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Dark & Stormy
"Dark and Stormy is a wonderfully written debut novel by J. Mercer. The intricate story lulled me in, like watching a lazy river transition to raging waters, and I found myself completely engaged with these relatable yet complex characters. The mounting tension throughout the book culminated in a jaw-dropping ending that left me wanting more."- M.M. Silva, author of Two out of Three and The Stairwell. "J. Mercer weaves a masterful tale with nail-biting suspense and unexpected twists that will leave you spellbound." - Angie Stanton, bestselling author of Waking in Time.
Faryn Miller wants to build a new life in a small town. It's her last chance to figure out, of all the roles she's played in her thirty-some years, which one truly fits. Her aim at simplicity sounds like the perfect medicine until she meets Kai Allen, who's spent his life doing everything the hard way and never bending for anyone. Lucky for Kai, Faryn has no preconceived notions about what he's done and who he is, unlike the rest of town.
When cryptic messages start sneaking their way into Faryn's apartment, then blatant threats, the two of them compile a long list of who could be stalking her. Unable to keep his frustration and rage hidden any longer, Kai explodes on everyone in his path, and Faryn can't help but wonder if the storm is closer than she thinks.
A PEEK INSIDE:
Kai sank his hands deep in the snow until his flesh burned, hoping the cold would freeze out the fire seething inside. He sank his hands until they were hidden beneath the white, until it seemed he'd lost them altogether. This was no surprise, as he'd lost everything when he'd lost her.
The voice beside him, reading him his rights, came in and out on the icy breeze, but Kai didn't hear the words. What he heard was the echo behind them of what his life should have been.
He should've had Faryn.
He should've had a house and a family. He'd been so close, so close to finally considering himself a good human being, and respected. But a house, a family, respect, none of these things would happen for him now, innocent or not. The truth didn't matter at this point, whether he'd done it. What mattered was the policeman pulling him away from her, away from her grave.
What mattered was the blood on his hands.
Faryn Miller wants to build a new life in a small town. It's her last chance to figure out, of all the roles she's played in her thirty-some years, which one truly fits. Her aim at simplicity sounds like the perfect medicine until she meets Kai Allen, who's spent his life doing everything the hard way and never bending for anyone. Lucky for Kai, Faryn has no preconceived notions about what he's done and who he is, unlike the rest of town.
When cryptic messages start sneaking their way into Faryn's apartment, then blatant threats, the two of them compile a long list of who could be stalking her. Unable to keep his frustration and rage hidden any longer, Kai explodes on everyone in his path, and Faryn can't help but wonder if the storm is closer than she thinks.
A PEEK INSIDE:
Kai sank his hands deep in the snow until his flesh burned, hoping the cold would freeze out the fire seething inside. He sank his hands until they were hidden beneath the white, until it seemed he'd lost them altogether. This was no surprise, as he'd lost everything when he'd lost her.
The voice beside him, reading him his rights, came in and out on the icy breeze, but Kai didn't hear the words. What he heard was the echo behind them of what his life should have been.
He should've had Faryn.
He should've had a house and a family. He'd been so close, so close to finally considering himself a good human being, and respected. But a house, a family, respect, none of these things would happen for him now, innocent or not. The truth didn't matter at this point, whether he'd done it. What mattered was the policeman pulling him away from her, away from her grave.
What mattered was the blood on his hands.
308 pages, Paperback
Published May 18, 2017
26 people are currently reading
446 people want to read
About the author
J. Mercer
10 books90 followersJ. Mercer grew up in Wisconsin where she walked home from school with her head in a book, filled notebooks with stories in junior high, then went to college for accounting and psychology. She now writes young adult and women's fiction novels and talks editing on The Novel Ending podcast.
IN ONE LIFE AND OUT ANOTHER is a finalist in the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, and won the Canadian Book Awards in the young adult category. Her novel TRIPLICITY won Moonbeam and Readers' Favorite awards, and SHADY WOODS received a perfect score from the BookLife Prize, an indie arm of Publisher's Weekly.
She wishes she were an expert linguist and enjoys exploring with her husband and two daughters.
For updates and news, you can find her on Facebook and Instagram @jmercerbooks, talking about what she’s reading and other bookish things.
IN ONE LIFE AND OUT ANOTHER is a finalist in the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards, and won the Canadian Book Awards in the young adult category. Her novel TRIPLICITY won Moonbeam and Readers' Favorite awards, and SHADY WOODS received a perfect score from the BookLife Prize, an indie arm of Publisher's Weekly.
She wishes she were an expert linguist and enjoys exploring with her husband and two daughters.
For updates and news, you can find her on Facebook and Instagram @jmercerbooks, talking about what she’s reading and other bookish things.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
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Blurb:
Faryn Miller wants to build a new life in a small town. It's her last chance to figure out, of all the roles she's played in her thirty-some years, which one truly fits. Her aim at simplicity sounds like the perfect medicine until she meets Kai Allen, who’s spent his life doing everything the hard way and never bending for anyone. Lucky for Kai, Faryn has no preconceived notions about what he’s done and who he is, unlike the rest of town.
When cryptic messages start sneaking their way into Faryn’s apartment, then blatant threats, the two of them compile a long list of who could be stalking her. Unable to keep his frustration and rage hidden any longer, Kai explodes on everyone in his path, and Faryn can't help but wonder if the storm is closer than she thinks.
Blurb:
Faryn Miller wants to build a new life in a small town. It's her last chance to figure out, of all the roles she's played in her thirty-some years, which one truly fits. Her aim at simplicity sounds like the perfect medicine until she meets Kai Allen, who’s spent his life doing everything the hard way and never bending for anyone. Lucky for Kai, Faryn has no preconceived notions about what he’s done and who he is, unlike the rest of town.
When cryptic messages start sneaking their way into Faryn’s apartment, then blatant threats, the two of them compile a long list of who could be stalking her. Unable to keep his frustration and rage hidden any longer, Kai explodes on everyone in his path, and Faryn can't help but wonder if the storm is closer than she thinks.
June 2, 2017
What starts as a luring romance, turns into a gripping thriller. Great small town setting with an awesome cast of characters. J Mercer masterfully takes you on a journey full of twists and reveals that are woven so skillfully into the story you'll want to read it again and again. Highly recommend!
December 10, 2017
Faryn moves to a small town for a fresh start and meets a number of local characters in her new bartending job. She's not looking for romance, but she can't help her attraction to Kai. Kai has a troubled past, but he's trying to reform, and he thinks Faryn is just the one to help him. When Faryn notices strange things happening in her apartment, the locals blame it on the ghost of the previous tenant. But could it be that someone has it out for her? What is Faryn running from, anyway? Has someone from her past followed her? And what about that opening scene? Did Kai, in fact, kill Faryn?
This book sounds complex but, in fact, nothing ever happens. It's a love story where thirty-somethings won't even have sex - totally unbelievable. It's told in the first person, mainly from the points-of-view of Faryn and Kai, with some input by minor characters. Kai's version of Faryn doesn't seem to mesh with her view of herself. For example: he makes her out to be a wanton tease, whereas she constantly tells us she's not looking for a lover; he makes her out to be confident, in control, and cocky, whereas she presents herself as being meek and mild. These discrepancies may be explained by what we find out later but, unfortunately, I found it all to be a bit too unbelievable. In addition, the opening scene is totally unnecessary and, while it may create suspense, it spoils the ending.
Warnings: coarse language, sexual references, sex scenes (not graphic), violence.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
This book sounds complex but, in fact, nothing ever happens. It's a love story where thirty-somethings won't even have sex - totally unbelievable. It's told in the first person, mainly from the points-of-view of Faryn and Kai, with some input by minor characters. Kai's version of Faryn doesn't seem to mesh with her view of herself. For example: he makes her out to be a wanton tease, whereas she constantly tells us she's not looking for a lover; he makes her out to be confident, in control, and cocky, whereas she presents herself as being meek and mild. These discrepancies may be explained by what we find out later but, unfortunately, I found it all to be a bit too unbelievable. In addition, the opening scene is totally unnecessary and, while it may create suspense, it spoils the ending.
Warnings: coarse language, sexual references, sex scenes (not graphic), violence.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
April 6, 2019
Breadcrumbs of what is to come yet it is still a surprise and filled with suspense.
May 28, 2017
From the first word to the last, you are on the edge of your seat. Complex characters give way to a brilliantly written story of two troubled people who find solace in each others' arms. You will laugh, cry, cheer, and be mystified at the twists in this plot line. I highly recommend this read. Incredible writing from a first time author.
May 23, 2017
This book had me hanging on page by page. With thought provoking character development and surprises at every turn. I highly recommend this fantastic read! I can't wait to pick it up and savor it all over again.
December 11, 2018
I received a review copy of this book from the author through Voracious Readers. This book blew me away! It is well written, fast paced and has numerous twists and turns. Add to that a steamy, sensual romance and you have an entertaining and gripping story. The twists and turns kept you guessing and the romance makes you swoon. All of the characters were well developed and believable and the author definitely captured the small town feel. I fell in love with both of the main characters, Kai and Faryn and found myself rooting for them all the way through. The book title “Dark and Stormy” is a perfect reflection of the story- dark, stormy, romantic, suspenseful and full of provocative, intense characters. This is a great read!
May 28, 2017
I couldn't put this book down! When I reached the last page, I sat, breathless, stunned. J.Mercer's voice sucks the reader into a charming world that seems promising for two broken people, until their dark and stormy pasts come back to consume them.
Faryn moves to a small town to start over, and while working as a bartender, meets local badboy, Kai. The two fall for each other, but Kai has a past of his own he wants to overcome. When a stranger continually breaks into Faryn's apartment and threatens the couple's happiness, they each must confront what they left behind before it destroys what they hope to build for their future. Highly recommended!
Faryn moves to a small town to start over, and while working as a bartender, meets local badboy, Kai. The two fall for each other, but Kai has a past of his own he wants to overcome. When a stranger continually breaks into Faryn's apartment and threatens the couple's happiness, they each must confront what they left behind before it destroys what they hope to build for their future. Highly recommended!
December 1, 2017
I can’t wait to read this book again! I was captivated from the very beginning. This story is romantic, then its thrilling. It has so many twists and turns and layers that I guarantee that when I read it again, I will find something new that I missed before. This story was fantastic to the extreme! I want more, and I wish I could go back in time just so that I can read it all brand new again!! Read this book, and read it multiple times!
Reviewed by #TheUnratedBookshelf & Sweet Spot Sisterhood
Reviewed by #TheUnratedBookshelf & Sweet Spot Sisterhood
December 6, 2017
Wow, what an intense story. I really liked it and was so surprised at the turn of events throughout the book.
The characters were all very well-developed. I got a good feel for each of them. My emotions were all over the place as I read this story. I must say my heart broke for Kai and for Faryn. The story really touched me.
The setting was well portrayed and it was easy to picture myself in a small place where everyone know everything about everyone else.
I would highly recommend this story to other readers.
The characters were all very well-developed. I got a good feel for each of them. My emotions were all over the place as I read this story. I must say my heart broke for Kai and for Faryn. The story really touched me.
The setting was well portrayed and it was easy to picture myself in a small place where everyone know everything about everyone else.
I would highly recommend this story to other readers.
June 3, 2017
So good I read it twice! Feels like I know these down-home characters and lost myself in their real- life struggles and the relationship that was finally setting them free from the trap of the past. Engaging, provoking, and downright surprising! I couldn't wait to turn the next page...
December 22, 2017
I would rate this book a 3.5, definitely better than just 3 stars. It was a fast-paced read and very easy to get into. It was not a book that stayed with me long after I read it but I very much enjoyed the mystery that unfolded!
June 17, 2017
A wonderful mystery wrapped up in intriguing characters. It keeps you guessing right to the end.
December 2, 2017
Dark & Stormy is the debut novel by J. Mercer, and we travel with Faryn as she leaves her old life behind, and goes to the middle of nowhere, USA, for some peace and quiet. The reasons for this aren't clear, although you do find out as the book progresses. She gets herself a job, a place to live, and everything seems to be going A-Okay. Then she meets local bad boy, Kai, who does a complete 180 and becomes 'respectable', much to the disgust of his long term best friend, Andy, and ex-girlfriend, Savannah.
I am having very mixed thoughts on this book - so please bear with me whilst I try to clarify! On the one hand, this is an intricate and intriguing tale, with drama, angst, and anguish all playing a part. On the other hand, parts of it read like it should be on the Jerry Springer show! Most of the time spent on Andy and Savannah seemed wasted to me. They took over the main part of the story, whereas I thought the mystery surrounding Faryn was supposed to be the focal-point.
Also, in regards to the mystery surrounding Faryn - it was TOO mysterious! And I know that sounds like a paradox, believe me, I do. You found out next to nothing about the main female character through 99% of the book. There was a small talk with Kai at one point, but she quickly says she doesn't want to talk about it again. It is only at the end, once the climax is over, that you learn about her. It felt rushed and imbalanced to me. This main character, where you are supposed to have an epiphany about things once you know, felt like she was just written off in one page.
All in all, I enjoyed this book, but it didn't wow me like I was hoping. If you would like to try something a bit different, then I would recommend this though. Stick with it, and it may become your next favourite. It just wasn't mine.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I am having very mixed thoughts on this book - so please bear with me whilst I try to clarify! On the one hand, this is an intricate and intriguing tale, with drama, angst, and anguish all playing a part. On the other hand, parts of it read like it should be on the Jerry Springer show! Most of the time spent on Andy and Savannah seemed wasted to me. They took over the main part of the story, whereas I thought the mystery surrounding Faryn was supposed to be the focal-point.
Also, in regards to the mystery surrounding Faryn - it was TOO mysterious! And I know that sounds like a paradox, believe me, I do. You found out next to nothing about the main female character through 99% of the book. There was a small talk with Kai at one point, but she quickly says she doesn't want to talk about it again. It is only at the end, once the climax is over, that you learn about her. It felt rushed and imbalanced to me. This main character, where you are supposed to have an epiphany about things once you know, felt like she was just written off in one page.
All in all, I enjoyed this book, but it didn't wow me like I was hoping. If you would like to try something a bit different, then I would recommend this though. Stick with it, and it may become your next favourite. It just wasn't mine.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
November 30, 2017
Our story starts out simple enough, a new girl in town meets cute hometown guy and he falls head over heels instantly. The amount of discussion regarding their lust, but respectful lust, was a bit excessive for my tastes. I understand new relationships are exciting and full of positive emotions, I just feel like it was a bit of instalove and an extraordinary amount of discussion about the feel of each others skin and trying to control their lust for each other.
The story moves forward eventually and we get into the drama of the story. Friends and exes interfering, a mysterious past that was never discussed, you get the idea. I actually really loved Savannah as a character. She was feisty and determined and I feel like every small town has a Savannah in it. Faryn and Kai were an interesting match, but his overprotective nature was never really addressed.
All in all, not my favorite story I've read lately but certainly had some interesting characters and a very small town feel which I enjoyed. I wasn't so shocked by the twist at the end because there was some foreshadowing for it, but it was as good finish to the story.
