A Love in Darkness

by Dean Henryson

He can bend people's minds to face the truth, and yet he barely seems to notice or care about Sharon. She wants Laif to be more interested.

But he's more focused on saving an eight-year-old girl, Cindy, on Sharon's caseload of foster children. This girl is destined to save millions of people if her soul is not corrupted. But he can't use his powers to help Cindy. Instead, he and Sharon are told to look inside themselves to save her. What could be inside that is so important? Unless they find out, Cindy will be lost to evil forever. (Now available on Amazon.com)

275 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

My self-help therapist AI app has just been released, TIC (Therapeutic Interactive Coping). Check it out at Google Play Store. My popular novel, A LOVE IN DARKNESS, is also still available at Amazon.

I was born and raised in California. I was a physics major in undergrad until I learned that my heart was more with people than equations. I provide counseling to families and children in Los Angeles County. I also worked as a foster care social worker for many years, becoming inspired to write of the struggles between good and evil in life, as well as the psychology of becoming a better you.

All arts invigorate me, both as a consumer and a creator. I most enjoy spending time with other creative people. A favorite quote: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I love smelling crashing waves, watching the sun kissing the ocean, feeling caresses from the wind, and listening to nights thick with crickets. Inspiration bubbles inside me when I hear brooks senselessly babbling, wind creaking trees, and thunder breaking night.



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Angela Baer reviews FIERCE PEACE: Few weeks ago, I was thinking to myself that there would never be another writer as great as Ray Bradbury... Then I began reading your book... You are a great storyteller Dean, You should write everyday! I am absolutely enjoying your book... love the plot, love the pace and intensity on each page, great characterization... love the transitions between the normal and paranormal... great book altogether... I am nocturnal, so I would probably finish it tonight since it's an absolute page-turner...

Reviews

[rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author, in no way will this reflect as bias-ness in the following review. Thank you. *˙︶˙*)ﾉ"

5 Stars. Because. Adriana. ♡


I’ll admit when I began this book, based solely on the blurb itself, I didn't know if I’d enjoy it because it doesn't really sound all too promising. But then you start reading and you just want to know what, how and why what’s happening..is happening. Literally about 10 pages in, so many things took place that you wonder if this will make sense as you go on. (´•ω•`)


Written simply in a common author format, this novel leans more towards real life situations with a major tweaking. Some kind of darkness. Which is implied in the title, and is in turn, completely fitting to the tale. (o^^o)♪


The blurb makes it sound as though Sharon (female lead) is basically trying for Laif’s (male lead) attention...when it’s everything but. The story focuses on Cindy, a small child, only 8 years old, who Sharon is watching over, as she’s her assigned foster care social worker. Cindy was placed into foster care after her family put her through some serious abuse for..reasons I will leave out because spoilers and it disgusts me. ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ According to the blurb, Cindy is destined to save millions of people if her soul isn’t corrupted. But with such parents and the state trying to get her back to her natural family, you can see why that would be such a problem. Sharon and Laif are to look within themselves to be able to save Cindy from her downfall but of course, that will also be a journey considering Sharon first laid eyes on Laif when he stood by and just watched an accident play out.. Or was it? How to trust someone like this? (・_・)

The characters are relatable even if they were in their late 20s and older, they had their own struggles to deal with and yet they try their best to save this little girl they barely know. Each one had a strong personality and stood well on their own. (^^♪

Sharon: Though at times I wanted to kick and whack her, was a much needed character. She was the one who insisted on the well being of Cindy and gave her all to see that through. She’s had her fair share of grief and reasons that drive her through the book to do, what she does. Even so, she’s yet to face something she needs to in order to move on.(´•ω•`)


Laif: A strange man who appears out of nowhere, with this ability to make people face the truth. Literally making them see, no matter how bad it is and of course, it comes with consequences.. He also has this interesting phobia that actually comes with a logical reason that upsets me to think about.(´Д｀)


Cindy: Mistreated for reasons that aren’t her fault. Abused little girl with a large destiny. Can’t explain too much without spoiling things. The only one to have not judged Adriana.


