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Darkness #1
Darkness Lurks
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00ZYJ3H2K
Emily McPhee has struggled to overcome her father’s death...
It’s not easy, but Emily finally has the life she wants. She’s an A student at Orange University and has a comfortable home and a great circle of friends. She’s also in love with handsome Orange PD officer Seth Connors. He doesn’t seem to return her feelings, though, so she tells herself his friendship is enough.
Jimmy Lasko is a psychopath, and Emily is his greatest obsession…
Lasko knows what he wants—what he deserves—and has the deadly skills and unending patience to get it. What he wants is Emily, and he is watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. That time is coming soon; he’ll make sure of it.
A sense of unease settles on Emily, but is the danger real or imagined?
When Emily begins hearing noises and suspects someone has been in her house, Seth urges her to get a roommate. But after a search, she realizes a certain attractive cop would be the perfect choice, and Seth moves in.
Seth loves Emily, but fears his feelings might make it difficult to protect her.
In all areas of his life, Seth sees himself as a protector. He’s determined to keep Emily safe, but he pushes the captivating blonde away in an attempt to stay objective. However, after her stalker makes a failed attempt to capture her, Seth can no longer deny his feelings.
With help from Seth’s police colleagues, he and Emily set out to identify the person hunting her before it’s too late. But is it worth the risk to bait the trap with what he wants most?
Emily McPhee has struggled to overcome her father’s death...
It’s not easy, but Emily finally has the life she wants. She’s an A student at Orange University and has a comfortable home and a great circle of friends. She’s also in love with handsome Orange PD officer Seth Connors. He doesn’t seem to return her feelings, though, so she tells herself his friendship is enough.
Jimmy Lasko is a psychopath, and Emily is his greatest obsession…
Lasko knows what he wants—what he deserves—and has the deadly skills and unending patience to get it. What he wants is Emily, and he is watching and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. That time is coming soon; he’ll make sure of it.
A sense of unease settles on Emily, but is the danger real or imagined?
When Emily begins hearing noises and suspects someone has been in her house, Seth urges her to get a roommate. But after a search, she realizes a certain attractive cop would be the perfect choice, and Seth moves in.
Seth loves Emily, but fears his feelings might make it difficult to protect her.
In all areas of his life, Seth sees himself as a protector. He’s determined to keep Emily safe, but he pushes the captivating blonde away in an attempt to stay objective. However, after her stalker makes a failed attempt to capture her, Seth can no longer deny his feelings.
With help from Seth’s police colleagues, he and Emily set out to identify the person hunting her before it’s too late. But is it worth the risk to bait the trap with what he wants most?
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2014
About the author
J.L. Drake
36 books2,769 followersInternational 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
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
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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
September 25, 2017
'Darkness Lurks' is the first book in the 'Darkness' series by J. L. Drake. I listened to the Audible edition and while the narration was good, the story failed to keep me on the edge of my seat like I would have expected. Sure, it was creepy at times, but I expected it to be far more thrilling and suspenseful than it ended up being. This is another one that fell in the "like, but not love" category for me.
The heroine, Emily McPhee, lives alone in the house she inherited following the death of her father. She's smart, beautiful and kind, with a despicable excuse for a mother. She is the perfect damsel in distress.
Emily has the hots for a local cop, Seth Connors. The two have been friends for years and Emily wants more. However, Seth sends a lot of mixed messages. He wants her, but wants to keep her safe more. This lends itself to some tug and pull between the two and a little sexual tension. Unfortunately, I didn't find either character compelling enough to care too much either way.
There is a nutjob on the loose with his sight set on Emily. She begins to feel like somebody is watching her and questions whether someone has been inside her home. She can't prove it, but she feels it.
As the frequency of these strange occurrences increases, Seth moves in with Emily to keep an eye on her. The stalker is getting bolder and the signs are more ominous. Yet, Emily goes about life as usual, seemingly unconcerned with her own safety.
Not surprisingly, Emily is eventually attacked. Although she manages to escape her attacker the first time, he is undeterred. Before the police can figure out who he is, Emily is kidnapped and Seth and his police colleagues must do their best to save her.
Although I did like some things about this story, I expected it to be far more suspenseful and engaging than it was. I never felt a strong connection with Emily or Seth, so it was hard for me to get into the story. If I had felt some sort of bond with one of the main characters, I probably would have enjoyed this book much more.
I was also irritated by many of Emily's stupid, naive actions. I kept thinking, "who does that?". She is the type of heroine that fits nicely in the TSTL category. For example, she's being hunted by some crazy stalker and has already been brutally attacked, but she decides to go to a remote cabin for alone time! WTF did she think was going to happen? She might as well wear a t-shirt that says "please abduct me".
Nonetheless, I was curious to see how things would work out. I don't like leaving a story incomplete. I went right into the second book, to get the answers to all my questions.
Check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com
The heroine, Emily McPhee, lives alone in the house she inherited following the death of her father. She's smart, beautiful and kind, with a despicable excuse for a mother. She is the perfect damsel in distress.
Emily has the hots for a local cop, Seth Connors. The two have been friends for years and Emily wants more. However, Seth sends a lot of mixed messages. He wants her, but wants to keep her safe more. This lends itself to some tug and pull between the two and a little sexual tension. Unfortunately, I didn't find either character compelling enough to care too much either way.
There is a nutjob on the loose with his sight set on Emily. She begins to feel like somebody is watching her and questions whether someone has been inside her home. She can't prove it, but she feels it.
As the frequency of these strange occurrences increases, Seth moves in with Emily to keep an eye on her. The stalker is getting bolder and the signs are more ominous. Yet, Emily goes about life as usual, seemingly unconcerned with her own safety.
Not surprisingly, Emily is eventually attacked. Although she manages to escape her attacker the first time, he is undeterred. Before the police can figure out who he is, Emily is kidnapped and Seth and his police colleagues must do their best to save her.
Although I did like some things about this story, I expected it to be far more suspenseful and engaging than it was. I never felt a strong connection with Emily or Seth, so it was hard for me to get into the story. If I had felt some sort of bond with one of the main characters, I probably would have enjoyed this book much more.
I was also irritated by many of Emily's stupid, naive actions. I kept thinking, "who does that?". She is the type of heroine that fits nicely in the TSTL category. For example, she's being hunted by some crazy stalker and has already been brutally attacked, but she decides to go to a remote cabin for alone time! WTF did she think was going to happen? She might as well wear a t-shirt that says "please abduct me".
Nonetheless, I was curious to see how things would work out. I don't like leaving a story incomplete. I went right into the second book, to get the answers to all my questions.
Check out more of my reviews at www.bookaddicthaven.com
March 10, 2016
This is one of those books that frustrate the ever loving shit out of you because the plot is like squeezing blood from a turnip. Yet, what drops of plot you get are addictive as hell.
It reminds me of those shell games street panhandlers use to take tourists for a ride. 'Look, here's the plot.' *Puts plot under one of ten identical shells and shuffles* 'Now, where's the plot, you nitwit tourist?' An hour later... Dumbfounded tourist has lost five times what his won, but still can't seem to walk away.
Maybe I need ...
But, I can't seem to walk away from the shells:/
What's What
The bare bones of the plot are 1. A push-pull romance between friends. 2. A stalker out to get the FMC. 3. An inside traitor.
The main POV is the FMC. The MMC has scattered chapter POV. The stalker also has scattered POVs.
Stalker...
The stalker plot is well done, suspenseful, and believable. It had a very "Silence of the Lambs" feel, and funny enough - the movie is even mentioned by the author later in the book.
Inside Traitor...
The inside traitor plot is excellent. You have no fucking clue who it is because there are so many possibilities. By the end of book one, you have a strong idea who it is, but it's not something confirmed. TBC in book two;)
Romance ...
The romantic plot is the weakest plot line. In fact, it's downright odd. Like ...
The book opens with the FMC & MMC being labeled as close cozy friends that clearly have romantic feelings for each other but have never acted on them. She gets undressed in front of him. They snuggle. Shit like that, but label themselves as "friends."
You immediately recognize the MMC is holding himself back...
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The question is from what?!? He obviously has his own secrets, but the author doesn't give you enough to even guess at what they might be, why he's so guarded, why he fights a relationship with the FMC, why he lives such a secret life, etc?!?!?
Something feels very off here with both his actions and her acceptance of them. I mean they've been "friends for years," right? Yet, the FMC has never met his coworkers, never met his family, didn't know he was rich, didn't know he had a cabin just two hours away, etc... She basically knows NOTHING about this supposed long-term, close friend other than he is a cop and his BFF/partner has become another of her "close friends." She doesn't find this f'ing odd?
Again, I feel like I'm playing a shell game. Distract me with how mysterious he is so I'm nothing thinking about how fucking nonsensical it is that she knows jack diddly shit about someone she claims is her BFF & Love and isn't even bothered by it.
I'm not buying a meaningful friendship here, much less love.
Even toward the end, after they've openly claimed each other and had sex, they sleep in separate rooms at his cabin? I just don't get their relationship at all!
Yeah, Right
Now, MMC is a beat cop. Yet, he is all up in this stalking investigation as he sits around the precinct. He's there for interrogations. He has access to videos and files etc. AND, this dude has all the time off in the world to go to the beach, camping, and vacation at his cabin. Huh?
^^^ That is not the life of a beat cop. Just saying~
The Mountain Of "Friends"
Just how many fucking friends can be introduced in one book? This chick's friendship mountain is like tree to tree packed with people she calls "friends."
I've NEVER read a book with so many secondary characters. Between all his cop buddies and their girlfriends and all her old, close, and new friends coming into the story through a revolving door of fluff, I feel like I'm on an episode of ...
Meets...
Meets...
Meets...
It's crazy! It's overkill! It's distracting! It's irritating as fuck!
FMC Is All That And A Bag Of Doritos
In addition, it seems all these friends and potential suitors think the FMC is absolutely perfect. Again with the overkill! I mean how many men could possibly go goo-goo over a chick within five minutes of knowing her?!?
She is like the popular, rich, flirty girl from high school who has all the boys trailing after her for crumbs of her time.
She comes across as very shallow - not narcissistic and not an airhead - but just very depthless and hollow.
I have the same problem with the MMC. It's all very...
Surrounded by...
The Turnip
Character complaints aside, the plot (blood) is really good... What it comes out of? Not so much!
The turnip...
Goooood Lawd at the mundane house party, eating, swimming, bar hop, karaoke, sleeping, camping, mama drama, etc BS that you have to sift through to get to the substance of the plot. It's infuriating!
Bottom Line
3 unstable stars.
Me...
I have to hand it to the author in keeping me hooked here. I typically do not read onward if I DON'T connect with the MCs, which I didn't here. I mean really... I feel more of a draw to the fucking psychopath stalker lol.
I typically will throw a book down a gutter if it bores me with mundane after mundane after mundane scene of eat, sleep, party.
I can't help it! I'm curious.
I need to know who this insider is and how he/she/they are connected to the stalker.
I need to know more about the stalker.
I want to know why the MMC shares nothing of himself with anyone.
I hope being kidnapped brings the FMC out of her Barbie shell and she realizes that there is more to life than sitting on a beach collecting friends. <<< doubt this happens, but one can hope;)
Those curiosities are enough to demand I read book 2 and pray the answers are f'ing sensical!!!!!
Recommend?
If you're looking for a detailed, highly involved, clear cut romance with lots of feels and steam.... This will be a no!
If you're a curious personality that must know details and fit a puzzle together... The stalker and inside man parts of this book are addictive and worth the very tiresome romance and MCs.
