Beyond the Darkening

by Kerry Allen

Amanda Tessler infiltrated the Society for the Preservation of Humanity to gather information to aid the “monsters” the organization seeks to cleanse from the earth. Her orders are to maintain her cover at any cost, but when the vampire she once loved is delivered to the facility, starved, blinded, and slated for further suffering in her lab, clinical detachment fails her. An act of misguided loyalty lands Nathan Hilliard in the hands of an enemy bent on the extermination of his species and, perhaps more hazardous to his health, at the mercy of the woman he publicly humiliated six years ago. She has every reason to leave him there to rot, so setting him free must be a game to her, a subtler form of torture for him. Despite his suspicions, his heart tells him the worst mistake he will ever make isn’t trusting her again, but letting her walk out of his life a second time… ( 33,000 words)

Genres: Paranormal, Vampires, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Novella, Fiction, Ebooks

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 20, 2009

About the author

Sorry if you liked the serial. When stories don't earn enough to subsidize writing the next one, they get dropped for more viable projects.

No longer writing under this name.

Reviews

[Jess the Romanceaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable!

As other reviewers mentioned, I was a bit put off by how quickly everyone was forgiven for their past transgressions. On one hand, I understand that they'd had six years to calm down, but on the other hand (and the hand I lean more towards in novels), they'd also had six years to get bitter over it, and then when the truth of the Big Misunderstanding from years ago came out, they're both all like "Oh. Okay. C'mere!" lol

Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The world-building was great, and the back story was presented in a way that was both satisfying and unobtrusive.

I do love me a tortured hero (and the sick, sick woman that I am, physically tortured is even better lol Add to that the history between the two main characters (starting in childhood, which is another type of story that I adrore), the idea that the world is well aware of the presence of vampires (again, a premise I love), and the whole "fleeing-from-the-badguys" theme, yeah, I was pretty happy :)

I sincerely look forward to reading future stories in this universe (and dare I hope that our dear General Hardass gets to be the hero in one??)

Solid 4 Stars

btw, you can read this for free on her website, but it's less than a dollar on Kindle, so I personally suggest just getting it on your e-reader ;)

[Jeanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 out of 5 stars Kerry Allen a talented author., August 29, 2010

I must admit i fell in love with Nate and look forward to the continuation of his and Amanda's story. I love Ms. Allen's fresh new world and her view of vampires is delightful. Beyond the Darkening was an excellent read. However it was not perfect. The work would benefit from the use of an editer. The gramatical errors became annoying. I gave it 4 stars due to this and look forward to book 2 in this series. I consider myself lucky to have stumbled across this fine work and would suggest it to anyone interested in a short easy read.

[Bookwatcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

$ 0,99 dollars at the author's blog, 3 times less than the kindle edition....

PDF file has 160 pages so it was a quick reading.... And I like it!
It's full of humor, suspense and sexy scenes... But don't fool yourself... The bed scenes weren't very explicity. Sexy, but not completly described (I believe you understand what I'm trying to say)

3 Stars, don't get more for the lack of love scenes (or maybe it's me?? After so many PNR probably I'm a little exigent?)

[Critterlovr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story. The ending did feel a little rushed, plus it almost felt like it was leading you to another book (which I’m unsure if there is). The sex was completely glossed over, so quickly I almost thought it didn’t happen. A quick read that wasn’t bad, but I doubt I’ll read again.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

~* 4.5 Stars *~
Beyond the Darkening is a very good novella - quite possibly the best of that length I've ever read. There's a lot here that Kerry Allen could've made into a full-length paranormal romance (and still could at any time [hint...hint]), because her take on vampires and the world they inhabit is intriguing and TRULY fresh. My only serious complaint - though perhaps unfairly, I admit - and the only thing that keeps this being a full five star read for me is the length restricts the flow of good world-building and prevents a lot of development of character - and the romantic resolution seems rushed. I believe I read at the back of the kindle edition book that this was the first in a novella trilogy. I will be looking for those. 4.5 Stars overall and again, possibly the best novella I've read at this length.

~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much better than the last piece I read by this author. It felt more complex and complete. I liked the characters. I liked the backstory the characters were given. The even like that the injuries the main guy received weren't all magically handwaved at the end. However, I wasn't keen on how quickly forgiveness was given for the betrayal that happened years ago. Still, the plot moved along quickly and I'm interested in where the clues that were dropped will lead in later books.

The story: Infiltrating the Society for the Preservation of Humanity wasn't easy for Amanda, but she's immersed herself in the role to help the vampires she grew up with. When the vampire who broke her heart is captured and brought to the compound to be tortured, Amanda has to decide where her priorities lie. And whether she can trust herself to not fall in love with Nathan all over again.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well spent 90 cents! I was highly entertained for a few hours with this novella, but shhhh! I think it is labeled as erotica. I am not sure why though. The sex scenes are no different from the ones I read in some of the PNR I read, but back to the story! I love the two main characters, Nate, the smexy vampire and Amanda, the human. Due to a misunderstanding 6 years before both have been trying to forget about a future that never was. The author did a great job with making these two real for me. The only downside of the story was the rushing of the ending. It was like she told the story she wanted then needed to tie up loose ends and get out. This is suppose to be a trilogy and I hope it includes more of Nate's brother. I will be reading the next one:)

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am currently reading this book and enjoying it. Love Nathan. I only have another dozen or so pages to read. I was looking to find the 2nd part of the trilogy and found that the author posted on her site that she's not planning on writing anything else. I guess someone really pissed her off. Too bad as I think she really was onto something here. I finished the book and liked it. Only issue I had was sometimes I had a hard time figuring out who was talking. It wasn't always clean to me, or maybe it was just me?

[Brandy Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wish more vampire novels were like this. I don't want a lot of angst or sparkle. I want believable characters and a reason for the characters to be doing what they are doing.

Ms. Allen has delivered all of this in spades. Thankfully, there is a note at the end that a sequel is in the works, because the only thing I didn't like about this novella was how short it was. It is a complete story in it's own right, but I just wanted more.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "all is forgiven" part feels a little rushed, but I love the rapport between the characters. There are some gory moments (not that that's a bad thing), but they're balanced by plenty of dark humor.

The sequel is taking forever, but I'd rather wait than get something cranked out before it's ready.

[booklover82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had absolutely no expectations going into this book. It was cheep and the synopsis sounded interesting. Boy was I pleasantly surprised! It may have been cheep but it was fantastic!!!! The plot was easy to follow, the mystery and the sexual tension keeps you reading. The only problem that I had was it's was way too short. I can't wait to see if there's a sequel!

[vanessa parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I loved the adventures and romance in the plot. Plus the characters had witty banter with each other. I loved that in a story. The world building was fascinating. This was my second reading of this book and I enjoyed it as much as the first time. I'm very disappointed that I can't seem to find the other books in the trilogy the author promised.

[Aleh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very affordable quick read. It took no more than 2 hours to finish. I liked the story, it progress quickly but not so much as to ruin the story. I really enjoyed their chemistry and how naturally they fought back and forth with each other. Overall a nice read.

[jD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one on Kindle and it was actually pretty good. It was not a long book, more a novella but well written. I enjoyed the interplay between the characters. Loads of humor.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the storyline but the writing was hard to follow at times.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the story and think would make a good series maybe one day it will be...

[Raina Tash · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story but poor writing...