These Sheltering Walls — Mary Jane Hathaway

An ex con who wears his crime on his sleeve.
A woman drowning in an ocean of secrets.
Can they find love and hope in each other?

Lorelei "Henry" Byrne was born cursed. Being able to spot a lie with perfect accuracy sounds like fun, until you have to live with it. Her whole existence has been hobbled by her hidden talent. She's estranged from her family, has only one friend, and couldn't get through a first date if her life depended on it. She throws herself into her work as the new head of the Cane River Creole National Heritage Park, resolving to be content in her solitude… until she meets Gideon, a man with nothing to lose and no reason to lie.


After spending most of his adult life in prison, Gideon Becket has built a quiet life around the Cane River archives. He doesn't believe he deserves happiness after the crimes he's committed. When Henry arrives in town, everything starts to change, and Gideon wonders if there's hope for him after all. But just as he takes the first steps toward forgiving himself, his past comes back to haunt him. Does he hold on to his guilt, or does he take a chance on a new life? Letting Henry into his heart will mean confronting his own tragic past, and take a courage he isn't sure he has.


Set in the beautiful Cane River region around the city of Natchitoches, Louisiana, this is the second book in the Cane River Romance series.


This is an inspirational, Christian romance. There is no sex or swearing, but the book does address issues such as PTSD, family secrets, murder, life in prison, drug use, gangs, and there is a flashback to a child's death. The characters experience dark, real-life struggles, and ultimately must decide whether to live a life of grace and forgiveness.



The Cane River Romance Series

The Pepper in the Gumbo -- Book One
These Sheltering Walls -- Book Two
Only Through Love -- Book Three
A Star to Steer By -- Book Four
The Boundless Deep -- Book Five
Until Winter Comes Again -- Book Six


Other books by Mary Jane Hathaway

Enjoy cozy mysteries? Check out my new series!
Curious about how Starling and Swift came to be? Book One, Murder at the Mayan Temple, is always free here!
Don't miss the second book, Death on the Wind! Who needs enemies when you've got friends like these?
Book Three, Danger at the Dive Shop is a deep sea game of cat and mouse.
If you're like Kitty and have always wanted to explore Old Town Havana, don't miss the Fourth Book, Chaos in Cuba.
Book Five, Sabotage on Solitude Bay, is a special edition Christmas mystery set at Leander's family home in the Florida Keys.
Book Six takes you on a Catalán adventure that ends in a shocking twist: A Scandal in Spain.
Prepare for an ice cold killer in Book Seven, Nightmare Under the Northern Lights.
Big changes―and mortal danger―are in store for Starling and Swift in Book Eight, Terror at the Turtle Sanctuary
 

Austen Takes the South Series
Pride, Prejudice and Cheese Grits
Emma, Mr. Knightley and Chili-Slaw Dogs
Persuasion, Captain Wentworth, and Cracklin' Cornbread

Contemporary Romance
Leaving Liberty
Winter's Promises Book Four
Season of Joy --Denver Mission Book One
Season of Hope --Denver Mission Book Two
A Home for her Family --Denver Mission Book Three

Historical Romance
All the Blue of Heaven
Purple Like the West
Golden Is the Sands

Mary Jane Hathaway lives with her husband and six homeschooled children in a small Oregon town.