Just Contemporary Romance: PTSD is a thing!

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

PTSD is a thing!

PTSD is a thing! With a few of the novellas in the Directions of the Heart collection, that became abundantly clear. As Jack, the hero in ‘A Touch of Dawn’ says, “Pretending that it didn’t happen just puts a Band-Aid on the real issue. PTSD [is] not just for soldiers, Caitlyn.”

So, yeah, it’s very real and very scary for the two trauma survivors in the story. But, I promise their journey is one you’ll never forget…

EXCERPT

“If it helps, I’d have an officer placed outside the door for security. But please believe me…you’re not in any danger now. Still, I promise we won’t take any chances with your safety.”

She shuddered. One thing she knew instinctively was she shouldn’t be left to her own devices. After what she’d been through, her grip on herself was tenuous. She had struggled to stay sane in the cellar. But if she had the opportunity, she might try to kill herself. Part of her wanted the release from life. Another portion was terrified of death. It was a bit odd, considering what she just went through. “I should probably go home.”

Home. Wasn’t that a strange word?

He nodded. “Okay. Sounds like a plan. I already called your mother after we found you. She’s expecting you. She would’ve gone to the hospital, of course, but I told her you should be treated before you had visitors.”

Her stomach clenched a little. So her mother knew she was coming. What would the woman expect from her? How could Caitlyn live a normal life?

She glanced over at Jack. He had an olive tone to his skin, with dark brown hair and pleasant blue eyes. His face was a bit scruffy as if he hadn’t shaved in a couple days. Somehow, he was more attractive for it. Mysterious.

Did it matter what the man looked like, though? She had too many issues to worry about her reaction to him. She had been kidnapped, kept in a cellar to serve as a sex slave for two men. How in the world was she supposed to deal with it, and somehow move on?

She cleared her throat. “How far away is she from here?” Caitlyn managed, trying to give her mind a decent distraction.

“A good twenty minutes.”

“Oh. Okay.” She sighed. “How long has it been? I mean…how long was I gone?”

He sucked in a breath. “Three months.”

Was that all? It was unfathomable. She shook her head, unable to wrap her mind around the seed of information.

DIRECTIONS OF THE HEART

Embark on a remarkable journey of drama, romance, and passion...

In all of these amazing stories, there's one burning question...is love worth the risk?

Without You

Reece and Jenna are two childhood friends separated by time and distance. Can they find a way to heal their bond, or perhaps forge a new one?

Strange Heat

Spurred by her friend’s close call, Victoria decides to take a risk and prove the lifestyle she led was her downfall. But as Tory sinks deeper into the tumultuous abyss of desire with the mysterious Rick, can she climb back out before it’s too late? Or does she even want to?

Memories

Struggling to run her family’s farm on her own, Sadie takes on a hired hand, Matt. As they grow closer, so does the danger. Someone wants her legacy. Can they combat this new threat, as well as the demons of the past, before Sadie loses everything, including her life?

A Touch of Dawn

Caitlyn thought she’d be in the dark forever. But with the light came Jack, the police consultant who found her. Can they take a journey of healing together, or will Caitlyn retreat into the darkness of her mind, where she lived for so long?

(CONTENT WARNING: With an abuse awareness theme in this collection, there may be triggers here for past trauma sufferers. However, HEAs are guaranteed.)

Buy links:

Amazon Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B071WVZZPV

myBook.to/DoH

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/729271

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/directions-of-the-heart-marie-lavender/1126548251

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/directions-of-the-heart-a-romantic-drama-collection

CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/7239124

About the author:

Bestselling multi-genre author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 21 other books. Mystery Blogger Award for 2017. A to Z Blog Challenge Survivor in 2016. March 2016 Empress of the Universe title - winner of the "Broken Heart" themed contest and the "I Love You" themed contest on Poetry Universe. SECOND CHANCE HEART and A LITTLE MAGICK placed in the TOP 10 on the 2015 P&E Readers' Poll. Nominated in the TRR Readers' Choice Awards for Winter 2015. Poetry winner of the 2015 PnPAuthors Contest. The Versatile Blogger Award for 2015. Honorable Mention in the 2014 BTS Red Carpet Book Awards. Finalist and Runner-up in the 2014 MARSocial's Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader's Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 10 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors.

Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for a little over twenty-five years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Since 2010, Marie has published 22 books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery/thriller, dramatic fiction, literary fiction and poetry. She has also contributed to several multi-author anthologies. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series, The Blood at First Sight Series and The Code of Endhivar Series.

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