Moving Target

Athena #8

by Kelly DeSalis

Barbara’s Story 

There was only two things that could scare Barbara anymore…

She had lived through one of the most horrendous experiences that any woman can go through.

So, the things that normal people feared seemed funny to her now.

And the things she was afraid of would seem funny to others.

Trust terrified her.  After her first husband sold her into a sex slavery operation, she had a difficult time trusting people now.

Intimacy was a living nightmare.    Whenever she told anyone about her horrible past, they would instantly run a mile away leaving her alone and totally isolated again.

Luckily, she had a survivors tough determination to never give up and she was focused on starting her life over again.

And just when her life was beginning to turn for the better, her horrible nightmare began again when one of the men from the trafficking ring crawled through her broken kitchen window.

He was there to tie up any loose ends, Barbara was a big loose end.

But Barbara was not the same woman she was all those years ago and these men where about to find out the hard way.

Click and buy now to read the final book in the Athena Series

                                                                                                         

What others have said about this

★★★★★ "I am quite sad that this is the last book in this series and I found myself just gobbling up these stories. This one is no different." - Amazon Reviewer

★★★★★ "As always, I enjoy the author's exciting storyline. The characters are real, flawed, but endearing, and our protagonists find love together. An altogether satisfying read! - Amazon Reviewer

★★★★★ "She is so scared to take the next step with step with him, despite the chemistry that is so easily shown between them. Can she let herself be happy, despite all of her baggage. Just a fair warning...it's hard to put down if you start." -  Amazon Reviewer

Publishers This is the 8th book in the Athena Series and is It recommended to read this series in order.  There is sexual reference, sexual violence, PTSD and swearing in this book.  No cliff-hanger and guaranteed HEA ending

114 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 19, 2021

Reviews

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book eight of The Athena series and tells the story of Barbara and Leon. Barbara is one of the women that was rescued by the brothers of the Beckham family from a human trafficking ring. She used to be married, a choice that left her parents disinheriting her and never speaking to her again. Not her best choice of husband, because as soon as she found out what he was involved in, he gave her to the human trafficking ring and she had been stuck there until she was rescued. Her immune system was badly damaged by her poor treatment and Maxine Beckham, Adeline’s and her brother’s mother, took her in as part of their family and was helping to feed her back up to strength. Barbara has been staying with Adeline and helping by looking after her boys when needed, but she wants a job and her own independence at some point. Barbara has a number of issues after her treatment and coping with crowds is one of her worst, but at least Leon has been helping her to cope with them.

She knows that there is chemistry between them, but after what she had to deal with, she is unsure what her reactions will be to any sort of intimate moves by him and doesn’t want him to have to deal with damaged goods, as she thinks of herself. She has trust issues and doesn’t like to be touched. She also has to contend with an ex-husband who was let free after his trial, so is still out there and hasn’t paid for his actions. She helps sort out a long standing feud between brothers Leon and Marco, about Marco’s lack of contact with their mother and making her worry for so long while he was in the forces, unlike his brother Zak. There was also the issue of him not returning when his father fell ill, but that wasn’t completely his fault, as his mother Maxine hadn’t told him! Now she has Maxine working on her matchmaking, trying to figure out why Barbara doesn’t take action on her feelings for her son Leon, when she clearly likes him. Leon is a computer hacker and security expert and helped his brothers Zak and Marco when they were tracing Naomi when she got taken by the human trafficking ring. He may not be able to defend Barbara as well physically, but he would do anything for her to make her feel as secure as possible.

Barbara’s ex-husband Andre is now the boss of this human trafficking ring and had been taking her money whilst they were married, to start it all up! He is one of a number of men involved in the ring and she knows Andre or one of the men could still be coming for her. One of his men manages to break into Leon’s flat whilst he is dropping off Adeline’s boys, come to tie up loose ends, her! She manages to get on the phone to Zak, to warn him in case someone else was after Zoe, but only she was being targeted. What they haven’t realised, is that Barbara isn’t the same person she used to be. Leon may feel down, being unable to protect her, but he helps her in so many other ways and has built her up as well from the broken person she was. Andre is still out there and he is obviously waiting for them to put their guard down, but she will be ready for him! She and Leon have gotten closer now and she is even willing to start testing out being intimate, knowing she can trust Leon to stop if anything is too much for her. But what she feels with him is completely different than any other experience she has ever had. A few nasty shocks in the story, but with Leon and the rest of the Beckham clan and the local sheriff Jack considering her as part of their family, she has all the help and company she could need to start her new future. I absolutely love the strength of Barbara and the other women who survived everything the trafficking ring forced upon them and the strong women they have become, with strong and supporting men at their sides! 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 eight in The Athena Series and it is Barbara and Leon's story. Barbara has been rescued from a human trafficking ring and now all she wants to do is move forward with her life and try to put her last behind her even though she has many problems to deal with after what she had been through but her attraction to Leon was something that she definitely wasn't expecting. Leon thought Barbara was brave, beautiful, sassy and he had strong feelings for her but after what she had been through and the trauma that she was still suffering from he knew that he would have to take it really slow but he was determined to protect her and be there for her regardless of the situation. There are many twists and turns along with danger, abuse, hope, love and emotional situations and I absolutely loved this book as it was a real page turner and I couldn't put it down and the connection and chemistry between Barbara and Leon just got stronger the more time that they spend together but with danger closing in how will it all end and I loved the ending of this book. Kelly Desalis is an amazing author and writer and I definitely recommend you read this book and series and you will definitely not be disappointed.

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

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written story that you can't put down. It's part of a series but can be read as a stand alone book. The story deals with an issue that does happen and not many people want to discuss, sex trafficking. In this book, Leon is helping Barbara heal after being rescued from the sex trafficking ring. As you turn each page, you can't help but fall in love with the characters and get swept up in the story line.

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

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book. After being saved from sex trafficking barbara was brought into Leon's family. They started to have feelings for each other and invthe process he helped her start to heal. The Romance between the two was sweet and gentle and the book ended with a wonderful hea

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

[Marie Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leon and Barbara’s story was one that I couldn’t put down once I started! Truly an outstanding end to a fantastic series! A story filled with relatable emotions and strong characters that show us that the greatest tragedies can be overcome with the right support system. I highly recommend this whole series!

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

[Judy Mucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Book Series

I loved this book series. All the women in these stories were damaged in different ways but each found a way to be strong and to be open to a wonderful relationship with a loving and caring man.

Thanks for writing this series Ms. DeSalis! It was great.

[Karen Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good series

Just finished #8. These were good bppks, though a bit predictable. Too bad the brothers are all taken at this. Point.