Thursday, March 30, 2017

Shine Like the Dawn

GIVEAWAY

TURANSKY, CARRIE
SHINE LIKE THE DAWN

Can faith and love reunite childhood friends separated by an inconceivable tragedy, 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 shattered their idyllic family 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 weights heavily on her heart as 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 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 Review:

An interesting mix of Downton Abbey and North & South with a bit of Larkrise to Candleford thrown in. :-) Love how all the classic elements blend together to make a riveting read. Turansky has created an emotional period drama that carried me away to another time and place and now that I've finished I find I'm feeling rather homesick!

A sweet and tender romance between one-time friends is fraught with difficulties. Maggie's modest village life can't compare to Nathaniel's wealth and prominence. But that isn't the only thing keeping them apart. A past tragedy results in a slew of misunderstandings that seem insurmountable.

Maggie is having difficulty rallying from a profound loss and she struggles with trusting God in the midst of her sorrow. Luckily she has the benefit of her grandmother's unwavering faith and wisdom. Not that Maggie always listens. She's frustratingly stubborn about nursing grudges and coddling her grief. There were times that girl had me in conniptions! Especially when it came to Nathaniel.

Poor man never knows where he stands when it comes to Maggie. He'd like to get past the rift that has separated them for years. A stint as a naval officer has bought him some fresh perspective. A man of faith, dedicated to duty. Classic hero material if every there was one.

But goodness, Turansky doesn't make it easy for these two! There's mystery and danger and some truly reprehensible characters determined to wreck havoc. A deliciously nerve-wracking page-turner!

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Shine Like the Dawn please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you post a comment and add your email address please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 2 2017.  Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

42 comments:

  1. Love to read books about this time period!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. I do too...and British is even better. Good luck, rubynreba!

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  2. Hi Kav, thank you for this wonderful review! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed Maggie and Nate's story. What a great description: "A deliciously nerve-wracking page-turner."

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Carrie, and for writing deliciously nerve-wracking page-turners. :-)

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  3. Would love to read this one :)
    smincer10(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. Love all those tv shows seperately so I can't imagine a book being better! North and South is my favorite. truckredford(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I'd love to see this one in a movie format. Good luck, Truck.

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    2. Hi Truckreford 2, I think you'll enjoy Shine Like the Dawn and the way it reflects some of the best of North and South. I hope you enjoy Maggie and Nate's story!

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  5. Sounds like a glorious mesh up of story elements! Caitlin(dot)Jeffs(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. It's really wonderful and I love the mystery thread. Gives it an extra kick. Good luck, Caitie.

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  6. Ooo! Mystery and history! Wow looks like a wonderful read. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. A great combo. Good luck, Paula.

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    2. Hi Paula, it was fun to combing romance, history, and mystery in Shine Like the Dawn. I hope you have a chance to read it!

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  7. Ah! Have wanted to read this one for awhile now!

    mindyhoungATmsnDOTcom

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  8. I can't wait to read this book! I really miss Downton Abbey and this book sounds like a wonderful adventure I need to experience. Thanks, Kav.

    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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    1. It's a great time period, isn;t it? Good luck,Diane.

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    2. Hi Diane, I miss Downton too! I heard there is going to be a movie. I'd love to see those characters back together again.

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  9. I love Turansky's style. So gentle, and yet so stirring. It really stays with you!
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Hi Nicole, thanks for sharing those kind words! Happy Reading.

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    2. So true, Nicole. I've found myself wondering about these characters, messing with some scene, putting my own spin on their happily ever after. :-) That's a sign of a great story -- when the characters won't let you go. Good luck.

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  10. Sounds like a good one! Carrie is such a great writer. Thank you for a great review, Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi Melanie, thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy reading Maggie and Nate's story.

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  11. Looks great I'm going to check out her other books. Thanks for sharing it with us and for the chance to win. iamabho at gmail dot com
    😊 💖 😀

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    1. Hi Linda, I hope you will take a look at my other books. I have a 3-book English historical series: The Edwardian Brides Series and some contemporary inspirational romances too. Happy reading!

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    2. Yes, check them out, Linda, you won't be disappointed. Good luck!

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  12. I've read all her other books except this one. ❤️

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    1. You have to keep current, Alyssa, so hope you get a chance to read Shine Like the Dawn soon. Good luck.

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  13. I have not read any of Carrie's books, but if I remember correctly this is a standalone or the first in a series?

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Yes -- it's a standalone novel, Patty. Good luck.

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  14. I am in love with this gorgeous cover!! So pretty! And I enjoyed the review, thank you. Please enter me!
    dguz55 AT gmail DOT com

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    1. I love the cover too -- very eyecatching. Good luck, dguz.

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  15. Awesome review, KAV! I'm excited to read this one! Thank you for the chance.
    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  16. I have been reading other blogs and reviews about this book and it sounds like one I need to read asap. Thanks for the great review and giveaway. d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. Yes, it's making quite the stir. Good luck, Donna.

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  17. Sounds like a great book and I love the cover! Thanks for the chance to win.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

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  18. I loved Downton Abbey and North and South! In fact, we had an annual "English" dinner among girlfriends during each season premiere. I'm more sad about our annual dinners ending than the show actually ending. :) I wish I could say that I've read the book North and South, but when my husband and I were first married, we watched an hour a night of the TV mini-series. Since it was the days before Netflix and such, we had to rent the VHS. haha! But we loved it. Of course, the book is probably much better. Your literary comparisons give a great view into what to expect from Turansky's novel. Thank you, Kav.
    tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. I love those BBC mini-series -- especially since they tend to stay truer to the novel than American versions do. Good luck, Terrill.

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