A.Powell’s Series Lines We Cross Preview
More victims came forward.
It started as a thread—then turned into pages. Names, dates, screenshots, voice notes. Stories stacked on top of each other until the pattern could no longer be denied. Dr. Reyes didn’t just cross boundaries. She hunted. She fixated. She obsessed. And when people tried to pull away, things got… quiet.
Too quiet.
Some victims said she manipulated them emotionally under the disguise of “treatment.” Others said she blurred lines so well they didn’t even realize they were being groomed until it was too late. A few names were followed by one chilling detail:
Missing.
One video stopped Janelle cold.
A masculine-presenting woman with tired eyes and a steady voice stared into the camera.
“Name’s Majesty,” she said. “And I survived Dr. Reyes.”
Janelle leaned closer.
Majesty explained how Reyes used her title—therapist—as a weapon. How she spoke in affirmations while stripping her autonomy. How she convinced Majesty that her distrust was trauma, her resistance was fear, and her instincts were something to be corrected.
“She swindled me,” Majesty said plainly. “Because I thought professionals couldn’t be predators. I was wrong.”
Janelle’s mouth fell open. Her throat tightened.
She slowly turned and looked at Amara.
“Babe,” she gasped, eyes wide. “These reviews are endless.”
Amara sat on the couch, unbothered, methodically fixing her rifle. Click. Slide. Check. Her movements were calm—too calm.
“This’ll fix her,” Amara said without looking up.
Janelle’s heart dropped. “Then you’ll be on the run.”
Amara smirked. “And I’ll be writing a check to get out.”
Janelle scoffed, half-panicked, half-exasperated. “Babe, you are not Madea. This is real life.”
Amara finally looked up, eyebrow raised. “There are grandmothers like Madea in real life.”
Janelle shook her head, pacing now. “You’re joking but people are disappearing. Majesty almost didn’t make it. And Reyes—she’s escalating. You feel it too, right?”
Amara’s smile faded. She set the rifle down gently.
“I feel it,” she said quietly. “That’s why I’m not joking.”
Janelle stopped moving.
Outside, the night pressed against the windows, thick and watchful. Somewhere out there, Dr. Reyes was reading the same stories—seeing her name unravel, her control slipping.
And predators didn’t go quietly.
They retaliated.
Amara rose slowly from the couch.
The hotel room was dim, curtains half-drawn, neon light from the parking lot bleeding through the cracks like a pulse. The rifle came up with her body—steady, familiar—aimed straight at the door as if she already knew someone would try it.
“It’s giving she’s done this kind of sick behavior to so many people,” Janelle said, her voice low, shaken. She folded her arms around herself like that might keep the truth from settling too deep.
Amara nodded once. Her jaw was tight. Focused.
“That’s why I’m putting an end to it,” she said, cocking the gun. The sound was sharp in the small room—final.
“Babe?” Janelle started, fear slipping into her tone.
Amara turned then. Really looked at her.
The glare wasn’t anger—it was resolve. The kind that scared you because it didn’t waver.
“She gotta go.”
Janelle swallowed. “Amara—”
“Bring your ass,” Amara interrupted, already grabbing her keys and slinging the rifle strap over her shoulder. “We going on a ride.”
Janelle hesitated only a second before moving. Loyalty had always been louder than fear. She grabbed her jacket, her phone, her hands trembling just enough to give her away.
They stepped into the hallway.
The carpet muffled their footsteps, but Janelle could feel it—that pressure in the air, like something was watching from behind the walls. Every door they passed felt like an eye. When the elevator dinged, both women flinched.
Inside the car, Amara drove like she knew exactly where they were headed. No GPS. No second-guessing. Streetlights streaked past the windshield, slicing Amara’s face into shadow and light.
“Where are we going?” Janelle finally asked.
Amara didn’t answer right away.
“She’s not gonna stop,” Amara said instead. “People like Reyes don’t. Exposure don’t scare them. Jail don’t scare them. Losing control does.”
Janelle stared out the window. “What if she’s watching us?”
Amara’s lips curled slightly.
“Good.”
The car disappeared down the road, swallowed by the night—while somewhere else, Dr. Reyes felt it.
That shift.
That pressure.
That unmistakable feeling of being hunted by someone who was done talking.
Dr. Reyes appeared out of nowhere.
Janelle screamed before she could stop herself, her body jerking back against the seat. Her heart slammed so hard it hurt. One second there was nothing outside the window—then there she was. Calm. Composed. Smiling like she’d been invited.
Amara didn’t flinch.
Not a blink. Not a breath out of place.
Dr. Reyes stepped closer, heels clicking softly on the pavement, and leaned down just enough for her face to come level with the window. She raised her knuckles and knocked gently, like this was a polite visit instead of a nightmare.
Tap. Tap.
“Get the fuck away,” Amara said coldly, voice sharp as a blade, cutting through Janelle’s panic before she could speak.
Dr. Reyes’ smile didn’t fade.
In fact, it widened.
“Amara,” she said smoothly, her voice muffled through the glass but intimate, like it belonged inside the car. “You don’t have to be like this.”
Janelle’s hands shook uncontrollably now. “How did she—” she whispered.
Amara’s eyes stayed locked forward. “She followed us.”
Dr. Reyes tilted her head, studying Janelle like a specimen. “You look terrified,” she murmured. “That’s not healthy.”
That’s when Janelle noticed it.
Dr. Reyes’ pupils were blown wide—too wide. Her movements were controlled, precise, almost mechanical. No tremor. No adrenaline shakes. No fear standing inches away from a loaded weapon.
It had to be a drug.
Something keeping her calm. Keeping her focused. Something that let her believe she was untouchable.
“You should lower your voice,” Dr. Reyes continued softly. “You’re in public. You wouldn’t want to escalate things.”
Amara finally turned her head.
Her stare was dead calm.
“Touch this window again and you won’t have fingers left to knock with.”
Silence.
For the first time, something flickered across Dr. Reyes’ face—not fear, but irritation. Control slipping. Just a crack.
She straightened slowly. “You think you’re different from the others,” she said. “You think you see me.”
“I do see you,” Amara replied. “And that’s why this ends.”
Dr. Reyes chuckled under her breath. “People always say that.”
She stepped back into the shadows, her smile returning—calculated, knowing. “This isn’t over.”
As she disappeared into the dark, Janelle exhaled sharply, lungs burning.
“She’s not normal,” Janelle said, voice trembling.
Amara put the car in gear.
“No,” she said quietly. “She’s desperate.”
And desperate people made mistakes.
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Okay, so I just dove into a preview for A. Powell's 'Lines We Cross' and seriously, my heart is still pounding! You know that feeling when you stumble upon a book that just grabs you from the first page? That's exactly what happened here. The suspense is just *chef's kiss*. What really got me hooked is the character of Dr. Reyes. We’ve all heard about blurring boundaries, but this story takes it to a whole new, chilling level. It’s not just about a bad therapist; it’s about a predator who weaponizes trust and manipulates people under the guise of "treatment." Reading about Majesty’s experience, where she felt groomed without even realizing it until it was too late, truly sent shivers down my spine. It makes you think about how easily trust can be exploited, and honestly, it’s a terrifying premise for a thriller. The way the story unfolds, with victims coming forward and then some even going missing, just ramps up the tension beyond belief. You can really feel Janelle's panic and Amara's cold resolve building up. And can we talk about Janelle and Amara? Their dynamic is so captivating. Janelle's fear contrasted with Amara's steely determination (and her rifle!) is just *everything*. It’s awesome to see strong, complex LGBTQ+ characters taking center stage in a thriller like this. Their loyalty to each other, even in the face of such danger, makes you root for them instantly. It reminds me why diverse representation in books isn’t just important, it makes for richer, more relatable stories that resonate deeply. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably always on the hunt for your next thrilling read or a new book series to obsess over. How do I find gems like this? I usually keep an eye out for authors I've enjoyed before, or check out recommendations from fellow book lovers on platforms like Lemon8. Sometimes I'll just browse new releases in the mystery and thriller categories, looking for compelling summaries. The thrill of discovering a new, gripping story from an indie author or a lesser-known series is unmatched. Don't be afraid to read a few pages of a preview—it's the best way to see if a book's voice and plot hook you. I'm always looking for those "must-read" lists" that pop up, especially when they highlight unique narratives or diverse voices that you might not find on mainstream best-seller lists. The imagery in stories like this is also so crucial. When I read about the characters, I found myself picturing them so vividly. Like, imagine Amara, with her intense focus, or perhaps portraying someone with "short dark curly hair and glasses," maybe even a stylish "black furry jacket" that adds to her enigmatic aura, just like the image description suggests. Little details like that really bring the characters to life in your mind and make the suspense even more palpable. It makes you wonder how these characters would look on screen if this series ever got adapted into a movie—I'd definitely be watching! Seriously, if you’re into psychological thrillers, books that make you question everything, and narratives with powerful LGBTQ+ leads, you NEED to check out this preview. I'm already counting down the days until the full 'Lines We Cross' series is out. What other nail-biting book series have you stumbled upon lately? Share your recommendations below – I'm always adding to my TBR pile!
