The Malignant Mind series Vol 1-3

by Monique D. Mensah

The Malignant Mind Volumes 1-3Who Is He To You, Inside Rain, Smoke ScreenWHO IS HE TO YOUSimone, a shockingly beautiful teen, is on the downward spiral of destruction as she battles incest and self-hatred; she finds cutting to be the only way to relieve her pain. Jessica lives the upscale lifestyle of a refined society matron. She strives to be the perfect wife, but without her husband, Ross, she would be nothing more than the abused stripper he rescued 16 years ago. Ryan, a fiery thirty-something, is quickly slipping into depression and prescription drug-addiction as her boyfriend, Anthony, artfully dangles the empty promise of marriage. As the shattered lives of three very different women collide, they find that they have one thing in they are all in a desperate fight to hang on to love. But when love involves incest, self-mutilation, drug-addiction and murder, will they continue to fight or will they find the strength to escape before it's too late? Experience their emotional journey through to the shocking end where these women will experience injury, imprisonment and even death while crafting new lives from the ashes of their ruination.INSIDE RAINRain grapples with memories of a horrific past that leaves her far from unscathed. After witnessing her mother's gruesome murder as a child, she is now left piecing together the fragments of her shattered psyche as an adult. Quickly, she is drowning in years of frustration and confusion with no promise of relief. Sinister visions and undying spirits haunt Rain relentlessly, driving her deeper into darkness and lunacy. Rain's grandmother, GiGi, tries her best to help Rain face the truth, urging her to confront her past, but the past is too painful--it's easier to hide. As Rain struggles desperately to define herself, she's forced to brave her live-in a violent and narcissistic brother, Danny, who resents her weakness and Carmen, her promiscuous and hostile older sister, who wishes Rain would disappear. In her fragile mental state, Rain is ill-equipped to handle the chaos of their ruptured lives. When Rain, Carmen, and Danny are submerged into the horrors of prostitution, drug-addiction, domestic violence, and murder, Rain is left alone to face her internal demons and find her identity, with no one to answer to, but herself.SMOKE SCREENLauren, Ryan, and Simone meet again after the tragedy that brought them all together ten years ago. A serial killer is on the loose in Detroit, murdering men and leaving her mark, and each of these women has a motive to kill. Simone, a sexual abuse survivor and advocate for young girls, has begun to heal her wounds over the past ten years, but she is still trying to reclaim her life. Her mother, Jessica, thinks it's unhealthy for Simone to immerse herself into a world of pain and jaded love when she has yet to fully heal herself. A new, unexpected love interest only complicates things further. Ryan is willing to do whatever it takes to become a mother, even if it means betrayal. With her biological clock screaming and a shameful ten-year secret bubbling to the surface, Ryan is determined to get what she wants, but she may lose her husband-and her mind-in the process. Lauren, one of Detroit's most prominent defense attorneys, redefines justice and seeks a way out of the career that has left her feeling trapped and torn. She can't set her moral standards aside for a $400,000 salary, winning acquittal after acquittal for the demonstratively guilty. But how far will she go to rid Detroit of its criminal filth? As Lauren, Ryan, and Simone's lives collide yet again, forcing them to deal with the tragedies of their pasts, the three women regretfully learn that no one is safe behind the thin shield of a Smoke Screen.

704 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 24, 2011

Reviews

[K.R. Bankston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection was absolutely phenomenal!! From start to finish this book without doubt delivered!!
Who Is He to you? - the first story, omg..wonderful! The writing was full and lush, with descriptions that made you FEEL everything that happened. As much as I hurt for Simone, I actually found myself understanding and hurting for her father as well. Ryan however I couldn't stand from start to finsih. She was eptiome of a jacked up chick with no clue. The truth in the story reached out and grabbed you, holding you tightly in its embrace forcing you to face the ugly unspoken reality that things like this do happen.
Inside Rain - the second story was also brilliantly written. I loved all the characters who took me on a kalidescope of emotions, again putting me smack in the middle of everything that went on. I was consistent my dislike of Carmen, th sister, though I found a middle grown of like and understanding where Danny was concerned. The author was able to keep me in suspense and mystery until the very end, which is the only portion I have issue with. The ending to this story kind of let me down, but its not to say it was not a good ending, becasue it was. It just didn't do it for me.
Smoke Screen - the final installment ended this collection with the same heat it started!! I do not regret one moment of this book. This story picked up and caught us up with the characters from Who Is He to You...needless to say I still could not stand Ryan. She somewhat redeemed herself in this one but I still feed her from a super long handled spoon. Simone, Simone, Simone...man that's all I can say about that chick and her journey. Again, kudos for such a well put together, superbly written, novel!!
I will certainly be looking for new offerings from this author and soon!!!

[Janie Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

This author has a brilliant way of bringing a story together. Most times you can figure out the ending and who is who, but this author keeps you guessing and turning the page! I really enjoyed the 3 volume Malignant Mind series. Look forward to reading more from this author!

[Mo Catchings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

Monique is a master story teller. The stories are well developed. I was rooting for Simone; although, she's coocoo for coco puffs

[Yolanda Knight- Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to say that I really enjoyed All three books in this series
1. Who Is He To You
2. Inside Rain
3. Smoke Screen
When I first saw these books I wasn't interested I'm reading them but my Diva sister from my book club ( Real Divas Read 1/28/12 ) pick this series for the month to read. And I must say I'm glad she did, I was hooked from the first page, I was sucked in instantly , yes it was a very emotional read & I must say it did a number on my Heart a few times but once I was finished all I could do was laugh because Ms. Monique Mensah did her thing. Everything tied in together. Please Don't Sleep On This Author or you'll miss a Great Read!!!

[Thasha Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew....I can't even....

I absolutely adored this trilogy. Even though it was a telling of different stories at once, the way that they intertwined was breathtaking. I couldn't have put it down if I wanted to. I finished all three books in about a day of total reading time. More than worth the money and the wait.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. The ending IS Awesome! I will definitely keep my eye out for more books from this author. Monique Mensah has quite a flair for thrill writing.

[Kerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! This series was off the chain. I could not put this book down.

[Michelle Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is this is and awesome read. You Must read it. You won't be disappointed