A Man of Honor

by Linda Barrett

Book Overview

STARTING OVER... Brave. Bold. Brainy. One woman reached for the gold, one for the law, one for the university, and one ran as far from home as possible. But often, the best laid plans fall apart, and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0373713665
• ISBN13: 9780373713660
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: Harlequin Special Releases
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

deep contemporary romance

Social worker Heather Marshall opens up a shelter in the middle of a nasty part of town. Police Officer Dave McCoy thinks she is a courageous lunatic, but wants to help her. She wants nothing to do with him, which Dave cannot understand why. Heather grew up in abusive home with her father a cop taking out his anger on his family. She distrusts cops and her first time she met Dave he used force to keep two punks with knives in line. However, when she needs help to protect a woman from her husband, she turns to the real McCoy as she knows she cannot do it alone. Though Dave is A MAN OF HONOR, Heather rejects the notion that she can "Count on a Cop" based on her childhood in which her dad the police officer was abusive. Most interesting is the surface parallels between Dave and her father as the first time she sees the younger man in action he courageously "bullies" a thug on her behalf, which instead of making him a hero she perceives he is just like dad. Adding to the fascination of this well writing psychological character driven romance is her father's efforts for a second chance with his daughter as Linda Barrett provides a deep contemporary romance. Harriet Klausner

A Man of Honor

Who ye gonna call? Who are you going to call when trouble knocks at your door, and you don't trust the police? Heather Marshall, a social worker running a shelter for battered woman, doesn't call anyone. She relies on her skills to keep herself out of danger. Several nights a week she rides the streets in her run down van filled with sandwiches, blankets and other necessities to hand out to runaway kids in the West Houston area. She knows this isn't the best way to reach the kids, but until she can get her youth home started, it's the best she can do. The dangers of the streets hit home one night, when some creeps decide to have some "fun" with the lone, attractive female. The local cop on the beat arrives to save her, but discovers she is not the helpless female he expected. The assailants underestimated her small stature and her black-belt kick boxing skills were an unexpected deterrent. This isn't the first time Officer Dave McCoy has encountered Heather in a dangerous situation. The son of a retired cop, Dave's seen more than his share of trouble on the streets. He tries to get her to see reason. That one day she'll encounter something or someone she can't handle--someone with a gun. He doesn't understand why she insists on living dangerously. He doesn't understand why she's leery of aid from the police and he doesn't understand why he cares so much for this infuriating woman. Heather can relate to the troubles that put these kids on the streets. She unsuccessfully tried to run away from her abusive father when she was a teenager. Her local law enforcement was no help. Her father was one of them--a deputy sheriff. She learned at an early age that the brotherhood of law enforcement closed ranks to protect their own. No one helped her or her sister, when their drunken mother and father beat them. And now, they're back. Dear old Mom and Dad pay Heather an unexpected visit. Though they've joined AA and been sober for two years, Heather doesn't believe they've changed and doesn't want anything to do with them. But she can't escape them or the police. Stalked by the brother of the attacker she bested with a well placed kick, she gets unofficial police protection from Officer Dave and his police friends. They provide protection and volunteer to help set up her new home for runaways. From this association she learns that some police are men of honor. Dave's protection and love warms her heart and soul, but old fears run deep and she has a new client at the woman's center to protect--the abused wife of a Houston police officer. Can she trust Dave to protect this woman and her children from a fellow police officer? Can she trust him with her heart? Linda Barrett has spent many years working with the needy, abused, and undereducated and she weaves this insider insight throughout her story. Man of Honor gives the reader a glimpse into Heather's life as a social worker as she tries to ease the terror and insecurities of

Highly recommended!

Heather Marshall grew up with physically abusive and alcoholic parents. Her older sister, Kathy, was able to get away five years sooner than Heather could. Everyone in the little town of Dry Creek, Texas, knew what was going on. Yet no one would interfere since her father, Big George Marshall, was the town's deputy sheriff. A bit over ten years has passed. Heather now lives in Houston with her sister and Mark, Kathy's fiancée. The two sisters run Welcome Home, a shelter for women and children in need of help. At night, Heather drives a van around the city, looking for runaway kids and teens that need help, medical attention, or simply food. Knowing what it is like to be a victim, Heather has kept herself fit with kickboxing. She is determined to never be a quiet victim again. Officer David "Dave" McCoy, is the cop who has Welcome Home on his beat. He is amazed by Heather's dedication to the people in need. When Heather is in danger of retaliation from a thug she took down (in self defense), Dave cannot understand why she is afraid to trust her safety - and her heart - to a cop. All he can do is keep an eye on her, try to keep her safe, and volunteer time in renovating the building that will become Heather's second shelter, Girlfriends. To make matters worse, a policeman on the other side of town has listed his depressed wife and two kids as missing. Dave is pretty sure that Heather has them hidden away at Welcome Home, but will never admit it. Heather and Kathy's shelter is the only one willing to help the abused family of a cop! It is up to Dave to protect Heather and prove to her that not all cops are dirty! ***** Excellent! I could not help but feel for the people Heather and Kathy helps. This book certainly opened my eyes to what goes on in broken families; not to mention how hard and frightening it is for the abused victims to seek help. All the characters are well developed and totally believable! When Heather's parents come back for a second chance, I totally understood her anger and frustration. Author Linda Barrett, once again, shows her amazing talent and brings her story to life. Highly recommended! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

An excellent read!!!

Heather Marshall has a problem with cops. Her father was an abusive law enforcement officer who made her childhood a living hell. But Heather is a survivor and has dedicated her life to helping abused women and children. She and her sister run an inner-city shelter called Welcome Home. In addition to this full-time endeavor, Heather cruises the streets of Houston at night, searching for teenage runaways, providing them with food and blankets. It's not nearly enough, but it's all she can offer until she's able to open another shelter specifically targeting the runaways. Officer Dave McCoy thinks Heather Marshall is heading for trouble, big time. The woman rushes into situations without assessing for danger first. After he rescues her from a gang of thugs, he vows to watch over and protect her. Heather doesn't want his protection; she can take care of herself, thank you very much. When the wife and children of an abusive cop show up at her shelter, Heather takes them in and offers sanctuary despite the dangers involved. This particular case strikes close to home and awakens bad memories, reinforcing Heather's belief that there's no such thing as a good cop. As Heather and Dave work together on the new shelter, she finds this core belief shaken. And when danger comes knocking on the door of Welcome Home, will Heather be able to let go of her past and trust the man in blue who has captured her heart? In A MAN OF HONOR, Linda Barrett has written a compelling love story interwoven with a serious subject-family abuse. With sure, deft strokes, she has created a gripping tale of honest-to-goodness people battling an age-old social problem. Her characters jump off the page and into our hearts. After reading A MAN OF HONOR, I find it no surprise that Linda Barrett is a 2006 Holt Medallion winner. I highly recommend this book.