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Absolute Darkness by Tina O’Hailey

A thrill ride through time that will make you hold your breath.

Sitting by the campfire, Brandy admitted a secret to her friends. She swore she saw a ghost when exiting a cave earlier that day. Was she seeing things? Did they believe her? The next day, breaking a cardinal rule, she snuck back to the cave alone. No one knew where she was. What if she fell or was trapped? There would be no rescue.

For ten thousand years Alexander had kept the time streams of this universe safe from an eternal destructive force that continually threatened to tamper and destroy all. Locked in an unremitting battle, the two foes become sidetracked by an unexpected visitor. An entangled journey begins with chilling twists and turns until becoming locked into an inescapable death deep within a submerged cave.

Who will come out of the watery depths alive?

Absolute Darkness: Virtual Blog Tour June 28 – July 4

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Author’s Bio

Tina O’Hailey (author of animation text books “Rig it Right” and “Hybrid Animation”, professor in animation, visual effects and game programming, caver and occasional mapper of grim, wet, twisty caves—if she owes a friend a favor or loses a bet—whose passion is to be secluded on a mountain and to write whilst surrounded by small, furry dogs and hot coffee) was struck by lightning as a baby.

Author Blog     Absolute Darkness Facebook Page

My Review

5 Stars

Brandy and her friends are cavers and one night after a day of exploring, she admits to her friends that she thinks she saw a ghost. Of course no one believes her so Brandy goes back in the caves alone. After getting trapped she wakes to find a gorgeous man standing over her. Alexander is a Time Watcher that can manipulate time. He is trying to keep everything going well. Yindi on the other hand is trying to cause total destruction.

This was an interesting read. I really liked the Brandy and Susan story. Tina O’Hailey clearly knows her stuff when it comes to caving and made me feel right there with the women as they explore.

I love the idea of the Time Watchers and although they pity the linears, people that are believed to be stuck in their times. I admit that I was a little lost in the beginning and I don’t completely know which side Alexander and Yindi are going to end up on let along what they are planning. But it was a great change from the regular paranormal characters.

This is a wonderful story with a hint at a prequel that I think will help clear up some of my questions. But I liked the book and think it’s a fresh look at a fantasy story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

I would like to thank Rachel’s Random Resources for the opportunity to read and share this book.

Excerpt from Absolute Darkness:

Introduction:

Brandy has rappelled into a pit and in the process became knocked unconscious, just missing breaking her neck, and was hanging from the rope inches from the bottom of the pit. Alexander plucked her from the rope and she came to. The tables turn and she thinks she is rescuing Alexander.

10 Unexpected rescue.

“Well, here we are.” She held out her hand, paused, took off her glove then held out her pink hand again. “Brandy.”

His hand enveloped hers in its grip. “Alexander.”

She paused, feeling the strength of his hand around hers.

“Alexander,” she repeated then released his hand. Then softly, she asked, “Are you OK? Have you been in here all night?”

He smiled then looked around the room. “I was walking in the woods with my dog.” The lie came easily. “He came upon a raccoon and took chase. I followed him into this cave.”

“Did you have a light?” Brandy asked.

“A flashlight, yes. I lost it in a crawl. It rolled into a crevasse.” He held out his hands, a what could I do gesture.

Brandy took up the story, completing it for him. “You crawled back here and slept for the night with out finding your dog.” She hugged her knees close to her chest. “I probably caught sight of you just as you were going in the cave.” She put a hand on his shoulder, tentative, soft, then removed it. “I’m so sorry. I caught such a quick glimpse of you, then you were gone.”

“I was rushing,” said the man who had no need to rush.

“I thought…” she paused, seemed to consider something, then continued. “I thought I was just seeing things, really.”

“I ran in so quickly, I must have barely missed you. Fortunate that you saw me at all.” Alexander peered at her closely. “Are you sure that you are well?”

“Yes.” Brandy dropped her gaze to avoid his intense eyes. “We need to get you out of here.” Brandy drug her pack to rest between her ankles and began returning the contents of her pack with care and dedication to the precise placement of the items. They disappeared one by one.

Alexander watched her movements without commenting.

“Here, use this.” She handed Alexander a light. He held it in front of him and eyed it suspiciously. “It goes on your head. I mean, it should go on a helmet, but your head will do.” She took it from him, pulled the elastic bands out then motioned for him to lean closer. Alexander lowered his head so she could place the light on his skull, the elastic band whisking across his hair. She leaned in close, her breath warm on his ear as she adjusted the straps. The goal of affixing the light met, Brandy paused and became conscious of how close she was to Alexander. She smiled a quick nervous smile and exhaled, “There.” Then sat back from him.

Brandy looked up at the hole in the ceiling above them. “Guess we can’t get you out that way.”

Alexander did not follow her gaze. He watched her face instead. The sun felt heavier now as it crept higher in the sky. Exhaustion pulled at the backs of his eyeballs. He rubbed a cold hand across his eyes; he exhaled slightly, a human gesture. “I visited this cave when I was younger.”

“Oh yeah?” Brandy slung the backpack across her shoulders but made no attempt to start moving.

“We used candles then.” His gaze drifted towards the dark beyond them. “There is a very lovely area just back this way.” He pointed with his headlamp. “I can take you there.” He watched for her reaction. “Seems a shame to waste the trip. We are already back this far.”

Brandy considered.

Note From the Author

#FORLINEARS puzzle: Please check out the virtual blog tour and you might find some embedded fun in the imagery.

(https://www.rachelsrandomresources.com/absolute-darkness) In fact, I dare you. Can you find the hidden puzzles that lead to an autographed book give away? First one to figure it out wins an autographed book.