Born to Darkness

Eternal Youth, Book 1

By: Suzanne Brockmann

Narrated by: Melanie Ewbank, Patrick Lawlor

Length: 18 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

As the New York Times bestselling author of the Troubleshooters series and a “superstar of romantic suspense” (USA Today), Suzanne Brockmann has an acclaimed history of taking listeners’ breath away with her novels of hot passion and high adventure. Now she takes her talent for sexy, action-packed storytelling in a thrilling new direction: forward - into a future, both fantastic and frightening, that only the brilliant Brockmann could envision.

Dishonorably discharged, former Navy SEAL Shane Laughlin is down to his last ten bucks when he finally finds work as a test subject at the Obermeyer Institute, a little-known and believed-to-be-fringe scientific research facility. When he enters the OI compound, he is plunged into a strange world where seemingly mild-mannered scientists - including women half his size - can kick his highly skilled ass.

Shane soon discovers that there are certain individuals who possess the unique ability to access untapped regions of the brain with extraordinary results - including telekinesis, super strength, and reversal of the aging process. Known as “Greater-Thans,” this rare breed is recruited by OI, where they are rigorously trained using ancient techniques to cultivate their powers and wield them responsibly.

But in the depths of America’s second Great Depression, where the divide between the haves and the have-nots has grown even wider, those who are rich - and reckless - enough have a quick, seductive alternative: Destiny, a highly addictive designer drug that can make anyone a Greater-Than, with the power of eternal youth. The sinister cartel known as The Organization has begun mass-producing Destiny, and the demand is epidemic. But few realize the drug’s true danger, and fewer still know the dirty secret of Destiny’s crucial ingredient.

Michelle “Mac” Mackenzie knows the ugly truth. And as one of the Obermeyer Institute’s crack team of operatives, she’s determined to end the scourge of Destiny. But her kick-ass attitude gets knocked for a loop when she finds that one of the new test subjects is none other than Shane, the same smoldering stranger who just rocked her world in a one-night stand. Although Shane isn’t a Greater-Than like Mac, as an ex-SEAL, he’s got talents of his own. But Mac’s got powerful reasons to keep her distance from him - and reasons that are just as strong to want him close. She’s used to risking her life, but now, in the midst of the ultimate war on drugs, she must face sacrificing her heart.

©2012 Suzanne Brockmann (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

SUZANNE BROCKMAN HAS ANOTHER WINNER!

From the beginning to the end, you cannot guess what's going to happen until you get there. The plot of this book isn't predictable and with the two narrators, it never gets dull. It was a pleasure to read and I couln't wait for the grownups to help the kids. I said te last because I felt I could without giving the plot away. It was a really fun journey.

Different from Suzanne's Other Work

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would definitely recommend this book - there was a lot going on. 3 separate romances, trying to figure out a new "world". I am not usually a fan of sci-fi but I really enjoyed this book and was disappointed when it ended - because it totally left us hanging and somewhat confused.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the vulnerability of the characters

Which scene was your favorite?

Can't really say without giving away too much

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Are you Greater than.........

Any additional comments?

Hated the ending - it just left you hanging. I realize there will probably be a sequel but I like the first book to actually have an ending. This had a to be continued.

One of Suzanne's Best

What made the experience of listening to Born to Darkness the most enjoyable?

So many twists and turns in the plot.

What other book might you compare Born to Darkness to and why?

This book brings the Troubleshooter's Series to the table.

Which scene was your favorite?

The 'waking up

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but impossible to do.

Any additional comments?

This could be as great a series as the Troubleshooters.

Great book & narrator - homophobes need not apply!

I???ve never read Suzanne Brockman before, but I liked the basic idea of the book, so I took a chance. So freakin??? glad I did. This book gives you three different romantic possibilities and artfully portrays the point of view of many of the book???s characters along the way. All of the homophobes out there can take a flying leap and move on to just another boring romance. This author took just as much care in portraying the emotional aspects of the homosexual relationship as the heterosexual relationships. I was emotionally involved in all of them and the author caught hold of my heart strings and tugged hard enough to make me tear up a few times. I will definitely try another book from this author. If you believe in love no matter what sex you???re attracted to and love a little kick-ass revolutionary paranormal storyline???you can???t go wrong. NOT the boring-hum-drum-same-old-story-line-and-characters and not everyone in the story ends up with the typical happy ending. Definitely one of the ten best I???ve ever downloaded from Audible.

Suzanne Brockmann at her best!

Would you listen to Born to Darkness again? Why?

Yes! I've already listened to it a second time. The story is terrifyingly plausible in its plot.

What did you like best about this story?

No one can give you an adrenaline rush like Suzanne Brockmann. She takes you from 0 to 100 miles an hour in seconds with heart pounding action and rapid-fire dialog. I met a whole new cast of characters of diverse paranormal talents from telepathy, telekinesis, to dream projections and beyond. But, most importantly, Suzanne Brockmann creates characters of toughness and tenderness, strength and vulnerability, integrity, tenacity and compassion. Characters I can't help but love. And woven into all this are three very sweet, very different, love stories. So I feel like I've been double (triple) dipping!

What does Melanie Ewbank and Patrick Lawlor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Patrick and Melanie are exceptionally talented narrators. They have the ability to increase the adrenaline by ramping up the action scenes and then dialing it way down for a tender love scene. Each character is infused with their own special personality. I don't know how they work their magic, but that's exactly what it is! They both seem to have a particular gift for understanding Suzanne Brockmann's wit and humor and give an excellent performance, especially in delivering the snappy dialog and the irreverent banter of the characters. In my opinion, Patrick Lawlor is one of the most gifted narrators available today. I will frequently shop for audiobooks by looking for what he has available. And I am so glad to see that Melanie Ewbank has returned. She is a strong and talented narrator and I look forward to hearing more of her work.

Any additional comments?

I loved Born To Darkness. I can't wait for the next installment in the Fighting Destiny series.

I loved the book.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book. It was a bit long in some places but worth it. I was a bit off on the things that happened in parts of the book. Such as graphic upsetting parts on what happened to the young girls. The graphic sex parts was fine with me as I have listened to other books by SB. I know some would find it too much. So it would be nice if audible would add something to say there is such things as graphic sex talk. Same sex love senese. So some people would know what's ahead for them. I was OK with all of it. And as always Suzanne Brockmann did not disapoint me.

Why two Narrators?

Would you try another book from Suzanne Brockmann and/or Melanie Ewbank and Patrick Lawlor ?

Author: yes...TWO Narrators? NO

Any additional comments?

The male narrator Patrick Lawlor when he gets excited sounds like the actor who plays 'Booger" in the "Revenge o the Nerds" movies, its REALLY annoying and why would you have two narrators? Just stick to one PLEASE its too darn confusing!

violent and disturbing

I wanted to like this, as I like much of her other work. However, the world, backstories, and current stories are full of such pervasive and heinous acts of malevolence and violence that it overwhelmed the story.

Way to start a new Series!

Where does Born to Darkness rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Among the top, as Brockmann is a favorite author, this is not surprising. What is, however, is the supernatural in the novel. I was a little leery of how it would work, but have to admit it was done to perfection. I hope to enjoy this new Series as much as I have the Trouble Shooters so far. I cannot wait until the next Fighting Destiny book is out.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted nothing more than to keep listening until the end in one sitting, but the story was too long for such an endeavor.

Brockman writes great sex scenes/gay & straight

My headline is a 'warning' for those readers who aren't familiar with Suzanne Brockmans hot writing. I've read all her "Troubleshooters" series and my favorite returning character was Jules, the gay FBI agent..and I'm a straight grandmother not a gay man. Still Brockman manages to put good enticing sex into an acceptable but stimulating manner for those of us who enjoy reading this type of fiction. If you find the thought of gay sex uncomfortable, this isn't a book for you. If you don't enjoy steamy hetero sex scenes this isn't a book for you. It's a key part of her writing and one those of us who do enjoy her work count on.

I'm thinking this is the start of a new series with a para-normal bent to it-and it's a good start. It introduces quite a few characters and begins several relationship lines, not all of which are finished in the book.

Character development is one of Brockmans key feature in her work-she made me interested in what happened to quite a few different characters and the primary non sexual plot line was well written..it kept my interest.

I'm looking forward to future Brockman books in this series-if she's new to you the "Troubleshooters" books are a great place to start-they are all 'Navy Seals retired and working as bodyguards' . These books give equal time to female servicewomen in many plot lines..this is another thing I like about Brockmans writing-she develops strong women who are competent. "Born to Darkness" has one such woman and I like the way she is written.

I recommend this book with those couple of caveats.