D.D. Franklin
Silver Lake: Awakening
By D.D. Franklin
Everyone in Silver Lake has secrets.
And one just arrived with a suitcase and a broken heart...
And not everyone will be ready when it awakens.
AVAILABLE HERE AUGUST 1st
Book Review
Praise from the Realm of Readers
Readers share enchanting reflections—tales of mystery, emotion, and wonder.
Each review offers a glimpse into Lena’s world, inviting others
to discover the magic hidden within Silver Lake.
2026 INTERNATIONAL FIREBIRD BOOK AWARD
ROMANCE WINNER
Shelley Award
Award-Winning Supernatural Tale
Honored with the 2025 Shelley Award for Paranormal Fiction, Silver Lake: Awakening captures hearts with its spellbinding narrative, ethereal atmosphere, and unforgettable characters—marking it as a standout in the world of mystical storytelling.
Firebird Award
Mystic Words Take Flight
Silver Lake: Awakening proudly receives the 2025 International Firebird Book Award—an honor recognizing its imaginative storytelling, emotional depth, and mystical vision. A captivating journey that continues to enchant readers worldwide.
READERS FAVORITE INTERNATION
Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers’ Favorite
Silver Lake: Awakening by D.D. Franklin is an intriguing tale centered around a mysterious lake in rural Kansas. The story follows Lena, an innocent young woman with big hopes for the future with her husband, Leonard. Leonard, on the other hand, did not share those hopes and dreams. He takes her away from the only life and home she has ever known in Washington, D.C., to begin a new chapter in a quiet place halfway across the country called Silver Lake, Kansas. Her hopes begin unraveling shortly after arriving, and Lena is left to adjust to her new life basically alone. She battles grief and uncertainty about her purpose, as questions of identity and culture shock come to the forefront, and then she meets Robert. He’s a strikingly handsome and somewhat captivating man with whom she begins to have a growing emotional connection. Along the way, Lena learns not to settle for a marginal life and to fight back to live life to its fullest.
I was first drawn to Silver Lake by D.D. Franklin because of the cover. I wanted to know the story behind the faces of the two people on it, and, after reading the description, I just knew I had to read the book. I was not disappointed. This story blends mystery, emotional depth, and a hint of romance. Franklin’s writing pulls you in with its authenticity, and you feel like you’re right there experiencing events with the characters. A standout moment occurs when Lena has finally had enough of the life she’s been forced to live, being married to Leonard, and confronts him at work—a relatable scenario. This novel contains some mature content and explicit scenes, but they are handled with emotional honesty and purpose. The subtle supernatural elements were an added welcome surprise. This is a compelling, character-driven story about finding one’s voice, trusting intuition, and refusing to settle for a life that is less than ordinary.
AUTHOR
D.D. Franklin
D.D. Franklin was born and raised in northeast Kansas. Spending most of her career as a Licensed Mental Health Clinician working with adults and children, was just the beginning of gathering inspiring stories. Later she pursued a business career as owner and operator of two hair salons, which seeded her desire to write unbelievable stories that could only be revealed in a Beauty Shop, where the therapy really occurs. This prompted her writing journey. D. D. is the founder of “The WOC (Women of Color) Writers Club of eastern Kansas”. She and her husband travel the globe, and enjoy studying other cultures. The real wolfs in her life are two Pomeranian puppies named Boots and Fudge.
Magic Beneath the Covers
Step into a space where stories shimmer with mystery and every cover invites you into a world unknown. This gallery is a glimpse into tales woven with magic, longing, and light — a portal to where imagination breathes and shadows dream.
BOOK REVIEW
Secret Passion Fueled by Isolation and Loneliness
Newlywed Lena Wheeler, a 22-year-old virgin, traveled cross country to Silver Lake, Kansas with her husband for a long-awaited honeymoon, which has yet to begin. When she arrives in the small town, unexplained occurrences ensue almost immediately. Questioning her sanity, and her new husband’s lack of empathy, Lena finds friendship and comfort from her handsome neighbor’s black wolf, who becomes her devoted companion.
Primal Desires…. Finding a Love that Lasts
Life on his farm in Silver Lake is anything but ordinary for Robert Lenihan. He is trying to navigate his way through a nasty divorce and now to complicate things even more, the new neighbor’s wife is igniting a slow burn in him he’s yet to understand. What he does know is that his body is awakening in ways he can’t explain. suggest me a icon
Hells Fire……Burns Hot
Evil is evident in the rural Kansas town, and soon all its residents will be in danger. The hidden shimmering lake is full of mysteries which hold the answers, but only a few dare to venture into it. Silver Lake is as dangerous and deadly as it is beautiful.
"A beautifully written, unforgettable story"
Silver Lake Awakening by DD Franklin is one of those rare books that stays with you long after you turn the last page. From the very start, the vivid setting of Silver Lake pulls you in you can almost feel the cool breeze off the water and see the mist rising in the early morning.
The characters are complex and relatable, each facing their own struggles and personal awakenings. I found myself genuinely invested in their journeys, and I appreciated how the author handled both the emotional and suspenseful moments with care and authenticity.
What I loved most was Franklin's writing style - descriptive without being overdone, and filled with just the right amount of tension and heart. The story kept me turning pages, eager to see what would happen next.
If you enjoy books that combine beautiful prose, emotional depth, and a touch of mystery, Silver Lake Awakening is a must-read. Highly recommended!
"Book Review: Silver Lake Awakening by D.D. Franklin"
Silver Lake Awakening by D.D. Franklin is a captivating blend of romance, science fiction, and subtle non-fiction elements that immediately pulled me in from the very first page. The story unfolds with just the right mix of intrigue and suspense, and Franklin's writing style masterfully keeps the momentum going-paragraph after paragraph, chapter after chapter.
One of the standout aspects of this novel is its rich cast of characters. Each one has a unique and compelling backstory that feels ripe for further exploration. In fact, I sincerely hope this is only the beginning of a series, as I would love to see future books delve deeper into these individual stories. There's so much potential here for spin-offs or sequels that explore each character's journey in more detail.
The plot itself is full of unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader guessing and engaged. Franklin expertly weaves these surprises into the narrative, making the overall experience both entertaining and thought-provoking. The romantic elements are touching, the sci-fi aspects are imaginative, and the small threads of realism give the story a grounded, relatable feel.
This is the kind of book you don't want to put down. It keeps you turning the pages, eager to find out what happens next. Whether you're a fan of genre-crossing fiction or simply looking for a fresh and engaging read, Silver Lake Awakening is well worth your time.
Highly recommended-and hopefully just the beginning of more to come from D.D. Franklin.
"Silver Lake Awakening Review"
DD Franklin is a great storyteller with a vivid imagination. Her new book combines the supernatural and romance in a way that leaves the reader excited and wanting more as the story evolves. I did not want the book to end, and I could see some of the scenes as a movie in my mind. Her book is set in Silver Lake, an actual city in Kansas, which lends authenticity to the story. I can't wait for DD's next book.
Silver Lake Awakening is a surprisingly suspenseful romance, elevated by the mystical dance between good and evil, peppered with history, racial complexity, and of course, love. D. Brown
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