When Crystal Reed met Mark Hunter through a casual encounter she thought she met the perfect man. Instead she finds herself entangled in a web of obsessive love and dark secrets, a world that has become tainted by deception and treachery. It is a dangerous game of twisted love and betrayal. Faced with the shadows of his past and a burning desire for her own freedom, Crystal tests whether she has the strength to unravel the danger and reclaim her life. What she discovers chills her to the bone. With the help of Sam, a skilled hacker, she uncovers a history of abuse to people he claimed to love and other facts that are even worse. He is revealed as a narcissist, sociopath and a possible psychopath and murderer. Escaping from him is not as easy as just leaving because he will track her and find her. This gripping tale questions the boundaries of trust and the depths of the human spirit.
When Crystal Reed met Mark Hunter through a casual encounter she thought she met the perfect man. Instead she finds herself entangled in a web of obsessive love and dark secrets, a world that has become tainted by deception and treachery. It is a dangerous game of twisted love and betrayal. Faced with the shadows of his past and a burning desire for her own freedom, Crystal tests whether she has the strength to unravel the danger and reclaim her life. What she discovers chills her to the bone. With the help of Sam, a skilled hacker, she uncovers a history of abuse to people he claimed to love and other facts that are even worse. He is revealed as a narcissist, sociopath and a possible psychopath and murderer. Escaping from him is not as easy as just leaving because he will track her and find her. This gripping tale questions the boundaries of trust and the depths of the human spirit.
Excerpt
Crystal Reed was lost in thought as she patiently waited for her latte. Little did she know her life was about to take a perilous turn.
The barista had to call her name twice. As she absentmindedly stirred her coffee, her gaze collided with a strikingly handsome man’s piercing blue eyes. Captivated by the intensity they projected, Crystal felt a shiver run down her spine. This stranger had an air of mystery and allure.
Although their eyes only locked for a fleeting moment, it was enough to spark a strange connection. Crystal had no idea why she felt a magnetic pull that drew her closer to this stranger. She wasn’t the type of person who looked for casual hookups, but somehow couldn't resist taking a step toward him.
That chance encounter set in motion a sequence of events that would affect their lives in ways Crystal could never have foreseen. Did the universe conspire? Was bumping into this stranger destiny’s grand design? The only thing she knew at the moment was that he was devastatingly handsome, gave off an irresistible charisma and her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her chest.
Even his voice was wonderful. "Hey, it’s a good thing you had a lid on your coffee. I would have hated to see it damage your outfit, or worse yet burn you."
It took a moment for her to be able to answer. Even then she was nervous, which was strange because her friends always said she was totally together—unflappable. But not right now. "Um, yes, I guess I was lucky."
"I’m the one who’s lucky. Say, it’s pretty crowded, but there’s a table over there," he said. "Would you like to share it with me. That way I can get acquainted with the beautiful woman who almost knocked me over."
They made their way to a table in the corner. This was about as much serendipity as any single thirtyish woman could hope for.
He stretched his long legs as he settled into the chair opposite her. "Let’s start with introductions. I’m Mark Hunter, fairly new to LA, and I’m very happy to meet you."
She extended her hand across the small table for a friendly shake. "Well, I’m Crystal Reed, native Angeleno, and if there isn’t a significant other I’d be happy to show you around."
Crystal thought that was a clever way to find out if he was attached. As it turned out, he wasn’t.
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, as if they had known each other for years. She was keenly aware of an undercurrent of excitement and intrigue, like two puzzle pieces finally finding their perfect match.
Crystal had no way of knowing a darkness was hidden beneath Mark's charming exterior. Subtle hints of possessiveness and obsession that simmered beneath the surface had not yet surfaced. And little did she know that her seemingly innocent encounter would lead her down a treacherous path, that would challenge everything she thought she knew about love and the human psyche.
Until that day there was nothing remarkable in Crystal’s existence. True, she had once been engaged a few years before, but got cold feet at the last minute when she pictured herself locked into a marriage to an average-looking guy with a dull job and almost as dull a personality. At first she said yes when he asked her to marry him because of that feeling about not becoming what used to be called an old maid. There were no interesting guys on the horizon, but Crystal realized she was almost, but not quite, ready to settle. A little voice deep down kept telling her not to do it. She finally listened and broke off the engagement. Since then, she had gone on some dates, but nothing or no one special.
Meeting Mark in this chance encounter was exciting, and she wanted more. When he asked to see her again she was elated. Forgotten was the boring day, the predictable job, and the exhaustion she felt as she waited in line for her latte.
As if responding to her thoughts, he said, "I would love to see you again. I have to leave now because I’m already late for an important meeting."
He held out his phone and punched the contacts button. "I’ll call you when I know my schedule, if you will give me your number and your full name."
Forgotten was the lackluster day, the challenges of her job, and the exhaustion she felt as she waited in line for her latte. She quickly keyed in her number and handed the phone back to him.
He smiled, and rushed toward the door.
Would he call, or was it just an excuse to leave?
I live in Las Vegas, with Cucumber, the dog who rules the household. As an interior designer, I spent many years designing interiors for model homes, celebrities, restaurants and offices. My writing career was launched when Designer’s West Magazine approached my partner and me during the time we owned an interior design studio in California and asked us to write an article. Back then I wrote under my first name and 2nd husband's last name, Elaine Pransky.
I discovered I loved writing. The article was so well-received, I wrote many more published “how to” articles for designers. From there, my topics expanded to diverse subjects. After the Sisters in Crime Southern Nevada chapter was closed down, I suffered from "newsletter writer's withdrawal." I started the "Writer's Tricks of the Trade" newsletter which grew into the quarterly "Writers' Tricks of the Trade" eZine with articles contributed by writers and people in the publishing business all over the United States and occasionally some from as far away as Europe. Although it ceased publication you can still access many of the issues by clicking THIS LINK. I have also written over 600 published articles about the business and craft of writing. When I gave workshops and talks, attendees always asked if I had a book about writing, so I wrote Writers' Tricks of the Trade: 39 Things You Need to Know About the ABCs of Writing , as a helpful handbook for writers at all career stages. It is now in its 4th edition. After co-authoring award-winning memoirs for others, readers asked where mine was. Well, that took longer, but I finally decided upon the format for A Life in Bits and Pieces. Explore the My Books page.
Thank you to my past, current and future readers and reviewers. You are the reason I continue to write. While my books began with the funny Silver Sisters Mysteries, as I continued my writing journey topics now include the Revenge is Fun series, co-authoring memoirs for two amazing abuse survivors and editing my mother's memoir, the Writers Tricks of the Trade book for writers at all stages, and while I am no "spring chicken" I will continue to write books and stories for you. Remember, when you have your health, your age is simply a number.
Email: stjameswriter@gmail.com
Website: www.morganstjames-author.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/MorganStJames
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Fatal Encounter
Written By Morgan St. James
Reviewed By Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews
First, I want to thank Morgan St. James for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
WOW!! Morgan St. James made me rethink getting back to dating after reading Fatal Encounter…being single may not be so bad after all! Seriously, this is a book that I feel will hit home to many as the subject matter is relatable.
Fatal Encounter is fast paced, incredibly addicting, heartbreaking at times and one of Morgan’s best written books to date! I was literally on the edge of my seat nibbling on my already short nails! There are some massive twists and turns but nothing could prepare me for the jaw dropping ending. My mind is still spinning out of control!
Morgan asks do you know who you are really dating and who your real friends are?
I will be blunt. I hated Mark’s character right away! His personality and actions reminded me of toxic relationships I have had in the past. However, when you find out the reasoning for his madness you will be flabbergasted!
Morgan dedicates this book to all the victims who have survived abuse and obsessive relationships and to those who have survived.
1 comments:
Thank you so much for this fantastic review. This was an emotional book to write as I dug back into the way I felt about a few toxic relationships of my own. We have to be so careful in today’s world and I hope this sends up some red flags to both women and men.😀❤️🩹
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