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Soul Ties #1
A Familiar Darkness
Devilishly handsome and full of dark secrets, Archer's devil-may-care attitude came at a price and unfortunately for him, the devil may care after all.
When he meets Hannah, a runaway whose art is more than it seems, he’s determined to keep her and her drama at arm’s length. But their souls are tied together with bonds that won’t be ignored and it’s going to take all his skill to keep her safe from the demon horde that follows her every move.
A gripping urban fantasy readers are calling a cross between Cassandra Clare's Immortal Instruments and Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness, it will keep you up at night and begging for more.
When he meets Hannah, a runaway whose art is more than it seems, he’s determined to keep her and her drama at arm’s length. But their souls are tied together with bonds that won’t be ignored and it’s going to take all his skill to keep her safe from the demon horde that follows her every move.
A gripping urban fantasy readers are calling a cross between Cassandra Clare's Immortal Instruments and Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness, it will keep you up at night and begging for more.
- GenresRomance
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2016
22 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Heather Sutherlin
13 books89 followersHeather Sutherlin lives in Arkansas with her husband and three children. She loves all things creative and enjoys the worlds she dreams up, longing to live the adventure alongside her characters. When she’s not at her writing desk, she is busy exploring and learning with her children or cooking big, elaborate meals in the kitchen with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 9, 2016
It's a titillating start to a new series. It has all the elements of a good story - interesting characters with secrets and impressive skills, a knowledgeable mentor, and dark twists of fate. Recommended for fantasy and romance lovers.
November 7, 2019
A Familiar Darkness has plenty of menacing darkness, and three interesting lead characters. Hannah is relatively the basic damsel in distress, though she does have enough back story and interests to round out her character. And Archer, while not really warm enough to be romance interest (grumpy, argumentative, and ditches the heroine several times leaving her to face the darkness on her own) -though I would like him to be since he is so debonair with his top hat and archaic way of speaking (which never was really explained), is still fascinating in all the secrets he keeps with being so close-lipped on his background and all the secrets of his trade of being a magician (though calling him a magician is a rather large stretch since manipulating the darkness seems to be the only trick he knows how to do). I would have liked to have gotten to know the carnival more, since there seem to be a lot of mysteries there as well, with Archer trying to keep Hannah as far away from the carnival as he can. And Mo was very original, especially acting as Archer’s conscience. The darkness, though menacing, was still tired, cliché, and generic. And there’s a lot of religion in this. Quite a bit of it is fascinating debate on belief standing up to very real evils, and the narrow-minded fanaticism of small towns. I gave it a four because the plotline seemed to run out of ideas at the point where Hannah goes on the run. Things happen, but it’s basically them on the run from the darkness without doing anything to try to stop it from place to place to place. Honestly, the idea of them on the run for yet more pages didn’t sell me on buying the next book, especially when there was no romance in sight to tempt me.
March 5, 2020
Great plot
Loved the story, I would love to see archer and hannah fall in love then beat the darkness once and for all. I noted a few grammar errors, within a few lines I've had to go back a reread them and add a few words before the made sense. Overall 4 stars. Can't wait to read what happens next.
Loved the story, I would love to see archer and hannah fall in love then beat the darkness once and for all. I noted a few grammar errors, within a few lines I've had to go back a reread them and add a few words before the made sense. Overall 4 stars. Can't wait to read what happens next.
July 10, 2016
This was an interesting beginning to a YA series, set in current times featuring teens and young adults with supernatural powers. I did find some of the plot lines a little confusing; I assume, since the world-building is in the first book, the rest of the series reads a little smoother.
I felt like the two main characters were forced together by the author. A relationship between them would have worked better if it was not billed as "destiny" or some-such (this was one of the confusing plot lines), and rather a slow-burn romance that develops over the whole series.
I truly liked the tortured jerk of a hero, but it did not honestly feel like he was into the heroine at all until the very end, when suddenly he was feeling a connection to her. At one point,
The heroine was a bit problematic for me. She has supposedly been living on her own for "almost two years" (although she leaves home at 16 and is stated to be 17), and yet, as soon as the hero enters her life, she's falling all over him and needs him constantly to protect her. She doesn't even TRY to survive on her own anymore. Her relationship with her parents was also very confusing, with her claiming that they knew where she was and how to reach her, and them acting like they had no idea how to do so. I don't know if that will be explained later in the series, but it's very muddled in this book.
I also didn't enjoy how there wasn't actually a complete story in this book. It really just felt like a huge set-up for the rest of the series, and I'm never a fan of books that don't actually have a story line beyond world-building. There is literally nothing resolved and the book just ends after
My last complaint is the need for just basic copy-editing. The heroine's last named was used *repeatedly* - way more than a last name is usually used in books, and yet it was spelled Sims and Simms all throughout. I have no idea how it was actually supposed to be spelled because the amount of times it's written each way is probably equal.
Overall, it was a pleasant, quick read and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys paranormal YA books.
I felt like the two main characters were forced together by the author. A relationship between them would have worked better if it was not billed as "destiny" or some-such (this was one of the confusing plot lines), and rather a slow-burn romance that develops over the whole series.
I truly liked the tortured jerk of a hero, but it did not honestly feel like he was into the heroine at all until the very end, when suddenly he was feeling a connection to her. At one point,
The heroine was a bit problematic for me. She has supposedly been living on her own for "almost two years" (although she leaves home at 16 and is stated to be 17), and yet, as soon as the hero enters her life, she's falling all over him and needs him constantly to protect her. She doesn't even TRY to survive on her own anymore. Her relationship with her parents was also very confusing, with her claiming that they knew where she was and how to reach her, and them acting like they had no idea how to do so. I don't know if that will be explained later in the series, but it's very muddled in this book.
I also didn't enjoy how there wasn't actually a complete story in this book. It really just felt like a huge set-up for the rest of the series, and I'm never a fan of books that don't actually have a story line beyond world-building. There is literally nothing resolved and the book just ends after
My last complaint is the need for just basic copy-editing. The heroine's last named was used *repeatedly* - way more than a last name is usually used in books, and yet it was spelled Sims and Simms all throughout. I have no idea how it was actually supposed to be spelled because the amount of times it's written each way is probably equal.
Overall, it was a pleasant, quick read and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys paranormal YA books.
July 12, 2016
When I first saw the book, my first impression of A Familiar Darkness was a paranormal story set in the 19th century. I certainly did not expect the story to be set in the modern times and that Archer was a part of the circus troupe. That added a little more mystery to his already mysterious and cool demeanour. Archer may seem like a lone wolf at first but as the story goes on, I got to know more about him and his past and I find it easy to understand why he acts this way. After getting to know him, I admired him for his strength to continue to do what he does. I’d give up along the way.
Mo is just like a father figure to Archer; he quotes from Proverbs every so often to chastise Archer, the part I found amusing and fun to read. The amazing thing is that the Proverbs Mo used fits perfectly into the situation. It’s as if he has a Proverb for every event. When Hannah first met him, I thought that Mo was a fierce character but it turns out that he has a gentle and warm personality.
Hannah, like Archer, has a strong personality. She accepts what comes her way and she is determined enough to carry out what she thinks is right. She even chose to run away from home because her parents asked her to forget about her gift. I think that it’s a good thing she chose to embrace her gift instead of listening to her parents. To look at it from a bright side, her gift was probably what drawn her to Archer without her realizing it. The difference between Archer and Hannah was in the way they chose to carry themselves in society. Archer was cold and pushes almost everyone away because he was certain that he would only bring trouble. Hannah, on the other hand, is cheerful and kind and ever though she was scared of the demons, did not let that deter her.
A Familiar Darkness was a very good read and just the type of book I would go to when I just want to feel that warm cuddly feeling I get whenever I see Archer and Hannah together. The demons after Hannah also gave the right amount of thrill when I read the story. I found that the story progressed rather smoothly with hardly any awkward sentences. The only thing that disappointed me was the length of the book. Due to the intensity of the characters and the storyline, I found myself easily pulled into the story and much to my surprise, the book ended much too soon than I would have anticipated.
Mo is just like a father figure to Archer; he quotes from Proverbs every so often to chastise Archer, the part I found amusing and fun to read. The amazing thing is that the Proverbs Mo used fits perfectly into the situation. It’s as if he has a Proverb for every event. When Hannah first met him, I thought that Mo was a fierce character but it turns out that he has a gentle and warm personality.
Hannah, like Archer, has a strong personality. She accepts what comes her way and she is determined enough to carry out what she thinks is right. She even chose to run away from home because her parents asked her to forget about her gift. I think that it’s a good thing she chose to embrace her gift instead of listening to her parents. To look at it from a bright side, her gift was probably what drawn her to Archer without her realizing it. The difference between Archer and Hannah was in the way they chose to carry themselves in society. Archer was cold and pushes almost everyone away because he was certain that he would only bring trouble. Hannah, on the other hand, is cheerful and kind and ever though she was scared of the demons, did not let that deter her.
A Familiar Darkness was a very good read and just the type of book I would go to when I just want to feel that warm cuddly feeling I get whenever I see Archer and Hannah together. The demons after Hannah also gave the right amount of thrill when I read the story. I found that the story progressed rather smoothly with hardly any awkward sentences. The only thing that disappointed me was the length of the book. Due to the intensity of the characters and the storyline, I found myself easily pulled into the story and much to my surprise, the book ended much too soon than I would have anticipated.
April 6, 2016
Many of us have stumbled across pockets of darkness in our lives—places we didn’t want to be, people we didn’t want to meet, things we wish we hadn’t seen or done. But what if you couldn’t leave that darkness behind? What if it was actively pursuing you, for reasons you didn’t understand?
That’s what happens to Hannah, the main character in Heather Sutherlin’s new book, A Familiar Darkness. In this debut novel of an all new series, the forces of darkness must contend with a small but colorful troupe of unusual characters united only in their unique powers to see and to fight the invisible menace lurking in and around the lives of ordinary human beings.
The thrills start right away as Hannah is thrust into danger and into the path of the enigmatic Archer, a handsome magician who’s hiding more than his fair share of secrets. The pacing was good, and the story kept me engaged from the first page to the last. I’m definitely looking forward to reading book two!
That’s what happens to Hannah, the main character in Heather Sutherlin’s new book, A Familiar Darkness. In this debut novel of an all new series, the forces of darkness must contend with a small but colorful troupe of unusual characters united only in their unique powers to see and to fight the invisible menace lurking in and around the lives of ordinary human beings.
The thrills start right away as Hannah is thrust into danger and into the path of the enigmatic Archer, a handsome magician who’s hiding more than his fair share of secrets. The pacing was good, and the story kept me engaged from the first page to the last. I’m definitely looking forward to reading book two!
June 17, 2016
"A Familiar Darkness" is a clean paranormal with elements of romance that's surprisingly well written, with interesting characters and a different enough story line that kept my interest throughout the book. Hannah, a struggling artist in an unfamiliar town, is haunted by strange visions that she depicts in her paintings. Young Archer, a magician with the ability to banish demons, meets Hannah at a show and becomes her reluctant protector, with the help of his Indian friend. The story was well done, and despite my sometime annoyance at Hannah's inability to realize her own gift, I enjoyed the story. I think Archer and his archaic mannerisms did it for me. Well done.
August 22, 2016
This is a dark paranormal about demons in the present day and those who fight them. I empathized with Hannah the artist but my favorite was Mo. Archer was interesting and well-done but I didn't really like him as a "hero." Perhaps there is more opportunity for empathy with him as the series continues. When the suspense is present, it sucks the reader into the story and won't let go, making one's heartbeat quicken, but toward the end a scene of exposition dissipates the tension at a point where it should be made even more suspenseful, which is why I have to give this otherwise engaging read a 4 instead of a 5. Recommended for fans of paranormal and dark suspense.
April 9, 2016
In this first book of the Soul Ties series, readers meet complex, brooding, enigmatic, yet playfully sexy Archer. His character contrasts well with the light-hearted innocence of Hannah. Through a series of dark, suspenseful moments, readers will watch these two characters bond, together realizing their fates will be forever intertwined.
I'm already eagerly waiting for the next installment. These characters have a lot to learn about the forces of good and evil, so I look forward to seeing their enlightenment throughout the series.
I'm already eagerly waiting for the next installment. These characters have a lot to learn about the forces of good and evil, so I look forward to seeing their enlightenment throughout the series.
August 5, 2016
I downloaded A Familiar Darkness as a free book from Amazon. This story was odd on many levels, and there were holes in the world-building that left me wondering what was going on-- but, this author also has an unusual way of telling an interesting story and holding the reader's suspense. As a freebie, this was definitely worth reading. I think other readers may enjoy the story also.
September 16, 2016
While there were some grammatical issues and a couple places where continuity seemed to be an issue, the story was interesting, and the characters compelling. Sutherlin found a nice balance of giving enough information to keep from being completely frustrating, while still holding back from giving it all at once. I'll definitely be adding the rest of this series to my wish list.
August 12, 2016
An intriguing read .....we all have found ourselves fighting the darkness that we encounter.....finding help to fight those demons is the light needed by the characters in this book....enjoyable read!
June 14, 2016
After the first few pages I didn't have any interest in continuing to read this book. They writing wasn't engaging. The plot felt forced, and the characters and there interactions were stilted.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews