Lightning Crimes

Disaster Crimes #1.5

by Chrys Fey

***Lightning Crimes (Disaster Crimes 2.5) is a short story of 22 pages set between Seismic Crimes and Tsunami Crimes.***

A freak lightning storm unleashes its energy on Central Florida. Bolts of lightning crash to the ground. Torrential rain soaks everything within seconds. And the power goes out, casting Beth and Donovan's apartment into darkness. Beth is already on edge after receiving a menacing phone call several months ago, and this storm doesn't help with her nerves.

Donovan tries to distract her from Mother Nature's tantrum, but someone else has other plans. When they find the front door to their apartment wide open, they soon realize it isn't an accident. Someone is in their apartment with them.

What crime can happen as fast as lightning?

Content Warning: disasters, home break-in

Disaster Crimes Series:
Hurricane Crimes (#1)
Seismic Crimes (#2)
Lightning Crimes (#2.5 free story)
Tsunami Crimes (#3)
Flaming Crimes (#4)
Frozen Crimes (#5)

Genres: Thriller, Suspense, Short Stories, Mystery

22 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2020

About the author

Author of the Disaster Crimes series. She/Her

Chrys Fey blogs at Write with Fey

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Thank you so much for your reviews!

Chrys Fey is a disabled, tattooed author of books featuring heroines of steel. Her Disaster Crimes series is a unique blend of romance, disasters, and crimes, influenced by her own experiences with natural disasters. The conclusion of her series inspired her to create TheFightingChance.org, a resource for domestic violence survivors. On her blog, WritewithFey.com, she supports, empowers, and teaches fellow writers.

Fey got the idea for her first book when she was twelve and discovered a rusted screw with a crooked tip buried in grass. That screw was a key to an unknown world with an extraordinary character born in heaven.

She is a fur baby mom of four rescued cats. For fun, she photographs antiques, makes playlists, and creates flip cup paintings of Avrianna’s nebula. She loves Halloween, autumn, and gargoyles.

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have ever been in a lightning storm, you know how scary they can be. If you have experienced a Florida lightning storm, you REALLY know how unnerving they can be, because sure enough, most of the time the power goes out. That is exactly what happened to Beth and Donovan, but while the thunder was crashing, the lightning was arcing across the sky and they were pitched into darkness, Beth noticed something was not quite right. Someone chose that night to break in and make their escape, leaving both Beth and Donovan realizing just how vulnerable they are, because this was more than a random guy trying to get out of the rain, this could be their past coming back to haunt them.

Short, tense and a perfect way to test out a new romantic suspense series, LIGHTNING CRIMES by Chrys Fey is a quick escape with an electric charge in the air!

Series: Disaster Crimes - Book 2.5
Publisher: Chrys Fey (December 12, 2016)
Publication Date: December 12, 2016
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Print Length: 22 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chrys Fey's Disaster Crimes is one of the more unique series out in the reading world. Each book deals with a different natural disaster--hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis for example--that besets the characters, always in such multi-sensory detail that you're sure you're right there, in the middle of the catastrophe. Here's an example:

"She joined Donovan at the rail and peered at the black, bubbling clouds. They devoured the muted colors of the twilight sky."

"...approaching storm was like a monster hiding under a bed, waiting for the lights to go out."

Can't you feel the visceral fear, the cold and drenching air? In Lightning Crimes, Beth and Donovan are enjoying the feeling of life settling down after their propitious initial meeting in the middle of a hurricane and then getting to know each other as they survived an earthquake together. But fate has other plans and a lightning storm of epic proportions lands on their doorstep. As they hunker down inside the four walls of their home, strange things begin to happen. For example, the front door stands open though Beth is sure she locked it, and then a rock slams through the window, giving the raging storm free access to their house. Someone Beth didn't know had threatened her life and now, she wonders if this is him, picking this violent storm as the perfect time to carry out his threats.

As in all the books in this series, the vagaries of nature take center stage.  Though this one is short, it sets us up for the next in the series when we'll surely see what this stranger has in store for Beth. If you’ve enjoyed the other books in this series you will love this one.

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donovan and Beth have been through a hurricane and an earthquake, so a lightning storm should be a piece of cake and Chrys Fey’s descriptive writing makes me feel like I am there with them, through the clashing of the thunder, the flashes of the lightning, the pounding of the rain and the roaring of the wind, but there is more…a rock through a window, an open door that was locked, wet footprints on carpet…Chrys can create a suspenseful read whether its danger from storms or humans.

[Victoria Marie Lees · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a short story writer myself, although I write YA adventure, I enjoy the pacing of action and tightness of detail in this form.

