Caresse "Cari" Collins worked for Child Welfare in Willow Glen. Daily, she saw numerous cases of child and spousal abuse. In most cases there was nothing she could do for the battered women because of their fear and their thoughts that they deserved the abuse, so she did what she could; she took the child from the home. She was about to do the same with Aimee Bradley, a three-year-old, when Aimee was taken by a strange man.

Lincoln "Linc" Maitland knew every time his sister was beaten. He knew how bad it was and sometimes he even felt the blows. Lyssa and Linc were fraternal twins and had always had a special empathic bond with one another, so this was not unusual for them. He always came by the house and begged, pleaded and threatened for her to leave with him but she never did, and now it was too late-or so he thought. Linc came by and found Lyssa dead-though actually she was in a deep coma. He thought her husband, Bradley, had taken his sweet "shortcake," Aimee, until he heard a strange noise. After finding her, they left and hit the road. There was no way he was going to allow Bradley to touch a hair on his niece's head.

Soon Cari and Linc found themselves together in his journey of healing. They tried to pull the little girl with the heart of gold out of her shell. She never talked, or if she did it was only in a whisper and most times only to her "Angel Bear." She lived in a state of constant fear of not knowing the rules and of being afraid of breaking them. She was afraid the "mean voice" would come back. Over time, love blossomed between the two who strived so hard to heal the little girl. Their love was passionate and complete. The healing retreat was called short, however, when Cari found out Linc was wanted for the murder of Bradley. They went back to face Linc's fate-a long trial-and hopefully his freedom.

Caresse: A Loving Touch was an amazing story of abuse, healing, love, family and freedom. The book was an inspiration, especially to those who live in fear and are in abusive situations. Ms. Lawrence showed us the ugliness of abuse and then the beauty of relief and how much good healing can do for those who have borne so very much. The relationship between Cari and Linc was sweet and loving. Their love was so powerful they were able to help those closest to them, like little Aimee. She was such a sweet character-the way she recited the flag and the way she loved with her whole heart. The story of these three made a wonderful tale about a real, terrible issue, but instead of a tragic ending we got a beautiful, heart-wrenching, tissue-needing tale Ms. Lawrence should be proud to have written. This book had real issues and a happy ending-what more could you want than that? Ms. Lawrence should be commended for her excellent weave of both into one fabulous book!

Reviewed By: Gabrielle Channing
© May 2004