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Darkness Before Dawn
On the same night she discovers she is pregnant, twenty-eight-year-old nurse Meg Richards husband is killed in an auto accident caused by a drunken teen. James Thomas, the teen, comes from one of the most influential families in the community. He s a star athlete and glamour boy at the local high school. Angered by her senseless loss, Meg blames God for what has happened and considers a decision that could change her life even further until the D.A. intervenes. The results of the brutal trial enrage Meg, leading her down a frightening path of retribution. When the opportunity for revenge comes unexpectedly, will Meg follow through? Or will the remnants of her faith lead her in a different direction?"
354 pages, ebook
First published March 1, 2013
13 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Ace Collins
118 books219 followersCiting his Arkansas heritage, Christy Award winner Ace Collins defines himself as a storyteller. In that capacity, Collins has authored more than eighty books for 25 different publishers that have sold more than 2.5 million copies. His catalog includes novels, biographies, children’s works as well as books on history, culture and faith. He has also been the featured speaker at the National Archives Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted a television special, been featured on every network morning TV show and does college basketball play-by-play. He is married to Kathy Collins, Chair of the Education Department at Ouachita Baptist University, and the couple has two grown sons. Collins lives in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
August 14, 2016
So…how would it look for a "writer" who's never had a piece of writing commercially published to tell a guy who's written 50+ books how to do things?
(Jim squirms a bit)
Yeah, I know, I know. It wouldn't look good at all. So I won't try.
Still, as lightly published as I am, I do read a lot. A whole lot, usually a book a week and sometimes two. And a wide variety of material. So I know what I like, and I'm exposed to a pretty broad spectrum of work, both in terms of content and quality. As such, I feel qualified enough to judge when something is lacking, and given this, despite an intriguing premise—a woman whose husband is killed by a drunk driver and considers revenge—I just can't recommend Ace Collins' Darkness Before Dawn.
Should I go into great detail as to the 'whys'? I could speak of things like shallow, clichéd characters; improbable situations (and multiple layerings thereof) and chokingly bad dialogue but perhaps it's better to say as little as possible about a book I found so disappointing. The plus side is that the overall message is positive and despite the glaring shortcomings, I did manage to plow my way through it all, being at least interested in how it would end. That's why I gave it two stars instead of just one, which I might've otherwise.
If you're looking for a really good inspirational read this Spring, try Connie Mann's terrific "Angel Falls".
(Jim squirms a bit)
Yeah, I know, I know. It wouldn't look good at all. So I won't try.
Still, as lightly published as I am, I do read a lot. A whole lot, usually a book a week and sometimes two. And a wide variety of material. So I know what I like, and I'm exposed to a pretty broad spectrum of work, both in terms of content and quality. As such, I feel qualified enough to judge when something is lacking, and given this, despite an intriguing premise—a woman whose husband is killed by a drunk driver and considers revenge—I just can't recommend Ace Collins' Darkness Before Dawn.
Should I go into great detail as to the 'whys'? I could speak of things like shallow, clichéd characters; improbable situations (and multiple layerings thereof) and chokingly bad dialogue but perhaps it's better to say as little as possible about a book I found so disappointing. The plus side is that the overall message is positive and despite the glaring shortcomings, I did manage to plow my way through it all, being at least interested in how it would end. That's why I gave it two stars instead of just one, which I might've otherwise.
If you're looking for a really good inspirational read this Spring, try Connie Mann's terrific "Angel Falls".
October 23, 2023
Darkness Before Dawn was a book that gave me conflicting feelings. I think it was written well, easy to read, the storyline was interesting... but the story got SO dark at times. I found those moments of intense grief/revenge difficult to read. The ending was good, though, and I loved seeing things turn around.
All in all, mixed feelings. I enjoyed the book overall... but struggled at times with the darkness.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
All in all, mixed feelings. I enjoyed the book overall... but struggled at times with the darkness.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
May 15, 2017
This one always kept me guessing what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed it.
October 11, 2013
Christian writer writes Christian book so he makes sure to tackle a fall from grace, sex outside of marriage, and abortion. The biggies. The ONLY thing believable in this book is that a Christian man is killed by a drunk driver and leaves behind a pregnant wife. That's it. The rest is shallow, contrived, and the author uses too much church jargon. The hospital scenes are a farce and the labor and delivery scenes are the worst of them (I know because I've worked in hospitals for years and 15 of the years were in L&D). Collins needs to do more research. Awful book and an awful example of Christian writing. Writing about forgiveness, especially in instances when it seems impossible to forgive, could be VERY powerful if it is well written. It isn't done in this book.
June 11, 2018
This book was just average to me. I’ve read several books by this author and one, The Color of Justice, was very good. By comparison, this book was very one dimensional. It held my interest, but the characters were stereotypical and in places the dialogue was corny. It wasn’t a bad book, but it could have been so much better.
April 2, 2013
Ace Collins is rapidly moving his way up my list of favorite authors in a hurry! Everything I've read of his has been exceptional, life changing and worth talking about to anyone I can! The characters and situations he takes you to are places you hope you never have to visit but once there, you simply find yourself holding your breath waiting for the next page to be turned.
In his latest novel, Darkness Before Dawn, we meet Meg Richard's who receives the phone call we all had to get. Early in the morning, she is informed that her husband Steven, 28, was in a car accident and didn't make it. The van that hit him was filled with teenage boys that had been drinking and he was on his way home from working late when they hit him. Steven was trying to make it home so that they could spend their anniversary weekend together. They were just beginning a new life with one another, looking at buying their first home and now it was if God simply decided that Meg needed a different life than the one she had been planning on having.
She heads to the hospital to identify her husbands remains but is advised that she should avoid it. It seems the accident was pretty bad and his car caught fire. Her friends, at the hospital try to convince Meg that this isn't the way she wants to remember her husband, but somehow she feels until she can be absolutely sure it's him, there is a chance he might still be alive. The only thing she can manage to identify is his wedding ring. That's when Meg realizes that all her hopes and dreams have simply died. Her faith in God is over since she believes God is the one responsible for killing her husband. After all if God is so all powerful, He could have prevented the accident from happening. Coupled with all the prayers and condolences from well meaning family and friends, Meg has simply had enough.
