Title: Burning Desire: The Psychopath And The Girl In Black Prada Shoes Part 1
Author: M.L. Stark
Publisher: XlibrisUK
ISBN: 978-1984593609
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Pages: 348
Reviewed by: Aly Avina

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Over the course of our lives, we all experience all sorts of relationships. Some are of the platonic or familial variety, while others are decidedly more romantic. And in these romantic relationships, there are bound to be many ups and downs. Some have more downs than anything that ultimately lead to the demise of the relationship, but what happens when these downs are more than just that? When they are actually emotionally detrimental to someone in the relationship and it is revealed that it is an abusive relationship they have found themselves in, that is when the person suffering begins to question everything while feeling trapped. This is what is explored in M.L. Stark’s novel Burning Desire: The Psychopath And The Girl In Black Prada Shoes Part 1.

It is sad to say that many people have experienced what it’s like to be in an abusive relationship, whether it be mental or physical abuse. It is damaging and often those involved feel lost as to how to leave it. All of that and more are touched on in this book about Mary and Doctor Drake’s turbulent romance that began under less than ethical circumstances. Mary started out as Drake’s patient and ended up in a rollercoaster of a love affair with the man who was meant to help her. Mary was going through a difficult time in her life and instead of this doctor giving her the proper tools and help to get through it, he decided he would start a romance with her instead. With Mary being in a fragile and vulnerable place, this was a recipe for disaster and it wouldn’t be until much later that Mary realized her mistake in dating this psychopath — as the author refers to him throughout the novel.

While this book talks about an incredibly sensitive subject of abusive relationships, which can be triggering for some, it is still an important book that perfectly lays out how someone even finds themselves in a situation such as that. And more so, how this person can fight their way out of it until they can find the true person they are once again. M.L. Stark has an effortless way of painting a vivid picture of this type of relationship which will surely keep every reader of this book intrigued and outraged by the story unfolding before their eyes. The author has a talent for telling a story based on true events — while changing names, places, and other facts — that keeps their audience eagerly turning every page to learn more about Mary’s story and how she overcame incredible odds.

While this story may not be the most upbeat read, that is not the point of it. It is to tell a raw and real tale of heartbreak and abuse at the hands of a man whose narcissistic and sociopathic tendencies seriously tested a woman who had already been through far too much in her life. Burning Desire is definitely worth the read and will be looking forward to reading more books by this author.