Shadows

Dark Water #1

by J.L. Drake

*HIGHLY-HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading my Broken and Blackstone Series before starting this series.*

I know I barely know that girl, but I’m gonna marry her. You watch.

1974
We travel back in time to the very beginning and discover the birth of Shadows.
The aftereffects of a horrible war left broken men, but then a secret brought them back to life.
Love and friendships grow while fighting a new type of war, one that may never be won, while the bonds between generations hold true. No matter what is thrown at them, they will always have each other to lean on. Even while they stay hidden within the halls of Shadows.

2023
Trouble is brewing deep in the Montana mountains, and the fate of some is uncertain. Change is coming to Team Blackstone, and whether they like it or not, it’s happening. But will this rock the foundation of Shadows, or will it usher in a whole new era for the team? The pranks bring much needed humor to help overcome the heartache. And a housemate asks for help, leading us into dark water…

*May contain triggers, sensitive content about Vietnam, cliffhanger, intended for 18+ This is a sweet romance, the rest of the series is not.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Military Fiction, Romance, Contemporary

Unknown Binding

First published February 14, 2023

About the author

International best selling author J. L. Drake was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, later moving to Southern California where she lives with her husband and two children.

Be sure to check out her bestselling trilogy, Broken!

All of her books link in someway, here is her
"Suggested Reading Order."


BROKEN
SHATTERED
MENDED

HONOR
ESCAPE

TRIGGER
DEMONS
UNLEASHED

FREEDOM
OMERTA - Short story (Mafia)
COURAGE

DARKNESS LURKS
DARKNESS FOLLOWS
DARKNESS FALLS

BEHIND MY WORDS
CHRISTMAS AT THE CABIN - Short Story

ALL IN

QUIET WEALTH
QUIET SECRETS
QUIET POWER
QUIET EMPIRE

SHADOWS
WHISKEY
ALPHA
TANGO

GRIM
HAVOC
SINS

EXTRACTION
EMBEDDED
BREACHED

Other places to find her:,

Facebook ⭐️ https://bit.ly/3bRG7Vp
Instagram ⭐️ https://bit.ly/341eEh8
TikTok⭐️ https://bit.ly/3wZGSck
Reader Group ⭐️https://bit.ly/3TOBIJ0
Email ⭐️ JLDrake@AuthorJLDrake.com
Newsletter ⭐️ http://bit.ly/2QZZEut
Website ⭐️ https://bit.ly/34b4OcN

Reviews

[TheBookPlatypus · Rating 5 out of 5]

And we go back in time.
Before Shadows even started.

This book touches on emotional topics regarding what men went through during the Vietnam War and coming home with nearly non existent support and because it was during the 1970s, the nation was heavily influenced through the “peace movement” and anti war protesters.
Instead of understanding why these brave men fought (a war US had no damn business being in, in my opinion) - we punished them by assaulting them on the streets, calling them horrific names, demeaning them in public, etc.

Through suicide, PTSD, and lack of help, most of these men came home and didn’t last much long after.

This book weighs on my heart heavily. While it’s fiction, it touches on real history of our country. I cried for those men while reading this.

Shadows is a privately owned company ran by ex soldiers who want to do something good with the skills they learned. They go after the cartel.

While this book is not heavily full of action, it really talks about the beginnings of the concept of Shadows. We see how the entire Logan family come together as one unit. We see the start of something huge. We see the family grow. We see the great grandfather, the grandfather, and in present day, the son grown up. The Founders of it all.

A beautiful love story intertwined.
Healing hearts for many.

And that ending?! I can’t wait to find out what we’re in for.

[Jamie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words alone cannot express how happy I am to be back in this world! Broken is a book I recommend to everyone and getting to hear the story of Shadows and how it came about is a dream come true. Daniel tells the tale of how one idea blossomed into the powerhouse it is today. He turned tragedy into triumph with the help of his parents and his friends and fellow soldiers Zac, Frank and Ray. One of my favorite parts of this story is seeing them all in their younger days, interacting with each other and their families and how Daniel met Sue. As you can imagine, it’s one of the sweetest things ever but war changes people so it’s dicey for a bit. Sue is, of course, as patient as we know her to be and you can tell right away they are made for each other.

