Customer Reviews

Hearts Awakened (Hearts of the South)

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Tori Calvert had survived the most horrific event that can ever happen to a woman. She was raped nearly seven years ago, and although she survived the attack, she hadn't figured out how to live with it much less move beyond it. She did have a full life counseling at the center, but had never really had a personal life. Seeing her brother Tick so happy with Cait, and the baby they were expecting, highlighted what was missing in her life. Tori thought if she ever could figure a way to move on, she would like to do it with Mark Cook. He was her brother's best friend, and partner, so she knew him well, but couldn't drive away the extremely lustful thoughts she had begun having about him recently.

Mark Cook coasted through life. He hadn't truly lived since the disappearance of his wife and unborn child. He didn't even try to move on because he was to blame for their presumed deaths, and would carry that guilt forever. If it was possible he hated himself even more because of the feelings he was developing for Tori. He knew they could never be together forever, but couldn't keep fighting the losing battle. He knew what she had gone through, and what Tick would do if he found out he was harboring these feelings for his baby sister. In spite of all the reasons they shouldn't be together, he still wanted her with a fierceness that scared him.

As these two tortured souls try to put the pieces of their lives back together, they cautiously move toward a future together. Just as they start to have hope, they are dealt one devastating blow after the other. After three miscarriages, Cait is heartbroken when she goes into early labor, and the future of her unborn child is uncertain. Then Tick is the recipient of news that puts his life at risk. The most devastating news of all comes when Mark is notified that his missing wife may have been found - alive!!

This Hearts of the South series is so compelling, and well written. Since this is a continuing series, you get to know all these incredible characters. I didn't think any other story in the series could equal Book 4, but this one came very close. While this is supposed to be Tori and Mark's story, Cait and Tick's tale is expanded and continued in this very emotionally charged offering. Make sure you have a tissue handy because I was close to tears more than once.

Deputies Mark Cook and Tori Calvert have both experienced tragedy in
life. For Mark, it was the disappearance of his pregnant wife, and for
Tori, it was the vicious violation that changed the course of her
life. Even though both are attracted to each other, neither has ever
acted on it. When they are forced to spend time together at a police
conference, they both take a chance on love again. Can they get past
the scars of their individual pasts to find the happiness that is waiting?

I have said it many times.... I LOVE LINDA WINFREE'S HEARTS OF THE SOUTH
SERIES! Hearts Awakened is a great addition to the series. I've long
been waiting for "Cookie" and Tori's story and surely wasn't
disappointed. Teeming with emotion and loaded with Linda Winfree's
characters from earlier books, Hearts Awakened is one book you
shouldn't miss. Truly a Joyfully Recommended Read!


Melissa
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

i started the series here and had to go back and read from #1 onwards. loved Marks and Tori's story - the sad life that Mark is living and breaking thru it was a joy to read. i dont really believe that Tori went from pretty confident/getting over her rape in the earlier series to this skittish victim in this book but meh, it is what it is and Mark showed so much care to be part of Tori's life that this is why its my fav.

Tori Calvert had survived the most horrific event that can ever happen to a woman. She was raped nearly seven years ago, and although she survived the attack, she hadn't figured out how to live with it much less move beyond it. She did have a full life counseling at the center, but had never really had a personal life. Seeing her brother Tick so happy with Cait, and the baby they were expecting, highlighted what was missing in her life. Tori thought if she ever could figure a way to move on, she would like to do it with Mark Cook. He was her brother's best friend, and partner, so she knew him well, but couldn't drive away the extremely lustful thoughts she had begun having about him recently.

Mark Cook coasted through life. He hadn't truly lived since the disappearance of his wife and unborn child. He didn't even try to move on because he was to blame for their presumed deaths, and would carry that guilt forever. If it was possible he hated himself even more because of the feelings he was developing for Tori. He knew they could never be together forever, but couldn't keep fighting the losing battle. He knew what she had gone through, and what Tick would do if he found out he was harboring these feelings for his baby sister. In spite of all the reasons they shouldn't be together, he still wanted her with a fierceness that scared him.

As these two tortured souls try to put the pieces of their lives back together, they cautiously move toward a future together. Just as they start to have hope, they are dealt one devastating blow after the other. After three miscarriages, Cait is heartbroken when she goes into early labor, and the future of her unborn child is uncertain. Then Tick is the recipient of news that puts his life at risk. The most devastating news of all comes when Mark is notified that his missing wife may have been found - alive!!

This Hearts of the South series is so compelling, and well written. Since this is a continuing series, you get to know all these incredible characters. I didn't think any other story in the series could equal Book 4, but this one came very close. While this is supposed to be Tori and Mark's story, Cait and Tick's tale is expanded and continued in this very emotionally charged offering. Make sure you have a tissue handy because I was close to tears more than once.