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Eli's Coming

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Eli’s dark legacy holds murder as his rite of passage. They say his ability is a gift. He calls it a curse. A life of violence and heartache leaves him with nothing left to fight for.

Or so he thinks.

Amanda steals his heart, but love makes him vulnerable. He must give her up or accept who he is and fight.

Will he risk stepping into the darkness that could consume him?

234 pages, Paperback

First published May 11, 2015

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About the author

Darcia Helle

30 books737 followers
Dusty corners of the mind intrigue me.

I'm an armchair explorer; book in one hand, mug of tea in the other.

Connect on Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/DarciaHelle

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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Sue.
1,418 reviews5 followers
May 27, 2015
“Eli’s Coming” is the first in the Chasing The Night series, by Darcia Helle. This is a psychological/supernatural suspense novel. I have a great respect for this author, and have read all her books and am a huge fan. Darcia knows how to satisfy the reader; what the reader will accept as believable or not.

When I was first introduced to Darcia, I remember what she wrote under her profile. “Words are my addiction. I love to read; fiction, nonfiction, cereal boxes, ingredient labels. If it has words, I'll read it. “No wonder she has such a vivid imagination.

Normally I read mystery, suspense psychological thrillers, and not too much under supernatural genie, but in this case it was not overdone, but provided the foundation or the story.

The opening of the story sets the stage for the journey which is to follow.

“You can lose yourself in the black emptiness. But while you may lose yourself, the night always knows where you are.”

Eli Hayes was alone, a private person, an author of crime novels, who spent a lot of time in graveyards, reading the engravings on tombstones. He kept his personal life private and secluded. But Eli was running from his past that could destroy him. He lived in the shadows.

But then he met Amanda, and he was totally taken. He now had a girlfriend, but she knew nothing about his past…and will the truth be revealed? I loved the chemistry between them.

Will Eli find his way out of the darkness? Read this powerful novel to find out. Can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out!

Profile Image for Maria.
Author 48 books521 followers
May 11, 2015
I'm a big fan of Darcia Helle's writing. This author really knows how to write books that keep you turning the pages. I have yet to read something by this author that has disappointed me and I think the key to that is that she always keeps surprising the reader with new and exciting ideas. With this book she surprised me again because it was not what I was expecting at all. It's a supernatural thriller with elements of fantasy and suspense. Even though she has written something that deviates from her usual fiction it still has all her hallmarks: suspense, thrills, humour, and believable characters that we can all relate to.

When we meet Eli he is at a kind of crossroads in his life because he has found love but there is a dark secret that he is keeping and something that could threaten his new love and also his own life. The secret is slowly and steadily revealed as the story unfolds and his past comes back to find him.

I really enjoyed Eli's Coming. The dark fantasy element is fascinating. I'm pleased that this is the first in the series and am looking forward to the next book!

Profile Image for Cathy Ryan.
1,267 reviews76 followers
August 5, 2015
4.5 stars

Eli Hayes has a secret, an ability like no other. As a descendant of the Native American Timucua, he has special powers. One in particular that others would kill for. That and his dark and traumatic past, revealed gradually as the story progresses, has kept him quite isolated and deeply private, while writing best-selling non fiction. Could he, or should he, keep running from a past which haunts and threatens to destroy him? When he meets Amanda and they begin a relationship, something Eli has completely avoided up until now, his life starts to change.

I love the opening lines of the book, they really set the scene and evoke the atmosphere of the dark fantasy to come….

"The allure of the night is its ability to pull you into its depths, to keep you hidden in its crevices. The darkness wraps around you. Nothing reaches you there.

And you reach nothing. Have you ever wanted to melt into the darkness? Dissolve into the shadows?

You can lose yourself in the black emptiness. But while you may lose yourself, the night always knows where you are."

