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!