Jade Cochrane, and her best friend Raphael “Rafie”, have escaped the horrors of their childhood at the commune called The People of Joy.  Jade’s mother, Margaret, kidnapped her and ran off with Solomon, the charismatic leader of The People of Joy during the seventies hippie era. Margaret died of an overdose two years later and thus, at six years of age, began Jade’s life of horror, as Solomon sold all the children to pedophiles to use as they see fit. Rafie tried to be Jade’s protector as much as he could, even though he was only three years older and had known no other life. He didn’t even know his last name, or who his parents were.  On the night they escaped, an “uncle” who hadn’t been to see Jade for a while, and was strung out on drugs, tried to beat her to death because she had begun to show signs of maturing at the age of twelve. Raphael smashed a chair over the uncle, thinking he’s killed him; he grabbed up an unconscious and bloody Jade and ran. They had been running ever since, with Rafie providing for them until Jade discovered her ability to paint.

The only way she could get rid of her nightmares was to draw the faces of each uncle she would have nightmares about and store them in a box. She had begun to paint, selling her art at street markets. One day a friend of Jade’s father, Sam Cochrane, sees a portrait at a street fair of Margaret. She bought the painting and took it to Sam who had never stopped looking for his wife and child. Sam contacts an old friend, ex-cop, Luke Kelly, to find the artist and to find his daughter. The signature on the painting was only a fingerprint, and after having it checked out discovered the artist was Jade, Sam’s daughter. Luke then starts following clues until he finds Jade and Raphael.  While Jade does not want to trust him, Rafie convinces her that they must, so she can have the life she deserves.

Luke is completely captivated with Jade, but knows she may never be able to have a healthy relationship with a man. This does not stop him from falling in love with her and he vows to protect her at all costs. Will Jade ever become emotionally and mentally whole? Can she ever form a loving bond with a father she doesn’t remember? Can she survive Raphael’s death or will this be the final straw that breaks her?  Will she allow Luke’s love? They must deal with all the publicity, about the spectacular return of a daughter who has been missing for so many years. This makes the uncles and Solomon very nervous. Will they succeed in killing Rafie and Jade?  Who are these uncles? 
The ending is beautiful and magical, leaving me with the wish that I could of known such a beautiful soul as Raphael.

Every once in a while a story comes along, which is such a powerful and riveting, searing portrayal of humanity at it’s worst; yet still manages to tell the tale in a tasteful and sensitive way that you can not stop reading the heart wrenching and emotionally charged book, even while the tears are pouring down your cheeks and your heart is breaking. OUT OF THE DARK is such a book. It is a book of survival, letting go of the past and moving on with one’s life. It is a book of hope and joy, growing stronger, and allowing one to love and be loved - of coming OUT OF THE DARK. Sharon Sala has successfully written an excellent story about a subject most authors would not have the courage to write. I applaud Ms. Sala for taking the subjects of sex abuse and AIDS and writing a story that needed to be told, with the finesse of a noble author. This is the first book I have read by Sharon Sala, and I can guarantee it will not be my last. I will be going to the bookstore to find her previous work. An absolutely amazing writer that has now earned a life long fan.