The Calling

Darkness #1

by Toni Goode

An arrogant fallen angel and a slayer collide. Sam has spent her adult life seeking vengeance for her parent's brutal murder. Gabriel has spent his life doing what he pleases without a worry in the world. What happens when they need to rely on each other? A dangerous game of love and hate begins. Can they put their differences aside to help save the world from a demon who is hellbent on starting an apocalypse?

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2019

About the author

Do you have a soft spot for old-school soaps, vampires, wolves, witches, and hybrids? Then you're in the right place! Inspired by all the great vampire/wolf shows and movies. I craft tales that are a perfect blend of romance and supernatural intrigue. Whether it’s dark, contemporary, or fantastically supernatural, I write them all with a passion that’s evident on every page.

When I'm not weaving stories that keep you on the edge of your seat, you can find me making TikToks about my favorite shows and movies. (Skarsgard or Somerhalder anyone??) Follow me for a fun mix of behind-the-scenes writing insights and fandom love. Dive into my world—you won’t regret it!

Reviews

[K. L. Laettner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A steamy tale of love and hate

This was a fun read, being a lover of romance and sexy scenes, I found myself falling in love with this tale of love and hate. The characters are well developed and I could lose myself for hours in this tale. Great job Toni on another fine piece of goodness.

[Michele Ceron · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This book has a great love story as it's backbone with supernatural elements that to me appear to be the side show to the love story. However, this book has a lot of issues with it, most of which are small but are committed so often that when you add it all together, it is a lot. However, they are easily remedied.

First off this book needs to be edited. A LOT of obvious grammatical errors, misuse of words and awkward phrases being used. For instance, instead of saying that a character turns around to face someone or away from someone, the phrase "spun from them" is often used instead of simply saying they turned around. This is a strange phrase and I have to admit I have never heard it used like that before. Every time a character is "spun" I imagine them as a rapidly spinning top rather than simply they are turning around or turning away from someone or something.
"Were" was used mutiple times when it should have been the contraction "We're" if it was once or twice I would assume it was a typo, but it was done many times. Also the word "smelt" was used more then once when it should have been "smelled" also "ground" was used instead of "grind" and "entail" was used when "intel" is what was meant. Weird. Also a dialogue tag was used after every single statement by every character and usually accompanied by awkward adverbs. I just finished a book where virtually no dialogue tags were used and I had a hard time deciphering who was speaking when. So I am not going to complain too much about too many dialogue tags because I would rather there be too many than too little but some of these certainly could be deleted out.

But besides these major editing errors the biggest problem with this book is the highly abrasive attitudes of almost all the characters. Almost every character is angry and bitter almost all of the time. This makes me feel very uncomfortable while reading, wincing even as if I am sucking on a lemon as I read it. And it is exhausting to be that angry all the time! My god! There is a scene in the first couple of chapters in the book involving around 5 characters and they are all angry and wouldn't shut up or simmer down for even one second to allow the character Gabriel (who by the way is more so chronically sarcastic rather than angry like the others) to say what he needed to say. They just kept shouting their venom at hin and this went on and on for PAGES on end to the point that I nearly DNF'd the book right there because of it. I imagined myself going into the book and literally putting muzzles on every single character to get them to shut the f up. These chronically bitter and angry attitudes continues throughout most of the book. There are some reprieves from it here and there but it doesn't last long.

However, despite that, somehow the love/hate relationship between Sam and Gabriel shines through and still kept me interested in continuing with this book. I still enjoyed their built up sexual frustration for each other and their daily frustration with each other. As we get around 70% and further into the book, that chronic anger towards one another starts to melt.....somewhat. Gabriel actually reminds me a lot of Chuck Bass from the show/books Gossip Girl. Rich, good looking, a perpetual bad boy/male whore whom most people just think is a total a-hole with no redeeming qualities but who deep inside is actually caring and wants love just like everyone else. I love Chuck Bass (the tv version of him) so that is why I think I also love Gabriel. Sam has some Blair Waldorf qualities. She is mean and has a sass and an attitude and she has a hard time admitting her feelings for Gabriel to herself and to others same as Blair did initially for Chuck, but that is where the similarities end between Sam and Blair. But just like Chuck and Blair were my favorite couple and indiv characters on the show, I did find myself enjoying the tug of war love between Gabriel and Sam and that is what ultimately kept me reading until the very end of the book. If the editing issues were to be fixed I could give this book 4.5 stars instead of 3.5

[RK Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

what if one only falls 1/2 way?

this book did 2 things which I think were really fresh perspective that you’d never expect from a work of fiction: 1st on page 14, there was a paragraph which suggested that often, when justifications are rushed to be given for bad events, it questioned whether our governments & media simply did this to avoid ascribing the true cause - that cause being evil? 2nd, it posited the possibility of an angel only falling 1/2 way. we all know Lucifer fell, but our angel here, Gabriel, only kinda tumbled. this makes him perfect for Sam because he gives her bad boy vibes while still being essentially good. things to consider!

[Josslynn Borders · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like the story is promising, definitely one that is better read yourself than listened to. As far as voices go, the narrator was pretty good; however, if you're someone who doesn't like to hear the microphone popping/the narrator not getting enough air to finish the sentences, then you definitely want to read the book yourself.

I found that the organization of the chapters was a bit confusing, as it stated 'Chapter 1' and then proceeded to describe it as the prologue. I did find myself a bit confused throughout the story since I wasn't sure what was a flashback and what wasn't.

In all, I think it would be promising.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another wonderfully written book by Ms. Goode. It is fast paced and action- Packed with many twists and turns. Sam works for her uncle Charles in an organization that maintains the order and safety of humans from the dangers of supernatural. She meets Gabriel, a fallen angel who wants more than she can offer. She doesn't trust him but must work with him. The ending is most surprising resulting in a cliff hanger. I desperately need to know what happens next. The narrator did a good job.

[Kerry Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual genre but a great change of pace I did listen thru audible and the performance was heart stopping!! I can't wait until the second book hits audible

[OutsideOfTheTrack · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was listening to this audiobook while also reading another by the same author. I finished the other one first, and unfortunately, after reaching the untagged suicide attempt and seeing how it was used as a plot device, I lost all desire to continue anything written by this author — despite actually enjoying it more up until that point.

I’m now about 85% through this story, but I won’t be finishing it. The lack of proper content or trigger warnings makes it difficult to trust that similar themes won’t appear here without notice. That’s a serious issue, especially when dealing with topics like suicide, PTSD, and depression.

I truly believe authors should include content warnings—not to spoil a story, but to offer care and transparency for readers who need it. I won’t be picking up more of this author’s work until that changes.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.