Scarred Series by Jackie Williams

For three years ex-soldier, Patrick Reeves has avoided his once comfortable world. Unable to accept his terrible injuries, he moves to a secluded cottage in France and hides from everyone, most of all himself. But when a bright, beautiful woman, who stirs his blood and steals his heart, discovers the ruined Chateau and estate on which home stands, it's more than his unerring control can bear. for her to flinch from his wounds would be terrible, but for to pity him would be the final insult... moreFor three years ex-soldier, Patrick Reeves has avoided his once comfortable world. Unable to accept his terrible injuries, he moves to a secluded cottage in France and hides from everyone, most of all himself. But when a bright, beautiful woman, who stirs his blood and steals his heart, discovers the ruined Chateau and estate on which home stands, it's more than his unerring control can bear. for her to flinch from his wounds would be terrible, but for to pity him would be the final insult. His only option is to ensure that she never sees him at all. Ellen doesn't give a damn what Patrick looks like. One glimpse of his shaded figure, one hint of his masculine scent and she is his forever. She ends her engagement and follows her heart, buying the Chateau to fulfil a dream that has been her only wish since her brother was blown up in Afghanistan. If she can capture the elusive Patrick while attaining her goals, her world will be complete. But Patrick is hiding from more than himself. Ellen is Devastated when he abandons her for a flame haired beauty and when her ex-fiance reappears, determined that he is surrendering neither Ellen or her fortune, she discovers that she is in danger of not only losing her lover but her life. Can Patrick escape in time to save the woman who loves and accepts him exactly as he is or will she be lost to him forever while he has been Running Scarred for far too long. less

The long awaited sequel to Running Scarred. Working alongside his ex-veteran friends in the isolated French chateau where he doesn’t have to explain how his face was destroyed, suits Joe perfectly. Barely able look at his own reflection let alone show himself to anyone else, the longer he can remain secluded from the outside world the better he likes it... moreThe long awaited sequel to Running Scarred. Working alongside his ex-veteran friends in the isolated French chateau where he doesn’t have to explain how his face was destroyed, suits Joe perfectly. Barely able look at his own reflection let alone show himself to anyone else, the longer he can remain secluded from the outside world the better he likes it. But Joe wants the same as any man, he same things his friends have found and when a party of salesmen descends upon the chateau for a team building course, Joe’s resolve to keep out of the spotlight is put to its hardest test yet. The chief executive’s beautiful secretary is exactly the woman he is looking for, but he knows that she is unlikely to spare him even a glance. Her life is complicated enough and embarking on any liaison is the last thing on Lucy’s mind but something about the huge ex-soldier has kept her heart pounding and her stomach fluttering from the moment she laid eyes on him. Joe’s scarred face pales into insignificance as she finds his potent strength, his gentle sincerity and his genial mood far too beguiling. Can Lucy escape from her blackmailing boss and take what her heart desires without leaving herself destitute? Will Joe rise above his own crushing insecurities long enough to rescue Lucy not only from her own fears but from her handsome but lecherous employer, or will his lack of self-esteem and long practiced avoidance tactics prevent him from opening his heart and him keep him Forever Scarred? Suitable for young adult upwards. Contains some swear words and beautiful sex. less

David’s chance for love. He had trained for it, been counselled about it, seen comrades affected by it, but even as he signed up he dismissed it. Nothing was going to happen to him or any of his friends, nothing what so ever. All his sister’s worrying was ridiculous. Nearly ten years into his service and he’d barely grazed a knuckle. His equipment was the best, his teams had his back, there was scarcely any danger at all. And then it happened. His whole team caught up in it... moreDavid’s chance for love. He had trained for it, been counselled about it, seen comrades affected by it, but even as he signed up he dismissed it. Nothing was going to happen to him or any of his friends, nothing what so ever. All his sister’s worrying was ridiculous. Nearly ten years into his service and he’d barely grazed a knuckle. His equipment was the best, his teams had his back, there was scarcely any danger at all. And then it happened. His whole team caught up in it. Nothing could change those nightmarish few seconds that would so completely alter the rest of their lives. That it could have been a child that did it to them was almost as shocking as the event itself. He would never forget the look on the boy’s face as long as he lived. If he thought that surviving the incident was going to be a trial, enduring the aftermath was proving to be a different sort of challenge entirely. (Book 2 in the Scarred Series. To be read after Running Scarred. (Short story, 43,500 words) Please allow the author a little poetic licence. There are slight differences in the way David recounts his story to the way Ellen remembers events. less

