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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

When You Root for the Wrong Team: Out of Darkness

by Chautona Havig · 15 Comments

Go… go… GO!  Get the—”

A hand claps over my mouth.  Red faces all around me. Glares.  Snickers. Angry fans who turn to give me their  .02 until they realize I’m five.

Yeah.  I was rooting for the wrong team.  You know… my brother is playing for one.  We’re on “our” side of the bleachers.  But I’m rooting for the other team?  Yeah.  That scenario.

What can I say?  The guy intercepted the ball and took off way ahead of the pack of players determined to tackle him.  They had no chance, and my little five-year-old self couldn’t stand it.  Too exciting.

But I did wonder if Bear would ever speak to me again.

It happens in books and movies, too, you know.  People draw lines with who they want “shipped.”

See, that term always bugged me.  I  mean, “Shipped.”  It sounds like “Two ships passing in the night” to me.  And that is never a happy ending.  I like the happier ones.  But fortunately, that’s not what it means.  So instead, you have #TeamEdward and #Team-insert-name-I-cannot-recall-here or as in the case of The Vintage Wren #TeamJoel and #TeamEvan (is ANYONE on #TeamEvan?).

When You Root for the Wrong Team: Out of Darkness

Note: links in this post may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Additionally, I requested a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit as a part of their blogging program and chose to review it.

When You Root for the Wrong Team: an Out of Darkness Review

I’ve never read anything by Erynn Newman, but when Celebrate Lit offered the opportunity, I jumped at it and requested a copy to review. The synopsis—riveting.  The concept—cool. I knew I’d enjoy the book. And I did.

Despite knowing all along that I’d  love and be disappointed in the ending.  Both.

What did I think?

Over all:

Out of Darkness is a suspenseful novel that actually begins rather slowly compared to some.  And, frankly, that’s part of the suspense. While there is a huge inciting event right at the beginning, we spend three years getting to know some of the primary characters and anticipating the kick-off of action. Newman uses the beginning chapters both to establish characterization, increase sympathy, and build tension for the story to follow. Every time the pace slows a bit, there’s a reason for it and it serves only to amplify the pace and tension of the next section.

Characters:

Ms. Newman has mostly written some interesting characters who worm their way into your heart and settle there.  My take on just a few?  Well…

Drew:

Don’t get me wrong. I like Drew. Strong, of good character, loyal, and loving, Drew isn’t “too perfect,” but a few times he does dance that line. Where I give Ms. Newman kudos is that she didn’t try to combat that with pseudo flaws that really aren’t anything but a defense against the charge.  Because of that, she keeps the reader’s interest in a character that otherwise might have become a little flat—like the shiny, happy people in many stock photos.  Thankfully, she avoided that.

Elisabeth: 

You know, a funny thing about her.  I never was able to associate her name with her.  I don’t know why.  But through the whole book, she felt disconnected from her name to me.  But that’s my fault rather than the author’s.

Elisabeth is rather a Mary Sue. The author treats us to constant references to her beauty and her perfection in everyone’s eyes.  This is where things become fascinating. Aside from a few places where I did kind of want to say, “I get it. She’s gorgeous. Can we learn something else about her instead,” Newman did such a fabulous job making us care about her and who she is that we don’t really care that she’s so “plastic.”  Because really, she is.  We just don’t really notice it unless we think about it.

Gabe: 

Seriously, he was my favorite character.  I knew all along exactly what his role would be, what he’d do, how it would work out—everything.  I mean, it’s obvious from the synopsis.  But that didn’t keep me from cheering for him and booing anything that thwarted his purpose.  In fact, one of the best teaching moments in this book is also my biggest objection to the novel.  I have to be careful about how I share this, so if it’s too ambiguous, I apologize.  Not willing to do spoilers here.

But Newman makes a point at the end of the book regarding Gabe’s relationship to Christ that is just spot on and beautiful.  Alas, after all, she set up among the characters, the resolution felt rather like a cop-out. And that became my number one objection to the book.

Some might accuse me of being frustrated for “rooting for the wrong team,” but I really don’t think so. I mean, I am, but my objection actually comes from another source. I really do feel like Ms. Newman used it to neatly tie up a rather sloppy package.  And it doesn’t work for me. Still, read her words about it in the author post below.  I think she explains why it works even when it doesn’t.

Viktor: 

He’s a bad guy.  And I love him. He’s fabulous. You love to hate him and don’t want to at the same time. Seriously, I think he is one of Ms. Newman’s strongest characters. I’d love to learn more about how he came to be who he is.  But I suppose that’s just silly.  I just really liked him as a villain.

Faith:

The deep faith demonstrated and shared in this book will encourage and enrich anyone’s reading experience. Between the discussions, the prayer, and the scripture shared, you might expect that the story became preachy.  But it didn’t.  And I find that rather impressive.

Recommendation: 

I recommend this book for people who love romantic suspense and stories that are character rather than plot driven.  The characters drive the plot in this book. Because of that, some sections will feel slow for those who prefer plot-driven stories.  I loved it, however.

Caveat: 

Being the prude that I am, I both loved and hated how she showed her married characters as delighted in each other both physically and emotionally.  I did.  I think too often we try to strip our characters of their sexual sides.  That’s not “clean” writing, it’s “sanitized.”  That said, it did become a bit much at times.  While Ms. Newman always faded to black rather quickly, I just became uncomfortable with how much there was. How often.  Details danced the line a bit too often for my taste.  But she didn’t actually cross it, and for those much more comfortable with physical affection demonstrated in Christian fiction than I am, they probably won’t even notice.

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Comments

  1. carylkane says

    August 28, 2017 at 2:10 pm

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I’ve enjoyed following the tour and reading the different views of this book.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 28, 2017 at 2:35 pm

      I have, too! Funny thing is I really haven’t disagreed with anyone–even those who kind of disagreed with me. It’s a very unique book, but everyone seems to agree that it is VERY well written.

      Reply
  2. MH says

    August 25, 2017 at 1:58 am

    I’ve heard so much about this book from bloggers and the synopsis is something out of Mission Impossible movies (which I do love). Sounds really interesting and would love to read it.

    Reply
  3. Susan (DE) says

    August 24, 2017 at 10:54 am

    What is a DVR?? All I keep hearing (from husband) or see (online) is digital video recorder. ???

    For Chautona: Elisabeth (with an SSS). 🙂 I have a heads-up here, because I have a daughter named Elisabeth (with an S). 🙂

    And for Erynne: Tell me, please, please. How to you manage to write when “everyone else” is sleeping AND get up with your little boy? Do you take naps? Not get enough sleep? ???

    Reply
    • Author Erynn Newman says

      August 24, 2017 at 12:08 pm

      Hey Susan.
      You got DVR right. It’s that function some cable providers offer where you can record and store your favorite TV shows to watch later. I never get to watch anything live, so I save them up to binge when I’m caught up with editing clients.

      And Yessssss to Elisabeth. I don’t know why it matters so much to me, but I so much prefer it with the S. It’s like Anne with an e. You’ve got to have it.

      So, I work from about 10 p.m. to 2 or 3 a.m. And then I sleep until 9:30 or so. I let my 4 year old stay up until 9:30 or 10, and then he sleeps until around 8:30 or 9, and I let him climb in bed with me and his tablet for that last hour or so until I’m ready to get up. Sometimes I do catch a quick nap during the day, but most of the time I’m able to make it through on 6-7 hours. Probably not ideal, but it works for us.

      Reply
      • Chautona Havig says

        August 24, 2017 at 3:07 pm

        Someone with my schedule… ISH! I love it! I just love it!

        Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 24, 2017 at 3:08 pm

      You know, as I crawled into bed last night, I was thinking and went, “Oh, dear. I think I used a Z instead of an S.” Mom’s a Z in her middle name, so it’s my default. I’ll fix that.

      Reply
  4. Author Erynn Newman says

    August 24, 2017 at 7:37 am

    Thanks, Chautona. I loved your thorough and thoughtful review. You’re in good company on team Gabe. I was really tempted that way myself once or twice. I mean, who WOULDN’T love Gabe? He was definitely the surprise of this story for me.
    I think my (and Elisabeth’s) complete devotion to him stems from knowing their history. So reading First Light before Out of Darkness really helps with that.
    Thanks so much for reading and hosting me today.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 24, 2017 at 3:10 pm

      I had a family emergency that didn’t allow me to read First Light before the book. I’ll be reading it now. I might change my opinion after that. But I doubt it. What you did so well is make us love it even while we hated where it went… but wanted it to go for her sake, but not. LOL. How’s that for convoluted.

      Reply
  5. Lori Downing says

    August 24, 2017 at 6:06 am

    I’m looking forward to reading it!! It sounds like something I would love!!

    Reply
    • Author Erynn Newman says

      August 24, 2017 at 6:38 am

      Thanks! I hope you WILL. Make sure to snag it before the end of the tour when the price goes back up. And read First Light first if you want a little more insight into Drew and Elisabeth (and a fun Gabe cameo).

      Reply
      • Chautona Havig says

        August 24, 2017 at 3:12 pm

        And that Gabe cameo is why I’ll MAKE the time to read it as soon as I can. Also, you would be an INCREDIBLE author if you could make me root for Gabe and Alessandra. Dare you.

        Reply
        • Author Erynn Newman says

          November 4, 2017 at 10:15 pm

          EEek! Somehow I missed my notifications of your replies. Man, I WANT to have a great story for them, but it hasn’t come to me yet. And I will NOT give Gabe anything less than an amazing story.
          Hopefully you’ll have a better time with Nick and Cara in my next book. No triangle!

          And do let me know if/when you get the chance to read First Light. Maybe it will help you to root for Drew a LITTLE bit more. 😉

          Reply
  6. Aryn says

    August 24, 2017 at 5:57 am

    Well first I have to address the Vintage Wren, since you brought it up. I just wanted to thank you SO much. I am now completely incapable of doing anything at all on Wednesday mornings. Until I read about Cassie’s day! Just FYI. 🙂 and I haven’t made up my mind about whose team I’m on yet…

    Out of Darkness sounds fascinating. That much drama, trauma, and pull on the heart would be hard to take, but fun to read about in fiction! I have added it to me to be read list.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      August 24, 2017 at 3:13 pm

      OOOH! A #TeamUndecided. That is AWESOME. I wonder if there are any #TeamKents out there.

      Reply

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Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
byChautona Havig

Fans of Lisa Phillips’ Last Chance County series are doing happy dances following the release of an exciting new spin-off series, Last Chance Fire and Rescue. Expired Return brings back a few favorite characters and kicks off another of Sunrise Publishing’s author/mentor led fiction seasons! Listen in to find out what happens when an author brings back a guy she dropped a building on a couple of books back…

 

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This new Last Chance County series promises everything we love about Lisa Phillips’ world–danger, intrigue, heart-stopping suspense, drama… you know… all the feels. But in addition to her own release, Expired Return, this series also introduces us to new authors who have been carefully vetted and selected to ensure they do justice to Lisa’s Last Chance characters. I, for one, can’t wait to check it all out.

Lisa and I chatted about what she plans for the series,Lisa hinted about a possible super-secret reveal coming soon, and I even poked her with the idea of a Last Chance Christmas.

Help me convince them on that, will ya?

But this new book… Whoa…

Expired Return by Lisa Phillips

Pepper stood up. “How dare you.” She could spit fire at him right now. She’d loved and supported Victory since the day she was born. “You know nothing about me.”

“What’s this?”

Pepper whirled around at that voice. Heart. Breaking. She loved that gruff, commanding voice more than anything else in the world.

He wore a look a lot like Aiden’s. Blank, which she knew—or hoped—had to do with protecting his heart because he still cared for her. Except he probably hated her.

Donaldson sat back in his chair. “Allen.”

Former police officer Allen Frees had both hands on the wheels of his chair. He wore a fire department uniform of slacks and a white shirt. Emblems. A badge. His life of service hadn’t ended when he landed in that chair after a building blew up over his head.

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She’ll give everything to protect her family.

He always knew she was the one.

Veterinary tech Pepper Miller lives a quiet life in Last Chance County. She’s watching her niece until her sister shows up…if she ever does. When Victory’s father demands he take over her care, Pepper knows something has gone wrong. With a new drug in town, and her sister embroiled in a dangerous bargain, it’s up to Pepper to protect the people she loves.

Even if it costs every secret she’s ever kept.

Fire Department liaison Allen Frees lives with the injuries he sustained as a police officer in a raid gone wrong. He’s put his life back together but getting the truck crew and engine squad to succeed might be his toughest assignment yet. When Victory is nearly kidnapped at a community event, Allen steps in to help Pepper keep her niece safe. The one thing he couldn’t fix was the love he lost, but he isn’t going to let Pepper walk away this time.

No matter what walls he has to break down.

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His sister has a solution--lots of dates. Great, heaping gobs of them. Go ahead. Be awkward. Get used to it. Then... then try with someone you really want to get to know. He's not so confident, but when a man gives his word... (Note to self: no more agreeing to Selby's plans without knowing what they are!)
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