She attempts to turn her grief into revenge and seeks out the person responsible for the accident. When most of her attempts to learn his identity, she finds out he is under age and is protected by law. The District Attorney is still going over the evidence to see if he can even prosecute the case since he has been turned over to his parents for the time being. Meg will stop at nothing to ensure that all the pain and grief she is having to deal with, will be poured out on the person responsible for Steven's death. On top of all this, she learns on the eve of his death, that all their efforts to have a child, means that Meg is now pregnant with their first child. Will she give up her faith or will she see how God can turn even this situation into something good in His own way?
I received Darkness Before Dawn by Ace Collins compliments of Abingdon Press and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable one. This novel floored me with all the emotions and intensity of what a wife would have to endure. In fact, I had to remind myself at times I was only reading a novel and now actually dealing with the situation myself. That's how real Ace involves his readers into his storyline. It's phenomenal! I couldn't put it down until I knew how this would all play out. I honestly felt I would have reacted much the same way Meg did and wondered where my faith would have played out in all of it as well. Another masterpiece in my opinion and one I would highly recommend if you're looking for a novel you can become a part of! This one hits home for me with a 5 out of 5 stars! We'd all like to say we'd handle things better than Meg does at first, but until you deal with a loss that great in an unexpected and 100% preventable way, then you find yourself testing your own faith in new ways you could never imagine!
In his latest novel, Darkness Before Dawn, we meet Meg Richard's who receives the phone call we all had to get. Early in the morning, she is informed that her husband Steven, 28, was in a car accident and didn't make it. The van that hit him was filled with teenage boys that had been drinking and he was on his way home from working late when they hit him. Steven was trying to make it home so that they could spend their anniversary weekend together. They were just beginning a new life with one another, looking at buying their first home and now it was if God simply decided that Meg needed a different life than the one she had been planning on having.
She heads to the hospital to identify her husbands remains but is advised that she should avoid it. It seems the accident was pretty bad and his car caught fire. Her friends, at the hospital try to convince Meg that this isn't the way she wants to remember her husband, but somehow she feels until she can be absolutely sure it's him, there is a chance he might still be alive. The only thing she can manage to identify is his wedding ring. That's when Meg realizes that all her hopes and dreams have simply died. Her faith in God is over since she believes God is the one responsible for killing her husband. After all if God is so all powerful, He could have prevented the accident from happening. Coupled with all the prayers and condolences from well meaning family and friends, Meg has simply had enough.
She attempts to turn her grief into revenge and seeks out the person responsible for the accident. When most of her attempts to learn his identity, she finds out he is under age and is protected by law. The District Attorney is still going over the evidence to see if he can even prosecute the case since he has been turned over to his parents for the time being. Meg will stop at nothing to ensure that all the pain and grief she is having to deal with, will be poured out on the person responsible for Steven's death. On top of all this, she learns on the eve of his death, that all their efforts to have a child, means that Meg is now pregnant with their first child. Will she give up her faith or will she see how God can turn even this situation into something good in His own way?
I received Darkness Before Dawn by Ace Collins compliments of Abingdon Press and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable one. This novel floored me with all the emotions and intensity of what a wife would have to endure. In fact, I had to remind myself at times I was only reading a novel and now actually dealing with the situation myself. That's how real Ace involves his readers into his storyline. It's phenomenal! I couldn't put it down until I knew how this would all play out. I honestly felt I would have reacted much the same way Meg did and wondered where my faith would have played out in all of it as well. Another masterpiece in my opinion and one I would highly recommend if you're looking for a novel you can become a part of! This one hits home for me with a 5 out of 5 stars! We'd all like to say we'd handle things better than Meg does at first, but until you deal with a loss that great in an unexpected and 100% preventable way, then you find yourself testing your own faith in new ways you could never imagine!
May 1, 2013
In one night, two lives are changed, families are torn apart, and revenge becomes an all consuming power. Meg Richards and James Thomas become unalterably linked as alcohol and cars collide costing a life. Will the love of God win out, or will bitterness, anger, and vengeance?
Meg Richards is full of life, in fact, she has just learned she is pregnant. This wonderfully joyous moment is shattered when she finds her husband was killed in an accident. James Thomas had been drinking, illegal for a teenager, and then got behind the wheel of the car that killed Meg's husband. The agony and grief are intense as Meg tries to find some sense in the tragedy. Ultimately she blames God for taking her husband, for not allowing him to see his child, and for not letting her family be complete. That blame and bitterness takes on real life as she strikes out at James Thomas, destroying his life through the trial. Her heart is turned to stone as she seeks her own form of justice. Can God break through and bring light to her life again? Is there any way to save James Thomas' life? Will forgiveness or grief or vengeance finally win out?
This book has many sad moments, and many moments that will make you feel something. That may be anger, fear, hope, or grief. I like books that do that for me. I want to be left with something at the end of the time I have spent with the story the author has woven for me to read. If you like that type of book, this is for you. I
Meg Richards is full of life, in fact, she has just learned she is pregnant. This wonderfully joyous moment is shattered when she finds her husband was killed in an accident. James Thomas had been drinking, illegal for a teenager, and then got behind the wheel of the car that killed Meg's husband. The agony and grief are intense as Meg tries to find some sense in the tragedy. Ultimately she blames God for taking her husband, for not allowing him to see his child, and for not letting her family be complete. That blame and bitterness takes on real life as she strikes out at James Thomas, destroying his life through the trial. Her heart is turned to stone as she seeks her own form of justice. Can God break through and bring light to her life again? Is there any way to save James Thomas' life? Will forgiveness or grief or vengeance finally win out?
This book has many sad moments, and many moments that will make you feel something. That may be anger, fear, hope, or grief. I like books that do that for me. I want to be left with something at the end of the time I have spent with the story the author has woven for me to read. If you like that type of book, this is for you. I
April 21, 2013
Ace Collins is a very versatile author. He has written several books along the line of stories behind popular Christmas songs, Christmas traditions, etc. A few years ago, he tried his hand at fiction, and has done a great job at that. I think this is his first Christian novel that is not suspense, and I believe his best yet.
This book is fictional, but deals with the very all too real issues of devastating loss, revenge, and forgiveness. I am a firm believer that God can use Christian fiction in situations where a person may not be willing to read a self-help book or hear a sermon. I was very moved by this story, and felt Ace Collins did a tremendous job of addressing the issues of revenge and forgiveness.
Everything about this book was top notch. I liked the characters, even the teen aged drunk driver. The plot and setting was great, and the author really showed the anguish of the widow and her desire for revenge. Many of us will face circumstances in life where some one's actions cause us loss in some way. Most of us won't have the opportunity for revenge like Meg did in the book, but it is still something we all have to deal with. This book is a great reminder of how we should handle that. So, did Meg take the opportunity and enact her revenge on the boy that killed her husband, or does she forgive? Read the book to find out. It is worth reading
This book is fictional, but deals with the very all too real issues of devastating loss, revenge, and forgiveness. I am a firm believer that God can use Christian fiction in situations where a person may not be willing to read a self-help book or hear a sermon. I was very moved by this story, and felt Ace Collins did a tremendous job of addressing the issues of revenge and forgiveness.
Everything about this book was top notch. I liked the characters, even the teen aged drunk driver. The plot and setting was great, and the author really showed the anguish of the widow and her desire for revenge. Many of us will face circumstances in life where some one's actions cause us loss in some way. Most of us won't have the opportunity for revenge like Meg did in the book, but it is still something we all have to deal with. This book is a great reminder of how we should handle that. So, did Meg take the opportunity and enact her revenge on the boy that killed her husband, or does she forgive? Read the book to find out. It is worth reading
April 26, 2013
Darkness Before Dawn is a novel that will take you into the depths of grief, bitterness, hopelessness and redemption. The book is well written, with vivid imagery, from the descriptions of nature, the world around you, to the accident and to the legalities of the law and the execution of it. Some of the descriptions might actually be too vivid for the discerning reader, but the gory images of the accident are few. The characters are developed, and their journey is well represented. But, and I'm sure you heard that word in there long before I wrote it. I was disappointed by the book. Somehow I did not connect with Meg Richards as I know Ace Collins hoped I would. Though it is tagged as a suspense, I found it more to be a mystery novel, and as such I might have enjoyed it more. The failure is likely just a personal one, and I would hope that if this is your first Ace Collins novel, you would not allow my slightly negative review stop you from trying this book or any of his other titles. If this is not your first book, I hope it does not discourage you from reading it.
I received this book free from Litfuse Publication Group for the purpose of writing a review. A positive critique was not required. The opinions stated are my own.
I received this book free from Litfuse Publication Group for the purpose of writing a review. A positive critique was not required. The opinions stated are my own.
January 31, 2019
Yikes. I was not a fan of this book. Generally I am not a fan of books that are super religious, but usually I am able to tolerate them. I prefer when books talk about religion in a more educational or non-fiction sense as opposed to a fictional book with religious characters. Honestly though, I would not have finished this book if I picked it on my own, but it was a book-club pick. This book, however, was SO repetitive. Every conversation seemed to say the exact same thing as the 18 conversations before it. And how angry Meg was, was very disturbing (and cringy), especially since it didn't seem like she was really sad about her husband's death until the trial which was odd. I understand being angry, but it was too much. And it was very cliche how everyone seemed to find God at the end. Plus what ever happened to Judge Thomas, or Cheryl? Those were big characters and no closure was ever given. I was glad that Jim and Meg were able to understand each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2019
Meg is a young nurse whose husband is killed by a drunk driver. Difficult book to review. There are a couple of big editing errors which should have been corrected. Unlike a lot of other reviewers, I don't think the book is poorly written. The characters are well developed. I felt the main character's despair all too well. So well, that I had to take reading breaks.
November 3, 2017
This was a a good book. Meg's emotions seemed a little over the top but it was a good story about how people can turn from God when things go badly. It shows how bitterness can infect your whole life.
May 20, 2017
Darkness Before Dawn, by Ace Collins, is an incredibly powerful story. Never have I read a book where the femme fatale becomes the villain.
January 21, 2018
Great book! Shows the true progression of emotion. Uplifting, heart wrenching, and truly beautiful.
June 30, 2019
Cliche and poorly researched
October 2, 2020
Great story of pain, anguish, revenge and forgiveness.
April 12, 2013
In the middle of the night, twenty-eight year old Meg Richards receives a call that no one ever wants to get. Her twenty-eight year-old husband Steve has been tragically killed in a car accident caused by a drunk teenage driver. Filled with rage at God and the teen who took the love of her life away from her, Meg's grief has taken a turn towards revenge, and she pushes everyone away who cares for her. To make matters worse, while at the hospital viewing her husband's body, Meg is informed that her pregnancy test results are in and that she is pregnant with their first child.
Her quest for vengeance hits a snag when she learns that James Thomas, the teen responsible for her husband's death, is the son of the wealthy and powerful Judge Alfred Thomas. She is shaken to the core of her soul and plunges into a deep depression, there is little hope of seeing justice being served against Judge Thomas' power and money. District Attorney Webb Jones has political aspirations for the governor's mansion, and this case is a potential time bomb that could derail his plans. He tries to get Meg to agree to a deal where the teen would get community service, and she would get a financial settlement from the family, but Meg will not settle for a deal, so he gives the case to his inexperienced Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Bednarz. Meg now has a champion to help her cause in seeking justice, Cheryl is on a mission to win this high profile case. But justice isn't enough to salve the pain and bitterness in Meg's heart. Will Meg's consuming hate and need for vengeance destroy her life, or can she find her way out of the darkness and back into the light with God's help and forgiveness.
Darkness Before Dawn is an emotionally intense and heart wrenching story that will leave an indelible imprint on your soul. Author Ace Collins weaves a riveting tale of gut wrenching grief, anger, vengeance, and loss of faith written in the third person narrative that follows Meg Richards' quest to seek justice and vengeance for the tragic loss of her husband in a DUI car accident caused by a cocky privileged teenage boy, who shows no remorse for his senseless actions.
The reader will be immediately drawn in by this captivating and powerfully compelling story, the intensity and emotions described throughout the book is palpable, you can't help but feel the full gamut of emotions as you turn the page. I couldn't help but feel for Meg and ponder how I would feel and what would I have done if I had been in her shoes. One never knows the depth that grief and rage can wrought on a person, I found this story to be simply stunning and found myself holding my breath as I turned the pages. This is not an easy story to read, the author does a masterful job of bringing to the forefront the issues of teenage drinking and driving, the justice system, loss of faith, and the personal demons that a person may have to deal with when wrought with grief and anger from a senseless and tragic loss.
With an intriguing cast of characters who are realistic, have flaws, and are easy to relate to; engaging dialogues and interactions; and a very dramatic storyline that keeps the reader engaged and questioning what will happen next until the surprising conclusion; Darkness Before Dawn is a poignantly compelling story that is filled with enough raw emotion and intensity that it will resonate with the reader long after the last words have been read.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Her quest for vengeance hits a snag when she learns that James Thomas, the teen responsible for her husband's death, is the son of the wealthy and powerful Judge Alfred Thomas. She is shaken to the core of her soul and plunges into a deep depression, there is little hope of seeing justice being served against Judge Thomas' power and money. District Attorney Webb Jones has political aspirations for the governor's mansion, and this case is a potential time bomb that could derail his plans. He tries to get Meg to agree to a deal where the teen would get community service, and she would get a financial settlement from the family, but Meg will not settle for a deal, so he gives the case to his inexperienced Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Bednarz. Meg now has a champion to help her cause in seeking justice, Cheryl is on a mission to win this high profile case. But justice isn't enough to salve the pain and bitterness in Meg's heart. Will Meg's consuming hate and need for vengeance destroy her life, or can she find her way out of the darkness and back into the light with God's help and forgiveness.
Darkness Before Dawn is an emotionally intense and heart wrenching story that will leave an indelible imprint on your soul. Author Ace Collins weaves a riveting tale of gut wrenching grief, anger, vengeance, and loss of faith written in the third person narrative that follows Meg Richards' quest to seek justice and vengeance for the tragic loss of her husband in a DUI car accident caused by a cocky privileged teenage boy, who shows no remorse for his senseless actions.
The reader will be immediately drawn in by this captivating and powerfully compelling story, the intensity and emotions described throughout the book is palpable, you can't help but feel the full gamut of emotions as you turn the page. I couldn't help but feel for Meg and ponder how I would feel and what would I have done if I had been in her shoes. One never knows the depth that grief and rage can wrought on a person, I found this story to be simply stunning and found myself holding my breath as I turned the pages. This is not an easy story to read, the author does a masterful job of bringing to the forefront the issues of teenage drinking and driving, the justice system, loss of faith, and the personal demons that a person may have to deal with when wrought with grief and anger from a senseless and tragic loss.
With an intriguing cast of characters who are realistic, have flaws, and are easy to relate to; engaging dialogues and interactions; and a very dramatic storyline that keeps the reader engaged and questioning what will happen next until the surprising conclusion; Darkness Before Dawn is a poignantly compelling story that is filled with enough raw emotion and intensity that it will resonate with the reader long after the last words have been read.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
October 19, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
April 23, 2013
In his newest installment, Ace Collins touches some intense emotions -revenge and grief- and a topic all too common nowadays -teen drinking and driving. In Darkness Before Dawn, Ace shows what kind of havoc, hate and pain a drunk driver wreaks on so many people and Meg's story really opened my eyes to the firsthand emotions a widow must feel, especially when she is to be a mother as well.
To be completely honest, Meg frightened me. Her constant fantasies about murdering her husband's killer, her plots for revenge and her too-cold attitude made me dislike her from the beginning. I understand that she was desperate and controlled by her pain but her morbid mentality boggled my mind a few times. Such a dramatic shift in her character toward the end of the book was impacting. I got to "meet" a new Meg who had let healing work in her life and who had learned the power of forgiveness. The secondary characters like Heather and Paul and the drama that encompassed the two was another upside to this read. Nancy, a constant source of light and encouragement, even when her life was practically over, also opened my eyes. I thought that she was the much needed "solid rock" so to speak, that Meg needed to open her eyes and find her faith once again. I enjoyed peeks into the lives of all of the character's as well. For example Jim Thomas shared that he filled the void in his heart, created by his parents and friends, with alcohol.
The plot of Darkness Before Dawn really tugged at my heart's strings. I felt for Meg, for her mother, for Jim Thomas and even for Heather. Each character had believable difficulties and flaws like anger, rejection, guilt and the compromising of morals. I enjoyed the personal feel to each character.
One of my two favorite parts of this book would have to the court case that occurred near the middle. I loved Cheryl's (the attorney fighting for Meg) sharp wit and how she pulled out all the stops to prove Jim Thomas' guilt. She considered facets of the case that I completely overlooked and when she reveled each hidden fact, I found myself at the edge of my seat. Internally, I had hoped that Jim Thomas would have been convicted to the full extent of the law and that he would have served time behind bars, but I much more enjoyed the arrangement he and Meg made at the end.
The ending by far was my favorite part. I won't spoil anything else but it's suffice to say that I was touched, moved, pretty much crying when I finished this book.
If you are looking for a read that's a little different, a little mysterious and very much intriguing then you have to give Darkness Before Dawn a chance. The emotions exposed in this book are so raw, so real and so intense that I had to remind myself several times that I was reading a novel and not a real-life story. I unapologetically rate Darkness Before Dawn 5 out of 5 stars for stellar characters, an emotionally involved plot and amazing life lessons. It was a thrilling page turner that immediate grabbed hold of my attention and touched my heart.
To be completely honest, Meg frightened me. Her constant fantasies about murdering her husband's killer, her plots for revenge and her too-cold attitude made me dislike her from the beginning. I understand that she was desperate and controlled by her pain but her morbid mentality boggled my mind a few times. Such a dramatic shift in her character toward the end of the book was impacting. I got to "meet" a new Meg who had let healing work in her life and who had learned the power of forgiveness. The secondary characters like Heather and Paul and the drama that encompassed the two was another upside to this read. Nancy, a constant source of light and encouragement, even when her life was practically over, also opened my eyes. I thought that she was the much needed "solid rock" so to speak, that Meg needed to open her eyes and find her faith once again. I enjoyed peeks into the lives of all of the character's as well. For example Jim Thomas shared that he filled the void in his heart, created by his parents and friends, with alcohol.
The plot of Darkness Before Dawn really tugged at my heart's strings. I felt for Meg, for her mother, for Jim Thomas and even for Heather. Each character had believable difficulties and flaws like anger, rejection, guilt and the compromising of morals. I enjoyed the personal feel to each character.
One of my two favorite parts of this book would have to the court case that occurred near the middle. I loved Cheryl's (the attorney fighting for Meg) sharp wit and how she pulled out all the stops to prove Jim Thomas' guilt. She considered facets of the case that I completely overlooked and when she reveled each hidden fact, I found myself at the edge of my seat. Internally, I had hoped that Jim Thomas would have been convicted to the full extent of the law and that he would have served time behind bars, but I much more enjoyed the arrangement he and Meg made at the end.
The ending by far was my favorite part. I won't spoil anything else but it's suffice to say that I was touched, moved, pretty much crying when I finished this book.
If you are looking for a read that's a little different, a little mysterious and very much intriguing then you have to give Darkness Before Dawn a chance. The emotions exposed in this book are so raw, so real and so intense that I had to remind myself several times that I was reading a novel and not a real-life story. I unapologetically rate Darkness Before Dawn 5 out of 5 stars for stellar characters, an emotionally involved plot and amazing life lessons. It was a thrilling page turner that immediate grabbed hold of my attention and touched my heart.
April 23, 2013
Ace Collins in his new book, “Darkness Before Dawn” published by Abingdon Press takes us into the life of Meg Richards.
From the back cover: Will grief push Meg over the edge?
On the same night she discovers she is pregnant, twenty-eight-year-old nurse Meg Richards’s husband is killed in an auto accident caused by a drunken teen. James Thomas comes from one of the most influential families in the community. He’s a star athlete and glamour boy at the local high school. But the accident he caused will change his life—and Meg’s future—forever.
Angered by her senseless loss and facing life as a single mother, Meg blames God for what has happened and considers a decision that could change her life even further. Enraged by the brutal trial and the court’s decision, Meg starts down a frightening path of retribution. When the opportunity for revenge comes unexpectedly, will Meg follow through? Or will the remnants of her faith lead her in a different direction?
Ace Collins seems to understand the grief you go through when a spouse dies, especially under tragic and dramatic circumstances. It is difficult to receive the information from the police officer that your spouse has died in an accident caused by a drunk teenager and that the teenager survived. Meg looks to the courts for justice but is denied her closure. Now she wants revenge. There are characters in “Darkness Before Dawn” that want Meg to heal from this enormous pain she is carrying while there are others who want her to extract her revenge. The only One who is really going to be able to help her is God however her faith in Him has shut down. Mr. Collins throws in all kinds of sub-plots that keep the story moving briskly however the focus is on Meg. Through Mr. Collins’ excellent writing skills we come to understand Meg and want her to be healed from her almost crushing pain. Mr. Collins has given us themes of devastating loss, revenge, and forgiveness and how we can deal with them. Does Meg extract her revenge? I am not going to tell you, you would not appreciate me if I did. You are just going to have to read this book. I guarantee you will really enjoy it.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Pump Up Your Book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the back cover: Will grief push Meg over the edge?
On the same night she discovers she is pregnant, twenty-eight-year-old nurse Meg Richards’s husband is killed in an auto accident caused by a drunken teen. James Thomas comes from one of the most influential families in the community. He’s a star athlete and glamour boy at the local high school. But the accident he caused will change his life—and Meg’s future—forever.
Angered by her senseless loss and facing life as a single mother, Meg blames God for what has happened and considers a decision that could change her life even further. Enraged by the brutal trial and the court’s decision, Meg starts down a frightening path of retribution. When the opportunity for revenge comes unexpectedly, will Meg follow through? Or will the remnants of her faith lead her in a different direction?
Ace Collins seems to understand the grief you go through when a spouse dies, especially under tragic and dramatic circumstances. It is difficult to receive the information from the police officer that your spouse has died in an accident caused by a drunk teenager and that the teenager survived. Meg looks to the courts for justice but is denied her closure. Now she wants revenge. There are characters in “Darkness Before Dawn” that want Meg to heal from this enormous pain she is carrying while there are others who want her to extract her revenge. The only One who is really going to be able to help her is God however her faith in Him has shut down. Mr. Collins throws in all kinds of sub-plots that keep the story moving briskly however the focus is on Meg. Through Mr. Collins’ excellent writing skills we come to understand Meg and want her to be healed from her almost crushing pain. Mr. Collins has given us themes of devastating loss, revenge, and forgiveness and how we can deal with them. Does Meg extract her revenge? I am not going to tell you, you would not appreciate me if I did. You are just going to have to read this book. I guarantee you will really enjoy it.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Pump Up Your Book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
May 2, 2013
Darkness Before Dawn contains a phenomenal plot about the effects of drunk driving and having Faith when life spins out of control. Meg Richard's is a nurse at a local hospital committed to helping sick people. One night, her life falls apart and everything completely changes. Her husband, Steve Richards was on his way back home when his vehicle was struck, and he was killed by a young drunk driver. The police found out that a high school star athlete, James Thomas was behind the wheel. He was injured in the crash but only received minor injuries. James is also a judge's son and he believed that he would be let off the hook for the crime because of his father's position and because he got hurt. He felt no guilty for causing the death of another human being. Meg is relentless in making sure that James pays for the death of her husband. And to add more drama to the story, on the same night her husband is killed, she discovers that she is pregnant with their first child. Like anyone who has lost a loved one, she begins to blame God for not preventing the deadly crash. She is torn about keeping the baby or having an abortion. Will she end up having the baby? Will James be convicted of the crime? Can Meg find a way to trust in God again?
I would recommend this wonderful book to anyone who enjoys reading plotlines about real life issues. I believed that this book was written to fit in today's times. This book covered the effects of drunk driving, grief from losing someone you love, young people not realizing the impact their actions have on others, pregnancy and deciding whether to keep the baby or have an abortion, and trusting God when things go wrong. I immensely connected with the dilemmas that Meg faced and I felt for her when she lost her husband and she was expecting a baby. Losing a spouse is beyond unimaginable and it's one of the hardest things people have to experience. And being a single parent now because of a drunk driver would damage anyone. I understood the grief and anger Meg held towards James. I also hated how James didn't feel much remorse for driving drunk and killing someone. We need to teach our children to have empathy and to make wise decisions. I loved the details Ace Collins included to depicted and shape the story into an exciting plot! If you're looking for a new exhilarating book to read, then this one is one worth reading! Hopefully this book will cause readers to think twice before getting behind the wheel drunk. If you're thinking about having an abortion, this book will influence you into thinking otherwise. Always remember that our behaviors and actions doesn't just affect us, they affect the whole world!
"I received this book for free from Litfuse Publicity Group/ Abingdon Press for this review".
I would recommend this wonderful book to anyone who enjoys reading plotlines about real life issues. I believed that this book was written to fit in today's times. This book covered the effects of drunk driving, grief from losing someone you love, young people not realizing the impact their actions have on others, pregnancy and deciding whether to keep the baby or have an abortion, and trusting God when things go wrong. I immensely connected with the dilemmas that Meg faced and I felt for her when she lost her husband and she was expecting a baby. Losing a spouse is beyond unimaginable and it's one of the hardest things people have to experience. And being a single parent now because of a drunk driver would damage anyone. I understood the grief and anger Meg held towards James. I also hated how James didn't feel much remorse for driving drunk and killing someone. We need to teach our children to have empathy and to make wise decisions. I loved the details Ace Collins included to depicted and shape the story into an exciting plot! If you're looking for a new exhilarating book to read, then this one is one worth reading! Hopefully this book will cause readers to think twice before getting behind the wheel drunk. If you're thinking about having an abortion, this book will influence you into thinking otherwise. Always remember that our behaviors and actions doesn't just affect us, they affect the whole world!
"I received this book for free from Litfuse Publicity Group/ Abingdon Press for this review".
April 8, 2013
Darkness Before Dawn
By Ace Collins
When the still of the night is shattered by a phone call Meg Richards's life is shattered along with it! A drunk, reckless teenager caused an accident that destroyed her life by ending her husband's. After seeing the mangled remains that were her husband, Meg finds out that she is pregnant with their first and only child.
The pain and anger she feels are about to take her on a path of vengeance to destroy the life of selfish, self-centered teen who has daddy buy him out of trouble. If this path she has taken causes her to break ranks with God - that's God's problem and not hers!
In Meg's view no one can understand what she's going through and they need not make an effort and pretend they do. But Meg has changed even the patients she tends have noticed - she has become harsh, short, and even ignores them at times. But she can't lose her job so she makes an effort to put on a "good show" for the patients and the administration.
Meg is on a mission and when DA suggests that she settle Meg refuses to be "bought off". But the DA doesn't want to hurt his future political aspirations and turns the case over to an inexperienced Assistant DA - Cheryl Bednarz. But Cheryl, like Meg, is on a mission too and this case is one that she has been waiting years for.
But justice isn't all that Meg expected or hoped for so she determines to hand out her own. But hate is consuming her and turning her into a monster that everyone is avoiding. When her best friend asks what Steve would think of her now, Meg realizes that she's right but Meg knows if she allows her heart to care her campaign for justice would have to stop.
Can God's message reach Meg before it is too late for her and the "killer" of her husband or will her vengeance destroy them both and her unborn child? Will she exact revenge when given the chance or will she instead extend mercy and begin her climb out of the darkness into which she has fallen? For Meg Richards Darkness truly comes Before Dawn! Darkness Before Dawn looks at underage drinking, drunk driving, and the cost of bitterness and grief.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
By Ace Collins
When the still of the night is shattered by a phone call Meg Richards's life is shattered along with it! A drunk, reckless teenager caused an accident that destroyed her life by ending her husband's. After seeing the mangled remains that were her husband, Meg finds out that she is pregnant with their first and only child.
The pain and anger she feels are about to take her on a path of vengeance to destroy the life of selfish, self-centered teen who has daddy buy him out of trouble. If this path she has taken causes her to break ranks with God - that's God's problem and not hers!
In Meg's view no one can understand what she's going through and they need not make an effort and pretend they do. But Meg has changed even the patients she tends have noticed - she has become harsh, short, and even ignores them at times. But she can't lose her job so she makes an effort to put on a "good show" for the patients and the administration.
Meg is on a mission and when DA suggests that she settle Meg refuses to be "bought off". But the DA doesn't want to hurt his future political aspirations and turns the case over to an inexperienced Assistant DA - Cheryl Bednarz. But Cheryl, like Meg, is on a mission too and this case is one that she has been waiting years for.
But justice isn't all that Meg expected or hoped for so she determines to hand out her own. But hate is consuming her and turning her into a monster that everyone is avoiding. When her best friend asks what Steve would think of her now, Meg realizes that she's right but Meg knows if she allows her heart to care her campaign for justice would have to stop.
Can God's message reach Meg before it is too late for her and the "killer" of her husband or will her vengeance destroy them both and her unborn child? Will she exact revenge when given the chance or will she instead extend mercy and begin her climb out of the darkness into which she has fallen? For Meg Richards Darkness truly comes Before Dawn! Darkness Before Dawn looks at underage drinking, drunk driving, and the cost of bitterness and grief.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 29, 2013
Review: Well written and easy to read, this book tells the story of losing a loved one and the grieving process. This particular book deals with drunk driving and the consequences of driving under the influence. Even more important, it deals with the subject of teen drunk driving, which is a problem in our society. Even though this book is Christian fiction, no doubt it is very real to many families.
