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Dark Mountains
Not every happily ever after comes easily. Some love stories are born in the dark...
Cole Andrews knew he would be best friends with Libby Michaels from the moment he met her on the bus ride to preschool. As they grew up together in the rural Kentucky mountains, he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. But Libby had been hiding something and that secret puts her in danger. Cole vows to keep her safe but after 9-11 he goes off to war, nearly losing his life. He returns to Kentucky, determined to heal and start their lives together but Libby's past is threatening their happiness with deadly results. Cole has to use all his training as a Marine to keep her safe but will it be enough to save them both?
Dark Mountains is a romantic suspense novella.
Cole Andrews knew he would be best friends with Libby Michaels from the moment he met her on the bus ride to preschool. As they grew up together in the rural Kentucky mountains, he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. But Libby had been hiding something and that secret puts her in danger. Cole vows to keep her safe but after 9-11 he goes off to war, nearly losing his life. He returns to Kentucky, determined to heal and start their lives together but Libby's past is threatening their happiness with deadly results. Cole has to use all his training as a Marine to keep her safe but will it be enough to save them both?
Dark Mountains is a romantic suspense novella.
187 pages, ebook
First published June 23, 2013
4 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Meredith
13 books15 followersIn late 2021, I unexpectedly lost my husband.
My high school sweetheart, my partner for 18 years, father to my three children, confidant, and best friend, was gone so suddenly, I couldn’t grasp the new reality I was forced into.
But my children needed me, and though grief sometimes threatened to drown me, I pulled away from the choking darkness of loss, to be strong for them.
I thought maybe I wouldn’t be able to write again: After all, I had lost MY happily-ever-after, how could I create one for my characters?
But I have come to realize that just because the love story I had with my husband ended, in a way I never anticipated, didn’t mean it wasn’t real, true, and full of love. It didn’t mean I couldn’t still believe in it, hope for it, write about it, find it again.
On the contrary, it meant I knew what it took to find it, to create it, to keep it, to nurture it, to survive losing it. And it has made me a stronger woman because of it.
I have always believed that everyone deserves a happily-ever-after, and that some love stories are born in the dark.
Now, I can say, that some love stories rise from the ashes of another story, and though it may be different, it is still love, it is still deserved, and it still breathtakingly wonderful.
I urge you all, no matter where you are in your journey of life and love, to never stop believing in that happily-ever-after, whatever that story means for you.
My high school sweetheart, my partner for 18 years, father to my three children, confidant, and best friend, was gone so suddenly, I couldn’t grasp the new reality I was forced into.
But my children needed me, and though grief sometimes threatened to drown me, I pulled away from the choking darkness of loss, to be strong for them.
I thought maybe I wouldn’t be able to write again: After all, I had lost MY happily-ever-after, how could I create one for my characters?
But I have come to realize that just because the love story I had with my husband ended, in a way I never anticipated, didn’t mean it wasn’t real, true, and full of love. It didn’t mean I couldn’t still believe in it, hope for it, write about it, find it again.
On the contrary, it meant I knew what it took to find it, to create it, to keep it, to nurture it, to survive losing it. And it has made me a stronger woman because of it.
I have always believed that everyone deserves a happily-ever-after, and that some love stories are born in the dark.
Now, I can say, that some love stories rise from the ashes of another story, and though it may be different, it is still love, it is still deserved, and it still breathtakingly wonderful.
I urge you all, no matter where you are in your journey of life and love, to never stop believing in that happily-ever-after, whatever that story means for you.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 7, 2014
“Are you always going to take care of me, Cole?”
“Always”
Dark Mountains was a free read I was able to pick up from Amazon. Despite my TBR list being obscenely long, something about the blurb drew me in and I read this book in one sitting. Dark Mountains is the story of two children, Cole and Libby, who meet as very young children instantly becoming best friends. That friendship continues through their childhood and beyond eventually growing into more. Cole becomes Libby’s lifeline as she lives with a tragic and violent home life. As Libby and Cole become adults, the danger to Libby doesn’t end.
Cole makes a wonderful hero with his steadfast friendship to Libby and his desire to protect and comfort her. Although I usually read romances with a lot more steam, I enjoyed Dark Mountains for everything it was…Sweet, moving, well-written. Dark Mountains probably won’t be the next breakout book you hear about but it was a lovely read and all the more likable for the simplistic and straightforward style it was written in. A sweet, solid 3.5 read. Just a side note, the generic cover does not do justice to this book and I’d recommend a new one.
May 23, 2015
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was instantly drawn to this book after reading the author’s inscription on the cover: “Not every happily ever after comes easily. Some love stories are born in the dark”. I read the first two chapters at work during lunch. I went home from work and stayed up till 1 am to finish the novel as that was the inexplicable pull of Amanda Meredith’s words.
Most love stories elaborately set up the stage for the protagonists to meet and fall in love. What was refreshing in Dark Mountains was right from the time 5 year old Cole Andrews met Libby (Elizabeth Michaels) in their school bus, I immediately understood why they were destined together. Libby comes from a family where her father (Jackson) has physically abused her and her mother (Carol Ann) for years. At times I was frustrated to know why Carol would not take a stand, but at the end everything fell into place. In stark contrast, Cole’s family – his parents Tim and Sheri, and his sister Emma Lou - show us what a beautiful family really is and they act as an incredible support system to Cole and Libby.
When Cole gets to know the ugly side of Jackson, he vows to himself to always protect her. There is one quote of Cole Andrews that will stay with me forever. “It changed the way I had looked at the world for most of my life and started me on a journey that would change who I was”. The darkness of Jackson always looms over their heads. But woven along this ugliness is Cole and Libby’s beautiful love that grows through the course of an adventure filled childhood and hormone charged teenage years and steadfastly blooms into a passionate tale.
