Title: The Storm and the Darkness
Series: The House of Crimson and Clover Book # 2
By Sarah M. Cradit
Publication Date: July 6, 2013
Blurb:
Ana Deschanel has 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 Summer Island.
Summer Island, Maine (population 202) is not the tranquil escape Ana imagined. 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. Showing up at all the right moments, he warns her she is completely unprepared for a Maine winter. As the first winter storm approaches to whispers of an island shutdown- Ana realizes that she may soon be cut off from the rest of the world.
After a surprising encounter with Jonathan's brother, Finn, Ana finds herself braving the storm to return something to him. Unprepared for the Maine storm, she slips and falls onto the jagged rocks along the shore. The St. Andrews brothers find her in the nick of time, but she remains unconscious. As the storm worsens, the St. Andrews brothers learn there are other, 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.
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What Reviewers Are Saying About The Storm and the Darkness:
"A suspenseful adult thriller. Reading this book felt much like riding a roller coaster, from the building crescendo, to surprising moments of laughter, to an end that satisfies with a strange mixture of relief, sadness, and a hunger for more."
"The Storm and the Darkness is a very well written fast paced story, I couldn't put it down."
"Sarah Cradit's writing is tight and masterful. There were no points during the journey through reading this novel where I thought anything could have been removed or expanded upon. Her keen sense of how to pace a book and her ability to use just the right language to express the desires, fears and hopes of her characters is flawless."
"I highly recommend The Storm and the Darkness, a tale of mystery, drama, and suspense, and the prequel, St. Charles at Dusk."
"Cradit has the awesome talent of making each character believable. Making the reader sit on the edge of their set waiting for more."
"If you like to read and fully immerse yourself into your reading this is the book for you."
"Now I just have to get my hands on the first book, and the next and next and next until I am satisfied!"
"Wow. Mystery, magic, suspense that even made me slightly jumpy, family and just enough romantic intrigue to keep me well, intrigued :) The writing is fabulously done, I loved how Sarah M. Cradit tells a story."
The House of Crimson and Clover Series
The House of Crimson and Clover series follows the lives of two New Orleans families: the august and mysterious Sullivans and Deschanels. The Sullivans, a family of hard-working Irish lawyers, have come from nothing and built a life they can be proud of. The Deschanels, a moderately wealthy family who became extremely wealthy by siding with the North during the Civil War, betraying their people. Both families have a dark and rich history, full of secrets, and full of surprises.
The books in this series unravel the stories of both the individuals as well as the families themselves, discovering the ways these families and their secrets intersect, and each story pulls us even farther into their stories.
While the series is meant to be treated as one long narrative, each book can stand-alone and be enjoyed without having read the other books.
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Authot Interview:
The Avid Reader: What inspired you to write The Storm and the Darkness?
Sarah M. Cradit: I always loved writing, but it wasn't until I picked up my first Anne Rice book (around 9th grade) that I started to come in contact with a style that inspired me. I first read the Vampire Chronicles, but then moved on to the Mayfair series. It was the Mayfairs- with the rich, colorful descriptions of New Orleans and the intricate family histories- that called to me, and a lot of what I write is inspired by these books.
The Avid Reader: When or at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Sarah M. Cradit: I was 7 when I got my first creative writing assignment from my 2nd grade teacher. It ended up winning a contest and my reward was to read it at the biggest public park in my city. Realizing I both loved it, and was at least somewhat good at it (by the standards of others), it became a lifelong passion.
The Avid Reader: What is the earliest age you remember reading your first book?
Sarah M. Cradit: Books were a huge part of my youth, and so its hard to say which was the first book I ever read. The first books I remember really getting into, and being obsessed with, were the Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I would finish my assignments in class as quickly as possible so I could get back to reading them. I remember the teacher complained to my mom about it, and my mom asked her, "Well, are Sarah's grades good?" When the teacher said yes, my mom told her to bugger off.
The Avid Reader: What genre of books do you enjoy reading?
Sarah M. Cradit: A bit of a mixed bag. Oddly, my favorite books are historical fiction, generally of either the Tudor-era or Ancient Rome. I also enjoy sweeping fantasy, like Tolkien or Martin. I will read paranormal if its good (Anne Rice). Essentially, I will read almost anything that has good development and dimension.
The Avid Reader: What is your favorite book?
Sarah M. Cradit: I can't pick just one! War and Peace by Tolstoy is probably the most magnificent book ever written, and I remain in awe of his ability to create dimensional, flawed human beings. The Mayfair Trilogy by Anne Rice is my favorite example of the use of New Orleans and history combined together. The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King is my favorite fantasy series of all time, and I literally grew up reading them. They shaped my childhood, and most of my early adult years. Finally, anything by Tolkien, whose world I love as much as our own.
The Avid Reader: You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?
Sarah M. Cradit: Can't pick just one here, either :) Anne Rice has been a favorite of mine since childhood. Her writing is largely what inspired my love of New Orleans, and I've been told several times that I write in a similar style. Tolstoy, to me, is the king of character development, and my idol. I am also a lifelong fan of Tolkien. Other favorites: George R. R. Martin, Margaret George, Stephen King.
The Avid Reader: If you could travel back in time here on earth to any place or time. Where would you go and why?
Sarah M. Cradit: I would travel back to England in the 16th century. I would love to have observed the events of Henry VIII's reign firsthand. To see how much of what we believe today was fact or speculation. Specifically, I would love to watch the events of Anne Boleyn's rise and fall.
The Avid Reader: When writing a book do you find that writing comes easy for you or is it a difficult task?
Sarah M. Cradit: It really depends. Sometimes the words flow smoothly. Other times, it feels like pulling teeth. When the latter happens, I will usually do some tangential exercises, like world-building, or character profiles, etc. Often that will help me get into the right mood for writing.
The Avid Reader: Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?
Sarah M. Cradit: I do! I have two cats, Miss Kitty (13) and Baby Kitty (12), whom we've had our entire adult lives. We also have a two-year old black lab, HRH Sugar Smacks (but we just call her Princess). And two bearded dragons, Hellscream and Deathwing.
The Avid Reader: What is your "to die for", favorite food/foods to eat?
Sarah M. Cradit: I am a sucker for anything that includes good bread or cheese.
The Avid Reader: Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?
Sarah M. Cradit: Any writer will tell you that in order to get better at writing you must (you guessed it) write. Write often. Write daily, even if its only for thirty minutes. It can be almost impossible to get yourself back into the flow if too much time has passed. Also, if you are writing with the intention of publishing, you need to accept that a lot of what you write at first will be complete shit. Yes, there will be flashes of brilliance in your work. But it takes time to get good at it. A thick skin isn't optional. Take all feedback, even if it hurts (and some if it WILL hurt). Understand that the best writers in the world did not start out that way. Its hard work, but it's rewarding, if you can stick with it.
Author: Sarah M. Cradit
Sarah is the author of the Southern Fiction series, The House of Crimson and Clover. The series was born of her combined loves of New Orleans, family dramas, and the mysterious nature of love and desire. Her books combine elements of mystery, suspense, intrigue, romance, and even paranormal. She is always working on the next book in the series, and absolutely loves connecting with her fans.
Sarah lives in the Pacific Northwest, but has traveled the world from Asia to Europe to Africa. When she isn't working (either at her day career, or hard at work at writing), she is reading a book and discovering new authors. The great loves of her life (in order) are: her husband James, her writing, and traveling the world.
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