Surviving an Assault by a Stalker

Psychology professor Dr. Denilyn Rossi is a survivor. She overcame PTSD after being attacked by a stalker. The man went to prison, but as he is soon to be released, Denilyn feels that she is again being stalked. She tells her students that the past can either haunt you, or give you a reason to move on, but now she has to apply her teaching to herself and find a way to overcome her fears again.

Adelia Sanchez is a less introspective character. She also has a past to overcome, and she takes direct action to do so signing up to take people on raft trips on the Kaweah river where her trauma occurred. The past and present come together on the river with Denilyn and Adelia facing danger and their fears.

This is a psychological thriller that can pull you in and make you feel all the panic experienced by someone being stalked and attacked. Denilyn tells her story in the first person and it is primarily her fears and how she tries to overcome them. Adelia also tells her story in the first person but there is more action. Since both characters tell their stories in the first person, it can be confusing in the early parts of the book. However, as the characters become more distinct, it’s easier to follow.

I enjoyed the book, but was disappointed that it was so easy to figure out what was happening with the stalker. It made me wonder how Denilyn could sometimes be so obtuse. The other thing I disliked about the book was Denilyn’s constant talking about her terror. Some of it was great, but it became too much after awhile.

There is a Christian element in the book that is not preachy, but a real part of the story. I thought that was the best part of the book. If you enjoy thrillers with a Christian underpinning, you’ll enjoy this book.

I received this book from Barbour Publishing for this review.