The Indelible Heart by Marianne K. Martin

Sharon Davis is still only just about coping with her life ten years after the murder of her friends, Evonne and Donna at the hands of Charlie Crawford. Sharon’s life changed drastically after their deaths. She fought for justice for them, but her life spiralled out of control and she turned to alcohol just to get her through the traumatic experience. Her reliance on alcohol cost her her relationship with her partner Laura. Laura couldn’t cope with the similarities between Sharon’s drinking and how her father’s drinking had affected their family.

Sharon was helped to cope with Laura’s departure by her best friend Kasey and their other close friends. Sharon finally manages to get her life mostly in control until she hears that Charlie Crawford is dying and his family are seeking an early release. Sharon is devastated and consumed with renewed hatred. She can’t forgive Charlie Crawford and once again turns to alcohol. Before Sharon gets too far out of control, help arrives in the form of a tiny bundle of fur, a dog named Abby. The turning point for Sharon came when Abby got knocked down by a truck. She had to stay sober to look after her.

Unknown to Sharon, her ex lover Laura has returned to the area to care for her mother.

Will there be a chance Laura will take Sharon back? It’s obvious they still love one another. But will that be enough? Will Sharon ever be able to let go of her hatred and forgive Charlie?

This is another wonderful book from Marianne. The story is well written and right from the beginning I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it down until I’d finished it.

There is so much in this book. Much more than a romance. Hate, depression, anger, alcoholism, loss of love, courage, love, romance to name but some of the topics. All written with sympathy and understanding.

It’s great to see characters from previous books back too, especially Sage and Deanna.

Although this book is a sequel, Marianne has artfully written it so that there is no need to have read Love In The Balance first. But I would most strongly urge you to do so. You will be missing another wonderful book if you don’t. In my honest opinion, we don’t get enough works from Marianne and when a new book does come out, it has to be savored and read slowly. This will join the rest of Marianne’s excellent books on my shelves to be re-read again and again.