Three years after the demise of her seventeen year marriage, Mandy Russell decides to jump back into the choppy waters of the dating world. With very little options available in her small town of Bainsville, Tennessee, Mandy lets her best friend Shawna persuade her into joining and online dating site.
Feeling she has met someone she can really connect with, Mandy decides it's time to meet face to face with her new suitor, unaware of his true plans for her. Dark, sinister plans that will test Mandy's physical strength, mental fortitude and will to survive.
Will Mandy prevail or will she become number seventy-five?
Ashley writes in multiple genres ranging from mystery/thrillers to suspenseful paranormal to dark comedy. The recipient of numerous awards for her gritty, no-holds barred style of writing, her stories will captivate and pull you inside the lives of her characters and intricate plot lines.
Number Seventy Five by Ashley Fontainne is seventy four pages of goodness. There are a couple different covers. I think they are both great, but the Goodreads Kindle version is my favorite. I am a huge fan of Ashley Fontainne’s, so I foresee some heart pounding moments coming my way.
I love that the character of Mandy Rusell is in her forties. I do read a lot of young adult, so an older female protagonist is always nice to be with, no matter how horrific the conditions.
I thought the online dating was going to be a bad thing, but had no idea how bad it would be. Mandy was smart about it, giving her best friend, Shawna a safe word and going to a restaurant that her cop friends frequented.
“…A true woman is prepared for anything, especially a southern one, cause we know the woods is full of varmints.”
Ashley Fontainne’s writing shares her love of all things southern, including the varmints.
I know with Ashley Fontainne, bad things will be coming, but I sure didn’t see this, and the surprises kept on coming, right to the very end. I sure wouldn’t want to meet Mandy in a dark alley. She is a hellcat and will fight to the death to try and save herself. The number seventy five in the title holds a special significance and it was even more horrific than I could have anticipated.
At the price of $0.99, this is a steal.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Number Seventy Five by Ashley Fontainne.
Number Seventy-Five Ashley Fontainne Review by Joanna Lee Doster
Trademark Thrills
Ashley Fontainne, the internationally bestselling author, proves once again with her latest book,"Number Seventy-Five," that she reigns supreme in the world of story telling and suspense. Reading a novel, novella or short story by this gifted author, is like hitching a thrill ride on a monster roller coaster or skiing on one of those avalanche-prone dangerous mountains that pushes you towards the precipice. Ms. Fontainne keeps topping herself with stories that keep the reader on edge by having great pacing and plot lines that practically forces you to keep flipping pages so fast to see what's going to happen next. In" Seventy-Five"we find the protagonist Mandy, finally accepting her best friend Shawna's advice, by plunging into the world of internet dating, Soon after Mandy learns the true meaning of survival, as she is confronted by "pure evil," Ms Fontainne's brilliant writing pulls the wool over our eyes with clever Hitchcockian twists and turns that leave the reader transfixed and riveted. How does everything turn out? You'll have to read this fantastic book yourself to find out what happens. Another triumph for Ms.Fontainne.
I read a pre-release copy of Ashley Fontainne's novella,Number Seventy-Five and was happy to see that it does what all her books do. It takes off right at the early pages and keeps you riveted until the end. Highly recommended.
This is surprisingly - my first Ashley Fontainne book, but I can sincerely say that it will not be my last.
Seventy-five was beautifully written and contained a level of realism, grit and strength that I did not expect in such a short book. I was very impressed by the description of the situation that the main protagonist; Mandy was in. I could feel, smell and sense the pain, pressure and raw stress that she was under.
Although I felt I knew where the book was going near the end, I was very pleasantly surprised to find myself... surprised. Several very interesting twists and turns. Great book and definitely worth your time!
I want to point out, having read several of the "low star" reviews on this book, I think they are being a little shallow and harsh. Okay, the book is not only inexpensive, but it's CLEARLY a novella, it was not intended to be a full breadth novel, so there isn't time for a lot of character development. Ashley does a very good job of expressing everything as it should be expressed when writing from a first person point of view, character development of the person telling the story. By the end of the story you know exactly how she is feeling and why and can sympathize with her.
