Darkling I Listen

Brandon Carlyle, a famous movie actor, has the image of a Hollywood bad boy. Brandon is now in hiding after spending three years in prison for manslaughter. He has sought refuge in the small town he grew up in, Ticky Creek, Texas and is living with his beloved aunt and uncle seeking peace and quiet. Although Brandon was at the top of his movie career when he was sent to prison, the offers for acting are now few and insignificant. Now on parole, he relishes the time he is spending with his aunt and uncle, works hard on their ranch/farm, and is questioning what he will do with the rest of his life. He is still young enough to have many acting years ahead. But, what really counts in life? When we first meet Brandon, he is in a depressed state, asking himself these questions and we can see his inner turmoil and identify favorably with him. He doesn't act out his previous bad boy image and fights to maintain a cool head and stay completely away from what could be considered inappropriate behavior. Of course, he is very handsome and tremendously sexy. Brandon is protected from the outside world by Ticky Creeks' residents who cherish him and keep his whereabouts secret.Alyson (Aly) James is a tabloid writer looking for one last big story that will hopefully provide her with the funds to change her life. Aly has found that big story - she has discovered Brandon's hiding place and wants to be the one to reveal the latest about Brandon Carlyle. Yes, Aly's plans for exposing Brandon are not honorable and she does have a sleazy tabloid background. However, she is a fantastic heroine - one of my favorites. In fact, her description of such a career in reviews of this book, kept me from reading it for some time. I just could not imagine her in a positive light. But the author pulls it off. We read about a heroine who is strong, understanding, kind, and empathetic. She decides that she cannot continue her past career as she gets to know Brandon and his family. She now fully sees that there is always another side to a story. In the case of Brandon Carlyle, his story has an overwhelming and sad side.Darkling I Listen is definitely a very serious, dramatic story. There are a few humorous lines but mostly it lives up to its name in that it is a very dark tale. Brandon and Aly have a great amount of interaction for the first three-fourths of the book. We are in for a stimulating and intensive read as we see Brandon come out of his shell and are allowed to observe the secrets of his agonizing past. Aly plays well into Brandon's recovery. She shows much more character than her past would indicate.The sensual portions of the book have been described by other(s) as some of the most sensual they have read. Although well written and meaningful, these scenes rate about a 4.0 out of 5.0 (see More About Me for rating guidelines). Yes, some of these scenes fall closer to a 4.5 rating but the scenes are infrequent and therefore my reasoning for a 4.0

This book has the best hero I have ever read - not because he was flawless but because he was full of flaws. Sexy but confused, hard but vulnerable. I hardly ever get pictures in my head as I am reading, but when I read this book all I kept thinking was - Russell Crowe! I'd love to see this made into a movie - it would be huge.

This is the first book I have ever read where the heroine was the one who saves the hero. It was awesome! I loved it! Talk about 'bad boy'!!! This was the ULTIMATE in bad boys. No weak female lead here with the desire to 'turn him around' for her benefit. The heroine, Alyson James, is all woman, but very real and simply wants to help the hero, Brandon Carlyle, from his demons that plague him. Lots of heated scenes here and the suspense is real and will make your heart beat a little faster. This would be excellent in the theatre!~Hollywood bad boy, Brandon Carlyle, is being stalked and harassed by some woman calling herself "Anticipating' for the past 5 years. Up until now he has ignored her and tried to live his life. The only problem though is he has spent the last 3 years in prison for manslaughter. His acting career on the rocks, he goes home to Ticky Creek, Texas for a break and a much needed rest when the stalker Anticipating has found him again and this time wants him dead!A beautiful stranger, Alyson James is going to get the story of her life, the only problem is the hollywood 'hellion' doesn't want anyone around while he spends endless hours hanging around his uncles and aunts farm. Aly knows a lot about him, since she was the very reporter who opened the story of his alcoholism so many years ago, but he doesn't know she was the one who practically ruined his life and career with that story. Now she intends to somewhat, make 'ammends' with an autobiography with his own words, but she soon learns, a menacing stalker is after him and now her as she gets too close. Secrets abound in the small town and the swamps hold many more dark secrets Aly must solve before its too late. Anticipating is here...she is waiting...Aly can't seem to stop falling in love with the man who's heart and soul is deeper than an ocean and filled with sorrow. She must save him...save him from himself and a woman calling herself Anticipating...Unbelieveable! Worthy of 10 stars! The suspense is creepy and Ms. Sutcliffe really takes us on a rollarcoaster ride of emotions and secrets. I would love to see this on the big screen, it would be a hit! (and man oh man is Brandon sexy...whew...)Tracy Talley~@

There I was taking a chance NEVER thinking for a minute that I would find anything remotely enjoyable about this book. I saw the name Katherine Sutcliffe and I thought to myself "What is she doing writing a suspense book?" I waited two days to read it (I am kicking myself for that now). I read the first page and I was hooked. Brandon had all the complexities of Nicholas Sabre Esquire (if you are a true fan you know who that is!) but he had more edge to him. I kept thinking why is he so angry and hurt and when I found out I cried oh how I cried.Alyson was wonderful, a heroine with just the right amount of spunk. The town of Ticky Creek would make you want to move there. This book is beautiful! I cannot say that I have read a better book this year and I have read a lot of books! This book is amazing. The characters are well developed with foibles and all the redeeming qaulities that make us human. They come to life in "Darkling" as Katherine weaves a tale of both love and terror. I highly recomend this book to anyone who loves to read and especially to KS fans. I can go on and on but I won't. I am usually a sceptic when it comes to authors moving outside of their genres but I have learned my lesson and what better way of learning it than with this book. Do something really good for yourself and buy this book!

As a reader, I have my favorites, and in my mind no author could possibly rise above Linda Howard in the romantic suspense category. Until I read Katherine Sutcliffes debut romantic suspense, Darkling, I Listen. Brandon Carlyle's life is mired in his past, his rise to fame, his drunken lifestyle while riding the crest of a popularity he still cannot understand, then the shattering plummet that left him convicted of manslaughter and spending three years of his life in prison. But now he's back in Ticky Creek, no more booze, no more wild rides, and wilder women, just the peace he needs to heal his shattered heart. That peace is shattered though with the deranged letters he begins receiving once again. A fan has stalked him for years, her letters growing more intense, the threats clearer as her proclaimed love for Brandon seeks vengeance for his unrepentant ways. Danger seems to lurk at every turn as Brandon attempts to fight his way past his time in prison, and bring his life back to an even keel. As if things couldn't get worse, he also has Alyson James on his back. Her story is that she wants to write his true autobiography, not the cheap, patented lies that has passed for it in the unauthorized version presented. Alyson is tough in the face of his sarcasm, soft and understanding when the terrors of his past rise to leave him quaking. Her gentle touch, her passionate response begins to heal something inside him that he thought would be scarred forever. But Alyson has a secret. She lied to the one man she has come to love. She came to his tiny Texas town not to help him write his autobiography, but to write a story about his fall from grace that will land her a job as a journalist at a more prestigious magazine than the one that currently employs her. True love never runs smooth, and Brandon Alyson's couldn't get rockier as her secret is revealed, shattering the peace of Brandon's life, and leaving him alone to face the terror that has stalked steadily closer. Alyson isn't quite ready to allow that madness to steal the man she loves. Armed with her passionate love, aided by Brandon's friends in Ticky Creek, and her own who will come to her aid, Alyson will rush headlong into the nightmare overtaking Brandon. Darkling, I Listen is one of the most emotional, sensual, heartrending romantic suspense stories it has ever been my pleasure to read. Ms. Sutcliffe took me on the ride of my life as she drew me into her story, and the lives of her characters. Like a spider spinning an intricate web, her plot took me through twists and turns, had my heart pounding, my palms damp in fear. That is when her bold, brazenly passionate hero and wasn't making my heart pound with his sensual intensity. Be warned, Darkling, I Listen is a story you won't put down after the cover is lifted and the page turned. And this reader for sure, will be turning the pages again and again for a suspenseful, highly engaging return this wonderful story.