Friday Features Nerds Unite D.R. Grady

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Friday Features Nerds Unite D.R. Grady

Friday Features
Author
D.R. Grady
Talking about
Stalker Research
D.R. Grady, author of Nerds Unite, has stopped by today to talk about the research she did for her book. This research is about a subject that few of us think about but is a serious issue in the world today. So here is D.R.

The heroine in Nerds Unite, Katy Greene, has to contend with a stalker, so some research was necessary. There are some interesting and helpful facts about stalkers online. The numbers of people who endure a stalker are staggering. While there is a reason for the stalker behavior and it is resolved in Nerds Unite, many people live in this miserable circumstance for years with no explanation or relief.

According to the Stalking Resource Center, 7.5 million people are stalked every year—that number differed on various sites, but all sites agreed upon millions of people who suffer at the hands of a stalker. Both men and women are targets, although women are more likely to be stalked. Up to 85% of stalker victims know their stalker; some are people they have dated.

Stalkers are dubbed as such because they force an unwanted relationship upon their intended victim; their reasons for doing so is due to resentment, social awkwardness, hatred, the desire for intimacy, or the need to control. Their means of communication may include emails, texts, phone calls, sending gifts, trying to meet with the victim in person, and can escalate to damaging the victim’s property, threatening to or actually harming the victim, their pets, and/or family members.

The stalker who is tech savvy might go so far as to monitor their victim’s phone calls and computer activity, track their every move, and/or monitor them via hidden cameras. Stalkers seek information about their victim with online research, hiring a private investigator, going through the victim’s trash, even breaking into their home.

Many victims of stalkers have lost time at work, been forced to move, and experience higher levels of anxiety, insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression as a direct result of being stalked. Most believe they will never be free of their stalker.

Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, and if you believe you are being stalked, immediately contact the police. They are trained to deal with stalkers and many do so on a routine basis. Law enforcement are also aware of various agencies in place to assist victims. There are procedures a victim can follow to assist law enforcement and government agencies and to maintain distance from a person who has become a stalker.

Another terrible aspect of being stalked–what is portrayed in the media is not consistent with what victims experience at the hands of a real life stalker. The media does not accurately reveal the physical, social, economic, and mental harm associated with dealing with a stalker. Many victims report to suffering from PTSD and recovery is nearly impossible because the problem is ongoing, often with no end in sight.

If you believe you are being stalked, please immediately speak with someone you trust. There are accurate and safe resources available. Do not ignore this threat. Do contact the police.

There is plenty of information available for a victim to learn about how to deal with the various impacts of a stalker. In Nerds Unite, Katy fears she is being stalked, but is afraid to admit this. Her reaction is common, but denial doesn’t prevent her from suffering at the hands of a man who is eager to pursue an unwanted relationship with her. By admitting her fears and expressing them to someone she trusts, she begins the process of taking back her life.

The steps she takes are available to everyone. Please be aware there is help out there for all who are victimized.

Please stay safe!

D.R. thanks for the information and good advice. Now let’s learn more about Nerds Unite.
BLURB:

Life is full of promise for Katy Greene. New town. New job. New BFF. Everything is great…except for the creepy feeling that someone is watching her.

After they confirm Katy’s stalker is real, she has some explaining to do to BFF Leo de Vosse. Not to mention some explaining to herself. When did her feelings for Leo turn into something more than friendship? The stakes are high as she fights for her life with the stalker, and for her heart with Leo.

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IVX5UP2 Nerds Unite cover

EXCERPT:

“I wish this would all go away.” Katy plopped onto the bed again. She burst into tears a moment later.

With a silent groan and a definite internal roar, he leaped to her side to fold her close. Her tears wet his shirt. His fists tightened as he quelled the intense need to pummel the walls. But he kept his arms gentle around Katy. Soothing her, rocking her, because she was his everything.

It didn’t take her long to shove out the tears. She sniffed and he bent, with her still in his arms, to pluck some tissues out of the box on his side of the bed. As though made to do so, Katy flowed with him. The movement so natural he barely noticed it.

“Thanks.” Although watery, her gratitude was genuine. “I’m sorry for falling apart on you.”

Why does her thanks irritate me? “Who else are you going to fall apart on?” That wasn’t jealousy, right?

He was mollified when she nestled closer. Her head tucked perfectly under his chin and he sat quietly with her now, rocking her. Her arm moved so he surmised she must be wiping away the tear damage. Then both her arms clutched him. A warm gust of air fanned across his neck and he wanted more.

How much more he couldn’t say. Just more. Why? It was irritating to have this—whatever it was—sneak into their platonic relationship. This wasn’t the first time it happened but it needed to be the last.

One thing he knew, this wasn’t a platonic need. The desire to kiss her kept growing.

“You’re tensing up. What’s wrong?”

He blinked as she pulled back to peer at him. Her expression was wary, and a little fearful. Leo swallowed, but in order to alleviate her fears, he needed to say something.

“I just had the overwhelming urge to kiss you. Where did that come from, Katy?”

She didn’t look shocked. Her knowing nod rocked him back on his heels. “I’ve experienced that same urge a few times lately.”

He blinked. She had the same thoughts?

Her eyes were red rimmed, nose pink, and watery trails crossed her face.

“When did you become the most beautiful woman in the world?” Aggression leaked.

Before she could answer, her phone rang.

Leaning forward, she scooped it up. “It’s Trixi.” Katy answered the call, putting her on speakerphone. “Hello, Trix.”

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IVX5UP2

D.R. Grady lives wi D.R. Grady photo th her husband near Hershey, PA. She adores chocolate, laughing, collecting bags, books, and shoes, and writing stories that resonate with others.