Shadows From The Past

By Darren G. Burton

When Kate's crazed and jilted ex boyfriend tracks her down after months apart, he starts stalking her. Fearing for her safety and not receiving adequate help from the police, Kate hires the services of private detective David Slade to protect her. Together they formulate a plan to solve her problem once and for all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Darren G. Burton
• Release date: May 22, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458061010

Darren G. Burton

I have been a writer for over 30 years. I've written numerous full length works of fiction and non-fiction, as well as many short stories and [e-mail]

Book preview

Shadows From The Past

Darren G. Burton

Published by Darren G. Burton at Smashwords

Copyright © 2011 Darren G. Burton

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

The Author asserts the moral right to

be identified as the author of this work

Cover Design: Darren G. Burton

Shadows From The Past

It started three days ago when Kate had found a hand-written note on her car windscreen. It said simply:

I’m watching you

Those three words had sent shivers of fear all through her. She knew who it was from. It was a day she’d been dreading for months; one she hoped would never happen but always knew deep down that it probably would.

The next evening she awoke in the middle of the night, sure she’d heard someone trying to force her bedroom window open. She hadn’t been game to go near it and look. In fact, she hadn’t got out of bed at all. It was at that moment that she wished she owned a gun. Kate did keep a knife in the drawer next to her bed, but what good would that do against him? She was no match for his physical strength and aggression. Most likely the knife would be turned on her, stabbing her into oblivion.

Nothing had happened the following day and evening, but maybe that had something to do with her report to the police, and the patrol car that regularly cruised by her house that night. The only place she felt safe and secure right now was at work, on the top floor of an eight storey office building with security guards galore downstairs and patrolling the corridors twenty-four-seven.

Maybe she should move into the building for a while until it was safe to be back at home?

If that time ever came.

Truth be known she hadn’t really felt safe for months, not since she’d fled town in search of a new beginning; a better existence. But the

Reviews for Shadows From The Past

[maryannb1964 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Synopsis: ..."It is the price you pay for choosing to be a cop. Your brother's life..." Those words haunt her dreams and her waking moments. LAPD officer, Aurora Kavvan cannot rest until she finds her brothers killer. Digging into the past always brings back unpleasant things: memories, guilt...the hitman. Now she is in a race against time to find the murderer before he finds her. ͞Kill her. I don͛t care how, and I don͛t care where, but I want her dead now! Someone was trying to kill his dead partner͛s sister. FBI agent, Jordan Reiley will stop at nothing to protect the woman he loves. Even if it means going against her wishes; putting himself between her and the man who murdered her brother. Will God keep them alive long enough for them to find the truth?






My Thoughts: This is an action-packed thriller! This is the story of Aurora, has some issues from her past that keep coming back in her dreams, but she won't stop looking for the man who killed her brother.


This book has a clear message that God is there for you, especially in the hard times. That we can't do everything on our own, that we do need to give our troubles to God. It's a book about forgiveness, and not rushing into judgments of other people.


I enjoyed this novel, it was full of adventure, romance, and mystery. It was easy to follow along and the characters were wonderful. Some people may not notice quickly, but the main character Aurora suffers from PTSD; the nightmares, pushing people away all are part of it, and I believe that the author did a wonderful job bringing this forward. I did enjoy that she began to trust again, both in her friends and in God.


This was an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading the next books in the series... so look for the upcoming reviews of the shadow series.

[eamace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For one who normally reads historical fiction, this book could get me to change my mind...at least some of the time. This is definitely a page-turner, nail-biting type of story which I enjoyed very much. Aurora is undercover with the LAPD, working to bring down a drug lord. When her brother is shot and killed, and it seems to be related to her work, she blames herself for his death. The guilt burrows deep into her life affecting relationships with those she loves. Only with forgiveness can she learn what is really going on and close the case.I received this ebook through CelebrateLit and this review gives my personal impressions and opinions.

[love2readnovels_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Aurora Kavvan, an LAPD officer, is continually haunted by the death of her FBI brother, Lance. She blames herself because not only was he killed before her very eyes, but with her gun. This guilt caused her to break her engagement with her fiance, Jordon Reiley, who also was her brother's partner and best friend. When Aurora's partner and best friend Joe is shot while on a stake-out, and another attempt is made on Aurora's life, Jordon comes to comfort her and protect her. Together they try to find who's responsible and also bring down a drug lord they've been after for years. But they find a lot more than they bargained for.I have not read anything by this author before but I really did enjoy this story. It had action, suspense and romance. It definitely kept me turning pages. I enjoyed all the characters in this story and would really like to see another book about Jordon's brother. The Reiley family was really great! Aurora was a little frustrating in the beginning of the story. I totally understood the guilt of what happened to her brother but it seemed a little unnatural for a police officer to continue with that type of "guilt-ridden" behavior. Once that gets ironed out it starts getting good. The story had a lot of narration to it where I wish there had been more dialog between the characters. The dialog that was there was great. Overall Shadows From the Past was a good story with an timely message of forgiveness. Something we all need to be reminded of. I look forward to hopefully seeing more by this author.

[judyg54 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a story for me that I couldn't put down until I had it read. It kept me reading from the very first action packed scene, wanting to see what was going to happen next.Aurora Kavven is a LAPD officer who is haunted with dreams of watching her brother Lance die before her very eyes. She has let it destroy her relationship with her once upon a time fiancee and her relationship with her God. But when she suddenly becomes a target herself she finds herself face to face once again with her God and with her former fiancee, FBI agent Jordan Reiley. Jordan will do anything to keep Aurora safe.This was a fast paced, "who did it" story line, with alot of heart felt feelings from both Jordan and Aurora that I really appreciated. You will want to definately give yourself some time when you start reading, because it is a hard book to put down. I would love to see more stories written about some of the other characters in this story!

[dolphinchick · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book very much! It was really well written .. good suspense .. made you keep moving forward because you needed to know the explanation! It also had a very positive message woven throughout! It was nice that it had some romance & chemistry but done very cleanly & respectfully! But there was no denying the connection which was great!! I look forward to finishing the second book to learn even more about this amazing family! Thanks!

[avry15 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

..Joe had looked him in the eye and asked a simple question that had cleared everything up for him. It was actually a very simple question. He’d asked, “Do you believe that God is sovereign and knows what is best for His children?” Jordan had been quick to answer yes and Joe had in his quiet way asked, “Then why do you wonder if you could have changed what was already God’s will? If God hadn’t wanted Lance to come home, to be with Him, then Lance would still be here with us, but you’ve just admitted to me that God knows what is best, so don’t blame yourself, understand that your best friend is in a much better place…This excerpt is just one of the best lines I’ve ever read in this book and maybe in all the books I’ve read. It left me pondering and evaluating my own decisions in life and just how much my faith is in God.Shadows from the Past is a story of a CIA agent Aurora who was once a devoted-believer but when her brother and FBI agent Lance died, she losses everything, even herself and her own faith. She turns away from God, from her fiancé Jordan and from her friends.This book is all about finding yourself back to God and accepting the past and moving on. This is also a good book for those who had lose a loved one, for it definitely describes the experience and gives comfort and acceptance to those who were left.I salute Miss Witters for writing a novel which is based on faith. A well-written and inspiring read, and more importantly a book for the soul. :)This is a wonderful read, a fusion of faith, romance, mystery and a li’l bit of action. You’ll find yourself in the middle of family, friends, couple and personal issues. You’ll learn about forgiving, believing and loving others. I highly recommend this book, it’s worth of your time.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book I have read by this author, and it kept me page turning, and once I began I finish in one day, it was that good!The author quickly had me walking in LAPD officer Aurora Kavvan shoes, and you almost feel her guilt, but we find evil at work here.What a journey you are about to begin, with seems like non-stop action, and most you will not see coming, or who is really involved here.There is a bit of sweet romance, and a lot of loving friends and family, and most share a love of the Lord.I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a wonderful suspenseful story. I loved the timing of Aurora and Jordan. They were wonderful characters. There was so much suspense and intrigue throughout this story. I did not want to put this book down. I look forward to many more books in this series that will hopefully feature Jordan’s family members. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[amandawrites_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Is it possible to change God's will?

Aurora watches in disbelief as a lone gunman fires at her beloved brother. Unable to help him, she sinks into a pit of despair and loneliness, turning her back on everyone that cares for her. Including God.

Faced with some tough questions, like is it okay to keep living, is she betraying the dead if she doesn't find his killer, and is it okay to love again when she feels so very unlovable, follow along as she manages to remember that God is the One Who is truly in control and yes ~ life is for the living, and is not to be confused with forgetting. Life is a gift, and with the help of FBI agent Jordan, she will learn a most important lesson.

As it is getting more and more difficult to find a good, clean and fulfilling read, this is one that I enjoyed. Contemporary without having to worry if it's too edgy to allow my younger children to read.

[harley0326 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It is not easy being a police officer and there is danger lurking everyday as they go out to protect us. Aurora is a tough woman determined to find out who killed her brother five years ago. I love her fierce strength and never give up attitude. When her life is in danger, her ex-fiance comes to protect her. I was a bit discouraged at how much the author focused on Aurora at times and didn't seem to solve any of her inner turmoil. I understand that her brother was murdered but I wanted more realistic emotions from her. It was no surprise that Aurora and Jordan would try to rekindle their relationship and I wanted the author to not focus on that so much.Jordan is a great FBI agent and has been haunted by his breakup with Aurora. I wasn't surprised that an ex would be the one to protect Aurora and that became kind of the theme of the book. Too many predictable plots and way too much "poor me" moments for my taste. One redeeming quality was the scriptures the author uses and how the characters saw the need to turn to Him.The basic story line is finding Lance's killer who in turn will be the ones after Aurora and Jordan. It was a huge buildup to the suspect, but I knew it was going to be someone close to Aurora. I couldn't quite get how she suddenly discovered who it was by re reading her report. What did someone try to hide that she suddenly found by shear luck? I did like the way the author showed how people can deceive you even when you think they are like family. It shows how we can all fall for a lie, but it's up to us to forgive them. I don't want readers to think this is not a good book to try out. I did like the intense scenes at the end and the way the characters each had to decide to forgive the person who had betrayed them. I was disappointed in how the dirty cop was "taken down." There could have been so many different ways to write that scene, but for a first book it was not surprising. I am going to read her other book and see if her writing skills have changed. It's not a bad first attempt and I will be anxious to see what she has in store in the next book.I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion."Everything is in God's hands."