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Offspring #5.5
The Darkness Within
Tucker has always known he was different. But he's learned to control the Darkness within him, to keep his inner wolf at bay, as long as he doesn't fall in love. And that shouldn't be a problem because he hasn't seen his one true love since he was a teenager.
Del needs help, desperately. And the only person she can rely on happens to be the one man she knows she shouldn't seek out. Tucker's fierce protective instincts have scared her before, but she has to take the risk.
Now that they're reunited, the love they struggled so long to forget rushes back stronger than ever. The temptation to give in is high, but it could cost them everything. And when Tucker's wolf is unleashed, will they be able to save themselves?
Del needs help, desperately. And the only person she can rely on happens to be the one man she knows she shouldn't seek out. Tucker's fierce protective instincts have scared her before, but she has to take the risk.
Now that they're reunited, the love they struggled so long to forget rushes back stronger than ever. The temptation to give in is high, but it could cost them everything. And when Tucker's wolf is unleashed, will they be able to save themselves?
120 pages, ebook
First published March 13, 2012
9 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Jaime Rush
32 books410 followersThings that go bump in the night have always intrigued me. Sometimes those things are human; other times, not so much. I really played with this in my Hidden series, that reveals humans with the essence of gods who walk the knife's edge between Miami and a magical world of passion and danger. Part dragon, angel, or sorcerer, they must fight their own kind, demons, and the lure of their darkest nature.
If you’re familiar with my Tina Wainscott books, you know I'm fascinated with all things psychic. In my award-winning Offspring series, I throw a group of strangers with inexplicable psychic abilities together in a fight for their lives. As Tina, I write romantic suspense with magical realism elements (Love & Light series), The Justiss Alliance series (military romantic suspense), romantic drama in the Falling Series, and psychological suspense. Altogether I’ve published thirty-four novels and five novellas. See more www.JaimeRush.com and www.TinaWainscott.com
https://books2read.com/jaimerush
amazon.com/author/jaimerush
If you’re familiar with my Tina Wainscott books, you know I'm fascinated with all things psychic. In my award-winning Offspring series, I throw a group of strangers with inexplicable psychic abilities together in a fight for their lives. As Tina, I write romantic suspense with magical realism elements (Love & Light series), The Justiss Alliance series (military romantic suspense), romantic drama in the Falling Series, and psychological suspense. Altogether I’ve published thirty-four novels and five novellas. See more www.JaimeRush.com and www.TinaWainscott.com
https://books2read.com/jaimerush
amazon.com/author/jaimerush
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 14, 2012
Now that all of the original Offspring have been paired off Jaime Rush takes the series in another direction. I liked the addition of the Las Vegas Offspring and look forward to learning more about them and Darkness. The excerpt from Lachlan's book, Darkness Becomes Her, has me itching for more. I give this novella 3.5 stars.
October 4, 2012
Originally reviewed for and posted at Vampire Book Club
This is a combined review of The Darkness Within (Offspring #5.5) & Turn to Darkness (Offspring #5.6), novellas in the Offspring series.
Rating (out of 5): a combined 4 stars
You could read The Darkness Within and Turn to Darkness as stand alones, as each have an individual plot and separate romantic storyline. However, there is an overlapping story arc making them feel more like two halves of one story and I felt I got much more depth and understanding by reading them both together.
The premise for the world and mythology created is unlike any I’ve come across before. Part sci-fi, part shifter tale, it centers on the idea of the offspring of a race beings from an alternate dimension. Both novellas branch for the same starting point, the news of a man being mauled to death. When the leader of this race learns of the attack, he knows the truth: This isn’t the work of an animal but one possessing Darkness. Convinced it’s an offspring, he dispatches those who sired them with simple orders to kill the offspring and guard the race’s existence.
The Darkness Within tells the story of Del and Tucker, two of these offspring. Del also knows the truth about the mauling; it’s exactly the same way her father was killed. When the man responsible returns and kidnaps her mother, she turns to the Tucker for help.
With a backstory full of baggage, the romance between these two is filled with emotional tension. Tucker is a great mixture of pissed-off bad boy and natural-born alpha. Still deeply hurt over being kicked out of the only home he’s ever known by Del’s mother, he doesn’t make it easy for Del to ask for help.
All offspring have some form of power (psychometry, telekinesis, etc.), but ones like Tucker have Darkness as well, giving them the ability to shape shift. I loved this fresh take on the shape shifting idea, those with Darkness don’t actually become the animal, it’s more like they make that form out of energy.
Even though there are some dense paragraphs explaining the world building behind the offspring and their sires, it was so interesting I never felt it was slowing the pace down. The Sires worked as great bad guys, ruthless and determined, their family connection with Tucker, Del and the rest of the offspring introduced (the Desert Rats or D’rats) only served to heighten the conflict, leading to a great climax.
Turn to Darkness takes off immediately after The Darkness Within, but features another pairing: Shea and Greer, two offspring in Tucker’s pack. It pulls focus back to the starting point, the man mauled to death. It is quickly revealed this is the same man who raped Shea six years ago. While all of the D’Rats are being hunted by Sires, it soon becomes clear that one of their own is responsible for the murder, threatening the safety and stability of all.
With the heavy lifting in the world building already laid out, it allows the plot and characters to really take center stage in this installment. There is a fantastic tension between Shea and Greer. They both clearly have strong feelings for each other, but her past still haunts her. Greer is one sexy hero, caring and protective. Plus he’s a firefighter who can turn into a panther. Sign me up for two please. Shea is tough but very closed off, determined to hide her femininity. I loved watching Greer slowly gain her trust, helping her to heal some of her scars.
The plot has a huge number of twists and turns for such a short novella. The tension for both the outside and inside threats built, with plenty of shape-shifting fight scenes. Turn to Darkness just beat its predecessor when it came to the action, ending in a fantastic showdown.
Coming in at just over 220 pages combined, it’s amazing how much has be packed into The Darkness Within and Turn to Darkness. Filled with a new take on sexy shifters, great romance and rich plots, these novellas are a great introduction to the Offspring series, without spoiling anything from the previous installments. They definitely piqued my interest enough to put the first full-length novel, A Perfect Darkness , firmly on my to-be-read pile.
Sexual content: Sex, references to rape
This is a combined review of The Darkness Within (Offspring #5.5) & Turn to Darkness (Offspring #5.6), novellas in the Offspring series.
Rating (out of 5): a combined 4 stars
You could read The Darkness Within and Turn to Darkness as stand alones, as each have an individual plot and separate romantic storyline. However, there is an overlapping story arc making them feel more like two halves of one story and I felt I got much more depth and understanding by reading them both together.
The premise for the world and mythology created is unlike any I’ve come across before. Part sci-fi, part shifter tale, it centers on the idea of the offspring of a race beings from an alternate dimension. Both novellas branch for the same starting point, the news of a man being mauled to death. When the leader of this race learns of the attack, he knows the truth: This isn’t the work of an animal but one possessing Darkness. Convinced it’s an offspring, he dispatches those who sired them with simple orders to kill the offspring and guard the race’s existence.
The Darkness Within tells the story of Del and Tucker, two of these offspring. Del also knows the truth about the mauling; it’s exactly the same way her father was killed. When the man responsible returns and kidnaps her mother, she turns to the Tucker for help.
With a backstory full of baggage, the romance between these two is filled with emotional tension. Tucker is a great mixture of pissed-off bad boy and natural-born alpha. Still deeply hurt over being kicked out of the only home he’s ever known by Del’s mother, he doesn’t make it easy for Del to ask for help.
All offspring have some form of power (psychometry, telekinesis, etc.), but ones like Tucker have Darkness as well, giving them the ability to shape shift. I loved this fresh take on the shape shifting idea, those with Darkness don’t actually become the animal, it’s more like they make that form out of energy.
Even though there are some dense paragraphs explaining the world building behind the offspring and their sires, it was so interesting I never felt it was slowing the pace down. The Sires worked as great bad guys, ruthless and determined, their family connection with Tucker, Del and the rest of the offspring introduced (the Desert Rats or D’rats) only served to heighten the conflict, leading to a great climax.
Turn to Darkness takes off immediately after The Darkness Within, but features another pairing: Shea and Greer, two offspring in Tucker’s pack. It pulls focus back to the starting point, the man mauled to death. It is quickly revealed this is the same man who raped Shea six years ago. While all of the D’Rats are being hunted by Sires, it soon becomes clear that one of their own is responsible for the murder, threatening the safety and stability of all.
With the heavy lifting in the world building already laid out, it allows the plot and characters to really take center stage in this installment. There is a fantastic tension between Shea and Greer. They both clearly have strong feelings for each other, but her past still haunts her. Greer is one sexy hero, caring and protective. Plus he’s a firefighter who can turn into a panther. Sign me up for two please. Shea is tough but very closed off, determined to hide her femininity. I loved watching Greer slowly gain her trust, helping her to heal some of her scars.
The plot has a huge number of twists and turns for such a short novella. The tension for both the outside and inside threats built, with plenty of shape-shifting fight scenes. Turn to Darkness just beat its predecessor when it came to the action, ending in a fantastic showdown.
Coming in at just over 220 pages combined, it’s amazing how much has be packed into The Darkness Within and Turn to Darkness. Filled with a new take on sexy shifters, great romance and rich plots, these novellas are a great introduction to the Offspring series, without spoiling anything from the previous installments. They definitely piqued my interest enough to put the first full-length novel, A Perfect Darkness , firmly on my to-be-read pile.
Sexual content: Sex, references to rape
May 16, 2012
Tucker is man who carries Darkness within him --an otherworldly essence that allows him to shift into a wolf, but can also make him violent and territorial. He had a tough time growing up, though he knew nothing about what he was then. His only happy memories were of the few years he lived with Del and her mom. He and Del were just friends at first, but when her mother walked in on them kissing, it all fell apart.
You see Del's mom was once married to Tucker's father. She knew about the darkness and feared for her daughter's safety. She explained the truth as she saw it: that Tucker was a monster; and she threw him out.
Now, years later, a suspicious death has brought Tucker's dad out of the woodwork. he kidnaps Del's mom, prompting Del to seek out the one person she knows she can turn to: Tucker. There is a whole lot of hurt and angst left between them. But more than that, there is still love and passion that simmers beneath the surface.
This is my second Offspring book and I'm still a little hazy on the dynamics of Darkness. But otherwise, this short story works really well as a standalone and it's a great place for new readers to step into the world. There's a great action storyline involving the kidnapping and attempts to rescue Del's mom. But there is an even better love story at the center of everything --as those old feelings flare up between Del and Tuck. It's sexy and emotional and a wild ride.
My only beef is that the ending cut off rather abruptly. Another chapter or a bit of an epilogue would have been welcomed. 4 stars.
*ARC Provided by Avon
You see Del's mom was once married to Tucker's father. She knew about the darkness and feared for her daughter's safety. She explained the truth as she saw it: that Tucker was a monster; and she threw him out.
Now, years later, a suspicious death has brought Tucker's dad out of the woodwork. he kidnaps Del's mom, prompting Del to seek out the one person she knows she can turn to: Tucker. There is a whole lot of hurt and angst left between them. But more than that, there is still love and passion that simmers beneath the surface.
This is my second Offspring book and I'm still a little hazy on the dynamics of Darkness. But otherwise, this short story works really well as a standalone and it's a great place for new readers to step into the world. There's a great action storyline involving the kidnapping and attempts to rescue Del's mom. But there is an even better love story at the center of everything --as those old feelings flare up between Del and Tuck. It's sexy and emotional and a wild ride.
My only beef is that the ending cut off rather abruptly. Another chapter or a bit of an epilogue would have been welcomed. 4 stars.
*ARC Provided by Avon
June 11, 2012
It was difficult to discern what parts of the text was present and what was flash-back as the writing style fave it a sense of happening in the moment, which would have worked if it were set apart by formatting in some way but it wasn’t.
I had to struggle with myself not to judge Del as a teenager, because I may have made those decisions but that sense of immediacy made me start to judge her as the person she is now over the actions she took in the past.
Carrie/Nikkita: Del's mother went crazy when she realised Tucker had the Darkness.
I'm sorry but no, she went a little crazy just because people were out to get her doesn’t mean she wasn’t paranoid. She was still guilt tripping Delaney after years.
The story was good and is obviously setting up a new arc in the Offspring series, but the issue of who Became and attacked someone isn't solved. Darius is scary and I hope he gets put in his place. Greer and Shea will never be able to solve their issues if Darius is around being all creepy.
This has got me all excited for the Offspring again but sad because all these characters aren't getting full-length stories until the original ones are complete. So now I'm off to read Darkness Becomes Her.
I had to struggle with myself not to judge Del as a teenager, because I may have made those decisions but that sense of immediacy made me start to judge her as the person she is now over the actions she took in the past.
Carrie/Nikkita: Del's mother went crazy when she realised Tucker had the Darkness.
... Not crazy, but crazy-afraid.”
I'm sorry but no, she went a little crazy just because people were out to get her doesn’t mean she wasn’t paranoid. She was still guilt tripping Delaney after years.
The story was good and is obviously setting up a new arc in the Offspring series, but the issue of who Became and attacked someone isn't solved. Darius is scary and I hope he gets put in his place. Greer and Shea will never be able to solve their issues if Darius is around being all creepy.
This has got me all excited for the Offspring again but sad because all these characters aren't getting full-length stories until the original ones are complete. So now I'm off to read Darkness Becomes Her.
“You’re not sixteen anymore. Still afraid of me?”
June 13, 2012
I am completely addicted to Jaime Rush! She really is a phenomenal writer and story teller. The Darkness Within is an introduction to a whole new set of Offspring. Del's mom has been kidnapped and she has only one person she can turn too, Tucker, the boy her mom kicked out years ago.
I am still a die hard Alec addict but damn if Tucker isn't HOT! There is something so dark and mysterious about him and I really enjoyed reading his story. Del is an interesting character, I liked that she has a sense of compassion and that it's almost one of her abilities.
I really liked Rush's twist on this set of Offspring, where they came from and who their parents are. If you haven't read any of the other Offspring books you can still read this and not be lost but if you have this book makes the story even more exciting!
I really can't wait to see where this story goes. I thoroughly enjoyed this installment and I'm already hooked on the characters. I can't WAIT to read Shea's book, I have a feeling that one is going to be epic!
I am still a die hard Alec addict but damn if Tucker isn't HOT! There is something so dark and mysterious about him and I really enjoyed reading his story. Del is an interesting character, I liked that she has a sense of compassion and that it's almost one of her abilities.
I really liked Rush's twist on this set of Offspring, where they came from and who their parents are. If you haven't read any of the other Offspring books you can still read this and not be lost but if you have this book makes the story even more exciting!
I really can't wait to see where this story goes. I thoroughly enjoyed this installment and I'm already hooked on the characters. I can't WAIT to read Shea's book, I have a feeling that one is going to be epic!
August 31, 2016
Once again I am thoroughly enthralled! I am SO in love with this series!!! Her characters are always so interesting and there is always action. I really wish it had been longer but it was still so good just the way it is. Tucker is now one of my favorite characters from books. Such a sweetie, but still Mr. macho, able to take care of himself. And the way he loved Del, so heartbreaking. I just wanted to slap Del’s mom for ever taking that love away from them. They never did anything wrong but she still ripped them apart. Del was a great leading lady, strong, independent but still a little needy, and very entertaining. Her and Tuck fit so well together.
I really really liked that this one was more connected to the main Offspring books. Not directly but it refers to things that were in a couple of the books. I’m really hoping we learn more about this other dimension in the new book due out in May. And I SO SO hope that we get to see more of Greer and Shea, I really think those two would make a fantastic book!!!
I really really liked that this one was more connected to the main Offspring books. Not directly but it refers to things that were in a couple of the books. I’m really hoping we learn more about this other dimension in the new book due out in May. And I SO SO hope that we get to see more of Greer and Shea, I really think those two would make a fantastic book!!!
July 6, 2012
I wish that I had read this one before Darkness Becomes Her as it explains Darkness and Becoming, along with where it comes from. I am intrigued by these brand new characters and wonder how it will impact the overall series and if these two groups will mix.
April 18, 2012
not a bad little novella. The storyline was interesting in comparison to the other stories in the series but honestly it was hard to connect too much since non of the characters were familiar. Looking forward to the next full length novel though!
June 28, 2012
I give this 3.5 stars I really enjoyed this short short I am now ready and excited to start the next full book. I find the direction this whole series has take interesting.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews