Review ~ Shine Like the Dawn Celebration Tour + Giveaway

First off, I want to apologize to Celebrate Lit and the author for my tardiness in posting on my date during the tour. Due to an emergency, I was out of town all last week and just couldn't get my review posted. Thank you for your understanding and showing me grace during this difficult time.

 

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Book

Book: Shine Like the Dawn  

Author: Carrie Turansky  

Genre: Historical

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 tragedy reshaped their family, shattering an idyllic life and their future prospects. But 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 and 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 Nathaniel, who is Maggie’s estranged childhood friend, 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 their search for the truth about her parents’ death draw them closer or will it leave them both with broken hearts?

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My Thoughts

Shine Like the Dawn is a beautiful depiction of faith and family and love, radiating a sunburst of emotions that swept this reader deep into the story, making it difficult to come up for air. At first, I wasn’t sure if Maggie and Nate were going to overcome the past but they did and ended up having a lovely romance entwined with a more than satisfying mystery. There are elements of a couple of classic novels woven into this story and I was pleased to recognize some of the labor tensions from North & South (Gaskell). In my opinion, Turansky is an author not to be missed. Her ability to bring the Edwardian Era to life on the printed page is amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from CelebrateLit and the author for participating in this blog tour. No compensation has been received and all opinions stated are my own.
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About the Author

CARRIE TURANSKY is an award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas. She has been the winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award, and a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award and the Maggie Award of Excellence. A prolific writer of contemporary and historical romance, women’s fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals, Carrie lives in central New Jersey with her husband Scott. They have five adult children and four grandchildren.

 

Guest Post from Carrie Turansky

Hats, Glorious Hats!

By Carrie Turansky

One fun part of my research for Shine Like the Dawn was learning about hat making in the early customers request, so that creates some humorous conflict in the story.
1900s. My heroine, Maggie Lounsbury is a milliner who designs women’s hats. She learned this skill from her grandmother who owns a small shop in the village of Heatherton. Maggie has an artistic eye and she enjoys making stylish hats, but she doesn’t like the overdone designs some of their

Hats in the Edwardian era were large and often covered with feathers, flowers, lace, netting, berries and bows. The “bird nests,” as Coco Chanel called them, were held on with large hat pins stuck through piles of hair on the crown. These hats were called Gainsborough or Picture hats because of the way they framed a lady’s face. They often featured huge dried flower arrangements and sometimes included real leaves and twigs! No doubt the Garden hat was a fitting name. 1907 The Merry Window hat became very popular after the leading lady in the play by that same name wore a hat that was even taller and wider than usual. Some people complained these hats were too big and obtrusive in public places like the theater or picture shows. But English women loved them and wore them to all kinds of events.

The popularity of using large feathers and stuffed birds on hats caused concern for the welfare of birds. Many protective laws took effect and milliners had to use more ribbon and tulle and only large ostrich feathers to decorate hats. Those ostrich feathers came from birds that were raised on farms and their feathers were collected as they fell out naturally. The movement toward smaller hats began around 1913 when hats still had high crowns but smaller brims. Straw boaters, small top hats, and mini versions of picture hats were very common.

Motion pictures had the greatest influence on Edwardian hat fashion. After the release of The Three Musketeers many ladies wanted to wear tricorne and bicorne shaped hats. They were still very large but now had shapes other than just round. Hat brims were folded up on the side, at an angle, or all around to create drama. Veils disappeared in the early 1900s only to come back again as a long scarf that wrapped over the hat and under the chin for the new sport called motoring.

I’ve had fun dressing Edwardian style for book launch tea parties and other book events. It made me feel very special to wear these lovely hats. What do you think of Edwardian Hats? Would you like to wear one?

Thanks to friends at the Vintage Dancer website for some of this information.

Stop by Carrie’s Facebook author page and view her live videos February 21 – 25, 3:00 pm Eastern. She’ll be talking about the story behind Shine Like the Dawn and giving away a fun prize each day to one person who leaves a comment. Even if you can’t catch the live video you can still enter for 24 hours after it’s posted. She is also hosting a book launch celebration and giveaway on her blog February 25 – March 6.

Like to my Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky/

Link to my Book Launch Blog Post: http://carrieturansky.com/index.php/blog/

Blog Stops

February 21: New Horizon Reviews

February 21: Bookworm Mama

February 21: Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses

February 22: Tell Tale Book Reviews

February 22: Book by Book

February 22: History, Mystery and Faith

February 23: Bibliophile Reviews

February 23: Smiling Book Reviews

February 23: A Readers Brain

February 23: Faithfully Bookish

February 23: Lane Hill House

February 24: Back Porch Reads

February 24: The Scribbler

February 24: I Hope You Dance

February 25: Stuff & Nonsense

February 25: The Power of Words

February 25: A Greater Yes

February 26: cherylbbookblog

February 26: Moments Dipped in Ink

February 26: Splashes of Joy

February 27: Genesis 5020

February 27: inklings and notions

February 27: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS

February 28: Karen Sue Hadley

February 28: A Simple Life, really?!

February 28: Neverending Stories

March 1: Daysong Reflections

March 1: Connie’s History Classroom

March 1: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

March 2: These Splendid Sentences

March 2: Singing Librarian Books

March 2: Blossoms and Blessings

March 3: Pause for Tales

March 3: blogging With Carol

March 3: Mary Hake

March 4: Radiant Light

March 4: For The Love of Books

March 5: Christian Bookaholic

March 5: Rachel Scott McDaniel

March 6: History, Hope, Laughter & Happily-ever-after

March 6: Baker Kella

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carrie is giving away all 4 books: Shine Like the Dawn, The Governess of Highland Hall, The Daughter of Highland Hall, and A Refuge at Highland Hall.! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/b0fb

Where Two Hearts Meet by Carrie Turansky ~ FREE on Kindle!!!

I read these tea shop novellas and absolutely loved them!

In fact, I've read most of Carrie's books and enjoyed every single one. Of course, it's always best to settle in with a hot cuppa tea, cocoa or coffee, and a snuggly warm blanket if it's cold weather. You'll want to get nice and comfortable because it will be hard to tear yourself away from these sweet stories! ;)

If you aren't familiar with her work, I encourage you to grab your copy of these two novellas (in one collection) that are available FREE on Kindle!

Kindle Edition, 139 pages

Published April 6th 2014 by Flowing Stream Books

Two Sisters, Two Heartwarming Romance novellas

There’s no better place for romance, forgiveness, and second chances than the Sweet Something Teashop.

Tea For Two

Allison Bennett, co-owner of a financially strapped teashop in Princeton, New Jersey, receives a large anonymous check that saves her business. But she has no idea who sent it. Could it be from Peter Hillinger, the wealthy businessman who owns the shop next door and wants to win Allison’s heart? Or is it from Tyler Lawrence, Allison’s old boyfriend, who returns to town claiming a renewed faith and a changed life. Allison doesn’t know whom to trust. Should she follow her head or heart, or is there Someone else who can guide her toward the best path for her future?

Wherever Love Takes Us

After twenty-five years of marriage, Matt and Tessa Malone are struggling to recover financially and rebuild trust following a business failure. Then Matt inherits property in Oregon, and he wants to move the family there to make a fresh start. But Tessa can’t imagine giving up the cozy teashop she co-owns with her sister, or leaving her friends and family in Princeton. Whose dream will they follow, and how much will it cost their family? Can they resolve their differences and rebuild a love that seems lost?

Tea for Two was originally published in Kiss the Bride, and Wherever Love Takes Us was originally published in Wedded Bliss. These two novellas have been expanded, updated, and put together in one book.

You can get your copy FREE on KINDLE!

Always be sure and check the price before you buy! 

I do believe this special ends on Oct 25th! 

Click here for a direct link to Amazon. 

 CARRIE TURANSKY is an award-winning author of thirteen novels and novellas. She has been the winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award, and a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award and The ACFW Carol Awards and Genesis Contest. She has written contemporary and historical romance, women's fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals. She lives in central New Jersey with her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, counselor and the author of several parenting books. They have five adult children, whom Carrie homeschooled, and three grandchildren. 

Visit Carrie's website to read more about her and her books.
http://carrieturansky.com/

Connect with Carrie on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

Stay tuned for her next Edwardian book, Shine Like the Dawn, coming in Feb 2017!

In Edwardian England . . . Can the light of faith and love out shine the darkness of doubt and family secrets?
 
Maggie Lounsbury lost her parents in a boating accident when she was seventeen. Those she trusted, including her friend Nate Harcourt and his family, seemed to turn their back on her in her time of need, and she hardened her heart against them. Four years later she finds her father’s journal, and what she reads there makes her suspect their deaths might not have been an accident. Maggie sets off on a search to learn the truth and see that justice is carried out for those she loved and lost, even if it means the Harcourts will have to pay the price.

When Nate Harcourt hears his father is dying he returns to Morningside Manor, his family’s estate in Northumberland, to try and make amends. As the only son and heir, he inherits his father’s property and business interests at Clifton Engineering. Hoping to fulfill his father’s dying request, he seeks out Maggie to pay off a debt owed to her late father, but Maggie doesn’t trust Nate and refuses to accept the money or any help from him or his family.

Will Maggie overcome her distrust, reconnect with Nate, and find the answers she is seeking? Can she learn the value of mercy as well as justice? Will she open her heart to faith and take hold of trust and love again?

Visit and follow Carrie's Shine Like the Dawn Pinterest board to see characters, the setting, and inspiration for the story.
 

~Happy Reading~

Anne's Top Reads of 2017

2017….What a busy year! I would like to say I had unlimited time to sit and read every day but that was not the way it was. I didn’t do much with my photography during the year either, as you probably noticed if you’re a regular around here. What I did do was a lot of traveling (driving, not flying); two trips to MO to see our son, and numerous trips to NC, one in which was in order to help care for my FIL in his last two weeks of life. I also devoted many hours to my women’s Bible study group, church prayer group, and was available to fellowship with and offer help to friends who needed assistance. Reading was a pleasure and privilege but not a priority this past year. I let the ball drop on a couple of books but I’m determined to do better in 2018, Lord willing and life doesn’t swoop down and throw me for a loop.

That being said, I did read some mighty fine books last year. I stepped out and read a few new-to-me authors and was pleasantly surprised by their stories, enough to include them in my Top Reads of 2017. And then there are the familiar authors, that you know when you pick up their book it’s going to be like coming home. They’re on here too!

In no particular order, these are some of my favorites that I requested or was offered a copy from the author or publisher in exchange for a review. I'm doing 12 because Rebecca started it! :-)

Just the Way You Are by Pepper Basham

Basham’s writing talent is simply amazing! It’s been a while since I sat with a book in my hand and just pondered on profound thoughts filling the page.  

Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson

This story has it all. It encompasses complicated relationships, crafty and cunning characters, and a gentle and beloved faith in God that will lead to forgiveness and reconciliation.  

Maybe It’s You by Candace Calvert

Working together like a well-oiled machine, the compliment of characters is simply amazing. 

The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright
(debut novel and a new-to-me writer/author)

If you enjoy stories that make you think twice before turning off the lights, then you will like this book.  

Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig

Crown of Souls is a global thrill ride suffused with heart pounding, adrenaline driven moments. 

The Captivating Lady Charlotte by Carolyn  Miller

I thought William embodied Colossians 3:12 ~ So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...  
What's not to love?!     

True to You by Becky Wade

True to You is fabulous! Packed with surprises, the emotional elements in this story stirred my heart and soul and held me spellbound with their rawness and intensity. 

An Uncommon Courtship by Kristi Ann Hunter
I relished my reading time curled up with a hot cup of tea or cocoa, separated from distractions so I could engage deeply with these fabulous characters.    

Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer
Fans of historical fiction with strong Christian values, mystery, and romance will enjoy this book.  

Summer on Sunset Ridge by Sharlene MacLaren

MacLaren has long been a must-read author for me. With eloquent strokes of her pen or keyboard, the people of picturesque Sunset Ridge come alive, revealing a community that is far from ordinary. My time spent there was one of learning and wonder and blessing. 

A Mother for His Family by Susanne Dietze
(new-to-me author)

Restoration is a prevalent theme in this story, brought about in a tender way. 

Shine Like the Dawn by Carrie Turansky

Shine Like the Dawn is a beautiful depiction of faith and family and love, radiating a sunburst of emotions that swept this reader deep into the story, making it difficult to come up for air. 

There you have it. These were all wonderfully written narratives that moved my heart and soul!

I'm anticipating equally extraordinary stories in 2018. I hope you'll follow along with Rebecca and I as we share our love of good Christian fiction. 

Have you read any of my Top Reads of 2017? If so, what did you think? Or share a favorite of your own! 
We love book recommendations. :-)

~Happy Reading~

Note: Blogging is a might frustrating at times, especially when I cannot get all the formatting to look the same! I'm the type of person that those 'minor' inconsistencies in spacing and/or sizing drives nuts but I am posting anyway. I am not too HTML savvy, worked on this for hours and just could not figure it out. So please forgive the lousy formatting. TY!
 

Interview w/ Carrie Turansky + Review, AND a $5.00 Amazon E-gift Card Giveaway

UPDATE: GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED

Welcome back to Stuff & Nonsense, Carrie! My first interview with you posted on Monday, March 26, 2012, almost seven years ago! Would you like to give us a glimpse into your writing career over these last seven years and where you see yourself in another seven?

 

Thank you, Anne. It’s been a busy seven years for me! I’ve released five novels and three novellas since that last interview. All five novels have been English historical romances set in the early 1900s: The Governess of Highland Hall, The Daughter of Highland Hall, A Refuge at Highland Hall, Shine Like the Dawn, and Across the Blue. The novellas were Moonlight Over Manhattan, Waiting for His Return, and A Trusting Heart in Mountain Christmas Brides.

 

Looking toward the future, I have four novels coming out this year. Three are contemporary romances in the Bayside Treasures series: Seeking His Love, A Man to Trust, and Snowflake Sweethearts. The fourth novel, No Ocean too Wide, is an English and Canadian historical novel that is inspired by the child emigration scheme that sent more than 100, 000 poor and orphaned children from England to Canada in the late 1800s and early 1900s. I’m currently writing a sequel to that book and after that ... we’ll just have to wait and see what’s next.

 

I have read and loved ALL of your historical novels! They are beautiful stories. You write both contemporary fiction and historical fiction equally well. Do you favor one genre over the other?

I enjoy writing both historical and contemporary stories. It’s been fun to be able to move back and forth between time periods and to write both novellas and novels. I do love historical research and discovering fun and interesting events in history, so if I had to choose, I’d say writing historical novels is my favorite.

I can always tell that you've put a lot of time and effort into your research. It's what makes your stories incredibly real! Is there one theme you lean towards including in your stories more than another? If so, why do you think that is?

I often weave in the theme of God’s faithfulness by showing how He can take the hard and painful things in our lives and turn them around for good. Forgiveness and second chances are also themes you’ll often find in my stories.

I am so grateful for God's faithfulness! He is always there for us, no matter what. Who would you pick to play the lead roles if Seeking His Love was made into a movie? (It would make a great Hallmark movie!)

Wouldn’t that be fun to see it made into a Hallmark movie! I think Natalie Portman would make a great Rachel Clark and Henry Cavill would be a terrific Cam McKenna.

Yes!!! I can see both of them as Rachel & Cam. Can you give us a sneak peek into what book you are

working on right now? When does it release?

I’ve just finished the final edits on No Ocean too Wide, the first McAllister Family Novel. Here’s a bit about the story: When Laura McAllister, a young lady's maid, learns her three siblings have been taken from their mother and immigrated to Canada without her mother's knowledge, Laura determines to search for them and reunite the family. But lack of funds and resistance from authorities push her to use a false name and take a position with a child emigration society to gain passage to Canada. Andrew Frasier, a wealthy young lawyer, is surprised to see his mother's former lady's maid on board ship escorting a group of child immigrants, especially when she uses a different name. Laura eventually convinces Andrew to help her search for her siblings and uncover the truth about the treatment of British Home Children. Romantic feelings grow between this unlikely couple, and though they have different backgrounds, they share a growing faith and desire to seek justice and relief for the children who are mistreated.

Ooooo...That sounds fascinating!!! Do you have a book you’re looking forward to reading?

Karen Barnett’s Ever Faithful and Lori Benton’s The King’s Mercy are both coming out in June from WaterBrook, and I’m excited to read those stories!

I have never read a book by either one of those authors but always hear good things about their stories. Guess I should add them to my must-read list. Where can you be found on the Internet?

I love to connect with reading friends through my website and blog: http://carrieturansky.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carrieturansky/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/carrieturansky/boards/

Thank you again for sharing what’s been happening in your writing career, Carrie!

Readers, I hope you’ll pick up Carrie’s books because you can depend on them to be Christian and filled with beautiful stories of hope! 

Seeking His Love

Pre-order link: 

Amazon

Kindle Edition, 167 pages

Expected publication: February 12th 2019 by Flowing Stream Books 

(first published October 1st 2010)

My Review

4 STARS!!!

Turansky has written a sweet novel about forgiveness and redemption. Vivid word pictures put me right in Fairhaven, making me want to visit this quaint town and get to know its residents.

Rachel has a heart for the Lord and follows him with a sincerity I admired. My favorite thought of hers was this—But she was definitely not going to let herself get carried away with romantic daydreams about him. She had no idea where he stood spiritually. And that was much more important than outward appearance or superficial kindness.

I was glad to see a heroine with godly character and self-control, which of course comes from her knowledge of the Word of God and her relationship with Christ. Is Rachel perfect? No. She has flaws like we all do but as Christians we are called to be set apart from the world and this is how she behaves–set apart.

Cam has suffered a devastating loss and basically walked away from the Lord. When he comes to the realization that God has never left him, his restoration is moving and realistic. I liked Cam’s character a lot.

My review is based on a revised and updated version of Seeking His Love provided by the author. I read the original back in 2010 or 2011. No review required. No compensation received.

EXCERPT: Click here to download an excerpt of Seeking His Love.

RECIPES from Carrie's Books

GIVEAWAY!!!

I am giving away a $5.00 Amazon e-gift card to one of my blog readers because I appreciate y'all and it's almost Valentine's Day!!!

Please be sure and leave an email address in the comments so I can send you your e-gift card in a timely manner. I won't hunt anyone down if there is no email! I'll draw a winner on Valentine's Day!!! 

It would also be lovely if you followed Stuff and Nonsense through the FOLLOWER (GFC) widget in the sidebar but it isn't a requirement. Just a nice thing to do. :-)

I am really not up on all the technicalities of retrieving an e-gift card but if you think you can retrieve it, then by all means enter the giveaway.  (Legal stuff about giveaways is here.)