The Prisoner Within

by Emma Daniels

A pub brawl gone wrong lands Luke Alexander in prison. Whilst inside, a horrifying event almost sends him mad. When at last Luke walks free, he's not the carefree young man he used to be. He has to learn to live all over again. Trying to find work and overcoming the prejudice of people like Karen Shaw is only his first obstacle. There are also people who want him dead. Karen's sister, Lynette decides to give Luke a chance when her company needs new staff, as she sees more in him than his criminal history. Lynette has travelled the world, been married twice and dated a rock star, so Karen can't understand why she’d want to get involved with an ex-prisoner... until the rock star returns and wants Lyn back. Karen, on the other hand, has led a completely different life to her sister, too shy to fight for what she wants. When she discovers what Lynette had done to Luke, she decides to make some dramatic changes in her life... and his.Review by Rita V from Readers Favorite - Four Star Review ****The Prisoner Within is an intrinsic romantic novel, yet it is about tragedy and dealing with consequences. The Story starts when Luke Alexander, a young man in his mid-twenties, is leaving prison after having served 5 years for being involved in a pub fight that went horribly wrong. He longs to live a normal life and vows to do everything possible never to return to prison. He must face the changes of everything that has happened in the past five years outside of his prison cell. But having a criminal past carries its prejudices and people cannot seem to get past that with Luke. Looking for work becomes very difficult when he meets Karen Shaw. Karen carries many prejudices herself and treats him like a leper. He was now branded and labeled `no good'. It is Karen's older sister, Lynette, who sees much more to Luke than his criminal history. With his work release money almost gone, she decides to give Luke a chance and hires him for a large Communications Company. Luke and Lynnette discover they have chemistry for one another and fall in love, but would it last? Luke's fears that he had buried away come back to life after he finds out that his brother, Chris, is gay and in a relationship with a man named Tony. Luke has fears against the gay community and must come to terms in accepting that his brother is gay. Something dreadful also happened to Luke while in prison; something that he had blocked out and locked away until it comes back full force and he must face it once again. Karen also has plans for Luke that changes his life dramatically. Will Luke finally come to terms with his dark past, find romance, and accept his brother?Emma Daniels is a very powerful and intriguing writer. The Prisoner Within is complicated novel with several suspenseful twists and turns. The story does get long in some parts, but after getting back to the main plot, I enjoyed this book tremendously. I love how Emma draws the reader into her books. This story has it all; from suspense and thrills to romance and tragedy. It contains a real life story that we can all relate to on some level.

Genres: Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Romance

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2009

About the author

Emma Daniels lives in Sydney Australia, but also lived in Germany as a child. She is married with two children. She has been writing romantic novels for most of her life, and the results are clear - more than 15 books to her name. She is also a jewellary artist. Her favourite mediums are chain maille, bead sewing and artistic wire work.

Reviews

[Lhenry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very touching read, told in a kind of stoic, very understated voice. I really like how all the characters really grow and become better people. Luke is someone who has really suffered but gets past it in a realistic manner. Not everything is completely resolved in his life, but the important things are and he really matures and is able tobreak away from one really unpleasant aspect of his character. Lynette, Karen, and Chris, are well developed, likable and realistic characters who complete the story.

[Lauren Dowd · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a worth while read, I was slightly disapointed in the ending but overall it was enjoyable book.

[Ebony Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it! !!!