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Sutton Family #2
Into the Light
Kansas 1899. Deborah Sutton barely remembers her family's feud with the Van Cleves. Her mother died that summer, and her father was killed. Nothing else mattered to seven-year-old Deborah eighteen years ago. Still, Deborah knows the Van Cleves tried to steal her family’s land, and she despises them for it.Trey Van Cleve does remember the land war. Trey saw bloody bodies hanging from the roof of his home and fled fire in the night. The monster under Trey's boyhood bed had a name, and the name was Sutton.One night when they both seek solitude in the same shadowy park, Deborah and Trey meet. Each is intrigued by a mysterious stranger who is no more than a friendly voice in the dark. Learning each other's identity is an appalling surprise. How can a Sutton befriend a Van Cleve? How can a Van Cleve love a Sutton? Deborah and Trey are going to find out.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2013
110 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
December 1, 2017
Let me say that I loved, loved, loved Beautiful Bad Man and nothing can compare, but this one was not bad at all! It would be a spite to rate it less because of BBM, so take that into consideration! :)
I loved Trey (not as much as Caleb) and his force of character and his honesty even if everybody doubted it because of his monster father. I loved that he accepted this with good grace and din't try to defende himself with words, but with actions!
I liked Deborah too (not nearly as much as Norah), but while I could sympathize with the reason why she behaved so standoffishly, I just couldn't accept it as easily as Trey did!
What was beautiful was how Trey understand her and done everything right to help her coming out of her shell and becoming a nice woman she has been hiding inside.
A lovely, lovely true romance!
I loved Trey (not as much as Caleb) and his force of character and his honesty even if everybody doubted it because of his monster father. I loved that he accepted this with good grace and din't try to defende himself with words, but with actions!
I liked Deborah too (not nearly as much as Norah), but while I could sympathize with the reason why she behaved so standoffishly, I just couldn't accept it as easily as Trey did!
What was beautiful was how Trey understand her and done everything right to help her coming out of her shell and becoming a nice woman she has been hiding inside.
A lovely, lovely true romance!
April 4, 2016
3.5 stars
A better man could help a woman who so often fled into darkness find her way into the light.When I finished Beautiful Bad Man, I wasn't ready to part away with Norah and Caleb and downloaded the sequel right away. It starts 19 years after the events in BBM. It is a story of Deborah, the oldest of the three sisters Caleb and Norah rescued, and Trey Van Cleve, the son of a greedy monster Webster Van Cleve. Both Deborah and Trey were children when the feud between Sutton and Van Cleve started but they remembered it well.
The author cleverly sets up their first meeting - a chance encounter in a garden where darkness hides their identity and allows two strangers openly express their thoughts, insecurities, and aspirations. Their subsequent incognito encounters unknowingly became building blocks of their relationship. The foundation had enough strength to withstand shock and dismay of their finally revealed identities. Both characters were damaged people ashamed of their fathers. In the author's other novels, it is the hero who is more damaged and resists falling in love. In this story, Trey is more of a knight in a shining armor. He is a wonderful beta hero whose sensitivity and perceptiveness finds the right way to help Deborah to overcome the horror of her childhood. Their slow building romance is more quiet, less intense in comparison to the author's other books. It may be more realistic this way but I found myself less emotionally involved in it. At times this reads more like a family drama. Besides romance, the main plot revolves around someone trying to kill Trey. I found the plot to be less focused and suspense almost unnecessary. I wanted to see more of the characters interactions. There were almost too many secondary characters.
Never less, the overall story is good and shines through the author's beautiful writing. Seeing Caleb and Norah again was a real treat. Actually, Caleb steals every scene he is in.
August 15, 2013
3.5 Stars
Into the Light is the sequel to O’Connell’s Beautiful Bad Man and begins nearly twenty years afterward and can be read as a stand-alone. At the ending of BBM, both protagonists were children. Here we find two damaged adults suffering from the trials of their childhood and trying to find their way in this small rural Kansas town near the beginning of the Twentieth Century.
Trey Van Cleve has returned home and is recovering from the events of war and fighting a legacy of mistrust and hatred resulting from his father’s reign of terror on the Sutton Family, as well as others. Sparks still fly between him and his father as Trey refuses to participate in his cruel and underhanded dealings.
Twenty-five year old Deborah Sutton believes she’ll never marry as she struggles from the horrors of being sexually abused as a very young child. She’s smart and realizes she wants more from life than just being someone’s wife. Being surrounded by a loving family, she’s still not found the courage to live outside their protection and reach out for those things she yearns to do. But a chance meeting under the shield of darkness will change everything.
Ellen O’Connell is one of my favorite authors. She vividly brings to life a cast of intriguing, complex characters and each story’s setting is different and loaded with historical detail. While there are many things I loved about this one, I found the romantic aspect weak. Her trademark of giving a slow, building romance is always a pleasure to read, but unfortunately, I failed to uncover the intense emotions and chemistry that she easily provides in her prior works.
It took some time for Deborah to find the courage to live and not just exist within the shadows of life. Trey is a handsome, lovable beta hero and I liked just about everything about him and I was very happy to revisit with Caleb and Norah from BBM. The inclusion of the town newspaper, the electric automobile, Trey’s handsome and intriguing Irish friend along with the small mystery/suspense all came together to make a very good read.
Into the Light is the sequel to O’Connell’s Beautiful Bad Man and begins nearly twenty years afterward and can be read as a stand-alone. At the ending of BBM, both protagonists were children. Here we find two damaged adults suffering from the trials of their childhood and trying to find their way in this small rural Kansas town near the beginning of the Twentieth Century.
