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Heart of the Amazon #1
Into the Darkness
Adventure. Betrayal. Murder.
Dead? Kate Collier refuses to believe her brother and last remaining family member died in the Brazilian rainforest. Determined to find the missing biochemist, she launches an expedition to find him.
A.C. Slader’s past is as dark and turbulent as the Amazon. Consumed with his own problems, when Kate tries hiring him to find her no-doubt deceased brother, he turns her down cold. The last thing he needs is to fight his way through an impassable jungle for a woman who wouldn’t know a stick from a snake. Only when he narrowly rescues her from an attack before she’s even left the relative safety of the town does he realize that without his help, she’ll get herself killed.
Together, they begin a perilous journey that will test the limits of their faith and each other…
Dead? Kate Collier refuses to believe her brother and last remaining family member died in the Brazilian rainforest. Determined to find the missing biochemist, she launches an expedition to find him.
A.C. Slader’s past is as dark and turbulent as the Amazon. Consumed with his own problems, when Kate tries hiring him to find her no-doubt deceased brother, he turns her down cold. The last thing he needs is to fight his way through an impassable jungle for a woman who wouldn’t know a stick from a snake. Only when he narrowly rescues her from an attack before she’s even left the relative safety of the town does he realize that without his help, she’ll get herself killed.
Together, they begin a perilous journey that will test the limits of their faith and each other…
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
567 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Daley
208 books494 followersMargaret Daley, an award-winning author of seventy-six books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 22, 2019
Into The Darkness ( Daring Escape - Book 1 )
By: Margaret Daley
Into The Darkness is book one in a brand new series Daring Escape. Wow, what an adventure. I was trapped at the start and did not want to put it down. I was not disappointed. If you like adventure, betrayal , and murder then you will love Into The Darkness. I loved the story and the characters, both were well written. Kate is looking for her twin brother that everyone says is dead. Slade, a dark and mysterious guide who refuses to go with Kate to look for her brother into the Brazilian rainfall, a jungle where anything can happen. There is mystery in this story. Why is someone trying to prevent Kate from looking for her brother? What has happen to him?The author gives a good description of this jungle and I would not want to go there myself.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book , but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
By: Margaret Daley
Into The Darkness is book one in a brand new series Daring Escape. Wow, what an adventure. I was trapped at the start and did not want to put it down. I was not disappointed. If you like adventure, betrayal , and murder then you will love Into The Darkness. I loved the story and the characters, both were well written. Kate is looking for her twin brother that everyone says is dead. Slade, a dark and mysterious guide who refuses to go with Kate to look for her brother into the Brazilian rainfall, a jungle where anything can happen. There is mystery in this story. Why is someone trying to prevent Kate from looking for her brother? What has happen to him?The author gives a good description of this jungle and I would not want to go there myself.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book , but was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.
March 12, 2019
Book One in the Daring Escapes Series is action-packed with intrigue and uncertainties. Kate Collier does not believe her biochemist brother Zach is dead and sets out from Oklahoma to the Amazon jungle to prove just that. With her steadfast faith in God and the help of a fascinating man named Slader, Kate approaches the unknown with the same zest she has for life. Who is trying to prevent Kate from looking for her brother, and can Kate and Slader finally face the demons that haunt them and find forgiveness? Author Margaret Daley is a master at writing suspenseful stories that keep you turning pages. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and look forward to Book Two!
I was given a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I was given a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 22, 2019
I am excited that Margaret Daley has a new series, Daring Escapes. I have loved all of her books and Into the Darkness does not disappoint. It is probably among my favorites I have read by her. I cannot wait to read the others books in the series.
I give Into the Darkness a well deserved five plus stars and highly recommend it.
I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
I give Into the Darkness a well deserved five plus stars and highly recommend it.
I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
February 27, 2019
What happens when Miss Prim and Proper goes to Brazil with the intention of hiring a guide and going into the Amazon jungle in search of her twin brother who has been reported dead? She believes he is alive although the team that went in search of him came back empty-handed. As the story opens, she is in some remote village walking around trying to find Slader, the one man she was told that could help her. But can she convince him to make the trip? Well, allow me to give you a simple hint. She probably would not have made it into the canoe on the river if he had refused to help. That would be the end of the story. I enjoyed the suspense and action. One of the best parts was her childlike faith that sent her on this journey. Combine her faith and stubbornness and she was a force to be reckoned with. Maybe a larger question than whether she will find her brother is whether they will be allowed to enter the territory where he was last known to be. A tribe of Indians lived there that did not welcome strangers. To make matters more exciting, someone else did not want them to make the trip and tried every way possible to stop them before they could get started. What a great story, but I’ll stick to reading about the jungle rather than going there. I received a copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
March 1, 2019
Being led
I've read a lot of Margaret Daley ' s books and always enjoy them, losing myself in the plot and getting to know the characters. I may have found a favorite - at least to date. I loved the narrative, the dialogue, the characters and the sense of danger and adventure. It felt like I was actually in the jungle of the Amazon hearing the sounds of animals and waterfalls and seeing the tree canopies with bright birds above. The growing attraction of Slade and Kate was sweet, intense and real. I enjoyed every page! The spiritual lessons learned along the way show how God's love is meant to give us a place of trust and He is always ready to guide us back to the fold.
I've read a lot of Margaret Daley ' s books and always enjoy them, losing myself in the plot and getting to know the characters. I may have found a favorite - at least to date. I loved the narrative, the dialogue, the characters and the sense of danger and adventure. It felt like I was actually in the jungle of the Amazon hearing the sounds of animals and waterfalls and seeing the tree canopies with bright birds above. The growing attraction of Slade and Kate was sweet, intense and real. I enjoyed every page! The spiritual lessons learned along the way show how God's love is meant to give us a place of trust and He is always ready to guide us back to the fold.
February 20, 2019
How exciting to go into the Amazon jungle in Brazil on an adventure, right? Wrong!!!! The author portrays an adventure alright but it's not one I ever want to take! It's full of running away from people trying to kill you, bugs, foul weather, sheer exhaustion, little food and taking tumbles off of cliffs! However, Kate is trying to find her brother who has been lost for months and she's not going to give up until she finds him! Everyone says he has to be dead but he's her twin and twins know these kind of things! She may be a prim and proper kind of lady from Oklahoma but she is going to put everything she has into finding him, even hiring jungle guide A.C. Slader who makes her very nervous but people say he's her best chance of finding her brother so she'll depend on him! Slader does NOT want to help out Kate but something about her determination makes him say "yes" to this woman but he is not going to open up about himself or his past. He's going to help her for a week or so and then be done! This story was great! I loved having an international suspense adventure with lots of action and getting to know these characters! I definitely recommend it!
July 24, 2020
I love a good adventure tale. Into the Darkness, #1 reminded me of parts of Romancing the Stone (with Kathleen Turner and Micheal Douglas traipsing through the Colombian jungle), of The Hobbit (with Bilbo Baggin’s journey through the dark Misty Mts), and of memorable characters Kathleen Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen. Into the Darkness shared similar characterization, humor and outrageous LOL moments. Yet Into the Darkness also dealt with the important issues of (self)forgiveness, healing, and restoration (again reminding me of African Queen).
I enjoyed Into the Darkness. The adventure was fun and the pages turned quickly. After the long quest into the jungle, the final chapters began placing more emphasis on dealing with weighty spiritual issues (Why do bad things happen?) while Into the Darkness’s last chapter and epilogue provided the story closure and HEA I desired. I recommend Into the Darkness to readers who enjoy Clean or inspirational romance action/adventure novels, either the proximity/danger or 2nd Chances tropes, and Sweet HEAs. Into the Darkness is suitable for young readers. It can be read as a standalone title.
I have 3 additional titles from Daley’s Everyday Heroes series purchased & waiting in my tbr pile - soon! ;D
Kate Collier/FMC, 38 yrs, is a prim and proper yet tenacious and courageous single woman. She is a church secretary in a small town near Dallas. Kate enters the jungles of Brazil alone on a search to locate her missing twin brother, Zach. As a research biochemist, anthropology and linguistics expert, Zach is well travelled in the Amazon area. He was reported missing 6 weeks earlier while on a quest to discover a hidden, and possibly dangerous tribe rumored to have knowledge of plants with pharmaceutical benefits.
