Shine Like the Dawn by Carrie Turansky

Shine Like the Dawn by Carrie Turansky (available everywhere February 21, 2017)

About the Book

Separated by an inconceivable tragedy, can faith and love reunite childhood friends and light the way to a bright future?

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 event reshaped their family, shattering an idyllic life and their future prospects. 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 because she wonders if what happened that day on the lake…might not have been an accident.

When wealthy inventor and industrialist William Harcourt dies, his son and Maggie’s estranged childhood friend, Nathaniel 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 the search for the truth about her parents’ death draw the two friends closer or leave them both with broken hearts?

My thoughts

As I’ve mentioned (a few times), I love stories where childhood friends or sweethearts are brought back together later in life. The characters have grown as individuals when they come back together and, while they have some hurts or grievances to overcome, they also have those shared memories and experiences.

Shine Like the Dawn is the perfect example of this. Maggie is hurt four years after the death of her parents. The one person she believed would stand up for her hadn’t, so when he enters her life again, she’d rather avoid him. Nate’s memories of his friend Maggie are something that has helped him through difficult and dark times in his life. He has no clue why she’s so upset with him, especially since he’s offering her help.

Carrie Turanksy transported me to the English countryside and the lives of the residents of Heatherton village during the Edwardian age. She aptly portrays the unrest of the working man, the dangers and difficulties in the day-to-day lives of each of the classes, and the beauty of the gardens Maggie’s dad created at Nate’s home.

I started reading Shine Like the Dawn one evening in the middle of the week when my internet went down and the next day at work, I couldn’t stop thinking about what was going to happen with Maggie and Nate. The mystery of what really happened to Maggie’s family, the tension between Nate and Maggie, and the strange responses of Nate’s stepmother kept me intrigued until the end of the story.

Here’s a deal for you. Right now, if you pre-order Shine Like the Dawn, you can get one of Carrie’s other books for free!! Don’t miss this deal!!

About the Author

Bestselling Inspirational Romance Author Carrie Turansky writes heartwarming historical and contemporary novels and novellas. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award; and has been a finalist for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, Gayle Wilson Award, Maggie Award, and the ACFW Genesis Award. Readers say her stories are: “Heartwarming and inspiring! I couldn’t put it down! . . . Touching love story. It captured me from the first page! . . . Rich characters, beautifully written . . . my new favorite author.”

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.