Withstanding the Enemy - T.L. Mahrt

Withstanding the Enemy
T.L. Mahrt
Publication date: January 31st 2020
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Emma Andrews was orphaned at a young age with no family to turn to. Tired of the broken foster-care system, and believing it was her only option, she runs to a multi-millionaire with a reputation of hiring young women. It is only then that she learns what real monsters look like…

Emma uses her overactive imagination to help her get through the toughest of days. By daydreaming a life full of love and freewill, she manages her colorless prison, but even in her wildest dreams, she would have never imagined it could become a reality. That is, until she meets Chance, a man willing to lay his life down to save hers.

But what Emma doesn’t expect is to fight her own personal demons—her heart.

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Author Bio:

T. L. Mahrt is a former business owner, where she utilized her education in cosmetology, barbering and massage therapy for several years. She was raised on and is currently living on a farm in Nebraska, where you can find her running barefoot in the country side with her loving husband and inspiring children and massive dogs.

After having her son, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, she made the life altering decision to stay home to care for her two children and pursue her love for writing. She has a love for romance and poetry where, her overactive imagination, along with her adventures and up beat lifestyle drives her inspiration for her writing.

T. L. Mahrt has a thirst for knowledge, and is currently working on her Bachelor of Applied Science in Communication Studies degree.

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My Review

There's a lot going on in this story. I have to admit that I didn't realise when I started it that it would be part one and that the story would be left on a cliffhanger. I don't mind when that happens, but I prefer to know upfront. I think as it became clear how many different layers there were to the storyline, it became obvious that things weren't going to be wrapped up neatly by the end of the book.

Most of the story focuses on Emma. She has been the victim of abuse for a long time and from a fairly young age. So much so that she has lost grip on who is good and who isn't. She has started to develop feelings for her abuser and her emotions are all over the place. Into this comes Chance, who is assigned to be her security. Emma finds a sizzling connection with him and she can't help but be drawn towards him.

Overall this was an interesting read, with many quite difficult subjects tackled. I struggled a little bit with the way Chance behaved towards Emma at some points, really he should have been giving her more space and be less jealous. Particularly when he fully understands what she's faced. I couldn't completely feel for Emma. Yes, she's had it tough, but she was a little too innocent for someone who has dealt with the things that she has. I also felt that the confusion around Chance, Rick and Ocean Eyes was a bit much. Throw in the final threat it all seemed a little odd, but perhaps things will become clearer in the next book.

I'd be interested to find out what happens in the next instalment of this story. Particularly if we get a bit more information on Emma's background. 

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