Roxane Tepfer Sanford is the author of the best selling family saga, The Girl in the Lighthouse, All That is Beautiful and Sacred Intentions (the Arrington series). Her writing style has been compared to that of well known gothic fiction author, V.C. Andrews.
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Praise for Roxane Tepfer Sanford:
Writer's Digest 2010 "The writing is lean and literate in style, painting a fascinating word portrait that is given a humanist depth in the way the author portrays Lillian’s turbulent journey through life as set against the historical environment and situation that inform the shaping of those characters’ lives and destines. The authors choice of incident is well honored in the way the individual scenes reveal character through action and dialogue; an entertaining and informative read."
Kam Aures for RebeccasReads.com (07/10) "I truly enjoy Sanford’s writing and can’t wait to read future books from this talented author. If you enjoy V.C. Andrews' books, Sanford’s style and thought process is very similar and I think that you will enjoy her work!"
"Roxane Tepfer Sanford’s novel of betrayals, lost love, and shattered lives is intense, vivid, and unpredictable. The web which holds the plot together is reminiscent of V.C.Andrews’s Gothic style. I couldn’t put The Girl in the Lighthouse down once I started reading. I had to know more." http://www.hereandthere.us
"This book was wonderful could'nt put it down. It's very reminiscent of VC Andrews classics like Dawn, Melody and Flowers in The Attic."-Reader review-amazon.com
Melanie Tighe, owner of Dog-Eared Pages Used Books 2010 "Shadows of V.C. Andrews’ Flowers in the Attic hang over The Girl in the Lighthouse but Sanford adds a surprising twist that keeps the reader guessing about Lillian’s mysterious and horrifying family secret until the very end."
I bought the boxed set and read the prequel, Sacred Intentions, first, then I read The Girl in the Lighthouse, followed by All That is Beautiful.
I thought it was a shame that the sequel was released last and that many people read it after Lily’s story. I thought that Sacred Intentions was a perfect first book and it was interesting to see the parallell’s between Amelia and Lily’s lives.
I was able to connect more with Amelia than with Lily and I felt compassion for Amelia as I saw her lively childhood being slowly ripped away from her once Eugenia stepped foot onto the plantation. I was more invested in her story and I could actually picture all of the events as they happened. I was not a big fan of the incest and I did struggle with Amelia and Patrick-Garrett’s relationship. I also cringed when Amelia lied in her diary about how she got pregnant – which lead to horrible lies and events that happened to her daughter.
I found it difficult to connect with Lily and found it extremely odd that her father would leave her with Eugenia, especially when Patrick-Garrett knew exactly what kind of a woman she really was. Lily’s life was a complete mess from the moment her mother got sick until she eventually died an old woman. I felt as though some of the plot was forced in both The Girl in the Lighthouse and All That is Beautiful and it seemed as though the author had wanted the main character to suffer. I found the brief appearance of Hattie to be a very convenient plot addition – how unlikely that Hattie would show up the same time as Lily and she would just happen to have Amelia’s diary with her. I also found it strange that Lily would not confide in Hattie and ask her for help, especially when Lily knew that Hattie was her mother’s best friend and “sister”.
I also found there to be too many rape scenes in each book – if the characters were not getting punished, beaten or whipped, they were getting raped. I think I would have liked the series better if the author had removed some of the rape scenes and replaced them with something else.
All three books kept me hooked and entertained as I read them continuously. I had to know what was going to happen next. I saw that other reviewers had compared these books to Flowers in the Attic. I had never read the book but I did immediately afterwards. I certainly do see many similarities and it does appear to me that the author was heavily influenced by that book.
I was surprised that there were 3 books in one so to speak - very good value.
Was not sure about the stories being told in the 1st person, however I got used to this and and they all flowed very easily, form disaster to depressingly hard times, extreme happiness to extreme sadness. While I really liked this collection, I did find myself asking why oh why do some people (not just women) not voice their questions (regardless of era or social situation!)Then sometimes the story would not have those extra twists and turns would they?? I prefer assertive or at least strong women characters - these 2 were very strong in some senses but in others - beaten and withdrawn perhaps or maybe just not that well rounded by the writer?
Overall I did really want to know how things turned out and found pictures in my head of human suffering, the arrogant Southerners in the USA, amazing seascapes seen from lighthouses and above all family ties for better and worse evolve and settle.
One of the weirdest books I've read in quite a while. Set during the turmoil time of the Civil War, this story centers around a young girl who was a beloved spoiled child. Her father gave her everything she needed in the absence of a dead mother but everything changed when the father married another woman. Woe is the young girl. Throw in the Civil War and secret brothers, and presto, you have the Arrington Trilogy, incest and all. Would recommend if you want to read a totally not historical fiction book with cliches topped like mounds of cherry on ice cream. Not worth rereading again and I never finished the second book which centers around the daughter of the main character from the first book. 4/10.
Good overall story, but could be great with a few changes. The last book has way too many editing mistakes. There are also way too many unanswered questions. What happened to Eugenia and Abigail in the second book? Why Gave Gave Gave Gave couldn't anyone answer any of Lillian's questions in the second book? And why on God's earth didn't anyone know Warren Stone wasn't Lillian's father? So much suffering with no explanations. So much dieing. Good story line though. Got tired before I FINALLY finished. Good luck to the author.
Very good book!! Touching and tragic. Without giving to much away it was a well written book that spans 2 lives, a mom's life and then her daughter's life. The tragic lives that both women lead, all in the name of love. It just goes to show, love is patient.
This was a good trilogy. I didn't lose interest through them. It showed the civil war times well and how family can be everything or your nightmare but in the end it all happens for a reason. I would recommend to others.
This is by far my favorite book series! Wow! Such a tragic, dramatic, and interesting storyline. Honestly, I was very surprised. I've read it 4 times and I keep discovering new little secrets every time. Love!
This was a great read from the beginning. The two main female characters in this story suffer too much for my taste, it seems as if the world is out to get them.