About a Book – Play The Game by Karen J. Mossman

Website
Amazon

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Where did the idea for the story come from?

It initially came from a programme I saw on the television about a soup kitchen that helps the homeless.

Give a quote from the books, one that says little but speaks volumes. 

I am a strong person; I have to be. But when I’m with Kelly, I don’t need to be that girl.

Give a short summary of what the book is about.

The story is about Stella who keeps to herself because of her home life. That makes her anxious when she has to talk about herself. What she doesn’t realise is that she is incredibly strong and resilient. Stella knows how to get what she needs to survive. For her to see this, it takes someone special like Kelly to show her what a brave and courageous woman she really is.

What genre is it?

Contemporary women’s fiction

How many pages is it?

277 pages in paperback

Why do you think the readers will want to read it?

Because we all sometimes need a knight in shining amour to rescue us from ourselves.

Where are you located? 

Anglesey

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Blurb:

Stella’s father’s actions place her in danger, leaving her no choice but to take drastic steps to protect herself.

Life grows increasingly strained as she struggles to endure a job she despises while keeping her family’s secrets hidden.

Seeking refuge at a nearby hotel, she meets Kelly, whose warmth brings light into her shadowed world, until her colleagues uncover the truth about him. Now, burdened by her own dark secret, Stella must decide whether their fragile bond can survive.

As the past tightens its grip, Stella faces an impossible choice: protect her father or fight for the man who has given her hope.

A tender yet tense tale of love, sacrifice, and the courage to reclaim one’s life.

A sweet story of hope, anxiety, and love.

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Excerpt:

My captor’s mouth widened into a grin, which revealed a gap where his front teeth should have been. 

“Oh yeah? Two of you now. Wanna take me on, do you? I’m up for a good fight.”

 The sound of his laughter chilled me. My heart pounded in my chest and for one horrible moment, I thought I would wet myself.

 Wildly, I gazed blindly into the darkness. Petrified, a sob caught in my throat. This couldn’t be happening. But it was. It was very real.

“There’s more of us than you.” This came from a different guy.

Feet shuffled and shadows loomed around us. I sensed a crowd had gathered. 

Am I about to die?

“Do you wanna take the chance, buddy?” Another voice came from somewhere else. It was menacing and low, and my blood chilled.

I quickly spun towards the new sound. My arm stretched out painfully in his grip.

After a moment’s silence, my captor came to realise they outnumbered him. His fingers on my wrist loosened.

Silhouettes danced around us, and the voices became louder, and their tones increasingly menacing.

Suddenly, the pressure on my wrist ceased altogether. I was free. My eyes adjusted to see the madman moving away.

Frozen in terror, unsure of who surrounded me, I heard a scuffle to my right and pivoted round. Grunts followed soft, biffing sounds as if a fight ensued.

Breathing heavily, I didn’t know what to do, still too afraid to move.

A muttering close to my ear hissed, “Go home, food-lady.”

I spun around to see the shadow of a man step away. Dropping the rest of my sandwiches, I bolted.

Panic consumed me, even though my head told me I wasn’t being chased. I fled towards the main road. My breath was coming out in big gulps, and I could hardly believe what had just happened.