Zoe McInnes and her sisters are triplets who were always
looked upon strangely by the town of Spruce Lake. Zoe's
father was emotionally abusive towards Zoe and her sisters
to the point that the other two sisters left home as fast as
they could. Zoe ended up getting married to a man who was
physically abusive towards her. After years of abuse, Zoe
ended it one night, where she shot her husband in
self-defense. He died, and she went through a murder trial
and was found innocent. There are some of those who still
think she was guilty, such as her ex-father-in-law and the
police chief of the town. Zoe doesn't care what they think
and decides to stay in Spruce Lake, where she opens a
women's shelter for other women who have been in abusive
marriages or relationships.
One morning as Zoe is getting her coffee, her father-in-law
approaches her and becomes very vocal in his dislike towards
her. As Zoe tries to calm him down, he falls to the ground
and has a stroke. She is arrested and placed in a jail cell.
Expecting her lawyer, she is in for a shock when, Gideon
Tate, the estranged brother to her late husband comes to see
her, blaming her for his father being in the hospital. Zoe
proclaims her innocence and is soon let go. Gideon doesn't
know what to think of Zoe, because he just can't believe
that his half-brother Derrick was the type of man to abuse
women. Gideon decides to stay in town for awhile, especially
when an old friend of his needs his help. Even though Gideon
should stay way from Zoe, he can't, and soon he and Zoe
become friends. Zoe can't deny her attraction to Gideon, and
knows it is so wrong to even think of having a relationship
with him, but every time he comes to her aid or kisses her,
she gives in to her attraction for him.
A PLACE CALLED HOME is a tender romance that deals with the
important topic of domestic abuse and the different
situations that arise because of it. Zoe is a woman who
survives the odds, even though she knew first hand about
abuse because of a parent. The cycle of abuse continued with
her husband. Finally she was able to break free from this
cycle and confronted this demon as well as help others
because of what she has been through. When Gideon enters the
pictures, she is so very confused. Zoe is not sure she can
trust Gideon because of his family ties. But as she begins
to know Gideon better, she comes to the conclusion that all
men are not the same, and Gideon is very much different from
his brother and father.
This story by Margaret Watson may touch upon a sticky
subject, but it is handled so well. A PLACE CALLED HOME is
about hope and the steps people go through to overcome the
worst of situations. Kudos to Margaret Watson for writing a
poignant and tender story with A PLACE CALLED HOME.
The past always comes back to bite Zoe McInnes. So of
course everybody believes she's to blame when her former
father-in-law strokes out in the middle of a fight…with
her. Thank God the man's going to be okay. But—of course—
Zoe ends up behind bars.
And of course the very sexy man
she thought her lawyer had sent to bail her out turns out
to be none other than Gideon Tate, the estranged brother
of her late husband. Impossible as it should be, he seems
to really get Zoe, despite her past involvement with his
family. He seems to admire the job she does defending the
abused women in her shelter. He even seems to love her
just a little bit…. Must appearances always be deceiving?