Saturday, September 6, 2014

Darkness Falls by Jamie Lynn Miller: Review & Excerpt



Darkness Falls
by Jamie Lynn Miller

Matthew Tucker is a successful actor on a hit television show, his career on the rise. Life is good. What more could he want? Daniel Westman, that’s what – his co-star and close friend.

Matthew’s attraction to Daniel grows day by day, feeling there’s something between them, just under the surface. But months go by, with Matthew afraid to tell Daniel he was falling in love with him. Because if he was wrong and Matthew was looking too deeply into it… he'd lose his best friend. So instead Matthew longs for Daniel in silence, until an accident on set may leave Daniel permanently blind. With his friend hurt, scared and confused, his life possibly forever altered, Matthew never wavers from Daniel’s side, no matter how difficult it gets.

His dedication brings them closer than ever before, but is it possible to find happiness, and love, in the wake of a tragedy? Or has Matthew’s hesitation cost him that chance and he'll lose Daniel to the darkness instead?
"Hmmm...""Danny? Can you hear me?" Matthew asked softly."Matt? Iz zat you?" Danny slurred."Yeah. Yeah, man, it's me.""Hmmm...""Danny? Did the doctor talk to you? Tell you what's going on with your eyes?"Daniel's head lolled back. " 'm tired... eyes hurt." 
Realizing Daniel was too disoriented, under the influence of the pain medication, Matthew simply squeezed his friend's arm. "Just go to sleep, Danny. Everything's going to be okay."
Daniel sighed in response and his head tipped further away from Matthew. 
Matthew looked toward where Paul was standing, silent, at the foot of the bed. He rose from the chair and motioned Paul to follow him out into the hall. They let the door close behind them as Matthew said, "I'm spending the night here with him."
Paul shook his head. "The hospital's not going to let you--" 
Matthew advanced on the smaller man, using his height to his advantage. "Make it happen, Paul," he growled. "You saw him. He's completely out of it, and blind. If he wakes up he'll be panicked and no one will be there." He pressed a finger to Paul's chest. "I'm not leaving him."
"Okay, okay," Paul conceded, holding up his hands. "I'll go talk to someone." 
Matthew nodded, and as Paul walked off down the hall he pushed open the door to Daniel's room again. He took his place in the chair once more and looked at his sleeping friend. 
He took a shaky breath. "You're gonna be fine," he whispered. "Everything's gonna be fine." 
He only hoped he wasn't lying to his friend.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Matthew and Daniel are best friends and co-workers, but their lives are shadowed by darkness. Matthew is in love with his best friend, but afraid to reveal his feelings and lose their friendship. When Daniel is injured on-set and loses his eyesight, he no longer feels that his life has purpose.

When the proximity of caring for Daniel finally brings Matthew's true feelings for his friend to light, Daniel is overwhelmed by Matthew's love, and returns it wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, the darkness is still there, clouding their relationship, as Daniel's inability to adjust to his blindness threatens their new bond.

An emotionally engaging love story, DARKNESS FALLS is well written, with flawed yet honest characters. When life changes unexpectedly, rolling with the punches and maintaining a positive attitude is a hard thing to do.  Love is at the foundation of this character driven romance, but just like in real life, love isn't the band-aid that makes their troubles disappear. Filled with intrigue, sensuality, raw emotionalism and truth; darkness mixes with light and despair is challenged by joy in this touching story.
View all my reviews
Jamie Lynn Miller has been writing male/male fanfiction stories for nearly fifteen years and decided to take the plunge and go pro in 2008. She's a romantic at heart, and her stories reflect the desire we all have to find "the one", persevering through trials and heartache for that happy ending.

Jamie has a degree in Fine Arts and has spent the last thirteen years working as a Graphic Designer. She was born in Chicago and still lives there today, with her husband and their furry, four-footed "children".

Besides writing, Jamie enjoys traveling, softball, reading, science fiction, hanging out with friends, and just being creative.

She is eternally thankful for all of the love and support her husband has given her over the years with her writing and other endeavors.


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