Fear not friends, it’s not all in the past. The whole gang is here and some are in rare form. Can anyone say Mark? Not everything is as hunky dory as we thought though. Tensions are high with one couple and this could get interesting to see how this is going to play out. We also get a taste of what’s to come in Drake’s next book Whiskey. I for one have no complaints about being able to see everyone for a lot longer and adding some new faces into the mix. Something tells me we are in for a big surprise.

[J.L. Drake]

Let's go home again...

NOW LIVE!!
https://books2read.com/u/bOzPDg

[Robyn Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.
In this book there are some extremely sensitive topics explored and in very real situations too. I applaud the author for her smooth handling of these issues and for not brushing them under the rug. Although this is a work of fiction, many true life experiences crop up and evoke very emotional responses. The characters could have been bogged down for life, unfortunately I have known a few and understand, she has sought ways to move forward—just like so many in real life have done. Some don’t travel far into the future at all, again this is dealt with carefully and with respect. When I consider it wasn’t until years and years later that the men and women who were in the Korea and Vietnam wars were eventually recognised, as they immediately should have been, I ponder on how so many did move on. Such is the writing of this story—it makes you think carefully about each issue.

The characters enthral and delight with both the story from the past and the present. These characters are so strong, as are the women involved. I am amazed by their inner strength and resilience, and hey, I admit, you can’t help but fall a little bit in love with each one. Yes, you do experience highs and lows along with the accompanying emotions, but you also feel a part of the story.
I look forward to reading the next book after this story gave us a few teasers about the cartel… I am hooked already.

[Elizabeth Schaefer Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Were back baby!

We're going home again!

Finally after many years of praying, Drake did it! We get to find out what Shadows is about! Ive been begging for Sue & Daniel's story since I met them in the Broken Trilogy. So many details now finally make sense. And the secrets!

Plus!

Drake has set us up for a whole world of the Shadows/Blackstone family tree.

She sure knew what to give us for Valentine's Day this year!

[Bonny Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the first book in Drake's new series and introduces the reader to Shadows; a safe house and the home base for the Blackstone team, a private, covert ops team with government ties. Their main responsibility is rescuing victims kidnapped and held by the Mexican Cartels and providing a safe place for them to recover and readjust. However, you won’t find much to read about any actual covert ops or kidnapped victims in this story. It is mostly about the history of Shadows (how it came to be) and the men who helped start it; particularly Daniel, whose son manages and heads it in present time.

This book opens in present time, but by Chapter 4 (through 19), we are taken to the past where Daniel is the MMC. This is basically a sweet love story that tells of Daniel’s reconnecting with Sue, a girl he met before he left for Vietnam. We learn of Daniel’s struggles upon his return from Nam. We learn how and why his father, Edison, came up with the idea of Shadows and how Edison, Daniel and some of Daniel’s military friends established Shadows and the Blackstone covert ops team and how it gives them purpose. As I said, a sweet love story, one that gives the history of Shadows, the Blackstone ops team and the family and ultimately the man who heads it and eventually turns the reigns over to his own son.

I was a little confused in Chapter 1; too many characters are named or involved in conversations and I had no clue who they were, nor how they related to each other. Yes, there is a Cast of Characters (2 pages) at the beginning of this book, but for some reason my e-book opened on Chapter 1 so I didn’t see it until after I’d finished the book and wanted to go back to a particular chapter so opened the Table of Contents page. Even with the list, there are characters identified in those two pages that aren’t even mentioned in this story and some that are mentioned, but not listed, or their relationship isn’t specified.

While I liked the love story and the history of Shadows, I felt that it lagged in places. Conversely, the chapters dealing with Daniel’s son, Cole, were rushed. It jumps from infant Cole, to 7 year old Cole; then again to high school and finally a member of the Blackstone ops team with several military service years behind him. As a result, we get snippets of other important, secondary characters during those years that leave lots of holes. For example, two characters who apparently date for 30+ years with no real history; A sister who lived in New York but in present day is living in Montana (where Shadows is located), but no history of when or why she moved. Even Cole’s marriage, as well as other current Team members, are not mentioned nor are the births of their children. One moment they’re all single, the next married with children.

In addition to the above, there were also some Inconsistencies (e.g., breakfast is suddenly lunch); couple of chapters (2 and 21) that seem to have no real relevance to this story. (Perhaps those chapters will have some bearing in the next book, and so probably should have been left to that book.) As a result, I struggled with my rating and ultimately, being kind, gave it 3 stars.

[Selina · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don’t understand how excited I was when jl drake announced she was taking us back to the beginining !!
This book answers all the questions we had about how shadows came about !
I loved how we get multiple point of views and how the whole family came together. We also got to see some of our favorite characters still!
Something is brewing and I’m super excited to see what is to come !

[Deborah Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic, haunting, and enthralling, are all words that can be used to describe this epic look at the history of Shadows, a secret elite military team that is ensconced in the mountains of Montana. The most closely detailed military story I have ever come across that totally sucked me into the pages that I have never been able to forget. A story of friendship, comrades in arms, love, loss, and bravery to ever be written by a phenomenal author that cannot be equaled.

Traveling back in time, to the jungles of Viet Nam is thrilling and spine-tingling. You are transported with Daniel and his team members to the worst time of their lives. You can almost feel the humidity of the jungle, the heat of bullets as they whiz by, and feel the fear that radiates along their every nerve ending. Waiting in Daniel's boots as he hides from the enemy to rescue his fellow soldiers from the enemy is surreal. You get to see how he feels as he returns home, unlike many others, to the love of his family. Where his father, a retired military man himself, helps him return to his life as a civilian as they build Shadows. To watch as Daniel renews his friendship with Sue, becoming part of the courtship with his sweet gestures. Watching as their son Cole takes over, watching as he falls in love and starts the next generation that will one day make Shadows their home. The whole backstory is sweet and endearing. This is the complete history that makes you part of the family that is Shadows and Team Blackstone.

This is only the beginning of Black Waters. A taste of what is to come in the future with the next generation growing up in the shadows of the mountain. I can't say more without spoiling how extraordinary this book is. There is so much packed into the pages that it would give everything away to try and describe it any further.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows by J.L. Drake is an amazing book. This is the first book in in the new Dark Water
Series, and I will be adding the rest of the series to my TBR list. Shadows is so hot. This book
you back in time to when Shadows first came about and how it turned into what is today. This
book had me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what came next. This book draws you in and
makes you feel like you are part of the story. Shadows was so emotional. I had all the feels.
This book has action, suspense, romance, drama, heat, angst, and more. This book was a roller
coaster ride that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading, and I could not put
it down. The book is well-written and has very likable characters. I can’t wait to read more
from this fantastic author. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Jeanette Oglesby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well if you are like me and have been here since the beginning then you know how we have wanted and hoped for this book for some time. The how and the why Shadows started. The wait was so worth it for the story in this book. Gosh....it's so good and more than I could have hoped for. The backstory of Shadows comes alive and takes us back in time and answers all those questions that we have had. I felt every emotion while reading this book. The good, the bad, and the ugly. The writing of this book is phenomenal in the way that it makes you feel every emotion and feel the pain, heartbreak, and the true family value that you feel a part of. If the other books are anything like this one, we are in for a real treat. I can't wait!!!

Happy Reading Everyone!!!

[MizFig · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing read!! The backstory of this incredible
saga was so well written. I felt as if I was there, experiencing everything with them. The way the return from Nam was told and the heart wrenching ugly truths of that time ripped my heart apart. The pain that they experienced the fears and nightmares were so real.
This story had everything - love, history, heartache and most importantly the true value of family.
I loved every word, every page, every emotion. I can not wait to dive into the next book.
I definitely need more than 5 stars!!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much! I didn't get a chance to read the broken series, but starting this one I know how Shawdows comes about and it was very interesting. Looking forward to reading the broken series after! The books deals with tough topics that are so very real dealing with service members the aftermath of being deployed.I t's nice to see in a book as these things happen all so often. I enjoyed the Love and Family aspect of this book. Very much looking forward to the next one!

