What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sullyard Sisters #2
Color of Darkness
Lydia Sullyard is not insane. Truly she’s not. To her horror, she’s trapped inside Bedlam Hospital against her will. There’s only one way for her to gain her freedom, but the consequences are unthinkable.
Stratford Bexley agrees to visit Lydia in Bedlam. But the thought of stepping into London’s cesspool makes him want to change his mind. And what it will take for her to be released would alter Stratford’s life forever.
Is Lydia’s love strong enough to rescue Stratford from certain ruin, or will he save her life instead?
Stratford Bexley agrees to visit Lydia in Bedlam. But the thought of stepping into London’s cesspool makes him want to change his mind. And what it will take for her to be released would alter Stratford’s life forever.
Is Lydia’s love strong enough to rescue Stratford from certain ruin, or will he save her life instead?
- GenresHistorical Romance
ebook
Published January 1, 2016
1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Ruth J. Hartman
56 books203 followersRuth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats, and her nights spinning mysterious tales that make you smile. She, her husband, and their cats love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats sit in the people's recliners. Not that the cats couldn't get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else's.
Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling mystery writer uses her goofy sense of humor as she writes tales of klutzy women who find trouble without even trying. Ruth's husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her in spite of her insistence that all of her books have at least one cat in them.
Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling mystery writer uses her goofy sense of humor as she writes tales of klutzy women who find trouble without even trying. Ruth's husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her in spite of her insistence that all of her books have at least one cat in them.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 26, 2021
This is a must see. You get an idea how women were treated at Bedlam. I didn't expect the h to be such a strong, clever girl
Her positive attitude is amazing.
Bring tissues , you'll need them. Thank goodness the book is short.
Her positive attitude is amazing.
Bring tissues , you'll need them. Thank goodness the book is short.
January 31, 2016
This was the first novel that I have ever read in which one of the main characters is imprisoned inside Bedlam Hospital. Obviously, I had heard mention of the place in other novels that have taken place during this time period, but to actually be taken inside of the hospital was a completely new experience.
Right off the bat, I have to say that Ruth was very blunt when it came to describing the horribleness of the place and the inhumane way the patients were treated. She described things in a way that I fully felt like I was right there with Lydia - trapped in a dire situation with no hope. This was an honest approach to the less desirable side of life during that time period, and one that I felt was perfectly executed.
At first, I wasn't entirely sure how I was going to feel about this story. After all, I loathed Stratford in the first novel, and I wasn't sure even with Ruth's uncanny ability to give someone redeeming qualities later on, that I would ever feel more then contempt for him. Thankfully, once again, I was wrong. There were several things explained about his character that made his actions in the first book make more sense. You could almost feel a sense of pity for him once he revealed his deepest secrets to Lydia.
As far as the relationship between the two, it was thoroughly enjoyable to watch how things slowly developed between them whilst Lydia was trapped. Their time together was a ray of sunshine in an otherwise dank and dreary place. I liked how the more time Stratford spent in Lydia's company, the more you could see his true self come through. You could see the man who cared for others in the way that he did what little he could to better her circumstances.
It was also exciting to catch up with Nathaniel and Kitty from the first book, and during the birth of their first child as well! I loved the way the author was able to seamlessly weave the two story-lines together so that although I got to catch up with my favorites from book one, they did not overshadow the characters of this book. In fact, their presence only added to the plot and enabled this story to take the shape and direction that it did.
As for the villain in this novel? Lets just say I'm very happy at the way things played out with them and I wouldn't be sad if I never had to see or hear from them again!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a clean romance or who enjoys an author that isn't afraid to take on the less desirable places of the era.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Right off the bat, I have to say that Ruth was very blunt when it came to describing the horribleness of the place and the inhumane way the patients were treated. She described things in a way that I fully felt like I was right there with Lydia - trapped in a dire situation with no hope. This was an honest approach to the less desirable side of life during that time period, and one that I felt was perfectly executed.
At first, I wasn't entirely sure how I was going to feel about this story. After all, I loathed Stratford in the first novel, and I wasn't sure even with Ruth's uncanny ability to give someone redeeming qualities later on, that I would ever feel more then contempt for him. Thankfully, once again, I was wrong. There were several things explained about his character that made his actions in the first book make more sense. You could almost feel a sense of pity for him once he revealed his deepest secrets to Lydia.
As far as the relationship between the two, it was thoroughly enjoyable to watch how things slowly developed between them whilst Lydia was trapped. Their time together was a ray of sunshine in an otherwise dank and dreary place. I liked how the more time Stratford spent in Lydia's company, the more you could see his true self come through. You could see the man who cared for others in the way that he did what little he could to better her circumstances.
It was also exciting to catch up with Nathaniel and Kitty from the first book, and during the birth of their first child as well! I loved the way the author was able to seamlessly weave the two story-lines together so that although I got to catch up with my favorites from book one, they did not overshadow the characters of this book. In fact, their presence only added to the plot and enabled this story to take the shape and direction that it did.
As for the villain in this novel? Lets just say I'm very happy at the way things played out with them and I wouldn't be sad if I never had to see or hear from them again!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a clean romance or who enjoys an author that isn't afraid to take on the less desirable places of the era.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
February 2, 2016
Oh my gosh, I loved this story! #2 in "The Sullyard Sisters" Trilogy, but can be read as a stand alone. I would also suggest reading Book 1, "Color of Deception"
The Sullyard Sisters, Kitty, Lydia, and Patience are survivors. They take everything the world and others throw at them but can they manage to find their HEA, as well.
They is Lydia's story, she is the middle sister. "Color of Darkness" is not your run of the mill Regency Historical tale, it has a dark side.
Fast paced, beautifully written, compelling, powerful and very intense with many twists and turns. Ms. Hartman gives insight into Mental Health issues during the 1800's, and the need for reform. The reader can feel Lydia's pain, her horror, and her despair. She has been committed to Bedlam Hospital, but is it a misunderstanding, or been falsely committed by someone other than her family, but why? Ms. Hartman pulls the reader into Lydia's story, the deployable conditions at Bedham, the horrible treatment of the residents and how much despair is present. How easy it seemed to be to have someone committed with little wealth, or standing within society to be admitted, falsely or for nefarious reasons.
As a reader, I was totally amazed and horrified for both Lydia and Stratford, the hero, who will do anything to save Lydia from her imprisonment. I held by breath as I kept flipping through the pages of "Color of Darkness". Horrified for both the Hero and the Hero. I had my fingers crossed for a HEA.
I so wanted to slap one of the characters, for they were just plain evil and conniving.
Beautifully written, with compassion, and with intriguing and scarred characters and an intriguing, compelling storyline. Emotional and powerful! Fans of Historical Romance, Regency England, Clean Romance, stories with a dark side and readers of emotional but romantic stories will enjoy this powerful story. I absolutely loved this story! A must read Romantic tale! I can't wait to see what Ms. Hartman has in store for the youngest Sullyard sister, Patience. Her stories are intense, emotional, and compelling with mystery, suspense and Romance. Don't miss this brilliantly written love story! Hurry and grab your copy now!
*Received for an honest review*
Rating: 5
Heat rating: Sweet
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
The Sullyard Sisters, Kitty, Lydia, and Patience are survivors. They take everything the world and others throw at them but can they manage to find their HEA, as well.
They is Lydia's story, she is the middle sister. "Color of Darkness" is not your run of the mill Regency Historical tale, it has a dark side.
Fast paced, beautifully written, compelling, powerful and very intense with many twists and turns. Ms. Hartman gives insight into Mental Health issues during the 1800's, and the need for reform. The reader can feel Lydia's pain, her horror, and her despair. She has been committed to Bedlam Hospital, but is it a misunderstanding, or been falsely committed by someone other than her family, but why? Ms. Hartman pulls the reader into Lydia's story, the deployable conditions at Bedham, the horrible treatment of the residents and how much despair is present. How easy it seemed to be to have someone committed with little wealth, or standing within society to be admitted, falsely or for nefarious reasons.
As a reader, I was totally amazed and horrified for both Lydia and Stratford, the hero, who will do anything to save Lydia from her imprisonment. I held by breath as I kept flipping through the pages of "Color of Darkness". Horrified for both the Hero and the Hero. I had my fingers crossed for a HEA.
I so wanted to slap one of the characters, for they were just plain evil and conniving.
Beautifully written, with compassion, and with intriguing and scarred characters and an intriguing, compelling storyline. Emotional and powerful! Fans of Historical Romance, Regency England, Clean Romance, stories with a dark side and readers of emotional but romantic stories will enjoy this powerful story. I absolutely loved this story! A must read Romantic tale! I can't wait to see what Ms. Hartman has in store for the youngest Sullyard sister, Patience. Her stories are intense, emotional, and compelling with mystery, suspense and Romance. Don't miss this brilliantly written love story! Hurry and grab your copy now!
*Received for an honest review*
Rating: 5
Heat rating: Sweet
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
February 21, 2016
Lydia Sullyard is a prisoner in Bedlam, taken by force from her home with no explanation. She has no idea why she’s there, nor who signed the papers committing her. Her family is refused entrance to see her and Lydia sleeps on a bed of straw, covered by only a blanket, experiencing beatings, starvation, and threats of more degrading abuse by her keepers.
Stratford Bexley, cousin to Lydia’s brother-in-law, Nathanie, struggles to obtainher release, and in the process he and Lydia fall in love. Stratford doesn't know that Lydia has been given a way to free herself, but she doesn’t dare, for gaining her freedom will lose Stratford his.
This isn’t your usual romance, dealing as it does with Bedlam Hospital, originally known as Bethlehem Royal Hospital, and the atrocities done there. One might think this story is exaggerated for dramatic license but from all accounts, the things happening to Lydia Sullyard during her confinement could be true, though the mistreatment of real patients was much worse.
Set in the midst of this squalor, Stratford’s burgeoning love for Lydia is a chaste, sweet contrast to the sordidness and cruelty around them, as well to his previous treatment of woman.
Color of Darkness is a different story, one with a ring of awful truth balancing the romance. The second in the series of novels about the lives and romances of the artistic Sullyard sisters, it’s a story that shouldn’t be missed.
This novel was supplied by the author and no remuneration was involved in the writing of this review.
Stratford Bexley, cousin to Lydia’s brother-in-law, Nathanie, struggles to obtainher release, and in the process he and Lydia fall in love. Stratford doesn't know that Lydia has been given a way to free herself, but she doesn’t dare, for gaining her freedom will lose Stratford his.
This isn’t your usual romance, dealing as it does with Bedlam Hospital, originally known as Bethlehem Royal Hospital, and the atrocities done there. One might think this story is exaggerated for dramatic license but from all accounts, the things happening to Lydia Sullyard during her confinement could be true, though the mistreatment of real patients was much worse.
Set in the midst of this squalor, Stratford’s burgeoning love for Lydia is a chaste, sweet contrast to the sordidness and cruelty around them, as well to his previous treatment of woman.
Color of Darkness is a different story, one with a ring of awful truth balancing the romance. The second in the series of novels about the lives and romances of the artistic Sullyard sisters, it’s a story that shouldn’t be missed.
This novel was supplied by the author and no remuneration was involved in the writing of this review.
October 28, 2016
The author puts together a story of mystery from what it is like to be held inside a hospital knowing you are not crazy and trying to find a way out before you lose your mind. This author gives you an inside look of the horrors and nightmares it can be for a patience as she brings the story of one lady being held and her hero that brings her home.
The author brings a story from the darker side with many twist and turns along with betrayal. She gives you a wonderful character that will not be broken always finding the bright side to carry on until her time comes to escape. The handsome Stratford is to the rescue as a budding romance takes off.
The author gives you a well written story of mystery, betrayal that could have been written from the headlines of any newspaper. This was a well written and thought out story that grabs your attention and keep it making this a fast read and story you cannot put down. I did enjoy this fast pace read full of mystery of why and how Lydia ended up in a place that mistreats her. No one knows why she was taken or who signed for her to be kept. You the read will set with your mouth open at all that is done to Lydia as she keeps going falling back on her humor to keep the world sane for her. I am sure you will enjoy this story as much as I have.
Book Obsessed Chicks Review
The author brings a story from the darker side with many twist and turns along with betrayal. She gives you a wonderful character that will not be broken always finding the bright side to carry on until her time comes to escape. The handsome Stratford is to the rescue as a budding romance takes off.
The author gives you a well written story of mystery, betrayal that could have been written from the headlines of any newspaper. This was a well written and thought out story that grabs your attention and keep it making this a fast read and story you cannot put down. I did enjoy this fast pace read full of mystery of why and how Lydia ended up in a place that mistreats her. No one knows why she was taken or who signed for her to be kept. You the read will set with your mouth open at all that is done to Lydia as she keeps going falling back on her humor to keep the world sane for her. I am sure you will enjoy this story as much as I have.
Book Obsessed Chicks Review
February 2, 2016
5++ Stars!!
Another amazing book to the Sullyard Sisters trilogy. Color of Darkness is based around the misfortune of Lydia Sullyard, the middle sister and younger sister to Kitty. For reasons completely unknown, Lydia finds herself trapped in Bedlam Hospital. Ruth J. Hartman does a wonderful job describing what life is like in Bedlam, I have never read a book that was based inside of the hospital, only ever heard mention of it. However, she did a fabulous job letting her readers know just how horrid and gut wrenching the life of a patient there could be. Stratford Bexley is a rake, who we were introduced too in book one, and he made a vow to be a better person. He gives his word to his cousin and his cousin's new wife, Kitty, that he will visit Lydia and deliver a letter to her.
Color of Darkness has a darker side, betrayal and many twists and turns but even through the darkness, the characters are able to find a reason to laugh and find the good in one another. I love Ms Hartman's ability to always make me laugh during her stories and she always finds a way to include a cat, or two. I am really looking forward to book three, thank you Ruth for another awesome book!
Another amazing book to the Sullyard Sisters trilogy. Color of Darkness is based around the misfortune of Lydia Sullyard, the middle sister and younger sister to Kitty. For reasons completely unknown, Lydia finds herself trapped in Bedlam Hospital. Ruth J. Hartman does a wonderful job describing what life is like in Bedlam, I have never read a book that was based inside of the hospital, only ever heard mention of it. However, she did a fabulous job letting her readers know just how horrid and gut wrenching the life of a patient there could be. Stratford Bexley is a rake, who we were introduced too in book one, and he made a vow to be a better person. He gives his word to his cousin and his cousin's new wife, Kitty, that he will visit Lydia and deliver a letter to her.
Color of Darkness has a darker side, betrayal and many twists and turns but even through the darkness, the characters are able to find a reason to laugh and find the good in one another. I love Ms Hartman's ability to always make me laugh during her stories and she always finds a way to include a cat, or two. I am really looking forward to book three, thank you Ruth for another awesome book!
February 16, 2016
WHO IS INSANE
And how can you tell? I don't think that was really the point of the story, which had as an overall theme the power of love. But there was a clearly over-indulged miss of a villain! So nasty that I could only hope she had deep, dark secrets driving her. But I was glad to see the back of her....
As is standard for this author, there are strong, unique characters, winding their way through a rather diabolical set of circumstances. And when they succeed in getting home, there is a feeling of triumph for them that fills at least this reader.
And how can you tell? I don't think that was really the point of the story, which had as an overall theme the power of love. But there was a clearly over-indulged miss of a villain! So nasty that I could only hope she had deep, dark secrets driving her. But I was glad to see the back of her....
As is standard for this author, there are strong, unique characters, winding their way through a rather diabolical set of circumstances. And when they succeed in getting home, there is a feeling of triumph for them that fills at least this reader.
March 26, 2016
Book two of the Sullyard Sisters trilogy takes us into the dark and chilling word of Bedlam. Lydia Sullyard learns what happens to poor women when they provoke the ire of someone evil and wealthy. Her brother-in-law's cousin is dispatched to take a note to her, and an unlikely bond grows between them. Formerly known as the prim and proper sister, Lydia's views on what's important changes drastically. And Stratford, formerly known as a rake, is forced to recognize his shortcomings. I'm looking forward to reading book three of this series!
April 1, 2016
Color of Darkness is definitely darker than the rest of Ruth J. Hartman's works, but it is very compelling. The one thing I wish, and was hoping for throughout the book, was that Stratford's problem that he confided only to Lydia would be the solution to the Miss Queensbury predicament. Even though I was wrong in this, I still very much enjoyed this novel about the middle Sullyard sister and look forward to what is in store for Patience in the last installment of the trilogy.
April 25, 2016
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. It's kinda scary that this stuff actually use to happen. This is a well written and interesting storyline with some really great characters. It's a book that begs to be read in one sitting. I would have liked to read more about Lydia and Stratford, I think it would have been a sweet story.
October 23, 2019
Imagine her shock when Lydia finds herself locked up in hospital for the mentally unstable. She may have a few quirks, but she isn’t mad, or is she? Beaten, starved and deprived of visits from her family, she’s soon to go mad if she isn’t already.
This Regency Romance is very well written. I became very endeared with the main characters, all save one at least I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys novels set in the Regency period. This is a clean book, but does have violence and some adult situations, so would not be appropriate for the young reader.
This Regency Romance is very well written. I became very endeared with the main characters, all save one at least I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys novels set in the Regency period. This is a clean book, but does have violence and some adult situations, so would not be appropriate for the young reader.
February 24, 2016
Imprisoned in Bedlam Asylum with no immediate explanation for why it happened, Lydia just wants her freedom.
I really, really wanted to like this one. The premise was unique. I can't think of any books that start of with a brutal, honest look into what it was like in the asylum in the Regency era.
The problem I had was in the characters themselves. We met Lydia and Stratford in the first book of the series, and they both are nothing like the characters portrayed in that book. The reasons for their drastic changes are cited and would probably be believable, but they happen off page. The reader is not allowed to experience the change. We're just TOLD that the change happened.
I really, really wanted to like this one. The premise was unique. I can't think of any books that start of with a brutal, honest look into what it was like in the asylum in the Regency era.
The problem I had was in the characters themselves. We met Lydia and Stratford in the first book of the series, and they both are nothing like the characters portrayed in that book. The reasons for their drastic changes are cited and would probably be believable, but they happen off page. The reader is not allowed to experience the change. We're just TOLD that the change happened.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews