Stevie Hampton grabbed her life by the horns at the young age of 25. She worked her way up in her career, had a place to call her own, and had a casual boyfriend, Craig Mundy, who was a SWAT team member in Ocean County, NJ. They had one sure thing in common: both were career driven with barely a personal life.
What Stevie didn’t expect was for Craig to disappear without a word for three days—with no returned calls, no explanation and nothing adding up. Stevie knew one person who would have answers—Austin Kurt, Craig’s partner. The two were inseparable.
But when Stevie unexpectedly sees Austin waiting for her in an empty parking garage, her life suddenly takes a sharp turn and within seconds she’s unconscious. She wakes up with endless questions – like why her life was now literally in the hands of Austin? And what part did Craig play in this disaster?
In a relentless fight to clear up the misunderstanding, harbored feelings grow and fester between Stevie and Austin. Both are blindsided by the hidden connections between them.
Events tested them.
People tested them.
Life tested them.
Stevie is the beauty but is Austin really a beast? Knowing the truth is the only way to set them free, but when the truth comes out can they get past all the mixed feelings and the damage that’s already been done?
**Author's note – this is a full-length standalone novel. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
First let me say there is some violence in this so if you are not into that type of read then don't read this book. Sorry I had to say that.
Now lets get onto the book. Stevie and her boyfriend Craig I would say are not really boyfriend/girlfriend. I would say they were each other's booty call or the person you would call if you needed a favor. I say that because they both were so into their careers and not each other. The way Craig treated Stevie was just low. He wasn't the one to show affection in public. He withdrew from her the minute he was around anyone but Austin. It seemed Stevie wanted that affection though but never spoke up about it. They had their times where their relationship took a turn especially when Stevie's mother and sister got in the mix.
Craig he will give you the creeps. Stevie doesn't want to admit it. However when her co workers ask her how her night out at the party went with Craig they all said the same thing. Give him up, he isn't right, he gives me the creeps. I mean come on if ladies who only seen him and met him once tell you that about your boyfriend, that is a BIG SIGN!!
Austin he is wow! The way he looks at Stevie, how he wants to be around her and Craig all the time. Austin comes from a messed up past though. His personal life is just that personal. Not to many people on his SWAT team know much about him. The way he talks with Stevie and touches her, makes her long for him. But BOOM!! One day all that is turned upside down, inside out and just a WTH kind of moment.
Austin he was set up before. Now he is going through it all again. How though? He has a feeling Stevie is all behind it. He takes her and demands her to leave her life behind. He says once things are figured out she can leave. How you going to do a 360 like that Austin? I mean loving and sweet, then hateful and dark. Austin isn't the only one who was set up. What would you do if your own sibling turned on you? Made it to where you couldn't move and were almost raped? I certainly wouldn't talk to them again.
There were parts where I was on the edge of my seat. OMG moments like no way. Some moments like "I knew it, I knew it" Then there were bittersweet moments.
This book is almost like a roller coaster ride. It takes you to the top then drops you right to the bottom. I thought Austin was bipolar and didn't know what he really wanted. I thought Steview as crazy for not actually trying to escape. Then there were those moments where you fell in love with Austin.
What exactly happened with Austin in his past? What did Stevie do? What in the world did her sister get her into? Does Austin and Stevie have a HEA?? You have to read this book to find out for yourself. I would recommend it completely.
4 Star
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. This is Ms. Pfister’s debut novel and I was
impressed.
This is the story of Stevie, Craig and Austin. Stevie is a career focused women content to have a no
strings relationship with Craig a member of an elite SWAT team. Craig suddenly and mysteriously
disappears and Stevie, searching for answers goes to his partner and best friend, Austin.
This story was not what I expected at all. I couldn’t stand Craig and truly couldn’t understand what
Stevie saw in him. He was a total jerk and my opinion didn’t change throughout the book.
Austin on the other hand, once you began to see what his motivations were, was someone I felt
deserved Stevie. Despite the demons he was fighting at the end of the day, he is a man of integrity.
It is hard to write a review for this book, as I am concerned that I might inadvertently give something
away, it really is one of those books that you need to read for yourself. There are so many twists and
turns. Just when you think you have it sorted out mentally, the author throws another curve ball and
you are left shaking your head.
There were at times periods where I felt the book was a little slow but overall it held my attention,
although I did feel that the ending was a little rushed. I was impressed with the level of writing,
particularly since this was the author’s first book. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.
If you are looking for a book with a difference, suspense and adventure, with a dash of love then
look no further.
Jennifer Pfister is a writer living in Sussex County, NJ with her husband, two kids and one dog. Her journey started when she was a young child. She would swing on her tree swing for hours imagining stories in her head like they were happening in front of her. She always told her family, "I will write a movie script or a book one day."
Originally, her plan was to write movie scripts. But, after high school she discovered Nicholas Sparks and decided to turn the movie in her head into a novel. With 15 years of ideas and hundreds of scattered papers, to a big bin filled with "writing stuff," containing how-to books on writing fiction and movie scripts, packs of white lined paper, five printed movie scripts to study (The Notebook, Days of Thunder, The Cutting Edge, The Departed, Sweet Home Alabama), Final Draft Software, dozens of mechanical pencils, erasers and lead refills. Her favorite food is an everything bagel with cream cheese that she could eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pandora radio is always playing somewhere in her home.
Valid Deception is her first novel published in July 2015 but she plans to write many more.
Originally, her plan was to write movie scripts. But, after high school she discovered Nicholas Sparks and decided to turn the movie in her head into a novel. With 15 years of ideas and hundreds of scattered papers, to a big bin filled with "writing stuff," containing how-to books on writing fiction and movie scripts, packs of white lined paper, five printed movie scripts to study (The Notebook, Days of Thunder, The Cutting Edge, The Departed, Sweet Home Alabama), Final Draft Software, dozens of mechanical pencils, erasers and lead refills. Her favorite food is an everything bagel with cream cheese that she could eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Pandora radio is always playing somewhere in her home.
Valid Deception is her first novel published in July 2015 but she plans to write many more.
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