When Eli gets an early morning visit from his friend, Luc, to attend a meeting of The Nahi Council he knows it can’t be good news. The current members of the council are the latest in a long line who are responsible for governing those Timucuans with exceptional and individual powers. Becoming close to Amanda has made Eli reassess his desire for seclusion and when he learns his father has escaped from a secure mental facility he has no alternative, lives depend on him and so his choice is made. He will face up to his legacy and fight, even though he’d be quite happy to forget who and what he is and live a normal life. Eli is as well aware of the impossibility of that dream as he is of his father’s crimes and abuse of his abilities, and knows it is essential he’s caught as soon as possible.

With distinctive, well drawn and engaging characters, excellent writing and an absorbing and tense narrative I thoroughly enjoyed this story. And it’s the first of a series! Eli makes a wonderful and complex main protagonist, struggling with the ramifications of his power and the options imposed upon him because of it. His feelings for Amanda are a new experience and the chemistry between them is depicted convincingly.

The distressing secondary storyline of Amanda and her father trying to come to terms and cope with her mother’s Alzheimer’s is told in an authentic, sympathetic and very moving way, showing the effects it has, not only on the carers but also the person affected by the disease.

A story with underlying truth is aways appreciated and in this case it’s the Timucua people. Darcia Helle has included a very interesting summarised history of the Timucuans at the end of the book. As stated, artistic license has been taken with the attributed powers but this is fantasy and as such, credible in the context of the story.

I will definitely be reading more of this author’s work and look forward to book two in the series.
Profile Image for Terry Tyler.
Author 34 books584 followers
June 19, 2015
3.5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed on behalf of Rosie Amber's review team

I chose to read this book from the review team list because I had read another of Darcia Helle's books, underworld crime thriller Killing Instinct, and loved it. Eli's Coming, however, comes under the genre headings of supernatural/dark fantasy; I'd mistakenly thought it was a psychological thriller with a supernatural slant, but the fantasy side of it is the main element of the story. My error!

Amanda becomes involved with the mysterious Eli who has secrets and demons, which are revealed to the reader gradually; I liked the way Ms Helle did this, highly effective, allowing just enough information to seep out at a time to maintain interest. It worked! I thought the characterisation of the tormented, isolated Eli was most convincing. There is a more real life element to the beginning of the story, too, with Amanda's frustration about her domestic situation, and her relationship with her parents. Her mother has Alzheimer's; this was represented with care and realism.

A hint: at 99%, ie, after the end of the book, there is an information section about the Native American people who were the inspiration for this story. I'd advise you skip to the end and read this as soon as they are mentioned, as it will make the story mean more.

Ms Helle is a competent writer and I would imagine that this book will fulfil all the requirements of dark fantasy addicts. Alas, I am not one, so I did not enjoy the book as much as I had hoped, but this is not a reflection on the standard of the writing. I enjoyed the first 20% very much, when it was more about Amanda and her father and friend, but the two elements did not mesh well together, for me. Having enjoyed Killing Instinct so much I would definitely read another of her books, but will stick to her crime novels from now on.




Profile Image for Doreen.
Author 4 books87 followers
June 14, 2015
What a surprising read for me, though not because of the author’s ability to create a good story. The first few pages revealed that her writing skills are excellent. The surprise was due to how much I enjoyed reading a novel in the dark fantasy genre. I loved the way she wove goodness and kindness into the darker aspects of this suspense-filled story. Helle was masterful in her creation of an intense, chilling atmosphere, one that resounded even more because of her insertion of mysterious aspects relating to an authentic ancient Native American culture.

The characters are supremely engaging and unique, their psychologically complex layers poignantly revealed as the story unfolds. The main character, Eli, is refreshingly enigmatic; I was fascinated by him throughout my read. As he wrestles with newfound feelings of love for Amanda, Eli is constantly trying to balance this attraction against keeping his past secret and his powers controlled. I admired the cleverness with which Helle blended the situations and dialogues that foreshadowed the revelations of secrets about Eli’s past.

One aspect of the story moved me deeply on a personal level, that of a family coping with Alzheimer’s. The changes in personality within the character affected by this condition were heartbreakingly true to form. The often tense, though well-meaning dialogues between family members thrust into the role of caregivers, and their introspective thoughts, were realistically portrayed. The author’s insightfulness regarding this condition was poignantly composed, an unexpected gem embedded within the story.

