Two Tattered Hearts

Two Tattered Hearts is a novel about a young mother, Anna Rodgers, who fears for her life as well as that of her infant son. Her husband turned their home into a man-made hell of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. While at a bookstore near her work, Anna stumbles into Troy Whitman - a survivor of an abusive home. A friendship of mutual respect and trust is formed between the two. Anna finds protection in a battered woman's underground until time for numerous court cases to begin. After the explosive divorce proceedings, her mother-in-law fights for custody of her grandson, alleging Anna's an unfit mother. As the trials continue, Troy supports Anna and encourages her not to give up. She wins complete custody of her son. With counseling and support from friends, Anna deals with the trauma and is on the road to recovery. Anna realized the internal strength she's always processed but was hidden. Through this process, Anna and Troy's relationship changes from friendship to love. Although Anna admits her love for Troy, she says, "I need time to heal. I want time to discover who I am." She asks if he'll wait. Troy responds, "Just try to get rid of me."