Amy awakes to find her husband Mark missing, along with her memories. Her recollections of Mark include a whirlwind courtship and a beach wedding. Amy is determined to uncover what happened to her husband. How could a man who loved her so intensely just walk away?
The police have no interest in finding Mark. They reason he wasn’t ready for marriage and he walked. She wonders if his disappearance could be associated with her work.
Ryan, a close friend and co-worker, assists her in piecing together her missing memories. As the pair work together, they find that Amy’s actual past reveals a scenario that is so horrifying that it forces them on the run, not knowing whom they can trust. Will Amy’s newly recalled memories prove fatal to both her and Ryan?
EXCERPT
“I love you,” Mark whispered into her hair as he slipped one long, muscular leg over hers.
Amy snuggled closer to him, nuzzling his neck. Ah, she loved this time, right after a rousing lovemaking session when they were both sated and drowsy, drunk on the idea that in a world of mismatched couples, somehow they found each other. Mark’s slight snore alerted her he’d dropped off to sleep. She should get up. There was so much to do before work. Instead, she stayed, breathing in the peace of the moment.
Hard to believe she was a bride. Not that she had anything against marriage. She just hadn’t foreseen it happening to her. How could it? All she did was work at Theron under major security scrutiny. The only people she saw were other employees, with the majority being women. The confidentiality clause she’d signed forbade fraternization between employees. The company must have a reason for being so paranoid. Right now, she didn’t care. All she wanted was her husband to awaken.
“Honey, do you remember our wedding?” Using her index and middle fingers, she made slow circles across his wide shoulders and around his muscular arm. The barbed wire tattoos encircling his biceps always surprised her, not that they didn’t look good on his tanned skin. They did. No, it was that she never imagined herself as a woman with a big gorgeous husband who could easily be a male stripper or a porn star with his looks. Nope, she never expected to marry. Even if a part of her held out hope, she never expected anyone without a heavier eyeglass prescription than hers.
Mark held up one arm, stretched, and twisted it enough to make his bicep pop. He noticed her eyes following the play of his muscles. His deliberate wink made her giggle a little. Geesh, just another sign she was way out of her depth. Truth told she never dated much, period. School, then work consumed her every waking moment.
He rolled to his side, facing her, and yawned before answering. “I do remember our wedding since I was there. Plus it was only two weeks ago.”
“Yes.” All that was true, but it wasn’t what she wanted to hear. By mentioning the subject, he might tell her how wonderful it was or even describe it in detail. Did she expect him to gush about the meaningfulness of their vows? No way, she’d admit that she had issues bringing their wedding into focus. All she could see was a couple and minister on the beach with the sun setting in the background. With the shadows falling on them, it was hard to tell if the couple was even white, let alone if it was actually them. The sun was setting in the west, which worked since they married in Tahiti. Still, it had the same feeling of looking at a magazine ad for honeymoons.
The woman had on a short dress, and the groom was barefoot. That she could tell. They did have a whirlwind romance. Was it possible she was drunk when she married Mark? Was that why she couldn’t remember anything very well? Her hope was, by mentioning the wedding, he might also confess how wildly in love he was with her. It might ease her fears about the two of them being an odd couple.
Her Aunt Remy raised her with a healthy self-esteem. Being worthy of her handsome husband wasn’t an issue. It was more a case of like going with like. She’d heard enough comments when a couple showed with one partner being more attractive. When the woman was more beautiful, people assumed the man was rich and powerful. Charitable women might think he was charming and good in bed. Unfortunately, it never worked that way with the women. People seemed genuinely baffled and usually predicted a future break-up. Rather unfair if you asked her. Couldn’t the woman have some great trait? Maybe she was smart, interesting, and a decent conversationalist, even reasonably good looking with a slender build and short blonde hair. Her nose crinkled once she realized she’d just described herself.
The curve between his shoulder and neck beckoned her to nuzzle. The simple action reassured that they were actually married and together. Everything happened so fast. A slow roll of her body had Amy looking up at her husband who pinned her to the mattress. “I think I know what my own Dr. Death needs.” He wiggled his eyebrows and leered at her.
REVIEWS
5.0 out of 5 stars Love or Deception: When You Can't Remember April 19, 2014
By Thomas Baker TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Kindle Edition
Firstly, the cover artwork on this book is eyecatching. It shows full awareness that readers often make buying decisions based on the cover. This book passes that test easily. Next, the book's premise is well articulated, and worth repeating. Premise: "As she searches for her missing husband, Amy uncovers a terrifying secret that could be fatal." (end of quote) Remarkable. Try writing a 250-page novel and then summing it up in one sentence...
In a book where memory loss is an issue, going inside the protagonist's head, first person point of view, is appropriate. It creates an intimacy between reader and character that allows us to know things we otherwise might not be able to understand. For example, Amy indirectly shares problems with self-esteem:
(quote) "She'd heard enough comments when a couple showed with one partner being more attractive. When the woman was more beautiful, people assumed the man was rich and powerful. Charitable women might think he was charming and good in bed. Unfortunately, it never worked that way with the women. People seemed genuinely baffled and usually predicted a future break-up. Rather unfair if you asked her." (end of quote)
For me, the end result of First Person POV is an emotionally engaging story. I care what happens to Amy. I'm pulling for her. I want good things to happen. Find her lost husband. Regain her memory. Overcome the difficulties of the day. Yet as the story progresses towards its resolution, we realize Amy has undergone a transformation. She is no longer the Amy we met on page one. The development of her character has an effect on the ultimate outcome of the story. Finally, if you like the storyline; trying to fight your way out of the darkness of memory loss, find yourself, and solve a mystery, you will enjoy this book. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Thomas Jerome Baker
Author of How to Coach A Debate Team
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Keeps you guessing! May 27, 2014
By Laurie C. White
Format:Kindle Edition
Morgan K. Wyatt has penned an intriguing and suspenseful tale of a woman seeking to reclaim her past. Scientist Amy has hazy memories of a handsome, sexy husband...but where is he? As she searches for the truth with the help of co-worker Ryan, Amy realizes she has been drugged and begins to wonder which memories are real...and which are fantasy. Amy and Ryan also realize that someone does not want Amy to uncover the truth...and is willing to kill them both.
I found myself rooting for Amy as she grows from a confused woman with low self-esteem into a more confident and assured person. A mix of colorful secondary characters, particularly Amy's Aunt Remy and a couple of adorable animals, adds interest as well. The story kept me guessing until the end; Ms. Wyatt skillfully weaves a strong plot. A highly recommended read!