What do you think?
Rate this book
In Darkness #3.5
Dancing in Darkness
Ever since Antonio began working as a dancer at Frank’s club, he’s been trying to get Frank’s attention. To others, Frank might not be the ultimate catch, but to Antonio, he’s the man of his dreams. The problem is, Frank has already turned Antonio down out of fear for Antonio’s safety following an abduction and near-death experience. But Antonio is not ready to give up. He is determined to win him over on Valentine’s Day, no matter what he has to do. Even if it requires some unusual help from his friends, Felix and Lane. Nothing is too far for Antonio, not even a botched kidnapping.
Dancing in Darkness is a 20k-word novella featuring true love, abductions gone wrong, and a family that may be a bit too extreme.
This novella takes place after the events of In Darkness 3.
Dancing in Darkness is a 20k-word novella featuring true love, abductions gone wrong, and a family that may be a bit too extreme.
This novella takes place after the events of In Darkness 3.
59 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 8, 2019
86 people are currently reading
519 people want to read
About the author
Alice Winters
62 books2,737 followersAlice Winters started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to turn her ideas into written words. She loves writing a variety of things from romance and comedy to action. She also enjoys reading, horseback riding, and spending time with her pets.
Follow me on Facebook where I put up short stories, teasers, and giveaways: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Alice...
Join my newsletter: https://www.alicewintersauthor.com/
Follow me on Facebook where I put up short stories, teasers, and giveaways: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Alice...
Join my newsletter: https://www.alicewintersauthor.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
February 9, 2020
3.75*
Since Deception in Darkness I just can’t get enough of Felix and Lane. So this short was a perfect little fix.
Despite the kiss in Deception. Antonio and Frank are just as far apart as before. And Antonio is getting desperate. I mean it’s a sign of how desperate he is to take advice from Felix.
After all Felix did catch himself the hunk that is Lane.
He gives me a wink. “That’s because he’s blind. He literally can’t figure out how to get away. All I need to do is rearrange the furniture every few days and he can’t find his way out of the house.”
I look over at Lane who just shrugs like he isn’t bothered by this at all. “We have a very healthy relationship, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“I wasn’t.”
A great little read which left me wanting more.
Since Deception in Darkness I just can’t get enough of Felix and Lane. So this short was a perfect little fix.
Despite the kiss in Deception. Antonio and Frank are just as far apart as before. And Antonio is getting desperate. I mean it’s a sign of how desperate he is to take advice from Felix.
After all Felix did catch himself the hunk that is Lane.
He gives me a wink. “That’s because he’s blind. He literally can’t figure out how to get away. All I need to do is rearrange the furniture every few days and he can’t find his way out of the house.”
I look over at Lane who just shrugs like he isn’t bothered by this at all. “We have a very healthy relationship, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“I wasn’t.”
A great little read which left me wanting more.
August 27, 2024
This short story was cute, but while I liked Antonio from the third book, I did not really care about Frank so I was not that invested in their couple. It was funny to see Antonio interact with Felix and Lane though!
1. Hidden in Darkness ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. A Light in the Darkness ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Deception in Darkness ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Follow me on Instagram 🙂
1. Hidden in Darkness ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. A Light in the Darkness ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Deception in Darkness ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Follow me on Instagram 🙂
June 20, 2022
This was the worst thing I've ever read. It's as if the author went "But what if ableism, sexual assault, and kidnapping was funny????" and crapped out this book.
For example, this was about the virginal main character learning how to put condoms onto cucumbers:
"I practiced on the cucumber while Felix barked orders at me. If I wasn't fast enough, Lane would snap the cattle prod at me."
Here's another instance of the cucumber jokes this book was filled with:
"He demonstrates the size of said “boner” by grabbing a cucumber and holding it at groin level."
Or this, when the main character tries to turn on the guy he is interested with by forcing a blind man into dancing with him (the main character dances professionally at a club so this is also happening at his workplace):
"I'm going to make Frank so fucking horny watching me violate Lane."
I am filled with regret and I hate every book ever now and I will never read again. 1 star is way too generous but goodreads doesn't let you give a negative rating for some reason. Maybe I'll submit this book as evidence on why they should. In conclusion, unless you hate yourself do not read this book.
For example, this was about the virginal main character learning how to put condoms onto cucumbers:
"I practiced on the cucumber while Felix barked orders at me. If I wasn't fast enough, Lane would snap the cattle prod at me."
Here's another instance of the cucumber jokes this book was filled with:
"He demonstrates the size of said “boner” by grabbing a cucumber and holding it at groin level."
Or this, when the main character tries to turn on the guy he is interested with by forcing a blind man into dancing with him (the main character dances professionally at a club so this is also happening at his workplace):
"I'm going to make Frank so fucking horny watching me violate Lane."
I am filled with regret and I hate every book ever now and I will never read again. 1 star is way too generous but goodreads doesn't let you give a negative rating for some reason. Maybe I'll submit this book as evidence on why they should. In conclusion, unless you hate yourself do not read this book.
May 13, 2023
Super cute bonus in the Darkness world
I'm really glad we got this bonus novella with Antonio and Frank, it was super sweet and just as funny as the rest of the books.
I loved the surprise twists with the planned kidnapping and I loved how that hot resolved, it made me chuckle a lot.
I'm still holding out for a book for Cal and Grayson please Alice!
I'm really glad we got this bonus novella with Antonio and Frank, it was super sweet and just as funny as the rest of the books.
I loved the surprise twists with the planned kidnapping and I loved how that hot resolved, it made me chuckle a lot.
I'm still holding out for a book for Cal and Grayson please Alice!
June 20, 2022
I read this for a bingo square: "give an author a second chance and deeply regret your life choices"
✅
✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅😬
✅
✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅✅😬
August 9, 2021
Antonio ya tiene un ano trabajando para Frank y desde el primer dia se ha sentido atraido por el, pero el solo lo trata como a cualquier otro empleado. Cuando son secuestrados por la madrastra de Frank, y salieron ilesos de todo eso, Antonio penso que Frank se daria cuenta de sus sentimientos y se acercaria a el de inmediato, pero no paso asi, Frank tiene miedo de que las locuras con las que se ve envuelto con su familia le hagan dano a Antonio.
Pero Antonio no pierde la esperanza y le pide a Felix que lo ayude a conquistar a Frank antes del dia de San Valentin. No hay nada que Antonio no haria por estar con Frank, pero solo le dara una ultima oportunidad a ver si este de verdad quiere estar con el.
Esta historia corta de la relacion Antonio-Frank, es mucho mas entretenida que alguno de los libros de esta serie, es corta, conscisa, divertida y con un toque de drama que le va tan bien a los insta-love, sobre todo porque las situaciones en las que se ven envueltas las parejas no son tan disparatadas y resultan de facil solucion con solo una conversacion real.
A los personajes ya los conocemos del ultimo libro de la serie, y aqui el autor nos dio un poco mas de su historia, lo que resulta en un bonito final para toda la serie.
En fin, como dije antes, voy a dejar al autor un rato de lado para poder olvidar lo que me decepciono esta serie, antes de leer alguno de sus otros libros.
Pero Antonio no pierde la esperanza y le pide a Felix que lo ayude a conquistar a Frank antes del dia de San Valentin. No hay nada que Antonio no haria por estar con Frank, pero solo le dara una ultima oportunidad a ver si este de verdad quiere estar con el.
Esta historia corta de la relacion Antonio-Frank, es mucho mas entretenida que alguno de los libros de esta serie, es corta, conscisa, divertida y con un toque de drama que le va tan bien a los insta-love, sobre todo porque las situaciones en las que se ven envueltas las parejas no son tan disparatadas y resultan de facil solucion con solo una conversacion real.
A los personajes ya los conocemos del ultimo libro de la serie, y aqui el autor nos dio un poco mas de su historia, lo que resulta en un bonito final para toda la serie.
En fin, como dije antes, voy a dejar al autor un rato de lado para poder olvidar lo que me decepciono esta serie, antes de leer alguno de sus otros libros.
June 20, 2022
My first from this author, and it's just not for me. This is only 60 pages and a lot of them are focused on a side couple instead of the main love interest. It's also not my kind of humor, and it seems like there's a dick joke every third sentence or so.
June 23, 2022
I went into this knowing that I would regret it. It was, in fact, the motivation behind reading it (for a reading bingo). However, what I was not prepared for was the depths of the regret I would experience having read this.
If your sense of humour relies on ableism, sexism, virgin shaming, sexual assault, making light of kidnapping, etc… then maybe you should develop a new sense of humour
If your sense of humour relies on ableism, sexism, virgin shaming, sexual assault, making light of kidnapping, etc… then maybe you should develop a new sense of humour
March 21, 2020
Those who have followed this series will likely appreciate this side trip down love's road for Anthony, one of the dancers at the club where Felix did his dancing gig in a previous story, and Frank, one of the older bosses who was previously belittled on multiple occasions by Felix. Those who know Felix know that's not necessarily a bad thing as Felix tends to belittle most anyone, on a mere whim.