Meg Richards is the young woman whose husband is killed by a drunk teen driver. She is full of bitterness and basically turns her back on God. “How can a God of love allow such a thing to happen?” She makes it her personal goal to destroy the young man responsible for her husband’s death. In addition, she receives news that she is expecting their first child within just a few hours of her husband’s death. This only adds fuel to her bitter spirit.
Ultimately she does destroy the young man. But God in His grace gives her an opportunity to save the young man and restore her own heart and faith in God. The author also introduces a character who is instrumental in Meg’s life. Nancy shows Meg that even though bad things happen, God is still on the throne and in control.
While I felt that the author dwelt on the “bitterness” side a little long, the ending was good. I appreciated the spotlight being put on the subject of teen drunk driving and how the decision of someone to drink and drive can have devastating and irreversible consequences. This is a book that is easy to recommend for reading.
Meet Ace: Bestselling author Ace Collins has written more than 60 books including novels "Swope's Ridge" and "Words of the Father," as well as the nonfiction "Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas"; and "Lassie: A Dog's Life". His books have become movies and network television specials. Ace Collins has sold more than 1.5 million books during his career and makes his home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
Learn more about Ace at: http://AceCollins.com
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Darkness Before Dawn was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group on behalf of the author and publisher, Abingdon Press in exchange for our honest review.
Meg Richards is the young woman whose husband is killed by a drunk teen driver. She is full of bitterness and basically turns her back on God. “How can a God of love allow such a thing to happen?” She makes it her personal goal to destroy the young man responsible for her husband’s death. In addition, she receives news that she is expecting their first child within just a few hours of her husband’s death. This only adds fuel to her bitter spirit.
Ultimately she does destroy the young man. But God in His grace gives her an opportunity to save the young man and restore her own heart and faith in God. The author also introduces a character who is instrumental in Meg’s life. Nancy shows Meg that even though bad things happen, God is still on the throne and in control.
While I felt that the author dwelt on the “bitterness” side a little long, the ending was good. I appreciated the spotlight being put on the subject of teen drunk driving and how the decision of someone to drink and drive can have devastating and irreversible consequences. This is a book that is easy to recommend for reading.
Meet Ace: Bestselling author Ace Collins has written more than 60 books including novels "Swope's Ridge" and "Words of the Father," as well as the nonfiction "Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas"; and "Lassie: A Dog's Life". His books have become movies and network television specials. Ace Collins has sold more than 1.5 million books during his career and makes his home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
Learn more about Ace at: http://AceCollins.com
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Darkness Before Dawn was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group on behalf of the author and publisher, Abingdon Press in exchange for our honest review.
April 17, 2013
Meg and Steve Richards were meant to be together. In many ways, their lives were just beginning. Steve had a good job. Meg was enjoying her nursing job and she was every patient’s favorite. Steve was rushing home early to begin celebrating their anniversary.
With one phone call, Meg’s whole world comes crashing down. Steve was killed by a drunk driver—a teenager who was used to his father, the Judge, getting him out of the trouble that he seemed to keep finding. The son of a powerful and influential Judge, James Thomas was the star athlete at the local high school. He had his life ahead of him.
Understandably, Meg was angry. She blamed God and began planning her own form of justice and retribution. Unashamed of what she has become, she begins to alienate those who care about her and push away those who can help her. Will Meg give in to her need for revenge, or will her faith in God resurface in time?
In “Darkness Before Dawn”, Ace Collins deals with some powerful emotions—intense emotions—grief and revenge. He also deals with an issue that is becoming more prevalent in our society—drunken driving and the failure of our justice system to find the right amount of justice to prevent it from happening again.
As I started reading, I wondered how this story could possibly end well. Then, as the story progressed, I couldn’t wait to see what Meg would eventually do. Would she destroy a young man’s life because of her grief? Could she do it? What difference would it make?
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
With one phone call, Meg’s whole world comes crashing down. Steve was killed by a drunk driver—a teenager who was used to his father, the Judge, getting him out of the trouble that he seemed to keep finding. The son of a powerful and influential Judge, James Thomas was the star athlete at the local high school. He had his life ahead of him.
Understandably, Meg was angry. She blamed God and began planning her own form of justice and retribution. Unashamed of what she has become, she begins to alienate those who care about her and push away those who can help her. Will Meg give in to her need for revenge, or will her faith in God resurface in time?
In “Darkness Before Dawn”, Ace Collins deals with some powerful emotions—intense emotions—grief and revenge. He also deals with an issue that is becoming more prevalent in our society—drunken driving and the failure of our justice system to find the right amount of justice to prevent it from happening again.
As I started reading, I wondered how this story could possibly end well. Then, as the story progressed, I couldn’t wait to see what Meg would eventually do. Would she destroy a young man’s life because of her grief? Could she do it? What difference would it make?
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
April 14, 2013
Once I started reading this book, I was gone, and could not put it down. I have read another book by this author, but he has outdone himself with this one. I am ready for more!
Can put myself in Meg Richard's shoes, and can feel how that bitter hate would happen. She receives a call that no woman wants. Her young husband has been killed by a drunk driver! They had been looking at houses and had great plans for their lives, and she had the news to tell him, they were having a baby.
Satan has a firm hold in this story, non-forgiveness, hate. If justice can not be done, she, Meg, will extract it! God has not forsaken her, even if she has him. He places people in her life, even when she at first rejects them, he continues.
The story takes a lot of twist and turns, we have a DA more concerned about his life and political ambitions. We have a young Assistant DA, who is still grieving about loosing her Dad to a drunk drive, and wants revenge through Meg. We have dear friends and a Mother, who love Meg and want to help her, but she has frozen her heart. Then we have a cocky young man, the drunk teen, who killed Meg's husband, Jim Thomas.
Ace has woven a page turning read, and when the story ended...I wanted more.
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
Can put myself in Meg Richard's shoes, and can feel how that bitter hate would happen. She receives a call that no woman wants. Her young husband has been killed by a drunk driver! They had been looking at houses and had great plans for their lives, and she had the news to tell him, they were having a baby.
Satan has a firm hold in this story, non-forgiveness, hate. If justice can not be done, she, Meg, will extract it! God has not forsaken her, even if she has him. He places people in her life, even when she at first rejects them, he continues.
