Tag: relationships

Please Note:  The House on Black Lake has been adapted to screenplay. Go to Home Page to see trailer (with acts of betrayal) and haunting new music video "Dangerous Shadows" inspired by novel.

An act of betrayal by a lover or mate is generally accompanied by severe emotional distress by the betrayee. Cheating is the most common form, but the act can take many forms, including emotional betrayal. Few women (or men) can forgive and forget such a transgression, as trust is severed with the act. However, when one is deeply in love the decision to walk away can may extremely difficult. Generally, there must be a long period of groveling and the belief that the transgressor has truly learned a valued lesson and can be trusted to maintain integrity in the future. This process is a torturous one for both individuals.

Although living through such an experience is pure hell, it can be therapeudic to vicariously live through the experience of a character in a novel. In fact, much can be learned of human behavior through this process. In the House on Black Lake Alexandra is betrayed at every twist and turn on her journey. Both men and women betray her throughout the story. However, each character is forced to confront the ramifications of their selfishness, while Alexandra's character is strengthened as she learns to become more self reliant, intuitive, and emotionally grounded. Ultimately, when it appears she has been betrayed by them all and most cruelly by Ramey Sandeley, the object of her obsession, her dormant strengths are awakened. Metamorphosis is possible following an act of betrayal. And that is its greatest gift.

My new novel, The Chamber of Curiosities features a host of betrayers in an ancient carnival.

The top romance novels featuring acts of betayal are listed below. The list is in no particular order.

1. Dream Man by Linda Howard

2. Perfect Sin by Kat Martin

3. Lady Gallant by Suzanne robinson

4. Risk Everything by Sophia Johnson

5. Coyote's Mate by Lora Leigh

6. Almost Forever by Linda Howard

7. The Missing by Shiloh Walker

8. Cry No More by Linda Howard

9. Pulled by Danielle Bannister

10. Angel Creek by Linda Howard

11. Loving Evangeline by Linda Howard

12. My True and Tender Love by Jill Gregory

12. Seducing Simon by Maya Banks

13. That Scandalous Night by Christina Dodd

14. Total Surrender by Cheryl Holt

15. Paradise by Judith McNaught

16. Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught

17. Belong to Me Shayla black

18. Heart of the Outback by Lynn Wilding

19. Take this Regret by Amy Lichthench

20. Gold Ring of Betrayal by Michelle Reid

21. Blue Moon by MacKenzie McKade

22. Bitten  by Kelly Armstrong

23. His Bonnie Bride  by Hannah Howell

24. Last Chance  by Christy Reece

25. Tempt Me Tonight by Toni Blake

Alexandra encounters a number of female predators in her journey through Black Lake. In the beginning she is as drawn in by the predatory women as the males. However, as she evolves she learns to disengage and reclaim a more powerful womanhood, based on a higher purpose and the values of dignity, self respect and a desire to foster the best in all relationships.

Female predators in the wild can be as vicious as any male.  They come in many forms, from the vicious wild cats to the shy Black Widow who catches her prey in a messy looking web, and who may or may not kill and eat her mate after he has helped her reproduce.  The human female predator can be just as vicious and toxic.  These women are not usually particular about prey - they can be any sex, race or age, as long as they feed their needs.  However, it is the mate who must be particularly careful - for she is unquenchable.   The dominance of the female predator is often masked, camouflaged to fit in with the territory. Like all successful predators, this kind of female knows how to spot vulnerability, and neediness.  Then, when the guard is down, she goes for the jugular.

          But, first there is the stalk - she feeds your ego, laughs at your jokes,  understands your needs, sexual and otherwise.  What you don't know is she is a master at camouflage and subtrefuge.   She's an emotional roller coaster, exciting, intriguing. Or perhaps the girl is quite demure - it all depends on the nature of the hunt.  Regardless of  manifestation, she will become a mirror of what you are looking for, and understand and need you like no other. This is the early part of the stalk.  Once she's got you by the neck, you won't see her look at you with enticement.

A predator never looks into the eyes of the prey once the victim is taken.

 At journey's end Alexandra will have outwitted one of these predators and guided another to gain what she desires through self actualization.