Title: Soul Haven
Author: Sonja Baines
Published in October 2006 by Wild Child Press
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
ISBN: 1-934069-29-9
Like many shelters, Soul Haven offers food, clean clothes, and a warm bed during those wintery nights. This particular shelter also provides fond memories for one distinctive vagrant, Kale Tyrell. His wife, Ginny helped build Soul Haven four years ago, before being brutally murdered.
Looking into Tyrell’s eyes, Renata Bowers catches a glimpse that speaks of innocence and defeat, while laced with a deep-rooted grief. Ren’s position as a female rookie cop lacks credence with her fellow officers; still she cannot allow the other officers to beat a man left in their custody. Reporting it to the captain proved futile, at best. Digging into Tyrell’s criminal history proves his innocence, so if Ren sees it, others will listen. Using her brother’s Army connections, she may be able to piece enough evidence together exonerating all charges against him, even providing evidence leading to the real murderer. Within two days of her personal investigation, Ren hits a roadblock as prior available resources suddenly deny her access to Tyrell’s information. Ren turns to the only source available, Kale Tyrell, and volunteering at Soul Haven puts her closer to him; no matter how cantankerous and unyielding he is conveying that information. Inviting Kale to dinner, in her home, Ren hopes to gain the man’s trust. However, she does not plan to develop an attraction towards Kale.
Kale has grown accustom to the hatred at Soul Haven, since Ginny’s death. He respects their loyalty to his dead wife’s memory, still blaming him when a court of law proved his innocence. Kale’s military training afforded no justice in this matter either, discharging him immediately. After everything that he held precious, he wastes no time in starting his life anew, instead spends his time at Soul Haven, remembering his wife. Major Hyatt’s visit to the shelter proves he is closer to the truth then he thought. Informing Kale that he suspects the increasing volume of murdered homeless people links to his wife’s death; her discovering the military’s involvement in the murders, and then reporting her suspicions to the officer, also killed. Believing the Army’s dismantled research team has resumed their testing, Major Hyatt asks Kale to infiltrate the facility, warning him that he may not survive.
Outside of Soul Haven, Bobby, a bum who frequents the shelter, accepts Nick’s offer to become a volunteer for a research company, promising fifty dollars and three meals a day. At the medical facility, Dr. Hargrave interviews Bobby as he accepts a heaping plate of food. The dispassionate doctor wants to know all his secret fears, which will aid in a successful study. Days later, Lukie introduces Kale to Terry Dominick who offers him the same volunteer deal Bobby received. While driving to the research facility, Kale refuses Terry’s drug-laced alcohol, forcing the man to inject him with the sedative. Kale awakens to Dr. Hargrave standing over him.
Ren’s apartment has been broken into, her computer destroyed. The officer on the scene warns that she will not last another week on the force if she does not stop prying into Tyrell’s innocence. Fearing for Kale’s safety, Ren seeks him out at Soul Haven, only to run into Lukie… who is not as everyone believes...
Ms. Baines spins an intriguing tale, loaded with suspense and mystery. The characters, Ren and Kale are worthy adversaries as they hustle to uncover evidence and information that will prove Kale’s innocence, putting the real murderer in jail. Kale’s suffering is real as he endures police harassment and hostilities from those who knew his wife. As for romance, well, Ren’s persistence in getting close to Kale sparks passions neither are prepared to face. Although, she comes to terms with her mounting affection for him, but Kale’s comes to recognize his growing attraction only when Ren’s life is in danger. Soul Haven is an absorbing, fast-paced story, published by Wild Child Press. Ms. Baines other written works are under the pseudonym, S.W. Vaughn.
A Dedicated Reader,
Pamela Jenewein
Sonja Baines Review Buy Soul Haven from Wild Child
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