Adriana: Cindy’s foster sister, 9 years old, one legged. I leave the reason on how that came to be inside the book for readers. She is a precious little girl who’s been teased, mocked, abused for so long because of her disability, it’s infuriating. So much love inside this girl, I cannot. Easily the reason why I read the book to the end, no matter how frustrating everything got. I wanted her okay & happy. ♡


Creo: This neutral guy. I can understand Sharon’s irritation with this guy but in the end, he proved extremely helpful no matter how nonchalant he behaved. And Fred. And Sunny. 


Mary & Joe: Cindy’s crazy sht parents. I don’t even know where to begin, they irk my entire life. (｡-_-｡)


I’m not sure who I’d recommend this book to but it’s worth the read. It wasn’t fair what happened to these children and the book takes them through all their hardships to face what they’ve hidden away for so long. Everyone has a darkness in them, no matter how good they are. That darkness can always cause a downfall if not carefully guarded. (｡･･｡)

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. Though it was increasingly dark, this book proves that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The book is centered around four characters; Sharon,the social worker, Laif, Cindy, an abused foster child, and Adrianna, a foster child whose father chopped her leg off. This book is not a bedtime story, but it is appropriate for teens because the extent of romance in this is maybe two sweet kissing scenes. I read this book because I won it in a give-away, but I will pass it on to any friend who is craving a truly heart wrenching book.
The moral I got from this story was that people not only lie to others, they lie to themselves in an attempt to smother negative feelings. And that nobody is entirely good, but some who seem consumed by hatred and lies can be helped. At the same time this book's moral is hopeful, I suddenly feel like trying to support injured foster kids more because of the harsh reality this book makes you aware of. I don't recommend this book to the weak at heart because it is a very upsetting when the characters are reliving their horrendous childhoods.
Though this book covers very real topics, the super natural twist is rather disturbing by having good and evil be like light and shadows that physically move. I kinda felt like I was being watched while I read, but the storyline is exciting and flows smoothly between transitions of perspective. I hope you consider looking into this book if you love supernatural books with a good, happily-ever-after ending.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel was fast paced and action packed enough to keep me intrigued. I felt that the concept of actually being able to see good and evil as light and shadows was an interesting take on the genre. My only real criticism is that sometimes the discussion of the psychological motivations of the various characters seemed shoehorned in and brought the rest of the story to a halt as a result. It also could have used another editorial read through to catch some grammatical and punctuation errors. Overall, however, it was an entertaining read.

[Sheila Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put the book down! Very well written and an awesome read. Go Laif! Won book from a goodreads giveaway.

[Darlene]

Read it in two days.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had some good conceot but failed to keep my attention in several places. Just not my type for writing style.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept of this book was so interesting that I was hoping that the story would be great. Unfortunately, the writing felt clumsy and heavy-handed and really made getting through the book a chore. The main characters, despite having flaws, felt very Mary-Sue/Marty-Stu, especially in their descriptions of one another. There were too many authorial interjections about stats and opinions that completely ruined what little flow was established in the narrative. The love story felt shoehorned in and was incredibly awkward when it showed up. The dialogue was confused and strained, and I often felt like the story meandered around the plot for no real reason.

Really, Adriana save the story from just being put aside. Her and Creo were the only two characters I didn't dislike by the end of the story, and Creo was annoying as much as interesting. Even Adriana felt a little stilted as a character at times, especially when she was reflecting on the past. And obviously none of the kids really acted/spoke/thought like they would at their ages, which is always frustrating for me to read.

[Staccee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The little girl with only one leg, Adriana, was so precious. She was so strong, determined, despite the difficult circumstances she had in her lifetime. The book made me cry several times, laugh, and simmer in excitement. The ending was a little scary, but I got through it okay. This is a story about people caring for each other, which made it more than worthwhile for me. This is one book I'll read again soon.

[Carlynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was honestly very hard to even sit through. The writing itself was boring, the story an honest-to-God cliche that just wasn't gripping. Sure yeah it dealt with some pretty dark issues: abused children, alcoholism, death, but it just didn't grab me as it should have. I stopped before I could even get in the middle.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The characters were fleshed out so that I cared about them and their growing relationship. I love Sharon's interest in old rock stars and Laif's peculiar phobia. The story held my interest till the end, and I can't wait for the Dean Henryson's next book.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm very interested in reading this book hopefully I win it.. Fingers crossed

[Jennell Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good!