Hearts in Darkness (Hearts in Darkness Duet, #1)

by Laura Kaye

Makenna James thinks her day can't get any worse, until she finds herself stuck in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call and juggling too much stuff, the pin-striped accountant caught only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights went out. Caden Grayson is amused when a redhead literally falls at his feet. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he's terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he's trapped in his own worst nightmare. To fight fear, they must both reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?

• ISBN10: 0989465004
• ISBN13: 9780989465007
• Publish Date: 17 May 2013
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Laura Kaye
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 118
• Language: English

Reviews

[inlibrisveritas]

Hearts in Darkness is a quick read with a really unique and completely fun premise. At first glance this seems like it could be once of those darker romances, where the heat is mixed with a heavy story…but in reality Hearts in Darkness has a very light tone to it despite the heavy topics they two characters breech.

I love, LOVE, Caden and Makenna. They start out as two strangers, who have barely even glanced at each other before the power goes out and leaves them stranded, but by the end they have an undeniable chemistry between them that I was questioning why more people don’t find their partners in elevators. Caden made me want to cry for him, but more than that it made me want to do exactly what Makenna did and hold him, get to know him, and comfort him. His tattoos and piercings already marked him as sexy in my book, but his openness and vulnerability with Makenna made him perfection. I loved that the connection between the two of them didn’t relay on physical appearances, but instead on the sheer intamacy of being close to someone, talking to them, and in some ways relaying on them. Their connection came through something much more visceral than simple visual attraction, and that alone makes an already steamy scene practically irresistible.

It’s a rarity that a book this short provides both the chemistry AND the reader connection neccessary to actually know who the characters are as people, but Hearts in Darkness manages to do that perfectly. We get glimpses of Caden and Makenna’s life outside of that office building while they are in the elevator, and even more towards the end leading up to the second book.

This is my first Laura Kaye book, but it certainly won’t be my last. I’m already anxiously waiting for the release of the second book, and looking into trying out her other series as well. If you are a fan or if you enjoy smaller bites of romance then this is one not to miss out on.

[stacey_is_sassy]

Good Sam and Red meet in the dark

This was a re-read for me and I loved it as much as the first time I read it. Hearts in Darkness is intense, thoughtful and beautifully put together story in a little package. I have only read one other short story that left me so thoroughly entertained.

Makenna had a rough day that got even worse when her phone broke and she realised that the battery had fallen out. Caden, had just signed the final papers after his Dad had passed. He holds the lift for her. He noticed her beautiful red hair and she noticed a sexy tattoo. That was all...and then there was darkness.

Their time together in the lift gives them the opportunity to know each other without the pressures and judgments based on looks. Both are concerned that something in their looks would put the other off. How amazing that they were given this opportunity. Unfortunately as a society, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves and others based purely on looks. This book took that away. Lucky for them, they liked the packaging too.

This was a very HOT read and left me with a big smile on my face. This is a perfect example of what a short story should be.

[leelu92]

It was a good quick and steamy read. I'd love to read more about Caden and MaKenna!

[Cocktails and Books]

What would you do if you had a completely shitty day and had it end with you being trapped in an elevator with a total stranger? This is the situation in Hearts in Darkness.

Makenna James has had the worse day and it continues it's shittiness streak when she drops her cell phone while entering an elevator in her office building. She's completely preoccupied with her cell phone and the fact that the battery fell off during it's dive to the floor when she got onto the elevator, that she's oblivious to the good Samaritan on the elevator with her. If she were asked to describe the man, the only thing she could remember was the dragon tattoo on his hand. But when the lights go off that's the one thing she can cling to.

Caden Grayson watched with amusement when Makenna came stumbling into the elevator. He didn't get to see much of her other than her red hair, but she made him smile and given where he was going, that was a plus in his book. But when the lights went off and he was throw into a panic attack, it was Makenna who helped him cling to the here and now.

Makenna and Caden spend the next few hours keeping each other company in the darkness of the elevator. During those hours, they are able to get to know each other without the trappings of what one looks like and get to see the person inside.

I loved both characters in this story. Caden totally went against the type cast, because despite all his tattoos and piercings he was really the most sensitive, caring person Makenna has met. That is he was worried about how Makenna would see him once the lights came on made you love him that much more.

Makenna was a strong, intuitive woman who was able to "see" Caden. Despite the dark, she was able to understand immediately what he needed and give him the support he seemed to lack for most of his teen and adult life. She was his lifeline.

I truly enjoyed this one and was glad I happened across Laura Kaye's web site to find it.



4 Cocktails