Dangerous Affairs

by Kelle Z. Riley

A woman who doesn't exist… hiding from her violent ex-husband, she hopes her next alias will be her last. A man who wishes he didn't… haunted by a string of failures, blaming himself for his sister’s... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590804686
• ISBN13: 9781590804681
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: Echelon Press Publishing
• Length: 278 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Dangerous Affairs will probably rate as one of my "best of 2007" reads

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques A CK2S Recommended Read! Dangerous Affairs will probably rate as one of my "best of 2007" reads when all is said and done. Even this early in the year I know not much will be able to compare. Amanda Caruthers has been on the run for several years, escaping her violently abusive ex-husband. She has known nothing but fear since the day she walked out on her marriage, convinced he would someday track her down. Yet Amanda still longs to stop running and find peace. Burton "Burt" Campbell lives with guilt every single day. His twin sister had been in an abusive relationship that eventually killed her and Burt feels like he should have been able to save her. So he continues on, longing for redemption he feels he can never have. When Burt walks into the health club Amanda manages, wanting to start teaching karate and self defense, Amanda is convinced he's just like her ex-husband... aggressive, domineering, and a bully of the worst sort? Why else would he think fighting is the answer to everything? She doesn't understand the real purpose of martial arts, that it is about maintaining control and not fighting. Burt sees the shadows in her eyes and knows something wounded her badly but that does not cool the feelings he discovers for her. Can Amanda and Burt overcome their fears and find peace in each other? What a powerful... and empowering... novel! Kelle Z Riley strikes you deep in the heart with Dangerous Affairs. She brilliantly weaves a tale of two wounded people who come together to find that the only way to heal is by facing their fears together. Mason, Amanda's ex-husband, is a sick and twisted man, all the more frightening for his cold reality. Yet, as unstable as he is, readers will actually come to understand what made him that way. It won't make you feel sorry for him, but it will help you understand his motivation. Burt suffers with the feeling that he could have done more for his sister. He has chosen to act on this guilt by teaching others how to defend themselves. So he can't understand Amanda's reasons for hating what he is trying to do. Once he finally learns of her past, he comes to accept her viewpoint, but is determined to show her what martial arts is really about. There could be no gentler and patient man than Burt when it comes to helping Amanda conquer her fear. Even when he knows what needs to be done will break her heart, he does it with unflinching determination, bound to succeed with her where he failed with his own sister. Amanda however, is the real heart of Dangerous Affairs. She is portrayed so realistically you can't help but feel her suffering and terror. Having myself been in an emotionally abusive relationship in the past, that no doubt would have turned violent had I not found the courage to break out, I can truly relate to Amanda. Her thoughts were my own as the memories came back. I know the fear, I know the feeling of worthlessness, and I understand the "maybe if I tr

Abuse, violence, and character growth--very strong

He's too dangerous. When Burton Campbell walks into the health club she manages, Amanda Caruthers thinks she knows his type. He wants to introduce a karate class, to teach bullies how to fight better, to be even better bullies. Amanda has faced one of life's worst bullies--and abusive husband: faced him, then run away. That her body finds Burton attractive must be a sign she's not fully recovered, she decides. Burt isn't sure what hurt Amanda, but he recognizes that something has--and it has nothing to do with him. Still, he can't fight the attraction, nor the feeling that he could help. For him, martial arts are not about fighting, but about self-control, about learning to face fear, about avoiding fights where possible. Clearly it's a lesson that Amanda needs to learn. But when Amanda discovers her ex-husband has tracked her down and pretends to be Burt's wife to change identities one more time, Burt realizes what he really wants--a real marriage, real love, real trust with Amanda. Unfortunately, helping her gain the confidence she needs to stay alive just might destroy the trust they need to develop a lasting relationship. Author Kelle Z. Riley brings her own extensive experience in karate and the martial arts to a powerful story of love, fear, and despair. Amanda's fear realistically colors her entire life. Ex-husband Mason is creepy and scary, while being convincingly motivated. Burt's dark past, his problems with alcohol and his feelings of responsibility for the deaths of his sister and his parents add to the story's emotional depth and keep Burt from being the perfect fixer--which is the last thing Amanda needs. Riley's strong writing won her finalist status with the Romance Writer's of America Golden Heart. DANGEROUS AFFAIRS is a moving story by an exciting author. I'm happy to recommend this one

A great read

Talented new author Kelle Z. Riley's book DANGEROUS AFFAIRS is an eye opening look at a situation that millions of women face each day - spousal abuse. Ms Riley's book is more than a thesis on the distressing epidemic of violence against women in this country; it's a beautifully written story of how one woman finds the strength, skill and courage to escape and triumph over her abuser. But it's not just the women who suffer from this type of abuse; their families also feel the impact. Ms Riley skillfully wraps this important woman's issue inside a tender love story between two people damaged by life - Amanda Caruthers and Burton Campbell. While Amanda has fled and is hiding from her abusive ex-husband, Burton feels guilty for not protecting his sister from her abusive husband. Together they overcome their pasts and create a future filled with love and promise. I highly recommend DANGEROUS AFFAIRS