Desperate Choices is an emotionally packed drama filled with a young woman’s powerful need to be completely free of an intolerable relationship with a dangerous man who keeps her so closely guarded as to render her a prisoner. Young and unsuspecting, Rochelle Rathbone flirts with danger when she becomes involved with Tobias Chandler, Miami drug czar, and sets the stage for horrors she never knew existed until after their marriage. Guarded around the clock in his Miami mansion, she becomes a virtual prisoner. A desire for freedom grows into an obsession, and Rochelle’s need to escape triggers the most desperate goal of her life despite Tobias’s dangerous threat to kill her if she tries to leave him. Freedom is worth the risk, and she devises a successful plan of escape.   With three thousand miles separating Rochelle from her tormentor, life is never sweeter than when she falls in love with handsome, debonair Michael Matheson. Nothing but the fear of Tobias coming after her can disrupt her wonderful happiness more than when she opens her door to see Tobias standing there like some evil prodigy out of hell.   Desperate Choices is an emotionally packed drama filled with a young woman’s powerful need to be completely free of an intolerable relationship with a man she despises. With the deadly threat of his retaliation hanging over her head and marring the near perfect paradise found with Michael, Rochelle knows there are only two things that will stop Tobias’s domination and pursuit of her—her death or his. Excerpt Please Note: I do not censor the actions or language of my characters, and descriptions are sometimes too graphic for sensitive ears. People are from many different walks of life, as are the characters I write about, and I attempt to depict them as nearly accurately as possible to the kind of person they would be if we met them in real life. (God forbid with some of them.) EXCERPT (The Abuse) With saliva oozing from the corners of his mouth, Tobias sneered contemptuously at Rochelle’s remark. His hand touched her throat, his fingers gliding about, following the stream of little blue veins that seemed to intrigue him. His hand and fingers spread out all at once around her neck, grasping it so tightly her face turned crimson and her breath became ragged. “How did you get so goddamned stupid? If I respected you, I might not even want you in the company of those crazy bastards. However, the truth is, darling; the only thing I respect about you is what you have between your legs. Haven’t you learned yet what role you play in my life, Rochelle?” His fingers tightened on her throat. She grabbed his hand, attempting to loosen his stranglehold. “Tobias, please stop. You’re hurting my neck!” She gasped for air, fear tearing at her sanity.

Reader Reviews for "Desperate Choices"

Reviewed by Joyce Bowling (Reader)	7/9/2008
My dear friend, What can I say....what a plot, great characters, I found myself devouring the pages of this well written novel from the first page. What an emotional, thrilling, and suspensful action packed book!!! The characters within Desperate choices are realistic characters who have fallen victims of circumstances that lead to desperate choices, but also a beautiful and tender romantic journey of two people discovering that life does exist after their terrible ordeals and situations that seem impossible to escape. The character Rochelle is forced to make decisions that will empact the rest of her life. Forced by the pain and mental torment that her power hungry husband inflicts upon her...but her choice for freedom is dangerous...but also leads to the best thing that ever happened to her, Michael. Through much heartache, failures, triumphs, and sheer guts Rochelle is able to find what she searched for many years for. I'll not reveal anymore of the plot so the reader will be as captivated as I was with the entire book, especially the final chapters as the characters become so real within the mind and heart of the reader that they to will hang on every word captivated and anxiously awaiting to see what the next page will reveal in Rochelle's life! A powerful, captivating, and exciting novel written with heart, soul, and drama that is gripping, suspensful, and realistic! A book worth reading and will make one stop and value their own freedom, family, and simplistic life while also reminding them that some people really do live their life in fear and torment much as the characters within the covers of this action packed novel! A must read, don't miss it! Blessings from Kentucky, Joyce Bowling
Reviewed by Geraldine Floyd (Reader)	8/29/2007
Gripping Suspense, Sensuous Romance, and the Presence of Danger Reviewed by Geraldine Floyd (Reader) Young, beautiful, impressionable and brought up in a solid family setting, Rochelle Rathbone is unaware of the evils lying beyond the borders of her parents’ protective nurturing. When she becomes involved with Tobias Chandler, Miami drug affiliate to the Columbian Cartel, a man old enough to be her father, she becomes blinded by big spending, posh nightspots and an entertaining party life that Tobias presents to her. Not until Rochelle becomes Mrs. Tobias Chandler does she realize her husband is a hardened and calloused monster intent on controlling her and everyone around him. With a criminal mind, and always alert to possible legal sanctions, he will stop at nothing—not even murder—to protect him from prosecution. Rochelle becomes his pawn—subjected to mental, physical and sexual abuse, held as a virtual prisoner, and guarded around the clock in a Miami mansion with six-foot walls surrounding it. The author’s insightful treatment of the subject of spousal abuse is a wake up call for mothers whose young daughters are unwittingly putting themselves in harm’s way because of enticements that make them feel grown-up and glamorous. “Desperate Choices” will sicken you with its violence, but it will give you an awareness of the need to guard your young daughters against predators like Tobias Chandler who is ready to compromise their childish innocence. In Cooper’s suspenseful tale is a story of a young woman’s heroic strength during her escape from a violent man and a dangerous situation, despite his abusive death threats if she attempts to leave him. Central to the storyline is the development of a beautiful love story between Rochelle and Michael Matheson, whom Rochelle meets after escaping from Tobias. Contrasted against the spousal abuse, a budding romance permits Rochelle the opportunity to experience real love instead of the superficial relationship that scars and distorts her concept of normal love. Michael Matheson, a desirably handsome man of many talents, lives through his own personal trials, which cause him to give up his flourishing architectural firm in San Francisco to take over the management of his father’s bank in Montana. Carved from his father’s strong teachings, Michael’s personality is built upon a steadfast, responsible nature; yet, even when things seem far less than perfect in his life, he is able to display a lightness of manner and easy-going persona, which endears most of his friends and associates to him. The first few pages of “Desperate Choices” grabbed my interest and drew me into the suspenseful plot immediately. With continual action in a series of dramatic events with dynamic characters, I was hooked on this thrilling story and eagerly kept reading to discover the resolution. “Desperate Choices” is a wonderful read that will put you in the seat of its main character, Rochelle Rathbone, and leave you vicariously experiencing her pain, fear, and romantic passions when she falls in love with Michael. The inequities she suffers from a vicious and vengeful man drew strong sympathy. Then I rejoiced when she fell in love with a decent man who had her best interest at heart. Her constant fear of death by Tobias tensed me for the unexpected and dramatic resolution. I didn’t want the book to end. I’d love to read a sequel that follows the wonderful love story of Rochelle and Michael. A thrilling plot filled with mystery and suspense and a breathtaking love story makes “Desperate Choices” a great novel. Reviewed by Geraldine Floyd
Reviewed by Gwendolyn Thomas Gath	6/12/2007
Emotionally packed but I hope Rochelle survives that disgusting Tobias.Oooo it seems even more dramatic without trying to censor this explosive and evolving situation. Wow what vivid imagery Jeanette you surely have packed a lot of detail in this excerpt! Wishing you much success with this book also. Sincerely, From the Heart...
Reviewed by Joyce Bowling	5/30/2007
Congratulations my dear friend. You book sounds like a great thriller to me! Got my attention! Anxious to purchase! Blessings, Joyce B.
Reviewed by H. Lena Jones	5/30/2007
Jeanette, Congratulations on this your fifth book. Here's wishing you all the best with its success. My emotions are too delicate to engage in intense dramas...ie I cry when I see or read of others sufferings. From the bits I read, this is some drama. Congrats again. God Bless Love, Lena

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