Books
Dark Side of Valor
When she is summoned to Washington to serve on a committee that aids the children of a war-torn African nation, Lelia is kidnapped and becomes a political pawn in an evil conspiracy. Oceans away from everything she knows, she must trust a mercenary to save her life, or die in the clutches of a psychopath.
Hunting, combat and staying alive are Elijah Dune’s specialties. Vengeance is his passion. Haunted by past demons, he’s travels to the Mother Land to collect a debt. A debt that demands one payment. Death.
Caught in the crosshairs of a madman, Lelia and Elijah must survive the jungles of Zaire and the horrors of their pasts or be forever consumed by the DARK SIDE OF VALOR.
Chapter Excerpt
Pain played just below the surface of Lelia’s stare. Sadness, despair seeped from her stiff body, stroked Joella.
Joella opened her mouth, then closed it. No amount of talking would ease the look fixed on Lelia’s face. Joella knew better. She’d seen that same look reflected in her own mirror. She’d lived in the same hell many times herself, almost didn’t get out.
Life, cruel and hard, must have whipped up on Lelia, made her draw inside herself like a cornered hare drawn inside its burrow. Best thing to do was leave her be, for now. A burrow was the safest place for her.
Joella was an expert on safe burrows. They made life endurable, harbored your mind, saved you from going mad.
A lifetime ago, they were the only way she’d survived. She used to fill her burrows with rainbows, magic dragons and pretty horned horses. All the things her daddy used to spin tales about before he’d tuck her into bed. She hadn’t needed safe burrows when Mama and Daddy were around. But all that vanished when they left.
For a while, Grandma Dell was all she had. Until Cousin Daryl came sniffing around, hard on his luck. Evil took the form of that hard-on-his-luck doper.
Joella thought hell was missing her parents. Cousin Daryl had other thoughts of hell. He shared them with her daily.
Open-handed cuffs across the face, kicks to the ribs. The thrashings. Still, no hell he executed terrorized her more than the darkness.
Cousin Daryl always locked her alone. In the darkness.
Grandma Dell tried to stop him, but he hit her, too, forced her in her room.
Joella could still hear Grandma calling through her bedroom door, begging him to stop. She still felt fire scorch her skull from his fingers clenched in her hair, still remembered half screeching, half choking on fear as he drug her to the barn. Taught her her lesson.
Sprawled on her stomach, her back ripped raw. Tears puddled mud under her cheek. Dirt and sweat throbbed in her busted lip. Blood and bile sullied her tongue. Unable to move, she lay in the blackness, hushed her sobs, scared he’d hear. Scared he’d come back to teach her more lessons. Those were the times her safe burrows surrounded her, pressed insanity to the fringes of her mind.
One night she ran away from Cousin Daryl while he was sleeping off a high. She’d helped Grandma Dell to Granddad’s old truck, and drove off. Her feet barely reached the pedals. They hit a couple of ditches, but they’d made it.
A family friend in the next county took them in. For a few weeks hell disappeared. It resurfaced when Cousin Daryl tracked them down.
Joella took off, never looked back.
Some nights Cousin Daryl still found her, stole into her dreams, locked her in darkness. Memories of Daddy or Mama didn’t keep him from hurting her, remembering Grandma Dell’s kind words didn’t hold him at bay. Only Lelia’s soft voice broke through the death dream to save her.
Now Lelia needed saving.
Her friend knelt in front of the candlelit muffin. Zombified, she stared at the burning wick.
Comfort was the only thing Joella could offer. She shrugged the rough quilt off her shoulders, wrapping them both in it. She rocked like Grandma Dell used to do. It felt like forever. The hardwood dug into her knees, the candle burned, she kept rocking.
For once, Lelia needed her. No matter what, she’d be Lelia’s light, ’cause no one should be left in the darkness.
PRAISE FOR AWARD WINNING AUTHOR ALICIA SINGLETON
A Spellbinding and Intoxicating Must Read!Singleton deftly crafts a most interesting and complex storyline. She writes with the most magnificent prose that locks the reader in–hook, line and sinker. As I turned the pages, I was often wondering what would happen next and was pleasantly surprised at each outcome. It was as if the chapters left me on the edge of my seat, hungry to engross in more of the story. Not only were action and drama prominently present throughout the story, but a hint of romance that leads to an overall intriguing novel.
Readers, who love to be challenged, entertained, and to read a story that will remain with them long after the final page is turned, will not want to miss this novel! If I could give this novel more than 5 stars, I gladly would. Singleton has definitely solidified her place as a strong, emerging literary voice with this debut novel.
Angelique, Apooo Book Club
A Single Saga Brought To Light. I completely lost myself within this book. Emotions ran rampart as I found myself caught up in the moment where tears flowed freely and allowed me to interject myself wholly into Lelia’s pysche for understanding. The compelling nature of this story is underlined when Lelia refuses to give up her aspirations of a better life despite having to witness and be party to the despair that controls her mother’s life. With continued consternation, Lelia decides to run away from home and discover that life on the street is more than she bargained for. But like others who embrace an idea and turn it into a defined signature, she challenges and thrives to beat the odds that for some reason seem to elude her no matter what choice she makes for the good.
What I liked about the author’s choice in her writing style was the way in which she captured your attention to want to keep the book in your hand. In doing this she allowed each chapter to end with a cliffhanger type effect to entice one to not abandon this tale. To add intrigue to this storyline was the introduction of different scenarios sending the heroine to such outposts as Zaire, where she meets the protagonistic Elijah Dune, a lothesome man with a mean steak of hate and a revengeful disposition. Ironically, this pair end up unwittingly fighting a battle side by side a dual enemy with pretentions of past and present dire straits that has the power to destroy them both. Albeit, Lelia holds on to show why the Dark Side Of Valor is not an oxymoron, but a way to a justified means. You will not be disappointed in reading this book!
Alvin C. Romer, The Romer Review
A Heroine To Cheer For!A fast paced novel, the reader is immediately pulled into the story. Ms. Singleton has created characters that not only make their way into reader’s hearts, but will stay there long after the final page has turned.
Donna Bolk, Award Winning Author
By far one of the best suspense novels. Ever!!!Bravo! Alicia Singleton sweeps the reader away in her debut novel. It’s hard to believe that this is her first. Dark Side Of Valor is by far one of the best suspense novels I’ve ever read, and Ms Singleton is without question an exceptional writer. From beginning to end, she grips her reader’s attention and holds it until the very last dot on the last page. I would love to see Dark Side of Valor on the big screen.
The story of Lelia Freeman’s journey to triumph over her hideous past is both suspenseful and heartwarming. The fearless child advocate learns from her own experiences as a runaway how to survive even the jungles of Zaire. This story takes on many unexpected turns and twists that will intrigue the reader to no end. Dark Side of Valor will remain in your heart forever… It is a must read–most definitely top shelf.
Donna Patton, We Are Fearless
Fantastic Read !This book catches your attention from the very first page. The author ends each chapter with a cliffhanger enticing the reader to read on and on. Strong black women is the theme throughout this book as well as how in an instant your life can dramatically change. Alicia Singleton writes a novel that draws attention to the problems of teenage runaways and how love and kindness can turn a life around. The main character, Lelia, takes many paths in her life but it is her determination, persistence and faith that makes this character shine throughout the book. The “Blue Mug Buddies” of Refuge Church Ministry highly recommend this book especially to young adults. It is only through the grace of God that keeps us.
Cheryl Walker, Blue Mug Buddy Book Club
Singleton creatively weaves words of intrigue in this, her debut novel. The reader will move effortlessly from page to page to uncover cleaver plots that beg the question, ‘What happens next?’ Powerful prose from an anointed, emerging literary voice.
Tonya Marie Evans, FYOS Entertainment, LLC
Alicia Singleton’s debut novel is a definite page-turner that touches the heart.
Chandra Sparks Taylor, Author/Editorial Consultant
Dark Side exposes a shining star in Alicia Singleton. Although the topic of teenage runaways and homeless youth might seem a little “dark”, Alicia Singleton nonetheless depicts this story of triumph with grace and style. Alicia’s first novel is a poetic depiction of the horrors of life on the street and the pain associated with broken hearts and lost hopes. This tale spans from the east coast of North America to the Ivory Coast of Africa and begins with the story of a young girl who decides her dreams are too precious to waste in a broken down New York apartment with her alcoholic mother. She eventually finds herself living on the street, fighting off the predators that feed on young girls for sex and money. The story transposes into one of change and triumph when the main character, Lelia, turns her life around ten years later to work with runaways and homeless youth. Eventually Lelia becomes entangled in an international plot by an African leader fueled by his own greed and at the expense of hundreds of African youths. This book is very well written, drawing its reader in more and more with each twist and turn of the story line. With a dramatic surprise ending, Alicia Singleton has made a lasting impression with this first novel. A must read for book clubs and avid readers. Bravo.
D. Hamilton
