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: Turansky is known for taking the reader on an English adventure. More than just a setting, Turansky shines in displaying the different roles of the English society ladder. While I struggled throughout the novel to fully connect with Maggie and, at times, Nathaniel, the plot had kept me fully entertained. From the start, I was drawn into the story and kept wondering about the truth behind her family’s tragic accident.
I enjoyed the evolving mystery and it helped to make up for where I felt like the author had misstepped with the characters. At the end of the day, I can always appreciate a Christain author who can deliver a faithful message, and Turansky had certainly done that.
Rating and Recommendation: I’m giving Shine Like the Dawn 4 stars, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical or an English Edwardian novel.
~I received a copy from Blogging for Books. I was not required to give a favorable review. All thoughts are my own.
Christian Author: A.M. Heath 