January 29, 2016
I don't know about this one. There was something just missing here for me even though I kept turning those pages. I just had to see where this was going. The main characters were not that likable to me. The heroine was just too perfect. She had the looks, the personality and everyone just loved her. For a person on the run from a killer, she was just too naive. She didn't seem scared or upset because who goes to a log cabin in the middle of nowhere just to get away from it all with a psychotic stalker on the loose? And the hero, he was okay, but the author really doesn't give him much of an introduction. He's just kind of thrown in there. I thought that his best friend was more of a hero than the one portrayed. I did think the stalker was dead-on twisted and disturbed just like a villain should be, however. And, there was a decent cast of supporting characters that I enjoyed reading about. At times the writing was heart-stopping with suspense and intrigue. But, then other times it just seemed juvenile, which were the pages I skimmed. I know I'm in the minority here with my review, but I won't give up on this trilogy. I'm in it for the long haul. Onto book 2...
Oh, and there is a cliff-hanger...
Oh, and there is a cliff-hanger...
November 9, 2014
This book was just SO good! I normally read a lot of smutty books. But this one opened my eyes to a new sort of genre! This book has it all, super sexy, mysterious, CREEEEPY, action and a total thriller! Its a must read! I was hooked from the start! I got no sleep on this book lol. Just get ready, because this story is total ride. You will love it! Enjoy!
October 1, 2015
*GASP*
*SHOCK*
Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
Overall rating: 5.0
*GASP*
J.L. Drake is a "new to me" author, and I absolutely LOVED her writing style, the way she told this story. I could picture everything as it happened, I could hear the character's voices, I felt like I *knew* these characters. This was a real page turner for me! Couldn't get enough!
This book was dark and creepy, intense and suspenseful and I couldn't get enough!
Emily McPhee, there were moments in this book that I really just wanted to smack her and wake her the hell up. She just didn't listen or use common sense half the time. She is like the idiot girl that runs into the old abandoned barn on a dark rainy night, tripping and falling all the way, only to run right into the arms of the guy with the chainsaw. But she was loveably (yes, I'm making that a word!) clueless, and totally in love with Seth Connors.
Seth Connors, ahhhh, Seth, I really enjoyed this character, although, at times I felt like he listened to too many outside influences instead of his own head. Seth has been on the police force for a couple of years, he takes his job very seriously, and because of that, he tries to keep his feelings for Emily purely in the friend zone.
Jimmy Lasko, this guy was a Grade A, Class One, psychopath. One of the scariest and most disturbed I've read about. He's sick and twisted and Ms. Drake writes his character so well and so believable that I actually sit up and take notice of things that go bump in the night!
Jimmy is obsessed with Emily. Over the top, creep factor to the inth degree! He wants her, and he means to have her. He stalks her constantly. It's his stalking that alerts Emily to something not being right when she starts hearing noises in her house.
Seth, who lives next door, encourages Emily to get a roommate, someone to be an extra set of eyes and ears and hopefully a deterrent to anyone meaning to do her any harm.
She does interview a few people, but in her heart, she know that Seth would be the perfect roommate, and wouldn't that just be handy to have him living in the same house with her, even if he did only want to be friends!
But Seth does want more, he's also in love with Emily, but the protector in him, not to mention those pesky outside influences, knows that in order to keep her safe, he has to keep her at arm's length.
There are a whole host of characters in this book that fill in the story so perfectly. Everyone has a place, characters aren't just there to fluff things up.
Warning, this book ends in a cliffhanger, so have the second book, Darkness Follows, on hand to continue this brilliant series! I've definitely found a new author to love... and stalk for more books!
*SHOCK*
Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
Overall rating: 5.0
*****5 SHOCKED STARS
*GASP*
J.L. Drake is a "new to me" author, and I absolutely LOVED her writing style, the way she told this story. I could picture everything as it happened, I could hear the character's voices, I felt like I *knew* these characters. This was a real page turner for me! Couldn't get enough!
This book was dark and creepy, intense and suspenseful and I couldn't get enough!
Emily McPhee, there were moments in this book that I really just wanted to smack her and wake her the hell up. She just didn't listen or use common sense half the time. She is like the idiot girl that runs into the old abandoned barn on a dark rainy night, tripping and falling all the way, only to run right into the arms of the guy with the chainsaw. But she was loveably (yes, I'm making that a word!) clueless, and totally in love with Seth Connors.
Seth Connors, ahhhh, Seth, I really enjoyed this character, although, at times I felt like he listened to too many outside influences instead of his own head. Seth has been on the police force for a couple of years, he takes his job very seriously, and because of that, he tries to keep his feelings for Emily purely in the friend zone.
Jimmy Lasko, this guy was a Grade A, Class One, psychopath. One of the scariest and most disturbed I've read about. He's sick and twisted and Ms. Drake writes his character so well and so believable that I actually sit up and take notice of things that go bump in the night!
Jimmy is obsessed with Emily. Over the top, creep factor to the inth degree! He wants her, and he means to have her. He stalks her constantly. It's his stalking that alerts Emily to something not being right when she starts hearing noises in her house.
Seth, who lives next door, encourages Emily to get a roommate, someone to be an extra set of eyes and ears and hopefully a deterrent to anyone meaning to do her any harm.
She does interview a few people, but in her heart, she know that Seth would be the perfect roommate, and wouldn't that just be handy to have him living in the same house with her, even if he did only want to be friends!
But Seth does want more, he's also in love with Emily, but the protector in him, not to mention those pesky outside influences, knows that in order to keep her safe, he has to keep her at arm's length.
There are a whole host of characters in this book that fill in the story so perfectly. Everyone has a place, characters aren't just there to fluff things up.
Warning, this book ends in a cliffhanger, so have the second book, Darkness Follows, on hand to continue this brilliant series! I've definitely found a new author to love... and stalk for more books!
August 29, 2015
Book of 2015 so far!
5 Star rating!
Love JL Drake's writing. I read her Broken series in 2 days. Saw this book, seemed darker, it is. I loved it. Hands down standing as my favorite dark genre read of year so far.
Emily has a crappy mother, a diseased father and a crush on a guy who treats her like a sister. She also, unknown to her, has a crazy, psycho stalker who has taken an unhealthy interest in her. She feels like she is being watched, she hears sounds in her house, she feels something is wrong. She is right. Her world is about to spin out of control.
After a day at the beach she is attacked on the way home when she stops for gas. The guy, Lasko, is sick and twisted and all kinds of messed up in the head. Saved only when a trucker pulls up to the pumps.
When her new roommate, in her big house, her crush and a police office, Seth, sees her his world is shook. He can't pretend his feeling aren't there anymore. His need to protect her makes that even stronger.
Teasing connecting then resisting her heightens the need. It only confuses and hurts her. She is not one who lacks suitors. His friends point out if he doesn't lay claim he may lose her forever.
Lasko though proves he can get to her anytime, anywhere. She is not truly safe. Anywhere. Seth and his police brethren have their work cut out for themselves.
The characters have great depth; not only the hero & heroine but the secondary ones also. The story is shown in vivid framing and rides like a roller coaster with slow building anticipation and then fast impactful action.
I can not wait till September 2015 for book #2 Darkness Follows .
5 Star rating!
Love JL Drake's writing. I read her Broken series in 2 days. Saw this book, seemed darker, it is. I loved it. Hands down standing as my favorite dark genre read of year so far.
Emily has a crappy mother, a diseased father and a crush on a guy who treats her like a sister. She also, unknown to her, has a crazy, psycho stalker who has taken an unhealthy interest in her. She feels like she is being watched, she hears sounds in her house, she feels something is wrong. She is right. Her world is about to spin out of control.
After a day at the beach she is attacked on the way home when she stops for gas. The guy, Lasko, is sick and twisted and all kinds of messed up in the head. Saved only when a trucker pulls up to the pumps.
When her new roommate, in her big house, her crush and a police office, Seth, sees her his world is shook. He can't pretend his feeling aren't there anymore. His need to protect her makes that even stronger.
Teasing connecting then resisting her heightens the need. It only confuses and hurts her. She is not one who lacks suitors. His friends point out if he doesn't lay claim he may lose her forever.
Lasko though proves he can get to her anytime, anywhere. She is not truly safe. Anywhere. Seth and his police brethren have their work cut out for themselves.
The characters have great depth; not only the hero & heroine but the secondary ones also. The story is shown in vivid framing and rides like a roller coaster with slow building anticipation and then fast impactful action.
I can not wait till September 2015 for book #2 Darkness Follows .
December 23, 2014
I'm writing this review as I'm looking over my shoulder and out my window making sure no creepy, psychotic killers are lurking behind my trees. Like seriously, I wanted to slap Emily! We all know the things you should never do when being in a horror movie, so if your life suddenly becomes one.. Well then don't do those things! And speak up for Christ sakes! Ugh, the lack of communication between her and Seth bugged me! However, I couldn't put the freaking book down and I thought I had it pinned.. I thought I knew who was behind it all, I thought I knew who to beware of in book 2.. Then BAM the last page happened and I realized.. Yeah I should never be a detective! Can't wait for the 2nd book to get more answers, and more of Officer Connors! This book is so different then what I usually read and I loved every single moment of it!!! Now excuse me while I go lock my doors and windows!!
October 5, 2015
DNF@48%.
This was too YA/NA for my taste. After pages and pages of boring and mundane things happening, I just lost interest altogether in the (supposedly) suspense.
This was too YA/NA for my taste. After pages and pages of boring and mundane things happening, I just lost interest altogether in the (supposedly) suspense.
July 22, 2015
*Arc provided for honest review*
I fell in love with J.L. Drake after reading her Broken Trilogy( if you haven’t read it then I highly suggest you do) So I was super excited to read this. I bothered her everyday to see how the writing was going lol. I was not disappointed! I wasn’t able to read the first version but I still loved it.
This book hand me on the edge of my seat, I couldn’t put it down. I was reading anywhere I could. I adored Emily, I felt for her and my heart broke for her. Dealing with her fathers death and the blame she had on her self. Add a stalker to the mix, not fun. I had a girl crush on her bestie, Erin, I need a best friend like her!!
OMG and Seth!! He was everything after he got his s*** together and went after the girl. I loved it, I love him, I love them together! Oh and don’t forget Seth’s sexy partner Garrett and the rest of the Orange PD (except for the snake, I WILL FIND YOU!!)
What I liked most was that you never knew what was going to happen. I was having serious trust issues , I didn’t know who to trust. The more I read the more I started freaking out!! Jodi why do you keep playing with my emotions!! Just when I thought I hand it figured out, BAM!!! Cliffhanger!
If your looking for a suspense romance with sexy cops then one-click this now! And if you don’t then we cant be friends, sorry !!
Happy Reading (and Avery is mine xoxo)
-A
I fell in love with J.L. Drake after reading her Broken Trilogy( if you haven’t read it then I highly suggest you do) So I was super excited to read this. I bothered her everyday to see how the writing was going lol. I was not disappointed! I wasn’t able to read the first version but I still loved it.
This book hand me on the edge of my seat, I couldn’t put it down. I was reading anywhere I could. I adored Emily, I felt for her and my heart broke for her. Dealing with her fathers death and the blame she had on her self. Add a stalker to the mix, not fun. I had a girl crush on her bestie, Erin, I need a best friend like her!!
OMG and Seth!! He was everything after he got his s*** together and went after the girl. I loved it, I love him, I love them together! Oh and don’t forget Seth’s sexy partner Garrett and the rest of the Orange PD (except for the snake, I WILL FIND YOU!!)
What I liked most was that you never knew what was going to happen. I was having serious trust issues , I didn’t know who to trust. The more I read the more I started freaking out!! Jodi why do you keep playing with my emotions!! Just when I thought I hand it figured out, BAM!!! Cliffhanger!
If your looking for a suspense romance with sexy cops then one-click this now! And if you don’t then we cant be friends, sorry !!
Happy Reading (and Avery is mine xoxo)
-A
July 20, 2015
I received ARC for an honest review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Five big and creepy Stars !!!
Ok... so this is the first time ... I get an ARC ... so clear that I was excited And after I read the broken trilogy by J.l. drake and love it so much I was so happy that I put my hands first on the new trilogy she wroth ... Darkness ... and let me just say it was amazing !!
Jimmy Lasko is a psychopath, and Emily is his greatest obsession and he is soooooo Creepy ... I swear he gives me the chills all over my body And not in a good way ... this one is scary !! But luckily for Emily she has Seth by her side and he will do anything to protect her And he is a cop A very hot one!!! While reading I felt like i'm watching an action or an Horror movie that keeps you constantly on the edge and you don't know what to expect to happen and the book is full points I thought ... Ok ... I solved the mystery but it turned out that nothing is what appears to be!!! by the end I was so nervous ... and then the book is over... Haaaa... what ???? I need book 2 Like here and now !!
I must say that one thing I was missing is more information about Emily & Seth past and how they met The story begins in the present and I felt I wanted to know them more and more so I hope to get an answer in the second book ... J.l drake Thanks for a great ride and I can't wait for the next one!!
Ok... so this is the first time ... I get an ARC ... so clear that I was excited And after I read the broken trilogy by J.l. drake and love it so much I was so happy that I put my hands first on the new trilogy she wroth ... Darkness ... and let me just say it was amazing !!
Jimmy Lasko is a psychopath, and Emily is his greatest obsession and he is soooooo Creepy ... I swear he gives me the chills all over my body And not in a good way ... this one is scary !! But luckily for Emily she has Seth by her side and he will do anything to protect her And he is a cop A very hot one!!! While reading I felt like i'm watching an action or an Horror movie that keeps you constantly on the edge and you don't know what to expect to happen and the book is full points I thought ... Ok ... I solved the mystery but it turned out that nothing is what appears to be!!! by the end I was so nervous ... and then the book is over... Haaaa... what ???? I need book 2 Like here and now !!
I must say that one thing I was missing is more information about Emily & Seth past and how they met The story begins in the present and I felt I wanted to know them more and more so I hope to get an answer in the second book ... J.l drake Thanks for a great ride and I can't wait for the next one!!
August 24, 2015
Do you ever read rave reviews and then read the book and wonder if everyone else had read a completely different novel to you? Because that's what I found with Darkness Lurks.
I couldn't care less about the heroine, Emily, a woman who is being stalked by an unknown and dangerous individual but still finds the time to flirt with boys, attend parties and get up on stage in a bar and sing a really cool and meaningful duet with a friend, demonstrating just how talented she is at everything and how awesome her taste in music is. If I was being stalked, I don't see myself, or most rational individuals doing any of this.
I also didn't see or feel the connection between Emily and Seth, the hero of the tale. I didn't care whether they wound up together or not.
Seth is supposed to be a uniformed police officer, but one who doesn't seem to do any policing because he is constantly at Emily's beck and call and can drop everything if Emily needs him. He's not a particularly strong character and doesn't do anything for me.
Minor characters are legion, they flow in and out of the tale like the tide and so I had no idea who people were, what connection they had to the main characters and whether I should care about them or even remember their name, or if the couple of pages they were featured on would be their only contribution to the story.
I also didn't care for some of the moments you see through Lasko's eyes, as a dangerous psychopath, you don't expect hugs and puppies but some of the scenes felt unnecessarily graphic and exploitative, as though they were there for shock value and nothing else. I have a high tolerance for violence, as long as it is written well and adds value to the value. In this book, they didn't add anything to the story, so shouldn't have been there for me.
Overall, a fail for me. I didn't care what happened to Emily or Seth, or anyone else either. I was hoping for a nice easy resolution so I could be done with these characters, but no, there's a book 2 coming out. One I won't be reading.
I couldn't care less about the heroine, Emily, a woman who is being stalked by an unknown and dangerous individual but still finds the time to flirt with boys, attend parties and get up on stage in a bar and sing a really cool and meaningful duet with a friend, demonstrating just how talented she is at everything and how awesome her taste in music is. If I was being stalked, I don't see myself, or most rational individuals doing any of this.
I also didn't see or feel the connection between Emily and Seth, the hero of the tale. I didn't care whether they wound up together or not.
Seth is supposed to be a uniformed police officer, but one who doesn't seem to do any policing because he is constantly at Emily's beck and call and can drop everything if Emily needs him. He's not a particularly strong character and doesn't do anything for me.
Minor characters are legion, they flow in and out of the tale like the tide and so I had no idea who people were, what connection they had to the main characters and whether I should care about them or even remember their name, or if the couple of pages they were featured on would be their only contribution to the story.
I also didn't care for some of the moments you see through Lasko's eyes, as a dangerous psychopath, you don't expect hugs and puppies but some of the scenes felt unnecessarily graphic and exploitative, as though they were there for shock value and nothing else. I have a high tolerance for violence, as long as it is written well and adds value to the value. In this book, they didn't add anything to the story, so shouldn't have been there for me.
Overall, a fail for me. I didn't care what happened to Emily or Seth, or anyone else either. I was hoping for a nice easy resolution so I could be done with these characters, but no, there's a book 2 coming out. One I won't be reading.
March 15, 2017
Review posted under other edition
Merged review:
3.75 stars
Darknes Lurks is a suspenseful psychological thriller mixed with a bit of erotic romance. I enjoyed this book which contains several entertaining characters and a very compelling storyline. Darknes Lurks is the kind of book that keeps you thinking; I was constantly trying to figure out who the bad guy was! Drake is crafty, continuously adding more and more male characters into the story, presumably to throw us off! I was frustrated and disappointed to reach the end of this book without having most of my questions answered-all is not revealed by the end of this book. Drake is either really evil or a clever business person.... Ending this book without telling us what is truly going on practically forces us readers to continue on to book #2! Although it's maddening, I can understand why Drake did this. So yes, I will be reading on in the series but this time, I better get some answers!
Merged review:
3.75 stars
Darknes Lurks is a suspenseful psychological thriller mixed with a bit of erotic romance. I enjoyed this book which contains several entertaining characters and a very compelling storyline. Darknes Lurks is the kind of book that keeps you thinking; I was constantly trying to figure out who the bad guy was! Drake is crafty, continuously adding more and more male characters into the story, presumably to throw us off! I was frustrated and disappointed to reach the end of this book without having most of my questions answered-all is not revealed by the end of this book. Drake is either really evil or a clever business person.... Ending this book without telling us what is truly going on practically forces us readers to continue on to book #2! Although it's maddening, I can understand why Drake did this. So yes, I will be reading on in the series but this time, I better get some answers!
December 5, 2017
Can't believe this is the first book I've read by this author. What the heck was I thinking lol this was a fab read. I inhaled it in a day.
Emily's life is on track. She's at university & has some great friends. She's in love with an officer called Seth. He's afraid to get too close. Emily learns quick enough that danger is following her? Who is after her? Are they working alone? What do they want?
Once I started this book I really couldn't put it down. I kept saying one more chapter. I did stop to make dinner. However it wasn't long before I was back reading it.
Absolutely brilliant read. The book does end in a cliffhanger. However I'm not gonna scream and shout this time as I've got the next book on my kindle waiting for me to start.
Emily's life is on track. She's at university & has some great friends. She's in love with an officer called Seth. He's afraid to get too close. Emily learns quick enough that danger is following her? Who is after her? Are they working alone? What do they want?
Once I started this book I really couldn't put it down. I kept saying one more chapter. I did stop to make dinner. However it wasn't long before I was back reading it.
Absolutely brilliant read. The book does end in a cliffhanger. However I'm not gonna scream and shout this time as I've got the next book on my kindle waiting for me to start.
July 19, 2015
I received an ARC for an honest review.
I fell in love with Drake writhing in the Broken trilogy and let me tell u something- she did it again!
This book took me on a wild roller coaster... One minute I was laughing and the next I was in shock from the unexpected events. I'd finish this book with several hours with no air to breath!
Can't wait for the next book.
BIG five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I fell in love with Drake writhing in the Broken trilogy and let me tell u something- she did it again!
This book took me on a wild roller coaster... One minute I was laughing and the next I was in shock from the unexpected events. I'd finish this book with several hours with no air to breath!
Can't wait for the next book.
BIG five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 18, 2015
I recieved an ARC for an honest review and let me tell you one thing - OMG!!!!!!!!
The perfect combination of love & suspense! :-)
I couldn't breath through all of it and waiting for book #2 is going to be a torture - Such a cliffhanger!
I'm not sure what is going on in J.L Drake's head, but whatever it is - it will be amazing!!!!
The perfect combination of love & suspense! :-)
I couldn't breath through all of it and waiting for book #2 is going to be a torture - Such a cliffhanger!
I'm not sure what is going on in J.L Drake's head, but whatever it is - it will be amazing!!!!
November 21, 2016
Intense
A great book with everything one could want in a book, love, friendship, and a crazy guy after the main female character Emily. I'm onto the next book in the series. I can't wait to see what happens. It ended with the crazy guy getting Emily. Another great series to read.
A great book with everything one could want in a book, love, friendship, and a crazy guy after the main female character Emily. I'm onto the next book in the series. I can't wait to see what happens. It ended with the crazy guy getting Emily. Another great series to read.
July 21, 2015
4.5 fantastic Stars!
Review by Jen Hagen
I think it’s safe to say that tonight when I go to bed I will be analyzing every single noise I hear and I will have checked the locks on the doors about 3 times. This story freaked me out! It is not dark, but suspenseful with a sweet friends-to-lovers romance added in. I was pulled in from the very first page. Ms. Drake made me feel like I was in every single scene. She writes with fluidity and the scene transitions are flawless, which is something that I don’t always find in every book that I read but have it on my high-standards checklist.
Emily is 21 years old and lives in a large beach house alone. She has a very good friend, Seth, whom she secretly crushes on. Seth has been with the county police department for 2 years. He also has feelings for Emily but doesn’t want to act on them, as he takes his job very seriously as a police officer.
It’s easier to protect someone when there aren’t feelings to get in the way. My heart ached for Emily.
Now would definitely not be a good time for his feelings to take precedence over her safety as Emily has acquired the attention of a stalker, Lasko. Lasko creeps me out and we only get a brief glimpse of him with his occasional point of view. (Seriously, I just got goose bumps thinking of how to describe him…I’m moving on…)
I need to talk sweet instead... Seth is a great guy. He and his friend/partner, Garrett, always have their eyes and ears trained on Emily and will do whatever it takes to keep her safe after an attack by Lasko.
There’s also Scott, a classmate who shows interest in pursuing more with Emily, although Emily has given no indication that she would like to be more than friends with him. He seems like a nice guy (or is he???—my jury is still debating).
“Emily,” he said in a different tone that made me look up. “I really like you, and I think you may like me, so what’s holding you back?”
What’s holding her back is the big crush she has on Seth and the potential for her feelings to be reciprocated. Seth has shown interest with a few kisses, but then he goes and pulls the a-hole card by calling their shared passion a mistake.
It felt like a rubber band had snapped me in the heart. I actually rubbed my skin to ease the pain. I rolled onto my side and stumbled to a standing position. “Your mind games are enough to drive somebody nuts, Seth.”
I kept reading faster and faster to try to get to the ending (which some of you know I have a very bad habit of reading first but this time I didn’t!) and along the way there are clues as to who may possibly be helping Lasko. I don’t think Ms. Drake is going to make it that easy on us and whatever seed she has planted in my mind is not going to grow. I know she has something big planned for us as this is the first in a trilogy.
“Seth, if anything happens to me, just know I –“
“You’re going to be fine, baby I’m almost to you.”
I don’t give out 4.5 stars very easily, but I did in this case because the storyline was unique to the romances that garner more attention and the author’s writing was full of depth. If you are like me and enjoy suspense, I would definitely suggest you give this a read.
Review by Jen Hagen
I think it’s safe to say that tonight when I go to bed I will be analyzing every single noise I hear and I will have checked the locks on the doors about 3 times. This story freaked me out! It is not dark, but suspenseful with a sweet friends-to-lovers romance added in. I was pulled in from the very first page. Ms. Drake made me feel like I was in every single scene. She writes with fluidity and the scene transitions are flawless, which is something that I don’t always find in every book that I read but have it on my high-standards checklist.
Emily is 21 years old and lives in a large beach house alone. She has a very good friend, Seth, whom she secretly crushes on. Seth has been with the county police department for 2 years. He also has feelings for Emily but doesn’t want to act on them, as he takes his job very seriously as a police officer.
It’s easier to protect someone when there aren’t feelings to get in the way. My heart ached for Emily.
Now would definitely not be a good time for his feelings to take precedence over her safety as Emily has acquired the attention of a stalker, Lasko. Lasko creeps me out and we only get a brief glimpse of him with his occasional point of view. (Seriously, I just got goose bumps thinking of how to describe him…I’m moving on…)
I need to talk sweet instead... Seth is a great guy. He and his friend/partner, Garrett, always have their eyes and ears trained on Emily and will do whatever it takes to keep her safe after an attack by Lasko.
There’s also Scott, a classmate who shows interest in pursuing more with Emily, although Emily has given no indication that she would like to be more than friends with him. He seems like a nice guy (or is he???—my jury is still debating).
“Emily,” he said in a different tone that made me look up. “I really like you, and I think you may like me, so what’s holding you back?”
What’s holding her back is the big crush she has on Seth and the potential for her feelings to be reciprocated. Seth has shown interest with a few kisses, but then he goes and pulls the a-hole card by calling their shared passion a mistake.
It felt like a rubber band had snapped me in the heart. I actually rubbed my skin to ease the pain. I rolled onto my side and stumbled to a standing position. “Your mind games are enough to drive somebody nuts, Seth.”
I kept reading faster and faster to try to get to the ending (which some of you know I have a very bad habit of reading first but this time I didn’t!) and along the way there are clues as to who may possibly be helping Lasko. I don’t think Ms. Drake is going to make it that easy on us and whatever seed she has planted in my mind is not going to grow. I know she has something big planned for us as this is the first in a trilogy.
“Seth, if anything happens to me, just know I –“
“You’re going to be fine, baby I’m almost to you.”
I don’t give out 4.5 stars very easily, but I did in this case because the storyline was unique to the romances that garner more attention and the author’s writing was full of depth. If you are like me and enjoy suspense, I would definitely suggest you give this a read.
August 12, 2019
I truly enjoyed reading this book. It keep me on the edge of my seat. It is a must read....
March 29, 2018
4.5 Suspicious Stars
Lovvvved the whole series!!!
Lovvvved the whole series!!!
November 22, 2017
I was expecting more of a thriller, I want really into the characters, but I liked the cliffy at the end.
September 19, 2015
Romantic Suspense is my top favorite genre, and let me tell you: J.L. Drake NAILED IT with this series. There’s passionate romance, action, suspense, mystery…everything necessary to keep me GLUED to my Kindle, turning the pages in dire need of more. If you’ve yet to read this genre, trust me, J.L. Drake is the author you want to start with. Darkness Lurks is a fantastic and enthralling novel you need to pick up!
“I’m so scared he’s going to take you from me.”
Anyone with a brain could tell Seth and Emily were both in love with each other, but since Seth always kept Emily at arm’s length, Emily had given up on the hope of having something more with him. Mind you, Seth had his reasons. You see, Emily was being stalked and it seemed like her stalker, a creepy man named Lasko, was always one step ahead of everyone. It’s as if he knew their next preventive move. Anything and everything Seth and the rest of the guys tried to keep Emily safe, did not work. Lasko was always there. Did I mention he was creepy?
Seth tried to not give into his feelings for Emily. He did. He tried. Really. But he also failed, and boy was I happy to see that happen! It only made their relationship that much better. The fear he felt for Emily was beautifully written. There was NO doubt how much he LOVED Emily.
Emily had already gone through SO much in her life. Losing her dad whom she was very close with and then, having to live with her snotty mom (who could NOT care less about Emily), all to have a dangerous man following her every move. Sheesh!! She needed some good in her life. She needed Seth.
“…don’t want to lose you.”
There are a lot of page-turning events in this book that will keep you hooked. At least, they did me. Suffice it to say that this book is a MUST read and one of my favorites for this year. Seriously. I was fully engrossed from beginning to end and had no problem at all envisioning the scenes as they unfolded. J.L. Drake did a wonderful job writing this book. The amount of detail was perfect – enough to allow the reader to see clearly everything unfold, and yet not too much to make me want to skim. Now, okay….you will need to have book 2: Darkness Follows handy because this one ends in quite the cliffhanger… Don’t let the ending stop you. TRUST ME. FIVE STARS!!!
Purchase: http://amzn.to/1KnFGxd
“I’m so scared he’s going to take you from me.”
Anyone with a brain could tell Seth and Emily were both in love with each other, but since Seth always kept Emily at arm’s length, Emily had given up on the hope of having something more with him. Mind you, Seth had his reasons. You see, Emily was being stalked and it seemed like her stalker, a creepy man named Lasko, was always one step ahead of everyone. It’s as if he knew their next preventive move. Anything and everything Seth and the rest of the guys tried to keep Emily safe, did not work. Lasko was always there. Did I mention he was creepy?
Seth tried to not give into his feelings for Emily. He did. He tried. Really. But he also failed, and boy was I happy to see that happen! It only made their relationship that much better. The fear he felt for Emily was beautifully written. There was NO doubt how much he LOVED Emily.
Emily had already gone through SO much in her life. Losing her dad whom she was very close with and then, having to live with her snotty mom (who could NOT care less about Emily), all to have a dangerous man following her every move. Sheesh!! She needed some good in her life. She needed Seth.
“…don’t want to lose you.”
There are a lot of page-turning events in this book that will keep you hooked. At least, they did me. Suffice it to say that this book is a MUST read and one of my favorites for this year. Seriously. I was fully engrossed from beginning to end and had no problem at all envisioning the scenes as they unfolded. J.L. Drake did a wonderful job writing this book. The amount of detail was perfect – enough to allow the reader to see clearly everything unfold, and yet not too much to make me want to skim. Now, okay….you will need to have book 2: Darkness Follows handy because this one ends in quite the cliffhanger… Don’t let the ending stop you. TRUST ME. FIVE STARS!!!
Purchase: http://amzn.to/1KnFGxd
June 17, 2014
Wow & Wow! I met this Author Jodi, while standing in line at a book signing, she and her friends where discussing the book she was writing so me being me I asked her what it was about and she gave me a little info on it. It sounded great and we exchanged info, for when it came out on Amazon. Well to say the book was great was the wrong word for it, It was fuc---g fantastic I couldn't put it down. I read the sample first and then I downloaded the book (this was on Thursday night) I stayed up till 12:30am and continued and finished it in 2 days. It's a story about a girl named Emily, who has had a somewhat lonely life, when her father dies and the way her mother is with her (can I say Bitch). The house is left to Emily, which is in Huntington Beach. The people she hangs out with are her true family and they protect her like you would not believe, 2 cop friends and quite a few college friends. Things start to happen with Em, that are horrible, She gets followed and so on and so on (don't want to ruin for you peoples) She is a tough cookie and puts up with no BS, sometimes this makes situations go in the wrong way but she preservers'. Seth & Garrett are the cops and they protect and watch for anything and everything regarding her. This book is everything, a psychopath, a murder mystery, a romance and a book about true friendship and how they would do anything for her. The book get so interesting that you really start to wonder, who Emily can trust. ie: OCP department and her friends you wonder, Jodi gives you no clue's (which I loved), I started to worry and wonder who the heck was doing this and why and how they could know all they new. At the end I was totally caught off guard, because I thought it was someone else and it wound up being someone I would never have expected. I will most definitely reread this book again & again hoping that a book 2 comes out. This book is a novel not a short read, so make sure you are comfortable and be prepared to enjoy, come unglued, yell at Emily (sometimes) and be happy!! Thank you Jodi, Keep the books coming and Congratulations on your first book!!
July 13, 2015
Another 5 STAR read by J.L Drake! The Broken Trilogy is one of my favorite romantic suspense series, so I couldn't wait to read this book. Now that I have, I'm sad that I've finished it. Darkness Lurks was unputdownable! It was suspenseful, intense, and suuuper creepy. There were scenes that gave me the chills and scenes where I thought my heart was going to explode out of my chest due to the anxiety I felt! The storyline was thrilling and non-stop. You will adore the heroine. Emily is feisty and quick witted. I truly enjoyed her banter with the men of Orange Police Department. Speaking about the OPD...damn! Lots to choose from ladies...lots to choose from! Seth and Garrett...yum! I couldn't decide who I loved more. This book is riddled with another set of amazing secondary characters that I look forward to reading more about. Add in a psychotic villain and his blood thirty side kick that makes your skin crawl and...BOOM! A MUST READ!
♥Review by Lys
♥Review by Lys
December 26, 2015
The cover and blurb drew me in but sadly, the story missed the mark. The characters fell flat, the plot was repetitive and the heroine swung from annoyingly helpless to stupidly brave. If that wasn't bad enough, it seemed everyone she met was instantly obsessed with her. And I mean everyone--the hero, the hero's best friend, the gay friend, the ranch hand, the classmate, the neighbor, the professor, the random passersby, the entire police force and of course, the phsyco killer! Why, you might ask? She is beautiful, which we are told at nauseum! It all got so bad that in the end I found myself rooting for the killer! I did finish the book and while the plot picked up some, it wasn't enough.
September 4, 2014
This book is filled with tension - you'll be gripped from the very first page. The plot is dark and compelling and driven by the wide range of strong characters. Anyone will love this book, regardless of their preferred genre because it's so unique in its storyline. I have already recommended What Lurks in the Dark to all of my friends, and I urge everyone on Goodreads to read it too...you won't be disappointed!
February 1, 2020
This was extremely basic in terms of writing. Very limited vocabulary and immaturity in character development. I only gave it an extra star because I wanted to find out what happened in the story. This should have been called everybody loves Emily. The author reminds us constantly how attractive she is and it really annoyed me.
June 1, 2016
This is a really good start to this series. The story held me in suspense and I didn't want to put it down. I liked both the H and h. I started the 2nd book minutes after reading the first. I'm glad all the books are out, I don't generally do well with cliffhangers :D
April 11, 2017
Very suspenseful
I gave it a 4 star rating only because the beginning didn't have me. I had to keep on reading. Eventually it got good. I wish the sex scenes were better but they are really mediocre. But the mystery and edge of your seat is all there. The suspense is KILLER.
I gave it a 4 star rating only because the beginning didn't have me. I had to keep on reading. Eventually it got good. I wish the sex scenes were better but they are really mediocre. But the mystery and edge of your seat is all there. The suspense is KILLER.
August 5, 2016
Everyone needs to read this book. It was action packed and kept me going. I felt as if I was in every scene written! I don't want to add spoilers but it's a "must read"
July 7, 2014
**copy kindly received from author for an honest review**
Super excited to read this one..looks intriguing!
Super excited to read this one..looks intriguing!
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