Brand Me — Verlene Landon

***TRIGGER WARNING*** This book discusses issues of mental, physical and sexual abuse. ~~~~~~~~~~ Love shouldn't just make you happy, it should brand you. Tori Reid thinks she's well on her way to everything she ever wanted. When her boyfriend, Richard invites her on a three-month vacation, she assumes he's finally going to pop the question. But when she meets Michael, her expectations for the trip, and her future, quickly change. Everything about Michael Brande screams quintessential playboy. He seems to be relishing his newly-single status by jumping from bed to bed across the Florida Panhandle. However, appearances can be deceiving. The mandatory trip to Tennessee couldn't have come at a better time. He needed to get away-now. Away from his cheating ex-fiancée trying to worm her way back into his life, the increasing tales of his “many exploits,” but mostly from his secret shame and taunting dreams. His life couldn't possibly get worse. Both are about to learn that some truths are painful, but sometimes, pain is necessary for salvation.