Danica: Darkness of Winter

by Gina Manis

When I fell from the stars, I didn’t know what to expect; but it wasn’t running for my life in the darkness of a winter forest.
First, it was running from the three men that attacked me as my feet barely touched the ground. Then it was the hungry pack of wolves. I used all my light to fight them off and now I am at the mercy of the vampire that saves me.
Our connection is instant, but it can’t be real. A vampire is darkness, and I am the light. The only thing I can do is run from him. Run and forget what he makes me feel because I need the light if I am to face the Umbra.
The city of light awaits and in it is what I truly need. The human prince offers me everything I need. He feeds my light with love, family, a home, and I grow stronger. I’m building a life that I have always dreamed of, and I see a future for myself with the prince I have fallen in love with.
When the Vampire King returns to the city, so does the vampire who saved me. Despite the darkness in them, I am drawn into the entrapment of their feed and so is the human prince. I am lost in all of them as the Umbra attacks.
My destiny is to save the humans by defeating the darkness of the Umbra. She created the vampires, and her darkness lives in each of them. To kill her, I risk killing the vampires I’ve grown to love. What future is there worth living if I destroy my heart?

This is a vampire reverse harem romance developed in a fantasy world. The paranormal feature of this novel is about the allure of a vampire romance. It has some dark scenes and is for adults, 18+.

Featured Authors in the Fallen Starlight Series.
Gina Manis, Book 1-Danica, The Darkness of Winter
Jade Waltz, Book 2- Lyra, The Cosmic Harp
Skyler Andra, Book 3- Orion, Galaxy Huntress
Quell T. Fox, Book 4- Maristella, Waves of Divinity
J.R. Thorn, Book 5- Phoenix, Claimed by the Moon Blade
K.R. Hall, Book 6- Vega, Stargazer' Prophecy
Krystal Pena, Book 7- Aurora, Summoner of Dawn
Ciara Skye, Book 8- Andromeda, Desires of Eventide
Mia Harlan and Hanleigh Bradley, Book 9- Wolf Reyet,
Zelda Knight, Book 10- Lulana, The Moon Dancer
Kenzie Graves, Book 11- Carina, Voided Darkness
Eve Bradley, Book 12- Elara, Primal Radiance

553 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2022

About the author

Gina Manis grew up in South Alabama, where country living is a way of life. She has a small farm with lots of animals, and she is proud to live a simple life with her family.
She writes fantasy romance novels that are full of adventure and laughter, emotion, and the ever pleasurable heat. The worlds she builds in her books is almost as good as the characters themselves.
You can find out more about Gina Manis on her website. www.ginamanis.com

Reviews

[Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danica is a starlight, a sentient being living in space watching life far below her and waiting for her own chance to experience what it means to be living and breathing. When her chance has finally come to live among humans, her life and light are immediately under threat. Danica doesn't know what to think of the vampires who live alongside humans; she doesn't trust the darkness within them, but why does she feel a need to be near them? And how can she help the human population defeat the threat the Umbra poses for them without killing the men she feels such a strong connection with?

I was looking forward to this book for quite a while, and Gina Manis didn't disappoint. Based on the blurb I didn't fully understand the concept of a "fallen starlight", but the first few chapters explain it all perfectly. Because of this necessary focus on worldbuilding, it takes a few chapters before the story around Danica fully develops, but once it got there I had a hard time putting this book away. I have to say that this story became something entirely different then I had anticipated and I don't want to give away any spoilers, but there are some twists and turns that I definitely didn't see coming. Even some of these characters really surprised me along the way, and I absolutely loved that. This book deals with all aspects of love, both the beautiful and the heartbreaking parts, and as a reader this made it very relatable. But that epilogue; damn. It's clear Gina Manis isn't done with these characters yet... But hey; if you don't like cliffhangers, you can always skip the epilogue and leave these characters in peace!

I absolutely recommend this book for the lovers of fast burn reverse harems with true connections, human emotions, vampire spice, action and a bit of heartbreak.

[Chey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danica is a starlight, watching over people from above, wanting a chance to see what life is like. When she gets her chance, it's not what she thought it would be, and with the threat to her survival, it may not last long.

This was definitely an interesting book to read. Between the main character being a starlight, going down to the human world where there are vampires, there's a lot of components to the story. Danica was a great character, very naive to the world but still managed to live in it.

As I said, there were a lot of components to the story, and there may have been too many. I think there was a lot going on and it pulled your attention in too many different directions so you could really focus on the heart of the plot.

[Raya Whitehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in from start to finish. The idea of Stars, when they Nova, can choose a form to be when they land is so interesting. This book is written in multiple perspectives, it does let you know when that changes so you aren't thrown.

I loved reading each persons look, which started either just after the last one ended or moments before so that you can see some of what they felt or thought during a previous scene. I really got into each person and loved how well they get developed.

There are so many feelings the story brought out while reading. There were exotic scenes, sad scenes that bring tears to your eyes, and happy scenes that have you smiling. Also scenes that show so much love inside them that you feel it yourself.

I can't wait to see what the other authors do about their Starlight's stories when they come out.

[Lisa Michelle Pichner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danica was one exciting read.
When Mrs. Manis started explaining the Star in the Nova stage and how they can pick what form they can be completely caught my interest and I couldn't put it down.
I really liked how humans walk beside Vampires and how Danica could feel their darkness.
Mrs. Manis really explained what needed to be told and the way she wrote an introduction to each character I just couldn't stop reading.
I loved the unexpected twist and turns around some corners.
The feelings each character felt I felt so strongly and the love and loss I found myself in tears.
This read is beyond well written and captured me from the beginning. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves a phenomenal read.

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I knew this book was coming awhile but this book took me by surprise. In the best way possible. Gina her writing has improved so much since I first started and this book is by far my favorite so far. This is set in a shared world and this book is the first one in it. It shows a different take on something we all love and think we know. The supernatural world and how it works. This is about Danica and she a fallen starlight. She can sense the darkness in people learning they are vampires. How she learns and how well it is explained I love it. Also excited for the rest of this series.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable read! Danica is such a great character, a starlight who gets her chance to live amount the humans, not just watch them from above, but not all is what she expects. It’s an intriguing read that draws you in as we follow Danica on her journey amongst the humans and vampires. It’s exciting, it’s a little spicy, it’s got action, it’s very emotional and there’s even heartbreak but this is a fantastic alluring RH tale that I just couldn’t put down.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story, I loved the world it was set in. The book draws you in, I enjoyed all of the characters, they were very well developed. You definitely want to see them succeed. One thing that was not for me was the steam level. I knew it would be steamy, but there were too many steamy scenes for my preference. This did not stop me from enjoying the story. It offers action, plot twists, and emotional moments. I highly recommend you give this book a try; it will definitely capture your attention.

[Jacqueline Chappell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story with strong world building and character development. The FMC is one you can really root for and her men are diverse and intriguing. Some interesting plot twists and some heartbreaking developments along the way. I really enjoyed this book and it looks like there will be more to come. Highly recommend.

[Becky Hensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I was sucked in from beginning to end and didn't want to put it down. Gina Manis does it again with the amazingly written characters and world building. There are plot twists, and so many feelings you get while reading this book. You get all the feels! I highly recommend this book to other readers who love spicy RH.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF
- too many threads to follow,
- for some reason it drags on and on and on…
- characters feel flat, like they are delivering monologues from the stage in a separate universe and there’s a lack of something that would convince me to their thoughts about themselves

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating

This is unlike any book I've read before. The human/vampire interactions are interesting. How it all began is a fantasy story you won't forget! Am looking forward to the other Starlights!

[Rachel Joi Maples · Rating 5 out of 5]

love Danica and this story ... different take on the supernatural that was absolutely gripping 💙