Interview with Author M.L. Stark

Her life was a never-ending nightmare, forcing her to confront her deepest fears and plunge headfirst into the darkest corners of her mind and was desperate for change, willing to dig deep into my psyche and unearth my inner demons. As she struggled with choosing a topic to write about, one thing became clear – She needed to share the twisted tale of a tumultuous romance with a man who turned out to be more sinister than she could have ever imagined. Before their love-hate relationship even began, she was bombarded with accusations and relentless harassment that spiralled into chaos, reminiscent of Dante’s Inferno. And as she reflect back on those dark days, she realize just how naive she was to ignore the glaring red flags and fall for his charming facade. But now, as M.L. Stark, she is ready to share her story with the world. After being married for 20 years and raising four wonderful children, she never could have predicted that her life would end up in the hands of a psychopath after her divorce. In “Hugger-Mugger: The Con Man Smile – Part 1,” and “Maze Aflame: Flimflam Man – Part 2” I bare all, using her own experiences as inspiration while changing names to protect herself and others involved.

“I know it’s easy for people to say “just leave” when it comes to abusive relationships, but as someone who has been there, let me tell you – it’s far from simple. The cycle of abuse is vicious and can leave you feeling trapped and powerless. It wasn’t until he destroyed everything around me that I finally found the strength and courage to break free. If this story feels intense, it’s because it is based on true events. There is no exaggeration or embellishment here – just the raw truth of what I endured at the hands of a master manipulator. And let me assure you, dear reader, this is no laughing matter”.

Writing these books allowed her to finally gain some clarity and reclaim parts of herself that had been lost. But make no mistake, this man was not just playing some twisted game – he was pure evil in human form. And through sharing her story, she hopes to help others recognize the signs and avoid falling into the same trap. “I know my story primarily focuses on male abusers; I want to offer hope to male readers as well. Because we must acknowledge that women are also capable of being abusers, and anyone can fall victim to their manipulation and control.

So, buckle up for a harrowing journey into the depths of true evil, and thank you for joining me on this path towards healing and empowerment”.

Tell me more about your latest book

In the steamy and treacherous tale of “Hugger Mugger” and “Maze Aflame,” Mary’s world is turned upside down when she meets the charming and seductive doctor, Drake L. Bates. At first, his flirtatious advances seemed harmless enough, but as their relationship intensifies, Mary finds herself falling deeper into a web of manipulation and deceit woven by the calculating Dr Bates. With his silver tongue and cunning intellect, Dr Bates effortlessly charms his way into Mary’s heart, preying on her insecurities and vulnerabilities until she is completely under his control. Behind closed doors, their seemingly perfect life is shattered by Dr Bates’ ulterior motives and insatiable desire for wealth and power.

As Mary struggles to break free from Dr Bates’ grip, she is met with relentless psychological torture and emotional abuse that drives her to the brink of insanity. Despite the warning signs, Mary is unable to resist Dr Bates’ charm and becomes trapped in a dangerous romantic nightmare. Living through that toxic and abusive relationship was like being trapped in a never-ending nightmare. And although there were moments of happiness, they were overshadowed by the constant fear and manipulation inflicted on Mary by this narcissistic monster. Mary didn’t know the fancy terms like psychopath or sociopath when she first met Dr Bates. She was just a woman trying to understand how someone could be so charming on the surface, but so heartless and cruel underneath. So, she did some research, delving into the minds of these sociopaths and narcissists to try and make sense of what happened to her.

From her traumatic childhood to her seemingly content marriage, these books delves into Mary’s past and present as she fights for her life against a psychopath who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. But will Mary be able to escape the clutches of her tormentor before it’s too late?

Praised for its haunting portrayal of love gone wrong, “Hugger Mugger” and “Maze Aflame” has received rave reviews from readers on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads. Trust us when we say you won’t be able to put these books down until you know how it ends.

What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book?

“Hugger Mugger” and “Maze Aflame” were a torturous endeavour for me as an author. I dove into the depths of my own emotional trauma, reliving every painful moment with my devious and calculated abuser. It was a gruelling process to accurately portray the intense desire and dreadful drama between myself and the psychopath who manipulated and used me.

I ripped open old wounds, exposing myself to the horror once again. The memories flooded back, suffocating me with their weight. How could one person have such power to ruin another’s life? How could I, as the victim, have been so blindly manipulated by someone with no regard for human life? As I delved deeper into the psyche of a psychopath, I discovered the chilling realities that exist all over the world. These predators are like Hitchcock characters, chasing after their prey with cunning skill and memorized lines to deceive and manipulate. And as I spoke to other victims, hearing their stories that mirrored my own, I felt like a character in a never-ending nightmare. But I knew that shedding light on these monsters was necessary, even if it meant revisiting my darkest moments.

What is your normal procedure to get your books published?

The process of promoting my book has been a whirlwind of costly procedures, from Amazon Ads and Kirkus book reviews to social media advertisements and marketing tactics like being featured on a Times Square billboard in New York. Even articles in prestigious magazines like New York Magazine and LA Magazine, press releases, and international book fairs in the US, Germany, Italy, and UK have all come with a hefty price tag. But I know it’s worth it because my incredible team at Global Publishing Agency in LA is handling everything with unmatched expertise. Publishing a book may be expensive, but there’s no shortcut to success.

Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?

My mind was a swirling storm of unanswered questions, tormenting me day and night. Years of writing had finally brought some clarity, but it only revealed the terrifying truth of a passionate and dangerous love affair. I thought I had escaped from a cruel and haunting chapter in my life, finally breaking free from the clutches of a narcissistic psychopath. But he continued to haunt me, even years after our break-up, his harassment inflicting fresh wounds on my already broken soul.

Statistics state that 4% of males are psychopaths, making women their unfortunate victims. And yet, the same study shows that 1% of females are also capable of such monstrous behaviour.

I never imagined finding peace from my predator, but I am satisfied with the task I have achieved – putting my story onto paper and publishing it for all to see. It is a raw insight into what it’s like to live with a psychopath, the emotions and feelings crushed under the weight of their manipulative ways. This is not a fairy tale or a dreamy escape – it’s a catastrophic reality. My hope is that women will read this and know how to protect themselves from these predators who lurk among us. Sanne Udsen, author of Psychopath’s in Suits, reveals the chilling truth: Psychopathy is the only mental disorder where those who suffer are not the victims, but the innocent bystanders caught in its destructive wake.

How many books have you written so far?

Hugger Mugger: The Con Man Smile – Part 1

Maze Aflame: Flimflam Man – Part 2

What’s the best way to market your books?

A relentless whirlwind of marketing consumes my days and nights, a never-ending cycle of YouTube videos, radio interviews, social media posts, book reviews, press releases, and Amazon ads, etc. I exhaust myself trying to reach every possible avenue to promote my book, even reaching out to relevant magazines for its topic. Eager for success, I have enlisted a team from Global Publishing Agency in LA to assist me with their expertise. The harsh reality sets in that gaining an audience and convincing them to purchase my book is far from easy. But I am determined to do whatever it takes to make my dream a reality.

How hard or easy is it to establish and maintain a career in writing?

The task of writing is a constant battle, an uphill climb against the inevitable intertwining of fiction and reality. Every story, no matter how fantastical, is tainted by the constraints of real life. As a writer, it feels like scraping at the bottom of an empty barrel, desperately searching for something to write about before realizing that all there is to draw from is the mundane everyday existence.

But even as I am pouring my heart and soul onto paper, striving for authenticity in my tale, I can’t escape the overwhelming burden of self-promotion as a self-published author. The cost is steep, draining me both financially and emotionally as I try to get my book into the hands of readers. This journey is a gruelling test of determination and resilience, but one that I will see through until the end.

What is your advice for aspiring writers?

Silence is a betrayal. To remain silent is to condone the lies and deceit that surround us. Dig deeper. Expose the exorbitant price of self-publishing. It’s not just a few dollars, it’s a staggering sum of $XX,000.00 that will drain your bank account and leave you penniless.

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