Love In Darkness by E.M. Tippetts: Review and Giveaway!

Alex had everything when he was with Madison. But the darkness within him wouldn't go away.

After two years apart, he returns to Pelican Bluffs and to the girl he never wanted to leave. Madison wants to give their love another chance, but Alex can't fight fate.

He is what he is.

Ruined. Crazy like his mother. And Madison deserves so much more. When his secrets spill out into their small town, Alex has a choice to make. Hide away in the darkness forever, or let love in.

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Oh, wow.  This book wasn't what I was expecting.  Don't ask me what I was expecting because I don't know for sure, it just wasn't this.  Helpful, right?

First off, I need to say that there are references to the LDS faith in this book.  The main characters have both served as missionaries and this is mentioned along with some other church related things (going to church) but there isn't anything preachy about this book.  It's not like many Christian fiction books where there is religious things in abundance.  (and just for the record, I have nothing against Christian fiction.  I read it all the time.  And enjoy it.)

Honestly, I really liked this book.  It was so interesting to me.  I couldn't put it down.  This book deals with mental illness and that is something I don't have a lot of first hand experience dealing with.  It gave me a whole new way of looking at mental illness- insights and feelings that hopefully will also help me to be more empathetic and understanding.

The whole struggle for Alex is just heart wrenching.  I could feel his strength right along with his weakness.  I loved how he had such a gift for working with people and he used it to help them with a wide range of struggles.  Alex had so many struggles with his mother from such a young age.  He had to grow up fast and take so many difficult responsibilities upon himself.  You can't help but feel that tug at your heartstrings.

I also loved the concept that love brings with it light.  Alex feels darkness a lot of the time but Madison's love brings light to him.  Madison is determined to love Alex even though he keeps pushing her away.  She knows what she is getting into and she keeps facing Alex head on, trying to prove that love can help.

I was invested in this story.  It was engaging and emotional.  While the subject matter was a bit heavier, I never felt bogged down.  Secondary characters were awesome.  I'm super glad I had the chance to read and review this book.  My thanks to author E.M. Tippetts for allowing me the opportunity.

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Emily Mah Tippetts writes romance under the name E.M. Tippetts and science fiction and fantasy under the name Emily Mah. Originally from New Mexico, she now lives in London with her family. Before she was a published author, she was an attorney who specialized in real estate, contracts, and estate planning, especially literary estate planning.

Her most recent pro publications have been her science fiction and fantasy short stories in magazines like Black Gate, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, and the anthology, Shanghai Steam.