Circling The Shadows

Sunshine and Moonlight #1

by Paige Randall

John Halloway walks out on his wife’s funeral, cuts all ties and disappears. Eighteen months later, guilt-ridden, depressed and obsessed with thoughts of his own death, John returns to the home where he spent happy summers as a boy. John is ready to decide his future permanently, one way or the other. John will either end the summer at the bottom of the ocean or he will finally turn things around, but first John has to put down the bottle and remember how to live.

The summer starts off with a bang, when John meets his beautiful, blonde, British neighbor, Anna. She seduces him within thirty minutes of their hello. After enduring an abusive marriage, Anna is determined to live life on her own terms and all she wants is a baby. Getting pregnant by an unsuspecting stranger seems her best path to raising a baby without the interference of a man.

Anna and John share an unforgettable, steamy evening together and strike up a bargain for a summer of romance with no past or future tense dialogue, just living in the moment. John thinks the connection with Anna will help change his state of mind, and it does. But change is never easy.

Fall in love with John and Anna in Book One of the Sunshine and Moonlight series.

347 pages, Paperback

First published April 30, 2015

About the author

I never know if I should do 1st person or 3rd on these things. Let's go with 1st...

Hello! I am a DC-based fiction writer and I am thrilled to publish my first novel, Circling The Shadows. I write contemporary romance, a little on the dark side. Circling The Shadows is the first novel in a four book series called Sunshine and Moonlight. My books promise sexy, interesting fun, and probably a few tears! I like my characters gorgeous and a little flawed, just like the rest of us.

I live for sun, surf, sand, music (the louder the better), dining with friends and loved ones, travel, books, TV and film. Writing is my passion. It got its hooks into me and I am at its mercy – I hope forever! Book Two, Forever Falling, should be available for release in August 2015.

Thanks for visiting and reading Circling The Shadows. Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook or my blog. This is going to be fun!

Reviews

[Delta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not your traditional light and fluffy romance. I liked how authentic it felt, but it is frustrating to watch your MCs flip flopping all over the place like dead fish. Would definitely recommend to someone looking for a romance that breaks the mould.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

[Ann-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read Circling the Shadows as a friend recommended it. Let me begin by saying that romance novels are not my go to genre for reading, but, this story is so much more than your traditional romance novel. The characters come to the story broken after years of tragedy, suffering and unresolved pain that has been pushed way down into their souls. As the story progresses, you can see glimmers of hope in each character as they open themselves up reluctantly to each other.

The author does a wonderful job of painting an exquisite picture of South Carolina, it's nature and beauty which serves as the backdrop that brings John and Anna together and in essence, helps them heal from their tremendous hurts and offers them hope and a future.
This is Paige Randall's first book and I truly look forward to reading more of her work!

[Susan Kicklighter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Circling the Shadows is a warm, engaging and challenging journey alongside main characters who I thoroughly enjoyed and identified with on many levels. As a Southeastern U.S. native, I was naturally drawn to much of the scenery Paige Randall used to frame the story. And, I have a great affection for authors and stories that explore relationships and personalities that some might call dysfunctional, in order to help readers understand them better. Paige accomplishes that and so much more with this first book in her Sunshine and Moonlight series.

When they meet, main characters John and Anna are looking for very different things. After a blazing hot beginning, they come to depend on each other for more than either had intended. And, they learn that they're both scarred by tragedy and hardships they've suffered. The book traces their unexpected whirlwind toward equilibrium, but thankfully, doesn't do so through an unrealistic sanitization of their relationship. There's no neat and tidy resolve. And, that's what made me appreciate the story the most. Well, that, and some crazy-hot sex scenes.

I recommend the book to anyone looking for a good mix of fun and feels. While there's a healthy dose of the light, there are also some very real situations with very real consequences in Circling the Shadows. And, with a glass of bourbon and an open heart and mind, you'll get some really good things out of it.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Halloway (# 516) struggles with his wife’s Sarah suicide/death & walks out of her funeral service never to return for quite some time to the town he grew up in.
Clara is John/Sarah’s daughter.
John meets Anna Hinton (# 517, neighbor) & the soon become an item.
She has her own baggage also. Dylan her ex-husband was extremely abusive to her.

Where will their relationship go?

Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violent or graphic adult content or profanity &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written autobiography book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great movie, or mini TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free Goodreads; Autographed; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Cynthia M Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written with complex main characters

Anna and John are interesting characters that reveal incredible pain from past relationships. They are two broken people who find comfort in their odd relationship based on sex. Set in an idyllic seaside town of Osprey Island, SC, I felt as if I wanted to retire there someday. I found myself wanting to know more and more as the story unfolds. Paige does a very good job of keeping the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next. Looking forward to the next segment in August.

[Greg Elkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paige Randall's " Circling the Shadows" mirrors its own story by being a fun summer read about two strangers seeking summer fun that evolves into a much more gripping story filled with engaging characters who keep you turning page after page. Clever, sensual, funny and heart-touching, Circling deserves to be at the top of your "must read" list.

[Donna Monacci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paige Randall's first book is thoroughly enjoyable. Her characters are so complex and interesting, you become fully invested in their stories. Her writing is honest and raw, full of emotion. Looking forward to the second book.

[Phillip Giroux · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read, intense and steamy. definitely worth checking out. I'll be reading it again right away I think. highly recommended.