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Bluring the Line
Posted by Literary_Titan

The Perfect One follows a formidable District Attorney accused of murdering her affair partner, who, with the help of her Sheriff husband, tries to prove her innocence. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to explore the paradox of a woman who prosecutes the truth for a living, yet finds herself entangled in a lie so personal it blurs the line between guilt and innocence. The affair wasn’t just a plot device, it was a way to examine vulnerability in someone who is otherwise formidable, disciplined, and untouchable in the public eye. I wanted to explore the human emotions and unveil the vulnerability to show readers how imperfect we are even when we seem perfect to the outside world.
I feel that your characters are the real stars of your mystery; they are intriguing and well-developed. Who was your favorite character to write for?
Emma was my favorite character to write.
What drew me to her was the balance she embodies, strength without arrogance, empathy without blindness, and loyalty without submission. She’s deeply capable, but she never shuts off her instinct to question, especially when something doesn’t add up. That internal tension made her feel incredibly real to me.
Emma doesn’t move through the story assuming she’s right; she’s willing to pause, reflect, and reassess, even when it’s uncomfortable. That willingness to question herself, rather than blindly defend a narrative, is what gives her moral depth. She listens as much as she acts.
In many ways, Emma represents the best of what we can be when we choose integrity over convenience. She’s proof that strength doesn’t require hardness, and that empathy doesn’t mean weakness. Writing her felt like writing toward an ideal, someone who leads with conscience, remains open to truth, and refuses to ignore the quiet voice that says something isn’t right.
How do you balance story development with shocking plot twists? Or can they be the same thing?
I don’t see story development and plot twists as opposites; they’re most powerful when they’re the same thing. A shock for the sake of surprise never lasts, but a twist that grows organically out of character and theme deepens the story rather than derailing it. At times what the characters reveal is a shock to me as well.
For me, development comes first. I spend a lot of time building motivation, relationships, and emotional stakes so that when a twist happens, it feels both unexpected and inevitable. The best twists don’t introduce something new, they reveal something that was already there, hiding in plain sight.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I am working on What Lies Next Door- Release Date is June 8, 2026.
What Lies Next Door
In this neighborhood, appearances matter, but reality is often hidden.
Seeking a quiet life, Sophia and Josh Miller moved to Edgewood Estates, known as one of the safest neighborhoods in Virginia Beach. With manicured lawns, a pristine cul-de-sac, and welcoming neighbors, it seemed ideal for starting a family.
Across the street, the Patels were polite but reserved. Next door, the Wilsons appeared ideal, especially Hana, who always arrived with fresh-baked cookies and cold lemonade. Yet behind Hana’s perfect smile, something unsettling remained.
Soon, unusual events occur.
Shadows appear outside the Millers’ windows. Doors open unexpectedly at night. Someone, or something, is watching.
Accusations arise, and neighbors turn against each other. Long-buried secrets begin to surface, leading to serious consequences.
When Josh’s co-worker and secret mistress disappears, suspicion falls on the Millers. Matters escalate when Hana’s husband, Brian Wilson’s body is discovered in his own backyard.
The once-tranquil neighborhood becomes a full-blown crime scene, with detectives circling like vultures and neighbors whispering behind drawn curtains. Sophia can’t shake the feeling that they were never truly welcomed in Edgewood Estates.
Someone wants to get them out of the neighborhood. But why?
How do you fight back when you don’t know who — or What Lies Next Door?
On the surface, Lyla and Jack Peterson are the golden couple. He, the respected Virginia Beach Sheriff, and she, the formidable District Attorney. But behind closed doors, their marriage is built on dangerous secrets.
When Lyla’s lover, a charismatic defense attorney, turns up dead, suspicion slams down on her. She was the last to see him alive, and every shred of evidence points her way. Then, a darker secret erupts: the body of her stepfather resurfaces after fifteen years, threatening to destroy what’s left of her world.
As Detective Aiden Blackwood untangles a web of betrayal and buried grudges, Lyla and Jack are forced into a deadly game to prove her innocence. Every ally could be an enemy. Every lie could be a weapon. And the deeper they dig, the more one truth becomes terrifyingly clear— Someone is setting her up… and they won’t stop until she’s behind bars for good.
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Posted in Interviews
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, domestic thriller, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, mystery, nook, novel, psychological thriller, read, reader, reading, Shelly M. Patel, story, The Perfect One, thriller, writer, writing
The Perfect One
Posted by Literary Titan

The Perfect One pulled me in right away. The opening sets the tone for a dark and twisting story built on secrets, obsession, and the fragile edges of relationships. The book follows several characters whose lives intersect around a brutal murder in a secluded cabin, and the story unfolds through shifting perspectives that slowly reveal old wounds, hidden affairs, and long–buried resentment. It reads like a slow burn that keeps tightening, chapter after chapter, until every character feels like both a suspect and a victim.
Some chapters felt intimate and tightly drawn, the kind that keep you leaning closer because the emotions feel raw and too real. Other moments felt almost playful, like the author knew exactly when to pull back before things got too heavy. I liked that mix. It made the pacing unpredictable in a good way. I also enjoyed how the book handled tension. It did not rush, and it did not give easy answers. Instead, it let scenes breathe with quiet detail that sometimes made me uneasy. I appreciated that slow drip of dread. It made the world feel lived in and messy, which fit the characters perfectly.
What surprised me most was the emotional twists. I kept catching myself feeling sympathy for characters I had sworn I disliked ten pages earlier. Then the story tossed in another reveal, and my feelings flipped again. I love when a book does that. It makes me feel like I am part of the mess rather than just watching it. The ideas beneath the plot lingered with me, too. The story pokes at pride, loyalty, and the ways people hide things even from themselves.
Everything came together in a way that made sense for the world the author built, even when the truth was painful. I would recommend The Perfect One to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers, character–driven mysteries, or stories where the emotional stakes matter just as much as the plot. If you like books that take their time and let you sit in the characters’ minds while feeding you tension bit by bit, this one will be a great fit.
Pages: 360 | ASIN : B0FM1F3QKW
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Posted in Book Reviews, Five Stars
Tags: author, book, book recommendations, book review, Book Reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, domestic thriller, ebook, fiction, goodreads, indie author, kindle, kobo, literature, mystery, nook, novel, psychological thriller, read, reader, reading, Shelly M. Patel, story, The Perfect One, thriller, writer, writing




