HONOR’S REFUGE BY HALLEE BRIDGEMAN

When she was just five years old, Melissa Braxton watched her father take her mother's life. Separated from her sister, Lola, at that time, Melissa grew up with a strong desire to help those stuck in abusive relationships. It's why she became a family therapist and opened a domestic abuse shelter.

After losing a leg to a gunshot wound in the line of duty, Phil Osbourne has felt like a man without a purpose--until he hears Melissa's story and decides to use his Special Forces contacts to track down her missing sister. He knows what he discovers will break Melissa's heart. What he doesn't realize is that helping the women reunite will bring the cartel down on them like the Category 5 hurricane striking Miami.

Bruised yet not quite broken, Melissa and Phil battle the storm and the cartel, calling on strength they didn't know they had to escape death, save the innocent, and--just maybe--find healing in each other's arms.

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Hallee Bridgeman is the award winning and USA TODAY bestselling author of several action-packed romantic suspense books and series. An Army brat turned Floridian, Hallee settled with her husband in central Kentucky, where they have raised their three children. When she’s not writing, Hallee pursues her passion for cooking, coffee, campy action movies, and regular date nights with her husband. Above all else, she loves God with all of her heart, soul, mind, and strength; has been redeemed by the blood of Christ; and relies on the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide her.

LOVE AND HONOR SERIES

Prequel: Love in Any Language

1. Honor Bound

2. Word of Honor

3. Honor's Refuge

THE DIXON BROTHER SERIES:

1. Courting Calla

2. Valerie's Verdict

3. Alexandra's Appeal

4. Daisy's Decision

RED BLOOD & BLUEGRASS SERIES:

1. Black Belt, White Dress

2. Blizzard in the Bluegrass

3. The Seven Year Glitch

4. A Change of a Dress

THE JEWEL SERIES:

1. Sapphire Ice

2. Greater Than Rubies

3. Emerald Fire

4. Topaz Heat

SECOND GENERATION JEWEL SERIES:

5. Christmas Diamond

6. Christmas Star Sapphire

7. Jade's Match

8. Chasing Pearl

SONG OF SUSPENSE SERIES:

1. A Melody for James

2. An Aria for Nick

3. A Carol for Kent

4. A Harmony for Steve

VIRTUES AND VALOR SERIES:

1. Temperance's Trial

2. Homeland's Hope

3. Charity's Code

4. A Parcel for Prudence

5. Grace's Ground War

6. Mission of Mercy

7. Flight of Faith

8. Valor's Vigil

PARODY COOKBOOK SERIES

Fifty Shades of Gravy, A Christian Gets Saucy

The Walking Bread, This Bread Will Rise

Iron Skillet Man, The Stark Truth About Pepper and Pots

Hallee Crockpotter and the Chamber of Sacred Ingredients

STAND ALONE TITLES:

On the Ropes

Save the Date

Love's Letters

WRITING HELP BOOKS

Writing from the Trenches

MY REVIEW

If you are looking for an action driven, edge of your seat thriller this is the book for you. It does contain sensitive issues that could be a trigger for some readers. I liked the main female character Melissa. Coming from an abusive childhood, she now runs a shelter that  houses people who need to find a safe place. She and her friend carefully bring men, women and children there and help them escape their abusive relationship. I admire all the hard work Melissa and her friend have taken to make others feel safe. They give them a chance to start a new life. 

Phil has seen his share of trauma from being in the service. Losing a leg at times makes him feel like he is less than a man which holds him back from relationships. I liked how he wanted to do something meaningful for Melissa and was able to find her sister that she lost touch with when they were separated as children. What he didn’t know was the danger Melissa’s sister was in. There is a good faith element in the story which illustrates how we can call out to Jesus in our time of need. 

The story takes on a dangerous man who is involved in the drug cartel. He also happens  to be married to Melissa’s sister. With determination Phil and Mellisa team up to help her sister that brings trouble to everyone at the shelter. There is a leak somewhere in the government that puts lives in danger. A tragedy shakes the operation to its core. I liked how the author keeps readers guessing as the story has twists that kept  you on the edge of your seat. Don’t miss this intense story of faith, danger, secrets and healing from your past. 

I received a copy of this book from The Librarything Early Reader Program. The review is my own opinion.