9

by E. James

Of all the possibilities of her predictable life in Spokane, abruptly meeting the man of her dreams was the least bit expected for Nikki. Brad, a man of seductive quality, seizes control of her mundane lifestyle and soon they embark on an exotic life together. That is, until she is faced with the suspicion that not everything about her new love is what it seems. After nearly a decade of deceit and brutality, a crushing blow is made in an attempt to end her freedom and erase her existence entirely. Will she escape from his hands in time? Or will Nikki be doomed to become Brad’s next victim? Follow this true story as Nikki takes the road less traveled in her face-off with a sociopath—battling against his deep desires for sexual exploitation, wealth and ultimately power.

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 17, 2014

Reviews

[Misha Almira · Rating 4 out of 5]

9 is an intriguing novel based on a true story. It reminds us that love is powerful, and gifted to the wrong person can have terrible consequences. The book starts with the main character, Nikki, being arrested. She then takes the reader back through time to understand what brought her to this point. She is in an unhappy marriage when she meets and intriguing man named Brad that she works with. While they are both married, their relationship turns to love. She decides that she will divorce her husband with the expectation that Brad loves her the same, and will take the same action. Instead he becomes an abusive sociopath that she is unwilling to separate herself from. She remains with him as he takes her down a terrible road of deceit and manipulation.

This book covers very sensitive topics around abuse and the women caught in the trap of controlling men. As the reader you can see what is happening and you want Nikki to get out and find safety. Yet her choices are consistently counter to her own health and welfare, demonstrating the complicated web that emotional abuse takes on its victims. We are reminded that how difficult it is for women to overcome the manipulation and control abusive men inflict.

The writing style is intriguing. It is a book that is filled with action and hard to put down. There is suspense and wonder as you sympathize with Nikki and are often baffled by her choices. While it may appear clear to the reader, what she should do, she is caught up in the emotional aspects of the relationship illustrating how powerful love can be and when placed in the wrong hands, how it can ruin lives.

[James N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow this True Story as Nikki takes the road less-traveled in her face-off with a Sociopath-
9 by E. James; Is a well written and descriptive novel based on a true life events of a not so ordinary love that takes a turn to horrifying nightmare between the main characters Nikki and Brad.
-WHEN LOVE IS TAINTED BY BETRAYAL
E. James does a gilt-edged 'first person' description of the pitfalls between Nikki and Brad's extraneous love affair. Pin-pricking you with every emotion adding the flavor of danger, deception, and erotica-the base ingredients for revenge.
First chapter is the hook, present day giving no hint to the question WHY Nikki's arrest and Brad's roll of the unexplained. Then the book reels you several years in the past of when Nikki and Brad first meet and the journey begins. James capturing style doesn't let you go from beginning to end.
You follow through the web of their exotic life of them being players in their Games of Passion to the terrifying Game of Survival to Brad's Game on Nikki. Did I mention Brad has a wife?
The story doesn't seem to be designed to show pity for Nikki she was a player along side of Brad and seemed very aware of the man she was with-a marriage he couldn't seem to end, his personality switches, and belittlement slurs. Her devotion for Brad was inseparable with a thriving obsession of their exotic life style. It's a plain description of the hell she endured for years being with this Sociopath until the final Blow and that was enough abuse and the last time. Nikki now seeks revenge of her lover Brad.
Recommended fantastic read-

[Pilar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess, I had difficulty getting through this book. I kept putting it down, and picking it up again. What made it difficult was that it was based on a true story.

This story is about a woman named Nikki, who was married and lived an ordinary life. She wasn't necessarily miserable, but she wasn't happy. Her life consisted of going to work and going home. Things quickly changed for her when a man by the name of Brad entered the picture. He was hired at her job and they started to work together. He was married as well and had children.

Brad was charismatic, attractive and seemed to show an interest in her. Nikki didn't feel attractive or desired in her marriage. She craved the attention that Brad seemed all so willing to dote upon her. One thing leads to another and they wound up having sex.

She falls in love with Brad and leaves her husband for him. All the while thinking Brad will leave his wife, but never does. Their sexual escapades and games become more risky and eventually affect her health. You watch how she allows him to strip her of dignity and self respect.

Nikki's story is beyond heart wrenching because you witness how far she will go for Brad. Her obsession with him was to the point that she would do whatever he asked her to, even if it put her in harms way. He manipulated and controlled her. He was the classic sociopath. He strung her along for a ride, a ride which cost her everything, including her freedom, but fortunately, not her life.

[Dana Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an eye popping book. I was disturbed by the story because it's based on actual real life events. It is hard for me to imagine that people can do such cruel and awful things to each other, though I must say I'm no longer surprised by it. Warning there is a forced sex component laced through out the book so those who may be offended or disturbed please don't read unless you are sure you can handle it.

[Debra Monette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, was it really based on a true story? I found it hard to believe, that she would just keep going back to him. I know he was a sociopath, but what did that make her?

[Tammy Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a crazy read...full of twist and turns but was not thrilled with the abuse.

[Carol Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

left me exhausted & angry....