Darkness Within

by Shelly Gray

We all have a dark side. Some of us more so than others. A power within us, driven by fear, anger, or hunger. Mine was driven by all three. Mankind was in constant chaos living in the darkness of sin. I had been thrown into such darkness by a man so evil even the devil himself would question his ethics. I was young and naive; he was handsome and charming. Like a real-life Cinderella story, he swept me off my feet. Pulled me from the pits of La, set me high on a pedestal in New York where he spoiled me with riches. For a long time, I turned a blind eye to the notorious crimes that made Alexander Orlov one of the most powerful Russian mob bosses in New York. Love is a fickle thing and happily, ever afters rarely happen for people like Subject matters that may trigger emotional distress Spousal abuse, kidnapping, sex trafficking, non-consensual, BDSM, sexual assault, and mental health.

197 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2023

About the author

Just an Indie Author trying to bring happiness to dark-minded readers one page at a time.

Reviews

[Cari Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skylar was with an evil man who had spoiled her and made her feel loved for just a short time. She finally started to see how horrible her was. She wanted to get away from him. Only problem was he was a mafia crime boss. Very powerful Alexander Orlov. She seen and had been put through so much. She thought she would never be about to escape the darkness within. I loved this story so much. I felt like I was reading a movie the way Shelly writes it. It’s so amazing. I esp loved that Rylee from Ghosted had a part in this book! I loved That girl! If you love dark romance, a tad mention of mafia, second chance, small town, healing from trauma, another bad a$$ female main character and a hunky fine sheriff then you will love this! Check them triggers too!!

[Audrey Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you have a dark side? According to the description on this book, "We all have a dark side. Some of us more so than others." Do I agree with that? Well, before I read this book I would have told you no that I don't have a dark-side to me at all, but after reading this book I realized that would have been a lie. Because there was nothing that I wanted to see more in this book than to see Alexander get what was coming to him. With that said I will try to tell you about this story without giving away too much, because I am a firm believer in you really need to get this book and read it to see what happens. This is a story about Skye, Alexander, Cole, and Titan. Skye is a woman that is swept away by Alexander, she is dazzled by the many things he gives her and by the man that she thought he was. That saying: "that not everything that shines is gold" is true and what Skye finds out the longer she stays with Alexander. She finally gets enough courage to run and she ends in a small town where she meets Cole who is her neighbor and the town cop. Titan is Coles dog and in my opinion the true hero of this story. Now this is not where the story ends, this isn't a happy ending. Alexander is still out there somewhere, and Skye is still scared for her life and that he will some day find her. Does he find her? What is Titans role in all this? Do Skye and Cole live happily ever after with no fear of being found? Do you like dark romance books that will absolutely make you cry? Then you need to get this book and read it, because it has it all. It has all the emotions and when you read what happens, you will more than likely find that deep down you too have a little darkness waiting to come out. I gave this book a five-star even though it made me cry because it was really good and worth the read. I highly recommend it to anyone that likes dark romance, but I would say to check the trigger warnings first if you have any because there are some in the book. With trigger warnings and all it was still a on the edge of my seat, let my darkness out book that I will never forget reading.

[Jessica Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so kicking myself in the butt for not reading this sooner. I love this story. When I tell you that Shelly knows how to pull you in, she does. I was at work the other night reading and I was getting mad about the ex coming back that my boss asked if I was ok because I was cussing and yelling at the book because I was so ready for him to get what was coming for him. I had to tell her I was good that I was in the middle of reading and it was getting to a part that was leaving me on the edge. If you have not had a chance to read this what is stopping you. I can't wait to get more of her books.

[Kristi Schatz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book- but that's not surprising, I love Shelly's books. Sky is on the run from her terrible ex husband. In the small town she's hiding in she meets Cole. He shows her what love is really about and how a relationship should be. When her ex finds her and tries to brake her, in an awful way, that what does not kill us makes us stronger. Cole and Sky will stop at nothing to bring him down.This is an amazing read.