The Light in the Darkness [Mass Market Paperback]

Ellen Fisher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 1998

Good Husband Material...

It was a complete joke to Grey that he was considered such a catch. Embittered by the death of his wife, scornful of female wiles, and completely contemptuous of any attempt to bring happiness into his life, Grey hardly considered himself good husband material. And yet, if only for the shock value of it--and to put an end to all the nagging--Grey showed up one day with a bride on his arm: an ignorant, ill-kempt, timid young tavern wench....

The Most Unlikely Bride...

Jennifer knew she was no one's idea of a suitable bride for the rich, elegant Grey--least of all, his. But though she couldn't begin to understand the reasons behind his caustic, tormented personality, she did know one thing. He had saved her from a life of drudgery and cruelty, and she would repay him by turning herself into a ravishing, accomplished beauty who would do him credit in society's eyes. And maybe, just maybe, in the process, he might fall in love with her just a little....

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Edward Greyson leaves his James River plantation in Virginia to visit his friend, Kayne, and to please his sister by bringing home a wife. "Grey," who doesn't want to marry, thumbs his nose at convention by wedding himself to a dirty tavern wench, Jennifer Leigh Wilton, a 17-year-old who is tired of being beaten and groped on the job. But Jennie has her work cut out for her trying to find happiness with Grey, a boozer and a boor. Grey's first wife, Diana, was raped and murdered, and Grey believes he himself was responsible. Although the reader knows poor Grey has been wounded, it's still pretty hard to like him. Jennifer cleans up well; she is bright and, it turns out, a musical prodigy. By the time her husband decides to mend his ways, however, the reader knows that she can do better. First-time novelist Fisher, a native Virginian, falls short in creating a convincing relationship between her characters in this 18th-century romance.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

"Ellen Fisher tells a powerful, emotionally charged tale with compelling, complex characters and sizzling chemistry. Her attention to historical detail effortlessly draws the reader into Virginia of the 18th century. An amazing talent assured of a bright future in the realm of historical romance. I can't wait to read her next book."--Elizabeth Thornton

"A romantic masterpiece."--Rendezvous

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Fanfare (October 6, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553579223
• ISBN-13: 978-0553579222
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,828,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm an author of romance who writes, or tries to, around plenty of distractions. I have four kids ranging from six to sixteen, and two young and energetic Australian shepherds.

My first book (a colonial Virginia romance entitled The Light in the Darkness) was published by Bantam in 1998. A few years later, I started writing ebooks. Overall, I've published fourteen novels and novellas, ranging from historicals to sci-fi romance to contemporaries. You can visit me at www.ellenfisherromance.com .

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping and compelling characters!, January 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Light in the Darkness (Mass Market Paperback)

This novel is far from the average romance novel so many publishers churn out these days. The characters are far from the norm, and don't behave as we often think they should. There were many nice surprises. Just when I thought I could leave our heroine to my nightstand, I would have to read more. Ellen's description of early colonial life is accurate. The attitudes, beliefs, and expectations of their generation breathe through these characters. It wouldn't be hard to imagine these people actually existed and had stepped out of time and into Ellen's beautiful prose. The Light in the Darkness is a rare find--a must read.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent debut, August 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Light in the Darkness (Mass Market Paperback)

Seven years ago, the Virginia aristocracy agreed that Edward Grayson had murdered his spouse, Diana, even though there was no evidence to prove it. Even Edward, who does not remember the events of that day due to a drunken stupor, feels he must have murdered Diana. Since that fatal day, Edward has lived inside a bottle of Madeira. In spite of the rumors and his sordid lifestyle, mothers constantly toss their virgin daughters at him as he is still considered a prize catch.

His sister Catherine constantly nags him to remarry and though he does not want a new wife, he heeds her pestering. He barters with a tavern owner, selling his horse in exchange for the man's niece. Edward figures that Jenny Wilton is a filthy, ugly, and moronic individual who would make the perfect spouse for someone like him. She could not demand things like love and family, and he would stop the parade of young ladies being thrown at him. However, underneath all that filth lurks a beautiful, intelligent, and determined young woman, who plans to become his fair lady and perhaps earn his love during the transformation.

THE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS is a marvelous retelling of George Bernard Shaw's PYGMALIAN, however, this being a historical romance the novel ends much happier for the lead protagonists than the play. The story line is moving and filled with fun and authenticity. The lead characters make a dynamic pair as she struggles to overcome her background while forcing her spouse to confront his demons. Ellen Fisher adds much freshness to the Colonial American romance sub-genre with this winning novel.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ FOR LOVERS OF GREAT ROMANCE, April 9, 2001

By 

Marcie (Victoria, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Light in the Darkness (Mass Market Paperback)

An absolute gem of a book. I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon this book in the library. Lovers of historical and contemporary romance alike will LOVE this book. Hero and heroine are artfully and skillfully drawn with believable motivations. The determination and guts of the heroine will have you cheering her on from the bleachers. The depth of the secondary character (hero's sister) makes for a fine supporting cast. The depth and development of the romance (after all this is why we're here) is engaging, poignant and powerful. Great PLOT, great ROMANCE and great CHARACTERS - in short a MUST READ. Well done Ellen Fisher!