Hearts In Darkness [Kindle Edition]

Laura Kaye (Author)

Book Description

Makenna James thinks her day can't get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out.

Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he's terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he's trapped in his own worst nightmare.

To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ms. Kaye has created an emotionally intense, decidedly sensuous, humorous, and absorbing read....Hearts in Darkness is a truly wonderful read that I highly recommend." --Manic Reviews

What a fantasy Ms. Kaye gives us! It is sweet and very sensual, with two well-drawn and likable main characters....This story may be a quick read, but it is also an excellent one. I'm quite impressed." --Book Wenches

"Been quite a long time since I've read sex scenes as emotionally moving as they were physically passionate....truly spectacular reading experience that made me hungry for more of Laura Kaye's work." --One Good Book Deserves Another

"For MJ and Caden it is not love at first sight, it's love at first conversation....Get ready for a unique tale that will have you swooning for this very unusual hero." --RT Book Reviews, Web Exclusive Review & Ebook Spotlight 

HEARTS IN DARKNESS IS THE 2012 EPIC EBOOK AWARD WINNER FOR BEST NOVELLA!

HEARTS IN DARKNESS IS A 2012 HOLT MEDALLION AWARD OF MERIT WINNER FOR BEST ROMANCE NOVELLA!

HBARWA JABBIC READERS' CHOICE WINNER FOR SEXIEST COVER OF 2011!

READING LARK FAVORITE READ OF 2011

SMITTEN WITH READING FAVORITE READ OF 2011

About the Author

Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers' Choice Awards, Laura Kaye is the bestselling and award-winning author of over a half-dozen books. Hearts in Darkness is the EPIC eBook Award Winner for Best Novella, Forever Freed won the NJRW Golden Leaf Award for Best Paranormal of 2011 and is a finalist for two GDRWA Booksellers' Best Awards, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, was named GraveTells' Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura grew up amidst family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with the supernatural. Though an avid fiction writer as a teenager, a career as a historian took her in other directions until recently. Now that Laura's inner muse has awakened, she's constantly creating new story ideas! Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Product Details

• File Size: 218 KB
• Print Length: 112 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1601549989
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press; fiction, novella, romance, contemporary, stranger, edition (April 20, 2011)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004XJ4WK8
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #30,619 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming love story with lots of heat! April 25, 2011

By Jen D from PA

Format:Kindle Edition

When I pick up a story, I tend to get sucked in more by deeply nuanced characters than by clever plot devices. I was interested in the story the minute I found out that it dealt with two characters forced together in a broken down elevator. Character development and dialog would have to be stellar in order to make a plot device such as that work. This story delivers on both points. I was so excited to see the connection develop between the two main characters, Mekenna and Caden. They seem polar opposites at first: a business woman in a pinstriped business suit and a quiet, tattooed man. However, from the moment we hear Mekenna's strong inner voice, we know that there is something more to these characters than meets the eye.

The whole story is like a freight train, moving forward with so much momentum that it is literally impossible to put it down. I made the mistake of starting this novella just before dinner time; needless to say my family had take out that night. By the end of the story, I felt as though I knew these characters. I was rooting for their relationship while my heart pounded because of the sultry heat of the sexual tension. This is a definite must-read story. I'm anxious to read more titles by Kaye in the future!

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Sensual, short read! December 21, 2011

By Marie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this because of a recommendation and I'm glad I did. I'm just sorry it took me so long to discover this author! This was a very sensual, short read. Makenna is having a bad day, is flustered, and not paying attention to much as she gets into an elevator. She briefly noticed that the man already inside has tattoos, but that's about it. When everything suddenly goes dark she starts laughing a little bit like a madwoman then realizes her companion hasn't said anything and probably thinks she's crazy. She and Caden start talking and eventually he admits that he's scared of being in the dark in an enclosed space (for a good, incredibly sad reason which I won't explain because I don't want to give any spoilers).

The darkness of the elevator really forces them to open up to one another in an honest setting without being able to see one another. Well, Caden really liked her long, red hair, but that's about all he saw of her before the lights went out. For such a short story and a fairly short time frame, the two characters opened up to one another and laid themselves bare and I think the darkness pushed them into being more honest. Everything about this story was believable because the dialogue was real, funny, heartbreaking, and they were just two people you feel like you could know in real life. There were a few times before and after they were rescued that there were some conversational misunderstandings that were quickly cleared up. But, I liked that they had those misunderstandings because when getting to know someone, it made sense that they wouldn't automatically get the other person's sense of humor, tone of voice, etc. It only added to the believability of the story. The sexual tension was also amazing!... It built at a perfect pace and once they got down to business, it was even hotter.

The only small issue I had with the story was the frequent point of view shifts. Normally I don't mind changes (and in fact love reading a story from multiple points of view) and I really didn't mind too much in this story, there were just enough of them that I actually noticed and it pulled me out of the story a few times. But, I'll definitely be picking up more from this author soon! I recommend this story for anyone looking for a hot yet sweet read about a couple in the beginning stages of falling in love. Read more ›

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read May 6, 2011

By LAS Reviewer

Format:Kindle Edition

He's claustrophobic and afraid of the dark so it's no cup of tea when he finds himself stuck in elevator with no power...

The subject matter that this author chose was what caught my eye. I, too, am claustrophobic and hate the dark. I just had to see how she worked those fears into a story and where she went with it. She has created a very entertaining story with it.

Caden is a loner with secrets and has no desire to get involved with people. He's not overly thrilled with being caught in an elevator and having a panic attack, but at least it's dark and she can't see him. Once he calms down, he decides that being stuck with an attractive female is about as good as it's going to get.

Makenna only saw his tattooed hand hold the elevator door for her and she's had a dreadful day already. Then the finishing touch happens; the elevator goes dark and quits working.

The author creates an interesting situation here. It's the end of the day and there's no one left in the building. How long they will be stuck is unknown. They can't see each other and don't know who they are stuck with. She builds tension between the two characters, and then defuses it with conversation.

I found it interesting that being in the elevator in dark made it almost like a confessional. They each talked easily, got into some deep issues, and became friends in a short period of time. I know danger can make people bond, and that's the premise this author used in her story.

It was almost like reading a play. The majority of the story in the elevator is like a stage set where nothing changes until the act was done. The sexual tension picks up, but the moments get broken up each time they begin to kiss.... You find yourself rooting for Caden and Makenna to get together, despite their external differences.

I really enjoyed reading this story. Ms. Kaye took an impossible situation and made the most of it. I hope to read more of her work.

Originally posted at the Long and Short of It Romance Reviews Read more ›

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Left me wanting more September 1, 2011

By Amanda

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed Hearts in Darkness. I'd been wanting to read something of Laura Kaye's for a while and I figured this was a good place to start!

How many of us have had a horrible and long work day? You drop your cell phone and bust it, you get a run in your hose, you spill your lunch on your shirt right before an important meeting. Sometimes we just have one of "those days".

Makenna happened to be having one of those days when she stepped onto an elevator that promptly lost power. She finds herself trapped with a stranger that she can't even see. Her plans for the evening (a bottle of wine and her couch) are shot.

If you were to see Caden out and about you might assume he's a rough and tough, motorcycle riding, blade wielding guy with his tattoos and piercings. He is a little shy, a whole lot caring and has a little vulnerability thrown in the mix as well. He was a mix of my favorite male traits.

While trapped the pair share intimate conversations that force them to get to know one another quickly. The sexual tension is palpable and really well written. I was able to really believe in the characterizations of these two. It was all very believable.

Although short, Hearts in Darkness was delicious and a fun read. It definitely left me wanting 'more' - which is not a bad thing. I wouldn't mind seeing where these two ended up after they were finally freed.

I anticipate reading other books by Laura Kaye! I loved her style and the humor.

[...]

More About the Author

Laura Kaye is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Laura grew up amidst family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with storytelling and the supernatural. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Book Awards:
*HEARTS IN DARKNESS: EPIC eBook Award Winner for Best Novella of 2012, HOLT Medallion Award of Merit Winner for Best Romance Novella of 2012
*FOREVER FREED: NJRW Golden Leaf Award Winner for Best Paranormal of 2011, GDRW Booksellers' Best Award Finalist for Best First Book and Best Paranormal of 2012
*NORTH OF NEED: FF&P PRISM Award Winner for Best Light Paranormal Romance of 2012. Nominated for Cross Genre Novel of the Year and Erotic Romance Novel of the Year in the 2013 AAD Bookie Awards. Named GraveTells' Best Book of 2011, and voted Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books.
*WEST OF WANT: Winner of 3 2012 GraveTells' Readers Choice Awards: Favorite Heroine, Favorite Sidekick Character, Best Cover
*IN THE SERVICE OF THE KING: Winner of 4 2012 GraveTells' Readers Choice Awards: Most Outstanding Series, Favorite Novella, Sexiest Story, Hottest Couple