Patrice Michelle

And we've arrive to Part 2 ... If you haven't read Part 1, Mister Black, then you must, it's actually essential that you do so. You'll need to know all the details to figure out what's going on. Well, you did it again, I was completely in awe with this one and of course, left wanting more.

After that ending we got in Mister Black, it's three years later and Talia & Sebastian have yet to cross paths again. Talia was left with so much turmoil with Sebastians quick departure and learning that he show more was a Navy SEAL, three years later, she knows that she has to move on with her life. After calling off her engagement with a cheating douchebag, she's without a job, but is now an author and needs to find some inspiration. She heads on a little vacation at a resort that her aunt insists she goes on. Talia's said she'd go only under one condition; if her BFF, Cass, goes with her. All was set until Cass gets an opportunity of a lifetime that'll further her photography business. And that's when Bash enters the picture, yet another man that's full of mystery. Oh you know, another piece to this puzzle. He exudes sexiness and Talia can't help, but be constantly reminded of Sebastian, trying to keep all of that in the back of her head, she also tries to keep her distance from Bash. Having Bash around and ironically popping wherever she is, can she move past Sebastian and give someone else a chance?

To add more to the mystery and suspense, Bash is on job at the resort, which I wish I could tell you more about, but that would just give away things too easily. He's a sexy man and knows what he wants, and all eyes lead to Talia. Just read the book, you'll learn to love the guy and probably find him frustrating at the same time.

Man oh man, FLAWLESS! Granted that I like to see Part 1 & 2 as one book, this plot is simply amazing and intriguing. There's so much suspense, not just about what Talia is trying to figure out, but also piecing together who the hell Bash is. He's one of those people you squint your eyes with a very deep suspicion for. It's no mystery that this strong attraction is present between Talia and Bash, but she refuses to act on it ... thanks a lot Sebastian ... lets ruin the fun for everyone, why don't we.

I have no idea how you do it, Michelle. The gears were just turning constantly inside my head, trying to keep up with everything. All while trying to solve every little piece that you intricately laid out this one. And you did it again with getting me right to the edge, seeing that glow at the end of the tunnel and BAM ... we have to wait for Part 3 ... sigh.

There's one scene I really wanted to talk about because it's my absolute favorite and it really portrays some awesome writing talent. After witnessing a beautiful sunset, Talia was asked to describe it. And man, I was just left in complete awe of this ... maybe it was just me that felt that way ... but I hope not!

"The sun's a ball of fire sitting on the edge of the world, ready to slip into the night. Though its brightness can never really be contained, only hidden from view, the last rays of the day reflect off the water in shades of orange, purple and pink. Sparks of yellow skip along the wave's crests like dancing fireflies. And in the deeper waters, fiery red-orange veins in the dark, rolling waves in thick ribbons of molten lava."

I'm not an expert on writing, but to me, this is pure talent. To have an author already writing an amazing storyline and pouring everything they got into their work, and then adding another element of her writing; it just ... I have no words to explain it. As amazing of writer she already is, I know there's so much more to her writing than we've all read. And I definitely look forward to whatever she brings to our beloved romance world.

"You have a gift. Never stop writing. That was perfect." show less

Rating: 3.75/5

I want to thank my best friend Ashwaq for recommending me to read this book; I enjoyed it a lot sweetheart! *blow kisses*

It reminded me a lot of the Final Destination movie, well the first one anyway since it's my favorite and the best actually. The rest of them were a poorly-done imitation and lacked in originality... and yes it's 85% because of Devon Sawa.

I liked the intrigue: it's new, a little bit of scary and philosophical; the mystery surrounding Inara's father and show more Ethan's powers kept me on edge so I guess I'll be reading the next book! show less

Nara Collins has spent years knowing exactly what will happen to her the next day until she sees something that she can't let happen and makes the decision to interfere. Then everything starts falling apart. There's only one bright spot in the aftermath - the new transfer student, Ethan Harris.

Ethan Harris just wants a fresh start. Years of torturous dreams has left him withdrawn from the world and he can't see anything that will change that - until he meets Nara and finds his dreams show more replaced with hers.

I really enjoyed this. Nara is a great character. She's fierce and outspoken and I loved her attitude. Even when her life spins out of her control she remains upbeat and determined to make the best of things. Ethan was dark and mysterious and everything you look for in a love interest. And the romance between him and Nara was heart stoppingly perfect. There was no real complications or angst in their relationship, just heat and fluffy and swoony goodness. There is a bit of instalove but no worse than any other YA book and much better than many others. There's a bit of relationship development and deeper feelings by the time they actually kiss so I felt it was a win. And they were just so adorable that it was hard to care anyway. Something about them honestly just clicked and I was rating it.

I loved the supporting characters. Nara's family is hilarious. I loved her Aunt Sage and her Gran. It was hilarious when the Gran turns up at their house having escaped from the nursing home and she gets her drunk to avoid having her pierce her ear.

As I held ice on my right earlobe, I was surprised Gran had been so quiet. Maybe she’d decided to just watch. “My turn,” Gran said, elbowing Lainey aside. Grabbing up the needle, Gran turned to dip it in the alcohol we’d poured into the lid, but the needle dropped in the lid instead. She tried to fish it out, but the needle spun around like a confused compass. “Come here, you little pissant,” she mumbled, digging her fingers into the alcohol. My gaze jerked to Lainey, pleading, Help me, please. She lifted her hands helplessly and mouthed, “What can I do?” “Got it!” Gran bent toward me, her gnarled fingers clasping the needle at a strange angle. When her hand began to shake as she drew near and the needle between her fingers shifted even more, I panicked and blurted, “I just remembered where we have some rum.” Gran immediately straightened, a marionette yanked upright by rum’s sweet lure. The needle slipped from her fingers. “Where?” she asked with bright eyes.

Michelle, P.T.; Patrice Michelle. Brightest Kind of Darkness: Book 1 (pp. 189-190). Limitless Ink Press. Kindle Edition.

Although I was also pretty amused by the fact Nara sends roses from a secret admirer to her Gran, so she can get one over her bitchy friend, Clara. It was brilliant.

After practice, I checked voicemails when I got home and had a message from Gran. “Inara.” She sounded muffled and raspy, like she was talking into the phone with her hand over the mouthpiece so no one would hear. “You’re brilliant! Clara has been hounding me, trying to find out who my secret admirer is.” She snickered, then continued, “I even told her that’s where I was, drinking it up and seeing my man. I feel like such a floozy. Haven’t had this much fun in years! Well, I need to get ready for game night. Just wanted to say thank you. Come see me sooner than a few months, young lady.” And with that final dig, she hung up.

Michelle, P.T.; Patrice Michelle. Brightest Kind of Darkness: Book 1 (p. 218). Limitless Ink Press. Kindle Edition.

I was disappointed that Ethan's brother Samson doesn't really appear much but hopefully in the next books. Lainey was a bit of a fair weather friend but I liked that she seemed to realise her friendship with Nara was a bit more important than boys and popularity - even if she got carried away at times.

The plot is interesting and the world building is fascinating - if not quite as fleshed out as I would've liked. Although there's lots of intriguing elements, I felt like it lacked a few explanations that would've made it more coherent and expansive. I'm not sure I totally followed where the supernatural paranormal elements are going but I'm interested to find out. The writing itself was good and Nara and Ethan's chemistry makes up for whatever flaws the plot has.

An intriguing start to a new paranormal series with a swoonworthy main couple. 4 stars. show less

Yep, your eyes aren't tricking you. 5 stars for one mind-blowing, beautiful story, that I really don't know what to expect from anymore.

WHOA! I can't tell you how many times I've pushed Brightest Kind of Darkness on my readers in the last year. I've recommended it, I gave it away and generally loved it for its wonderful main characters and a very tight plot.

Well, Lucid is even better. So be ready, as I will be bullying you into reading it for another year *grinning*

YA always makes me roll my show more eyes. This never happened in Lucid (like it never happened with Night School by C.J. Daugherty as well).

*SLIGHT SPOILERS/SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST NOVEL AHEAD*

The plot is incredible. I do not know anymore what to think and where it would lead because every time I hope I know what's it about, it makes a 90 degree turn and loses its predictability.

Nara is fabulous, sensible and very interesting girl who after thwarting Fate in killing her in the first book for her ability to see the future and prevent bad things from happening to the people she is connected with, is just trying to catch a break...

Sadly, Ethan, her boyfriend, whom I loved to bits, is away mending his relationship with his parents through most of the book, and we don't see them together until the very end. But whoa! When he comes back I barely recognise him, because Ethan becomes formidable.

When Nara and Ethan meet in Brightest Kind of Darkness their relationship is sweet, and he plays a role of a nice guy who is struggling with his abilities. The love that evolves from their friendship is natural and it helps them overcome all the death threats to Nara.

While Ethan is away Nara continues her research into his tattoos and mystery of ravens surrounding him, and thus attracts attention of an unknown enemy. She is running for her life again and doesn't even know who is trying to kill her while Ethan is away.

Enter, Drystan. A Welsh boy who spends few weeks in US before he goes back to England.

Okay I did roll my eyes when he said that his mother took him away for a break before he moves from Wales to England (Yep, like they are not you know intertwined, and it's not like you just drive on the motorway and one moment you're in Wales and next in England...*facepalm* It's not like the supermarkets or shops and anything else is any different apart from second language of course. So, coming to US to prepare for "a change" is um-m... a bit extreme). However, Drystan is a very interesting boy who studies parkour and saves Nara's life few times with his amazing skills.

As much as I love Ethan. Drystan is lovely in his own way. He insists that Nara learns self-defence, he relentlessly trains her while she desperately wants Ethan to come back to her, he helps her in her investigations, and he's got his own secret talents which again combined with Nara's evolve into something new.

People die, people get hurt, the pace of the novel, the suspense, is breathtaking, and just as you start warming up to Drystan, BAM! Ethan comes back, and oh my, he is delicious...

I can't wait to find out what happens next and I insist you read both books ASAP. They are that good. show less