ELI’S COMING held me spell-bound even as the final revelations played out at the end. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel!


Profile Image for Angela.
524 reviews43 followers
May 29, 2015
Eli's Coming by Darcia Helle is an exciting, fast paced thriller, with elements of romance, the supernatural and fantasy.

Eli Hayes has a dark, mysterious past, which he hopes he has left behind, especially so now that he has met Amanda, with whom he has fallen in love. Eli's secrets begin to surface when his father escapes from a secure hospital and as the story unfolds, we fall deeper and deeper into Eli's secret life.

I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent, well written thriller. I particularly liked the way that the author portrayed her characters. They were well rounded and there was nothing two dimensional about them. Even the minor characters came to life for me.

Darcia Helle is such a talented author. Her plots are gripping and her characters, interesting and real. I am already looking forward to the next book in the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sheri.
2,111 reviews
May 14, 2015
Eli's Coming by Darcia Helle

Eli’s has a secret ability he feels it's a curse. A life of violence and heartache leaves him with nothing. Then he meets Amanda. He falls for her, and she for him. But he has to face some tough choices. Soon she will learn the truth about Eli and she is in danger. Will Eli make the right choices? Can he lead a "normal" life?

A well written supernatural thriller. I really like Eli, he may be flawed but that is what made him "real". Amanda is just as likable, she accepts Eli for who he is. The plot is original, the characters are well developed. The pace moves smooth and there is an even mix of thrills, laughter, suspense, danger and love.

I am a huge fan of Darcia Helle, and she did not disappoint with Eli's coming. I feel that those who love a great thrilling, fantasy will enjoy Eli's coming. ( I also like the cover it adds mystery and suspense to a fantastic story).


Profile Image for Sheri.
2,111 reviews
June 3, 2015
Eli's Coming by Darcia Helle

Eli’s has a secret ability he feels it's a curse. A life of violence and heartache leaves him with nothing. Then he meets Amanda. He falls for her, and she for him. But he has to face some tough choices. Soon she will learn the truth about Eli and she is in danger. Will Eli make the right choices? Can he lead a "normal" life?

A well written supernatural thriller. I really like Eli, he may be flawed but that is what made him "real". Amanda is just as likable, she accepts Eli for who he is. The plot is original, the characters are well developed. The pace moves smooth and there is an even mix of thrills, laughter, suspense, danger and love.

I am a huge fan of Darcia Helle, and she did not disappoint with Eli's coming. I feel that those who love a great thrilling, fantasy will enjoy Eli's coming. ( I also like the cover it adds mystery and suspense to a fantastic story.)
Profile Image for Julie Powell.
Author 72 books324 followers
May 25, 2015
I have read other works by this author and enjoyed them all, this is no exception.

Different from the other books, this is a fantasy tale and yet still retains her great talent for writing.

This is the first of a series where is introduced Eli, an intriguing character with surprising gifts...those he is not sure he even wants.

I don't want to say too much so as not to spoil it for others, however, this story is a wonderful mix of suspense, fantasy, romance, murder and insanity...and more...and reaches a wide variety of levels, which I am sure will be explored further as the series progresses.

Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Laura Smith.
603 reviews20 followers
September 7, 2015
I love everything by Darcia Helle as her work is so unique and different.

Eli's Coming is a supernatural / suspense 5 star read that will have you gripped from the very start.

Eli has a dark past and one that he is trying to forget so he can attempt to live a happy future with Amanda. Amanda is the only person that Eli has met that makes him to want to change.

But Eli's past is set to return in the most evil of ways and threaten his entire future.

Well done Darcia Helle on yet another fantastic read. Keep them coming and I can't wait to read what you have for us next.
Profile Image for Reba.
239 reviews1 follower
October 7, 2018
Another winner from Ms. Helle

Meet Eli and Amanda. And meet Eli's supernatural powers. When a serial killer who happens to be Eli's father escapes, hell breaks loose.
Profile Image for Jessie Stevens.
Author 3 books6 followers
July 23, 2015
The best aspect of this book was it’s compelling realism. The characters followed up plot twists with reasonably legitimate actions and…

OK.

Fine.

It’s possible that the Native American Tribe with the inherited powers that allow them to manipulate people’s energy isn’t totally normal. But it’s set up so well! And this is a supernatural suspense sort of book, so you’ve got to have something.

But in this book there is life beyond the supernatural suspense, you know, strangely like real life.

When the non-powered girl falls for the mysterious, handsome man (who, of course, has powers), yes she becomes involved in the plot line. She’s important to the story but the book does not revolve wholly around her and that was a refreshing bit of sensible writing!

Would I recommend it?

If supernatural suspense is your thing, absolutely!

If you love a good suspenseful book and are willing to go along with some supernatural energy manipulating powers for the sake of the excellent characters, pick this book up!

If you hate “weird stuff” and prefer not to read while holding your breath and can’t stand a bit of bloody murder even when it’s really well written, then this one might not be for you.

As for me, I saw this was subtitled “Chasing The Night – Book 1″ and there’s nothing I like better than a new series to follow!

This honest review was given in return for a free copy of the book from its author.
Profile Image for Lisette Brodey.
Author 20 books255 followers
May 15, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this suspense-filled novel rich in themes of light and dark, family, love, loyalty, and self-respect. This story has a rich blend of a thriller woven with fantasy and ancient Native American culture.

Eli is a complex character with a dark past who has to deal with making the right choices for himself and others, while weighing consequences that threaten the man he wants to be.

This fascinating story was well paced and beautifully written with characters that came alive on the page. I was easily able to see the scenes as the action unfolded. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and hope to read more of Darcia’s Helle’s work. A highly recommended novel by a skilled storyteller.
Profile Image for Michelle.
7 reviews
October 9, 2015
Eli has a dark secret. A secret ability which he feels is a curse, but others would kill for. A dark and traumatic past leaves him with nothing.... Then he meets Amanda. As they begin a relationship, Eli is desperate to hide his past and control his powers. But Eli's past is set to return to haunt him. Suddenly Amanda's life is In danger. Can he protect Amanda and keep his secret ?

I love reading Darcia Helle's books. All her books are page turners and this one is no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this supernatural dark thriller. Darcia has clearly done her research and I enjoyed reading the section at the back of the book about the Native American people who inspired this story.

I will definitely be eagerly awaiting for the second book to be released.

10/10
Profile Image for Georgiann Hennelly.
1,960 reviews26 followers
March 21, 2016

This review is from: Eli's Coming (Chasing The Night) (Volume 1) (Paperback)
Eli has a secret ability . After a life of Heartache and Violence he is left with nothing!Then he meets Amanda they fall for each other. Eli has to face some tough choices soon Amanda will learn the truth about Eli and she is in danger! Can Eli lead a normal life? Will he make the right choice? A supernatural thriller very well written with an original plot. The characters are likable and very well developed. You get a mix of thrills, suspense, laughter, danger and love in this story.I highly recommend if you enjoy stories about the
Profile Image for Georgiann Hennelly.
1,960 reviews26 followers
March 21, 2016
Eli has a secret ability . After a life of Heartache and Violence he is left with nothing!Then he meets Amanda they fall for each other. Eli has to face some tough choices soon Amanda will learn the truth about Eli and she is in danger! Can Eli lead a normal life? Will he make the right choice? A supernatural thriller very well written with an original plot. The characters are likable and very well developed. You get a mix of thrills, suspense, laughter, danger and love in this story.I highly recommend if you enjoy stories about the supernatural
Profile Image for Nicola Parkinson.
202 reviews11 followers
April 13, 2016
I wanted so much to love this book as I love everything Darcia writes but I just didn't feel this book :/ I found the pace of the story slow and just as the action started it was over. Sorry Darcia :(
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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