About the Book
A psychologist paralyzed by fear.
A mother propelled by love.
A stalker bent on destruction.
Psychology professor Dr. Denilyn Rossi contends that the past is either a shadow that haunts us or a force that propels us. The choice is ours, she tells her students. What she doesn’t tell them is that her own past is a shadow she can’t seem to shake. Fear has immobilized her and is taking a costly toll.
Adelia Sanchez, however, has embraced Dr. Rossi’s teaching. She is ready to confront fear and render it powerless—using the trauma of her past to propel her to entrap the man who stalked and brutally attacked her.
As Denilyn’s past and Adelia’s present converge at the Kaweah River, a dangerous man bent on destruction threatens them both. Will he uncover the secret Deni and Adelia have fought so hard to protect?
Excerpt
When we step into the wind and part ways, it isn’t the conversation with Jon that I dwell on. Instead, it’s the pen.
Who found it? If that is indeed what happened. And again, I know it’s the only logical explanation. But. . . The pen is always in my desk drawer—or was always there. I never took it anywhere. I’m sure of that. At least I think I’m sure.
When I reach the edge of the parking lot, I slow my pace then stop. I reach into my pocket for my keys, but as I do, the sensation of someone watching me creeps up behind me. My breath catches and my back tingles. Every instinct screams at me to flee, to run. Instead, I plant myself. “No one’s there,” I whisper. “No one.”
My senses, hypervigilant, are often misguided. I take a few steps into the parking lot as I work, and fail, to ignore the sensation. I stop again, and this time I spin around. I survey the path behind me, the area around me. The only people out in this weather have heads ducked and are either jogging across campus to another building or making a quick retreat to their cars. I turn back to the parking lot and continue my own brisk retreat.
But the sense that someone is monitoring my every move persists.
When I reach my SUV, I take another quick look around the parking lot then click my key fob, open the door, toss my briefcase across the passenger seat, and jump inside.
By the time I reach to lock the doors, my breaths are coming in rapid bursts, and my hands, despite the cold, are damp. My heart pummels my chest, and I swallow back tears. I try to take a deep breath, but my windpipe feels constricted and I’m certain air isn’t reaching my lungs. I gasp. “I’m. . .here.” I inhale, my breath still shallow. Then exhale. “One, two. . .I’m. . .safe.” I lean my forehead on the steering wheel and continue the intentional breathing, trying to keep myself grounded in the moment. Instead, panic accosts me until I’m sure I’ll pass out. “One. . .” I gasp again, and this time my lungs inflate just a bit. I inhale again, and more air reaches my lungs. “One, two. . .three.”
When the panic finally subsides, I lift my head. “What. . .is wrong with me?” The question seems to echo in the car. But no answer comes.
Review
I’m still reeling a little from this novel. It had me hooked from the onset despite the use of present tense POV, and even though I’m not usually one to be spooked by suspense stories, I actually found myself a little jumpy while reading this! It has the feel of a psychological thriller, particularly in the way the stalker plays with Deni’s mind, and I think it was that aspect that kept me hooked the most.
The story is told from three different points of view: Deni’s POV in the present, Deni’s POV back in 2009 (when the first incident occurred with her stalker), and Adelia’s POV, also in the present but beginning a few months in front of where Deni’s present POV begins, if that makes sense. By the end of the book, Deni and Adelia’s present POVs have . . . well, converged, and they carry the story to its conclusion.
I did sometimes find myself having to check whether I was in Deni’s past or her present POV in the middle of a scene, most often because something was happening to her and I’d lost track of whether the incident was in her present or her past, but overall, I think it was probably still the most effective way to tell the story. In any case, I was eagerly turning the pages, anxious to get to the bottom of both parts of her story.
There were several surprises in the latter stages of the story. One, I worked out a short while before it was revealed, and another really threw me for a loop until I got my head around it. However there was one revelation right near the end of the book that made me feel a little . . . Deceived doesn’t quite feel like the right word, but it felt as thought Deni’s POV was rendered less authentic by having kept that piece of information from the reader until the end. I’m not sure I can explain it any more clearly without giving too much away.
But aside from those few quibbles, this was a wholly engrossing read, and would especially suit those readers who are looking for a good suspense without a romantic thread.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
About the Author
Ginny L. Yttrup is the award-winning author of five novels including Home, which released April 2017. She writes contemporary women’s fiction and enjoys exploring the issues everyday women face. Publishers Weekly dubbed Ginny’s work “as inspiring as it is entertaining.” When not writing, Ginny coaches writers, critiques manuscripts, and makes vintage-style jewelry for her Esty shop, Storied Jewelry. She loves dining with friends, hanging out with her adult children, gardening, or spending a day reading a great novel. Ginny lives in northern California.
Connect with Ginny: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
I really liked this book too, but I know what you mean about the last twist. It felt like the main character didn’t even trust herself with that information. It was jarring. But like you, I could overlook that because Convergence is a uniquely told suspenseful read.
Yes, definitely suspenseful!