Book Review: Out of the Darkness by Katy Hogan.

Release Date: 6th July 2015.

Publisher: Illumine publishing.

Twitter: @katyhogan

Don't you just love it when you are pleasantly surprised? I have to admit, that was me with this book by Katy Hogan. I don't want to say that I thought I wouldn't get into it but upon reading the blurb, I wasn't sure it would be my cup of tea. What's that famous saying...oh yes, never judge a book by it's cover or in this case blurb, as I can happily tell you all, I absolutely loved it.

I read it in 3 days as I quite literally couldn't put it down. My husband kept prodding me to spend time with him..."Please, just one more chapter" was my reply! It is now currently sat on my Mother's bedside table, as I am certain she will love it too!*

In this book, we meet Jessica, who is very sad and depressed after losing her mum, at first, I worried that this was going to make it hard to get into the book as she is very snappy and miserable towards everything and everyone. The more you read though, the more you realize just how well Katy Hogan gets across the sadness that would obviously ensue after you loose your Mother, as gradually we see the happy, kind person that Jessica truly is! Certain events unfold in her life that give her something to live for and she begins to see a future past the heartbreak and sadness. As these events take place, Jessica meets Hannah and Alex, two people that are heaven sent, if you will. It seems that there is a supernatural power connecting all three girls together and when they need it most!

I loved how Jessica, Hannah and Alex's lives intertwined, I loved the way I couldn't guess where the story was going and how certain events caught me completely by surprise. I enjoyed seeing Jessica grow and smile again, Hannah stand up for herself and Alex find friendship and peace!

The Supernatural element was the part I thought would disconnect me from truly getting into the story, when in actual fact, it was the part I loved the most and kept me turning the pages. It wasn't too out there for me as my Mum loves the medium shows on TV and I have sat and watched a few with her. Sometimes I have mixed emotions on the subject but when it gives people closure and can mean they get on with their lives happily, like in this story, I want to believe in it very much.

"Out of the Darkness," is both a sad and happy story. It deals with the most common of fears, Death and what happens once you pass. However, it is also a story of friendship, motherhood, new beginnings, forgiveness and love and I would highly recommend it to anyone! This is Katy Hogan's first book, so I very much look forward to following her career to see what she enlightens us with next! :)

Before I tell you where you can buy this wonderful book, I am going to leave you with a quote that I liked very much from it...

"And just as we can take from a flame to light more candles, without diminishing the original flame, so too a person can give of him or herself, touching many lives without ever being diminished."

Make sure you pick up a copy of 'Out of the Darkness,' you will be glad you did.

*Sure enough my Mum did read this book after me and I was right, she loved it. In fact that might be an understatement. She had me buy several copies and proceeded to go round our neighborhood giving them to everyone and told all of her friends to read it! She was obsessed and still talks about it being made into a movie! 

Happy Reading.

Love