title: Illumination - How One Woman Made Light of the Darkness
author:  Sophia van Buren 
description: At the tender age of 19, I met a man. An older man. I moved in with him and his son and eventually dropped out of college, 10 credits shy of an English degree. We got married on my 21st birthday, and for the next 14 years I hunkered down in the suburbs with my growing family. I made pancakes on weekday mornings and drove my kids and their friends to soccer practice, clipped coupons, and attended Couple's Bible Study every week with my husband. On my 35th birthday and 14th wedding anniversary, everything about my life changed in a matter of minutes. Eight years later, I self-published a book that covers a three year span of my life, beginning with that fateful night. "Illumination - How One Woman Made Light of the Darkness" is the story of how sometimes, what you least expect to happen does, and how, when one life collapses, a new one begins. When I'm not writing, I'm working, shuttling my kids around, or taking photos. My husband and I live in Portland, Oregon.
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  ## Tonight and Always  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Nora Roberts
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Chapter 1
  
  
  
  
  
  ### It was dusk, that strange, almost mystical interlude when light and dark
  are perfectly balanced. Within moments the soft blue would be transformed by
  the fiery colors of sunset. Shadows were lengthening; birds were quieting.  
  
  
  
  
  
  Kasey stood at the foot of the steps leading to the Taylor mansion. She
  glanced up at the massive white pillars and old rose brick with huge expanses
  of plate glass. Three stories. Here and there lights shone dimly through drawn
  drapes. There was a monied dignity about the place. Old money, inherent
  dignity.
  
  
  
  
  
  Intimidating,she thought, letting her eyes roam up and down again. But it did
  have a certain style. Under the cover of dusk the house looked serene.
  
  
  
  
  
  Lifting a large brass knocker, she thudded it against the thick oak door. The
  noise boomed into the twilight. She smiled at the so