The Shadow of the Dark

by Sonya Lawson

Kidnappings. Cults. Cupcakes. One out of three ain’t bad.

When I was a kid, I could play in the shadow world. The older I grew, the weirder and darker it became, so I hid my power away. Now I own a bakery where the strangest thing I see is a request for sexy cupcakes.

It’s all good until an evil cult tries to kidnap me.

Now I’m going through magical training with a no-nonsense mage and a hunky librarian, plus the living shadows I used to play with start doing my bidding.

When my nosy sisters want to get involved, I have to protect them from whatever indescribable horror is slithering our way.

I make awesome sweets, but mess with me and mine, and you’ll taste how bitter I can be.

Book 1 of The Chronicles of Randy Carter. Urban fantasy Lovecraft with snacks, snark, and steam.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2023

Reviews

[H.M. Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: Randy Carter is not your typical entrepreneur. Her bakery cafe has really taken off, and things are going really well, which is a welcome change after all the drama of her divorce. But when a cupcake delivery goes awry, not dropped a cupcake awry, but attempted cult kidnapping awry, she only has one option. She has to tap back into a power that she swore off years ago. While her power came in handy in escaping, she finds out it is only the beginning. The cult is determined to wreak havoc, and Randy has to team up with some occultist mages to save her self, her city, and possibly, the world.

Rating: 4/5
Spice: 2/5

Review: Lawson writes such good, no-nonsense characters. Everyone in this story is straightforward and honest about themselves, it felt so good to read! There is a lot of mystery with 0 miscommunication and I LOVE that. Urban fantasy is hard to do well, but Lawson brought so much magic to Columbus, Ohio that I am a little happier to be an adopted Ohioan. 😂
This story pulls you in fast, and delivers! Randy is a really likable FMC, and her confidence and self-awareness are refreshing. I loved that she is a strong independent woman, who is not completely obsessed with work. She has a full life, and a family she loves and prioritizes, while she kicks butt and runs her business. She’s re-discovering herself, and fighting for the life she wants.
The Shadow of the Dark is a fast paced, easy read, with supernatural/stranger things vibes and plenty of humor. I devoured this book like it was one of Randy’s delectable baked goods. It’s a wonderful start to what I’m certain will be a great series.

*I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review*

[m · Rating 4 out of 5]

Randy Carter is delivering cupcakes to a strange location when she’s almost kidnapped by an evil cult! She escapes by stepping into the shadow realm (an ability she’s had her whole life though it scares her) but for the first time she’s not alone. A brilliant start to a new urban fantasy series - Randy teams up with a no-nonsense mage and her apprentice to take down the cult.

This book just sucks you in! I was immediately in love with Randy as a character for overcoming a toxic marriage and using the divorce money to open her dream bakery/cafe. Her strength was already shown but then she just kept rolling with every punch thrown her way - and there were a lot! The side characters are amazing too; there’s blunt and honest Harley, hot biker/librarian Gareth, plus her sisters Merry and Mia who help in non-magical ways.

Find out for yourself how Randy juggles her business, rapidly growing magical abilities, a mysterious connection to an Outer God, and a FWB situation.

If you like The Guild Codex: Spellbound series by Annette Marie, you’ll definitely like this!

My one criticism and why it’s 4-stars is that Randy is a bit overpowered. We do see her train but within a few weeks she’s a very competent mage and can do things other high ranking mages can’t. I hope we see a bit more struggle in book 2!

Thanks to Sonya Lawson for the ARC - all opinions are my own.

[Amanda Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely an enjoyable read. I love Randy’s character! She’s in her mid 30s, divorced, curvey, and takes no shit. It was so refreshing to read a character that’s relatable. Her sisters are so much fun too. Honestly all the characters are very well written. And I love the relationship Gareth and Randy develop. Spice level was low but well done for the story line. I felt like the story flowed smoothly and development of places and reasonings behind different actions were well done. I also enjoyed that you were not left with a major cliffhanger but with just enough to want to know more. Like who are these outer gods and what is Randy’s connection to them?! You should absolutely check this story out.

[Breanna Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the book you join Randy as she navigates her way through the world of magic after being almost kidnapped by a cult after delivering cupcakes to a questionable place.

Nothing against Sonya, her writing style is wonderful. The characters are different than most books, I love Randy. She is definitely a sassy MFC and I love that, I love when the MFC has some snark. I loved that Randy did freak out when she found out about magic and that is a breath of fresh air, I've read so many books where the characters took the magic world in stride like it wasn’t anything serious. Randy actually had a whole freak out moment like people would in reality, it makes it easier to get into the book.

And I also loved Harley, she was blunt and that's a different than so many other books. She didn't sugar coat anything and I looove that. She is one of those changes that you just can't help but love even though they are prickly.


With that being said, I have to DNF the book at 30%, not because I didn't like the book, but because it just was moving really slow. For me personally, I like when a book starts picking up around 25% and this was just kinda dragging on. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Randy's inner dialog and how it was more realistic that she didn't want anything to do with this world. But, with this cult being after her, I wish it would have picked up more considering she was in danger. For that reason alone, I DNF the book. If you don't mind the story building, then I'd totally recommend this book to you because it's a good book, just too slow for me.

*I received this as an ARC and this is my genuine and honest review*

[Starr Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Randy Cook, chef baker and owner Extradorinaire of Warm Regards in Columbus, and her sisters Merry and Mia have attitude and lottts of it and always sibling snark to go with it - plenty of entertainment when it isn’t your family, right??

Randy is the only magical one (thus far) and grew up comfortable with her shadows and darkness.
Randy goes about her life and is content until she is attacked one night by a bunch of crazy cultists who want her untrained and untapped potential and power- and her life. Unexpected help comes from store patrons and she is rescued by Harley and Gareth, two underdog rebel mages who offer their training and help for hers, to defeat the evil doers.

They begin an unlikely friendship and partnership to take down the evil Starry Wisdom cult (basically destructive, dark and stupid folks who want to run the world and who would do a verrrry bad job of it, wreaking havoc on their way to complete annihilation). Basically another evil day in the office or them and the end of the world for the rest of us.

Well written and entertaining story and an absolutely worthwhile read.

[Amber Hoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Randy Carter knew at a young age that she had special powers, but early on suppressed and hid from those powers. After a suspicious special order from her bakery puts her in dancer from a cult Randy must call upon the special powers of her past.

Who doesn't love cupcakes, curvy leading lady and the occult! Sonya Lawson takes these three things and creates realistic world with fantasy and magic intertwined, creating a solid base for the world to grow and develop in book 2! Randy, the main female character, is somewhat snarky, hard working, and confident; a character that most women can relate to. I loved all the main characters and can't wait to see what they evolve into in the second book!

I recommend this book to someone looking for a semi realistic Fantasy series woth a strong female lead that is easy to read.

[Jazz J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received as an ARC and was ecstatic to give this a go. I can honestly say this storyline is a breath of fresh air. Randy is very much relatable on a few different fronts. She’s a midsize queen with both confidence and some shyness depending on the situation like most of us. I don’t usually read a lot of characters who feel good enough about themselves to actively have their eyes roam or add a little shake to their step while walking away but I was rooting for her! I expected a bit more spiciness but was not disappointed in the couple scenes. There were details where I needed details to see what was going on but didn’t drown in the colors of the curtains for ten pages and I highly appreciate that. Didn’t see the twist coming and am so ready for the next book in the series.

[Renee Kountis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an urban fantasy with a snarky baker who is magical. Since she was a child, she has been able to travel to a Shadow World. A cult tries to kidnap her and this power helps her escape. With the help of a powerful mage and her hunky apprentice, she escapes from the cult and learns how to wield these powers and control what she calls the Deep Dark. She wants to protect her sisters and defeat this cult. There may be otherworld Gods involved. This book does not move slowly and keeps your interest. I can’t wait for the second book in the series. Highly recommend!!!

[Erin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well.. this was not what I expected at all! But I’m not mad about it! I loved this book!
Randy.. god I loved her.. she’s such a badass character and has been through a lot! There’s so much going on in this book that you will not have any slow/ down time. The storyline, plot and characters were all amazing!
I highly recommend this book!!!

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

While out delivering cupcakes, Randy is almost kidnapped by evil cult members. By using her power over the shadows, she saves herself by stepping into another realm. I love that this woman takes no crap from anyone and is relatable to real people. She’s in her 30s and curvy and is following her dream. I cannot wait for the next book in this series. Sonya Lawson is an auto buy for me from now on.

[Milian Glafira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accident turned great

I accidentally got the book and decided to try it even though the cover isn't very well done... I liked the idea of the story, it's unique and quite catching. I raced through it in one sitting! Despite some minor annoyances and heavy on several possible peeves for people, I give a 4 ✨

[Jenna Rare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuuuuuute!

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

This was a pretty good introduction to this series.
The only complaint I have is that the villain has no story, she was kinda scary like when she showed up out of no where, but it would have been cool to see more of this character. Technically all characters needed more development.
I like how the main character was kinda relatable because she is chunky and older than 18.
A little more detailed could go better.

[Leslie Erkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baking, magic, and romance with a healthy side of kickass and mysterious Gods.
It was an interesting read and I enjoyed the characters. The ending wasn’t too bad as far as a cliffhanger… but you will want to know more!

[Cat · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. As a fellow Kentuckian and a former resident of Columbus, I felt a weird need to like it but I had to DNF it. It happens for all of sometimes. I did not care for the MC and her sisters seemed more interesting to me. I read about 40 pages and stopped.

[Tabbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this book the characters are well developed and super relatable. Love how you can connect with the characters. The level of spice is great!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Randy is a Riot! I loved this book! Can't wait to see what book 2 has in store :)

[Shana Borgersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can tell she is a baby author but still a very entertaining book. Can't wait for the next one.

[Coco.V]

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