Seriously people, rate an apple for an apple, not an orange. So, rating it at five stars for what the book is - is completely accurate. A well written, short, fast paced book. It's a great read for in-between novels.
Now, that being said, is there anything that I would like to see more of? I guess I would have liked to see one more dead body. But that's just me... and you'll know what I mean after you read the book.
My review of Number-75 by Ashley Fontainne, You are gonna love this short!
Stephen King owns the horror genre, and John Grisham owns legal thrillers, Ashley Fontainne has created her own genre that is just as intense, “The Evil Bitches Thriller”. Fontainne is back again with a neck snapping, jaw dropping thriller you will not be able to put down. #75 had me at the first page and dragged me mercilessly along. I was unable to put it down. I had to put everything on hold to finish it in one reading and to be honest I was disappointed it was not much longer. No one captures the evil twisted mentality of a female sociopath better than Fontainne. Her characters are believable, real, and evil beyond belief. They make you realize there are probably several of your friends that are thinking these same thoughts. #75 is a short story but don’t let that slow you down, if you wonder what I am talking about when I say she has invented her own genre in which she alone reigns supreme! Download#75, clear your calendar for an hour or so and prepare for an unbelievably intense read.
At first your think this is a book about internet dating in your forties ( I didn't read the description of this book or any reviews before I decided to read it) Keeping a friend near by so you can have an out if you need it all with one text. A True women is prepared for anything but the night Mandy walked into that restaurant she got more then she bargained for she got to be lucky number 75. Trying to feel her surroundings and keep her captive talking how is it she didn't see this coming? To plot revenge to show the ones who did this to her that they can't get away with anything because mamma didn't raise no damn fool. I loved this book it was an easy read I couldn't believe that it ended when it did I thought I had just started reading it.
I love stories about revenge and this author knows just how to write them. Number Seventy-Five is an engaging read with two major storylines. Although I couldn’t connect with any of the characters, the writing and the plot twists kept me glued to the pages, and I finished this short story in less than two hours. By the time I was done, I actually wished the story could’ve been a little longer with more character development and less of an abrupt ending, but even so, I was once again reminded why I’d definitely read more of Fontainne’s books. Good stuff.
Book: Number Seventy-Five Author: Ashley Fontainne Genre: Thriller Length: Approximately 74 Pages
I had no idea what to expect when I picked up NUMBER SEVENTY-FIVE by ASHLEY FONTAINNE. I purposely did not read any blurbs, excerpts or reviews. I follow this policy with all authors that I want to read so I can get the story firsthand from their writing. I have, however, read Ms. Fontainne's suspense/thriller series Eviscerating the Snake and vowed to read everything she writes because it was just that good.
I was curious to see if Ms. Fontainne could write in such a gripping and heart-stopping way with a book that is only 74 pages long. Not many authors that are really good at writing full-length novels has what it takes to write a short story or novella. Let me put your fears to rest. NUMBER SEVENTY-FIVE by ASHLEY FONTAINNE did not disappoint in the least. Ms. Fontainne's writing in NUMBER SEVENTY-FIVE had me gasping for air and swearing out loud as I read it. LOVED IT!
If you enjoy crime drama, suspense, thrillers, betrayal, vengeance, you're going to love this book. It's a quick read, but very fulfilling for the reader. This book is well written, the characters were developed nicely and the deception was remarkably twisted. I was left wanting nothing (besides another Ashley Fontainne book) after reading this story. Pick it up!
When I saw the book was by Ashley Fontainne, I knew I was in for a dark read. Fontainne is known to be dark as a dungeon awaiting a victim, and pretty quickly you’ll find yourself immersed in there with her.
Number Seventy-Five is a short, sharp, shock of a story that moves onto the action in lighting speed - the author doesn’t mince her words, nor does she waste them so it’s an all action story. The book is a fight for survival, a desire to overcome the obstacles, no matter how changeling, and Fontainne does this in her usual spectacular violent style. A great twist towards the end is the cherry on the cake for this bite-sized horror, or, in Ashley’s case, the severed head on top of the cake. Read it and enjoy the scare.
Reviewed by Charlotte Foreman on behalf of BestChickLit.com
As always with Ashley Fontainne this is a very well-written piece. I love the flow of her writing and her use of language and her occasional delightful choice of wording. I only ever like to talk about the impression a book has on me when I write a review as I hate to give anything of the story away. And I enjoyed this one very much on many levels.
This story has plenty of suspense and leads the reader along with ease. It highlights just how dangerous Internet dating can be, especially for women, and that you should always exercise caution no matter how well a potential date might portray himself. This is a story that is value for money and has an excellent twist near the end that I didn't see coming, and that's a rare thing for me.
This was the first time I read one of Ashley Fontainne’s books. Number Seventy-Five is a short novella, but don’t let that stop you from reading it. The story is intense and grabs you from the first paragraph. What does the number seventy-five mean? Who will get revenge? Would you do the same? You will be thinking of this story long after you have read it. Would I read another book by this author? Absolutely!
I really enjoyed this book. For a short book usually you don't get a good plot and get to know the characters too but Ashley Fontainne pulled it off. When I was done I felt like I had read a full length book because of all the detail that went into it. I should have started off with the fact that the book gets right into the thick of it right away, which I loved, no waiting for things to get going. It kept my interested from start to finish. Great read!
I read this book in about an hour and loved every minute of it! It was very suspenseful and descriptive. I thought the length was perfect; it didn't need to be any longer. It reminded me of an episode of the many crime shows I watch religiously. Can't wait to hear more from this author!
This is my first Ashley Fontainne book and I can assure you it won't be the last. The writing is excellent and the story is believable, which makes the twists and turns all the more compelling and terrifying.
I receive a free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
STORY: 2 stars After reading the synopsis, I had high expectations for this short story. Initially, I was pleased with how Fontainne told the story. Despite the limited number of pages, the story did not feel hurried or rushed. I thought she did a great job of not using any unnecessary filler or fluff to increase word count. However, when the story reaches its climax at the very end, the much anticipated ending was 100% predictable and not at all exciting. When I finished this book I felt terribly disappointed, feeling like reading this book had been a total waste of my time.
PERFORMANCE: 3 stars I listened to the audiobook narrated by Sabrina Stewart. Ms. Stewart spoke with a believable Southern accent yet she was consistently, "on"; always sounding very jubilant, upbeat and energetic. This was fine some of the time but was not a positive trait when these adjectives did not fit the context.
This Novella, tightly written and graphically described, is not only a page turner, it is a paragraph turner. Mandy Russell, nurse, and a forty-one year old divorcee, was tired of being alone. Her ex-husband’s bed-hopping had been disastrous to her ego and as she said to her best friend, Shawnna, she wanted a lover, a man to protect her and to respect her. Shawna encouraged her to do some on-line dating and eventually she did work up the nerve to meet Jacob Wilson. She selected a nice restaurant where many of her best friends who were cops also hung out. She met and worked with many in her hospital’s ER. That way, she could feel safe. Also she pre-typed a text message saying “escape” that she would send to Shawna if she needed help or an excuse to leave Jacob.
The evening went well. Jacob was good looking and their conversation was casual. Although there was something about Jacob that didn’t appeal to Mandy, he was nice enough. During their supper hour, Jacob excused himself to go the bathroom and he was gone quite a long time. They left the restaurant fairly early and Jacob gave her a light kiss, which made Mandy feel comfortable with him, together with the fact that he made no sexual innuendos.
On her way home in a dark section of the highway, she had to stop because of a flat tire. Mandy had always been afraid of being stalled on the highway after dark and it was like her nightmare began. Then car lights appeared, and the car stopped. Mandy recognized the voice of Jacob when he asked her if she had a problem. When she told him, he got his tire iron out of his trunk and headed for Mandy, not the tire.
And so began a night of horror, pain and betrayal. It is amazing how this author was able to tell so much in a novella length story, but she did, and it kept me glued to it until I finished it Anyone who likes mysteries, intrigue and extreme anger will enjoy this story.
Fontainne brings to the table yet another full course meal of suspense and thrills!
I have followed this author for some time, and her writing style never changes. The techniques that she uses when writing in this genre are unique to her style, and make for a fulfilling read!
Can anybody have complete trust in anybody anymore? With access to countless Internet dating providers, lonely souls have admission to countless profiles. Are we to believe all information given in these profiles is a hundred percent accurate? It would be unwise of us to believe that they are. Nevertheless, many of us choose to look past obvious signs of deception when seeking out that one true soul mate – huge mistake! Ashley Fontainne’s tale of, Number Seventy-Five begins…
The main character, nurse Mandy Russell, converses with her best friend about Internet dating – so enters, Jacob. She and Jacob meet at a lovely restaurant, have a nice meal, and engage in casual conversation. Although sparks did not ignite between them, after a lovely evening together, she heads home feeling hopeful for the future.
Unfortunately, Mandy finds herself stranded with a flat tire on a dark roadway. When headlights appear, and she hears a familiar voice offering his services, her prayers are answered – or are they?
Will Jacob end up being her knight in shining armor – or does he set the scene for the beginning of a living nightmare? Why is the number 75 significant to this tale? You will have to read this suspenseful thriller to find out the answers. Be forewarned – horror, betrayal, and revenge, are just around the corner. Buckle down tight for a ride into pure terror!
I highly recommend this read as well as all of, Ashley Fontainne’s works. Number Seventy-Five
Reviewed by Dianna Skowera for Readers’ Favorite “Number Seventy-Five” by Ashley Fontaine is a chilling suspense from the moment you learn the reasoning behind the title. Seconds after meeting Mandy Russell you discover that she is slapped with the realization she is about to become the seventy-fifth victim in an eerie killing rampage. Mandy recovers from a bitter divorce with the courage to test the waters of internet dating that ultimately seal her fate in ways she never imagined possible. Licking the old wounds of heartache, Mandy learns that only her two close friends, Shawna and Samuel, were not likely enough to inform of her decision to forge into the world of finding new love in such a low-key manner. Rendezvousing out of the spotlight may have saved her from the embarrassment of failed romantic success, but may just contribute to Mandy’s lack of chance in escaping death.
Think you don’t have time to read a book? Each page of this short work pulls you towards the end like a magnet! Anyone looking to compile stories about God-fearing women should get ahold of Ashley Fontainne. Fontainne has created a new genre of scary stories to tell in the dark…and on vacation. The most creative use of description I have read in nearly any work of fiction, “Number Seventy-Five” is guaranteed to pull you into the characters’ senses. There are more emotions and action in these seventy-two pages than works twice as long. If you think Lifetime Movie Network women are scary, then check out “Number Seventy-Five”. This could happen in your small town, so read this book and be prepared!
This is a short story that really grabbed me with terror. It makes one think twice or three times before meeting someone in person who appears to become a friend on the on-line dating sites. Mandy Russell is 41 years old, has worked her entire 17 years nursing career in Emergency Care. Her lifelong friend, Shawna, entices her to go on-line where she just may find a man worth more than her ex-husband. They've been divorced for 15 years. But Shawna does give sound advice: Safety First. Mandy agrees to meet Jacob Wilson on a dinner date at the Chancery Court, where she feels safe because of the cops who frequent the restaurant. Considering safety first, Mandy tucks her .22 handgun into her boot. Jacob is tall, blond (dyed, no doubt) with huge dark brown eyes, framed with black eyelashes. Though they have a nice dinner and talk, neither one of them show any instant flashes of potential love. He's courteous and not demanding, but doesn't inspire her trust. He helps her to her car, gives her a light kiss, and she drive off. The road she travels is dark and curvy and suddenly a tire blows out under her car. She pulls off the road, examines the tire, and before she can get back into the car to use her cell phone, another car appears behind her to lend a helping hand. But the helping hand is carrying a tire iron, directly toward her.... This is a very scary story, one I read quickly. It's a thriller, one which will surprise you to the end. Take the trip with Mandy...and enjoy the ride.
Number Seventy-Five written by Ashley Fontainne is a wonderful short story that I was immediately drawn into. We all have friends and relatives who have gone threw a divorce after a long marriage and are hesitant to get back into the dating pool. We also know those who have experimented with online dating with varing results.
Number Seventy-Five centers around Mandy Russell a few years after she divorced her high school sweetheart after 17-year marriage. Mandy lets her best friend, Shawna, persuade her into joining an online dating site. After a few months of chatting online, Mandy meets her new potential beau face-to-face for dinner where sparks are few and there is no love connection. The rest of the story is the fall out that occurs by Mandy's rejection of her would-be suitor -- think of the worst thing that can happen on a blind date, and it happens to Mandy. There were more twists and turns in this short-story than a full length novel!
Sabrina Stewart did an excellent job narrating. She had great intonation and pace, keeping the story suspenseful throughout. Sabrina's rendition of Number Seventy-Five easily kept me engaged from beginning to end.
In short, I can see why this story is being made into a movie, and I can't wait to listen to or read another one of Ashley Fontainne's books!
Let me start with saying I read / listened to this book via audible.com. As always I feel we get much more from a book including proper pronunciations, accents, suspense & other emotions from audio vs reading it ourselves.
This short story is short in size but doesn't lack anything in suspense or excitement. Number Seventy-Five kept me on the edge of my seat. I absolutely loved the narrator's accent, different voices & emotions. I thought the storyline & plot was fabulous. It really made me think of how we tend to share too much willingly & how it can be used against us - even by a best friend and / or an ex! There are so many twists & turns in this story. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen , something else would change the plot. I was very scared for Mandy. Many of us have been betrayed by someone we considered to be a best friend, but most not to this extent! While being a novella, this story doesn't lack anything in the thrills department. I can see this happening in real life & it could happen to any of us! It would make a great movie too! I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking thrills, likes murder books & specially those who talk to much using social media sites. Kuddos to the author for writing such a great book!
Mandy is ready to start dating. Finally after 3 years since her divorce she is ready to start trusting men. After joining an online dating site she meets someone she likes and agrees to a date. The evening goes well till she gets a tyre blowout. Stranded on an empty road in the dark she notices a car coming towards her. Help, she thinks, until she spots her date carrying a tyre iron coming directly at her I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Every page kept me gripped. Mandy is a determined character and I liked the fact she is a slightly older woman in this story than the typical twenty something we normally see in books of late. The fear experienced by the character was described perfectly. The focus on the sights and sounds of her situation draw the reader in and you feel more involved in the story rather than just looking in. This books definitely draws to the attention the dangers of online dating dating and without giving too much away this story will have you questioning what you would do in that particular situation. Trust is definitely something to think about in this. This is brilliant quick read for all thriller lovers.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a nice, quick read for an evening or weekend of relaxing and it hooks you from the very start.
To have a beginning, middle and end with such a short amount of pages can be very difficult to pull off but Fontainne does it fantastically. You find yourself immersed in what happens to the main character, and in how the story is going to end.
Even in the short 74 pages, Fontainne writes twists and turns that keep you guessing how it's going to end right up until the last line is read.
I thought that at times in the beginning of the story the prose got a little "purple" so to speak, but Fontainne moved past that quickly and presents a great story. There was one character (I won't go into details because it might give stuff away) that I felt wasn't quite right. Maybe he just didn't play his role the way I would have liked... I can't really place my finger on it. But I felt like his personality didn't quite fit who he was supposed to be.
All-in-all a great story. I'm giving Number Seventy-Five 4 out of 5 stars.
Before listening to Number Seventy-Five, I made sure to only look at the genre and not the summaries or reviews. I like to do this with the shorter stories as I am often surprised more. At first I thought that a majority of the story was going to be about the trial and tribulations of internet dating in your forties. But it was much more than that. This is a story about revenge and how the protagonist becomes number seventy-five. She soon finds herself captive, in a cave, but not alone. Full of minor twists and turns, I was engaged through the entire story. Even though I couldn't connect to any of the characters I enjoyed the time I spent listening. I cannot say more without giving everything away. If you like revenge, serial killers, and physiological thrillers, please do yourself a favor and listen to this interesting tale.
This is a short novella that is action packed with a twist and a turn right out the door. As soon as I started reading it and got the OH WOW factor I was hooked and did not put the book down until I finished it. Mandy is forty and after a divorce she is just getting back into the dating role. She meets up in a public place which I thought was a great idea to do, since she has met this guy online. After she heads home that is when her life takes a turn for hell. She gets rescued but does she really? Soon after Mandy learns who has betrayed her and lets just say karma plays a huge role. The number seventy-five that is the title of the book and it plays a role into the story. I don't want to write anything else on this review as I will be giving away the plot and what happens. If you want a novella that will keep you reading until the last page, going wow didn't see that coming, then you have to pick up this book. I will be keeping my eye on this author as she writes a story that is gripping you from the beginning.
When Mandy was encouraged by her best friend to jump back into the world of dating by using an online agency, she took all the precautions necessary to ensure her safety before meeting her first date. Choosing a bar filled with cops would make you feel fairly secure, and it was understandable why Mandy didn’t see the real threat in time to avoid the inevitable.
Clearly Ashley is skilled in building suspense, and weaving a complicated plot to keep the reader guessing, and this piece of work also shows how well she can pull the reader in emotionally too. What Mandy felt during her time in the cave was so well written, with great detail and emotion, that it has given me a new respect for this writers work, the editing was on point and with everything combined this was a faultless novella. Fast paced and gripping from the onset, Number Seventy Five is a book worthy of any thriller lovers shelf.
The New York Daily News claims that one-third of couples today met online and that over 75% of singles, at some point, have tried a web-based dating service. And we’ve all heard the amusing stories from our friends and paid witness to countless reality TV dating experiences.
What are the hallmarks of online dating? Very similar to blind-dating in general - anticipation, awkwardness, relief, sometimes dashed expectations - and every once in a while, a powerful life changing experience. This short story includes all of the above.
Ashley Fontainne, bless her wicked soul, adds something else to the mix. A serial killer. And she doesn’t fool around. Seventy Five is as taut as a war drum - as fast as a fleeing victim. If you have never read Fontainne before, this will be a perfect introduction to her no-holds-barred style.
Brace yourself for a wild ride in this kill-or-be-killed tale. Find out how to stay alive when you’re number 75 with this fantastically-paced, well-written thriller that will take your breath away and have you looking over your shoulder with caution after reading this believable yet suspenseful tale of online dating gone horribly wrong!
Mandy is strong character to root for in this fantastic short story by Ashley Fontainne! Would recommend to all fans of thrillers.
It took me no time at all to read this true page-turner, so treat yourself to a fantastic thriller!
Thanks for checking out my review! See for yourself why Number 75 is the thriller for you :)
Cheers,
Claire E. Smith Author of the Time and Heart Series
YES SHE'S GONE AND DONE IT AGAIN.....MISS FONTAINNE HAS WRITTEN A BOOK THAT HAS HAD ME HOOKED AND STUCK ON WRITING A REVIEW ON.
At first you think it's some stupid cheesy internet dating storyline. The thing with this storyline is she doesn't just drag you into the book but you actually get to thinking that MAYBE the author is as much a bitch as she is/MAYBE the author is actually writing about herself here. That's how she is, the way she captures the evil, twisted mentality of female characters. You end up reading it as if it's her or you even.
Number 75 is a thriller that you will just have to download or buy for yourself BUT I suggest you clear a good 2 hours in your diary to be on your own and read it, trust me it will be the best 2 hours you have in a long time.
This is a fantastic short story from a very talented author. Fontainne is known for nail-biting, revenge-filled thrillers, and Number Seventy-Five is no exception. She takes something as normal as online dating, and not only projects every woman's deeply rooted fear into the story, but manages to skillfully input empowerment and survival into every twist and turn. The heroine is relatable, strong, and no-nonsense, and I enjoyed going along on this terrifying ride with her as she fights for her life with nothing more than her wit and courage. Kudos to Ms. Fontainne for an excellent thriller that clearly showcases her talent for the genre. I can't wait to read her other books!