The story takes a lot of twist and turns, we have a DA more concerned about his life and political ambitions. We have a young Assistant DA, who is still grieving about loosing her Dad to a drunk drive, and wants revenge through Meg. We have dear friends and a Mother, who love Meg and want to help her, but she has frozen her heart. Then we have a cocky young man, the drunk teen, who killed Meg's husband, Jim Thomas.
Ace has woven a page turning read, and when the story ended...I wanted more.
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
May 1, 2013
As I have stated many times in reviews, I am not generally a fan of contemporary fiction. Well, this is one of those rare occasions when I can say that I could hardly put this book down, and it is contemporary fiction. It is also Christian and includes no profanity nor bedroom scenes. But that does not mean that everything is happy and cheery all the time. I truly felt for Meg, and it was sad to watch her go down a road she didn't need to. I am not being critical of her because after all, I have never in my life lost someone I love like this.
I loved the Christian message that Ace Collins wove into the very fabric of the book. I found myself emotionally connecting with Meg more than once, and it was so glorious to see commitments to God being made. I found myself really getting angry over the defense attorney in the courtroom. And it really gets to me when I realize that the way things are described is not so far from the truth.
This is a book that can be enjoyed by all, and I believe teens should read it, too. It is a good reminder that drinking and driving don't mix.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
I loved the Christian message that Ace Collins wove into the very fabric of the book. I found myself emotionally connecting with Meg more than once, and it was so glorious to see commitments to God being made. I found myself really getting angry over the defense attorney in the courtroom. And it really gets to me when I realize that the way things are described is not so far from the truth.
This is a book that can be enjoyed by all, and I believe teens should read it, too. It is a good reminder that drinking and driving don't mix.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
May 3, 2014
I read this book in exchange for review from Litfuse. chose this book because I loved the description. The book is about Meg Richards, a nurse, whose husband is killed in a car accident by a minor. He was on his way home to see his wife. It was their anniversary weekend. The same night he dies, she also finds out she is pregnant. Meg starts to hate God and wants revenge against her husband's killer. I have not finished the book yet, but this book is moving so far. Some scenes were hard to take in. One, in particular, was Meg rushing to the hospital to view her husband's body. Another, was the scene with her mother, right after the funeral. That scene also started Meg thinking about revenge. The third scene, which stood out, was in the hospital, where the doctor told her she was pregnant, right after viewing Steve's body. Meg does not understand why her husband had to die. He had a good job, well-respected, a community leader, worked in the church, and was a Christian.
I had to start re-reading the book this morning. The scenes and imagery was powerful. This book was one woman's account of her emotions during a storm. But, with each storm, a rainbow appears. Storms don't last always. (I will update this post, once I finish the last half of the book).
I had to start re-reading the book this morning. The scenes and imagery was powerful. This book was one woman's account of her emotions during a storm. But, with each storm, a rainbow appears. Storms don't last always. (I will update this post, once I finish the last half of the book).
May 6, 2013
Yet another winning book from Ace Collins! I have previously read Yellow Packard and Christmas Star, and while I must admit candidly that Ace isn’t one of my all-time favorite authors, the books are good enough that I keep reading them and anticipating reading the next one. This one dealt with some especially tough (and hard to handle) topics: hate, sorrow, resentment, revenge, pushing God away. But I felt that the author handled them very well. It was an amazingly real and understandable and sad book! I completely understood what the main character was feeling throughout the book. God was prominent throughout, but at the same time, to be blunt, He wasn’t overkill. At least, I never felt like He was. Definitely there, but not pushed down a person’s throat. The ending was terrific – this book is sad, like I said, but also amazing due to the redemption. I would recommend this to late teens and adults, men and women. It’s a good book, and not one you’ll forget in a hurry.
**LitFuse sent me a free copy of this book as part of its blog tour. I wasn’t paid for this review, and wasn’t required to post positively.**
**LitFuse sent me a free copy of this book as part of its blog tour. I wasn’t paid for this review, and wasn’t required to post positively.**
April 18, 2013
On their anniversary Meg receives a phone call that changed her life drastically. Her husband, Steve, was killed by a drunk driver, a teenager, who is a star athlete and the son of a prominent, high powered Judge. Meg begins to turn into a different woman, she is angry and wants revenge. She makes a plan to destroy this teens life. Hate consumes her and soon everyone avoids her, even those she loves.
This is a difficult book to read, Collins' description of the hatred inside Meg and the treatment she gets from those in the justice system is touching. The issue of drunk driving is a tough one and the way the case was handled with this teen was sad for Meg and himself. There were many times throughout the book I just had to stop and think how awful to be in this situation. Collins is a talented writer, I've read several of his books and loved them all. This is definitely a 5 star book!
I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a difficult book to read, Collins' description of the hatred inside Meg and the treatment she gets from those in the justice system is touching. The issue of drunk driving is a tough one and the way the case was handled with this teen was sad for Meg and himself. There were many times throughout the book I just had to stop and think how awful to be in this situation. Collins is a talented writer, I've read several of his books and loved them all. This is definitely a 5 star book!
I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2013
At first, I wasn't sure if I would be able to get through this book. I lost my dad to car accident involving a drunk driver, and the subject matter of this book hit a little close to home. But I persevered and stuck with the story and I'm so glad that I did.
Ace Collins has written a touching, eye-opening story here of lose, overwhelming grief, and redemption. He captures the emotions that people go through when they lose a loved one, and has the anger that his main character experiences down pat.
"Darkness Before Dawn" is a masterful creation and I think everyone who has ever gotten a DUI should be given this book to read - to learn just how much pain and heartache they inflict when they get behind the wheel of a car after drinking!
Thank you, Ace, for this enthralling novel!
Ace Collins has written a touching, eye-opening story here of lose, overwhelming grief, and redemption. He captures the emotions that people go through when they lose a loved one, and has the anger that his main character experiences down pat.
"Darkness Before Dawn" is a masterful creation and I think everyone who has ever gotten a DUI should be given this book to read - to learn just how much pain and heartache they inflict when they get behind the wheel of a car after drinking!
Thank you, Ace, for this enthralling novel!
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