Lighthouse Nights
By: Jake Vander Ark
A Short Summary -
Gabe has no idea that Jules is such a terrible person. All he knows is that she has a troubled past and the urge to end her suffering. He spends a year with her to give her reasons to stay. One reason - Lighthouses. Gabe lives right in between two lighthouses and he finds them beautiful. He thinks the true beauty is in the light at the top and what it stands for. Lighthouses help bring home lost ships. Being lost at sea is an awfully unfortunate event to happen, so when you see the light, it's almost like seeing an angel. Gabe believes that everyone is lost at sea until they find their own lighthouse to come home to. He thinks Jules is his lighthouse... is she?
Reviews for the Novel
“[Suicide] has personally touched me in many different ways and I was afraid that my personal views were going to prejudice my opinion of the book. Turns out that it didn’t. I commend JVA for taking on such a touchy subject.”
-Mellissa Byrnes, Spews of My Views
"That's the beauty of Vander Ark's writing: he has a wonderful way of making you a part of the story despite the tone and context."
-Dayla F.M., Confessions of a Book Addict
Jake Vander Ark
Jake Vander Ark is author to many novels including, Lighthouse Nights. He moved from his home town in Michigan to Illinois to attend The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. There he discovered that he, in fact, hated art. From Chicago he moved to Illinois to be a director. Jake wrote screenplays and created short films. After three years of not being able to make something of himself, his father was diagnosed with lung cancer. In 2009 he moved back to his hometown, Grand Haven, to be close to his family.
One day, while working as a stage manager for a national dance competition, Vander Ark decided to write novels. He has written four novels in three years, and self-published all of them in a four month period. He is currently engaged and developing sequels to a few of his books.
Website: jakevanderark.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JakeVanderArk
Other Novels Written by Jake Vander Ark
The Accidental Siren
The Brandywine Prophet
The Day I wore Purple
A Few Vocabulary Symbols
Suffering
Forgivness
Creativity
Depression and Suicide
A prominent theme throughout Lighthouse Nights is suicide. Another major theme is depression. Suicide is not just someone killing themselves. For that person, suicide is their way out of whatever situation they're in. They are in such intense pain that they see no other option to stop it. They see suicide as a friend and greet death happily. Depression is a serious mental illness. It takes over your body and mind, making you feel like you're suffocating. Depression is not something that you can get over or snap out of easily. Much like any disease it comes with symptoms. It causes you to lose interest in activities you once loved. There is a persistent feeling sad; nothing can ever seem to cheer you up. Depression is a serious illness that affects over 3 million people every year in the US. Depression and suicide are grim subjects, but they are widely unknown.
If you, or someone you know, ever need someone to talk to, do not hesitate. It is not a crime to ask for help. Call these numbers for advice or help of any kind. No judgment, just support.
Depression Support Hotline
800-273-TALK (8255)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1 (800) 273-8255