The Beginning

Electric #1

by Carly Compass

When Gina Parrot, a Catholic, married, mother of four meets Mikhail Vladimir, master of deception, it's Electric! Gina takes on a new job as his Office Manager and has no idea, how in one short year her life will be irreversibly changed. Vladimir's obsession and deception soon have him stalking her without limits. Holding on to her dream of a wholesome traditional life she fights against the current, while forces beyond her control, in the guise of a devastating diagnosis and memories from her past rear their ugly heads to leave Gina to question if she has made the right decision. The electric current between Gina and Mikhail soon cause a violent short circuit that change both of their lives, revealing that things aren't often what they seem when we dig to find the truth.

146 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2014

About the author

Author of the Electric, a six book Series.
About Life,
About Love,
About Family,
Rituals Lost, a three book, Wiccan/Pagan Tale Due out in 2019
Amazon for Kindle users please like the page too!
http://www.amazon.com/author/carlycom...

Smashwords for Nook and other users (favorite)
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Electric, Book V, will be out April 2016.

I have a Bachelors Degree in Writing and English from Elmhurst College, and I am a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Tau Delta International Honor’s Societies. I have had one short story published in, the Prairie Light Review, entitled Pharmacy. I have also had one poem published in, Black Widows Web of Poetry, Weaving Our Poetry one Thread at a Time, entitled Modernist, Post and another poem Nip Tuck published in the, Middle Western Voice.

I am a married (30 years), mother of four grown children. I live outside Chicago and have been diagnosed with Systemic Sclerosis 20 years ago. My doctors at the time gave me three to five years to live, but I’m still going and going strong. My illness has brought me on a journey of health via nutrition and I will be happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Reviews

[Gary Dolman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this first-of-a-series from Carly Compass. It is very much that, with a great deal of effort and attention paid to setting the direction the of narrative and establishing the interrelationships of the characters. The dynamic between the two major protagonists builds slowly but surely throughout the novel, and leaves the reader wanting to know more about, both, if, and how, it will develop further and the backstory behind the disordered behaviour of the character Vladimir. I have already downloaded the second in the series and look forward very much to reading it.

[Corry Parnese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carly's first book in the series sets the stage for the future of Gina and her family. Gina is a hard working very dedicated mom. Carly's details are so meticulous that you feel like Gina is your neighbor. She is married to Brad and seems like they just go through the motions as a married couple..When Gina takes a new job with Mr. Vladimir you can sence a underlining story.. I for one can't wait to read book 2 to see where this all leads! Pick it up and join the journey!

[Devika Fernando · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Electric” is a debut novel by Carly Compass – and a really promising one at that.
What I like most about this book is that it made me feel as if I’m smack in the middle of the action. The author has a unique way of describing things in detail, and making settings as well as people come alive. As a half German, half Sri Lankan, I don’t know much about life in America, but this story definitely told (and taught) me a lot. I felt like watching a movie sometimes because Compass has breathed life into every single scene.
The first book of the series introduces us to the main protagonist Gina and her complicated life. We learn how she manages to juggle four children, two jobs and all of the million activities she’s involved in. Reading about it made me have a high respect for her – and it also made me wonder when and how she would break. We catch a first glimpse at several conflicts, and we’re introduced to enigmatic Vladimir.
This book is not something to quickly scan and forget. It’s full of lovingly integrated, meticulously researched details and facts, and great characterization. There’s depth to the people portrayed, and one can’t help wondering whether some of the author’s personal experiences or at least keen observations have found their way into the book. What I loved most were the holidays Halloween and Christmas, portrayed vividly in the novel. These festivities were not only interesting to read about but also helped to drive the plot along and characterize the protagonists even more.
If you like books that make the reader think and question, and deal with taboos, then you’ll enjoy this read as much as I did. I can’t wait for Book 2 to be released. It promises more action and even more thought-provoking topics.

[K.C. Sprayberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carly is a wife and mother in her early thirties who never has a moment to sit still let alone think about herself. She is always involved with her kids, house, or making sure everyone else is happy, so much so that she ignores her own needs. Her job makes her happy, until she begins to suspect her employer is paying a little too much attention to her.
Electric The Beginning is a fast paced story of what most mothers experience in this world on the go. Carly Compass puts together a great tale of the day to day life in a home where the mom attempts to make up for everything she missed as a child while also trying to show everyone how in control she is. Parenting isn’t easy, and yet Compass shows us a woman determined to keep life as easy going as possible for her family.
Despite a few rough spots, I found this to be an interesting tale and recommend this book.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carly is a wife and mother and is happy with that. She has to deal with kids, a husband and a few strange neighbors. Then she goes to work for Vladimir and sees things a little differently. I want to find out where this story goes. It is a well written story although I think parts were a little long and it seems more of a life story than an action adventure. I think though the next books might just up the suspense and I can't wait to see where this tale is headed.

[Jessica Iskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Electric series by Carly Compass.
The main character, Gina, is a wife and mother of four. She's a lovely, kind hearted, spiritual woman who puts everyone's needs before hers. She loves her family even though they show her no respect or love.
Gina's days consist of working, taking care of her family and volunteering at one of her many functions.
However, Gina starts to bore of her repetitive days. She wishes that things were different. Is it to much to ask to be loved, respected, and paid attention to?
But be careful what you wish for - you might just get it...
For her first book, Carly Compass has done a wonderful job. She's created a character that I can relate with. Sometimes I stopped and wondered if the author was spying on me and writing about my life. I really look forward to the next book!

****I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.****

[Varun Prabhu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Electric the beginning is a wonderful book setting the stage for Gina and her future. Carly's writing is good and draws the reader in fast. It has a near perfect mix of description and dialogue, with great emphasis on character development. The enigmatic Vladimir, the multitasking Gina....and the conflicts between the characters..that's what makes this book interesting to read...Wonder what will happen in the next book...I do recommend this for reading. :)

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from Carly for my birthday. Gina is a married, mom of four, in a marriage without a great communication base, who meets a man who is very deceptive and he convinces her to take a job in his office. The things between boss and employee shift and a whole series of things get complicated. I LOVE the dynamics in this book. I couldn't put it down. I had to grab the next as soon as I was finished.

[Vanda Denton · Rating 3 out of 5]

too much daily detail for me but many will love this

Gina is an excessively hard-working, devoted young mother in a new neighbourhood. Eager to be part of the community, she works her way into the PTA and tries to help people. By Chapter 8 we’ve had every detail of this perfect woman’s life and little else until she hears a tape of her new boss Vladimir Electric’s birthday, ending with his daughter’s voice saying, ‘I hate you, daddy.’ Gina is too busy in her daily life to analyse it. 43% in, Gina is possibly mysteriously ill but again too busy to think about it. Soon after that I had the impression that Vladimir is trying to groom her. Following that there are pages and pages of daily life concerning her hard work, universal consideration for all others and her dysfunctional extended family. I was 51% in when the next curious thing occurred: Vladimir began going to work in the evenings when Gina did that to avoid him. We then get a few sparse hints at Vladimir’s dark side but mostly it’s a minute by minute account of Gina’s daily life, right down to giving us some recipes. I expect in the next book to discover why Gina works so very hard to make a perfect life for her children. I’m eager to know what Vladimir’s up to and I’d like to know what happens to Gina but that will have to wait until I have the time to relax with this kind of book.

[Diana Long · Rating 1 out of 5]

After reading the synopsis of the story and the prologue I was intrigued and looking forward to this read. I feel everyone who has a passion for writing should do just that, write no matter what other people's opinions are and I am the last person who is an expert in that area. That being said, I did not find this an entertaining or interesting read, perhaps because it's done in parts and this is only, I assume part one of the whole story. I would have liked to know more about the relationship between Brad and Gina. I don't even know what he looks like and it wasn't until the end of the story their home was described. The emphasis I feel was too much on her (Gina's) daily routine, which in itself is rather mundane and the list of products mentioned reads like manufacturer endorsements. The parts in the story that caused Gina to notice and be concerned about her employer were just to brief and that is what according to the synopsis the story is about. I would have preferred the work complete in one volume. These are only my opinions which don't amount to much and I apologize if I sound like a book snob.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gina, the heroine of this story, works hard from morning to night. She labors to create the perfect life for her family by working more than one job, keeping track of her four children, providing meals, cleaning and taking care of her husband and juggling it all seemlessly. To me her life would be drudgery pure and simple. I have been told there are more books in the series and that the author’s goal was to set the stage with this book and that further books will reveal what lurks in suburbia below the level we all seem to see on a daily basis. Well written but sometimes I felt I was reading Gina’s diary rather than being told her story.

[Jodi · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a chore to get through this book.

I have no idea why this book received so many good ratings. It was very hard to continue reading chapter after chapter of just chores and more chores. The main character was horribly unlikable and a plot never developed. If you are looking for an escape from life for a few hours with a good read, pass this up! I am still sitting in unbelief that I read the whole monotonous, dreary tale of...nothing.

[alice Tileston · Rating 1 out of 5]

couldn't get into it. gave up on page 23/148