No Safe Haven

“I’M COMING FOR YOU.”

When helping a victim of domestic violence, advocate Jessica Taylor finds herself a target once more. But those memories of the past can’t stop her from safeguarding the women in her care. Not even when the victim’s brother, Andrew Jennings, appoints himself Jessica’s protector. She won’t let another man endanger himself for her sake, but gutsy determination turns to fear when the stalker steps out of the shadows and into her home. No place is safe, not even in Andrew’s arms. Because Jessica knows a showdown is coming and Andrew will risk everything—even his life—for the woman he loves.

“You’re too easy a target at home.”

Jessica stared at him, dumbfounded that Andrew expected her to run and hide. “I won’t be run out of my home by anyone.”

“I’m only suggesting you take precautions. You’ve stayed at the shelter lots of times.”

“By choice.” She folded her arms. “You’re suggesting

I hide out.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“I won’t let one of these psychos control my life.” She wouldn’t allow that to happen again.

“Need I remind you that you were nearly killed yesterday?” he said. “This guy has already scared you half to death and all he did was get onto the porch and rattle the door. What are you going to do when he gets inside?”

“I was not scared.”

He closed the distance between them as if his closeness was a reminder. “You were trembling. Are you so stubborn that you won’t even admit when you’re afraid?”

Not to him. But she admitted it to herself. She was terrified.…

Dear Reader,

Thank you for reading Andrew and Jessica’s story. I am so thrilled that theirs has become my first published LIS because I feel such a connection with these characters. We all have a past. We’ve all been hurt either by our own choices or by the choices of those around us. We have all gone through something in our pasts, and this world in which we live teaches us many different ways to cope. However, as Andrew and Jessica’s story shows, true healing comes only through the power of Jesus Christ. And according to 2 Samuel 14:14, God devises ways to bring His children back to Him. Isn’t that awesome? We serve a God who actively works to restore us to Himself no matter how many wrong choices we’ve made or wrong roads we’ve traveled.

One of my favorite verses is Joel 2:24 that states God will restore what the locusts ate. God restored Jessica from a traumatic experience. He gave her life a passion to help other abused women as well as a second chance at love. In a similar way, God has restored my life from the wrong choices I made in my younger days. He has given me a heart for women’s ministry and a passion for encouraging women to understand why we make the choices we make.

I would love to hear your thoughts, comments or stories of restoration. You can visit my website at virginiavaughanonline.com, my blog at womenofconsequence.blogspot.com, or through the publisher.

Blessings!

Virginia

VIRGINIA VAUGHAN

was born and raised in Mississippi and has never strayed far beyond those borders. She feels blessed to come from a large Southern family, and her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger and love. She soon started writing them herself.

After marriage, two kids and a divorce, Virginia realized her characters needed the same thing she needed—the healing grace and restoration power of Jesus Christ. She devoted her life and her writing to His glory and watched God swing open doors for her to walk through.

You can connect to Virginia through her website, virginiavaughanonline.com.

No Safe Haven

Virginia Vaughan

I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm.

—Joel 2:25

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through whom all things are possible.

And to my writers' group, the Bards of Faith. You’ve been there for me through both the tears and the laughter. You have encouraged, challenged and inspired me throughout this journey. I love each and every one of you and I am so thankful God brought you into my life.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

Dear Reader

Question for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

ONE

The slam of a car door grabbed Jessica Taylor’s attention.

She dropped the clothes in her hand and rushed to the window to scan the front of the house. An unfamiliar silver sedan was parked at the curb. That hadn’t been there when Jessica arrived to help Sarah Young escape her abusive husband.

Sarah’s face was pale against the blue bruises that shadowed her eye and cheeks and the red swollen lip. But it was the fear in her wide, green eyes that spoke volumes. “It’s Robert. He’s home,” she said, her voice a choked, fearful whisper.