What do you think?
Rate this book
Promises In The Dark
What began as a casual dinner with friends quickly blossoms into a beautiful friendship for Rachel Adams and Derek Williamson. In time, it will develop into something much greater than either could have ever imagined. The pair have each had their share of tragedy and heartbreak that time has yet to heal. As their friendship evolves into something much more, Rachel begins to open up to the man she has fallen in love with about secrets that have consumed her life for so long. Just when life seems to be opening up possibilities for the two of them, inexplicable and unsettling things start to happen. When these mysterious occurrences begin to invade their happiness, they are faced with the reality that they must find the truth about what haunts them. Will they survive as they uncover some of these long-kept secrets? Will these mystical forces that linked the lovers together so long ago be the same to destroy them in the end?
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2013
3 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 24, 2016
I have read a lot of books, I've read books I loved, books I cried over, books that have awed me, books I adored, books I hated, those I couldn't even stand to finish reading, in short I have had a lot of different reading experiences and I cherish them all. This book, though, was an entirely unique experience for me. I loved the writing style, the story was good two, characters were just amazing, but what made it unique was the way it flowed, so smoothly and naturally, it was simply beautiful. It was so real for me that I felt everything the characters were going through. It was almost surreal. I very much enjoyed reading it and I will be reading more from this author. I love it when I find someone new, a hidden-jem of an author. ;)
Rachel is an author, she has been divorced for a couple of years now but her ex-husband left scars that have not healed yet. Derek has his own scars, he is a widower who is not yet over his wife. They both are fighting their pasts in their own ways. What started as a friendship between the two soon turns into something much more. As unlikely as it seems but sometimes two broken souls make a perfect whole. It's their journey, it's a story which will keep you captivated from the beginning until the very end. Now I can't wait to read book 2.
Rachel is an author, she has been divorced for a couple of years now but her ex-husband left scars that have not healed yet. Derek has his own scars, he is a widower who is not yet over his wife. They both are fighting their pasts in their own ways. What started as a friendship between the two soon turns into something much more. As unlikely as it seems but sometimes two broken souls make a perfect whole. It's their journey, it's a story which will keep you captivated from the beginning until the very end. Now I can't wait to read book 2.
August 30, 2016
Oh my goodness! This book had me captivated from the beginning, the suspense and the unanswered questions had me turning the pages. The characters were so real to me and the story line was great! The mystery of the unknown drew me in while the bond between the characters had me wrapped up and feeling every emotion the characters had throughout the story. I actually teared up twice with uncontrolled emotions, the characters seemed to come to life and the connection they had was powerful!
Rachel finds herself in the midst of her best friend, Jan's upcoming wedding as the 'Maid of Honor' but if that is not bad enough Jan's trying to set her up on a blind date with her fiance's 'Best Man', Derek. Both want to back out of their dinner date with their friends, unsure of meeting someone new after everything they have been through recently. Each trying to get their friends to fess up and quite lying to them about it being just a casual dinner meeting with no such luck.
Forces beyond their control fall into place prior to the dinner date both Rachel and Derek dread attending and they miss their chance to back out on their friends. Upon entering the restaurant late, Rachel completely embarrasses herself when she runs into Derek for the first time. Derek on the other hand is so captivated by Rachel and how she hangs on his every word throughout the evening, he cannot get the thought of her out of his head all night.
During the next few months of helping their best friends plan their wedding, the rehearsals they have to attend and the dinner dates to discuss details, Rachel and Derek become close as friends. They begin to spend more and more time together, surprising both of them how comfortable they feel around each other. Jan and Ken only wanted them to become friends after all, little did they know their friends had set their fate into motion from the very beginning.
While both Rachel and Derek have mysterious pasts lives, encounters that have no explanations, they find comfort in each other, the pieces start to fall into place and their deepest secrets start to unravel over time. Opening up to each other more and more and finding out the truths of their past together. While Rachel and Derek know that their chance meeting was arranged by their best friends, they did not know it would end up changing both their lives forever.
I cannot wait to find out what the author has in store for me in her next installment in her 'Secrets of the Mystic' series. The ending to Promises In The Dark completely blew me away. Once you start there's no turning back, the questions build as the answers start to trickle in you find yourself wanting to know more and how the story ends.
Rachel finds herself in the midst of her best friend, Jan's upcoming wedding as the 'Maid of Honor' but if that is not bad enough Jan's trying to set her up on a blind date with her fiance's 'Best Man', Derek. Both want to back out of their dinner date with their friends, unsure of meeting someone new after everything they have been through recently. Each trying to get their friends to fess up and quite lying to them about it being just a casual dinner meeting with no such luck.
Forces beyond their control fall into place prior to the dinner date both Rachel and Derek dread attending and they miss their chance to back out on their friends. Upon entering the restaurant late, Rachel completely embarrasses herself when she runs into Derek for the first time. Derek on the other hand is so captivated by Rachel and how she hangs on his every word throughout the evening, he cannot get the thought of her out of his head all night.
During the next few months of helping their best friends plan their wedding, the rehearsals they have to attend and the dinner dates to discuss details, Rachel and Derek become close as friends. They begin to spend more and more time together, surprising both of them how comfortable they feel around each other. Jan and Ken only wanted them to become friends after all, little did they know their friends had set their fate into motion from the very beginning.
While both Rachel and Derek have mysterious pasts lives, encounters that have no explanations, they find comfort in each other, the pieces start to fall into place and their deepest secrets start to unravel over time. Opening up to each other more and more and finding out the truths of their past together. While Rachel and Derek know that their chance meeting was arranged by their best friends, they did not know it would end up changing both their lives forever.
I cannot wait to find out what the author has in store for me in her next installment in her 'Secrets of the Mystic' series. The ending to Promises In The Dark completely blew me away. Once you start there's no turning back, the questions build as the answers start to trickle in you find yourself wanting to know more and how the story ends.
March 2, 2014
This book captivated me from the beginning! The characters are true to life, realistic and strongly written. Rachel, broken by her ex-husband, dealing with lack of confidence due to a failed marriage that she blames herself for. The ex-husband, Mike, is a guy who causes good guys to lose out because he's so terrible that it makes you feel all men are that way. Derek, widower, still loyal to his late wife, fighting prejudices that his father held him to, striving to live his life alone. Joanna, woman that makes it scary to have female friends who may not value friendship over sex. Ken and Jan the (sometimes overbearing) friends with really good intentions. This is a great story of two heartbroken people finding solace through friendship that becomes more. This isn't just a book of romance though, there are underlying secrets that are revealed. There are a few scenes that are painted so vividly with words that the imagery gave me chill-bumps! There is also a great message of not letting the worlds bigotry get in the way of what your heart feels. The ending is surprising and keeps you wanting more. Looking forward to reading Book 2!
November 8, 2017
Rachel and Derek reluctantly decide to meet as they are the bridesmaid and best man for their good friends. This is a huge step for 2 people who have had a lonely existence for the last 3 years. Is it love at first sight? Definitely at least that, but mostly something more. And something more leads to even more. Love the premise of this story.
September 13, 2015
It is an amazing book. A great romance with a bit of paranormal. Rachel is suffering from a broken heart after her marriage gone horrible wrong. Derrick is a still trying to get over the loss of his wife, who died in a fiery car wreck. Rachel is Jan's best friend and is going to be the maid of honor in her wedding, and Derrick is Ken's best friend and is going to be the best man. Jan and Ken plan for Rachel and Derrick to meet to get to know each other, to break the ice, and secretly hoping there will be an attraction. They both have a lot weighing on their mind and go the the casual dinner with the expectation that they will meet and maybe become freinds but nothing more can come of it. Rachel is an incredibly strong woman even if she doesn't realize it. She has suffered many great losses in her life, and then was thrown aside by her husband. Derrick is confused on how to feel because of a promise he made when he was younger. They bring the best out in each other. Rachel has shown him that he is free to make his own decisions, to live his life the way he wants to and helps him to over come the loss of his wife. Rachel is extremely comfortable with Derrick and finally feels like she can open up him and confide things to him that she hasn't even been able to tell her best friend and was never even able to open up to her mother about. It is a great romance novel and I fell in love with it. I personally don't think that there is any confusion. The books is told from both Rachel and Derrick's point of view, each time the pov changes, it is with a new chapter. When they are having a flashback, it specifies that it was Then: and Now:. You did a great job writing this book Princess Racena Mcconnell and after going back to school and learning even more about writing, I am so excited and can't wait for Shattering the Damned.
March 2, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review. I am a part of the Review Team @ The Paranormal Bookshelf
Category: supernatural, alien
Spoilers: NO
This is the first book in the series
Rachel is a curvy 39 year old author with a cheating emotionally abusive ex husband and a lot of trauma in her past. She can also see the occasional "see through person" in certain locations. Derek is a vet who lost his wife in a terrible accident a few short years earlier. When Rachel's best friend Jan gets engaged and starts to plan her wedding she wants to set Rachel up with her finances best friend Derek. Both Derek and Rachel are against this set up but agree to to meet to get to know each other and be friendly for their friends for the wedding. When they meet its like fate, they feel like they are home. Over the months they do the necessary wedding things together and get to know each other. But Rachel has a lot of skeletons in her closet, including the nightly nightmares she has.
I gave this book four stars. This is the first book in the series and basically sets the scene for the future books. Rachel begins the story emotionally beaten down from her ex, however as she gets to know Derek he brings out more of the strong women she was before her ex. Derek is trying to get over the loss of his wife and isn't interested in meeting new people or a possible partner. Then along comes Rachel and he's drawn to her and slowly is able to accept the loss of his wife and move on. I will admit at times I felt like saying ok get to the point now but overall this fills in the setting and background for the future books nicely.
Category: supernatural, alien
Spoilers: NO
This is the first book in the series
Rachel is a curvy 39 year old author with a cheating emotionally abusive ex husband and a lot of trauma in her past. She can also see the occasional "see through person" in certain locations. Derek is a vet who lost his wife in a terrible accident a few short years earlier. When Rachel's best friend Jan gets engaged and starts to plan her wedding she wants to set Rachel up with her finances best friend Derek. Both Derek and Rachel are against this set up but agree to to meet to get to know each other and be friendly for their friends for the wedding. When they meet its like fate, they feel like they are home. Over the months they do the necessary wedding things together and get to know each other. But Rachel has a lot of skeletons in her closet, including the nightly nightmares she has.
I gave this book four stars. This is the first book in the series and basically sets the scene for the future books. Rachel begins the story emotionally beaten down from her ex, however as she gets to know Derek he brings out more of the strong women she was before her ex. Derek is trying to get over the loss of his wife and isn't interested in meeting new people or a possible partner. Then along comes Rachel and he's drawn to her and slowly is able to accept the loss of his wife and move on. I will admit at times I felt like saying ok get to the point now but overall this fills in the setting and background for the future books nicely.
February 16, 2015
This was a really cool paranormal story. The story starts off with the main character being set up on “not a date”. The main character was getting over a bad divorce and wants nothing to do with dating.
The author did a wonderful job developing the relationship between Rachel and Derek. Both were not ready to start dating but neither could deny their attraction to each other. They did not rush into the relationship regardless of how bad each wanted to.
As the story goes on, we start to get hints of a paranormal twist involved. This was really cool to see how this piece was slowly introduced into the book. The author was very subtle with bringing the paranormal part into the book. So subtle that when I realized what was going on, I had to think back of the different things that happened that turned out to be hints at paranormal.
We get hints throughout the book as to Rachel’s background but near the end, the author tells the story as to what is going on and how Derek is part of the puzzle. Also, we can see something darker is at work but again, it is very subtle and more of a side story that anything that is directly affecting the main story right now.
The book wrapped the story up really well and left the reader with a better understanding as to what supernatural abilities Rachel possesses. However, we also see the darker side of the paranormal piece starting to take hold and see how it is not going to be an easy road for Rachel and Derek. This ended on a cliffhanger definitely making me excited for the next book. This darker being that was introduced sounds terrifying and I can’t wait to see how it fits in with this story!
February 19, 2015
The story is about Rachel and Derek, two people thrown together for their best friends’ wedding, and little did they know that even though there were obstacles to overcome that they would grow into great friends and even more. The story follows as their relationship unfolds, but there is so much more to why they are together and why they have such a connection to one another. The story gives you bits and pieces of history that helps tie things together throughout the story. Throw in the paranormal, things have happened in Rachel’s past and as she decides to confide in Derek, things start to happen, things that are definitely not of this world. The two of the try to work through what is going on and keep delving deeper into a situation that there seems to be no getting out of
Promises in the dark is a fantastic story! I have not read a paranormal story in a very long time and this was such a refreshing read for me! Ms. McConnell has brilliantly written a story that was easy to follow and intense to read! I found myself thinking about the story, trying to figure things out, and anxiously reading through the pages because I just had to know! I look forward to reading more of Ms. McConnell’s stories in the future because she has written a great story!
March 26, 2015
Promises in the Dark by Princess Racena Mcconnell is a cool book that I think could fit in more than one genre. The most obvious being paranormal of course, suspense, and a great romance. It is a book that captivates you and leaves you feeling like you have new people in your life.
