It's 1962. A small-town Florida pastor starts asking questions about missing young women. He should have stopped asking. A Christian suspense thriller and standalone prequel to the Light of the Ark series — no spoilers, read it anytime.
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For readers who can't get enough of thrillers and suspense, with a Christian twist, Sea of Darkness will have you hooked from the first page. It's 1962, and Isaiah and Rebecca Light have built a small, yet steadily growing church in the North Florida area, living a quiet life devoted to worshiping God. But their lives are changed forever when Isaiah's father, Michael, passes down the family Bible that holds an ancient secret. When a mysterious young leader shows up to Isaiah's youth group drunk, searching for a girl who never showed up, Isaiah begins to untangle a web of lies that lead to car crashes, arrests, and a body count of innocent young women. Will Isaiah be able to save the girl and protect his church from the evil in the world that threatens to consume them? If you enjoyed Ted Dekker's Circle Trilogy, you won't want to miss Sea of Darkness. Buy now before the price changes! Read this stand-alone prequel at any time in the Light of the Ark series to learn about the history of Isaiah and Rebecca Light and the mysterious artifact Isaiah's father passed down to him. This book contains NO spoilers for the rest of series. What readers are saying about the series: "This story had what looked like magic, but it really is the hand of God." "A glimpse into the supernatural realm that a true believing family faces." "Every chapter made me want to keep reading and loved the ending!" "This is a fantastic book!" Enjoy a sample of Isaiah Light and the Sea of Darkness! Chapter 1 - Michael's Gift Isaiah struggled to catch his breath. Sweat and blood rolled down his face, dripping off his nose into the hot sand that now caked his hands. The last kick had forced all his air out as he gasped to bring it back. Pushing up, he slowly moved off the ground. “Go ahead, GET UP!” TTTHHUUDD Another kick came hard and fast to his midsection and searing pain remained where his ribs were cracking. Raising one hand to protect his head, he saw Jimmy, his closest friend, lying motionless twenty yards away, blood pooling around his arm and head where two deep gashes were opened. Jimmy needed medical attention, and so did Isaiah. The attacker switched back and forth from kicking to pushing with the bottom of their shoe, using it to shove Isaiah. He pushed at his head and shoulders, moving him closer to the busy road ahead of them. “I knew this day would come,” the voice standing over Isaiah said. TTTHHUUDD Another kick now came to the head. Isaiah’s arm absorbed part of the blow, but the impact to his skull left him dazed as if a grenade went off nearby and stunned his senses. “You just had to keep asking questions about Joan, then Gary, and then Barbara. You just couldn’t accept the answers.” The voice was muffled in Isaiah’s ringing ear. Isaiah felt so naive. All this time, the common thread of all the hurt people. It was right in front of him, but he didn’t see it. He’d underestimated the evil in the world. He thought those involved were looking out for the kids, keeping their interests in line with their own. How wrong he had been. This wasn’t human nature or self-preservation. This was evil in human form. It was preying on the young adults of the community. Who knew how many bodies it racked up as it fulfilled its pleasures. There were seven that the police knew about, maybe more they didn’t. And now Jimmy and Isaiah were being added to that list. TTTHHUUDD Isaiah winced at the pain. He had to stand up. He had to help Jimmy. He couldn’t let this evil go on. He had to return to Rebecca. She would be next on the list if he didn’t survive. He struggled to get to his feet as another kick hit his midsection. TTTHHUUDD “You want to get up? Go ahead, GET UP!” Another kick came, not giving Isaiah a chance to get to his feet. Toying with him. Pushing him toward the road. As he guarded his head against the blows, he realized his Bible was underneath him. He had it when the surprise attack first hit Jimmy and then turned to Isaiah before he could respond. He unconsciously held on to it, protected it, and now still had it through his struggle. The ancient artifact held in the book’s bindings glowed, catching Isaiah’s eyes. If he died, he would never be able to talk to his father about it. Isaiah knew too much for his attacker to let him live. He was too much of a threat. And Jimmy now knew as well, so he was now in the same boat as Isaiah, floating on the sea of darkness. If Isaiah couldn’t fight back, he would be killed, and the attacker would finish Jimmy off, then move on to Rebecca. Another push from his attacker's leg, inching Isaiah closer to the busy highway road ahead. Trees and overgrown shrubs blocked the view of the road but the sounds of engines roaring past filled the air as they inched closer. His eyes caught the Bible again. In the scramble of the attack, he instinctively protected the book, but as his senses dulled from the kicks, he now saw the glowing light. The light took all his attention. The blows came harder and faster; he was now on the last patch of dirt before a drop to the shoulder, hidden from the cars as they sped past. “Still can’t GET UP?” Tim shouted as he raised his elbow. Isaiah didn’t hear the attacker scream at him or feel another rib break as an elbow dropped on his back, snapping bone. He was being pulled off the ground so he could be thrown into the road. The busy road with the deceiving turn. The same turn that nearly took Gary’s and Barbara’s lives. As the attacker pulled Isaiah up, his Bible and the warm glow gave him strength. His resolve sharpened. He had been protecting the book. Protecting the millennia-old glowing gold piece of cherub wing that was hidden in the bindings. In the chaos of the moment, the book seemed to speak to him. To teach him what he never grasped on his own. He had been protecting the book, but he was never meant to protect the book. The book was meant to protect him. It was his weapon against the evils of this world. The last seven days were his education, his preparation for the coming fight.
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.6 / 5 from 81 reviews.
I am an 83 year old Christian male, who has been an avid reader, including the Bible, during both my 30 years career as a Naval nuclear Submarine Officer followed by 17 years on the faculty of Penn State University. Since my retirements, my reading has been predominately Christian non fiction, such as The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel, and Christian fiction, such as The Shepherd series by Anderson and Wilson. I recently discovered the Light of The Ark Series on the Internet, and have just completed the prequel in the series, Isaiah Light and the Sea of Darkness. This series has really caught my interest, and I’m anxious to start the next book. Other than a few editing typos, the paperback was excellent, and accurate in the way it presented both the Christian and non Christian characters. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series, and would highly recommend it to All adventure readers..
I have many books on my TBR shelf. However I did finish the prequel, Sea of Darkness. Just last night in fact. I liked that book and certainly plan to read the rest of them, hopefully in the next week or so. This is kind of a sidebar but as well as the story I liked the actual book. The weight and feel of the paper.
More intense and very helpful in setting up characters in the series. Found it a bit more intriguing and faster pace than Book 1. Curiosity peaked at course of actions and resolutions.
I love all of the series including the prequel. Very well written I could hardly put them down. It took me two weeks to read them all. I have ordered the Jericho series and it should be here Thursday. I can't wait.
I thought I was ordering a book with a Christian theme. Rape, serial killer on the loose, people being beaten to death magnifies the enemy not God. The only Christian reference is the story contains a youth pastor and his wife. There is no Jesus and no redeeming hope which is the word of God. I ordered 5 books. I read one and threw the others in the trash. I don't want to fill my mind with what I can see on the news. I was in hope that I could pass the books on to my grandson as a witness to him but I was very disappointed and would not recommend the books to youth.
I had read something interesting on line about six months ago that I found extremely interesting, it was a list of things you should try to do everyday. One of the things was to read at least 10 pages of a book a day without fail. If you do this by the end of the year you will have read 10-12 books. I was inspired to try it. Since then I have read 10 plus books. Some days I just get in the 10 pages others I’ll go further because I’m really into the plot. I purchased the entire ARK series in paperback. I’m old school and like holding something tangible in my hand when reading , I’m not knocking those that enjoy digital that’s just my preference. Anyway I’m so glad I ordered the whole set and read the prequel Isaiah and the sea of darkness first. It really sets up the characters and plot for the rest of the series. I really enjoyed how it was written starting at the end and then revisiting how we got to that point. Very exciting. It was as a nice quick read that made me want to start the next book right away. I am about 3/4 through Light of the Ark now. It’s getting pretty intense and I might just finish it tonight , when I do I will review it also. These 2 books are ones that have pushed me to go beyond the 10 pages rule. Great likable characters and menacing villains, good plot with nice twists. Great spiritual thriller but you don’t have to be Christian to enjoy it. Great moral message but any story that is Good vs evil should be. I highly recommend getting this series and starting with the prequel. Hopefully my rambling help someone else decide to try it.
Your advertising compares your stories with Perreti and Dekker, with comments like, "I couldn't put it down."
I find I am reluctant to pick up your stories. Whatever "it" is that Perreti and Dekker have, your stories lack.
I expected scriptural concepts to be woven into the stories that provoke thought and reflection. I am halfway through your second book and I have not encountered anything that draws me like Perreti's or Dekker's stories.
It makes me wonder if these stories were created with AI assistance. Perreti and Dekker didn't have that available.
You are young, keep working on your craft. And more importantly, keep developing your relationship with the True and Living God and His Son, Jesus Christ by communing with His Holy Spirit.
I love mysteries and thrillers…. I’ve only read this one …So far 😉and if this is an indication of the other books…I am completely hooked…you now rank up there with Perretti, LaHaye, Dekker, Jenkins and Carrie Stuart Parks (who is amazing 🙌🏼)…love how the Spirit of the Lord is intertwined 🥰 …oh I read this book in a day🤭 Thank you
Isaiah and the Sea of Darkness was an edge of the seat thriller. I couldn't put it down. That said, I wish you had developed your characters more--even described them. And you could use a good copy editor. Syntax and grammar are not your strong points! This was the first book I read. I have started Ark, Vol.1. I will read every book you write, because you are a fantastic storyteller.
--Teddy Donbrosky
I have just finished the prequel and am going to start the Light of the Ark series. I really enjoyed the first one and am excited to dig into the series.
I really enjoyed this book. The plot was excellent and the characters were developed nicely. I look forward to reading the next 3 books in this series.
Kept expecting it to get better. Not on par with Frank Perretti as described. I bought the set thinking I'd fly through them but the prequel didn't really hold my interest.
