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All The Dramas that Unfurl
Dark Angel explores the relationship between Damon and Lilliana as Damon comes back from being undercover and evil forces threaten their relationship. What were some new ideas that you wanted to explore in this book that were different from book one?
I really enjoyed writing this sequel to The Given, where both Lilliana and Damon have grown as individuals as they experienced some pretty major events while they were separated. I wanted to explore the strengths of their existing relationship, and its endurance to overcome the evil forces that tried to interfere with their relationship as they explore moving forward as lovers whilst navigating highly demanding roles and all the dramas that unfurl constantly on The Given’s grounds. The main difference I wanted to explore between Dark Angel, and The Given, was to showcase Lilliana’s strength as a mature woman who was confident within herself and her role, compared to that of a frightened teenager who was still trying to figure out who she was.
Damon and Lilliana continue to be intriguing characters in this book. Was there anything from your own life that you used to inform their development or relationship?
Absolutely. I have been with my partner for twenty-seven years, and our love and respect for each other has only grown as the years pass. I think with real love, true love, you can overcome anything this world throws at you. And that is what I wanted to get across with Lilliana and Damon’s growing relationship; if they stand together, they will not only survive, but thrive.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
That is too difficult to answer. I always get a bit of a giggle when someone is in trouble, and an unassuming character steps in and saves the day. No spoilers here.
This is book two of The Given Trilogy. What can readers expect in book three?
We’ve all read plenty of trilogy’s that have blown our mind with each instalment, and also, those that we wished had of stopped at book one. My goal for each book in The Given Trilogy, was to give my readers more than what they could expect. Book Three, The Guardian certainly delivers that, and I have received fabulous feedback from some pretty awesome readers over the past ten months since The Guardian was released, expressing their sheer delight. Although, I was told one lady almost required Valium at one point! If readers enjoyed The Given, and Dark Angel…they are going to LOVE The Guardian.
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world full of despicable mayhem. Partly to help the Officials eliminate an Underworld
narcotics epidemic, partly to escape his lust and overwhelming desire for Lilliana.
Existing day to day without him, Lilliana completes her studies, to then thrive in her role as a
leading therapist offering support to the mentally and physically wounded souls the outside
world has delivered to them. Between a hectic schedule, expected from the establishment, to
juggling free time with her friends, life flowed around her in a complex, yet meaningful way
as the years passed, longing for Damon’s return.
Five years undercover can do a lot to a man who had to fully commit himself to his role in
order to convince the black minds of society he was one of them. When Damon returns,
Lilliana hardly recognises the dangerous and unpredictable man who stands before her, but
when her eyes meet his, questions of who the man he has become, fade as memories of the
past ignite more than just an inferno of feelings.
Can Damon overcome the abuse he subjected himself, and others to whilst undercover, and
Can Lilliana forgive him his crimes? Just when they are so close to coming together, evil
forces weave their sticky web of destruction. Will they be able to finally overcome these
dangerous hurdles, or will they once again be forced miles apart?
Dark Angel
![Dark Angel: Book 2 of The Given Trilogy by [Mickey Martin]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41cqw5Q2vML.jpg)
Dark Angel is the second book in The Given trilogy by Mickey Martin. The story brings us back into the mysterious world of Lilliana and her adventures within The Given institution- a place designed for victims of violent crimes to heal and find their new life purposes. The first book focuses on Lilliana’s background, recovery journey, and friendships. This time it’s more centered on her budding romance with tall, mystifying, and shockingly handsome Damon, the leader of the facility. The novel opens where the first ended, with Damon leaving suddenly after professing his love for Lilliana, to go on a dangerous undercover mission. Five painful years pass and he finally returns and our narrative unfurls.
The book follows a structure that is not simply beginning, middle, and ending, as the story is peppered with many miscellaneous events. I think this writing style feels far more realistic as it mirrors that of real-life, so I really liked this choice. The background events help to enrich and diversify the classic love story narrative and make it seem less repetitive.
This book upholds the fantastic writing standard of Martin’s previous work, continuing to be vividly descriptive and captivating. Characters and settings are depicted beautifully and the attention to detail is outstanding. Yet this novel felt quite different to the prior, due to having a rather different tone. The first book was dark and thrilling whereas Dark Angel takes a softer romance-based approach centered on Lilliana and Damon’s growing affection. Therefore I feel it would be more appropriate to label this as a dark-romance with a hint of erotica; the couple’s sex life being a large aspect of the story’s narrative. If you enjoy these genres, you will undoubtedly adore this book, but this is less of a thriller as the first book was. Having read about the characters in the first novel in such great detail, it was interesting to see them interact once again within a new narrative. Because this story is focused on Damon and Lilliana, the other characters I’ve grown attached to in the first book don’t get as much attention as our two main characters.
Dark Angel continues the riveting story from book one and adds a refreshing element of romance that make this novel feel different but equally as rousing as the first.
Pages: 358 | ASIN: B085VJX2VJ
LITERARY TITAN 