Over and above the bizarre circumstances surrounding the finale where Frank finally accepts that 28-year-old virgin Anthony really desires him and loves him so much, the story was entertaining and though I disagreed with Anthony's choice, I was happy for him. And by the very end, I was happy for Frank too.
Over and above the bizarre circumstances surrounding the finale where Frank finally accepts that 28-year-old virgin Anthony really desires him and loves him so much, the story was entertaining and though I disagreed with Anthony's choice, I was happy for him. And by the very end, I was happy for Frank too.
February 11, 2019
This was a lot too short and a bit too ridiculous to really be a great story, however, some of the situations really made me laugh out loud, for real.
February 27, 2020
So adorable and freaking funny! I loved Antonio and Frank's dance off -- Frank sure has some moves, man!
October 26, 2023
*4- Stars*
Fun, but not as fun as the earlier books. Might have been the lack of audio. 🤷🏻♀️ Still I enjoyed it.
Fun, but not as fun as the earlier books. Might have been the lack of audio. 🤷🏻♀️ Still I enjoyed it.
May 10, 2024
2.25? definitely skippable but available on KU. Antonio and Frank seemed to get personality transplants for the last third to act totally different and keep the jokes/humor per page really high in a way that didn’t sound like them at all, once Felix wasn’t popping up on every page to make constant jokes. It’s okay but was a bit disappointing.
September 1, 2019
Can't get enough of them!!!
loved it
loved it
October 24, 2019
3.5 Stars. Cute!
February 23, 2019
Loved loved loved. Funny entertaining and felix is amazing trying to help his friend look. AmaZing short story and cannot wait for more. I hope we see these2 pop up in more of the books with felix haha
February 10, 2019
Okay I love this series, I didn’t care for this short.
February 23, 2019
It was a funny short read. And entertaining.
You need to read the previous book if you need to know Lane and Felix. They're hilarious!
This one's really enjoyable. I'm happy 😊
You need to read the previous book if you need to know Lane and Felix. They're hilarious!
This one's really enjoyable. I'm happy 😊
October 21, 2019
Cute!
September 15, 2021
Cute and sweet with a lot of humor 😘
February 13, 2019
New to me author. This was a mm contemporary novella. I really liked Frank but couldn’t click with Antonio.
March 13, 2021
2.5 stars
It was okay nice to see Lane and Felix for a hot second buuuuttttt since this book was so short everything was sped up times 1,000.
Antonio and Frank were interesting didn’t feel too much of a connection but I am not blaming the characters just the shortness of the book.
It was okay nice to see Lane and Felix for a hot second buuuuttttt since this book was so short everything was sped up times 1,000.
Antonio and Frank were interesting didn’t feel too much of a connection but I am not blaming the characters just the shortness of the book.
July 31, 2019
3.5 stars
February 21, 2019
okay ... that was weird. I was not really impressed with this short story. Its short but to me it felt a little long ... and painfull. Felix and Lane played a big role in this story but what I liked about them in the main series was exgerated and too much even for me. The little juvenile comments I found funny in the series here were over the top and not funny!
So this story is about getting Antonio laid with frank and Felix aiding him to do just that...
About the characters ... I vagually remember Frank ? (maybe?) Im not sure In what context or if that's in the series even ... They kept referencing to each other pasts and how they met Felix and lane but I was confused the whole time because I didn't remember antonio and frank from the series ( I think)... And who the hell is Cal ??? Felix's friend ??? but I'm pretty sure he doesnt appear in the main series (he doesn't have friends of his one and no cal I think) but in this short story it was a fact. (we should already know them)
One quote I must share or more how I remember it ( the wording will certainly be not be exactly because my memory sucks) that these situations were totally ridiculous (more than in the series) and the solutions ... are face palming worthy.
Felix : "lets organise your kidnapping so you and frank can bound like we did "
Antonio : "yes !! thats a great idea"
euh excuse me ! noo that's the stupidest idea and then ... guess what ? their are really kidnapped ...
So this story is about getting Antonio laid with frank and Felix aiding him to do just that...
About the characters ... I vagually remember Frank ? (maybe?) Im not sure In what context or if that's in the series even ... They kept referencing to each other pasts and how they met Felix and lane but I was confused the whole time because I didn't remember antonio and frank from the series ( I think)... And who the hell is Cal ??? Felix's friend ??? but I'm pretty sure he doesnt appear in the main series (he doesn't have friends of his one and no cal I think) but in this short story it was a fact. (we should already know them)
One quote I must share or more how I remember it ( the wording will certainly be not be exactly because my memory sucks) that these situations were totally ridiculous (more than in the series) and the solutions ... are face palming worthy.
Felix : "lets organise your kidnapping so you and frank can bound like we did "
Antonio : "yes !! thats a great idea"
euh excuse me ! noo that's the stupidest idea and then ... guess what ? their are really kidnapped ...
February 16, 2020
After finishing Deception in Darkness(#3) I found there was a short novella about Antonio and Frank and it was evening of February 13th so I figured what better way to start my Valentine's Day than reading Dancing in Darkness, a Valentine's Day short.
I instantly fell in love with Felix and Lane last November when I first dived into Hidden in Darkness but with Deception I also found myself falling head over heels in love with the friendship between Felix and Antonio. So it's a bit grudgingly friendship on Antonio's part at first but their banter is nearly as delightful as Felix and Lane's, definitely a bromance in the making. So even though Dancing is Antonio and Frank's Valentine story, Felix and Lane(more heavily Felix) play a part.
Flirting(badly at times😉😉), mix-ups, family, friends, tons of banter, and Alice Winters has created a great little gem worthy of her In Darkness stamp. Just want to add that one of the things I love most about this series' characters, from Felix & Lane to Antonio & Frank to Cal to Lane's family to Felix's brother and even the bad guys, the physical characteristics are real they aren't the cookie cutter Hollywood type of perfection. To me it's their realistic physicalities that actually make them perfect because to me "perfect" is imperfection and this is what makes this novella and series as a whole really pop for me.
I instantly fell in love with Felix and Lane last November when I first dived into Hidden in Darkness but with Deception I also found myself falling head over heels in love with the friendship between Felix and Antonio. So it's a bit grudgingly friendship on Antonio's part at first but their banter is nearly as delightful as Felix and Lane's, definitely a bromance in the making. So even though Dancing is Antonio and Frank's Valentine story, Felix and Lane(more heavily Felix) play a part.
Flirting(badly at times😉😉), mix-ups, family, friends, tons of banter, and Alice Winters has created a great little gem worthy of her In Darkness stamp. Just want to add that one of the things I love most about this series' characters, from Felix & Lane to Antonio & Frank to Cal to Lane's family to Felix's brother and even the bad guys, the physical characteristics are real they aren't the cookie cutter Hollywood type of perfection. To me it's their realistic physicalities that actually make them perfect because to me "perfect" is imperfection and this is what makes this novella and series as a whole really pop for me.
September 21, 2024
Antonio and Frank's story.
4 hilarious and tender stars. ***Mild spoilers!***
The events in this novella occurs after the third book in the series, Deception In Darkness.
Antonio has been trying to Frank to become interested in him sexually for almost a year with no luck. Frank seems totally detached from any romantic notions from Antonio.
Enter Felix and Lane. Taking advice from both (mainly Felix, unfortunately!), Antonio tries new methods of garnering Frank's affection. (I won't divulge these methods, as that would ruin the story for future readers.) All end up in disaster, heartbreak and disappointment for Antonio. Along with hilarity for the reader.
The author caps off this amazing series with this brief, but humorous and sensual, novella. All the main characters from the previous books appear, but it's basically Antonio and Frank's story.
Does Antonio finally manage to get Frank to notice his attempts to woo him? Or does Antonio's mother ruin it for them both? (Another amusing storyline!) You, future readers, must read this short story to discover those answers.
4 hilarious and tender stars. ***Mild spoilers!***
The events in this novella occurs after the third book in the series, Deception In Darkness.
Antonio has been trying to Frank to become interested in him sexually for almost a year with no luck. Frank seems totally detached from any romantic notions from Antonio.
Enter Felix and Lane. Taking advice from both (mainly Felix, unfortunately!), Antonio tries new methods of garnering Frank's affection. (I won't divulge these methods, as that would ruin the story for future readers.) All end up in disaster, heartbreak and disappointment for Antonio. Along with hilarity for the reader.
The author caps off this amazing series with this brief, but humorous and sensual, novella. All the main characters from the previous books appear, but it's basically Antonio and Frank's story.
Does Antonio finally manage to get Frank to notice his attempts to woo him? Or does Antonio's mother ruin it for them both? (Another amusing storyline!) You, future readers, must read this short story to discover those answers.
February 13, 2019
I just couldn’t connect with any of the characters. Most of the time I felt confused about what’s going on and who these people are. Are they operating in a criminal underworld? Felix just comes across as a mobster. And I really didn’t feel any heat between the two MCs, Antonio and Frank.
According to the author’s own blurb at the beginning, “This short story takes place in the In Darkness Universe but features a different couple from the full-length novels. While the main characters from the In Darkness novels play a role in this short, it is not necessary to have read those stories to fully enjoy this story.” I totally disagree. Clearly there is a background story to Antonio and Frank (as well as Felix and Lane) and it is referred to frequently. But since we are not privy to what happened in this story, there is just too much to make sense. And unfortunately, I found the characters here more annoying than funny so it leaves me with no desire to read the series.
Excerpt From
Dancing in Darkness
Alice Winters
This material may be protected by copyright.
According to the author’s own blurb at the beginning, “This short story takes place in the In Darkness Universe but features a different couple from the full-length novels. While the main characters from the In Darkness novels play a role in this short, it is not necessary to have read those stories to fully enjoy this story.” I totally disagree. Clearly there is a background story to Antonio and Frank (as well as Felix and Lane) and it is referred to frequently. But since we are not privy to what happened in this story, there is just too much to make sense. And unfortunately, I found the characters here more annoying than funny so it leaves me with no desire to read the series.
Excerpt From
Dancing in Darkness
Alice Winters
This material may be protected by copyright.
April 8, 2019
fun times with the sexy pole dancer
This book deals with Frank and Antonio (of the strip club fame) At the end of the 3rd book in The Darkness series, we were all wondering if Frank and Antonio would end up together..
Alice Winters created a novella answering this question. It’s sweet and adorable.
Frank refused to be with Antonio because of his family problems so poor Antonio is suffering with what he thinks is unrequited love.
This book has humour and love in it, as well as Felix attempting to help Antonio with his love life. As you can imagine.. it gets a wee bit out of hand. Hilariously so..
If you like unrequited love on both sides, humour with a smidge of action, cucumbers, dancing and some Felix and Lane.
Read Deceptions in Darkness and IMMEDIATELY after, read this. You will not regret it.
This book deals with Frank and Antonio (of the strip club fame) At the end of the 3rd book in The Darkness series, we were all wondering if Frank and Antonio would end up together..
Alice Winters created a novella answering this question. It’s sweet and adorable.
Frank refused to be with Antonio because of his family problems so poor Antonio is suffering with what he thinks is unrequited love.
This book has humour and love in it, as well as Felix attempting to help Antonio with his love life. As you can imagine.. it gets a wee bit out of hand. Hilariously so..
If you like unrequited love on both sides, humour with a smidge of action, cucumbers, dancing and some Felix and Lane.
Read Deceptions in Darkness and IMMEDIATELY after, read this. You will not regret it.
May 9, 2020
This was a cute addition to the series. If you remember from book 3 dancer Antonio was hopelessly in love with an oblivious club owner Frank. Last we saw them Antonio was planting one on him when Frank arrived safe from danger. It appears things were not happily ever after after this point. Frank has decided his life is too dangerous to involve Antonio leaving the poor dancer heartbroken. Antonio then becomes so desperate he elicits advice from
Felix
of all people. As you can probably guess, his advice isn't the greatest.
"Maybe Felix is right, and Stockholm Syndrome is the way to go
After another fun kidnapping adventure, that doesn't turn out anything like I imagined as usual Antonio finally convinces Frank to give them a real go. Fans of the In Darkness series will sure love this little snippet.
"Maybe Felix is right, and Stockholm Syndrome is the way to go
After another fun kidnapping adventure, that doesn't turn out anything like I imagined as usual Antonio finally convinces Frank to give them a real go. Fans of the In Darkness series will sure love this little snippet.
July 21, 2021
Well, now wasn't that interesting?
I can't get a clear picture in my mind of Frank or Antonio, but I spent the last 3 books trying to figure out if Frank was the "good" guy or the "bad" guy. Either way, it seems like in Antonio's mind he is a "good" guy, without a doubt!
As for Valentine's Day chocolates... I have been married to the same man for over 40 years, and he gets me chocolates EVERY year... here's the catch... I don't like chocolate, BUT he loves it! *snort* LOL!!!
Now, when do we get Cal and Grayson's story?
I can't get a clear picture in my mind of Frank or Antonio, but I spent the last 3 books trying to figure out if Frank was the "good" guy or the "bad" guy. Either way, it seems like in Antonio's mind he is a "good" guy, without a doubt!
As for Valentine's Day chocolates... I have been married to the same man for over 40 years, and he gets me chocolates EVERY year... here's the catch... I don't like chocolate, BUT he loves it! *snort* LOL!!!
Now, when do we get Cal and Grayson's story?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews