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Disaster Crimes #0.5

Hurricane Crimes

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***Hurricane Crimes (Disaster Crimes #1)***

*Hurricane Crimes is a novella under 50 pages.*

After her car breaks down, Beth Kennedy is forced to stay in Florida, the target of Hurricane Sabrina. She stocks up supplies, boards up windows, and hunkers down to wait out the storm, but her plan unravels when she witnesses a car accident. Risking her life, she braves the winds to save the driver. Just when she believes they are safe, she finds out the man she saved could possibly be more dangerous than the severe weather.

Donovan Goldwyn only wanted to hide from the police, but the hurricane shoved his car into a tree. Now he's trapped with a beautiful woman while the evidence that can prove his innocence to a brutal crime is out there for anyone to find.

As Hurricane Sabrina wreaks havoc, Beth has no other choice but to trust Donovan to stay alive. But will she survive, or will she become another hurricane crime?

Content Warning: police brutality, violence, gun violence, animal death, snake

Heat Rating: Medium (sexual tension/behind-closed-doors)

Disaster Crimes Series:
Hurricane Crimes (#1)
Seismic Crimes (#2)
Lightning Crimes (#2.5 free story)
Tsunami Crimes (#3)
Flaming Crimes (#4)
Frozen Crimes (#5)
A Fighting Chance (#6, spin-off)
The Disaster Curse (#7, short)

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 25, 2013

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About the author

Chrys Fey

20 books335 followers

Author of the Disaster Crimes series. She/Her

Chrys Fey blogs at Write with Fey

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Thank you so much for your reviews!

Chrys Fey is a disabled, tattooed author of books featuring heroines of steel. Her Disaster Crimes series is a unique blend of romance, disasters, and crimes, influenced by her own experiences with natural disasters. The conclusion of her series inspired her to create TheFightingChance.org, a resource for domestic violence survivors. On her blog, WritewithFey.com, she supports, empowers, and teaches fellow writers.

Fey got the idea for her first book when she was twelve and discovered a rusted screw with a crooked tip buried in grass. That screw was a key to an unknown world with an extraordinary character born in heaven.

She is a fur baby mom of four rescued cats. For fun, she photographs antiques, makes playlists, and creates flip cup paintings of Avrianna’s nebula. She loves Halloween, autumn, and gargoyles.

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5 stars
37 (35%)
4 stars
47 (45%)
3 stars
14 (13%)
2 stars
3 (2%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Profile Image for Chrys Fey.
Author 20 books335 followers
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September 21, 2021
I started writing Hurricane Crimes on Christmas morning 2011. I had just finished reading a book set during a blizzard and pondered the fact that I had never been in a snow storm because I live in Florida, so the idea to write a story that really focuses on a hurricane immediately became my goal. Although I wanted Hurricane Crimes to be a romance, I didn't want it to be a typical romance. Thus, I created Donovan, a sexy and passionate man who may be a murderer.

For more insight on Hurricane Crimes follow this link: http://writewithfey.blogspot.com/p/bo...
You'll also find Donovan's deleted scene and my alternate ending.
Profile Image for Sherry Fundin.
1,764 reviews117 followers
September 17, 2015
I live in Florida, so anything to do with a hurricane interests me. I have been through more than one hurricane, but unlike Beth in Hurricane Crimes, I have not been through a Category 5 hurricane like Sabrina. As if the storm isn’t enough, there is a murderer on the loose.

The evacuation order had been given, but Beth had nowhere to go and no way to get there, so she stocked up on necessities and hunkered down to weather it out.

As she watched the storm out her window, she saw the car slam into the tree. Of course, she had to go out and check on the driver. What would you have done?

Its not necessarily the wind and water that will kill you, but the blowing debris.

As the power struggled to stay on, she heard, Donovan Goldwyn – murder suspect.

Uh oh, he was here, in her home. What would you do? It’s almost like you have no choice but to play along. There is no one to help, no one to call, no one …

Would the storm affect your emotions and your libido…the danger, the adrenaline, the fear of death.

Chrys had me on a seesaw, yes he’s a murderer, no he’s not, yes he is, no he isn’t.

Chrys Fey does an excellent job describing Hurricane Sabrina and the destruction it brings in its wake. The ending is fantastic and I would wait out a hurricane with you, Chrys, any time.

This little novella has it all. A gorgeous cover, a captivating title, a hot guy and a not so defenseless woman stranded in a category five hurricane.

I picked this up on an Amazon free day and considered myself lucky.

To see more visit http://www.fundinmental.com
Profile Image for KathyAnne.
570 reviews84 followers
July 12, 2015
A short story of around 50 pages, not a bad choice if your looking for something to fill up an hour or so of reading time. Edgy and suspenseful with an interesting scenerio of a woman finding herself trapped in her home with a potential murder suspect. This definitely had the insta-love thing going on... and a most interesting love scene while hunkering down in a bathtub during the scariest part of the hurricane... hmmmmmmm... Adrenaline rush??? :) The things people do when their life hangs in the balance!
The author did a pretty good job packing a lot of action into this short story... I would definitely read more by her again. She has a nice writing style.
Profile Image for T.B. Markinson.
Author 55 books783 followers
February 23, 2015
Right from the opening line, “Beth was going to die” I was hooked. This is a short read, yet the author was able to weave together a taut thriller. Beth is a great character that readers want to cheer for. She’s smart, beautiful, and tough. Donovan is mysterious. The connection between the two is deliciously hot. And the setting added much to the suspense. I’ve never lived through a Hurricane, but I feel like I have now after reading. A quick, fun, and suspenseful read.
Profile Image for Claudia.
2,670 reviews33 followers
January 10, 2023
A short and thrilling story. A woman and a man in the middle of a raging hurricane, a murder, corrupt police and even a blooming romance... Shees! it's really amazing how much action was packed in such a short time!

A quick read, very entertaining and really good.
Profile Image for Brian's Book Blog.
724 reviews55 followers
June 7, 2018
A Romance Short Story With Some Suspense Added

Hurricane Crimes tells the story of an unlikely pair who meets under incredible circumstances. Beth is forced to ride out Hurricane Sabrina at her home in Florida. While riding out the storm she happens to find a man knocked out in his car near her house. She saves him, brings him inside and finds out that there may be more to him than meets the eye.

First and foremost – this is right on the cusp of being a book that I wouldn’t normally read and review. The cover (and the script-y font of the publishing company) tell me that this is going to be a romance novel. I went into it figuring that it wasn’t going to be for me. But I was surprised at the amount of tension that Fey was able to build in just over an hour. There were at least three of four times that you thought something was going to happen and ether the other did or the suspected bad-guy would talk himself out of.

I may have unfairly judged this book by its cover – but at its heart, it is a romance novel with some thriller aspects and a little mystery.

(Spoilers ahead)

Overall, not for me, but if you enjoy quick hitting short story with some enjoyable suspense parts (and you enjoy Romance novels) then Hurricane Crimes if for you.
Profile Image for Judy Davis.
Author 20 books388 followers
August 19, 2014
CAPTIVATING SUSPENSEFUL READ...
For readers who love short stories, Chrys Fey’s “Hurricane Crimes” is a fast-paced, suspenseful read about two people caught in a Florida hurricane. Because most short stories don’t head hop, we are in Beth’s point of view which is perfect because it not only sets us up to ride out a well-described, but scary storm, but also gives us even more angst trying to determine whether Donovan Goldwyn is a murderer and whether will he will harm Beth.

Chrys Fey has the ability to put the reader right in the center of the storm with her very detailed descriptions of the wind, water, debris, and the aftermath havoc caused by the severe weather to the landscape outside Beth's dwelling. What is unique about “Hurricane Crimes” is that only two characters carry this plot through the major portion of the story until close to the end when more are needed.

This is a good quick read for anyone who loves the short story or needs a break from a longer novel. Grab it for a fun read under the last of the summer sun or shade—or for a daytime respite or bedtime read.
Profile Image for Katerina.
318 reviews26 followers
August 11, 2016

3.5 stars!
For a 50 pages read, this story packs a punch!
It was not the first time that I read about two strangers getting together under the worst weather conditions, but the depiction of the hurricane here was amazing.
Snuggled deep in my duvet, I was so thankful that it was Beth who had to leave the house and not me. But it was her who met Donovan out there. Donovan with his lavender eyes...*sigh*
If I had known that it was him who needed to be saved, I would have braved the elements, too!

Statistics are stating that there is a remarkable rise in births after hurricanes, snow storms and total blackouts, so I was not surprised that the two protagonists in this story couldn´t wait to get intimate with each other.
What really surprised me was their declaration of love in the span of a day...
Because I would have liked to add this little story to my "needs-a-sequel" and "part-of-a-series" shelves.



Profile Image for Susan Swiderski.
Author 3 books37 followers
January 27, 2015
I'm duly impressed. The author managed to squeeze more than enough action and story into fifty short pages. Her descriptions of the hurricane and its aftermath are particularly good, and her characters are both likable and surprisingly well-developed.

Oh, and those characters? They, uh, like each other ... a LOT.

Yes, in spite of the inherent danger... or maybe because of it... two complete strangers find themselves irresistibly attracted to each other when they're thrown together during a furious storm. As a level five hurricane threatens to rip the house apart around them, they're pretty well rocked by a storm of their own... a storm of passion. But the thing is, a news broadcast identified him as a murder suspect, so what's gonna happen when the storms are over? Will the danger be over, too?

I reckon you'll just have to read this quick and enjoyable read to find out for yourself.
Profile Image for Bradley Poage.
Author 192 books98 followers
February 5, 2014
Hurricane Crimes is one of those books that keeps you at the edge of your seat the entire way through. I thoroughly enjoyed the concept and while reading this work I was always questioning if this man, named Donovan, was really a killer or just a man caught in the right place at the wrong time.

One of the best qualities about this work is the character development and the suspense. This author does a great job of capturing the reader in the very beginning as well. From the first page I was hooked especially given the plot, which questioned whether Donovan was guilty or innocent.

Ultimately I was excited to reach the end of this story but somewhat disappointed as well. Not to say that the story disappointed, but rather I really wanted to see more of what this back story was and why Donovan was in the predicament he was in.

All in all, great story. I recommend it.
Profile Image for Tessa.
Author 1 book4 followers
November 24, 2014
Didn't realize this was a short story, which seems to happen to me a lot lately. This was an okay story, I didn't really connect with either of the main characters and everything was a bit farfetched but it was a good time-killer.
Profile Image for Romance4thebeach.
149 reviews13 followers
July 13, 2019
I was completely shocked at how much story the author was able to pack in here in just under 50 pages. Overall it was an absolute perfect blend of romance, suspense, and mother nature trying to knock down the front door. It’s not just a story of two strangers waiting out a storm together. We have the added drama of Donovan being framed for his brother’s murder, and it becomes a fascinating tale of trust. Beth has no reason to believe this stranger when he declares his innocence, but when she sees the desperation shining through his sultry violet eyes? Who could say no to that?

Although it was short in length, I never felt like any part of the story was rushed, or that any key plot points were left out. Did Beth and Donovan become intimate rather quickly considering the time frame? Sure, but hell, you can’t blame ’em! It’s an intense situation, and quite possibly their last moments alive as a deadly hurricane passes over them. And seriously, the dude has violet eyes. I say go for it! The only question I have is what the hell kind of bathtub did this woman have in her house where it could not only fit two people, but they had a bit of extra room to remove their jeans for some sweet, sweet, lovin’? (Note: as someone with a ridiculously shallow and narrow tub, this is just pure jealousy).

The key players in this little novella are Beth and Donovan. However, through the brilliant use of metaphors, Hurricane Sabrina becomes a third main character in her own right. The descriptions or her rapid approach and violent wrath can practically be characterized as poetic. My favorite scene would have to be at the beginning when Beth struggles to make it to Donovan’s car which has crashed into a tree outside her house as the hurricane ravages on. You’re transported into the moment with Beth. You can feel the wind and rain lashing upon your face, feel the gravel digging into your hands as you crawl along the ground. Feel the tightening in your stomach from fear wondering if you’ll ever make it to this man before the storm carries you both away. For all of you authors out there wondering how to craft the perfect novella, I say use this as your template. Honestly, I really don’t have any criticisms! A rarity indeed 😉
Profile Image for Empi Baryeh.
Author 10 books57 followers
July 26, 2019
This is a novella that introduces us to Beth Kennedy and Donovan Goldwyn who meet during a Hurricaine. She's stuck in her home because her car broke down and he wraps his car around a tree in front of her house while running from the cops.

This is a very short story that spans a period of twenty-four to forty-eight hours (and less than 50 pages). A lot is packed into that time as Beth and Donovan try to weather the storm as well as the tension when Beth finds out Donovan is a murder suspect. There were a few places that made me laugh, especially when Beth asks Donovan how many fingers she's holding up.

I'm not a big fan of instalove stories. Although surviving a storm together might bring out strong emotions and strip away the pretenses people tend to put up for first impressions, 24 to 48 hours is simply not enough time for me to believe two people know each other enough to be in love. It wasn't enough for me to really connect with the characters. This was a sweet story, no doubt, and I found Beth and Donovan to be suited for each other; the sex scene was hot, but the ending had me raising my brows.

On the plus side, I discovered the entire Disaster Crimes series is about Beth and Donovan, so I guess that's the author's way to showing us that they are truly meant to be. This is the second book by Chrys Fey that I've read. Although the first was not fiction, both books showcase her writing skill. I'll definitely check out book 2 of this series, which is a full length.

*I received a free audiobook of Hurricaine Crimes. This review is given voluntarily and honestly.*
Profile Image for Scherry  at The Novel Lady.
299 reviews7 followers
June 3, 2017
I am sitting here, taking another sip of my wine and staring at my computer, trying to figure out how Chrys Fey packed so much adventure, suspense and romance into so few pages! I am generally not a fan of short stories. There is usually just not enough time to develop the characters and pull the reader into the story. But Chrys Fey not only managed to blend it all together in a whirlwind (or hurricane), she delivered it as one fascinating read!

If you are looking for a quick read of only around 50 pages or so that will pull you in and not let you even look away long enough to grab your glass of wine (or coffee or whatever), then this is a book you simply cannot pass up.

When her hometown in Florida is evacuated because of rapidly approaching Hurricane Sabrina, Beth has nowhere to go. So she prepares as well as she can and hopes for the best. Then she sees a car crash into a tree, the occupant slumped over the steering wheel. Beth braves the storm to rescue the man and brings him to the safety of her home. But is she safe from him? No spoilers. You have to read to find out.

The heroine, Beth Kennedy, is a kick-ass self-defense instructor. I hope the other books in this series have female characters like her! Also, about the writing... Having experienced Hurricane Andrew first hand myself, Chrys Fey's description of the raging storm was right on target and really made me feel like I was right there!
Profile Image for Dayreader Reviews.
792 reviews63 followers
July 3, 2017
Hurricane Crimes is a short story about a woman who finds herself trapped in her home during a nasty storm. While hunkering down she noticed a car that crashed into a tree just outside her home. Braving the storm she save the man in the car, but learns he is wanted for murder. Now stuck in the house with an assumed murder she is faced with questioning whether she should believe his innocence while being attracted to him. I will stop here since I do not want to give the story away.

I will say that there were times when I felt like saying, "Yeah, right!". But in the heart of it all this story lead me smoothly from one scene to the next. This is the first short I have ever read and I was worried that the meat of the story would be missing, but Chry Fey does a wonderful job tying everything together nicely while ensuring an interesting read.
2,958 reviews11 followers
November 4, 2019
Beth should have evacuated sooner when all her neighbors left. Surely one of them would have let her leave with them since her car wouldn't start. Now she's stuck and sees a car crash into a tree. Bringing the man inside is life-threatening. She got him inside and tended his wounds--then she saw his picture on TV and it wasn't about the accident.

I enjoyed the narration, the tension-filled storyline, and the characters. It would have been a 5 star all the way around if the insta-love had been more insta-really like. That is always a difficult task in a novella. I have the whole series and can't wait to listen and read them all.
Profile Image for Reggie.
2,645 reviews
April 9, 2018
Would you risk your life during a hurricane to safe another? That's what Beth does when she witnesses a car crash in front of her house. Beth assists the injured driver out of the car and into her house. Only, once inside and before the power goes out, Beth sees a news piece about an murderer on the run from police...and of course the photo is of her injured guy! This is a fast moving novella that includes bad cops, murder and the devastating aftermath of a hurricane...also a bit of romance. A little bit unbelievable for the romance aspect, due to the short time but still a good story.
Profile Image for Ronel Janse van Vuuren.
Author 82 books45 followers
July 25, 2022
There are a couple of POV issues and the sex was unnecessary and a bit unbelievable (who jumps into bed with someone they just met while a hurricane is out to kill them and the other person might be a murderer?). The intense kisses conveyed the emotion and desperation of the moment better. Too much backstory, could have cut to the action. The hurricane and everything about it was brilliantly written. I like the thriller aspect. And the way she stops the bad guy – totally kick-ass. But weren’t there supposed to be two bad guys? Guess the other one will feature in some future crime.
Profile Image for Leanne Davis.
Author 73 books398 followers
June 12, 2017
Quick read where a hurricane bears down on Florida and Beth Kennedy doesn't evacuate in time. She witnesses a car running into a tree in middle of the storm and goes out to save the driver who is unconscious. Getting Donnovan into her house, she treats him and then hears on the news he is wanted for murder. The story developes over about a day with Beth believing Donnovan is innocent, despite several clues to the opposite. By the end of the day they were in love and Donnovan's name cleared.
Profile Image for Lori Ann Gerlisky.
Author 7 books51 followers
June 10, 2019
As someone who lived through Hurricane Sandy, This story peaked my interest.

There were surprising twists that I hadn’t expected throughout the story. The author was able to bring shocking revelations at the perfect moment. Characters were easy to follow.

I truly enjoyed how the author gave Hurricane Sandy a physical sense of being. As if the hurricane were an actual person grasping at the coastline and tearing it away. Very well written.
Profile Image for Victoria Lees.
Author 3 books29 followers
October 4, 2017
Chrys Fey's Hurricane Crimes is the first book in her Crimes series. I love romance and adventure and Hurricane Crimes has both. Only about 51 pages, I read the e-book, much happens when Hurricane Sabrina hits Florida. Fey’s protagonist, Beth Kennedy, is a strong female character and proves her strength time and again in this story.

Beth lives alone in Florida and has no place to go when evacuations start. So she boards up her home and sits tight as Sabrina rips through Florida. She sits tight, that is, until she witnesses a car crash almost in front of her home. Being a caring person, Beth braves hurricane winds and rains to free Donovan Goldwyn from his wrecked car. But after treating his cuts and bruises from the car wreck in her home, Beth learns that he is a suspect in a murder that just happened. I don’t like to give away too much in my reviews, but this short book is packed with romance and danger. Hurricane Crimes is a pleasant read. Enjoy it!
Profile Image for Roger.
3,980 reviews13 followers
October 9, 2018
My first read from author Chrys Fey. I was given an Audible copy of Tsunami Crimes & wanted to read the first book in the series before reading the third. Well-written romantic suspense, captivating & intriguing with well-developed characters for a short venue. I’ll be reading more in this series. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
Profile Image for Rosemary Hughes.
2,790 reviews14 followers
June 26, 2019
A relatively short story, compared to the rest of the series, but dramatic anyway.
Caught in the path of Hurricane, the house disintegrating around you, with a stranger who could be a killer. What would you do?
It definitely wasn't what the heroine did!
Love this Author's work, although this one couple are in the path of too many death endangering events.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
939 reviews15 followers
January 8, 2023
I loved this short story about a woman stuck in her house during a dangerous hurricane who sees a car crash in the storm and brings the injured driver back to her house to help him but when she watches the news it seems all is not all it seems and the man is wanted for murder. As the storm rages on Beth has to work out if she can trust this man and how they stay alive during a dangerous storm
985 reviews2 followers
June 3, 2018
Donovan and Beth

Florida during hurricane season. This short story packs adventure, action, suspense, intrigue, and romance into a few pages with a decent plot. Donovan and Beth are the lead characters in the story that does have a HEA.
155 reviews
January 9, 2018
I live in Florida and this book captured what it feels like to be in the middle of one of these monsters. The crime is just the bonus.
9,819 reviews107 followers
January 13, 2018
Wonderful short read. Beth is stuck in Florida during Hurricane Sabrina. She braves the elements to save a man who could prove to be dangerous. Received a free book.
Profile Image for Jemi Fraser.
Author 21 books45 followers
August 7, 2020
What a whirlwind of a story!!!
The action jumps right in and never lets up. Beth is tough and resilient. Enjoyed the story and I'm looking forward to more!
Profile Image for SJ.
1,847 reviews15 followers
January 19, 2022
Exciting Short Story

Amazing how much can be packed into a short story, excitement drama and romance all take place during a hurricane, a great lunch time read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews

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