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.