Taking Heart
Healing Harts #2 By: T.J. Kline Released June 2, 2015 Avon Impulse
T. J. Kline's Healing Harts series continues as a soldier suffering from PTSD and a therapy dog trainer find that some scars can only be healed by love...
Julia Hart knows how much good she does training therapy dogs—it's what helped her overcome her own trials after a relationship turned unexpectedly violent. But moving beyond her mistakes meant trusting only her family with her heart. Dylan, a former soldier, has run out of hope for recovery. Plagued by nightmares and flashbacks, he doubts anything will help him overcome his PTSD. When his brother convinces him to try one last time, he agrees to get a therapy dog. Dylan didn't expect to find Julia or a chance for a "normal" future again. But when Julia's attacker is released from prison, Dylan and Julia will have to face the past together.
A heartfelt, emotional and suspenseful story, that captured my mind.
What Dylan has experienced, and lost, is devastating and overwhelming. The love and devotion between Dylan and his brother is admirable, and what Gage has given up to take care of Dylan, just mind blowing. The PTSD Dylan has, and the description of the hell he lives with, is very vivid. I am a big believer of the therapy dogs, and love reading stories about them. The bond between Dylan and Roscoe forms fast and deep. The connection between them is nearly supernatural, and Dylan's improvement with Roscoe by his side, is absolutely adorable. Julia and Dylan have chemistry and charisma. They are drawn to each other from the first moment, like the two broken pieces that together forms a whole. They both have their issues, wounds, and past, they have to recover from, and accept. The road to recovery is not easy, and will never be full, but together they are able to take bigger steps towards more 'normal' existence, that Dylan has known, since he came back from the war. But the inner demons, nightmares, and flashbacks are not the only thing Julia and Dylan has to fight, soon Julia's ex, Evan, who was recently released from prison, comes for a visit, despite the restriction order, stalking and harassing Julia. The tension builds on the farm, the suspense, bringing a strain and stress on Dylan and Julia, whom already both have PTSD. The story is well built from all the sides of the tale. The suspense is intense, the mystery of Evan's whereabouts is straining the small town's police force, and the cat and mouse type teasing from Evan is nerve racking. This poignant and touching tale has many elements, that bring even more depth, feelings, and perception to the story. It makes an impact, makes you think, appreciate even more all that the military personnel have to experience when in battle, the love and romance between Dylan and Julie is tender, fragile, and sweet, that gives hope and optimism for a better tomorrow, and the many lovely, sweet service dogs in the story, and the work they do, just melts the heart, thrilling tale indeed! ~ Five Spoons!
T. J. Kline was raised competing in rodeos and rodeo queen competitions since the age of 14, She has thorough knowledge of the sport as well as the culture involved. She has had several articles about rodeo published in the past in small periodicals as well as a more recent how-to article for RevWriter. She is also an avid reader and book reviewer for both Tyndale and Multnomah.
Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
1 Comment
Tasty Book Tours
25/6/2015 11:10:12
Thank you for hosting TAKING HEART!
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