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Hold Back the Night
After the sculptor Sander Williams is blinded by a tragic accident, Domini struggles to reawaken his will to live and rekindle his love for her
314 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
2 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Abra Taylor
26 books4 followersAbra Taylor is a pseudonym for Barbara Brouse, who also wrote as Araby Scott. Brouse died in 2005. She was the author of over a dozen novels.
As an author for Harlequin Presents, she published one novel. She also published one title for Harlequin Temptation.
As an author for Harlequin Presents, she published one novel. She also published one title for Harlequin Temptation.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 28, 2012
This was my first Abra Taylor book. In fact, I picked this book up at an op-shop for very cheap after reading the blurb. What enticed me the most was the path of life the heroine took. I admire her spirit, her resolve and her compassion.
Abra brings into existence key points we can all relate too in life: growth into adult hood, hard times and good times, the beginnings of love/lust, love lost, love rekindled, family, friendship, compassion.
I enjoyed watching Didi, evolve from a spirited young woman, who is used to getting her way into a compassionate adult, who learned to stand on her own two feet.
Abra brings into existence key points we can all relate too in life: growth into adult hood, hard times and good times, the beginnings of love/lust, love lost, love rekindled, family, friendship, compassion.
I enjoyed watching Didi, evolve from a spirited young woman, who is used to getting her way into a compassionate adult, who learned to stand on her own two feet.
August 4, 2014
Rating: 3.5 stars
I have very mixed feelings about this book. I thought the characterisation and growth of the heroine was fantastic. Emotions were skilfully conveyed and I was invested in her story.
My problem lies with the hero, a bitter and twisted sculptor who resents his blindness but loathes pity (or anything he views as pity). He was definitely a strong character and while there was chemistry between the two leads, the love part of the relationship is lacking. Really, he has a really funny way of showing he cares.
I also had some issues with their physical relationship. I sort of glossed over it when reading, but thinking about it afterwards made me feel a little sick.
I have very mixed feelings about this book. I thought the characterisation and growth of the heroine was fantastic. Emotions were skilfully conveyed and I was invested in her story.
My problem lies with the hero, a bitter and twisted sculptor who resents his blindness but loathes pity (or anything he views as pity). He was definitely a strong character and while there was chemistry between the two leads, the love part of the relationship is lacking. Really, he has a really funny way of showing he cares.
I also had some issues with their physical relationship. I sort of glossed over it when reading, but thinking about it afterwards made me feel a little sick.
August 27, 2009
This is the one about Didi Le Basque, daughter of the great artist. When she grows up she falls for one of his students and gets pregnant. To get money for the baby she sells some drawings which get sold on his name, he chucks her out without listening and she leaves. Next bit is US years later.
April 23, 2024
I liked this book at first, but then it got to be too much of a Debbie Downer, as well as annoying. Also, was too long; another book that could have said it all in half the pages.
And while I sympathize with all the h's father went through, that hardly excuses the way he treated his daughter. Serves him right that he never got to know his grandchild!
Also, I never got a love vibe from the couple, at least not from the H. It's funny, how for a supposedly sophisticated man, he let the OW treat him like crap, felt guilty for cheating on her with the h when she had cheated on him more than once, and when he needed her the most, she dumped him for some rich guy! And he was so tough on the h, just because she was honest and spoke her mind! (He was blind in more ways than one!)
She was only the way she was (so impulsive and outspoken) because her father brought her up so unconventionally, which was selfish of him. He said she needed to know what the real-world was like, yet he kept her isolated from it for too long, so she had no social skills and didn't know when to speak her mind or when to keep her thoughts to herself.
The men in this book really were jerks, including the OM, who assumed giving the h a great career opportunity would make her show her appreciation by sleeping with him!
I have to admire the way the h, after being treated crappy by both the H and her father, stood on her own two feet and made a life for herself and her little girl, keeping her pride intact without getting bitter, and made the best of things, turning her artistic talents into a career that, while it didn't make her rich and famous, was enough to support them both okay.
The book had good points, but it just got too bogged down with too much stuff. The Basque history was interesting, though.
And while I sympathize with all the h's father went through, that hardly excuses the way he treated his daughter. Serves him right that he never got to know his grandchild!
Also, I never got a love vibe from the couple, at least not from the H. It's funny, how for a supposedly sophisticated man, he let the OW treat him like crap, felt guilty for cheating on her with the h when she had cheated on him more than once, and when he needed her the most, she dumped him for some rich guy! And he was so tough on the h, just because she was honest and spoke her mind! (He was blind in more ways than one!)
She was only the way she was (so impulsive and outspoken) because her father brought her up so unconventionally, which was selfish of him. He said she needed to know what the real-world was like, yet he kept her isolated from it for too long, so she had no social skills and didn't know when to speak her mind or when to keep her thoughts to herself.
The men in this book really were jerks, including the OM, who assumed giving the h a great career opportunity would make her show her appreciation by sleeping with him!
I have to admire the way the h, after being treated crappy by both the H and her father, stood on her own two feet and made a life for herself and her little girl, keeping her pride intact without getting bitter, and made the best of things, turning her artistic talents into a career that, while it didn't make her rich and famous, was enough to support them both okay.
The book had good points, but it just got too bogged down with too much stuff. The Basque history was interesting, though.
March 30, 2023
This had a lot of tragedy in it, but was uplifting as well. I think I enjoyed the sections of the book centering around her father the most. His back story was fascinating. I was a little disappointed in H, he needed to come out of the dark/night much earlier. I really loved the h and her coming to adulthood from her unique upbringing. I love survival books, wish this had more of that struggle.
July 6, 2024
"You can die in the dark, or you can live in the dark. Which will it be for you...?"
This is an old favorite of mine from long ago. It’s a story filled with angst and not the least bit politically correct by today’s standards but I still love it. I’ve never forgotten the characters even after all these years. It’s one of the few paperback books I still have a copy of and I will never part with it. If you read it, have plenty of tissue handy. These two will rip your heart out before the end.
Here’s a summary from Google since one is missing from the description:
A soaring love only the heart can see ... an unforgettable portrait.
Didi Le Basque, daughter of the great artist Le Basque, falls for one of his students, Sander, who is blinded in an accident for which Didi feels responsible.
Didi gets pregnant and to get money for the baby, she sells some of drawings which gets sold in her father's name. Her father disowns her out without listening. Meanwhile, Sander rejects her, not wanting to tie her down to a blind man, without knowing about the baby. She leaves Paris, to start a new life.
Years later, she meets Sander again in New York. This story follows Didi's growth to maturity and her love and compassion for the embittered blind sculptor.
This is an old favorite of mine from long ago. It’s a story filled with angst and not the least bit politically correct by today’s standards but I still love it. I’ve never forgotten the characters even after all these years. It’s one of the few paperback books I still have a copy of and I will never part with it. If you read it, have plenty of tissue handy. These two will rip your heart out before the end.
Here’s a summary from Google since one is missing from the description:
A soaring love only the heart can see ... an unforgettable portrait.
Didi Le Basque, daughter of the great artist Le Basque, falls for one of his students, Sander, who is blinded in an accident for which Didi feels responsible.
Didi gets pregnant and to get money for the baby, she sells some of drawings which gets sold in her father's name. Her father disowns her out without listening. Meanwhile, Sander rejects her, not wanting to tie her down to a blind man, without knowing about the baby. She leaves Paris, to start a new life.
Years later, she meets Sander again in New York. This story follows Didi's growth to maturity and her love and compassion for the embittered blind sculptor.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews