Shelter for Penelope (Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series)

By Susan Stoker

Shelter for Penelope is the 15th and final book in the Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series. And even though I feel sad that this particular series has ended, I am glad that Susan Stoker, bless her heart, has given Penelope the closure she dearly deserves.

Throughout the Badge of Honor Series, readers came across Penelope—the spitfire firefighter who stood equal to the men in her unit, the soldier who never backed down from a fight. Until she was kidnapped. 

Her story is both haunting and sad. It is heart-wrenching, for both her and Moose, the firefighter who fought to stay by her side teen when Penelope thought she would never get over the traumatic events of her kidnapping. 

Most of all, Penelope’s story gives us an insight into how we can overcome even the worst of situations—if we but reach out and accept the fact that we need help. 

“True bravery is being scared out of your mind, but doing what needs to be done anyway.”

–Susan Stoker, Shelter for Penelope

I love Susan Stoker for reminding us, through Penelope’s eyes that being scared is not a sign of weakness—that it, in fact, allows us to assess ourselves enough to know how we should approach whatever life throws our way. 

“It’s not what happens to you that shapes your life—it’s how you deal with it.”

— Susan Stoker, Shelter for Penelope

It is knowing when to quit and letting others fight our battles for us. 

Penelope took a step forward and rested her forehead in the middle of Ghost’s chest. “I’m tired, Ghost, so damn tired.” “Then stop trying to do everything by your damn self,” he retorted. 

It is knowing that, no matter what happens, it is okay to fight like a girl in a world filled with giants.

“Ass****,” White muttered. “If anyone dares to look at you cross-eyed, Black, you let me or Sarg know and we’ll kick their asses for you.” He turned to Penelope. “Fight like a girl, right, Sarg? You kicked that first-sergeant’s ass and showed him exactly how girls fight.”

Erin Mallon did a fantastic job narrating not just Shelter for Penelope but the whole series, and I am looking forward to hearing her again in other books penned by Susan Stoker!