**Review ~ Secrets of the Dark ~ S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart**

Secrets of the Dark by S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: December 2, 2013

Source: I received an ecopy from the author in exchange for an honest review
Rating: 4 Bookworms

Synopsis

Dangerous and magical in ways she never imagined, Simon sweeps into Tia's life one stormy night and single-handedly shatters her reality. Her friends insist Simon is a threat, and even though Tia know they are right, his passion and magic draws them together. Could it be that she and Simon are truly soul mates, like he claims? Or is he just using her to increase his magical powers? Simon's enemies believe so, and they are determined to keep them apart, even if it means killing them.

Secrets of the Dark was an engaging story and what I hope is an introduction to a series. :) The world building was nice and the character development was well-done. I don't know what's in store for Tia and Simon next, but I'm interested to see where the story goes from here.

Tia is a strong-willed and independent heroine. Although only references are made to the fact, she was raised by a military dad and she knows how to take care of herself. When she meets Simon, some of the choice in her situation seems to have been taken away. She rebels against this somewhat, which is understandable.

Simon is an enigma. As we begin learning more about him, his past and present, I liked him more and more. Simon is a good guy and he did his best to give Tia the choices he felt she deserved.

Team Archer/Ravynheart did a find job with introducing new (to me) paranormal beings while mixing them with the more familiar fae. There was a lot of world building to be done as the story includes separate planes of being alongside the world we know. There was also the creation of Rei'ta and Llyanni, beings who feed off psychic energy but as one is Dark and one is Light, they have different sets of moral codes. There are several other characters introduced, whom I liked. I'm hoping for the chance to get better acquainted with them. Secrets of the Dark incorporated political intrigue as well. The bond between Tia and Simon was instrumental in setting these things in motion and it was exciting to watch as the political drama played out.

I think my only complaint about the story is that because of the requisite world building, the action was a little slow in developing and I didn't get to know some of the side characters as well as I'd have liked. Otherwise, the pacing was well-done. The worlds and beings presented in Secrets of the Dark have captivated me and I'm hopeful there's more to Tia and Simon's story.

I have dual citizenship. I live in the world of the Sidhe almost more than I do in reality. Lugh, Donovan, London and the rest are more than just characters to me. I live through them. I fight along side them. I celebrate with them. I've danced all night in The Glamour Club. I've experienced the Sidhe Touch and I am addicted to it. I want to share my excitement for this fantasy world with you.

I'm blessed to have an awesome writing partner, S. Ravynheart. Together, he and I have created the most amazing world of magic, danger, and adventure.