In the game of deception and betrayal, nothing is ever as it seems, not even murder. Secrets would be revealed in the dead of night, and lives would be changed forever. With each body count rising, Claire and Stephen began to unveil the truth, exposing the dark side of their seemingly perfect lives. In the shadows, Jessica watched from the sidelines with grave anticipation, ready to take hold of her moment. The game of cat and mouse had begun. Will Claire and Stephen be able to ride out the storm and rebuild their lives? Will Jessica seal her place next to Stephen no matter what the cost? Will the killer ever be caught?
Book Details:Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Published by: Self-Published
Publication Date: October 2024
Number of Pages: 256
ISBN: 9798350963038
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads |
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Author Bio:Shelly M. Patel enjoys writing mystery books. Her first Children's book, Jake has Dyslexia, entered the Reader's Choice award in 2021. In 2023, she won second place in CloutBooks for the Reader's Choice Award for her novel When Secrets Kill. She lives in Virginia Beach with her husband, three beautiful children, and their dog, Teddy. |
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MY THOUGHTS
A BROKEN REFLECTION is written by Shelly M. Patel. This is my first exposure to this author, and it will not be my last. I loved how the story draws you in within the first few pages.
Claire has the seemingly perfect life. However, all that comes crashing down. Her husband, Stephen has a checkered past. Suddenly there are bodies that are piling up, and Claire needs to figure out who she can trust, and this includes her husband Stephen. Stephen can feel the weight of all the secrets and lies weighing him down. He struggles to try and navigate the truth. Can she clear her name?
Factor in a woman named Jessica, who is extremely jealous and wants Stephen all to herself. She is willing to stop at NOTHING (including murder) to become the woman in Stephen's life. Meanwhile, Stephen is struggling with if he can reveal all the deep dark secrets to Claire.
Wowza. There is a lot that goes on in this book. It's action packed, full of suspense, and will keep your adrenaline pumping. The book is well written. The characters are flawed and secretive (my kind of people....) Thank you to the author, publisher and Partners in Crime Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.
GUEST POST
A Beautiful Mind Topic: A human mind is complicated with its intricate network of thoughts, emotions, memories, and intellectual processes that define our insight of reality and our experience of life. It’s capable of incredible achievements of creativity, problem-solving abilities, and abstract thinking, while also being home to our deepest fears, desires, and setbacks. The capability of the mind to house so many aspects of one’s life is beyond comprehension. The mind is shaped by both biology—through neural networks, brain chemistry, and genetics—and experiences, evolving over time based on learning, environment, and personal history.
The mind can compartmentalize life’s events and morph into something beautiful or dark is superb depending on the situation and outcome. Neurology is a fascinating topic for so many reasons from the obvious to the hidden mysteries beyond the comprehension of a simple mind. It always fascinates me why people behave the way they do. What triggers them to act in a certain way. I wonder even if they know how they act, are they in tune with their own behavior and how it may impact another person. The ability to weave a story around human emotions, behavior, and experiences is one of the most profound gifts of storytelling. It taps into the universal truths of what it means to be human, allowing us to explore our deepest fears, desires, joys, and sorrows. When a story is centered on emotions, it resonates on a deeper level, drawing readers or viewers in by reflecting their own internal worlds, their struggles, and triumphs. Human behavior—its unpredictability, motivations, and reactions—adds layers to a plot. A character’s choices and actions, shaped by their emotions, can drive a story forward in unexpected ways. The readers become invested in the characters’ journey, not because they’re perfect, but because they’re flawed, vulnerable, and relatable. These nuances make stories powerful, connecting people across cultures, time, and space. By examining behavior and emotions, writers can shine a light on complex issues like love, loss, identity, and the human conditions which sometimes as a society is frowned upon. Whether it's a tale of personal growth, a moral dilemma, or an epic adventure, the emotional core is what makes it unforgettable. Storytelling doesn’t just entertain—it helps us make sense of ourselves and the world around us, often offering awareness that lingers long after the final word is read, or the last scene fades to black. At times making readers aware of their abilities and emotions from within.
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Wow, great review. This sounds like a fun read.
ReplyDeleteAlso nice guest post!
I love this - "The readers become invested in the characters’ journey, not because they’re perfect, but because they’re flawed, vulnerable, and relatable."