Lean on Me: A Clean and Wholesome Romance (Family Is Forever Book 1)

First in an emotional, poignant romantic women's fiction series from acclaimed inspirational romance author Pat Simmons. No one should have to go it alone... Tabitha Knicely is overwhelmed with sorrow and exhaustion caring for her beloved great-aunt, whose dementia is getting worse. When her neighbor Marcus Whittington accuses Tabitha of elder neglect, he doesn't realize how his threats to have Aunt Tweet taken away add to Tabitha's pain. Then Marcus gets to know the exuberant elderly lady and sees up close how hard Tabitha is fighting to keep everything together. Tabitha finds herself leaning on Marcus more and more. And he's becoming more than happy to share her burdens... First in an emotional, poignant romantic women's fiction series from acclaimed inspirational romance author Pat Simmons. No one should have to go it alone...and God sends the right person for backup. Every caregiver needs a caregiver. Tabitha Knicely is overwhelmed with caring for her beloved great-aunt, whose dementia is getting worse. Aunt Tweet may be losing her memory, yet she finds her way to Tabitha's neighbor's front porch. When Marcus Whittington accuses Tabitha of elder neglect, he doesn't realize how his threats to have Aunt Tweet taken away add to Tabitha's pain. Then Marcus gets to know the exuberant elderly lady and sees up close how hard Tabitha is fighting to keep everything together. He can't walk away, knowing she needs someone to care for her. Drawn to Marcus's tender side, Tabitha begins to lean on him more and more. Aunt Tweet not only rediscovers Christ, she unknowingly leads the couple on their own spiritual journey with a surrender of hearts to each other and God. "An inspirational story of a family in crisis." -Michelle (Goodreads) for Harlequin Junkie. "A heartbreaking, heartwarming Christian story of caring for a loved one. The book makes you think long after the last page." -Gail Herrmann (Goodreads) "Tabitha Knicely loves her career as a pharmaceutical rep, but even her health care knowledge isn't much help with the daily challenges she now faces caring for her aunt with Alzheimer's. Her once organized lifestyle is in disarray and her patience is tested. On Sunday mornings, when Aunt Tweet drags her to church, though Tabitha isn't a believer, the peaceful presence of faith is a welcome relief. Marcus Whittington believes in second chances, so he hires former inmates to staff the industrial cleaning service he owns with his brother. When a mystery woman who keeps showing up on his porch turns out to be an elderly neighbor, Marcus is outraged at what he perceives as neglect on the part of her caregiver. Marcus soon learns that being a caregiver is a demanding, compassionate act of kindness that he has never experienced before. After several encounters with Aunt Tweet and Tabitha, his heart is drawn to the family's distress. Marcus is determined to help Tabitha, and a friendship that started out with a grave misunderstanding soon begins to blossom into a relationship filled with love, faith, and partnership. Life is easier, when you have someone to lean on"-- Provided by publisher First in an emotional African American Christian romance from acclaimed inspirational author Pat Simmons featuring a tender-hearted heroine who puts her family first and a misguided hero who needs a little nudge to realize that sometimes all you have to do is believe. No one should have to go it alone... Tabitha Knicely believes in family before everything. She may be overwhelmed caring for her beloved great-aunt, but she would never turn her back on the woman who raised her, even if Aunt Tweet's dementia is getting worse. Tabitha is sure she can do this on her own. But when Aunt Tweet ends up on her neighbor's front porch, and the man has the audacity to accuse Tabitha of elder abuse, things go from bad to awful. Marcus Whittington feels a mountain of regret at causing problems for Tabitha and her great-aunt. How was he to know the frail older woman's niece was doing the best she could? As Marcus gets to know Aunt Tweet and sees how hard Tabitha is fighting to keep everything together, he can't walk away from the pair. Particularly when helping Tabitha care for her great-aunt leads the two of them on a spiritual journey of faith and surrender.