reviews

"Obviously, we can expect wonderful stories from Ms. DeSantis, so had better keep a close eye on her. Or you will miss out on a fantastic story teller."

2 August, 2007
by: Pamela Jenewein, a dedicated reader and
reviewer for Romance at Heart Publications

The characters are true, giving a touching, honest portrayal of Maci and Steve’s difficulties. Although natural problems, Ms. DeSantis makes them seem unique to this couple. Still their matrimonial happiness and parenthood anxiety hands over a tranquil though sweet story, amid the trials and tribulations. A severe snowstorm welcomes Maci and Steve’s twins into the world, having delivered them at home since not able to travel to the hospital. Soon after, she begins to experience post partum depression. She fights the stigma of depression more than the symptoms of depression and its cause. The behavioral change clearly apparent Maci sees her doctor who stresses some quiet time away from babies and home. Even enduring these hormone highs and lows, adapting to the dynamics of caring for twins, including the threat of an affair, Maci remains resilient, holding steadfast to an inner power fueled by her husband and family’s unassuming support. It’s obvious that through it all Steve and Maci are strengthen by the experiences, ensuring a strong relationship foundation.
The following events are what makes this story wholly unique, turning this charming romance to a poignant tale. Those never experiencing it can only imagine the loss of loved ones, but Ms. DeSantis’ shines as she allows the reader to deeply feel Maci’s emotional and physical pain. Her strong resolve greatly tested as those dreams of a perfect suburbia life is shattered. An insensible act though innocent enough causes her to loose two of the most important people in her life. Unable to cope any longer, Maci plummets into hopelessness, wondering how her life got so out of control. All the bad that could possibly happen seems to occur all at once in her life. However, her choice of solace, alcohol and self-pity, may very well cause her to loose that last spark of hope that could pull her out of the dismal darkness…her daughter, Regan. Although, standing just off to the side is a man who literally knows her pain, and the paths she may take when desperate for relief. Some are good, but some are not so good. With Dr. Tad’s guidance, Maci can climb out of the dark emotional abyss - but she must at least try.
A dramatic, at times sad story, She Cries in the Dark, self-published through Lulu, beautifully portrays the living sequence of a young woman’s existence, facing life’s moments of harmony and anguish, that eventually leads up to the horror that every parent fears. Stout characters support this smooth, tangible plot, providing a fantastic and engaging read. Grab tissues and a carton of your favorite ice cream as this genuine contemporary will tug at your emotions, making your eyes water.

Feb. 7, 2009
THE OTHER SIDE OF YOU

Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5 Cups

"The author took a unique path in writing this story because the romance really takes second place to the relationship between the mistress and the wife. Although an unusual twist on a love story, it made the book all the more interesting to read. I commend the author on her ability to detail the pain of everyone involved and show that not all women become bitter from betrayal. The Other Side of You is a moving experience and should not be missed."

Morgan Whitley unknowingly became the other woman when she fell in love with Jason Moore. She met Jason in a London hotel and for the next four years loved him deeply until his untimely death. Through it all, Jason’s best friend, Jack, has stood by her and supported her in her grieving process.
Jack Turner is secretly in love with Morgan and is unsure how to handle his feelings. He has always hated that Jason was too much of a coward to leave his wife and become a true husband to Morgan. Now, he must help two women deal with the aftermath of Jason’s death.
Morgan and Jack will face more than just the fallout of Jason’s death because Morgan soon finds that she is carrying the only hope Jason’s son Keegan has of surviving leukemia. Morgan and Bree, Jason's widow, learn to come to terms with Jason’s deceit and under the watchful eye of Jack, become friends joined by their children from Jason. Jack is patient but soon he must reveal his feelings for Morgan as they are becoming stronger every day.

Delane
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance and More

The Other Side of You - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat

Every emotion has an opposite - love/hate, happy/sad, pleasure/pain, honest/dishonest - and there is a fine line that separates each of these emotions. In 'The Other Side of You' Debi DeSantis brings all of these emotions together in one heart warming story.

Morgan is an interior designer who has her dreams and future in her hands. She has the perfect world - so she thinks. Bree is the country club mother of two who also has the perfect world - so she thinks. And Jason is an airline pilot that travels to the most beautiful cities in the world and has the perfect world - so he thinks. But when these three perfect worlds come together they start to crumble as the emotions of hate, sadness, pain and dishonesty enter into their lives. There is only one way to put these lives back together and that is through a miracle provided by God.

As you follow their lives, ask yourself a question... "Would I have done the anything different?" This is a book that you will not only enjoy but remember for a long time.

Maci Sullivan is living the life of - well, a romance novelist heroine: she falls in love at first sight with the ruggedly handsome Steve, marries him after a two-year idyllic courtship, and begins a life of bliss she knows countless others only dream of. Having come from an upscale background with parents catering to her every whim, she couldn't imagine her life getting any better - but, through his undying devotion to her, Steve soon sees to it that things only get better and better for them both.

Of course, like sunny days, every marriage has its dark clouds, and Maci and Steve's is no different. During an increasingly difficult pregnancy with twins, Maci nearly loses Steve one night when he accidentally falls and strikes his head on the bathroom sink. Following a brief - and scary - bout with amnesia, Steve makes a full recovery, but then Maci goes into sudden labor during an ice storm, forcing her to deliver the babies at home - and almost losing one of them in the process. Shortly after recovering from that scare, Maci then slips into postpartum depression, threatening her bond with both the children and Steve himself. To top it all off, Steve eventually becomes increasingly attracted to a co-worker, almost committing the unthinkable right under Maci's suspecting nose...

The loving couple perseveres, though, and just when it seems that marital bliss has returned to stay - they suffer the worst tragedy any parent could imagine: their son, Josh, is critically wounded after being run over by none other than Steve himself. The fact that it was a complete accident is of no consolation; in fact, only one day after Josh ultimately dies from his wounds, Steve, unable to forgive himself for the death of his own child, takes his own life as well. Understandably, Maci is crushed, and eventually can't stop herself from slipping into an alcohol-induced depression from which she sees no escape.

Her troubles don't end there, though; after her daughter, Regan, also suffers a life-threatening accident, Maci must decide whether to continue her downward spiral into a dark world of self-pity or finally come to her senses and start to put the pieces of her life together again.

She Cries In The Dark reads like the biblical book of Job: no matter how bad things in Maci's life keep getting, you find yourself cringing anew every time something worse happens - and you can't help wondering why. Maci is not an evil, selfish person, and she goes out of her way to be as accommodating to others as she can, so to witness her suffer heartbreak after heartbreak sometimes makes you wonder what the point of being good is after all.

The strength of DeSantis's tale, though, lies in reassuring the reader that, no matter how bad things get, blessings still eventually come - and often when we least expect them. As Maci begins to turn her life around, the right people and events always seem to come into it at just the right time, giving her just enough strength to make it time after time, and warming your heart along the way.

In She Cries In The Dark, DeSantis does a great job of presenting a touching testament to the resiliency of the human spirit, and, in so doing, she gives inspiration to any and everyone who may find themselves in situations just like Maci's: tears may fall in the temporary darkness that surrounds us, but the light of dawn brings joy and new hope for permanently brighter days.

Maci Sullivan meets and marries the man of her dreams. Two years later they have twins, a boy and a girl. Maci has it all, a great husband, two wonderful children and a huge house. One day takes away all she holds dear, making life a living hell.
Steven Sullivan works hard and goes to school so that he can get the house his wife wants plus provide for his family. Steven works for a great company and has a great life, until a unfortunate accident changes both their lives forever.
She Cries In The Dark is a book about coping and living through major tragedies. How one women gets through it all with the help of family and another man who went through similar circumstances.

Ms. Desantis’ story is amazingly realistic. She weaves the story along as though she is watching it all instead of writing it. Her details about Maci’s feelings and actions are what you would expect in real life. I was so sad while reading I had to take breaks. Her book gives hope to those who have gone through major life changes, that they can get through with faith and not to give up. Readers looking for a contemporary that is not full of comedy have to check out this incredible book!