Spanning two decades of their lives, Cole and Libby show us what commitment and true love all about. The metaphor of darkness that hangs over Cole and Libby’s lives was beautiful described in relation the mountains and woods. The association of fear and snakes was very creepy and it was just so overwhelmingly sad to read about Carol Ann’s past.
I can’t recall any other book, where I’ve pretty much read from cover to cover with a lump in my throat. Dark Mountains certainly tugged my heart strings in all ways possible.
I was instantly drawn to this book after reading the author’s inscription on the cover: “Not every happily ever after comes easily. Some love stories are born in the dark”. I read the first two chapters at work during lunch. I went home from work and stayed up till 1 am to finish the novel as that was the inexplicable pull of Amanda Meredith’s words.
Most love stories elaborately set up the stage for the protagonists to meet and fall in love. What was refreshing in Dark Mountains was right from the time 5 year old Cole Andrews met Libby (Elizabeth Michaels) in their school bus, I immediately understood why they were destined together. Libby comes from a family where her father (Jackson) has physically abused her and her mother (Carol Ann) for years. At times I was frustrated to know why Carol would not take a stand, but at the end everything fell into place. In stark contrast, Cole’s family – his parents Tim and Sheri, and his sister Emma Lou - show us what a beautiful family really is and they act as an incredible support system to Cole and Libby.
When Cole gets to know the ugly side of Jackson, he vows to himself to always protect her. There is one quote of Cole Andrews that will stay with me forever. “It changed the way I had looked at the world for most of my life and started me on a journey that would change who I was”. The darkness of Jackson always looms over their heads. But woven along this ugliness is Cole and Libby’s beautiful love that grows through the course of an adventure filled childhood and hormone charged teenage years and steadfastly blooms into a passionate tale.
Spanning two decades of their lives, Cole and Libby show us what commitment and true love all about. The metaphor of darkness that hangs over Cole and Libby’s lives was beautiful described in relation the mountains and woods. The association of fear and snakes was very creepy and it was just so overwhelmingly sad to read about Carol Ann’s past.
I can’t recall any other book, where I’ve pretty much read from cover to cover with a lump in my throat. Dark Mountains certainly tugged my heart strings in all ways possible.
October 23, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
This was a great love story. Cole and Libby meet at the age of four and become good friends that day. He knows she holds secrets but is never quite sure what.
Libby Michaels has had a rough childhood and hides the pain her Dad inflicts on her. Cole's parents know and take her in everyday after school. Libby and Cole do everything together.
After graduation and 9-11 Cole joins the military and it takes him far away from Libby. After several years apart he returns after almost losing his life. He is determined to protect Libby from her past. However, her past is determined to end both her and Cole. Just when you think things are going well for Libby and Cole they are forced to keep looking over their shoulder again.
One of my favorite scenes is when Cole shows her the surprise in the woods by their special spot. I absolutely loved he was able to make this happen without her even knowing he was doing it. Cole was usually there for Libby when she needed him. I was a sobbing mess when her past caught up with her and she was the one fighting for her life. Causing Cole and her to have reversed roles from when he was injured. Oh but the secrets that came out while she was hurt were shocking. I had a feeling there was something there but never could put my finger on what is was until the secret was out. What a twist that was.
To be able to see these two grow from childhood friends to what they are now was amazing. This was a testament to how love grows and evolves even through good times and bad. Cole and Libby both had their fair share of good times and bad times. In the end their love and strength got them through.
This was a great love story. Cole and Libby meet at the age of four and become good friends that day. He knows she holds secrets but is never quite sure what.
Libby Michaels has had a rough childhood and hides the pain her Dad inflicts on her. Cole's parents know and take her in everyday after school. Libby and Cole do everything together.
After graduation and 9-11 Cole joins the military and it takes him far away from Libby. After several years apart he returns after almost losing his life. He is determined to protect Libby from her past. However, her past is determined to end both her and Cole. Just when you think things are going well for Libby and Cole they are forced to keep looking over their shoulder again.
One of my favorite scenes is when Cole shows her the surprise in the woods by their special spot. I absolutely loved he was able to make this happen without her even knowing he was doing it. Cole was usually there for Libby when she needed him. I was a sobbing mess when her past caught up with her and she was the one fighting for her life. Causing Cole and her to have reversed roles from when he was injured. Oh but the secrets that came out while she was hurt were shocking. I had a feeling there was something there but never could put my finger on what is was until the secret was out. What a twist that was.
To be able to see these two grow from childhood friends to what they are now was amazing. This was a testament to how love grows and evolves even through good times and bad. Cole and Libby both had their fair share of good times and bad times. In the end their love and strength got them through.
March 14, 2018
A great love story fraught with peril filled with examples of spouse and child abuse all wrapped up in a bow. If I had to say something negative about the whole book it'd be the sex scenes. Not that they were bad, but they were unnecessary. Sure, it's the genre, and the current state of romance, but it just didn't fit well with the rest of the story. My opinion, do what thou wilt.
The abuse in the book isn't graphic, but it's there. Various turns in the story are foreshadowed. Oh, and, there's military pieces too, can't forget that.
The abuse in the book isn't graphic, but it's there. Various turns in the story are foreshadowed. Oh, and, there's military pieces too, can't forget that.
August 25, 2014
I really, really liked this one. would totally read it again.
June 8, 2015
Sorry but I found this book a bit boring. I couldn't engage with the characters and didn't really like the writing style. Also, it's definitely not 'erotica', but it is a nice HEA.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews