Author Heather Dilts-Baiano surprised me at every turn with this mysterious romance novel!
You can find more on the author Heather Dilts-Baiano down below my book tease!
Book Rating: 5 Horseshoes!
The Light Everlasting took me by surprise with it's evocative details and characters!
Heather Dilts-Baiano begins her story with the main character Edith attending a funeral. While this beginning can be seen as atypical for a romance novel, I was beset by how wonderfully she described the setting and how realistic the dialogue was written.
The overwhelming scent of lilacs in full bloom hung heavy in the cool air as Edith Doyle stepped from her car and opened her black umbrella.
Dilts-Baiano Chapter 1: The Funeral
Edith is attending her father's funeral who lived in a remote part of the country to write his novels, and to reflect the solumn time, the author depicts the setting as distant, quiet and unknown.
Though, we aren't bogged down by a lot of heavy backstory or overwrought teary moments about her father because it is revealed that not only were they far apart in distance, they also led very separate lives and only communicated once a month or so.
However, what we do learn at the funeral is Edith and her father both share a love of a certain animal.
"May I pet your horses?" Edith asked.
"I know it isn't a usual request at a funeral, but my father loved horses and made sure I grew up with a solid education in riding, horse health, and barn management."
Dilts-Baiano Chapter 1: The Funeral
Even at her father's funeral, she still shows her love for horses, a love that her father passed down to her. Telling that even after their passing, people are never truly gone.
Not-so-unexpectedly, her father leaves her the house that he was living in, along with all the things inside it. However, what is unexpected is that Edith, who is from a larger city far from her father's cottage, and has a career in that city, agrees to not only keep the cottage, but to reside there.
While, this isn't necessarily unheard of, I was surprised that she would make the decision so suddenly.
As the reader, we get a clear glimpse into to Edith's personality. She's decisive and compassionate as she also keeps the cat, Blaze, that lives in the house as well, even though we have hints that she isn't much of a cat lover.
"I'm going to stay," She stated firmly. "I'll keep the house."
"You're going to move here?" Judith raised her eyebrows.
Edith nodded, "It's what he wanted. I'll just have to find a marketing company who will hire me."
Dilts-Baiano Chapter 1: The Funeral
Now, this is when the good stuff begins.
Not only does Edith find a marketing agency who will hire her, she finds out that the owner of the marketing agency bred the horses her father loved so much. The same ones she admired at his funeral: Caden Byrne.
Edith learned at the funeral that he is regarded as mysterious and a bit of a recluse, but her father knew him.
Her father was doing research on the lands near the company in the archives for a story he was working on.
Dilts-Baiano's plot begins to thicken here, just who is ths mysterious Caden Byrne?
Without giving too much away, there is much more to this story about overcoming grief and learning more about her father than I ever anticipated.
In fact her new friend Miles spells out her victory for us when she meets Caden Byrne.
Miles shook his head and replied, "You walked in there cold, and are now the assistant to Mr. Caden Byrne."
Dilts-Baiano Chapter 2: In the Office of Mr. Byrne
Something tells me this isn't going to be a typical 'assistant' romance novel....
While Edith is certainly qualified to be working at a marketing firm as an assistant, the abrupt way that Caden hires her surprises his staff, and what shocks them even further is that their reclusive boss asks her out to lunch!
Edith followed Byrne's tall form out of the office and down the stairs. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, Edith saw him glance over his shoulder and slow his gait so that she could catch up.
Her heart fluttered strangely in her chest.
Dilts-Baiano Chapter 3: Lunch with Mr. Byrne
I love how Heather Dilts-Baiano describes how Edith feels here, without getting into too much sentimental or overly-flowery language.
I also love what comes after when her coworkers see her leaving for lunch with him.
Lydia's eyes went wide, and Sam's mouth fell open.
Dilts-Baiano Chapter 3: Lunch with Mr. Byrne
They even order the same thing for lunch at "the Roaming Minstrel"!
If you want to know more juicy details about their lunch, you're going to have to read The Light Everlasting for yourself, but I will talk about one last point before I start gushing questions about what's to follow.
On a planned company trip to see some historial ruins, the most 'Pride and Prejudice' moment happens between Edith and Caden. While Edith is fixing her broken umbrella, she loses the tour group. Distraught, she seeks refuge in the rain, and hears the unmistakable sound of hoofbeats approaching fast.
"You can't stay here in the rain." Mr Byrne blinked, then looked over the field.
Edith raised a hand, and before she could say a word, Caden Byrne grasped her narrow wrist and lifted her up behind him. Instantly, she grasped his tight waist and balanced herself as the horse leaped forward.
Dilts-Baiano Chapter 4: The Company Trip
Ok, so not only does he save her, but he also owns the land the historical ruins are on.
However, soon the story begins to take a strange and even sinister turn.
She finds out her father was researching things about Caden Byrne's family in the archives, and pages and pages of books are missing.
There seems to be a very good reason why Caden Byrne keeps to himself, and it may have something to do with what happens at night....
When I finished the beginning of this book, I had so many questions:
What is it about Edith that draws Caden to her?
What was Edith's father researching in the archives about Caden?
What is the real reason Caden keeps to himself?
What is Edith truly capable of?
What will the pragmatic Edith do when she sees a side of Caden she can't explain?
If you're looking for an incredibly thoughtful and well written novel, then The Light Everlasting is the novel you've been hunting for. Read Heather Dilts-Baiano's amazing work here on Webnovel, Dreame, or iReader!!!
Now: My exclusive author interview with Heather Dilts-Baiano
1) Which part of your book was the most fun to write?
I always find the opening scene, or first few paragraphs of the book, set the tone of the story. I really enjoy writing opening scenes, introducing characters and landscapes that will play a large role in the coming chapters.
2) What do you find is the most difficult part of being an indie author?
finding a publishing house that wants your story. You need to be ready for rejection, even if you think your story is the best.
Finding the right genre can be tough, but you just keep writing until you find your place.
3) What piece of advice do you have for indie authors looking to either self-publish or to try to strike out on their own?
Find a publishing house that suits you, and has the same values you do. Be open minded and willing to make edits.
Write, write, and write some more.
If you have stories to tell, just write them. Think of the one person who is going to read your story and it changes their life in some way and write for that person.
About the author:
You can find out more about the talented author Heather Dilts-Baiano on her novel instagram page, her personal instagram, and facebook!
Thank you again for reading, and as always, Embrace the Paper Hurricane!