Book 3 in the Scarred series. Paul’s story. To be blind was bad enough; to question his sanity was a kick in the teeth; to give him a babysitter to monitor his every move was beyond his hard pressed endurance. Kicked out of the army and queuing at the dreaded job centre, unable to even search for employment himself had been humiliating enough... moreBook 3 in the Scarred series. Paul’s story. To be blind was bad enough; to question his sanity was a kick in the teeth; to give him a babysitter to monitor his every move was beyond his hard pressed endurance. Kicked out of the army and queuing at the dreaded job centre, unable to even search for employment himself had been humiliating enough. Having to stand there and wait in line while listening to the vile terrorist who had murdered his team and had taken his sight, was more than Paul could take. The warlord had to die. It was a pity that the public didn’t see it that way and a prevented a raging Paul from dishing out his own form of justice. Convincing the assault trial judge to choose an option preferable to prison was going to be an even harder task to perform. Paul’s former army mates are not going to let him be taken down without a fight but making a soft and fragrant minder a condition of his parole was a mortifying possibility that had never once crossed his mind. Amy would do just about anything so see the big, handsome man sitting in the dock regain his pride but she hadn’t reckoned on Paul’s stubborn independence. Blind beyond reason, she just can’t get through to the obstinate blockhead that she only has his best interests in mind. If her good intentions break her own fragile heart then that is something she will just have to conquer but a month of child-minding the uncooperative ex soldier is becoming even more difficult than her generous spirit can survive. With evil about to enter the beautiful château in the French countryside, will Paul open his mind and expose his hidden emotions for long enough to see the beautiful light in his forever darkened world or will his and Amy’s future perish under a viciously Scarred Horizon? Scarred Horizon gently addresses the issues of disability after injuries sustained in battle. It is an uplifting read full of romance and intrigue suitable for age 16 and above. Contains sensual sex and some swearing. less

An alternate cover edition can be found here. Gemma’s long awaited love story. She’s been a civilian for two years but only now does she realize that she’s been ‘one of the boys’ for far too long. Her prosthetic arm isn’t helping with her shattered self-esteem either. Things that never bothered her before are certainly bothering her now and that’s even before the arrival of the temperamental new guest at the rehabilitation centre. She’s there to do a job and she’s determined to succeed... moreAn alternate cover edition can be found here. Gemma’s long awaited love story. She’s been a civilian for two years but only now does she realize that she’s been ‘one of the boys’ for far too long. Her prosthetic arm isn’t helping with her shattered self-esteem either. Things that never bothered her before are certainly bothering her now and that’s even before the arrival of the temperamental new guest at the rehabilitation centre. She’s there to do a job and she’s determined to succeed. She’s a survivor, a fighter, certainly not a quitter, but even she can’t understand the way her emotions ebb and flow as swiftly as the tides in the beautiful bay of Roscoff. Aqua-eyed flight-god, Aaron Thomas is an angry man. His life has been pulled apart, turned upside down and now he’s about to have his career ripped out from under his cockpit seat. He needs to concentrate on the truth, needs to make a plan, needs to get through the next few weeks without losing his mind or his job, but he hasn’t reckoned on the delightful distraction of the stunning, dark-eyed beauty who greets him at the centre’s door. She’s there to help these wonderful, brave men find their place in the world now that their injuries have thrown them from their intended course. When Aaron’s being his most irritable, she is still determined to help him, but even he is surprised at the lengths to which she will go when he is confronted by an exceedingly suspicious Major Patrick Reeves VC for the first time. Throw in a mixture of determined amputees, a wax wielding beautician, an over-abundance of silk dresses and several bowls of chocolate mousse and Gemma can see her life going rapidly downhill from here on in. Will Gemma finally let down the walls that have guarded her heart for so long? Can Aaron face the truth even if it means that he will lose the only woman he's ever wanted to be with? Scarred Survival is book 5 in the Scarred Series. It can be read alone, but is probably best enjoyed in conjunction with the rest of the series due to previous character involvement. All the books are easy read romance with plenty of humour, some typical army guy language and a few sensual sex scenes. All the books are suitable for ages 17 and up. Running Scarred, Patrick’s story (book 1) Scarred Beginnings, How it all began (Yes, this is book 2) Forever Scarred, Joe’s chance for love (book 3) Scarred Horizon, Will Paul ever see what stands right in front of him? (book 4) less