A Lantern in the Dark

The O'Brien Tales, Book 2

By: Stacey Reynolds

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

In a sleepy beach town in Coastal Carolina, two lost souls learn the destructive nature of secrets and the healing power of love.

Captain Aidan O’Brien is a decorated officer of the Royal Irish Regiment. While on a personal mission with his brother to retrieve Michael’s would-be mate, Aidan visits an old friend on the local Marine Corps base. Aidan accepts an opportunity to return, to train with the infantry Marines at Camp Lejeune.

Alanna Falk is a grad student, working with PTSD patients in a nearby recovery clinic. A few months after the unexpected visit from the O’Brien brothers, Alanna can’t seem to get the eldest O’Brien out of her mind. She assumes that she’ll never see him again. After all, Aidan is a soldier in the Royal Irish Regiment, living in Belfast. She’s living in her best friend's beach house in North Carolina. When Aidan shows up on her beachfront deck unannounced, the fireworks fly...along with a Louisville Slugger that she keeps on hand.

Both Aidan and Alanna have their own reasons for being alone. As a friendship blossoms and the attraction grows, each begins to uncover the shadows that haunt the other. Aidan, tormented by dreams of a terrible day in Kabul, Afghanistan, rebuffs Alanna’s attempts to offer him counsel. Alanna refuses to open up to anyone about why she keeps a handgun in her desk and a bat within reach.

Aidan swore he’d never marry, never put a woman or children through life in the military. But the lovely, Southern beauty challenges his strongest defenses. He comes to realize that Alanna may need him even more than he needs her. Especially as the tide turns and Alanna’s secret fears become a very real danger.

©2021 Stacey Reynolds (P)2021 Podium Audio

Wowzers tear jerker

Great story but so many different kinds of triggers in this one. If you suffer from PTSD or were military and saw combat this book may help you with the grieving process or make it worse. It’s unique in that she offers insights for different methods of dealing with depression and loss. I appreciated the methods. I cried a lot with this one. So much loss of life talked about though so not really bedtime reading. The love story was sweet and it was nice to continue hearing the stories of previous characters. I will say though for real if this book kinda sinks you into a dark place further reach out to loved ones you trust with your pain. If you don’t have anyone look online for groups. I’m still amazed I found comfort and solace from gamer groups of all places. All types of people are everywhere you just need to look. <3

What a story

I couldn’t help but fall in love with most of the characters. Just as in the first book.
Beware of listening in public. I found my cheeks wet many times, that is when I wasn’t laughing out loud.
Now the reader….. she was Amazing! She was able to not only change accents perfectly but her ability to do such believable male voices. I’ll be looking for her name on other stories. The author chose well.

no words...so moving

I cried like a baby...the story was so touching & pulled at all your heartstrings. Reynolds weaves an intricate & heartwrenching story that leaves you enthralled & wanting more...such a wonderful story.

Wonderful book.

Thus is only the second book I have listened to from this author. I am definitely going to find more books! Love character description, so many emotions!

This book was so well written love how she adds other character stories and entwines them together.

Haughty recommend this book

Excellent series!!

Love the way this author writes. Feels like a friend telling the story. Great narrator too! Easy listen.