Shepard Security Series by Kerry Taylor

Previously published under the title 'Strength To Survive' Lucy Simmons was a naive, sheltered young woman living in a protective bubble until one day her world came crashing down around her and she was thrown very violently into reality. Depressed and alone, she finds herself rushed into a violent marriage, trapped with a monster, a man of pure evil she had never even known existed. Realising one day that her life is in danger she flees to her one savior, her brother Matt... morePreviously published under the title 'Strength To Survive' Lucy Simmons was a naive, sheltered young woman living in a protective bubble until one day her world came crashing down around her and she was thrown very violently into reality. Depressed and alone, she finds herself rushed into a violent marriage, trapped with a monster, a man of pure evil she had never even known existed. Realising one day that her life is in danger she flees to her one savior, her brother Matt. The only problem is he is thousands of miles away from her. She battles to get to him and with his help and that of his two Ex-marine allies she fights to survive the horror of the past and the hell of what is coming. Will her husband ever let her go? Hunted down by a monster and haunted by the demons of the past all odds are stacked against her, but she is not alone. The men in her life will do anything to protect her. This is the story of one woman's struggle to claw her way out of hell and find the strength to stand up to true evil. She will do whatever it takes to rid herself of her horrifying past and find her 'happily ever after' This is book 1 in the Shepard Security series and can be read as a standalone. No cliffhangers. less

Alex Harrison has spent the first 25 years of her life trapped in a nightmare that seemed as though it would never end. Tormented by the people who should have loved and cared for her, she has only ever had herself to rely upon. Finally a chance for escape arises, but at a heavy cost. Alex finds herself completely alone and badly injured in a terrifying new city, hiding from the monsters of her past and fighting hard to piece her shattered existence back together... moreAlex Harrison has spent the first 25 years of her life trapped in a nightmare that seemed as though it would never end. Tormented by the people who should have loved and cared for her, she has only ever had herself to rely upon. Finally a chance for escape arises, but at a heavy cost. Alex finds herself completely alone and badly injured in a terrifying new city, hiding from the monsters of her past and fighting hard to piece her shattered existence back together. She battles on, as always, depending only on herself, until one day she meets an incredibly handsome British guy who shows her that kindness really does exist. For the first time in her life Alex isn't alone, but is it all too good to be true? Can she ever truly be happy? Matt Simmons is still reeling from witnessing his younger sister suffer unspeakably at the hands of her evil ex-husband and he is struggling to move on from the anguish and anger it evoked in him. A chance encounter with Alex brings a new light to his world and he finds his life turned upside down once again, but this time in a way that will change it forever, for the better. Together, can Matt and Alex overcome the pain of their histories to have a real connection? And what will happen when Alex's past comes looking for more from her? A new hell threatens Alex's fragile state and Matt is determined to do whatever it takes to hold her together. He, along with his ex-marine mates are determined to do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Book 2 in the Shepard Security series. Can be read as a standalone, but works better if read with book 1 - Something Other than Fear. No cliffhangers. less

Amy Shepard is a confident, strong, independent woman. Having grown up idolizing her very protective big brother, she learnt from a young age how to take care of herself. Living in New York with her best friend and running her own business life is good for her. The only thing missing is love, but she has a plan to change that. People meet on the internet every day, right? What could possibly go wrong?One fateful night and her life is changed forever... moreAmy Shepard is a confident, strong, independent woman. Having grown up idolizing her very protective big brother, she learnt from a young age how to take care of herself. Living in New York with her best friend and running her own business life is good for her. The only thing missing is love, but she has a plan to change that. People meet on the internet every day, right? What could possibly go wrong?One fateful night and her life is changed forever. Everything Amy ever knew she was, is ripped from her and replaced with an endless darkness there seems to be no escape from. Surrounded by the support of the people who love her she should feel protected and safe, but how can she when the more and more they investigate what happened to her, the deeper and darker the whole thing becomes. Why was she targeted and how does in link to an investigation her brother is in the midst of? In the chaos of everything the one thing missing from her life, love, seems to be within reach when she falls for the guy who was right in front of her all along, but with the darkness inside of her taking hold she has no idea how to move forwards.When it becomes clear Amy's hell is not yet over, and the monsters come back to finish what they started, will she be strong enough to survive? Can her family really keep her safe this time? Can she ever find herself and take back her life? less