Is there anywhere safe when you're the object of someone's obsession?
Alexandria Stevens is a New York Times best-selling romance novelist.
After she makes a guest appearance on a popular TV talk show, she
creates a Twitter account. Within a few short weeks she meets a fan, and
they become fast friends…or that's what Alex thinks. When Alex finds
herself being stalked, the person she least suspects is her new friend
Jillian. What she doesn't know is that Jillian has been obsessed with
her for years. She wants everything Alex has, even her husband.
Content Warning: sexual situations, adult language, violence
Excerpt from chapter 6:
Alex went into her study to answer some emails and go over the
script for her movie again when the doorbell rang. Knowing Hudson was on
a conference call, she went to answer it. She looked out the window to
find a deliveryman with a long, white box. Her heart melted, Hudson had
flowers delivered for her. He was always so romantic and thoughtful.
God, she loved him.
Alex opened the door and signed for the flowers. As she
took them to the kitchen to place them in a vase, her mind wandered to
all the ways she could thank Hudson properly after his conference call
was over. Her favorite one involved her being down on her knees. Alex
couldn’t wait to see and smell the beautiful flowers. Giggling, she
untied the ribbon and anxiously lifted the lid.
She screamed and dropped the box. It was filled with a
dozen black roses, a purple plastic butterfly attached to one stem. Fear
rocked through her body as she remembered the note left on her car.
Like a butterfly, a wild butterfly. I will collect you and capture you.
Alex fell to the floor and wrapped her arms around herself.
“Alex, oh my God. Are you okay? What happened?” Hudson asked as he placed his arms around her trembling body.
She pointed to the black roses. “I thought you sent me flowers,” she stuttered in between her sobs.
Hudson looked at the roses with confusion, then Alex
pointed to the butterfly and told him about the note she’d found on her
car and how Colleen said it was nothing, probably a sick prank.
“You should’ve told me, baby. I’m calling your father, this isn’t
just a prank.” Hudson dialed Anthony, Alex’s father and a police
detective. He held her tight and assured her that he wouldn’t let
anything happen to her and that they would find out what was going on.
Anthony was at his daughter’s side within fifteen
minutes with two policemen in tow. He asked a few questions and took the
flowers for evidence. Alex just clung to Hudson as her father lectured
her for not telling anyone about the note that had been left on her car.
He was upset that the note had been destroyed, because there could’ve
been forensic evidence on it that would help them figure out who was
doing this.
Alex looked into her father’s eyes, he looked both
angry and conflicted. She knew this had to be hard on him. He had to be
both her father and the detective on the case. He assured them that he
would try and keep a lid on this as long as possible. Alex let out a
moan knowing what would happen if the media found out about it.
Hudson asked Anthony about the possibility of the
police providing some sort of security for Alex. She objected, saying
she didn’t want to be babysat. Her father quickly dismissed her
objection, stating it was a good idea and he would arrange regular
patrols of the street. He swore to her that he would catch the psycho
that was stalking her. He hugged her before he left, which took Alex by
surprise because he never showed emotion.
When everyone was finally gone, Hudson got Alex some
water and two sleeping pills. Soon she was in bed wrapped in Hudson’s
arms. Although she was both emotionally and physically exhausted, she
felt safe next to him. She sighed and snuggled as close to his warm body
as she could as she wiped away a tear and drifted off to sleep.
Alex woke to her cellphone ringing over and over again.
Who the hell keeps calling? She moaned as she grabbed her phone from
the bedside table. When she looked at the screen and saw who the caller
was, she rolled her eyes.
“Mom?”
“Oh my God, Alexandria, are you okay? Why do I have to find out from the media that someone is stalking my daughter?”
Alex
just let her mother rant—no good would come out of trying to stop her
and explain things until she had it all out of her system.
“And a movie deal? Why am I the last to know everything? Well, I’m waiting.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I was going to call you today. Things have been a bit crazy. What do you mean you heard it from the media?”
“It’s all over the entertainment news.”
“Christ!”
Alex took a deep breath. She needed to focus and find out what was
being said. “Mom, I have to go. I promise I’ll call you later and fill
you in on everything. I need to find out exactly what has been leaked.”
* * * *
Dreams do Come true... I'm feeling so many emotions I can't begin to count them. In 9 days my debut Novella Obsession will be releasing from Beachwalk Press. I can't help reflect on the crazy journey writing this book has taken me on.
First
off, Obsession main idea came from a real life experience that happen
last St Patrick's Day weekend. It's surreal that it's being releases a
year later. Nothing of course happened like the story I spun in the
book. Just the idea that you could use Twitter to befriend someone and
have malicious motives.
Second,
Obsession had a contract before Beachwalk Press, the Publisher closed
before they really opened. I was of course... crushed. After a few days I
decided I needed to stop moping and do something. My good friend Ella
Jade told me to submit it to Beachwalk Press, I of course did,
and here we are.
I'm
ecstatic that Obsession is now ready for release.The good thing is I
don't have to let them all go just yet. I plan on writing a spin-off
next year that would happen between the last chapter and Epilogue.
Alexandria's father Anthony, is a police detective and To Serve & Protect
would focus on him and a much younger woman.
Other spin-off books that may happen in the future...
Lacey and Tim's story Second Chances would take place the same time as Obsession.
Trina
and Micheal's story Destiny would be pre-Obsession. This book will take
us back to college and how they all met, We'll watch all three
couples fall in love and the girls become friends.
* * * *
Join Ella Jade and I on March 9th from 8-10pm EST on the Beachwalk press yahoo loop for our release party!
If you not a member sign up today!
I hope you drop by and chat with us!
Before I leave I feel the need to thank three very important woman.
Ella Jade, you have been my friend and mentor for a few years now. Without your push I would've never even tried to have Obsession published. Your friendship and never ending support means the world to me. You have talked me down from the ledge many times than I want to count. You have pre-read, edited, and kicked my ass when I needed you too. You've encouraged me to keep going and promised it would get better when I just wanted to give up and walk away.
Lacey Wolfe, we've just become friends over the last few months. You've been there for support when I needed a shoulder to cry on. Thank you for taking time to pre-read and offer advice on numerous occasions.
Pamela Tyner, I need to thank you for giving Obsession a chance. You're an amazing and patient editor, I've learn so much from this process. To watch my book evolve from manuscript to final product with your help and guidance has been an experience I wont soon forget.
Tamaria
Remember to always reach for the moon, if you miss you will land among the stars.
I hope you drop by and chat with us!
Before I leave I feel the need to thank three very important woman.
Ella Jade, you have been my friend and mentor for a few years now. Without your push I would've never even tried to have Obsession published. Your friendship and never ending support means the world to me. You have talked me down from the ledge many times than I want to count. You have pre-read, edited, and kicked my ass when I needed you too. You've encouraged me to keep going and promised it would get better when I just wanted to give up and walk away.
Lacey Wolfe, we've just become friends over the last few months. You've been there for support when I needed a shoulder to cry on. Thank you for taking time to pre-read and offer advice on numerous occasions.
Pamela Tyner, I need to thank you for giving Obsession a chance. You're an amazing and patient editor, I've learn so much from this process. To watch my book evolve from manuscript to final product with your help and guidance has been an experience I wont soon forget.
Tamaria
Remember to always reach for the moon, if you miss you will land among the stars.
I am looking forward to the release. The excerpts have been fantastic. Congrats! So happy for you :))
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much! You're support means so much to me!
DeleteCongratulations! I'm so excited for you! It's been my pleasure to kick you into gear:) I look forward to seeing you through many more releases! Enjoy the next few weeks!
ReplyDeleteElla
xoxo
I look forward to having many more publication for you to see me through ;).
Delete