The Storm and the Darkness

The House of Crimson & Clover Series Prequel

By: Sarah M Cradit

Narrated by: LC Kane

Ana Deschanel made a terrible mistake. The only chance of protecting the other people involved is to flee New Orleans, the only home she has ever known, for the quiet solitude of the remote North Atlantic.

Summer Island, Maine (population 202) is not the tranquil escape Ana envisioned. The locals are distant and cold, especially her neighbor, the reclusive veterinarian Jonathan St. Andrews. Her only lifeline is the kind but odd caretaker, Alex Whitman, who conveniently shows up at all the right moments, warning her she’s completely unprepared for a Summer Island winter. As the first seasonal storm approaches to whispers of an island shutdown, Ana realizes she may soon be cut off from the rest of the world.

After a surprising encounter with Jonathan’s diametrically different brother, Finn, Ana braves the storm to return something he lost, only to slip and fall on the jagged shoreline. The St. Andrews brothers find her in the nick of time, and bring her back to their home to ride out the blizzard. As both the storm and Ana’s condition worsen, the St. Andrews brothers learn there are more sinister forces at work closer than they ever imagined.

With no help from the outside world, they must find a way to protect themselves from both the storm and the growing darkness that looms across the island.

©2013, 2015 Sarah M. Cradit (P)2016 Sarah M. Cradit

A book like no other

The beginning is slow at first. I wasn't quite sure what I was listening to. But, once it got into the main story, I was enthralled! Tears, laughter, heartbreak, fear... It was all spectacularly spread throughout the book. I look forward to reading the novella and next book in the series

The Storm and the Darkness

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ana and Nicolas. I love the bond they share that he just knew she was in trouble.

Which character – as performed by LC Kane – was your favorite?

Nicolas I loved the voice!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but it was too long to do that!

Any additional comments?

I loved the story! The more you get into the story you were on the edge of your seat wondering what was going to happen next.

very good story

Would you consider the audio edition of The Storm and the Darkness to be better than the print version?

can't say since I have not read the ebook

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Storm and the Darkness?

the way Ana was wondering about the old light house

What does LC Kane bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

yes I did enjoy the way the characters voices changed

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no

3.5 Mystery Star's

I wasn’t really sure what it was I was getting in to when I started this book. It looked good and something I would be interested in listening to.

Ok so Ana Deschanel is other worldly. She isn’t just human she has this extraordinary gift of healing only she can only seem to use it on herself.
She is very close with her cousin Nicolas. She didn’t want to leave him but something happens and she feels the need to get away, so she finder herself on Summer Island. Only way to get to the island is threw boat.

She meets some pretty interesting cast of characters. She is kind of stand offish and I think its mostly because she isn’t easy to open up too.
I also think she sees herself differently than others see her. It’s like she has this allure and men kind of flock to her, to no fault of her own. You don't really know who the love interest is and that's what keeps you listening and wanting more, more, more.

I have to admit to being a little confused not by the writing or the narrator just that there is so much going on I have to go back and re listen so I don’t miss things.
This book takes you on a ride with twists and tuners you wouldn’t see coming definitely glad I had the chance to listen/read this book. On to the next in the series..
I need to know more.

I loved this book!

I loved this book. It was suspenseful. It was full of flawed characters that the author Sarah M Cradit and narrator LC Kane brought to life. Their feelings and interactions felt so very real. I didn't want it to end. I highly recommend this audio book.

good read

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com."

i like this book and the story

Give Cradit some credit- sorry...

So, this book was dark but surprisingly I didn't mind because it was so deep and multilayered. The main character, Ana, moves to Maine- all well and good but it takes a long time for us to figure out why and they just keep comin. The floodgates are not totally unleashed until the end during, of course, a huge storm while she's staying in the home of a set of brothers who are secretly both in love with her. I am always able to figure out the "who done its" but this was a shocker- you won't be disappointed. I'm all over the light-hearted romances but this one kinda blew me away! Surprise surprise surprise.

This audiobook was gifted in exchange of a honest review from audiobookblast.

The Darkness Within And Without

If you could sum up The Storm and the Darkness in three words, what would they be?

Mindblowing Gothic Fun!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Storm and the Darkness?

When Ana and Finn have dinner and Alex overhears them talking together... OMG!

Which scene was your favorite?

The hospital confrontation between Ana and Nick ... All cards on the table!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The conversation between John and Augustus almost made me cry ... And I DON'T cry! So poignant and surreal... Just... Wow.

Any additional comments?

This series must be listened to (or read) in order. This is the first real book. There are ancillary books that may be listened to (or read) at any time but I suggest leaving them for later! This is THE place to start! I can't wait to listen to Shattered!


Ana has never had a meaningful relationship with anyone really... Except her cousin Nick. They grew up together, from the nursery on, as almost siblings and best friends. Or maybe more... Noone has ever gotten through her outer shell other than him. Not even her father, Augustus, holds a bigger place in her heart. He is her calm, her rock and the only person who accepts her as she is. Too bad she betrayed them all and had to run far away to Maine, and her house on Summer Island, to minimize the damage to her whole world. Being away from him is hard. But they talk every day. At least she has Alex, the faithful and helpful caretaker of her house, to help her out and teach her what she needs to know. Why is everyone so against her? Can she ever win them over? Do they realize she is different from them in the most fundamental way? Who is the guy who always smiles and waves to her? Can she survive the winter alone on the island?


Finn is drawn to the Deschanel girl in a way he doesn't really understand, even as his brother John, is repulsed. But John doesn't like anyone ... So no surprise there. Being a fisherman is his life and all he wants. Or at least that is what he always thought. Having her as their closest neighbor hasn't helped him keep his distance. Should he introduce himself finally? Or leave well enough alone? Is she worth the chance of upsetting the careful order of their lives?


Filled with Southern Gothic themes even while set on a remote Maine island, this paranormal suspense thriller is filled with unconventional romance and plenty of mystery. It is a late coming of age story for the unlikely heroine of this family saga filled with darkness, horror and hope. A truly one of a kind experience that can't missed!


***This series is suitable for adult listeners (or readers) who enjoy dark paranormal fantasy with Southern Gothic mores and conflicted villians (who hide behind kindness) with touches of romance, family secrets and plenty of thrills, mystery, suspense and horror while still allowing for hope :)


***Not for the closed minded or feint of heart***

Fantastic

Where does The Storm and the Darkness rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 25

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that it kept me interested and wanting to know more about this family and particularly this island experience for Ana

What about LC Kane’s performance did you like?

L. C. Kane did a fantastic job narrating this audio book. I was captivated with the story because of the many voices that complimented the author's great story line

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No extreme reactions, just an overall good book.

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher

Fantastic!

I've been a fan of Sarah Cradit for a long time. She's a fantastic writer, who has this uncanny ability to really built a world that's so lush and so real, you honestly believe it's out there, waiting for you. The storm & the darkness was my introduction to her world in eBook form, and I loved it even more in audio form! LC Kane is a brilliant narrator are really brought Sarah's vision to life. I was lost. Entranced in this story and the way to flowed. Fantastic! If you're new to these stories, or a fan of the eBook. This world is worth visiting again. This was a fantastic eBook and I look forward to listening to more of Sarah's world! Outstanding!