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The O'Brien Tales #2

A Lantern in the Dark

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In a sleepy beach town in Coastal Carolina, two lost souls learn the destructive nature of secrets and the healing power of love.

Captain Aidan O’Brien is a decorated officer of the Royal Irish Regiment. While on a personal mission with his brother to retrieve Michael’s would-be mate, Aidan visits an old friend on the local Marine Corps base. Aidan accepts an opportunity to return, to train with the infantry Marines at Camp Lejeune.

Alanna Falk is a grad student, working with PTSD patients in a nearby recovery clinic. A few months after the unexpected visit from the O’Brien brothers, Alanna can’t seem to get the eldest O’Brien out of her mind. She assumes that she’ll never see him again. After all, Aidan is a soldier in the Royal Irish Regiment, living in Belfast. She’s living in her best friend's beach house in North Carolina. When Aidan shows up on her beachfront deck unannounced, the fireworks fly… along with a Louisville Slugger that she keeps on hand.

Both Aidan and Alanna have their own reasons for being alone. As a friendship blossoms and the attraction grows, each begins to uncover the shadows that haunt the other. Aidan, tormented by dreams of a terrible day in Kabul, Afghanistan, rebuffs Alanna’s attempts to offer him counsel. Alanna refuses to open up to anyone about why she keeps a handgun in her desk and a bat within reach.

Aidan swore he’d never marry, never put a woman or children through life in the military. But the lovely, southern beauty challenges his strongest defenses. He comes to realize that Alanna may need him even more than he needs her. Especially as the tide turns, and Alanna’s secret fears become a very real danger.

564 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2016

239 people are currently reading
193 people want to read

About the author

Stacey Reynolds

19 books208 followers
Stacey Reynolds began writing after a trip to Europe, where she was bewitched by the coastal counties of Western Ireland. She lives on the coast of North Carolina with three of her five children and her dashing husband, a retired Marine Officer. To learn more about the author check these resources: www.staceylreynolds.weebly.com
facebook.com/staceyreynoldsauthor/
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/staceyreyno...#

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5 stars
816 (67%)
4 stars
289 (23%)
3 stars
87 (7%)
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14 (1%)
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7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
Profile Image for Stacey.
112 reviews3 followers
November 1, 2016
The second installment of the O'Brien Clan Tales is the story of Aidan and Alanna. This author blew me away with her first book, and I must confess to wondering how she'd top it, but dare I say she pulled it off. We saw these two characters meet at the end of the Raven of the Sea, and the book sparks flew, but in A Lantern in the Dark, those sparks take hold and burn oh-so-hot.

When Aidan is sent to Camp Lejeune to train as part of an exchange program, he stays at his new sister-in-law's place on the beach...in the same duplex as Alanna. Their first "hello" after several months since that first introduction is met with a Louisville Slugger, but there's no denying the chemistry. We are introduced to a team of Marines that leaves you laughing, families that leave you crying, but we meet some characters, such as Mo, that I hope get their own book and HEA as this series continues. One of the characters I really enjoyed seeing more of in this book was Seany Jr. The youngest O'Brien visits his brother in the States, and it was so good to see they amazing young man he is becoming.

Ms. Reynolds also uses her story to shine a light on two very important issues with this book: PTSD and TBIs suffered by our military veterans, and without giving too much away...stalking. Both characters have their demons to battle, both are stubborn and refuse help but both long for a better life free of those demons, and together they learn that it's better to wage such a battle with a little help and support from the one person meant to be by your side. It was pure joy to watch Aidan and Alanna's friendship grow and develop into the kind of love and commitment that's meant to last a lifetime.

I hope you love this book as much as I did. It'll definitely be one I re-read over and over in the years to come. Laugh, cry, or process the emotions she'll invoke however you must, this book will not disappoint.
Profile Image for Renee.
289 reviews
November 5, 2016
I love an O'Brein romance & this is a good one!!

At a time when so many of our service members return suffering from physical & mental injuries, this book enlightened me more to all the sacrifices made. While in the midst of a growing romance, various characters are suffering with TBI, PTSD, depression, anxiety & various other conditions. The author doesn't stop there though. We see what it's like learning how to help a loved one cope with those conditions. You'll get insight to the medical side, friendship side & family side, learning that all of them have sacrificed in some way.

There is suspense, love, loss, suffering and healing.

While you're discovering all of this, you are transported to the coast of North Carolina where the beaches are gorgeous, the towns are quaint, the people are friendly and re food is fantastic. But don't fret, you're still getting that bit of Ireland that Stacey Reynolds so well described in her first book. This 2nd novel has surpassed her first.

The character development has me awaiting her future books in the O'Brein Series.

I'll definitely be following this author!
Profile Image for Jennifer Hutto.
5 reviews
January 26, 2017
When I first heard about this series of books, they were more categorized as a "romance" novels - but they are so much more! I greatly enjoyed the first book in the O'Brien Tales so I was looking forward to this novel. "A Lantern in the Dark" far exceeded my expectations. There is plenty of romance but the author also writes about the challenges our modern military members face, including active combat, war wounds (both physical and mental) and suicide. Even while weaving these difficult subjects throughout the novel, she develops such amazing, well rounded characters. I cannot believe how much I admired and loved both Alanna and Aidan. I appreciated each one separately, but also loved them as a couple.

This series is amazing and I'm anxiously looking forward to more tales of the O'Briens! (I found myself frequently guessing who would be featured next every time a new couple began showing interest in each other! Can't wait to see who our next couple will be!)
Profile Image for Stacy  Hamrick.
12 reviews1 follower
December 7, 2016
Two words- AMAZING ROMANCE! If I could give this book more stars, I'd give it all of the stars in the universe! The writer makes you feel like you are actually LIVING in this wonderful coastal Carolina town! The two main characters are full of life and believable. As an added bonus, this story brings awareness to an issue that affects many of our service men and women - PTSD. The sub-characters are lovable and you are left yearning to know more. But what I really love about Reynolds writing (with this book and her first) is that she doesn't leave you wanting. She wraps up these characters stories and leaves nothing behind. Pure unadulterated fulfillment! Absolutely pleasure to read this and I cannot wait for the next installment!!
Profile Image for Pat.
300 reviews
January 16, 2018
Stacey did a wonderful job with continuing her story line from her debut novel. I enjoyed the mystery in this book and the love of Alanna’s Dad and Aiden’s genuine family. The references to military life I can relate to. I love how the author brought to light, as other reviewers have stated, PTSD etc which is so prevalent in all faces of the military. This is a story of both love and survival.
13 reviews2 followers
May 13, 2018
Love love love this family!

Book two and I’m ready for more of the O’Brien family. Love the journey to the HEA. Stacey Reynolds is an up and coming romance author and I’ll definitely read any of her future books.
33 reviews2 followers
July 10, 2018
Series of great characters

Loving this series. Reading about the love, the trials and the closeness of the O'Brien clan keeps the characters alive with the need to know more about their journeys.
Profile Image for Alex Dunn.
26 reviews5 followers
January 6, 2018
Loved it, can't wait to read the next book!
2 reviews
August 13, 2018
Falling even harder for these books. The characters are to die for and the story is masterfully though to out and executed. This book was emotional and really pulled at your heart. I can't wait to read more about the O'Brien clan. I love this journey Stacey Reynolds is taking her readers on!
Profile Image for Gia Ellis.
47 reviews1 follower
November 6, 2016
I feel as if I cannot properly review this second book as I did the first. The reason being is because I read it too fast, almost straight thru, cover to cover. At first I was nervous of book two being a let down after coming off of such a high from book one. This often happens to me when reading the same author a few times. Thankfully this did not occur. In fact, it was impossible to put this book down! I really love Ms. Reynold's writing style. I love the way she develops the characters and peels back their complex layers like an onion from beginning to end. As in book one, there were many surprises that I didn't see coming. I love the little sub-plots of other side characters and now want to know their full stories as well, just like I did in book one. I couldn't wait to delve into the story of Aidan and Alanna and I was thankful to get a glimpse back into the life of Michael and Branna again tool. It is an amazing skill when an author can capture you into their story so much that you feel as if you're there. I feel like I personally know the O'Brien family members. Once again she has transported me to another place entirely. Instead of it being Ireland, this time was Coastal NC. I could smell the ocean, feel the salty air on my skin, the sand between my toes and the thick blanket of humidity that ENC is known for. When she took me to the fishmonger in Swansboro, I craved prawns and clams for weeks. We she took me to the BBQ place I salivated for pulled pork, hushpuppies and sweet tea, but definitely not the okra! LOL. One of my favorite themes in this book was the military, particularly the Marines aspect. Coming from generations of Marines and being married to one for the last 17 years myself, I appreciated the story line. Most of all the problems we are facing today with our men and women such as PTSD, TBI, Wounded Warriors, Suicide and other combat related issues, are dealt with in A Lantern in the Dark. It is imperative that we, as a country and especially civilians including our government, are aware and understand what our service member and family members go thru to protect this great country. It has been my experience that with civilians, they just have no idea and don't truly understand. I love the author's use of the title as a metaphor and noticed it so many different times in the book. Some times it was literal and other times symbolic. Brilliant. I also fell in love with Alanna's work and her mission. In fact, I read this book while I was in-between jobs. I was searching daily for something when I took a break to read this book. I was immediately inspired to make a difference and do something more. I applied for many VA, Advocacy and Social Service jobs and ended up with something I believe to be my true calling as the manager for the ReStore for Habitat for Humanity. After many days on the job, I feel that I have never done something so fulfilling and I have the author and Alanna to thank for that. Of course there was also the hot and heavy love scenes that kept me turning pages at a rapid rate! Ms. Reynold's definitely has a way of making you want, no NEED, an O'Brien lover in your life! Thankfully my husband is not currently deployed as I read these books ;). I am anxious and hungry for more O'Brien tales again, just as I was after book one. I long to hear how Branna, Michael, Alanna and Aidan are all doing, but I crave to learn the stories of Sean and Sorcha, Tagdh, and little Seany next! I LOVED the novella or short story on her website about Brian and Meghan O'Mara. These are the kinds of details I need to know and the author knows this about her readers, thankfully. Their story was touching and tragic as is the stories of military families often are, unfortunately. It takes a brave and certain kind of human being to stand up and serve their country. No other job is like it. Personally, I couldn't do it, but I can do my best as a supportive and loving wife and help spread awareness to others. We are truly blessed to live in America and I am grateful for the Honor, Courage and Commitment our service members give on a daily basis. Without them, we wouldn't be free. We are truly "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all" Thank you Stacey Reynolds for writing with such raw and honest conviction. Thank you for making me fall in love with your writing, these stories and characters, and................ the Irish! I look forward to book three and I wish you success and much luck in fame and fortune as an author and advocator!
Profile Image for Kari Williams.
798 reviews3 followers
October 17, 2019
Great

I’m loving this series. This author is doing a great job getting me invested in all of the characters. She writes with emotion and I felt every bit as I read.
8 reviews
March 27, 2020
This is a wonderful story. Again I cried. A lot of remembrance for me, my husband is a Viet Nam marine. My son Gulf War army. This hit some tender spots for me. I am starting the third book today. Will Seany be book number 6? Great series.
12 reviews
October 9, 2023
I read these type of romantic book series because I just love a full circle, nicely wrapped up story, but this one had too many parallels to its plot as the first book. Maybe that's a function of the genre. I thought that the trauma bonding and self flagellation would end with the first book but maybe that is the authors preference for romance. My only other critique is the weirdly patriotic and supportive scenes for the U.S. military industrial complex. My father was in the navy and I am nowhere near this patriotic. I liked the characters and the mention of Hozier though.
Profile Image for Melanie.
224 reviews
November 11, 2016
An up and coming indie author that deserves your full and undivided attention. No review I leave will do it justice.....it is beautifully written and will leave you wanting more. Picking this one up after reading the first was just like catching up with old friends. Once you start reading, you begin to realize just how much you miss these characters. I'm looking to many more in the series :-)
Profile Image for Susan.
223 reviews
May 10, 2023
A fun romp, extremely predictable and a bit too steamy for its own good. Since this one followed almost exactly the pattern of the first, I'm not sure I'll bother with the others in the series.
Profile Image for DJ.
769 reviews
February 21, 2025
A Lantern in the Dark is the perfect follow-up to book 1, Raven of the Sea!

I often wonder if I am the only person who reads the author notes in a book? I always find the author notes to be so insightful! The notes are a window into the author's soul. Such is the case with Stacey Reynolds' author's notes of A Lantern in the Dark. In her notes, she details her life as a Marine spouse, her time in Camp Lejeune, and her experience with the realities of war. I could tell from her notes that A Lantern in the Dark was a novel from her heart. As I was reading A Lantern in the Dark, I was struck by how much the story touched a deep place in my soul. As a former Army nurse who married a Special Forces soldier (he later was rated by VA as a disabled veteran), I appreciated the authenticity and sensitivity Stacey Reynolds showed when writing about our wounded warriors. Her detailed description of the programs and techniques used for the treatment of TBI, PTSD, and other mental health issues was so fascinating, I went down an hour long rabbit hole doing a Google search for similar programs near me I could volunteer at! The scenes that included family-oriented activities designed to get wounded and returning veterans to appropriately interact with their children were so heartfelt and raw that I thought my heart was going to break. Be prepared for some strong emotional reactions to this novel. I guarantee Stacey can break your heart wide open! But don't worry, because before you reach the end, Stacey will fill your heart back up again with some sexy, hot love, warm, strong community friendships, characters so real you will consider them family and of course a happily ever after ending!

Oh, and if Lantern in the Dark isn't amazing enough, it is not just the second book in a series. It is the second book she has written! Incredible!
Profile Image for Brandy.
436 reviews
May 4, 2017
Another great story!! This book fits PERFECTLY with the the first! I love the writing style - heartwarming, funny, sad - so much feeling & emotion!
For a second book, this one knocked my socks off!!! It's not just the second book in a series, it's the second book this author has ever written!!!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book ("Raven of the Sea"), and couldn't wait for this one to come out. This book surpassed anything I was expecting it to be!!!
As a military wife, there were so many parts of this story that hit home........ even though it was rough getting through those parts, it was also nice reading something I could relate too, that was written well.
There's so much feeling behind the author's words, and so much heart put into the characters. You read/feel the happy, the sad, the frustration, confusion, anger..... it's all there.
I'm not one for "romance", but it's so much deeper than that. There's a REAL story, with meaning...... along with amazingly steamy sex with a HOTT leading man!!!!
This book is a DEFINITE read!!!!!!
Profile Image for Pamela.
172 reviews4 followers
February 21, 2023
Oh my stars. Between the Irish accents and the fabulous reader, this book just about did me in. Family. Love. Ok, honestly, the pure lust stuff is pretty good, too. This book is, of course, sn incredible love story, or love stories, or, well, just love. From Marines having each other's back, to family caring about each other through the good and the rough, to gathering in those who are broken, to healing vets, to babies, babies, and more babies, to people of deep faith, with a few Catholic masses thrown in for good measure, this is the second wonderful book I've read by Stacy Reynolds. Face it: she GETS people, and she draws them beautifully. Each character is someone you know, someone you've met, or someoneyou need to meet. If we ever learn to live as the O'Brien clan lives, the world will be a MUCH better place. But serious trigger warnings for frank discussions of military actions, sexual violence, and human depravity. Mixed in with one of the most meaningful "romance novel" romance ever. Kind of like real life...
Profile Image for Deborah Sherman.
433 reviews7 followers
April 19, 2023
I am really enjoying The O'Brien Tales. This second book is even better than the first. I was taken back to America, to a coastal town in North Carolina where the two main characters, Alanna and Aiden, met at the end of book One. It is full of loss, love, suspense, suffering and healing. It dealt with PTSD within the military and how it affected the entire family and friends.

I listened to this one on Audible as I had with the first. Oh my, between the Irish accents and the terrific speakers, they made this story come alive. I felt like I was right there with them. I started this on a trip from Vermont to Maine the end of March. I only had time to listen while traveling. However, this past week I had to listen every chance I got. I have already downloaded book 3 and will start it today. It will make a great walking companion for me. Highly recommend this entire series.
Profile Image for Jai Rahim.
2,112 reviews
November 5, 2023
I enjoyed this audiobook even more than the first one. I love a broken hero. Just so happens that both the hero and the heroine needed healing, in this book. Demons from their pasts continued to haunt these two strong, capable people and each suffered their nightmares in silence. It was touching to watch as they came together in love, and a trust that finally strengthened them to expose their personal demons to the light. The affection and respect this big Irish family have for one another brings me to tears with every book. I love how easily the heroes in this series kiss their brothers (and other family members), and say “I love you” to each other. I look forward to Tadgh’s story, knowing that I’ll be sobbing, satisfied, and heart warmed, by the end of it.
34 reviews2 followers
March 26, 2022
From laughter to tears

Not sure I've chuckled quiet so much reading a story.

On the flip side, the truth of PTSD is tragic and I shed a few tears as I read through the tragedies the characters experienced. It was a great representation of the ripple effect that family and friends go through in the wake of war.

Thank you S.R. for writing this book. It is not just romance. It is life.
1 review
July 15, 2022
Its like you are there....

I'm a huge Nora Roberts fan but Stacey......its like being apart of a family. I cannot put the book down . I've read the first 2 books in one week and having 2 kids under 2, I feel is impressive. I'm military and everything about these stories feels like I'm right there with the family.
7 reviews
June 12, 2023
One of my favorites in the O'Brien series. I love Aidan and Alanna, and the sexual tension and subtle mystery are satisfying. There are a lot of Marine Corp components to this story, which as a military brat I can relate to. Good HEA. It would be five stars if not for repetitive word choices riddled throughout the entire series.
Profile Image for Jan Schmidt.
68 reviews
April 26, 2024
This book continues the story of the O'Brian clan. I loved Aidan and Alanna's story. It does have a rather serious undertone to the romance, and for some may be triggering. The stalking of Alanna and dealing with her father's PTSD, gives her the tools to help Aidan with his issues. The book is well written. I enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kathi Rutherford.
139 reviews
August 3, 2018
A new life

This amazing Irish family has so many roads to travel to find their soulmate.The highs and lows of new love and a new country are amazingly told.I can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Kathy.
29 reviews2 followers
May 7, 2020
Touching and beautiful story

Already a fan of the O’ Brien family, as a Marine wife and daughter I followed this tale with particular interest. It did not disappoint. At times it broke my heart, but the ending was worth the pain.
14 reviews
July 18, 2020
Emotional rollercoaster

You will laugh out loud, cry tears of sadness and of joy, and delight in these characters.Stacey Reynolds is an artist , she paints with words. You can see the scene and feel her character's emotions. This is a series worth reading.
60 reviews
August 4, 2020
The OBrien’s

I really loved the characters in this book. Their personal victories and sadness. My heart broke for Aiden and Alanna,but it was great how they handled their trials and successes.Loved it heading for number 3
Thanks for a great story.
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