The story moves forward eventually and we get into the drama of the story. Friends and exes interfering, a mysterious past that was never discussed, you get the idea. I actually really loved Savannah as a character. She was feisty and determined and I feel like every small town has a Savannah in it. Faryn and Kai were an interesting match, but his overprotective nature was never really addressed.
All in all, not my favorite story I've read lately but certainly had some interesting characters and a very small town feel which I enjoyed. I wasn't so shocked by the twist at the end because there was some foreshadowing for it, but it was as good finish to the story.
September 4, 2021
I went in pretty blind when I started reading this book...and I devoured it. The format and prose makes the story easy to read and it definitely had me itching to follow this small town dramatic love story.
And the ending? THE ENDING! Completely blindsided. I did not pick up on the clues at all. Maybe because it reads more as a love story than a thriller so I forgot to put on my detective hat. Regardless, I read it in two days and was completely entertained.
My only hang-up (besides me wanting swat a couple of side characters away like house flies 😆), I felt like Kai and Faryn fall in lust not love (at least at first) but they had great chemistry and I was rooting for them.
And the ending? THE ENDING! Completely blindsided. I did not pick up on the clues at all. Maybe because it reads more as a love story than a thriller so I forgot to put on my detective hat. Regardless, I read it in two days and was completely entertained.
My only hang-up (besides me wanting swat a couple of side characters away like house flies 😆), I felt like Kai and Faryn fall in lust not love (at least at first) but they had great chemistry and I was rooting for them.
June 5, 2017
Dark & Stormy pulled me with the characters that we feel like we have all seen living around us. It quickly moved from "known territory" into twists and turns that kept me rushing through wanting to know what was next. You find yourself feeling the emotions right along with the characters all the way to the final page and then you find yourself thinking about them and the story that was just told long after you close the book at the end. A great read!
November 20, 2017
This book is a real chameleon of a story. Starting out as romance, and morphing into a thriller, it is a tale which improved as it went on.
There is an underlying darkness throughout the narrative which keeps the reader on edge and the threat, which starts as a reasonably low level one, gradually ramps up to the shocking conclusion.
A gripping read.
I voluntarily reviewed a reviewer copy of this book.
There is an underlying darkness throughout the narrative which keeps the reader on edge and the threat, which starts as a reasonably low level one, gradually ramps up to the shocking conclusion.
A gripping read.
I voluntarily reviewed a reviewer copy of this book.
October 7, 2018
I received this book as a complimentary copy from Voracious Readers Only. J. Mercer has done a great job writing such a shocking and twisty story. I enjoyed the characters and the situations presented in the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is willing to read and discover with twists and turns along the way.
November 30, 2017
Wow, this book took me on an emotional ride.Good story, it kept me from beginning to end.
August 30, 2018
What a good story. Definitely kept me on my toes. Not at all what I expected
December 4, 2018
Wow, I was completely impressed with the level of writing overall— but in particular I loved the complex characters and amazing twists. Frankly, the ending was stunning. Well done!
December 6, 2017
I don’t even know how to really put into words how I feel about this book. I know for me after finishing it there was anger. The ending wasn’t what I was expecting and it left me feeling a bit raw inside.
There wasn’t enough character development or enough story provided about the characters to make me fall in love with them. Faryn and Kai were two people who fell in love blindly. Neither of them knew enough about the other but let their natural chemistry put them into a serious relationship.
They needed time to develop and become something more. I wanted to better understand them. It just wasn’t meant to be.
This book will leave you feeling all kinds of things. I just don’t know if I can love it.
There wasn’t enough character development or enough story provided about the characters to make me fall in love with them. Faryn and Kai were two people who fell in love blindly. Neither of them knew enough about the other but let their natural chemistry put them into a serious relationship.
They needed time to develop and become something more. I wanted to better understand them. It just wasn’t meant to be.
This book will leave you feeling all kinds of things. I just don’t know if I can love it.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews