Blog Blitz: An extract from Glimmer of Hope by J A Andrews

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and J A Andrews for inviting me to participate in the Blog Blitz for A Glimmer of Hope. 

The Crime Warp is delighted to host a Sneaky Peek especially selected by the author. But before I hand you over to J A Andrews, here's the Blurb

Glimmer of Hope

Sometimes chasing a dream can become a nightmare…

Alecia Preen is living in poverty and desperate to make a better life for herself. Having moved to

a new area for new beginnings after being disowned by her family, money was fast running out. She is struggling to make ends meet.

With the intention of charging lonely men online for her services, Alecia realises she can supplement her income by being unscrupulous. In meeting Jake Parker he requests that she role-plays as a psychiatrist, but he makes her aware of an underground millionaires playground called Sordida. He warns her to stay away.

As Alecia’s curiosity gets the better of her, she is amazed by the wealth and decadence on offer. Sordida is not the club she had anticipated because behind the legendary name lurks a very dark secret. A secret that could cost her everything.

He pays by the hour and Alecia pays in ways she had never imagined.

Sneaky Peek 

Glimmer of Hope by JA Andrews is a story of hope, greed, but above all – survival. Alecia Preen is desperate for a new lifestyle having fled her hometown and disowned by her family. Resorting to the internet and an obsession to earn more money, Alecia puts herself at the mercy of a millionaires club called Sordida. However, not everything is as it seems and soon she will have to pay the price of her curiosity. Below is an extract from an early chapter.

 Extract

Taking a shopping trip around Westmouth city centre was an absolute nightmare on a Saturday. The weekend was the only time she had full days to herself, but the bus journey was packed. The roads were busy as hell, and town itself was heaving.

Parents with children of all ages are always gathering all around the large stone sundial in the centre of town. This area always seemed to be a meeting point for families because it’s surrounded by a mass of coffee shops. Hence, at the weekends when the children were off from school, with parents also not working, shopping was at its utmost busiest. Thankfully not to spoil the day any more, it wasn’t raining.

All that Alecia wanted was one reasonably priced long black figure hugging dress. She had located a belt from the indoor market that was encrusted with fake crystals to glisten and sparkle, but a long black dress to go with it was harder to find than she expected.

Walking to the shopping centre from the sundial had only taken a matter of minutes with the longest part of the time waiting to pass through the doors as crowds of people all seemed to push forward at the same time. The traffic flow of busy shoppers seemed never-ending, yet eventually, in the tide of following the lines, she was in and up the escalators in no time. It must be half term, she wondered, it’s never usually this busy.

The problem with dresses was now an issue over their price and what she could afford. A designer style dress was in a well-respected catalogue store while another better-quality dress was in a small boutique – the only noticeable difference between the two was that the boutiques were double the price. She was in no financial stable position to be able to afford the better dress. It infuriated her. How everything came down to a lack of money.

Fighting with her rules of wanting to always save money, Alecia bought the more expensive dress on impulse. For once I’m going to treat myself, she told herself, I’ll earn it back, I’m sure.

The mistake she made was trying it on in the changing rooms. It looked gorgeous on her. Alecia reluctantly bought it knowing it would complement her heels and give her a perfect seductive look she was trying to achieve. It was her only night to make an impact, she had to sell herself if she wanted any business with Sordida. If all else fails, she has an expensive dress and a pair of patent crystal designer heels to sell.

Walking out of the shopping centre with her head in the clouds, clutching on to the dress that was inside the shops own brand of plastic carrier bag, she felt the touch of a hand brush the back of her shoulder. Turning her head immediately, no one was waiting beside her. Alecia turned to look around behind her, but as no one seemed forthcoming to want her attention. She walked away towards the direction of the bus station and out of the crowds. Her mobile phone buzzed in the pocket of her jeans, removing it out she opened the message from Mr X. Surprisingly he had sent her a picture message.

Alecia sat down on the seats at the bus shelter. Her heart was racing. She was trembling from the inside out. Shocked that he had sent her an image of herself leaving the shopping centre. Alecia’s eyes had welled up with the fear he had induced on her. Fuck it, I’ll call him, she thought, sort this situation right out!

‘Why are you doing this to me?’ Alecia asked. ‘If you’re behind me taking pictures, don’t you think that makes you look like a stalker and I could go to the police with this?’

Purchase Links

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08L9JR183/

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L9JR183/

 Bit About the Author

JA Andrews is the author of gripping twisty psychological thrillers. Mummy’s Boy, and You Let Him In, are his full length novels, while Glimmer of Hope is a shorter story as a Kindle exclusive.  As well as writing fiction, JA Andrews enjoys reading a mix of genres, watching various reality TV and spending time with family and friends.

Social Media Links –

Twitter: @JasonA1980