If This is Love: an Interracial Veteran Romance

Marine Corps veteran Gabe Martinelli went above and beyond the call of duty and was left with only a shell of his former life. After his marriage crumbled under the weight of his tormented mind, his only remaining companion is his faithful service dog, Gunner, who never leaves Gabe's side while he navigates civilian life as the owner of a local construction company. Surly and isolated, he mostly keeps to himself, until he's approached by his nosy neighbors to work on a building project for a unique new organization in his hometown of New Orleans-a charity that happens to serve victims of atrocities he encountered during his time at war, but wasn't able to save.Ruth Washburn is a widowed woman of faith who has dedicated her life to rescuing women from human-trafficking. In the aftermath of her husband's death, she has found purpose and hope in aiding survivors to create new lives for themselves. When one rehabilitated survivor approaches her to head a new non-profit organization dedicated to the victims that hold a special place in Ruth's heart, she doesn't have to think twice before pulling up her roots and moving to New Orleans.After an accidental meeting that resulted from their very friendly dogs, Gabe and Ruth learn they'll be working together on the charity, and they develop an unexpected understanding and companionship based on the one thing they have in common-marriages that didn't pan out the way they'd hoped.Unfortunately for Gabe, after being thrust into countless intimate situations with headstrong and candid Ruth, he realizes his prolific tendency for evasiveness isn't going to fly with her. As they continue their work with the charity, the ghosts of Gabe's past start to rear their ugly heads and threaten to shut him down completely. Ruth makes it her personal mission to reach for the wounded warrior as he begins to drown, only to realize that the battle scars of the heart are sometimes too deep to heal.