Trey Van Cleve has returned home and is recovering from the events of war and fighting a legacy of mistrust and hatred resulting from his father’s reign of terror on the Sutton Family, as well as others. Sparks still fly between him and his father as Trey refuses to participate in his cruel and underhanded dealings.
Twenty-five year old Deborah Sutton believes she’ll never marry as she struggles from the horrors of being sexually abused as a very young child. She’s smart and realizes she wants more from life than just being someone’s wife. Being surrounded by a loving family, she’s still not found the courage to live outside their protection and reach out for those things she yearns to do. But a chance meeting under the shield of darkness will change everything.
Ellen O’Connell is one of my favorite authors. She vividly brings to life a cast of intriguing, complex characters and each story’s setting is different and loaded with historical detail. While there are many things I loved about this one, I found the romantic aspect weak. Her trademark of giving a slow, building romance is always a pleasure to read, but unfortunately, I failed to uncover the intense emotions and chemistry that she easily provides in her prior works.
It took some time for Deborah to find the courage to live and not just exist within the shadows of life. Trey is a handsome, lovable beta hero and I liked just about everything about him and I was very happy to revisit with Caleb and Norah from BBM. The inclusion of the town newspaper, the electric automobile, Trey’s handsome and intriguing Irish friend along with the small mystery/suspense all came together to make a very good read.
August 8, 2020
I'm such a fan of this author's historical western romance. Into the Light is the second book in the Sutton Family series, and while it's good it doesn't reach the same intensity of the first book imo. I enjoyed the story and setting, but didn't feel as much of a connection between the main characters. And yet, it's still a great story for fans of western romance. I'll definitely continue the series with book 3.
July 26, 2013
This is painful, painful to write, but...I didn't really care for this book. I know! I'm shocked. But it just didn't do it for me. Anyone who's kept up knows of my glowing reviews of a few of O'Connell's other books. I read Eyes of Silver Eyes of Gold and Dancing on Coals last year, but I still revisit them from time to time because I love the characters, the plots, and the romance. And while Sing My Name was not really a favorite, and Beautiful Bad Man disappointed me, they are two books I would revisit over this one. The romance was bland and a bit cold, and Deborah was just hard to get to know. Which works in a way since she was sexually abused by her father and that's somewhat realistic, but it seemed like her only way of dealing with emotions was to run away. Literally, she kept running away. It got a little annoying, especially in the scene with her family outside the church. I just imagined a 25-year-old woman running from her family in a display fit for a 12-year-old, and I was torn between laughter and wanting to roll my eyes until they got stuck. This tale slogs along at a snail's pace, never really delves all that deeply into anything, and leaves the reader feeling like they just spent a few hours watching strangers converse about the health of the stock market. It is neither inspired nor inspiring, and that makes me a bit sad for Ellen O'Connell's sake. Here's to hoping she eventually gets her mojo back.
September 16, 2016
This is a follow-up to Beautiful Bad Man, set 15 years later and about the evil ranch owner's son, Trey and Cal' s eldest niece, Deborah.
I liked this lots but I didn't love it. As this had a bit of a Romeo and Juliet forbidden vibe as well as all of the constraints that come with that time I was hoping for more tension, but instead the slow burn was a little too slow paced for me, it seemed to take a long time until I sensed any sort of spark between them. They were friends and it was sweet and all, but I was craving a little more heat.
Still, I still enjoyed it and there was plenty of Cal and Norah in this so that also kept me happy. Complete story, and while it would standalone, it works best when read after Beautiful Bad Man.
I liked this lots but I didn't love it. As this had a bit of a Romeo and Juliet forbidden vibe as well as all of the constraints that come with that time I was hoping for more tension, but instead the slow burn was a little too slow paced for me, it seemed to take a long time until I sensed any sort of spark between them. They were friends and it was sweet and all, but I was craving a little more heat.
Still, I still enjoyed it and there was plenty of Cal and Norah in this so that also kept me happy. Complete story, and while it would standalone, it works best when read after Beautiful Bad Man.
May 28, 2016
I love Ms. O'Connell's western- historical romances. She's really great at keeping her readers hooked until the last line. She makes you believe each character are meant only for each other, and at times- you feel they are real. Her stories feel unique, to me, compared to other writers in her genre. I love how she keeps a nice, constant, steady flow with constant action. She gives you great historical tid bits, and just enough detail to never bore you.
I loved this story and didn't want it to end. To date, Trey is my favorite hero by Ms. O'Connell. He was charming, funny, and he almost never gave up hope on Deborah. He finds ways to interact with her, even when he should just give up. He's always sweet, and has her best interest at heart. He's also very witty. Though, I pretty much said that earlier, it's worth repeating. I loved that he admired what Caleb had with Norah, and he wouldn't settle unless he had it too.
Deborah's family was the main focus of the loving part of characters. But out of her whole family, Judith and Caleb were my favorites. Caleb made me laugh, and Judith with her bouncy eyebrows, and fun nature were perfect.
I loved how the relationship starts, and progresses through to the end, between Deborah and Trey. I felt like the book also had me guessing who the bad guy was, as I felt there were a few possibilities. I also loved Trey's friend, Jamie.
Overall, I really loved this story and look forward to more by this author. I wouldn't mind seeing a story for Jamie.
I loved this story and didn't want it to end. To date, Trey is my favorite hero by Ms. O'Connell. He was charming, funny, and he almost never gave up hope on Deborah. He finds ways to interact with her, even when he should just give up. He's always sweet, and has her best interest at heart. He's also very witty. Though, I pretty much said that earlier, it's worth repeating. I loved that he admired what Caleb had with Norah, and he wouldn't settle unless he had it too.
Deborah's family was the main focus of the loving part of characters. But out of her whole family, Judith and Caleb were my favorites. Caleb made me laugh, and Judith with her bouncy eyebrows, and fun nature were perfect.
I loved how the relationship starts, and progresses through to the end, between Deborah and Trey. I felt like the book also had me guessing who the bad guy was, as I felt there were a few possibilities. I also loved Trey's friend, Jamie.
Overall, I really loved this story and look forward to more by this author. I wouldn't mind seeing a story for Jamie.
couldn-t-get-into-it
July 9, 2013I cannot believe it but there is no nice way to say it. I'm 16 % done and I'm bored out of my mind. Ellen is one of my favorite authors and I really loved her other books but this one...nope, not going to happen.
I might pick it up again but not anytime soon.
I might pick it up again but not anytime soon.
July 15, 2016
I'm probably being stingy, and this is entirely, I suspect, a personal issue with the book because O'Connell can write and I've read and enjoyed her in the past. The first in this series was solid for me, and I enjoyed seeing the H/h from that book twenty years on. Her language and description and conversation are all excellent. I read this straight through and it was perfectly fine.
However, this just felt, a bit, bloodless? I never connected to the romance.
I Iiked the hero. Injured in the war, so: all the feels. Tall, dark and handsome and trying to escape the shadow of his villainous father.
The heroine didn’t work so much for me. She’s got a horrendous past and I get completely that it’s supposed to be traumatic and difficult, but that just didn’t leave a lot of room for me to warm to her. She’s timid and sad (in the first half of the book she runs off and cries an awful lot, which – terribly heartless person that I am, I found hugely irritating). I feel that there must be a way of writing this kind of character, with this kind of trauma, in a way that allows the reader to connect a little more with them.
Then there’s the plot. They fall in love through anonymous rendezvous on a bench, in the dark, so they don’t see one another and thus don't realise they're from warring families. Not my favourite trope, to say the least. A dislike exaggerated in this case by the fact that I didn’t think their anonymous conversations or interactions sparkled. They kept thinking about going back to the bench to see each other and I just didn’t get it - nothing that interesting was said! I wasn’t invested in the romance and spent much of the latter half of the book far more intrigued by the hero’s catholic best friend Jamie.
Oh, and the sex was brief and perfunctory and right at the end (a well placed, well written sex scene can really improve my feelings on a book like this one).
Fine, I can't put it any higher than that, but perhaps others would rave about this. It's certainly not bad.
However, this just felt, a bit, bloodless? I never connected to the romance.
I Iiked the hero. Injured in the war, so: all the feels. Tall, dark and handsome and trying to escape the shadow of his villainous father.
The heroine didn’t work so much for me. She’s got a horrendous past and I get completely that it’s supposed to be traumatic and difficult, but that just didn’t leave a lot of room for me to warm to her. She’s timid and sad (in the first half of the book she runs off and cries an awful lot, which – terribly heartless person that I am, I found hugely irritating). I feel that there must be a way of writing this kind of character, with this kind of trauma, in a way that allows the reader to connect a little more with them.
Then there’s the plot. They fall in love through anonymous rendezvous on a bench, in the dark, so they don’t see one another and thus don't realise they're from warring families. Not my favourite trope, to say the least. A dislike exaggerated in this case by the fact that I didn’t think their anonymous conversations or interactions sparkled. They kept thinking about going back to the bench to see each other and I just didn’t get it - nothing that interesting was said! I wasn’t invested in the romance and spent much of the latter half of the book far more intrigued by the hero’s catholic best friend Jamie.
Oh, and the sex was brief and perfunctory and right at the end (a well placed, well written sex scene can really improve my feelings on a book like this one).
Fine, I can't put it any higher than that, but perhaps others would rave about this. It's certainly not bad.
August 20, 2023
Ellen O'Connell is magic. I don't understand how she keeps me reading even though I shouldn't have liked any part of this book.
Deborah, the little girl Cal and Norah rescued along with her sisters in Beautiful Bad Man (which I really enjoyed) is the fmc here . Cal killed her father (one of the most cinematic scenes I've read 🥹) because he was a sick monster. Deborah still carries those scars and she is afraid of anything and anyone who isn't part of her family. Trey Van Cleve returns to his hated father's ranch injured and barely able to walk after fighting in the Spanish American war. They meet one dark evening outside a celebration and connect instantly. They remain anonymous because it makes Deborah feel safe. Soon she finds out the truth, that the stranger she found such a deep connection with is the son of her family's most hated enemy.
First off, Beautiful Bad Man must be read first to understand the significance of a Van Cleve and a Sutton getting together. Plus the characters play secondary parts here. I think if I hadn't read that one first I would have probably hated this. The connection to that book is what kept me reading. The romance is slow. Like no sex until the end slow 😳 Normally slow burns with no burn are an automatic DNF for me but damn me if this author doesn't keep me hooked regardless. I adored Trey, a true cinnamon roll with a silver tongue and his patience with Deborah. He quickly understood the reasons for her behavior and refused to believe, like everyone else did, that she was damaged. He gives her a job and opens up a whole new world for her. I really enjoyed the setting at the turn of the 20th century when the automobile was just starting to take hold and newspapers were still on top. The book transported me to turn of the century Kansas because Ellen O'Connell IS magic.
TL;DR super slow burn but highly readable. Doesn't stand alone.
Tropes:
Close proximity
Forbidden love
CW: trauma and non explicit talk of SA.
Deborah, the little girl Cal and Norah rescued along with her sisters in Beautiful Bad Man (which I really enjoyed) is the fmc here . Cal killed her father (one of the most cinematic scenes I've read 🥹) because he was a sick monster. Deborah still carries those scars and she is afraid of anything and anyone who isn't part of her family. Trey Van Cleve returns to his hated father's ranch injured and barely able to walk after fighting in the Spanish American war. They meet one dark evening outside a celebration and connect instantly. They remain anonymous because it makes Deborah feel safe. Soon she finds out the truth, that the stranger she found such a deep connection with is the son of her family's most hated enemy.
First off, Beautiful Bad Man must be read first to understand the significance of a Van Cleve and a Sutton getting together. Plus the characters play secondary parts here. I think if I hadn't read that one first I would have probably hated this. The connection to that book is what kept me reading. The romance is slow. Like no sex until the end slow 😳 Normally slow burns with no burn are an automatic DNF for me but damn me if this author doesn't keep me hooked regardless. I adored Trey, a true cinnamon roll with a silver tongue and his patience with Deborah. He quickly understood the reasons for her behavior and refused to believe, like everyone else did, that she was damaged. He gives her a job and opens up a whole new world for her. I really enjoyed the setting at the turn of the 20th century when the automobile was just starting to take hold and newspapers were still on top. The book transported me to turn of the century Kansas because Ellen O'Connell IS magic.
TL;DR super slow burn but highly readable. Doesn't stand alone.
Tropes:
Close proximity
Forbidden love
CW: trauma and non explicit talk of SA.
July 13, 2013
Many years earlier, the Sutton's and the van Cleve's fought a range war which resulted in deaths on both sides. Now the hostilities have ended but the enmity remains.
When Trey van Cleve returns from war broken and crippled he means to make peace with his father and then leave. But after meeting a mysterious woman in a darkened courtyard he finds himself drawn back in the hopes of meeting her again.
Deborah Sutton has chosen her lot. She would rather be single and lonely than ever trust a man. But Trey manages to break through her defences.
Into the Light takes a while to get going. I was 40% into the book and not all that much had happened. But the measured pace works for the book and I found myself enjoying it for the depth of detail as much as the story.
When Trey van Cleve returns from war broken and crippled he means to make peace with his father and then leave. But after meeting a mysterious woman in a darkened courtyard he finds himself drawn back in the hopes of meeting her again.
Deborah Sutton has chosen her lot. She would rather be single and lonely than ever trust a man. But Trey manages to break through her defences.
Into the Light takes a while to get going. I was 40% into the book and not all that much had happened. But the measured pace works for the book and I found myself enjoying it for the depth of detail as much as the story.
January 9, 2020
Two people trying to overcome the sins of their fathers
Trey’s father is a terrible villain that killed, burned and threatened to build an empire. Deborah’s family suffered great losses under his father's tyranny and they are sworn enemies.
They meet in a dark garden and anonymously strike up an unlikely friendship.
Deborah understands well how does it feel to have an evil parent and they relate to each other on a deep level.
The romance is beautiful, their childhood, specially Deborah’s, was really sad and heartbreaking, and there is some violence, but overall a good read.
Trey’s father is a terrible villain that killed, burned and threatened to build an empire. Deborah’s family suffered great losses under his father's tyranny and they are sworn enemies.
They meet in a dark garden and anonymously strike up an unlikely friendship.
Deborah understands well how does it feel to have an evil parent and they relate to each other on a deep level.
The romance is beautiful, their childhood, specially Deborah’s, was really sad and heartbreaking, and there is some violence, but overall a good read.
November 15, 2024
Unfortunately I’m down to the last few books O’Connel has written, and obviously, nothing compares to her three big hits.
It was delightful to read her work, but this time around the MMCs weren’t as good as the others and I couldn’t be as invested in them as in previous books.
It was delightful to read her work, but this time around the MMCs weren’t as good as the others and I couldn’t be as invested in them as in previous books.
July 9, 2013
3.5 stars...
Something didn't click for me while reading this book. I loved the idea of Deborah and Tray, but for me the spark just came to late. I think what happened is we spend so much of this book learning all the reasons that Deborah and Tray cannot be together that I just started to loose interest.
Keep in mind I waited for this book to come out. A few friends and I even stalked the authors blog in order to know when Ms. O'Connell's next book was coming out. You see, I love her Westerns. They're amazing but this one just didn't do it for me. It was a well written book, full of family drama, forbidden love but that little spark was not there for me.
So back to waiting for the next book...
Buddy read with Regina, Kay, and Angie.
Something didn't click for me while reading this book. I loved the idea of Deborah and Tray, but for me the spark just came to late. I think what happened is we spend so much of this book learning all the reasons that Deborah and Tray cannot be together that I just started to loose interest.
Keep in mind I waited for this book to come out. A few friends and I even stalked the authors blog in order to know when Ms. O'Connell's next book was coming out. You see, I love her Westerns. They're amazing but this one just didn't do it for me. It was a well written book, full of family drama, forbidden love but that little spark was not there for me.
So back to waiting for the next book...
Buddy read with Regina, Kay, and Angie.
July 17, 2013
The setting is around the turn of the century 1900. The hero is wounded as is the heroine- her's invisible to the eye. Of course their love heals them both.
I love how this author continually goes off the beaten path... And impresses me. As one reviewer said, she can write any hero and do it well, be it alpha, gamma or, as in this book, beta.
Her books are tamer than some but still, it's romancey, and that's good enough for me.
Deborah and Trey are gems. The introduction of the automobile juxtaposed with the running of the town paper, and the fact Deborah came into her own while writing for said paper, makes it even more enjoyable.
Go. Read. Shooo.
I love how this author continually goes off the beaten path... And impresses me. As one reviewer said, she can write any hero and do it well, be it alpha, gamma or, as in this book, beta.
Her books are tamer than some but still, it's romancey, and that's good enough for me.
Deborah and Trey are gems. The introduction of the automobile juxtaposed with the running of the town paper, and the fact Deborah came into her own while writing for said paper, makes it even more enjoyable.
Go. Read. Shooo.
August 15, 2017
Darn my review got eaten.
I liked this okay but not as much as others by this author. I didn't fall in love with the hero. He wasn't as strong a character as other heroes in this author's books. Also I am not really a fan of stories set in this time period. It was set in 1898 and I just don't find stories set in this time period as interesting as historicals set in the 1860s or 1870s when the west was wilder. Still it seemed well researched and had a good sense of time and place.
I liked this okay but not as much as others by this author. I didn't fall in love with the hero. He wasn't as strong a character as other heroes in this author's books. Also I am not really a fan of stories set in this time period. It was set in 1898 and I just don't find stories set in this time period as interesting as historicals set in the 1860s or 1870s when the west was wilder. Still it seemed well researched and had a good sense of time and place.
June 25, 2013
This is actually more of a 4.5 stars -- and only because I will not be re-reading it quite as compulsively as Beautiful Bad Man or Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold, which have become my go-to books when I am miserable with a cold in bed and need a comfort read.
I'm a sucker for character-driven stories, and O'Connell is wonderful at writing compelling characters and dialogue. This particular story has almost no sex (what there is is very elegantly done and well-integrated) but there is plenty of believable tension; the few action sequences are written sparely, with more emphasis on daily lives and relationships; and settings are lovingly researched. I am no specialist in the history of the West, but O'Connell's books transport me there every time, whether she's writing about the plight of the Apache, ranching in Colorado, farming in Kansas or the newspaper business and the arrival of horseless carriages in Kansas (the focus of Into the Light). Into the Light brings Hubbell to life through carefully chosen, gem-like detail.
This is the kind of romance that is powerful in its realism -- just two very likeable people falling in love with each other in a very sympathetic way. I tend to read a fair amount of paranormal, mystery and action novels, and I'm always thrilled when a new O'Connell book comes out because it helps me revisit a fresher, kinder approach to writing about real people (or at least, people who should be real). Also, let's face it, I'm more or less in love with all her male leads.
My only caution is for anyone in the mood for something fast-paced and action-packed: this is probably not the book for you and it isn't really trying to be. This is more like the endearing love-child of a cozy mystery and a Western romance.
I enjoyed Into the Light even more for the chance to visit with old friends from Beautiful Bad Man -- for a second there, I forgot Deborah's precise relationship to Caleb and Norah, and felt deeply betrayed at the thought that something violent and awful might have happened to them. Goes to show how attached I get to these characters I suppose ... on that note, I'll head off to re-read Beautiful Bad Man.
I'm a sucker for character-driven stories, and O'Connell is wonderful at writing compelling characters and dialogue. This particular story has almost no sex (what there is is very elegantly done and well-integrated) but there is plenty of believable tension; the few action sequences are written sparely, with more emphasis on daily lives and relationships; and settings are lovingly researched. I am no specialist in the history of the West, but O'Connell's books transport me there every time, whether she's writing about the plight of the Apache, ranching in Colorado, farming in Kansas or the newspaper business and the arrival of horseless carriages in Kansas (the focus of Into the Light). Into the Light brings Hubbell to life through carefully chosen, gem-like detail.
This is the kind of romance that is powerful in its realism -- just two very likeable people falling in love with each other in a very sympathetic way. I tend to read a fair amount of paranormal, mystery and action novels, and I'm always thrilled when a new O'Connell book comes out because it helps me revisit a fresher, kinder approach to writing about real people (or at least, people who should be real). Also, let's face it, I'm more or less in love with all her male leads.
My only caution is for anyone in the mood for something fast-paced and action-packed: this is probably not the book for you and it isn't really trying to be. This is more like the endearing love-child of a cozy mystery and a Western romance.
I enjoyed Into the Light even more for the chance to visit with old friends from Beautiful Bad Man -- for a second there, I forgot Deborah's precise relationship to Caleb and Norah, and felt deeply betrayed at the thought that something violent and awful might have happened to them. Goes to show how attached I get to these characters I suppose ... on that note, I'll head off to re-read Beautiful Bad Man.
August 1, 2013
Not quite 4 stars, but more than 3 stars.
Missing your little house on the prairie books from when you were younger? Love to read books that show the characters hard at work? But like to add a sweet and slow building romance to that mix? Then Ellen O'Connell is an author you need to read.
Into the Light is the most recent book published by O'Connell. It is a continuation of the story of Beautiful Bad Man - which was the book that introduced me to O'Connell. But it isn't necessary to read Beautiful Bad Man first.
The premise of the story is two damaged characters who are each, individually trying to find a place for themselves in a small rural and pioneer town in Kansas, late 1800s. When O'Connell writes characters she doesn't just tell you about them, she shows you what they are like. She slowly develops her characters through interactions and scenes, so that by the middle of the book the reader knows he characters so well they feel like friends. Into the Light is no different, it is a slow start. But not painful, instead I knew as I was reading that O'Connell was working toward a wonderful climax. And I wasn't wrong. By the time the story gets going, the reader is so invested in the story and the characters have such depth that each scene takes on such meaning.
A character recovering from the horrors of war and a character who has survived child abuse, that is who is the focus of into the light. These are topics that are not dealt with lightly or superficially. But dealing with these topics too heavily could take away the sweetness of the book. O'Connell finds the perfect balance and uses these storyline a to write a beautiful book about healing and moving on.
This is not my favorite book by O'Connell but that is only because I already have two favorites burned into my favorite list. Into the Light is a strong book, and definitely enjoyable. Readers who enjoy historical fiction that is romance based and can tolerate only a light bit of steam will like this book. Just be aware that it is a slow steady build, the story and the romance do not happen quickly in this novel. But they are both rewarding.
Missing your little house on the prairie books from when you were younger? Love to read books that show the characters hard at work? But like to add a sweet and slow building romance to that mix? Then Ellen O'Connell is an author you need to read.
Into the Light is the most recent book published by O'Connell. It is a continuation of the story of Beautiful Bad Man - which was the book that introduced me to O'Connell. But it isn't necessary to read Beautiful Bad Man first.
The premise of the story is two damaged characters who are each, individually trying to find a place for themselves in a small rural and pioneer town in Kansas, late 1800s. When O'Connell writes characters she doesn't just tell you about them, she shows you what they are like. She slowly develops her characters through interactions and scenes, so that by the middle of the book the reader knows he characters so well they feel like friends. Into the Light is no different, it is a slow start. But not painful, instead I knew as I was reading that O'Connell was working toward a wonderful climax. And I wasn't wrong. By the time the story gets going, the reader is so invested in the story and the characters have such depth that each scene takes on such meaning.
A character recovering from the horrors of war and a character who has survived child abuse, that is who is the focus of into the light. These are topics that are not dealt with lightly or superficially. But dealing with these topics too heavily could take away the sweetness of the book. O'Connell finds the perfect balance and uses these storyline a to write a beautiful book about healing and moving on.
This is not my favorite book by O'Connell but that is only because I already have two favorites burned into my favorite list. Into the Light is a strong book, and definitely enjoyable. Readers who enjoy historical fiction that is romance based and can tolerate only a light bit of steam will like this book. Just be aware that it is a slow steady build, the story and the romance do not happen quickly in this novel. But they are both rewarding.
July 2, 2013
4/5; 4 stars; A-
I really enjoyed this sequel to Beautiful Bad Man
This western had a bit of a different flavor than others I've read by this author. In the other stories I've read the main characters become a couple near the beginning of the story and then their relationship evolves. In this book two very damaged people get to know each other and overcome their obstacles on the way to becoming a couple.
I enjoyed the chance to see Cal and Norah again (from Beautiful Bad Man) and I especially enjoyed the author's historical notes about the development of the automobile.
I really enjoyed this sequel to Beautiful Bad Man
This western had a bit of a different flavor than others I've read by this author. In the other stories I've read the main characters become a couple near the beginning of the story and then their relationship evolves. In this book two very damaged people get to know each other and overcome their obstacles on the way to becoming a couple.
I enjoyed the chance to see Cal and Norah again (from Beautiful Bad Man) and I especially enjoyed the author's historical notes about the development of the automobile.
August 31, 2016
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book, who am I kidding I love ALL Ellen O'Connell's books! I loved the originality of the story. I loved how both Trey and Deborah were both broken people but neither came off as victims. Their slowly growing love for each other was beautiful to read.
October 24, 2016
3.5 Stars
Ellen O'Connell is one of the few authors who literally takes readers by the hand and transports them into the old West. It's just so amazingly authentic, the pace of life , the bent of mind of the protagonists - I am again in awe of how it's done.
This second installment in the series takes us half a generation ahead of Caleb and Norah 's story. 1899 presents it's own set of new opportunity and challenges - a time for women to attend college and find 'suitable' employment , for industrious young men to put in toil as an apprentice and make a prosperous living. I totally loved how true to form the background of the novel was !
As much as I enjoyed the novel, the romance and the main characters did not feel engaging enough
Ellen O'Connell is one of the few authors who literally takes readers by the hand and transports them into the old West. It's just so amazingly authentic, the pace of life , the bent of mind of the protagonists - I am again in awe of how it's done.
This second installment in the series takes us half a generation ahead of Caleb and Norah 's story. 1899 presents it's own set of new opportunity and challenges - a time for women to attend college and find 'suitable' employment , for industrious young men to put in toil as an apprentice and make a prosperous living. I totally loved how true to form the background of the novel was !
As much as I enjoyed the novel, the romance and the main characters did not feel engaging enough
August 29, 2018
3.5/5
The female protagonist, Deborah struggles with social anxiety and sexual abuse, despite her being "damaged", her well-meaning family tries to push her into marrying and doing things she'd rather not. When she finds herself opening up to a mysterious stranger one night, but later horrifyingly discovers to be her family's arch enemies's son, Trey... both grudgingly find excuses to see each other again and again.
I enjoyed the feminist stance with her working as a reporter.
This is definitely a more introspective and quiet novel. Even though the urgency felt with its predecessor, "Beautiful Bad Man" isn't quite the same, it still packs a punch.
The female protagonist, Deborah struggles with social anxiety and sexual abuse, despite her being "damaged", her well-meaning family tries to push her into marrying and doing things she'd rather not. When she finds herself opening up to a mysterious stranger one night, but later horrifyingly discovers to be her family's arch enemies's son, Trey... both grudgingly find excuses to see each other again and again.
I enjoyed the feminist stance with her working as a reporter.
This is definitely a more introspective and quiet novel. Even though the urgency felt with its predecessor, "Beautiful Bad Man" isn't quite the same, it still packs a punch.
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January 7, 2024
2.5 stars?
Unfortunately, I didn’t really like this one. I thought about rounding up to 3 stars, but I just don’t want to😅 3 years ago when I first read and loved a few of Ellen O’Connell’s books I decided to not continue with the Sutton series and I’m sad to say that was a wise choice 🫢
This was just nowhere near as interesting as any of the other books I’ve read by her. Part of that is that I think most of her books have early forced proximity and/or marriage of convenience situations which lead to a much speedier and tension-filled romance. This in comparison was really slow, drawn out and boring. Now that I think about it this is the first book of hers I’ve read where the wedding is actually…planned…and on purpose…with a real ceremony with friends and family in attendance…and they love each other first…shock/awe/horror…didn’t like it 😂
In this book Deborah and Trey’s “meet-cute” was a Romeo and Juliet style becoming friends in the dark situation that left me more confused than titillated lol like really y’all couldn’t see each other at all?🧐 Why not exchange names? How did they ever possibly end up at the same spot more than once with so much time in between…and besides all that it was just boring. Eventually they figure out who the other is, their family’s are mortal enemies so bam they’re done talking to each other, but then randomly Trey decides to befriend Caleb from book 1, who terrorized him as a child…k...so that starts them on a path back to each other, but then ALSO there’s a completely random, pulled out of nowhere plot line that finally really brings them together half way through the book. So a whole lot of nothing happens the first half then we have this new career path for Trey that he ropes Deborah into and it just felt very odd. I wish the author had seeded it earlier that Trey was interested in this, maybe that’s why he was leaving Hubbell for a big city so he could pursue it but then this opportunity fell in his lap. Likewise if Deborah had expressed any interests related to anything close to this job that would’ve been nice. But because the author didn’t do that it felt like a random whim (that only a wealthy flighty person could pursue) and didn’t give enough weight to how huge of an undertaking it would be and how you’d have to be really passionate about it and I just didn’t believe that about Trey. Much like I didn’t believe in the passion of Trey and Deborah’s romance, or lack there of, which I found really dry, cold and uninspired 😬 yikes.
Alsooo there was another random plot line with someone trying to kill Trey a million times. I think the author just added that in because her past heroes where dangerous and rugged and if trouble didn’t find them they made trouble and that was not Trey no matter how much she tried to make it so. He was a spoiled silver spoon baby from a shitty family that went off and roamed the world before he got shot in a war cause he was bored, but he’s just nothing like any of her past heroes and…I didn’t like it. And Deborah is also nothing like any of her past heroines and…I didn’t like it. She’s been through some real trauma, but girl was afraid of her own shadow, withdrawn, cold, boring. I needed more growth from her. UGH idk I hate that I didn’t like this or them, but I just didn’t 😞 and now my grand plan to finally read all the E O’C books I have left is not going to happen atm because I feel really uninspired 😂 the next book in this series is about Trey’s friend (who I didn’t really like all that much) and another lady in town so nothing to do with the Sutton’s so the series name is a bit random…plus it’s about some big automobile race somewhere? So it just sounds so different to the vibes of her past books with small towns, hard men and lots of danger annnnd I’m not interested 🤷🏼♀️ we’ll see if I change my mind in the future.
Unfortunately, I didn’t really like this one. I thought about rounding up to 3 stars, but I just don’t want to😅 3 years ago when I first read and loved a few of Ellen O’Connell’s books I decided to not continue with the Sutton series and I’m sad to say that was a wise choice 🫢
This was just nowhere near as interesting as any of the other books I’ve read by her. Part of that is that I think most of her books have early forced proximity and/or marriage of convenience situations which lead to a much speedier and tension-filled romance. This in comparison was really slow, drawn out and boring. Now that I think about it this is the first book of hers I’ve read where the wedding is actually…planned…and on purpose…with a real ceremony with friends and family in attendance…and they love each other first…shock/awe/horror…didn’t like it 😂
In this book Deborah and Trey’s “meet-cute” was a Romeo and Juliet style becoming friends in the dark situation that left me more confused than titillated lol like really y’all couldn’t see each other at all?🧐 Why not exchange names? How did they ever possibly end up at the same spot more than once with so much time in between…and besides all that it was just boring. Eventually they figure out who the other is, their family’s are mortal enemies so bam they’re done talking to each other, but then randomly Trey decides to befriend Caleb from book 1, who terrorized him as a child…k...so that starts them on a path back to each other, but then ALSO there’s a completely random, pulled out of nowhere plot line that finally really brings them together half way through the book. So a whole lot of nothing happens the first half then we have this new career path for Trey that he ropes Deborah into and it just felt very odd. I wish the author had seeded it earlier that Trey was interested in this, maybe that’s why he was leaving Hubbell for a big city so he could pursue it but then this opportunity fell in his lap. Likewise if Deborah had expressed any interests related to anything close to this job that would’ve been nice. But because the author didn’t do that it felt like a random whim (that only a wealthy flighty person could pursue) and didn’t give enough weight to how huge of an undertaking it would be and how you’d have to be really passionate about it and I just didn’t believe that about Trey. Much like I didn’t believe in the passion of Trey and Deborah’s romance, or lack there of, which I found really dry, cold and uninspired 😬 yikes.
Alsooo there was another random plot line with someone trying to kill Trey a million times. I think the author just added that in because her past heroes where dangerous and rugged and if trouble didn’t find them they made trouble and that was not Trey no matter how much she tried to make it so. He was a spoiled silver spoon baby from a shitty family that went off and roamed the world before he got shot in a war cause he was bored, but he’s just nothing like any of her past heroes and…I didn’t like it. And Deborah is also nothing like any of her past heroines and…I didn’t like it. She’s been through some real trauma, but girl was afraid of her own shadow, withdrawn, cold, boring. I needed more growth from her. UGH idk I hate that I didn’t like this or them, but I just didn’t 😞 and now my grand plan to finally read all the E O’C books I have left is not going to happen atm because I feel really uninspired 😂 the next book in this series is about Trey’s friend (who I didn’t really like all that much) and another lady in town so nothing to do with the Sutton’s so the series name is a bit random…plus it’s about some big automobile race somewhere? So it just sounds so different to the vibes of her past books with small towns, hard men and lots of danger annnnd I’m not interested 🤷🏼♀️ we’ll see if I change my mind in the future.
February 28, 2021
Deborah and Trey. Well written and I liked it, but I enjoyed Beautiful Bad Man so much better. This story takes place years after Beautiful Bad Man and handles some pretty intense issues. However, there were some boring parts to me and maybe a little bit of too slow burn between the heroine and hero. My favorite part was the author tied the kissed between the heroine and hero of Beautiful Bad Man and was able to Deborah and Trey's hea kiss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2023
3.5 stars. I loved elements of this book - healing from trauma, breaking from the sins of the fathers. But I just didn’t connect with these characters like I did in the other two Ellen O’Connell books. The conflict is more internal - characters battling their demons rather than an evil character (there’s still that, but less so).
Still a nice read, and I enjoyed it.
Still a nice read, and I enjoyed it.
June 4, 2017
Ok story, but not as good as the first one.
October 19, 2014
3 ½ stars. Enjoyable story even though the relationship was a little bland.
My favorite part was after Trey left his father’s ranch - what he did for work and also his friend Jamie’s business. I liked Deborah’s role in that part as well. I couldn’t stop reading and stayed up too late. Other parts were good. I’m glad the author didn’t go into depressing cruelty the way she did in some of her other books.
Some reviewers complained that the characters were bland and the romance was not exciting enough. I agree. But I still liked the story. I like the following things about this author. She does not use stupidity, contrivances, and misunderstandings due to illogical communication. And she uses 3rd person.
STORY BRIEF:
Deborah was molested by her father at age 7. (This was referred to, not shown in detail.) For the rest of her life she fears being touched and being around people. Trey hates his father and does not want to inherit the ranch because his father cheated, stole, and murdered to build it. This book is the sequel to “Beautiful Bad Man” where the father’s evil deeds are shown.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Kindle count length: 3,507 (318 pages). Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 2. Setting 1898 to 1990 mostly Kansas. Copyright: 2013. Genre: western historical romance.
BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR:
5 stars. Without Words - neat things happen - not depressing
4 stars. Beautiful Bad Man - depressing child abuse and bad guy’s evil deeds
4 stars. Dancing on Coals - depressing treatment of Native American Indians
3 ½ stars. Into the Light - not depressing, but relationship a little bland
2 stars. Sing My Name - too depressing, I lost sleep
Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold - I’m won’t read because it will depress me - per advice from my friends
My favorite part was after Trey left his father’s ranch - what he did for work and also his friend Jamie’s business. I liked Deborah’s role in that part as well. I couldn’t stop reading and stayed up too late. Other parts were good. I’m glad the author didn’t go into depressing cruelty the way she did in some of her other books.
Some reviewers complained that the characters were bland and the romance was not exciting enough. I agree. But I still liked the story. I like the following things about this author. She does not use stupidity, contrivances, and misunderstandings due to illogical communication. And she uses 3rd person.
STORY BRIEF:
Deborah was molested by her father at age 7. (This was referred to, not shown in detail.) For the rest of her life she fears being touched and being around people. Trey hates his father and does not want to inherit the ranch because his father cheated, stole, and murdered to build it. This book is the sequel to “Beautiful Bad Man” where the father’s evil deeds are shown.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Kindle count length: 3,507 (318 pages). Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: moderate. Number of sex scenes: 2. Setting 1898 to 1990 mostly Kansas. Copyright: 2013. Genre: western historical romance.
BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR:
5 stars. Without Words - neat things happen - not depressing
4 stars. Beautiful Bad Man - depressing child abuse and bad guy’s evil deeds
4 stars. Dancing on Coals - depressing treatment of Native American Indians
3 ½ stars. Into the Light - not depressing, but relationship a little bland
2 stars. Sing My Name - too depressing, I lost sleep
Eyes of Silver, Eyes of Gold - I’m won’t read because it will depress me - per advice from my friends
January 17, 2024
Set 18 years after Beautiful Bad Man.
I loved parts of this book. Especially the Sutton family. (This book made me love Beautiful Bad Man even more. Cal and Norah are awesome.)
I like the different settings in this book: Cuba, New York, Hubbell (the local town), the farm where Deborah grew up, the ranch where Trey grew up, etc. And I appreciate that the author wrote about unique characters who have been through tough times in their lives.
The romance was sweet, but it didn't have much oomph. The main characters didn't spend a significant amount of time together for the first half of the book, which might have contributed to the lack. Also, Deborah was dealing with her own issues, and she pushed Trey away for a long time.
Even with the stuff that I didn't like so much, the story held my attention well and the author's writing is great, as usual.
I loved parts of this book. Especially the Sutton family. (This book made me love Beautiful Bad Man even more. Cal and Norah are awesome.)
I like the different settings in this book: Cuba, New York, Hubbell (the local town), the farm where Deborah grew up, the ranch where Trey grew up, etc. And I appreciate that the author wrote about unique characters who have been through tough times in their lives.
The romance was sweet, but it didn't have much oomph. The main characters didn't spend a significant amount of time together for the first half of the book, which might have contributed to the lack. Also, Deborah was dealing with her own issues, and she pushed Trey away for a long time.
Even with the stuff that I didn't like so much, the story held my attention well and the author's writing is great, as usual.
December 7, 2023
I would strongly recommend reading the first book in this series, Beautiful Bad Man, before this one to fully understand the dynamics between the Sutton and Van Cleve families. I thought this book got off to a jerky start and I didn’t particularly care for the “strangers in the night” gimmick (although it was probably the only way Deborah was going to let a man get close enough to spark any kind of interest at all). Once the strangers had identified each other, however, the relationship between Trey and Deborah built slowly, logically, lovingly and the rest of the book hummed along nicely.
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