McConnell is able to describe her characters and situations in such vivid details, she puts the reader, in the story. Her plot twist kept me on the edge of my seat and my pages turning. I started reading this book midevening and ended up reading it well into early morning, only putting it down when my eyes started to blur. I think McConnell is a very talented author.
My reason for only four stars, at times the story was confusing. It jumped back and forth from present day to the past. It also had where one of the main characters was writing a book, even though the type was different, early in the book, I had trouble keeping the straight between the two. This doesn't distract enough from the book to make the story any less enjoyable.
I give Promises in the Dark 4 stars
McConnell is able to describe her characters and situations in such vivid details, she puts the reader, in the story. Her plot twist kept me on the edge of my seat and my pages turning. I started reading this book midevening and ended up reading it well into early morning, only putting it down when my eyes started to blur. I think McConnell is a very talented author.
My reason for only four stars, at times the story was confusing. It jumped back and forth from present day to the past. It also had where one of the main characters was writing a book, even though the type was different, early in the book, I had trouble keeping the straight between the two. This doesn't distract enough from the book to make the story any less enjoyable.
I give Promises in the Dark 4 stars
July 31, 2014
I was not sure what to expect from this book when I first started reading it. It jumps around from past to future and is sometimes confusing. That being said, I have to say it was one of the best books that I have read this year. The supernatural element enhances the mystery and grabs hold of the reader and doesn't let go. The underlying love story helps develope the storyline and keeps it moving along at a fast pace. This is a story that has a great deal of insite with overcoming betrayal and understanding great loss. It shows you the value of friendships and the inportance of trust. This tale was well written, keeps your attention and makes you feel happiness, fear, regret, love, confussion and even hate for the characters . Don't miss out pick this up and see for yourself
January 28, 2016
Fate is strange, what if your fated for one thing, one person but don't listen and you do something else will fate wait for you?
Rachel has always been different, sometimes things happen around her and she can't explain them! Till she meets Derek it's like finding a piece of herself that she never knew she lost and together they look into a past filled with ancient wonders and mystery!! With a paranormal entity guiding them along their way!
Great read! I loved Rachel and Derek❤️ they are two vibrant characters!!
The second book just came out yesterday and from the ending I can not wait to know what happens next!!! I think we're in for a wild ride!!
Rachel has always been different, sometimes things happen around her and she can't explain them! Till she meets Derek it's like finding a piece of herself that she never knew she lost and together they look into a past filled with ancient wonders and mystery!! With a paranormal entity guiding them along their way!
Great read! I loved Rachel and Derek❤️ they are two vibrant characters!!
The second book just came out yesterday and from the ending I can not wait to know what happens next!!! I think we're in for a wild ride!!
August 22, 2014
I loved reading this book! Easy to read, hard to put down! By the time I finished it I felt as though I knew the characters personally! I can not wait to see what happens in the sequel!
I highly recommend this book! A fresh new author: smart, witty, with fresh new ideas and an amazing story line! If your looking for something new.... Untapped soil!!! Grab this book!
I highly recommend this book! A fresh new author: smart, witty, with fresh new ideas and an amazing story line! If your looking for something new.... Untapped soil!!! Grab this book!
March 15, 2016
I have to say this. You must get this book and read it. It is very well written, the characters are very complex and intriguing and the story line.......Dayum..it is amazing. I loved every aspect of this book. i will follow, stalk this author for her future works. Grab your copy today....You will not be disappointed.
April 14, 2014
This book was true to life. Which means you where never sure where this book was headed or how it all tied into each other until the final chapter. I liked this book and would like to see more in this series now that the premise is set.
June 16, 2014
Lately, I've been finding it hard to find books that's keep my interest enough to finish without force. This book changed that. It was amazing and well worth all the good reviews. Very talented author and story teller. I cannot wait for book 2!
February 19, 2018
Wonderfully written
This is a very well written book. It's intense and keeps you interested. Getting ready to read the next one now. Thank you For sharing with is
This is a very well written book. It's intense and keeps you interested. Getting ready to read the next one now. Thank you For sharing with is
April 1, 2014
Great book
January 14, 2015
A must read from an amazing new author! Great story line and well written with strong characters. You will be hooked from the beginning!
September 28, 2015
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. keep up the great work. can't wait for the next one.
January 1, 2016
This book was incredible and left me looking forward to the sequel.
April 7, 2015
Not my normal genre, but it was still pretty good! I was glad to read something different.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews