Review (+ Tour Giveaway): Shine Like the Dawn

Shine Like the Dawn
By Carrie Turansky
Multnomah, 2017


Summary

In a quiet corner of northern Edwardian England, Margaret Lounsbury diligently works in her grandmother’s millinery shop, making hats and caring for her young sister. Several years earlier, a terrible tragedy reshaped their family, shattering an idyllic life and their future prospects. But Maggie is resilient and will do what she must to protect her sister Violet. Still, the loss of her parents weighs heavily on her heart and she begins to wonder if what happened that day on the lake…might not have been an accident.

When wealthy inventor and industrialist William Harcourt dies, his son Nathaniel, who is Maggie’s estranged childhood friend, returns from his time in the Royal Navy and inherits his father’s vast estate, Morningside Manor. He also assumes partial control of his father’s engineering company and the duty of repaying an old debt to the Lounsbury family. But years of separation between Nate and Maggie have taken a toll and Maggie struggles to trust her old friend.

Can Maggie let go of the resentment that keeps her from forgiving Nate—and reconciling with God? Will their search for the truth about her parents’ death draw them closer or will it leave them both with broken hearts?


My thoughts

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteousness reward shine like the dawn,

your vindication like the noonday sun.

Psalm 37:5-6

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British drama has always been a favorite of mine and Carrie Turansky does this genre well. Of all that I’ve read by her, Shine Like the Dawn seemed to especially resonate with me and just might be my favorite so far.

Northumberland of Edwardian England in 1903 is vividly conveyed, pulling me right into the setting. Characters are fleshed out and we get to journey through their spiritual development, one of the story’s strong features.

Maggie and Nate are appealing characters and the romance between them is sweet, with realistic tension caused by events in their past. Two additional romances between secondary characters are a delightful bonus. Suspense comes from the mystery surrounding the death of Maggie’s parents and older sister four years earlier, and discontent over working conditions in the local factory adds interest and depth.

The story thoroughly entertains and I especially loved the spiritual thread that is gently woven throughout. Letting go of hurts and doubting God’s love are things that Maggie struggled with – things that most readers can easily identify with. I loved how the title is drawn from the Psalm 37 passage above and the quote in the graphic is one of my favorites.

I believe Shine Like the Dawn is a standalone novel, but there’s plenty of opportunity for further development.

Recommended.

I was provided a free copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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CARRIE TURANSKY is an award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas. She has been the winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award, and a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award and the Maggie Award of Excellence.

A prolific writer of contemporary and historical romance, women’s fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals, Carrie lives in central New Jersey with her husband Scott. They have five adult children and four grandchildren.

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GIVEAWAY

To celebrate her tour, Carrie is giving away all 4 books: Shine Like the Dawn, The Governess of Highland Hall, The Daughter of Highland Hall, and A Refuge at Highland Hall! Enter below. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries.