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Obsession
In a Small Town Secrets Are Kept and Then They Kill.
After the death of her husband, Helen Makris never expected to fall in love again until she met retired Colonel Kevin Smith. Both widowed for years the two unexpectedly meet in Helen's new home, the quaint New England Village, Tarrytown, Maine. All would be well if it weren't for the watchful eye of the Shaw Street Strangler who has his sights set on Helen.
In a grand homage to The Master, Stephen King, Lisa Beth Darling and Moon Publishing proudly invite you to take a rocketing no-holds-barred journey into the diseased mind of a madman with this ADULT Chiller/Thriller Horror Story with heavy Romantic Tendencies.
After the death of her husband, Helen Makris never expected to fall in love again until she met retired Colonel Kevin Smith. Both widowed for years the two unexpectedly meet in Helen's new home, the quaint New England Village, Tarrytown, Maine. All would be well if it weren't for the watchful eye of the Shaw Street Strangler who has his sights set on Helen.
In a grand homage to The Master, Stephen King, Lisa Beth Darling and Moon Publishing proudly invite you to take a rocketing no-holds-barred journey into the diseased mind of a madman with this ADULT Chiller/Thriller Horror Story with heavy Romantic Tendencies.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 26, 2012
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Beth Darling
42 books440 followers Award winning author, Lisa Beth Darling has a unique perspective on life leaving her unafraid to delve into darker places other may fear to tread. In doing so, she masterfully shines glorious light on the stormy events that shape, test, & define human character.
Ranging from dark & thrilling to heartwarming & inspirational, Lisa’s stories are rich with secrets, lust, betrayal, and sometimes rage. They may keep you awake into the wee hours of the morning cheering, weeping, and trapped in suspense as her heroes and heroines have their love tested by demons who reside within and without.
Lisa Beth Darling is 57 years-old, the mother of two adult daughters, grandmother to two granddaughters and wife to her husband, Roy, for the last 37 years. She lives and writes in her hometown of New London, CT.
Early influences were Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark, Harold Robins, Jacqueline
Susan and VC Andrews.
Ranging from dark & thrilling to heartwarming & inspirational, Lisa’s stories are rich with secrets, lust, betrayal, and sometimes rage. They may keep you awake into the wee hours of the morning cheering, weeping, and trapped in suspense as her heroes and heroines have their love tested by demons who reside within and without.
Lisa Beth Darling is 57 years-old, the mother of two adult daughters, grandmother to two granddaughters and wife to her husband, Roy, for the last 37 years. She lives and writes in her hometown of New London, CT.
Early influences were Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark, Harold Robins, Jacqueline
Susan and VC Andrews.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 20, 2012
DNF
I just could not get past the very poor quality of writing and extremely confusing perpetual shift of narrative tense. It was just too distracting. I was never able to feel connected to the story because I was so busy deciphering the shifts from past and present tenses. It was like one of those bad dreams where you seem to be separated from everything by a thin veil, making what is truly happening fuzzy and difficult to comprehend.
I hope I can enjoy this author's Of War series better.
I just could not get past the very poor quality of writing and extremely confusing perpetual shift of narrative tense. It was just too distracting. I was never able to feel connected to the story because I was so busy deciphering the shifts from past and present tenses. It was like one of those bad dreams where you seem to be separated from everything by a thin veil, making what is truly happening fuzzy and difficult to comprehend.
I hope I can enjoy this author's Of War series better.
October 19, 2013
Chilling and Brutally Wicked!
Wow! I have never read a thriller with such imagery details committed by a serial killer. The author writes with a brutal wicked erotic mind so warning this is a book that is NOT for those of a weak mind or heart. The scenes are brutal and contain sickening erotic bloody acts to victims that are so intense that you will find yourself enthralled with a sick psycho killer.
The reader is introduced to Helen, a sweet and gentle woman who has an eye for photographing. Living out her life in a woodsy cabin after her husband’s death and peacefully putting behind the mental tortured life of her past. I loved Helen, though she went through a lot she was still young at heart and a spit fire in the bedroom.
Colonel Kevin Smith was a mysterious character. In the beginning when he meets Helen the reader thinks awe she found a lover but then he leaves due to his top secret occupation that Helen doesn’t know about. His frequent absences leave the reader thinking that he could be the serial killer that is killing the women in town. I loved the Colonel; he is sharp, protective, and one bad asss military man, but he too has a painful past.
The chemistry between Helen and the Colonel is erotically divine and playful but intense at times. I loved how the link to each one of the characters past all tied together to the killer which left the plot not only mysterious but mind boggling.
The killer is another story, what a twisted F@#K, Ed is mentally deranged for sure; I was so ready to jump in the story and cut his ying-yang off and beat him over the head with it. LOL The author does a great job creating a psycho. When I close my eyes I can still see his heinous acts.
Overall, the story is captivating and chilling. As always the Happy Ever After eventually comes and it leaves me with a smile and laugh because the characters in the end act like it was just another day in the park and move on like now that’s over let’s get back to loving one another.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves dark adult murder mysteries. This is one book where the author’s writing captures the essence and emotions of the killers mind, you can truly feel the hatred jumping off the page.
One thing for sure, Lisa Darling you still remain one of my favorite authors – I love your writing style, you write with a brutal wicked mind, revengeful at times, and then with bone melting chemistry that leaves chills all the way down to my core. Whether it is about a battle scene, crime scene in this case, or an erotic love scene you always leave me in awe.
Excellent Read!
Wow! I have never read a thriller with such imagery details committed by a serial killer. The author writes with a brutal wicked erotic mind so warning this is a book that is NOT for those of a weak mind or heart. The scenes are brutal and contain sickening erotic bloody acts to victims that are so intense that you will find yourself enthralled with a sick psycho killer.
The reader is introduced to Helen, a sweet and gentle woman who has an eye for photographing. Living out her life in a woodsy cabin after her husband’s death and peacefully putting behind the mental tortured life of her past. I loved Helen, though she went through a lot she was still young at heart and a spit fire in the bedroom.
Colonel Kevin Smith was a mysterious character. In the beginning when he meets Helen the reader thinks awe she found a lover but then he leaves due to his top secret occupation that Helen doesn’t know about. His frequent absences leave the reader thinking that he could be the serial killer that is killing the women in town. I loved the Colonel; he is sharp, protective, and one bad asss military man, but he too has a painful past.
The chemistry between Helen and the Colonel is erotically divine and playful but intense at times. I loved how the link to each one of the characters past all tied together to the killer which left the plot not only mysterious but mind boggling.
The killer is another story, what a twisted F@#K, Ed is mentally deranged for sure; I was so ready to jump in the story and cut his ying-yang off and beat him over the head with it. LOL The author does a great job creating a psycho. When I close my eyes I can still see his heinous acts.
Overall, the story is captivating and chilling. As always the Happy Ever After eventually comes and it leaves me with a smile and laugh because the characters in the end act like it was just another day in the park and move on like now that’s over let’s get back to loving one another.
I highly recommend this to anyone who loves dark adult murder mysteries. This is one book where the author’s writing captures the essence and emotions of the killers mind, you can truly feel the hatred jumping off the page.
One thing for sure, Lisa Darling you still remain one of my favorite authors – I love your writing style, you write with a brutal wicked mind, revengeful at times, and then with bone melting chemistry that leaves chills all the way down to my core. Whether it is about a battle scene, crime scene in this case, or an erotic love scene you always leave me in awe.
Excellent Read!
November 26, 2013
Originally reviewed at http://prufreads.blogspot.com/
My rating: 3 out of 5 stars
"How many Eddie's you got in this town?"
~Kevin
***Please note, book was gifted by the author in exchange for an honest review***
How many indeed? I'm not new to Ms. Darling's work or the darkness her characters can, and often, posses. If you're a regular here at PRUFreads, you'll know her name from her OF WAR series that I have reviewed and therefor know that I am indeed a fan. This is, however, the first I've read from her that isn't of the paranormal flavor. This will a difficult review for me so please bear with me.
First, let me say this really isn't the book for me. In some ways, I'm still discovering my darker side when it comes to book preferences. I can't say that I simply love dark reads in general, nor can I pinpoint just yet what works for me and what doesn't. As the title announces, this is a book about a deep rooted, disturbing and often shocking obsession. Helen leads a simple life in a podunk town the rest of the world has forgotten. She has a simple cottage out in the middle of nowhere, just her and feline friend Harry, or so she thinks...
THE PROS-The cover- It isn't flashy, it's very simple yet reflects the book very well.
Kevin-I like the fact that he isn't a strapping twenty something yet pulls off that hot
hero persona with ease. He's strong and protective yet nurturing and sensitive to
her needs.
Rafe- As Helen's youngest son, his introduction added a new element and
understanding to both the story and to Helen herself that went a long way in
helping me warm up to her character.
The obsession-the connection between the stalker and Helen was one of which I didn't
really see coming and made me outwardly cringe. It was hard to read
but even so, it was clever.
