STILL MINE - Novel Excerpt
- Reads 18
- Votes 1
- Parts 1
Ongoing17m
Last published Fri, Mar 4, 2016
I hope you enjoy this excerpt of my novel STILL MINE, now available in stores and online!
***
THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN meets THE SILENT WIFE in this taut psychological thriller.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU VANISH FROM YOUR LIFE AND LEAVE NO STORY BEHIND?
SOMEONE WILL MAKE ONE UP FOR YOU.
Clare is on the run.
From her past, from her husband, and from her own secrets. When she turns up alone in the remote mining town of Blackmore asking about Shayna Fowles, the local girl who disappeared, everyone wants to know who Clare really is and what she's hiding. As it turns out, she's hiding a lot, including what ties her to Shayna in the first place. But everyone in this place is hiding something-from Jared, Shayna's secretive ex-husband, to Charlie, the charming small-town drug pusher, to Derek, Shayna's overly involved family doctor, to Louise and Wilfred, her distraught parents.
Did Shayna flee? Was she killed? Is it possible she's still alive?
As Clare uncovers the mysteries around Shayna's disappearance, she must confront her own demons, moving us deeper and deeper into the labyrinth of lies and making us question what it is she's really running from. Twisting and electrifying, this is a get-under-your-skin thriller that will make you question what it means to lose yourself and find yourself in the most unlikely places.
See more at: www.amystuart.ca
All Rights Reserved
Join the largest storytelling communityGet personalized story recommendations, save your favourites to your library, and comment and vote to grow your community.
You may also like
Get A Life | ONC2023 Shortlist
While her best friend Cassidy snacks on brie and boys in France, Darcy Li-Quinn must face her last year of high school and the unpredictable wrath of her sister, Danica, alone. Darcy's plan for dealing with Danica and her heinous friends is simple-be invisible. But first, she's promised Cassidy she'll do 'one brave thing'. Mustering the courage to say 'hi' to the cute boy on the bus, Darcy expects rejection or indifference. She doesn't anticipate a grumpy ghost with unfinished business who needs her help. Suddenly, a quiet year of flying under the radar looks increasingly unlikely. *** Rationally, Hunter Viera knows that his brother's death wasn't his fault. But that doesn't stop his guilt about Archer invading his every thought or lessen the grief sitting heavy in his chest. Changing schools offers a fresh start, and Hunter's plan is simple-be invisible. But he hasn't counted on Darcy, or her ludicrous claim that Archer speaks to her from beyond the grave. Suddenly, a quiet year of sitting on the sidelines looks increasingly unlikely. *** This is a story about hearts and hope and public transport. This is Darcy and Hunter's story (and a little bit Archer's too). *** 'Get A Life' is my entry for Open Novella Contest 2023 and is inspired by the following prompts. 20. You finally build enough courage to talk to that cute someone you see every day on the bus. Their face turns dark as they respond "You shouldn't be able to see me." 9. There's an urban legend that's been circulating for years about a taxi cab that doesn't take you where you want to go, but where you need to go. One night, you stepped into this cab.Complete
SURRENDER - Mafia Romance
BOOK 1 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆: 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄, 𝐃𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐒, 𝐀𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐇𝐎𝐋, 𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒, 𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 ♚ "𝘕𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴, 𝘐 𝘴𝘢𝘸 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭ish 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴." ♚ "Enough!" I yelled but before I could breathe in I was pinned to the wall. I gasped. Staring into his dark blue eyes made every bone of my body weak. He smirked, knowing exactly what he did. "You got too comfortable with me, doll but I didn't show you what Ace can really do." He mumbled. He broke the eye contact we were having and leaned closer to my neck. My heart beat was racing his and each breath he took sent electricity all over my body. I bit my tongue, scared of what my brain could make me say. "And I don't think you want to know," he whispered so close to my ear sending shivers down my spine. I took a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts. He moved back to stare into my eyes, wanting to see his effect on me but I didn't give it to him. I smirked, pushed my chin down and looked up at him. "You're all talk, Ace," I whispered, not even blinking. I saw the gulp that rose in his throat, growing my smirk. "Even when I am under your grip, you're still under my control." ♚ ♚ TROPES ♚ Dark Romance Mafia Romance Forced proximity Enemies to lovers Love triangle Living together ♚ 14.08.23: 2 Dangerous 12.03.24: 2 lovetriangle 26.11.24: 1 action-romance ♚Complete
Tko's Dik Dot Friend
Hi guys! Thanks for checking out my story. It's currently a short story. My plan, however, is to continue the story. So it will become a full manuscript as soon as I can balance out my crazy schedule. There is a total of 13 chapters. I look forward to reading your feedback. Finding freedom can be the most singular expression of self-love. Free from the control of our overbearing parents, we fly like eagles across the clear blue sky called adulthood. Yet, when the illusion comes crashing down, we are faced with a realization that the world is not quite as we envisioned. A bizarre experience behind a red door leaves Tko with unfathomable emotions. She runs, ashamed and tainted. She locks it up in mental storage, but a return to the scene of the crime forces her to confront the past. A series of murders in town points to her bizarre experience. An unexpected encounter and a broken relationship force her to relive the unconventional summer in hopes of unlocking the key to the murders.Complete
Until We Die|✔️
[COMPLETED] Evangeline Kingston, an 18 year old, knows nothing of the outside world after having been confined to the walls of her home her whole life. All she's ever known is her fathers abuse towards her and her mother. For her, it's normal. Tobias Moretti, 21 year old mafia leader, makes a deal with Evangelines father after realising he's unable to pay his debt off. The deal is that Evangeline is given to Tobias in order to rub away his debt. Without hesitation, her father does so, throwing Evangeline into a crazy world she knows nothing about. Learning about the normal world is hard enough but Evangeline must learn about the mafia world if she wants to take her father and all of his contacts out. Tobias is cold, calculating and a perfect mafia leader. Evangeline is the opposite. She's innocent, kind-hearted and curious. Will his cold heart shut her out for good or open up to her forever? The real question is will Evangeline open up to Tobias about her past and accept the mafia life or will he eventually let her go for good? - "I'd give you the world if you asked for it, darling." "I'm not asking for the world though. I'm asking for ice cream. But it's nice to know what you'd do for me." - "You're really pretty." "Shut up," he grumbled. "You always say that." *Highest Rankings* #1 in trauma #2 in Arrangement #6 in Enemies to Lovers #6 in Mafia LifeComplete
Know Your Worth ✔️
Daniela O'Brien. Dani is the girl you would say has absolutely no luck going for her at all. Two dead parents, an estranged sister and an abusive, controlling boyfriend who's keeping one hell of a secret from her. At 21 years old she unknowingly finds herself thrown into the darkest life of them all - The Mob. Carson Agnello. The guy you would say, on the surface, has all the luck going for him. At 25 years old, he's the leader of the most powerful Italian mafia in America. He's busy fighting off the Irish Mob who are neighbouring him in New York. They're on opposite sides of the battle, he knows of her but she has no clue who he is, until one event intertwines their two lives together. They suddenly rely just on each other, they need each other. They're all each other has. ✨ "I felt sorry for you, when I saw you. I wanted to help you because you were being attacked by these men. But now, I'm starting to think that maybe you deserve it. Maybe...maybe you're just as bad as they are." He held my stare as I spoke and when I finished, he let out a humourless laugh, also standing up to his feet. I watched him carefully as he crossed the room coming towards me, giving me the same cold glare as before. He stopped right in front of me, close enough for me to smell the strong scent of his aftershave, before he leaned down a little bringing his face closer to mine. His next words came out barely above a whisper but were still powerful enough to cause my breath to catch in my throat. "Maybe I am just bad as them...or maybe I'm worse baby girl." ⚠️ Warning - this book contains explicit mentions and descriptions of abuse, rape, mental health issues and suicide. Read with caution please. ⚠️ Completed - 26.05.21Complete
The Lost One
Ellain is lost in her own world. She is alone because of her mysterious past no one truly knows about, except for her. One night, a year ago, someone was killed at a party that she went to, and Ellain was the last one with him. She was hurt too and lost nearly all of her memory of that night. Left alone and bullied because she may have been the cause of her classmates death, she moves away and goes to a boarding school in the mountains. One day, Kale, another person with a mysterious past, decides to make a deal with her. "If you agree to pretend to be my girlfriend, then I'll help you." Can Ellain trust Kale, and her only friend Lauren? As she spends time with them, she finds out more about their past, but tries to hide her own. No matter how close she gets to them, the truth gets closer and continues to haunt her. Meanwhile, the police continue to investigate the death of her classmate, Axel, but only Ellain can tell what happened that night. So many things could happen and only Ellain has the power to make the choice that not only affects her, but Kale, Lauren, and hundreds of others. While recovering her missing memories, people from her past start to return to her life. One of which is her ex-boyfriend, Mike who is none other than Axel's brother. New evidence shows that she and Axel weren't alone before they died and someone may have tried to kill her too...Complete
(REWRITING) The Skylar Experiment : Coveting
"Three weeks. That's how long I got to have drama-free. I'm not sure what is happening to me or to Oakwood. Nothing's the same since I rolled into town and it just keeps getting weirder. Suspicious agents in suits roam the streets without an explanation. They're staring straight at me. The new Chemistry teacher is NOT who he says he is. I'm doing things I never thought I could. Like, mutant-level things... Lauren, Luc's dead twin sister, hid something from everyone. Something important that may have lead to her demise and that could lead to ours. Hunters are in town. I never knew four words could contain so much dread and terror. I'd rather deal with the Wanderers. I'm on the brink of a breakdown. I need help..." BOOK #2 IN THE SERIES! Ignorance is not bliss... In the wake of ridding Oakwood of Wanderers, other dangers come creeping in and they're somehow linked to Luc's absent twin. The past returns to haunt the mutants in inconspicuous ways. Riley's life is yet again in jeopardy, but this time she's not alone. Luc and his family are all thrown into the teetering balance. More secrets are uncovered. A trap dawns on them all. Invisible threats start crawling from all directions. Who is the real enemy? TW : behaviours of depression and PTSD are displayed. I don't name them, but one of the character will be struggling a lot. It may not be suitable for everybody. Other adult matters are briefly included, but nothing explicit or intense. Rewriting specifications : the main points of the story and end of the book will remain the same, am just going to change a few ways of getting there and adding some extra spice. Feel free to pause the read until the REWRITING sign disappears.Complete
On the Outskirts
~"When are you going to do what's best for you Sadie? All you ever do is what's best for Hallie and push your own wants and needs to the bottom of the pile and let it hurt everyone else in the process."~ Sadie Taylor has been back in her hometown for 6 short months. After leaving 11 years ago, it's fair to say that her life now is a 180 spin on the free innocent teenager she left as. With her 9 year old daughter, Hallie, in toe, Sadie needs to find a new kind of normality where se can release the reins of control and learn to let go a little. She's more than happy taking things at her own pace. Hoping that if she moves slow enough, she can keep her and her daughter in their own little bubble that has kept them safe all these years. But with the arrival of a familiar stranger arriving at Black Oak Ranch, things are set to be more complicated than she'd been counting on. Ryder Matthews fucked up and he knows it. 11 years ago, he left the love of his lie in some pre-college life freak out and when he returned 3 years later, she was gone. After spending the better part of 14 months travelling the world in hopes of finding some kind of meaning to life outside of the little town where every turn is a burning memory of Sadie, he returns with no hope. He's stuck to deal with his consequences. A week after his return home, Ryder heads to Jack Taylor's ranch to get his old farm hand job back. When he steps out of the car, a 9 year old girl greets him and when her mom comes to see what the fuss is all about, he's met with the last person he thought he'd ever see back in Alcombey. Let alone with a child. Ryder and Sadie have a lot of baggage to unpack if they have any hope of being able to tolerate working together. But when his heart is still beating for her and her heart is locked behind solid concrete walls, is that even possible?Complete
While her best friend Cassidy snacks on brie and boys in France, Darcy Li-Quinn must face her last year of high school and the unpredictable wrath of her sister, Danica, alone. Darcy's plan for dealing with Danica and her heinous friends is simple-be invisible. But first, she's promised Cassidy she'll do 'one brave thing'. Mustering the courage to say 'hi' to the cute boy on the bus, Darcy expects rejection or indifference. She doesn't anticipate a grumpy ghost with unfinished business who needs her help. Suddenly, a quiet year of flying under the radar looks increasingly unlikely. *** Rationally, Hunter Viera knows that his brother's death wasn't his fault. But that doesn't stop his guilt about Archer invading his every thought or lessen the grief sitting heavy in his chest. Changing schools offers a fresh start, and Hunter's plan is simple-be invisible. But he hasn't counted on Darcy, or her ludicrous claim that Archer speaks to her from beyond the grave. Suddenly, a quiet year of sitting on the sidelines looks increasingly unlikely. *** This is a story about hearts and hope and public transport. This is Darcy and Hunter's story (and a little bit Archer's too). *** 'Get A Life' is my entry for Open Novella Contest 2023 and is inspired by the following prompts. 20. You finally build enough courage to talk to that cute someone you see every day on the bus. Their face turns dark as they respond "You shouldn't be able to see me." 9. There's an urban legend that's been circulating for years about a taxi cab that doesn't take you where you want to go, but where you need to go. One night, you stepped into this cab.
More detailsContent Guidelines