[Devons book corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows is the first book in the new Dark Water series and holy cow did I fall in love with it. Sometimes when you start a new book you immediately know you are going to love it and that it's going to be amazing. Well, that's how I was with Shadows. We finally get answers to how Shadows came about. The multiple POV's was nice, along with how the whole family came together. I'm so excited to see what happens next.

[Collete · Rating 5 out of 5]

JL Drake again proves why she is an immediate buy when she releases a book. I loved every second of this story. Learning how it all began was great. To see how each character became who they are, the good and the bad. Every emotion was felt, I laughed, cried and was speechless all at the same time. Can't wait for the next one in the series.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was so exciting to see how it all started. You had to love Daniel from the start, and then to see him broken, and how is father helped him. And Sue was such a strong woman, able to accept his secrets, and then help build his dream. Seeing Cole as a baby, and then he and Mark as kids/teenagers was an added bonus. Can’t wait for rest of series.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of Shadows and meeting the generations.

The series is new to me and this book was a great way to understand the background and wonderful group of people who turned a heartbreaking response from those who treated them so horribly after being drafted to fight a sad war. Moving into life after Viet Name wasn't easy or even possible. These people made the new world where they could use their skills to do right in ways few were capable of.

I look forward to the new generations series.
Reviewed for Words Turn Me On

[Rachel Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home. Shadows takes us home to the place from where it all had begun. This incredible book provides background information on Shadows and the struggle for soldiers returning from war to find a place…. His home in the world. We witness the design and birth of Shadows to enlighten the reader with those captivating details of the house, family, and unit.
It is heartwarming to be back home with characters we love and the family at Shadows. What a treat to read! Looking forward to the rest of this series!

[STEPHANIE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I loved seeing the backstory on the Blackstone boys, how and why Shadows was created. JL Drake creates worlds that you never want to leave. You will meet some familiar characters, and the new ones just added so much more to the important role of why Shadows was needed. I can’t wait for the next book!

[Mandy jones freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is really nothing better than going home! J L Drake toke us home to where it all started, how it started and why it started. Have you ever wondered how Blackstone and shadows come to be well you get your answers and so much more! You get that close family and friends! you get the love story of Daniel and Sue, but you also get what they went through in a time that a lot of men and women were going throw this very thing what shadows was created for and how it helps them.
Daniel and Sue's story is one that makes you realize why Cole is the way he is! (he gets it from his dad)
You see Cole and Mark as they grow and become the men they are today!
you get to see them now as what they are going through and deciding on as a team/ family.
You get the kids too!!
J L drake could not have done a better story It way more than I could have hoped for!
I Love the Blackstone men and can't wait for more! I could not put this book down!

[Jessica Wireman Couch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new chapter brings us enlightenment between Broken and Blackstone YES ALL THE WAY YES, phenomenal and emotional and so J.L.Drake style loved every minute of being back with these Aplha men and she brought the new deliciousness to savor. You will not be disappointed with the new series, can not wait for book two.

[Roseanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gahh!! I can’t wait for the next book!! I don’t even know where to start. I love all of J.L Drakes Broken and Blackstone books but to get to see the beginning and how it all started was amazing. Jodi touched on some very delicate subjects about war and Alittle of what comes after and she did it perfectly. The love and respect of what it means to be in the logan family is passed down to all generations and is truly something special. I loved visiting the past and getting a glimpse of sue and Daniel’s love story but I am soooo excited for the future!

[Christina Pepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.L. Drake did it again!!! I couldn't put this book down!!! This time I got to revisit some of my favorite characters from Blackstone and look back on how it came to be! She had me laughing, crying, and smelling chocolate chip cookies. Thank you for telling the truth of what is is like returning home from war, especially for our Vietnam soldiers and how important it is for our military men and women to seek mental health despite stigmas. I cannot wait for the next book!!!

[Romance Reader Obsession · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible Back Story
I'm a die-hard Broken/Blackstone reader and when I found out we would get the back-story of Shadows I was ecstatic. This book was past & present, little twists and sneak peeks of what's to come in future books.
My favorite was reading the beautiful story of Daniel and Sue, they always touched my heart in the Broken Trilogy. Plus you get a little bit of Cole's childhood.
It's not your typical Dark Romance by JL Drake but it is ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!

[Britany Melnyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has taken us back to Montana and Shadows!! You learn the history of how/why this house needed to exist, Daniel and Sue’s relationship and what key members are dealing with now.
I love this world so much and could not be more excited to be back with these characters. I dove into this book and don’t come back up until I turned the last page!

[HEA PR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's go home again...

NOW LIVE!!
https://books2read.com/u/bOzPDg

[Latifa Morrisette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadows is book one in the Dark Water series and is the origin story of Shadows and how they for started. There is no spice in this book but there certainly will be in the rest of the series. It's awesome to see how this vs for started and I can't wait to see what's next.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, it was so good to be back in this setting. I thoroughly enjoyed getting the story of how this unit was all set up, and where the soldiers all came from. All the guys and their gals, right from Cole’s grandfather (the founder) and his vision - how it all came together- how the common goal of a group of men, and the risks they take to eradicate evil where it’s rooted.

[Amanda Caler · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok

I have loved every book I've ever read by J. L. Drake, but this one was slow. There were some things that didn't quite make sense, and then it just sort of ended. It was kind of cool to see how Shadows came to be, but I felt like I had to slog through it.

[Dee Her · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Montana, the Blackstone team leads and protects the Shadows safe house where they are able to bring the people they have rescued to a place of comfort and solace before they decide where to go next. The current Blackstone team members have all found love and have started families. As they realize that they are not getting any younger and now have home responsibilities , they’ve decided to start training replacements for the Blackstone team and become supporting members rather than active members. As one of the original team members and now a grandfather, Daniel shares how the safe house was created to help others and give him purpose as a former soldier after experiencing so much tragedy. The history of Shadows safehouse is explained and we learn how Team Blackstone was created. After fighting through a long and bloody war in Vietnam, Daniel returns home to Montana with his best friend , Zack and attempts to live a “normal” life after war. Almost a year later, he still struggles to find purpose for his existence in the world. In order to help Daniel with his tragic nightmares and memories of his battles, his father, General Edison Logan, works to build the Shadows sanctuary and the first generation of Team Blackstone was created. As Daniel finds his motivation to help his father build, he also re discovers the attraction for the girl he met briefly before his deployment, knowing that the connection and relationship he has with her would change his life for the better.

I was rooting for Daniel throughout this story. He is a man who was broken by war but seriously just trying to be a better person. Hind sight is 20/20 and as a grandfather, he is able to look back and see value in the people that his work helped. His family, the safe house, the lives saved would have never have happened without his work and input. Seeing all the success years later and knowing that it was built from his brokenness is the legacy he leaves for Shadows house and Team Blackstone.

****The BIGGEST SIDE NOTE: You gotta read the Broken Trilogy and the Blackstone Series to fully understand and grasp the situation in this book. Even if you just skim the books, it will help you familiarize yourself with the characters and their importance to this story. Most of the charcters and relationships were formed BEFORE this story starts. You will be a bit lost if those books are not read first.****

[~lil maso~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Robyn for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner

In this book there are some extremely sensitive topics explored and in very real situations too. I applaud the author for her smooth handling of these issues and for not brushing them under the rug. Although this is a work of fiction, many true life experiences crop up and evoke very emotional responses. The characters could have been bogged down for life, unfortunately, I have known a few and understand, she has sought ways to move forward—just like so many in real life have done. Some don’t travel far into the future at all, again this is dealt with carefully and with respect. When I consider it wasn’t until years and years later that the men and women who were in the Korean and Vietnam wars were eventually recognized, as they immediately should have been, I ponder on how so many did move on. Such is the writing of this story—it makes you think carefully about each issue.

The characters enthrall and delight with both the story from the past and the present. These characters are so strong, as are the women involved. I am amazed by their inner strength and resilience, and hey, I admit, you can’t help but fall a little bit in love with each one. Yes, you do experience highs and lows along with the accompanying emotions, but you also feel a part of the story.
I look forward to reading the next book after this story gave us a few teasers about the cartel… I am hooked already.

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

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