Duncan Kerr is the art director of Enamored Press, an erotic romance publisher based in Seattle. An open submissions call for new artists yields an imaginative book cover with rich details and bold colors that catches his interest. After a few more samples of work and some e-mails, Duncan is determined to hire the talented young artist on a permanent basis.
But Ruben Winterbottom isn’t an average freelance artist. His agoraphobia leaves him terrified to set foot outside his secluded house in the woods by the Olympic National Park. Living alone, fear is Ruben’s sole companion.
When the two men meet, Ruben has a panic attack and hides away. Although confused, Duncan sees past Ruben’s anxiety to his artistic gifts and beautiful soul. So he sets out to coax the young man out of his shy shell.
Falling in love with a broken boy, however, might be the first draft of heartbreak.
Professional Reviews
5 Kisses to Haunted Heart
The words sweet and endearing sum up the story for Haunted Heart by Susan Laine. It has a wonderful storyline with fantastic characters and it’s very easy to lose yourself within the story of this book.
Duncan Kerr is tn art director for a publishing house and part of his job is to look for new talent for cover art. When he places as add for new artists he has no idea what he will find.
Ruben Winterbottom is agoraphobic. He hasn’t left his house in years; since the horrible night he was beaten and raped by a man he thought he could trust. He is a true shut in. There are no family visits nor friends that come see him, even his grocery’s are delivered to his door. When he puts in for an art contest, he is amazed that he is selected and that the company wants to hire him. Now what is he going to do?
I really liked this book! It was a truly wonderful story
4 Bad Ass Boots for Haunted Heart
On a whim , Reuben Winterbottom submits an artistic cover to a publisher for consideration. Art is Reuben’s life but so is panic and fear. Reuben is agoraphobic and even submitting the art for consideration was a huge step for him.
When Duncan sees the mock-up submitted by one Reuben Winterbottom, he is blown away. He must have Reuben on his art team, so he arranges to meet with him.
Reluctantly Reuben agrees to coffee with Duncan but even after hours of encouragement, he isn’t able to go through with the meeting as he planned. He pretty much pushes Duncan out of the house and slams the door in his face! He fears that his ineptitude in person will harm his potential for employment so Reuben is surprised when a contract is sent his way.
Duncan begins to build a rapport with Reuben over email and eventually they meet again. Slowly Reuben is becoming more comfortable with Duncan and opens up about his issues. Reuben’s agoraphobia is the result of a traumatic attack. Since that day he has been unable to leave the house the attack happened in. A prisoner within the walls that didn’t keep him safe, the ultimate irony.
With Duncan’s support and understanding Reuben wants to try to overcome some of his fears. He is able to be more intimate, very slowly and turn negative into positive in that part of his life. Duncan also helps him move about the property in slow steps as well.
Reuben is very broken but with some love and patience from Duncan he can start the very long road to possible recovery. One things for sure, Duncan is fine loving the person Reuben is without changes and that’s really all Reuben could ever hope for.
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