Among Us is the first in the Colony Series, an adult female epic fantasy series. If you enjoy earthbound fantasy, strong characters, and unpredictability, this series is an excellent choice. Every story has a beginning, and this one starts in a dark place. Elaine's past is filled with pain and untenable circumstance. However, she has worked hard to get past it and build a life. Unfortunately, that life was built on fantasy and a regrettable choice topples it, sending her crashing into reality. While she has survived her poor judgment, it has left her with little in the way of funds or future, and her marriage is tensely hanging on by threads. Unsure of how to proceed in life, or if that option is worth pursuing, Elaine is in a place of choice. She knows things must change because the outcome of what exits can be nothing good. In her state of disillusionment and despair, she is an easy target for a man many come to see as manipulative and calculating. He has entered her life in a most bizarre and frightening way, which has triggered emotions and sensation in her that border on obsession. Elaine's behavior becomes increasingly atypical, and this puts both her husband and her friends on the alert. They believe she may be heading down the previous road that led to her fall from grace. One of these friends, who is and has been in love with her, is made suspicious by convenience and coincidence. Secretly, he initiates an investigation into the man who has presented himself as benefactor. What he finds convinces him that the man is the head of a particularly dangerous cult. Yet, his condemnation of the man may have more to do with his desire for Elaine than the facts. He has wanted Elaine to himself for a long time, and the current situation may offer him his opportunity. The conflict in Elaine's marriage escalates and secrets surface. A series of outlandish events and unrealistic experiences have Elaine convinced that she is losing her mind. Her out of nowhere affair, a string of impulsive acts, and her husband's inability to contain his violence throw Elaine into the arms of the man she met under the Hunter's Moon on the night of bloodshed. Desperate to pull Elaine away from this man, her lover is bent on discovery. He soon finds himself propelled down a convoluted, treacherous, and often misleading path. The things he uncovers only heighten his desire for her and his need to be near her. Suddenly, his opportunity to have her arrives, or so he believes. Where does sanity end and insanity begin? Do those who manipulate information dictate fact and fiction at their discretion? Are there those among us who have knowledge that is beyond our belief? Does Elaine have a destiny beyond the expected? Or, has everyone just lost their minds? The end of this story will leave the reader attempting to answer these questions-and anxious for the next installment. There are adult themes, sexual encounters, violence, and adult language. This is ADULT fantasy rated R. Not recommended for those under 18.