Details-I thought I was going to lose my lunch more than once as I read page after page.
Getting to know our resident psycho isn't easy and while Ms. Darling has never
been one to shy away, she not only takes you there but pushes that much further
where some authors would go with a safer, fade to black type of wrap up. She
makes sure you know him and every single dark place in his incredibly
disturbed mind.
THE CONS-POV hopping. Obsession is told from different angles and jumped around too abruptly
at times. When I have to stop and rethink who it is taking note of this or that, it disrupts
the pacing There was also tense shifts(past to present and back again) in the narration.
Terms-Some of the dialogue just did not work for me and at times took a would be very
serious crucial scene and made it cartoonish. At one point she actually asked 'Are
you nukin' futz?' Not to mention the "Yeah, let's get that flyin' monkey." that
followed after a yellow brick road reference. She is 50 plus years old, it just
seemed odd and out of place.
Repetitive-It was established early on that Helen is more on the mature side who has
arthritic issues with her knees and her auburn hair is graying. That isn't
something I felt I needed to be reminded of at every turn. I felt the term
"graying" was overused. The reader was reminded of her age more often
than was needed.
Pacing/Length-Some scenes seemed to drag on for longer than needed and I felt
myself skimming, which I really hate to do. For me, I think the overall
length of the book could have been shortened without taking away from
the story.
Another thanks to Ms. Darling for providing me with a copy of Obsession and for also reminding me to lock every single door and window in my house!
My rating: 3 out of 5 stars
"How many Eddie's you got in this town?"
~Kevin
***Please note, book was gifted by the author in exchange for an honest review***
How many indeed? I'm not new to Ms. Darling's work or the darkness her characters can, and often, posses. If you're a regular here at PRUFreads, you'll know her name from her OF WAR series that I have reviewed and therefor know that I am indeed a fan. This is, however, the first I've read from her that isn't of the paranormal flavor. This will a difficult review for me so please bear with me.
First, let me say this really isn't the book for me. In some ways, I'm still discovering my darker side when it comes to book preferences. I can't say that I simply love dark reads in general, nor can I pinpoint just yet what works for me and what doesn't. As the title announces, this is a book about a deep rooted, disturbing and often shocking obsession. Helen leads a simple life in a podunk town the rest of the world has forgotten. She has a simple cottage out in the middle of nowhere, just her and feline friend Harry, or so she thinks...
THE PROS-The cover- It isn't flashy, it's very simple yet reflects the book very well.
Kevin-I like the fact that he isn't a strapping twenty something yet pulls off that hot
hero persona with ease. He's strong and protective yet nurturing and sensitive to
her needs.
Rafe- As Helen's youngest son, his introduction added a new element and
understanding to both the story and to Helen herself that went a long way in
helping me warm up to her character.
The obsession-the connection between the stalker and Helen was one of which I didn't
really see coming and made me outwardly cringe. It was hard to read
but even so, it was clever.
Details-I thought I was going to lose my lunch more than once as I read page after page.
Getting to know our resident psycho isn't easy and while Ms. Darling has never
been one to shy away, she not only takes you there but pushes that much further
where some authors would go with a safer, fade to black type of wrap up. She
makes sure you know him and every single dark place in his incredibly
disturbed mind.
THE CONS-POV hopping. Obsession is told from different angles and jumped around too abruptly
at times. When I have to stop and rethink who it is taking note of this or that, it disrupts
the pacing There was also tense shifts(past to present and back again) in the narration.
Terms-Some of the dialogue just did not work for me and at times took a would be very
serious crucial scene and made it cartoonish. At one point she actually asked 'Are
you nukin' futz?' Not to mention the "Yeah, let's get that flyin' monkey." that
followed after a yellow brick road reference. She is 50 plus years old, it just
seemed odd and out of place.
Repetitive-It was established early on that Helen is more on the mature side who has
arthritic issues with her knees and her auburn hair is graying. That isn't
something I felt I needed to be reminded of at every turn. I felt the term
"graying" was overused. The reader was reminded of her age more often
than was needed.
Pacing/Length-Some scenes seemed to drag on for longer than needed and I felt
myself skimming, which I really hate to do. For me, I think the overall
length of the book could have been shortened without taking away from
the story.
Another thanks to Ms. Darling for providing me with a copy of Obsession and for also reminding me to lock every single door and window in my house!
June 27, 2012
I admit I didn't finish this one-- it wasn't worth it. This book was a fail on so many levels. I'm not a fan of hot & heavy romance type novels, but this wasn't classy enough to qualify as chick lit. It might better be described as poorly written porn, but not that good.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews