| Copyright © 2008, Catherine
Stang Reviews For LOCKED IN HIS HEART by Catherine Stang “A woman's death draws together an estranged family and reveals a secret that a man has been keeping for years. It will test the love of the woman he would like to have as his own and force him to decide who is his true identity now. This is also the story of two young people facing a difficult decision that is complicated by betrayal and abuse. Complicated emotional matters take center stage in this compelling, moving drama. If you enjoy Danielle Steele, there is no doubt you will not regret the time spent inside these pages. “ - Reviewed by Amanda Killgore, Huntress Reviews 3 Stars! "Stang's tale about the darker issues of life may make some readers uncomfortable. But those who stick with the story will come to root for the characters." - Reviewed by Karen Sweeny-Justice for Romantic Times BOOKreviews “Catherine Strang keeps the many characters involved with each other even though the story changes location and point of view often. She threads a touch of humor in that reveals the joy for life that the characters have. Locked in His Heart touches on issues so much a part of today’s society and shows how people cope with them while finding love that makes their lives complete. This is good happy-ever-after reading!” Camellia, The Long and Short Of It Review “If you like a book that gives
you a sense of family, unconditional love found in the throes of darkness,
fun and laughter despite that darkness, characters who stand up for
one another no matter what, and a hero and heroine who, although so
very different from one another, find each other against the odds, this
is a book you need to read. Sample Chapter For LOCKED
IN HIS HEART by Catherine Stang
Melanie couldn’t explain it, but she sensed there was something her best friend, Sarah, wasn’t telling her. A tingling shiver of apprehension skittered up her nerve endings as she walked into the coffee shop. This time of the morning it was crowded with students studying and various artist types huddled around tables expressing themselves. She glanced around, finding Sarah at a corner table by the window in their I-need-to-talk spot. She waved at Sarah as she stepped into line behind a couple of giggling college girls who were babbling on about what they were wearing to the winter formal. Staring at the menu on the wall, she tried to focus on her order, but she kept being drawn back to the new book she needed to write. Unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried to start her project the characters wouldn’t talk to her. It was beyond frustrating. She’d never had writer’s block before. Ever since she’d discovered at the age of ten that she could write, she had written almost every day. Not having a story unfolding in her head made her feel empty and awkward. Sarah’s phone call hadn’t helped her uneasy mood. Although she claimed otherwise, Melanie knew Sarah’s situation must be urgent. She never would have interrupted her writing time. Could she be of any help to Sarah as flustered and distracted as she was right now? Normally, she didn’t leave the house during her writing time. It was just easier all around to not subject her friends to her inattentive behavior when she was in creative mode. Today was different, though. In her present mood, she would have done anything to get away from the blank computer screen that kept taunting her. Jeez, it was her turn to order and here she was fretting and not paying attention. The kid behind the counter was looking at her like she was a freaking moron. “I’ll have a Chi tea and a piece of coffee cake warmed with butter.” A girl with a dark ponytail, whose nametag read Cindy, stared at her from behind the counter. “I know you.” She pointed at her with a bottle of whipped cream. “Didn’t I see you on The Factor the other night? My little sister loves your books. I didn’t know you were pro-war.” Melanie blinked her shocked reaction. She wasn’t used to being recognized by anyone over the age of ten and that was usually only at a book signing. Most people had no idea who she was or what she did for a living, which was just fine with her. This suddenly being famous was a bit unnerving. “I’m not pro-war.” She pulled money out her wallet. “But you can’t deal with the middle ages without talking about the crusades, and to understand what happened you have to know what led up to them. I’m not making a social comment on what is happening today, just giving historical perspective.” She winced at how that must have sounded. Could she be any more defensive? “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound like I was lecturing you.” She lowered her voice, leaning over the counter to talk more privately. “This being instantly famous is new…” “Oh, wow,” the lady next to her said before Cindy could reply. “You do the chess kids time travel books. My daughter is so upset that your next one is being delayed. That’s all she wanted for Christmas.” She blushed, not used to all this attention. Tell that to my publishing house she wanted to scream. “I’m working on that. Here, I have a bookmark.” She dug deep in her big leather purse, handing her one. She handed one to the teenagers working behind the counter, too. “Can you sign this for my sister,” Cindy asked. “Man. Amy won’t believe I met you. She had me help her send out flaming emails to all the shows you’ve been on that weren’t nice to you. Are there really not going to be any more chess club books?” So much for the bad impression she feared she’d made. “I hope not. I’m starting a new series.” Liar. You can’t even get the plot going. “Wow, Amy will be glad to hear that. She bugs Mom to be the first one at the store when one of yours is released.” “Tell her I hope my book will be out soon. When it is, I’ll be doing a book signing here. My website is on the bookmark. You can log on to it for an undated schedule.” “Yeah, we’ve been to it. That’s how Amy knew it wasn’t coming out.” “Nice meeting you,” she said, trying to end the conversation before she totally used up all the patience of the people standing in line behind her. She took the tray with her order and headed toward Sarah, who was talking on the phone but hung up as she approached. Sarah tried to smile as Melanie put the cake between them and handed her a fork. But the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “You look like you could use this.” Melanie sat, relieved no one followed her. Sarah didn’t need to be in the middle of the mess that was her life right now. “I think you might need it more or are you too excited to eat? Were you just recognized? Am I having coffee with a famous person?” She shrugged. “I guess I’m this week’s news. I’m still not comfortable with all the attention. I always knew it could happen, but I never actually dreamed it would.” “I bet this will increase your sales dramatically.” “That is if…” Melanie waved her hand. “Let’s not get into that. If we get on that subject we’ll never get around to the real reason you wanted to meet.” “Right.” Sarah stared down at her cake, but made no attempt to pick up the fork. Not a good sign. “You going to tell me what’s bothering you, or do I have to play twenty questions?” Sarah added more sugar to her coffee and stirred. A ploy for time, she knew. They couldn’t have been more different. Sarah was the methodical one who talked when she was ready, as opposed to Melanie who blurted out every thought that came into her head. Sarah was the studious, little blonde while she was the wild, leggy redhead, who would rather be a cheerleader than play in the band. The only two things they agreed on were loving to read and not letting go of something that needed fixing. Sarah shifted nervously, stirring her coffee before finally looking up at her. “I want you to find Adam.” She choked on her hot tea. “Wait a minute. You want me to find Adam? The Adam? The foster child your family never talks about. Are you sure? I thought you gave up on that.” Sarah sighed. “I’ve tried to let go of him. Honest, I have. In my head I know seventeen years is a long time, but to my heart it feels like yesterday. I can’t forget him. I guess that’s because I feel responsible for getting him removed from our home.” “But why now, after all these years, do you want to find him now?” “In the last few weeks Mom has woken up crying out Adam’s name. I’m hoping if you find him that you can give her some peace before she goes.” Before she goes. Melanie stiffened. Her heart was pounding in her throat. She didn’t want to contemplate losing Sarah’s mother, Ruby. The woman had been the closest thing to a mother she’d had since her own died after she was born. Ruby was her rock during the hard times when her family had come close to falling apart. Thinking of life without Ruby’s calming voice, big hugs, understanding eyes and warm cookies was unbearable. “Is she going down hill that fast?” Melanie whispered, hating to even voice the question. “I thought she’d rallied.” Sarah swiped the back of her hand across her damp eyes. “I thought so too, but I think she’s trying hard to hang on to see my younger brother, Zach, graduate from high school. I know, as much as we all want that too, it isn’t going to happen. Mom gets weaker everyday. She can’t breathe at all without her oxygen. Then her breathing is ragged. We got her a hospital bed, because she can’t lie flat. She’s slipping away more each day. I can’t even leave her alone to run an errand. My brother, Sullivan, stayed with her so I could meet you this morning. I honestly don’t know how much time she has left. |