Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Darkness Follows by Mike Dellosso

You can tell from the cover of Darkness Follows by Mike Dellosso that it's going to be dark and scary.  And it is.

This is a psychological, paranormal, and horror book all rolled into one.  Kind of an "It's a Wonderful Life" on acid.

Sam Travis is the brain injured husband of Molly, and father of six year old Eva.  He is suffering from hallucinations, where a portal of evil connects the past and has a very real demonic power in the present.

So what does a character from the Civil War have in common with Sam and why is he being contacted by this person's journal entries- posted in Sam's own writing?  Who is the maniacal killer? (Even HE doesn't know.)

For some reason this book was hard for me to handle: murder, mental illness, animal torture, and a recovering Democrat political candidate...  I really wanted Molly, the mom, to take little Eva seriously when she said that she had a shimmery friend named Jacob, who wanted them to pray for Daddy.

I think the book would have had more power if somebody actually said a prayer out loud.  When much evil is shown, much good is required to fight it.  So rather than just a "yes honey, I'm praying for Daddy", I wanted it to happen.

Mike Dellosso is a really good writer.  His forward and afterwards helped me get to know him a bit and I liked him.

Excuse me while I go set up my therapy session.
You will want to read the information following...








This week, the
 
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
 
is introducing
 
Darkness Follows
 
Realms (May 3, 2011)

 
by
 
Mike Dellosso
 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Mike now lives in Hanover, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Jen, and their three daughters. He writes a monthly column for Writer . . .Interrupted, was a newspaper correspondent/columnist for over three years, has published several articles for The Candle of Prayer inspirational booklets, and has edited and contributed to numerous Christian-themed Web sites and e-newsletters. Mike is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, the Relief Writer's Network, the International Christian Writers, and International Thriller Writers. His short stories have appeared with Amazon Shorts and in Coach's Midnight Diner genre anthology. He received his BA degree in sports exercise and medicine from Messiah College and his MBS degree in theology from Master's Graduate School of Divinity.


Mike Dellosso writes novels of suspense for both the mind and the soul. He writes to both entertain and challenge. In addition to his novels, Mike is also an adjunct professor at Lancaster Bible College and a faculty member at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer's Conference.

ABOUT THE BOOK




Sam Travis lives in a Civil War era farmhouse in Gettysburg, PA, where he awakens one morning to find an old journal with an entry by a Union soldier, Lt. Whiting…written in Sam’s own handwriting. When this happens several more times, both at night and during waking “trances,” Sam begins to question his own sanity while becoming obsessed with Lt. Whiting and his bone-chilling journal entries. As the entries begin to mimic Sam’s own life, he is drawn into an evil plot that could cost many lives, including his own.

Can the unconditional love of Sam's daughter, Eva, break through his hardened heart before a killer on the loose catches up with them and Sam’s past spurs him to do the unthinkable?

If you would like to read the Prologue and first chapter of Darkness Follows, go HERE

Watch the book video:

8 comments:

Mike Dellosso said...

Cheryl, thanks for posting your review. Actually, I'm not sure whether to thank you or apologize for sending you to therapy :) Seriously, I appreciate your honest thoughts.

Cheryl Klarich said...

Hi Mike. Thank you for stopping by! I really was affected by your book. Your writing and story telling is excellent.
Sometimes therapy is a good thing. :)

Praying to the Source of light,
Cheryl

Karen Lange said...

Thanks, Cheryl, for your input on this book. I appreciate the intro to Mike. I enjoy meeting authors and it was interesting to learn that he grew up on the east coast not far from where I did (in southern NJ). Matter of fact, my sister attended Messiah College and I have family in the Lancaster, PA area. Small world!

Have a great weekend!

Blessings,
Karen

Cheryl Klarich said...

Hi Karen!
I love all of those connections- so interesting- the things we have in common!

Mike is definitely one to watch!

Blessings to you too! Bon weekend!!

Robyn Campbell said...

Thank you my friend. I had not heard of Mike, but I know him now. Thrillers are so...send us to therapy like. (((hugs))) Love you.

Unknown said...

There are readers for every type of book and I'm sure a lot of people will love a thriller like this (just probably not me:). Thanks for your review.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Thanks Cheryl for introducing me to the book and the author. I like to meet authors who write a different genre than the one I am writing.

Cheryl Klarich said...

Robyn, yes, kindred spirits are we. (((hugs))) right back atcha!

Elle, Mike is a really good story teller and wonderful writer and all around good guy. I think he's got more in him and would love to see what else he can do!

Rachna, girl, I would love your thoughts on Mike's book. He has others too, which I haven't read, but his fans adore... :)