Crippled Fate - Walton Anna

Erika Doss is no stranger to hardship and loss. After one failed marriage and another betrayal, she swore off all romantic relationships. She couldn't understand why her struggles continued despite her Faith, good works and kindness. Still, Erika found it harder and harder to get up each morning. Erika focused her attention on the two people that mattered most in her world, her children. Erika adopted Evie seven years ago after she witnessed her mother's murder in broad daylight. Adopting Evie cost Erika the career she'd spent a lifetime building, but she'd take the risk all over again for love of that child. Luke is Erika's only biological son, and a beast on the pitcher's mound. He's LSU-bound on a full ride baseball scholarship....if, he can overcome his greatest challenge and tragedy. 

Dr. Alexander Benjamin, or AJ, is one of Erika's old med school friends, and a world-renown orthopedic surgeon. He and his overzealous, womanizing 72 year-old colleague, Dr. Peta Altman-Panu, or "Dr. Pap" have spent the last ten years building and perfecting the largest orthopedic surgery and rehab training facility in the world, just outside the Embera Village in Panama. Initially intended to treat only native children with gross physical abnormalities, theirs became the preferred training and rehab facility for injured Olympians, hoping to make it to Tokyo in 2020. Their differences nurtured a beautiful community atmosphere, pure and whole, until faced with another great tragedy. 

Erika has been an overcomer for a long while now, but AJ will put that to the test when their relationship is inflicted by the greatest pain they could imagine. AJ and Erika's relationship is put to the test and they will see if their second-chance at love, built under the Panama sky proves to be something Erika can trust or will she be left broken again? 

Luke's future in baseball depends on AJ stepping outside of his comfort zone; he knows he must find a way to help Luke and the love of his life. Together, Erika and AJ find their true selves, despite tragedy and doubt, but will they come through for each other?