After being locked up for a crime he didn't commit,
Sheppard Granger is back to take over the reins as CEO of Granger Aeronautics.
On top of that, he intends to totally romance his wife Carson and make up for
the time they couldn't share together. When their idyllic marriage is
threatened by someone from Carson's past, the Grangers unite and prove that
when it comes to protecting those they love, they are more than prepared to
meet trouble head on.
Terrific book. I read the Granger brothers' books when
they first came out and loved them. At the time, I really wanted to know more
about Shep and his story. That desire was magnified when I read the follow-on
Protectors series. I had no idea, until recently, that Ms. Jackson had written
Shep and Carson's story, and was thrilled to get a copy. I thoroughly enjoyed getting
the rest of the story.
The book opened one year after Shep's exoneration and
release from prison, and on the first wedding anniversary of he and Carson. Their
love for each other is evident, as is their appreciation for everything they
went through to get to that point.
The story then goes back six years to when Shep and
Carson first met. He is ten years into a thirty-year sentence for murdering his
wife, a crime he did not commit. Rather than bemoaning his fate, Shep has used his
abilities as a businessman to mentor other prisoners. He has received accolades
for his successes and a quiet satisfaction from making a difference. The prison
warden introduces Shep and Carson, asking them to work together to help one
particular prisoner. Carson is a successful lawyer who does pro bono work with
young men who were wrongly convicted.
The sparks between them were apparent from the beginning,
though both tried to resist at first. Shep, because there is no future in a
relationship, and Carson because it would be unprofessional. I loved seeing
them get to know each other while fighting against injustice. Though
understandably wary at the beginning, thanks to her past with an abusive
husband, it didn't take long for Carson to see Shep as the honorable man that
he was. I ached for both of them as their feelings grew stronger, despite the
obstacles they faced. I loved the help that their relationship received from
the prison guard, Ambrose. I hurt for Shep when his hopes for a new trial were
dashed by the death of the PI investigating what really happened. It was
Carson's love and willingness to wait that made the next five years bearable.
Once the truth finally came out, he did as promised and married her
immediately.
The story then moves to the present day. Shep and Carson's
love grows stronger every day. I loved watching Shep adjust to being free again
and look toward his future. There were some terrific scenes with his sons,
Jace, Caden, and Dalton, as they make up for their years apart. There were also
beautiful scenes of Shep and Carson together as they discussed their plans to
continue helping those who need it most. Life gets complicated when Carson's
ex-husband, Pence, shows up, angry over an inheritance that Carson received that
he thinks should be his. I loved Carson's strength in standing up to him, and
also her ability to confide her trouble to Shep. It made me grin to see how
Shep used his contacts to get the low-down on the ex. I laughed out loud at Shep's
confrontation with the man, and the fear he inspired without laying a finger on
him (though he was tempted). I cheered at the visit that immediately followed,
when Jace, Caden, and Dalton, as well as Striker, Stonewall, and Quasar, showed
up and put the fear of God into Pence. It showed the deep love and respect that
all six had for both Shep and Carson that made the men determined to protect
them.
The tension isn't quite over, though. Carson receives
some unexpected news that she isn't sure how to handle. I ached for her fear
that Shep would be unhappy and wanted to shake her for not just coming out and
telling him. It was clear that Shep is deeply attuned to her moods that he knew
right away that something bothered her. I loved his patience in getting her to
open up and tell him what had her so worried. His reaction was priceless, and I
wasn't at all surprised by it. The family meeting that they all attended later
that day was fantastic, as Shep finally shared his plans for the future. The
book ended with a hilarious scene of multiple revelations, and Dalton catching
grief from all sides.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the influence
that Shep had on so many lives. It wasn't a unicorns and rainbows sort of
thing, but a realistic look at the effect life on the "inside" could
have on people. Shep's frustration when things went badly was real, as was his
happiness when they went well. An excellent testament to that influence was the
way so many stayed in touch with him when they got out. I enjoyed getting a
little of the background of Shep's relationships with Striker, Stonewall, and
Quasar. I read their stories when they came out and saw that he remained a part
of their lives.
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