A.C. Slader/MMC is a resigned American ex-patriot with a PhD in archeology working and living the past 5 years deep inside the Amazon jungle. Tall and strongly built with a hard, imperfect face, Slader came well recommended to Kate as the most qualified person to hire and assist her in her dangerous search for her brother. Will Slader be able to help Kate find her brother alive? Or did he die weeks ago in the Brazilian jungle as many believe? Will the journey and unprecedented situations open up new possibilities for either Kate or Slader?
Reader Cautions - IMO, suitable for readers, 14 yrs. and older.
Profanity- none.
Violence - minimal. Similar or less than old Westerns.
Sexual situations - none. Mild kissing toward the end.
I enjoyed Into the Darkness. The adventure was fun and the pages turned quickly. After the long quest into the jungle, the final chapters began placing more emphasis on dealing with weighty spiritual issues (Why do bad things happen?) while Into the Darkness’s last chapter and epilogue provided the story closure and HEA I desired. I recommend Into the Darkness to readers who enjoy Clean or inspirational romance action/adventure novels, either the proximity/danger or 2nd Chances tropes, and Sweet HEAs. Into the Darkness is suitable for young readers. It can be read as a standalone title.
I have 3 additional titles from Daley’s Everyday Heroes series purchased & waiting in my tbr pile - soon! ;D
Kate Collier/FMC, 38 yrs, is a prim and proper yet tenacious and courageous single woman. She is a church secretary in a small town near Dallas. Kate enters the jungles of Brazil alone on a search to locate her missing twin brother, Zach. As a research biochemist, anthropology and linguistics expert, Zach is well travelled in the Amazon area. He was reported missing 6 weeks earlier while on a quest to discover a hidden, and possibly dangerous tribe rumored to have knowledge of plants with pharmaceutical benefits.
A.C. Slader/MMC is a resigned American ex-patriot with a PhD in archeology working and living the past 5 years deep inside the Amazon jungle. Tall and strongly built with a hard, imperfect face, Slader came well recommended to Kate as the most qualified person to hire and assist her in her dangerous search for her brother. Will Slader be able to help Kate find her brother alive? Or did he die weeks ago in the Brazilian jungle as many believe? Will the journey and unprecedented situations open up new possibilities for either Kate or Slader?
Reader Cautions - IMO, suitable for readers, 14 yrs. and older.
Profanity- none.
Violence - minimal. Similar or less than old Westerns.
Sexual situations - none. Mild kissing toward the end.
May 8, 2015
This is the first book in a three book series. In this book, Kate Collier has arrived in a small town in Brazil to hire a guide to find her brother who's been presumed dead. He's her twin brother and her (almost) her only living relative, and she loves him very much. That's the only thing that gives her the strength to trek through the wild Amazon jungle!
A. C. Slater is fighting his own demons. He's turned his back on God after tragic events in his life. But Kate's sweet ways and her strong faith start chipping away at his heart of stone. His mission is to get her through the Amazon to her brother safely. Then he can get back to his own life!
The adventure was great! I loved all the descriptions as the characters trek through the rain forest. I loved the development of the relationship between Slater and Kate. The romance was filled with so much tension - made for a great read!
The only thing I didn't like was the abruptness a few scenes changed. I understand this was limited in words and that's probably why. But it bothered me how they were in the wilds of the rain forest one moment, then back in town the nest. Then they went from town to Dallas...I wanted to see the "in between" stuff...
The books in this series:
Heart of the Amazon
Buried Secrets
Forsaken Canyon
A. C. Slater is fighting his own demons. He's turned his back on God after tragic events in his life. But Kate's sweet ways and her strong faith start chipping away at his heart of stone. His mission is to get her through the Amazon to her brother safely. Then he can get back to his own life!
The adventure was great! I loved all the descriptions as the characters trek through the rain forest. I loved the development of the relationship between Slater and Kate. The romance was filled with so much tension - made for a great read!
The only thing I didn't like was the abruptness a few scenes changed. I understand this was limited in words and that's probably why. But it bothered me how they were in the wilds of the rain forest one moment, then back in town the nest. Then they went from town to Dallas...I wanted to see the "in between" stuff...
The books in this series:
Heart of the Amazon
Buried Secrets
Forsaken Canyon
November 5, 2011
Got tired of preaching.
April 19, 2012
Awesome book...1 of My Favorites
January 5, 2024
I suppose this is Christian romantic suspense. I quit at 20% because I didn't want to spend any more time with Kate, though the suspense was well written. Slader was an interesting character who had enough decency to risk his life to protect her despite her judgmental attitude. Kate is fatally naive, and her arrogance (the attitude that her money should be able to buy her anything she wants and she should always get her way) and self-righteousness (I would never drink! Or litter! Or...!) were annoying.
Kate showed up, just assuming everyone would fall in line with her plans and prejudices. She's not fit, has no jungle experience, won't kill even insects, and hates snakes and rats, yet she repeatedly thinks how she could just go into the jungle by herself because God will keep her safe and sheer determination should count for something. I kept wondering if she'd actually asked God about her plans or just assumed God would fall in line with whatever she wanted. Anyway, Slader and Kate are such opposites in interests and approach to life that I just can't see the author ever making them a convincing match.
Kate showed up, just assuming everyone would fall in line with her plans and prejudices. She's not fit, has no jungle experience, won't kill even insects, and hates snakes and rats, yet she repeatedly thinks how she could just go into the jungle by herself because God will keep her safe and sheer determination should count for something. I kept wondering if she'd actually asked God about her plans or just assumed God would fall in line with whatever she wanted. Anyway, Slader and Kate are such opposites in interests and approach to life that I just can't see the author ever making them a convincing match.
March 5, 2021
Take the protagonists of African Queen and their character traits, add a pinch of The Jewel of the Nile, and perhaps a little bit of Indiana Jones, stir in a good portion of humour - and the result is something you will enjoy reading.
Kate, protected and sheltered, tries to find her lost brother in the Amazon area, aided unwillingly by Slader, a rough and tough American living in the area. Her trust and faith in God's help is in direct contrast to his cynicism, but they have to work together to reach their destination, especially when they find out they are being followed by criminals trying their best to kill them.
Kate's view of life is sometimes very naive, and her character is what is making this story seem very unrealistic at stages; however, it is so well told that a reader is willing to overlook that and just enjoys the story, as I did. A bit of a fairytale for adults, but absolutely worth reading!
Kate, protected and sheltered, tries to find her lost brother in the Amazon area, aided unwillingly by Slader, a rough and tough American living in the area. Her trust and faith in God's help is in direct contrast to his cynicism, but they have to work together to reach their destination, especially when they find out they are being followed by criminals trying their best to kill them.
Kate's view of life is sometimes very naive, and her character is what is making this story seem very unrealistic at stages; however, it is so well told that a reader is willing to overlook that and just enjoys the story, as I did. A bit of a fairytale for adults, but absolutely worth reading!
January 6, 2021
If You Liked Romancing the Stone...
I am a fan of the story Romancing the Stone. This is a retelling, taking us to the Amazon. Kate, the main character in Into the Darkness is as prepared to tackle the environment as Joan Wilder was Columbia. And while some may think such a scenario, a woman wearing dress shoes, he hair up, and a dress, would seem unbelievable attire for the environment both stories show how a worse case scenario can provide the reason.
This is a fun, fast read. Great description of birds, beautiful creatures we don't see in the States.
I am a fan of the story Romancing the Stone. This is a retelling, taking us to the Amazon. Kate, the main character in Into the Darkness is as prepared to tackle the environment as Joan Wilder was Columbia. And while some may think such a scenario, a woman wearing dress shoes, he hair up, and a dress, would seem unbelievable attire for the environment both stories show how a worse case scenario can provide the reason.
This is a fun, fast read. Great description of birds, beautiful creatures we don't see in the States.
January 11, 2021
This book really deserves a 3.5. Initially, I almost quit reading because it felt too preachy, too much like Christian novels in years of yore that made Christianity seem so fake and forced. It improved.
The story is of Kate, who went to the Amazon in search of her twin brother, Zach, who had gone missing there. She hires Slader to be her guide into the jungle, but people try to derail their search and kill them, which begs the question, “Why?”.
The story is of Kate, who went to the Amazon in search of her twin brother, Zach, who had gone missing there. She hires Slader to be her guide into the jungle, but people try to derail their search and kill them, which begs the question, “Why?”.
March 15, 2021
The Trusted Guide
Wow and then wow again! This is an incredible story of adventure, danger from nature and humans too. The plot was well thought out. One of the main characters was hiding because of grief as well as well as false guilt. But the other primary person goes outside of her comfort zone with full confidence in God in spite of being unprepared for the challenges ahead. Both have a lot to learn on their life changing journey.
Wow and then wow again! This is an incredible story of adventure, danger from nature and humans too. The plot was well thought out. One of the main characters was hiding because of grief as well as well as false guilt. But the other primary person goes outside of her comfort zone with full confidence in God in spite of being unprepared for the challenges ahead. Both have a lot to learn on their life changing journey.
April 28, 2023
Great read
I'd give this book 9 stars if I could! Wow! The book opened with a bang and kept you turning pages. I loved Kate and her love and dedication to finding her brother. And her faith in God, no matter what they faced was inspiring. I also loved Slader, his loss of his wife and unborn child made me want to cry, but I loved how Kate's strong faith in God, no matter what they faced, brought him to God.
I'd give this book 9 stars if I could! Wow! The book opened with a bang and kept you turning pages. I loved Kate and her love and dedication to finding her brother. And her faith in God, no matter what they faced was inspiring. I also loved Slader, his loss of his wife and unborn child made me want to cry, but I loved how Kate's strong faith in God, no matter what they faced, brought him to God.
August 22, 2020
I enjoyed this adventure through the Amazon (and maybe since I was once a church secretary, it added to the imagination). Fun to read, although not so much for the characters. Tongue-in-cheek humor flavored throughout this clean romance. A mystery evolves, but solving it is so much fun to read about--It kept me turning the pages to read on.
November 16, 2020
There's danger in the jungle
Kate hires Slater to find her brother who is missing in the Amazon jungle. They are faced with many dangers when they enter into the rainforest to search for him. There's more than just the jungle putting them in danger. This is an exciting and suspenseful story with a touch of drama. Very good!
Kate hires Slater to find her brother who is missing in the Amazon jungle. They are faced with many dangers when they enter into the rainforest to search for him. There's more than just the jungle putting them in danger. This is an exciting and suspenseful story with a touch of drama. Very good!
November 18, 2020
Really..trekking the Amazon and finding love, scorpions, wild creatures...oh my!
Daly crafts another winner in this well told story of an Amazon adventure. The story takes several turns so much more at each milestone ...not your normal storyline! Fantastic read and so many new animals to discover! Thank you Margaret Daly for an educational read!!
Daly crafts another winner in this well told story of an Amazon adventure. The story takes several turns so much more at each milestone ...not your normal storyline! Fantastic read and so many new animals to discover! Thank you Margaret Daly for an educational read!!
November 25, 2020
Dangerous journey
Kate heads off to the Amazon to find her missing brother. Needing a guide, she hires Slader, a down & out seeming bum. Immediately Kate is attacked & Slader has to find who did it while searching for her brother. Several improbable things happen and several strings are left dangling. The book was free, so the price was right. And the book was mercifully short.
Kate heads off to the Amazon to find her missing brother. Needing a guide, she hires Slader, a down & out seeming bum. Immediately Kate is attacked & Slader has to find who did it while searching for her brother. Several improbable things happen and several strings are left dangling. The book was free, so the price was right. And the book was mercifully short.
November 26, 2020
A Fun Romance
This book was fun to read. I enjoyed the journeys both physical and spiritual that the MCs took. The imagery was beautifully constructed and I could really imagine myself in the setting. I'd recommend this book to you if you enjoy inspirational romance and adventure.
This book was fun to read. I enjoyed the journeys both physical and spiritual that the MCs took. The imagery was beautifully constructed and I could really imagine myself in the setting. I'd recommend this book to you if you enjoy inspirational romance and adventure.
December 10, 2020
Thrilling. Kept me on the edge of my seat.
I liked everything about this book. Very well written. The intrigue made it hard to put down. And, of course, the suggestion of love in the background piqued my interest too. Can not wait to read another Margaret Daly book to see if this is just a one hit wonder for me.
I liked everything about this book. Very well written. The intrigue made it hard to put down. And, of course, the suggestion of love in the background piqued my interest too. Can not wait to read another Margaret Daly book to see if this is just a one hit wonder for me.
April 28, 2021
The Sladers
I must admit that the creatures of the Amazon made for a few sleepless nights! I loved the descriptive language and the emotions of a woman on a mission amid the challenges of backpacking in the jungle. Her reactions were exactly what I felt mine would have been. The author nailed it. The message of God's forgiveness was clear, front and center.
I must admit that the creatures of the Amazon made for a few sleepless nights! I loved the descriptive language and the emotions of a woman on a mission amid the challenges of backpacking in the jungle. Her reactions were exactly what I felt mine would have been. The author nailed it. The message of God's forgiveness was clear, front and center.
November 5, 2021
This book was full of adventure. Kate knows her twin brother can't be dead and relies on her faith in God to lead her to him. She realizes she may not only be trying to save Zach but also her guide, Slader. Slader lost his wife and blames God for the loss. As they trek through the jungle, both realize they need to forgive themselves so they can get back to living life as they should
December 4, 2021
I love books where the characters find they can do things they never thought possible before. This is one of those books. One character is sheltered and naive, but finds she can handle situations that would have sent her screaming and running away. I won't tell about the other because I don't want to spoil the ending. This book will hold you to the end.
November 14, 2020
Enjoyable
Well written story. Wonderful characters. I enjoyed the neighborhood Lord. I'm looking forward to reading the next book written by this author. No sex, no foul language!
Well written story. Wonderful characters. I enjoyed the neighborhood Lord. I'm looking forward to reading the next book written by this author. No sex, no foul language!
November 17, 2020
Friends, enemies, or friemies?
Daley does a great job of pulling two lost souls back into God’s fold. Questions? Yes! Answers? Yes!. Will your faith sustain you if your very life is threatened & your physical well-being depends on some one who has lost their faith?
Daley does a great job of pulling two lost souls back into God’s fold. Questions? Yes! Answers? Yes!. Will your faith sustain you if your very life is threatened & your physical well-being depends on some one who has lost their faith?
November 21, 2020
Trust
What an exciting book that was hard to put down! The two main characters, Kate & Slader, draw you into their lives as GOD works on their hearts. I highly recommend this good read!
What an exciting book that was hard to put down! The two main characters, Kate & Slader, draw you into their lives as GOD works on their hearts. I highly recommend this good read!
November 29, 2020
What an exciting story.
This story really draws you in. I didn't want to put it down, but housework and meals got in my way. ;) I enjoyed watch Slader and Kate's relationship grow. A riveting story I highly recommend.
This story really draws you in. I didn't want to put it down, but housework and meals got in my way. ;) I enjoyed watch Slader and Kate's relationship grow. A riveting story I highly recommend.
December 16, 2020
Good Christian Fiction
The plot is good, and unique. There is so mystery, interesting characters, and a call to follow God and trust Him. The characters have to learn to let go of guilt and cling to God's forgiveness. I've enjoyed all of Margaret Daley's books!
The plot is good, and unique. There is so mystery, interesting characters, and a call to follow God and trust Him. The characters have to learn to let go of guilt and cling to God's forgiveness. I've enjoyed all of Margaret Daley's books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews