The Edge of Darkness
(Darkness Duet #1)
Synopsis:
After a tragic accident, Araya Noelle is left with a constant reminder that nothing is forever.
She is forced to give up her chance to be the youngest dancer accepted into Julliard & taking over their high society school by a graceful storm of determination is no longer an option. Instead of dwelling over her loss, she accepts the new future she’s been dealt. In a world as black as hers, there's no room for bitterness, no time for regret. Sheltered from the outside world, Araya has become suffocated by a life she has no control over. Until Ryland Dare comes crashing into her life.
You don’t know true darkness until you've felt light…
Like a firecracker, showering her with colorful sparks of freedom, Ryland quickly sweeps Araya away from her grey existence. For the first time since the accident, living in darkness is no longer something Araya wants to do willingly. Unleashed by the shadows of her reminder, being with Ryland, Araya touches light. Together they will learn what it’s like to feel alive for the first time.
At the edge of darkness, a ray of light, will dare them both to HOPE.
DARE them to LOVE
DARE them to LIVE
Review:
5 Stars!
What a daring, intriguing, and refreshingly different story
line!! I am so angry with myself because it took me so long to be able to read this book!!! Ahhh!!! Shame on me! And that Prologue!!!??? Whoa, you guys! I LOVE it when books have
phenomenal Prologues that capture my attention from the get go, and The Edge of Darkness was definitely one
of those. From that very first page, I knew this book would be full of
surprises. Melissa Andrea sure knows how to pull the rug from under you, let me
tell you! There were a lot of twists I did NOT see coming….at all.
Now, there
is one main surprise that basically shapes up the plot and I can’t really
discuss it because it would most definitely ruin the book for you. I will
however, do my best to talk around it…if that makes sense.
“Araya?”
“Yes?”
“You’re beautiful.”
Sigh. Where to even begin. My heart ached for Araya all
throughout the book. I seriously wanted to cry for her from beginning to end. I
wanted to hug her and tell her everything would be okay...because it had to! For my sanity, I had to
believe everything would work out in the end!!! Life kept slapping her over and
over again and I just wanted her to be finally happy….
At just 15 years old, her world crumbled around her. Araya
learned the hard way that nothing lasts forever. Four years later, she was
living with the world’s worst and meanest aunt. I just want to say, I HATE her….and
her uncle. They both were just scum.
The way they treated Araya, the things they made her do, the circumstances they
had her living in!!!! Ugh! They were horrible people! Poor Araya….
“How do
you live? It was a simple answer – I wasn’t, I was surviving.”
Then, there was Ryland. The very first moment he was
introduced, I found myself swooning for him. He was naturally witty, down to
earth, and just the kind of guy that it would be easy to fall for. Like Araya,
he also came from a very unhappy household. The difference was, his family was filthy rich. Ryland and his siblings,
Sebastian and Cara, hated their
parents. They wanted nothing more than to get away from them, but things weren’t
that easy.
Once Rayland and Araya met, they were instantly drawn to
each other. They didn’t understand why, but they couldn’t help it either. They
sure as hell never expected to see each other again the way they did…through
Cara. You see, Araya was supposed to spend a few hours every day with Cara for
tutoring purposes. Little did Araya know, the house she had to go to was
Rayland’s. From that very first day, Cara basically threatened Rayland to stay
away from Araya, but really, that only made him want her even more.
“I’m going to kiss you. Stop me now if it’s
something you don’t want, Araya.” – Ryland
Rayland and Araya’s relationship was passionate and
beautiful. They believed in each other…saw the best in each other. Seeing them
grow together and slowly fall in love was amazing. As a reader I could tell
their feelings ran deep and were pure.
“Thank you for changing my life, hummingbird.”
- Ryland
This was definitely an
angst-driven book. Everyone wanted to keep Araya and Ryland apart. Things just kept happening to them
constantly. I felt like I was at the edge of my seat, all throughout the book.
I was super curious to see how it would all unfold. Talk about twists, turns,
and surprises! There were a lot of things I didn’t even imagine! Loved the fact
that I was kept on my toes. Towards the end, I have to say there is a relationship
cliffhanger, but it’s one that needed
to happen. Even though my heart was broken, I understood it.
I can’t end this review without mentioning how much I loved
SEBASTIAN!!!! He was so hot and funny!! Although his decision making wasn’t
always the smartest one, I loved how he was his own person. He did what he
wanted and owned up to it. I literally laughed out loud with some of his smart-ass
remarks and sarcastic comebacks. I hope we get more of him in book two OR I wouldn’t
mind reading a book about him. Hint, hint! ;)
Go buy The Edge of
Darkness! I highly recommend it!
“I love you too. Now and forever, Araya.”
***A copy of "The Edge of Darkness" was provided in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!! ***
Purchase links:
Amazon| B&N | Smashwords
Darkness Duet
The Grace in Darkness
(Darkness Duet #2)
Synopsis:
Every part of me yearns for Ryland and there hasn’t been a day that’s gone by that I don’t question if I made the right decision. Adjusting is something I should be used to by now but how can I do that when life has other plans?
When darkness consumes you, only true light can free you
Remembering how I existed before Araya came into my life and turned everything upside down has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I can’t stand to be round anyone and the feeling is mutual. But I’m ready to take back what’s mine. I’m ready to be whole again. But every decision has a choice and every choice has a consequence.
Melissa started reading in high school when she found her mom's romance book collection and has been hooked on books every since. She became a complete book-a-holic, starting her own collection and improving her reading skills. Most of the time she could finish a book walking around the store, while her mom shopped.
She wrote her first short story in high school for a competition in her writing class. It was a child's book called 'Arnold' - it was about an ant who believed he could do anything. Oh by the way, she won!
She has written many stories since then, but this will be her first YA paranormal/fantasy and the first book she will have published.
She lived in Mesa, Arizona with her husband of six years, and her 3 beautiful daughters. They are her biggest fans and they inspire her everyday. She enjoys spending time with her family, weekend dates with her mom & taking vacations. Hawaii anyone??
When darkness consumes you, only true light can free you
Remembering how I existed before Araya came into my life and turned everything upside down has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I can’t stand to be round anyone and the feeling is mutual. But I’m ready to take back what’s mine. I’m ready to be whole again. But every decision has a choice and every choice has a consequence.
To find the grace in darkness, you must
Dare to be BRAVE
Dare to be STRONG
Dare to be ALIVE
Purchase links:
Amazon | Paperback | B&N | Smashwords
About the author:
Melissa Andrea
She wrote her first short story in high school for a competition in her writing class. It was a child's book called 'Arnold' - it was about an ant who believed he could do anything. Oh by the way, she won!
She has written many stories since then, but this will be her first YA paranormal/fantasy and the first book she will have published.
She lived in Mesa, Arizona with her husband of six years, and her 3 beautiful daughters. They are her biggest fans and they inspire her everyday. She enjoys spending time with her family, weekend dates with her mom & taking vacations. Hawaii anyone??
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