at least he is still alive. It seems Jack has made some enemies somewhere in the past and they are trying to kill him. Now that Natalie has been caught up in this mess, they try to go after her as well. Fortunately, she has taken a lot of self-defence classes and been taught how to handle a gun and rifle competently and uses these to protect herself and Jack, as needed. However, now the only place she can go is to Jack’s home, as a secure location with a stranger is too much for her to try and handle. At least she knows Jack and trusts him totally. Their relationship begins to build as Jack is a gentle soul, strong and patient with her and any of her foibles. He tells her he will go at her pace and not do anything until she is ready for him to take matters further, he is someone she feels at last that she can trust.

She fell in love with his voice and calming manner and knew she could trust him in everything, finally feeling she could open up more about the things that happened in her past. His large Irish family and especially his mother however, don’t think much about his attempts to keep her away from the all and push to meet her sooner than she is ready. The two have many hurdles to get through, but Natalie is sure that Jack is the one man who can deal with all her issues and he has proven that he isn’t going to run away from her, no matter what, as she had feared. Someone is trying to mess with him and has tried to kill him twice, but they better watch out, because Natalie is armed and dangerous herself and will do whatever it takes to save the only man who has shown her what true love really is! A dangerous love story between a gentle man and a wounded young woman, scarred by her past but ready for love, neither of whom are afraid to kick some butt if required. Some scenes of institutional abuse are brought up, so please be aware if this may trigger any issues. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two in The Athena Series and it is Natalie and Jack's story and omg what an emotional story it is. Natalie owned her own shop and she was feisty, loyal, supportive and always getting herself into trouble especially when Jack was around. Jack is the town sheriff and with a no nonsense attitude but he was in love with Natalie and even though she turned him down he will settle for friendship just to be with her and he is a kind and caring person and had plenty of patients where Natalie is concerned so he will just wait for the right time if it comes to be with her. Natalie has a past where she doesn't like anyone to touch or surprise her as she has panic attacks and strikes out after having years of abuse so she realises that she may never be able to have a relationship with anyone as she has tried and failed so even though she has feelings for Jack but she will not go there as she doesn't want to loose his friendship as it means everything to her. Natalie and Jack have strong chemistry between them but will Natalie ever be able to try as she has so much baggage. There were many twists and turns along with danger, betrayal, secrets, hope, love many emotional situations that you feel like you are going through it with them. I couldn't put this book down as it was so addictive and I can't wait to read the next book in this amazing series. Kelly Desalis is an amazing author and writer and I definitely recommend you read this book and series and you will not be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in a series and I think the reader would appreciate the book so much more if they had read the first book. Natalie and Jack are friends and he would like to have more of a relationship. Natalie has damaged emotions from a traumatic childhood and she also has PTSD. Jack is a patient man and he's willing to do whatever is necessary to win her over.

The story begins with a sniper shooting into Natalie's shop window. This event brings Natalie and Jack closer.

I think this book is best read by a mature reader.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Mucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Natalie had one terrible case of PTSD and it's no wonder with what she went through. Allowing Jack into her life and into her trauma and recovering process allowed Natalie to begin healing. It will take her time but she is on the right track with the right people involved.

Thank you Kelly for writing this book and showing that there are men that can be gentle and patient to help someone worth waiting for to heal. There is hope!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional love story you can't put down. So well written you're captivated before you even realize it. The characters are well developed and easy to get to know. This is a book you don't want to miss out on. Highly recommend!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read!

I enjoyed this book even more than the first! If that's the case, I can't wait for the rest of the series!