The Girl in the Lighthouse/All That is Beautiful

By Roxane Tepfer Sanford

This is one of 2011 must read books! So shocking and immersed in dark family secrets, author Roxane Tepfer Sanford has captured readers from around the world with her debut novel, The Girl in the Lighthouse. Followed by the sequel, All That is Beautiful

From the time Lillian Arrington was born in 1862, she lived an isolated life on a remote lighthouse station with her father Garrett and her young mother Amelia. But Lillian has wishes and dreams far beyond her years.
When her father is transferred to a new station, Lillian is anxious to meet the assistant keepers and their two sons, Heath and Ayden. She had never met children her own age, had playmates, or made a friend.

Heath, the handsome teenage boy who desires to become a doctor someday, welcomes Lillian. However, his younger brother, Ayden, doesn't like her and she struggles to win him over. Before long, a secret bond between the three is forged and to Lillian's delight, they become close friends.

After so many years, Lillian's childhood is beginning to resemble that of a normal girl. No longer is she lonely and isolated from the rest of the world by over-protective parents. Instead, she experiences new adventures, attends school, and falls in love for the first time.

However, her glorious days on Jasper Island are short-lived as her beautiful young mother begins a tragic descent into insanity and passes away. Lillian is left in the care of her sinister grandmother Eugenia Arrington, who, since the end of the Civil War, continues to steadfastly hold onto the once glorious Georgia plantation known as Sutton Hall. It is there that the immoral secrets of Lillian's parents are revealed, and she is left to pick up the pieces of her scandalous past, and somehow, find her long way home.

All That is Beautiful:

Lillian Arrington's turbulent lifelong journey of lies, lust, greed and tragedy continues.

It is the year 1878, and at last, Lillian, now a young woman, is free from the prison called Sutton Hall and the evil grandmother who ruled. After years locked away far from her beloved lighthouse on Jasper Island, she finds her only escape through sheer luck and the generosity of one man, Richard Parker, an aspiring commercial illustrator. Though Lillian is shamed by the sins of her parents and the unspeakable act committed by Warren Stone, she entrusts her life to the charismatic, though married, Richard, until it is safe to return home.
However life, as unpredictable as the sea, has other plans for Lillian.

Not long after leaving, she is caught up in an adult world of money, greed, drugs, and sinful pleasures, turning her life upside down once again.

It is only when Lillian discovers the shocking truth to Richard's cruel years of deception that she finally returns to her lighthouse, desperate to recapture her lost years, and most of all, lost love.

But fate has one more devastating surprise in store, leaving Lillian with incomprehensible choices, and ultimately, tearing her beautiful new world apart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roxane Tepfer Sanford
• Release date: Aug 30, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465705730

Roxane Tepfer Sanford

Roxane Tepfer Sanford is the author of The Girl in the Lighthouse and All That is Beautiful. Her writing style has been compared to that of well known gothic fiction author, V.C. Andrews. The release of the third novel in the series is due out in 2011. Roxane is the very busy mother of six children, and whatever spare time is left, she dedicates to writing novels. Currently she lives in Gilbert, Arizona.

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Reviews for The Girl in the Lighthouse/All That is Beautiful

[ellasgran · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This historical fiction novel of a dark and disturbing family saga that unravels with unexpected twists and turns to reveal long-hidden secrets of a family’s shady past. Now orphaned and with this knowledge, Lillian has to muster her strength to deal with these truths.I have seen this book recommended as young adult reading, but with the incest, child abuse etc., I am not sure I would agree.

[cmeilink_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lillian Arrington is a young girl living with her mother and father at an isolated lighthouse. When her father transfers to another lighthouse as head lighthouse keeper, and she finds herself with friends for the first time in her life.Her happiness is short-lived; however, as her mother plunges into madness and her father seems to forget about Lillian completely. Her mother begins to refer to people that Lillian doesn't know and when she asks her father about them, he is secretive, not only about the people but about their entire past. What could be so horrible that her father cannot bring himself to share it with Lillian?As the story progresses, Lillian discovers the twisted Arrington history and uncovers the truth about her parents and herself.V.C. Andrews fans will like this.

[laurat81 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lillian Arrigton has always lived isolated in a lighthouse with her secretive parents who never reveal anything about ther past, even to Lillian. Finally, after moving to a new lighthouse, she meets two brothers, whom she becomes friends with, and gets to attend school for the first time. Her mother suffers from a mysterious illness that keeps her in bed for days at a time. Lillian's childhood is happy until her mother gets worse and everything starts to spiral out of control... I won't give anything else away. But if you enjoy VC Andrews novels you will love this. This is a quick, engrossing read that charms you in, then rips your heart out.

[hay123_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is about two parts of Lillian Arrington’s life. She is the narrator and her voice is vibrant but often confused as she tackles what life throws at her. Life certainly does that in the second part of the book. We only see things through her eyes and therefore some of the motivations and experiences of the other characters is not clear. But that seems to be the intention of the author, whose writing holds your attention to the end. This could be book one of Lillian’s story and if it is, I would read the next instalment.

[wisterialeigh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lillian Arrington’s father is a lighthouse keeper and until the age of nine she lived in an isolated world devoid of friends. Born in 1862 to Ameilia and Garrett she was the epitome of daddy’s little girl. Her mother was not always well, but she and her father were inseparable. When her father is transfered to Jasper Island she abounds with joy when she learns there will be an assistant keeper on the island who has two sons. With hope and anticipation she meets Heath and Ayden, and the trio become instant companions. Lillian’s childhood is carefree and joyous with each day full of promise with a bright outlook toward the future. Her world is flipped on end when her mother’s health becomes critical. Lillian’s lifestyle turns from joy to misery when she is sent to live with her grandmother, Eugenia on her Georgia plantation. Southern to the core with a drive to rekindle the glory of the past, Eugenia Arrington is nothing like her daughter Amelia. Lillian must endure new challenges that are painful, physically and mentally as she uncovers deep secrets from her families past. Wounds of flesh and mind will scar her deeply as she tries to cope with her discoveries. Taking place in a variety of settings, Sanford depicts each vista with accurate acuity. The details enable the reader clarity and perception as if you were there. Eugenia, hateful and retched juxtaposed with Lillian’s loving and sweet demeanor are both fully developed characters representing good versus evil in imaginative tale of immorality. Glimmers of Lillian’s past are sparingly uncovered as the author teases you through to the conclusion. A long journey for Lillian, this historical fiction novel is brimming with tension and crescendo like drama that will captivate the reader. ~Wisteria Leigh