Out of the Dark

by JoAnn Smith Ainsworth

Blinded-she by nature, he by loyalty. As a blind woman seen as a flawed commodity, Lady Lynett is used to the idea that she's unlovable. But her parents' plan to force her into a loveless marriage is... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1605042773
• ISBN13: 9781605042770
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Samhain Publishing
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

4.5 Stars: Fresh exciting medieval romance with suspenseful plot

1120 AD. Britain. After an illness, Lady Lynnett sees only murky shades of light and dark. Despite being second cousin to the late queen, she sees herself as flawed. After an argument about her parents' plans for her marriage, Lady Lynnett finds herself lost and alone in the cellars of the King's castle --- alone until she overhears a murder plot. The one man to whom she can turn is Basil, the Sheriff of London, and a man whose voice sounds a little too close to the conspiring voice she heard in the cellar. No one else may believe her, but Basil has a duty to protect the king and his realm. As he seeks to find out the identity of the the men she heard, Basil finds himself torn between protecting a woman for whom he is falling in love and protecting his family as the charges of corruption come a little too close to home. Lady Lynnett feels like her whole world has changed before her. Can she look within and learn to trust herself? As she learns to stand up for herself, will it be enough to enable her to stand up for love? Can Basil and Lady Lynnett uncover the plot before it is too late? In OUT OF THE DARK, Joann Smith Ainsworth creates a medieval romance that grabs the reader, leading her/him inside the heart of the story from the first pages. Lady Lynnett has an inner nobility beyond her relations to the king. As an Anglo-Saxon in a Norman court, a certain tinge of suspicion surrounds her. Closer to home, her family does not understand her unearthly vision and her special relationship with her grandmother, now deceased. Basil is exactly the right man for this special lady. Although practical rather than mystical, he also knows how to ask questions and see beyond the surface in his role as sheriff. Loyal and honorable, he does not take justice or his oath to protect and defend lightly. Quick-witted, he matches the lady in intelligence. Most importantly, Basil believes in her when others don't. Joann Smith Ainsworth does an excellent job at creating fascinating, fresh characters and placing them in a suspenseful setting that keeps a reader glued to the pages. Joann Smith Ainsworth uses a modern prose style that flows easily and adds to the suspenseful pace of the conspiracy. At the same time, she packs enough history into this medieval romance to please medieval lovers. She juxtaposes realistic images of the times such as that of the river Thames with the more mystical elements of a life deeper than just the surface world of the senses. Tight plotting and a focus on scenes central to the story makes OUT OF THE DARK a fast but powerful, dynamic romance. If you are a medieval junkie, OUT OF THE DARK has a fresh sense of originality that will undoubtedly make romance a special treat. COURTESY OF BOOK ILLUMINATIONS

heart pounding read, set in the winter court

Out of the Dark by JoAnn Smith Ainsworth Medieval Romance-March 31st, 2009 Rating 3 1/2 stars Ainsworth plots out romantic details marked by danger in 1120 A.D. Britain with a honorable man and enabled woman. The reader takes part in the chase and discovery as the author deftly guides the reader through the tumultuous lives of her main characters supplying supporting details allotted in the 204 pages of this tale. This is a heart pounding read, set in the winter court The reader is given powerful insight into the dynamic world of King Henry's royal home at the River Thames. It introduces Lady Lynnet of Osfirth daughter of Lady Durwyn and Lord Wilgive. Lynnet was blinded at a young age and I found her a very intriguing character. The hero, Basil of Ipswich, Sherriff of London, is man built by the harrowing times of the day, tall, brooding, a tower of strength. The story unfolds reveal supporting characters to be a friend or a foe each marked by the Saxon and Norman warring factions loosely healed. Basil and Lynnet find each other but, the terrors of the times interfere with their burgeoning love. The stature of those in power reign supreme in this tantalizing detailed read as it concludes to an unseen conclusion. I give this book a 3 1/2 stars for the detailed execution of the what winter court would have looked like, well suited characters true to typecast, and large font type which assists the reader thru the more laborious nature of the English language. This was truly an intrigue that keeps the reader to the final scene. Reviewed by Patricia from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

a great intrigue leads to a great read

this was a really good read, fast paced and with neatly drawn background descriptions that pulled you along without the usual boring painted pictures that accompany so many romances. A LOVE STORY WITH A PLOT. Great characters with well developed personalties that sucked you in to the intrigue and made you a fly on the wall. worth every penny and now i am excited about the next book by JoAnn Smith Ainsworth...MATILDA'S SONG.

Out of the Dark

Lady Lynnet, the blind daughter of Wilfgive of Osfrith, finds herself lost in the castle her cousin the King owns. While trying to find her way back she overheard some men threatening the Crown. When her rescuer has the same voice as one of the villains she is not sure whom she can trust, but Lynnet quickly learns that she can trust Basil with much more than her safety. She can trust him with her heart. Basil of Ipswich, Sheriff of London, quickly acts on Lynnet's charges and finds himself falling for her. He wants her for his own despite his humble background. He must find the people that are threatening not only the King, but the woman he loves as well. Out of the Dark is an interesting book. Lynnet is not made out to be a weakling despite her blindness, except by her parents. Basil does not seem to be bothered by her blindness at all. I was thrilled that it did not rely too heavily on antique language, though people that like historical accuracy in language will not like the few modern phrases thrown in. Tori reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed