by Robyn Carr
Part of Virgin River, book 2
First published 2007
John "Preacher" Middleton prepares to lock up the Virgin River bar when a battered woman stumbles through the door with her three year old son on a rainy October evening. The Marine veteran recognizes trauma when he sees it. Paige Lassiter bears fresh bruises that tell their own story. Preacher's protective instincts kick in immediately, but something deeper stirs within the gentle giant. He wants to shield them from harm and make someone pay for hurting them. Yet these feelings run far beyond duty or sympathy. For the second time in twelve months, a woman has arrived in this small town fleeing her past. Preacher discovers emotions he has never permitted himself to experience. When Paige's ex-husband tracks them down to Virgin River, everything hangs in the balance. The Marine motto Semper Fidelis taught Preacher that certain battles must be fought. Now he faces the most important fight of his life.
Genres: fiction, romance, adult-fiction, contemporary-romance
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, second-chance
Setting: Virgin River
Period: October
384 pages · Mass Market Paperback · MIRA
Content warnings: abuse, domestic-violence, physical-abuse