Chrys Fey’s Lightning Crimes ebook does not disappoint. The details of a ferocious lightning storm in Florida, the passion of two in love, and the movements of danger all come into play. Fey does warn the reader that this short story is merely a tense chapter in the overall crime that Beth Kennedy and now fiancé Donovan Goldwyn are trying to solve. Fey’s first ebook, Hurricane Crimes, is summarized in this short story, so the reader knows what happened before and what the main characters are up against. It’s a pleasant, quick read!

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatever you do, don't read this short story during a lightening storm, otherwise, you may find yourself nervously wondering what terrible thing might happen as the lightening crackles and the thunder booms. It's definitely a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with quick pacing and suspense, along with a healthy dollop of romance. If you haven't read any of the Disaster Crime series before, this is a great introduction and you'll find yourself wanting to read another one of the books in the series to find out how Beth and Donovan cope with the next disaster they encounter.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

My fourth short read from author Chrys Fey. The characters introduced in Hurricane Crimes (Disaster Crimes #1) are back in this story set between books 2 & 3 in the series. I was given an Audible copy of Tsunami Crimes & I’d missed something in not reading book 2 1/2 in the series so I went out & got it. Well-written romantic suspense, captivating & intriguing with well-developed characters. I’ll be reading more in this series and look forward to the fourth book. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this short story introduction to the Disaster Crimes story arc. I think it’s a great idea to create a short story which could potentially bridge a couple of the longer editions. It’s both a treat for those that read the series and an enticement for those that don’t. Lightning Crimes is a single scene mystery teaser, which introduces the characters and where their relationship is in the story. I enjoyed it and found it a quick introduction to the story world. Four of five stars on Goodreads.

[Juneta Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never A Moments Peace in this couples lives

Never a moments peace. This couple deals with disaster after disaster coupled with crime. What I have enjoyed about this romantic suspense series is we follow the same couple through lives and disasters. This short read gives you a taste of the story with plenty of excitement.

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

This suspenseful short story took me back into the world of Beth and Donovan. It's suspenseful and heart-stopping. Beth knows she didn't leave the front door open, so who is with them in their apartment during the tumultuous storm?

[Heather Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great short read. I wish it was longer.

[Pearl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its Ok

I like the plot and how I was able to follow the story but it didn't grasp me. It wasn't a page turner. It was a good short story to read between books. All in all, its OK.

[Natalie Oshins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too Short

This is not a book. It's not a novella. It's barely a short story. It's more like a blurb about a story that's yet to be published. It's a waste of time.

[Toi Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by far the shortest installment in this intense series, but it doesn’t fall short. In this short story, suspense builds as the two lovers battle rain, lightning, and a blackout to discover an intruder who may be more than some nameless thug.

Part of me wants to be happy that Beth and Donovan are moving forward with their lives, but there’s another part of me that feels so bad for them. They never seem to have a moment's rest. Aside from the comfort they offer each other and a small handful of allies and family, someone is always after them. But, I guess that’s just part of the story… and I guess that’s what keeps me coming back.

Wish this one was a bit longer, but it’s still really good. Recommended to fans of the series and new readers wanting to test the story out, though I guess it would be a semi-spoiler for the first two books. Still, I think fans of crime thrillers will like this.

[Christine Rains · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth and Donovan watched as a powerful lightning storm thunders over their home in Central Florida. They think to cuddle inside, and even when the power goes out, candles can cast a romantic mood. Beth can't seem to calm her nerves, though. And when they find the front door to their apartment wide open with wet footprints going inside, the adrenaline goes into overdrive.

This short story takes places between Seismic Crimes and Tsunami Crimes. If you like natural disaster thrillers with a nice dose of romance, you've got to pick up this series! Beth and Donovan can be light and playful, but when stuff goes down, they are all business. It's suspenseful and the hairs stand up on the back of your arms as if someone or something is about to strike!

[Bradley Poage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved Lightning Crimes. It has passion, suspense, action, and it ties into the series perfectly. Finishing it today since I couldnt put it down, all of the character is here and more. I cant wait for Tsunami Crimes. This author knows all too well how to write a suspenseful thriller, which is why she is one of my favorite authors. If youre looking for a great book, read Lightning Crimes, Hurricane Crimes, Seismic Crimes, and prepare for the next great book, Tsunami Crimes.

[Susan Swiderski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short teaser to whet readers' appetites and get them ready for the soon-to-be released next book in the author's action-packed disaster series. It does a good job of it, too. This short story "filler" has plenty of action, both weather-related and man-made, and leaves readers wanting more.

I'd give it four and a half stars, rounded up to five.