Exposed

by Janelle Parmer, John Hocking

Trying to heal from trauma when a relationship goes bad is a dangerous task in this psychological suspense thriller that exposes the downsides of desire. After a bad breakup and the loss of her brother, Sarah Benson moves to California for a fresh start and to pursue her dream of becoming a professional photographer. As Sarah begins her new life on the west coast, she meets Paul Carter and falls hard for him. But when their union does not seem quite as perfect anymore, Sarah ends their relationship and begins seeing someone else. The problem is Paul is not ready to give Sarah up and he will stop at nothing to come between her and her new love. When Paul goes too far, Sarah must take action before it’s too late and her life is destroyed forever. But will she be able to save herself in time? Exposed is a gritty read, based on a true story, that explores the dark nuances of lust, love, passion, and falling for the wrong person.

244 pages, Paperback

Published July 9, 2024

About the author

Janelle Parmer grew up in Southern California. She earned a paralegal certificate, a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and an MBA. Parmer has spent most of her career working in private law firms and published her first book, The Other Side of the Ledge, in 2020. The Other Side of the Ledge won the bronze medal for Best Adult Fiction E-Book in the 2022 Independent Publisher Book Awards. Parmer’s debut novel was also a finalist in the 2022 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards in the Women’s Fiction Category, and a finalist in the Chick Lit Fiction Category of the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Her second book, Chasing Calla Lilies, was released in 2021 and third book, Exposed, was released in 2024. In addition to writing novels, Parmer also enjoys writing quotes, poems, and short stories.

Parmer donates a percentage of her annual book earnings to institutions that promote/provide mental health services and organizations that assist victims of bullying.

If you, or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Reviews

[Luke Eckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exposed was the second book I’ve read by the author, Janelle Parmer, and first by John Hocking. The pair combine to write a highly engaging story that I finished in less than a week. Most books, even the ones I really like, typically take me a month or two to read.
Exposed is the story of Sarah, a young woman who moves to LA to pursue her dream of becoming a professional photographer. There she meets a charming and handsome man named Paul, and sparks fly. What begins as a wonderful romance, eventually takes a dark turn.
The authors do a fantastic job of developing the characters and their relationships, making it hard to put the book down. Sarah’s journey felt very real, so when I eventually found out that Exposed was based on a true story, it was no surprise.
I’d highly recommend this book to anyone, and am looking forward to more from both Parmer and Hocking!

[Jamie Speck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This taps into some of the biggest fears in today's society...stalking both physical and cyber. Sarah was trying to start fresh after a breakup. She meets someone that shares her interest in both music and photography and thinks she has found that special someone. Her gut tells her that things may not be as they seem, but Paul is really good at manipulation. I was very invested in the characters and their journey. Great read!!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read and provides insight into dysfunctional relationships. How lies, mischaracterizations, and gaslighting can turn what seems like a promising relationship into something sinister and toxic. It also shows the devastation of such a relationship to not only the direct participants but the innocent people surrounding them, and those who enable the behavior. A very thoughtful book, which is gripping and well written.

[Janice Coy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exposed reads like a true crime story, and was, in fact, inspired by a real situation. When Sarah Benson moves to California to pursue a career as a photographer, she meets Paul Carter. Despite all the red flags, she justifies a continued relationship with him - he makes her feel good. But ignoring the warning signs soon turns dangerous.
It's both sad and upsetting when women choose harmful relationship with abusive men mistakenly thinking they are not in danger.

[Kayla Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Quick read and kept me pulled in. Even though it was a short read, felt like I got to know all the characters well. The authors did a great job of telling a story revolving around a very difficult topic.

[Claire Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book from start to finish! The story was extremely compelling and thought provoking. The authors did a great job of bringing such an important topic to light. Highly recommend reading this book!