Shine Like the Dawn by Carrie Turansky Book Review

 

In Shine Like the Dawn by Carrie Turansky, Margaret Lounsbury is a lovely young woman working with her grandmother in their millinery shop in a little town in Northern England.  Despite the tragic events surrounding her parent's death several years earlier, Maggie is strong and confident as she is caring for her younger sister, Violet.  Maggie is flustered when Nathaniel Harcourt of Morningside Manor returns from his military service and is given control of his late father's estate and business.  Maggie and Nate had been childhood friends, but separated by class and time, they struggle to rekindle their friendship.  Maggie is not ready to accept Nate back into her life especially since he extended a generous offer to her as directed by his father.  When a turn of events bring Maggie and Nate together, she cautiously decides to accept his friendship.  The night before a fire destroys Maggie's business, she discovers some journals from her father implicating Nate's step mother, Helen Harcourt, in the crime of her parent's death.  Maggie is shocked and afraid.  She then embarks on a mission to know the truth and hopefully clear up the mystery that surrounds her parents.  She apprehensively confides in Nate and he begins his own investigation.  Meanwhile, the company that Nate's father owned has disgruntled workers and a possible strike might bring everything to an uncomfortable compromise.  Nate and Maggie are caught between tension in the village and their own private research.  Will what they discover bring them closer together or threaten to tear apart their budding romance?

 

This novel was a delight to read and devour.  The setting of Edwardian England in early 1900's is the perfect backdrop to this mystery romance.  I loved the character of Maggie Lounsbury.  She was very independent and strong willed, but she was also able to have compassion and think of others before herself.  The friendship turned romance between Maggie and Nate was slow and sweet, but also filled with questions and many fun moments.  There were a lot of characters and stories within the main story, but they all flowed together well and gave the novel a well rounded plot.  I really liked the hint of mystery and how the characters interacted with one another.  This is another great novel by Carrie Turansky that is sure to bring you many hours of delightful reading. 

 

Please visit Carrie Turansky at her website to find out more about Shine Like the Dawn and her other amazing books.

 

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*I was given a copy of this book for review from the author.  All opinions are my own.*

The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green Book Review and Giveaway

 
  It's the 1720's and Julianne's new life across the ocean in the French colony of Louisiana was a far cry from her blossoming midwife career.  But one of her clients dies and she is marked as a murderer.  She desperately finds a way of escape and being forced to marry another convict was the only way for transport, but that brought her much closer to her beloved brother, Benjamin who had gone to New Orleans as a soldier.  Julianne encounters a law abiding military officer, Marc-Paul Girard who knew her brother but wanted to spare her the details surrounding Benjamin's desertion.  When some unexpected and devastating events develop, Julianne is left broken and alone.  She is determined to fight for justice and honor, but she cannot do it alone.  When she finally begins to understand that grace is what will keep her from plunging in the depths of bitterness, hate and fear, she finally opens her heart and life to a man who truly loves her and gives her the stability and safety that she needs.  But her brother is still missing and she cannot give up hope or should she?     Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green is a historical novel with romance, history and plenty of action.  The descriptive scenes were incredibly well written as if the reader was there with the characters.  The intricate balance of plot, characters, setting, dialogue and climax was immensely appealing.  I could not put this book down.  There were some very heart aching and repulsive scenes that made this story come alive.  The main character was truly a heroine with many secrets, losses and loves that she determined to not let her concede.    If you want to get lost in a historical romance, check out The Mark of the King.






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*I was given a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity Group for the purpose of this review.  All opinions are my own.*

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