Dusk's Darkest Shores

After reading Carolyn Miller’s first book in the Regency Wallflowers I thought Dusk’s Darkest Shores was  a brilliant title. We all go through events in our lives that are disappointing and heartbreaking. As the story is told, we are reminded that what each of us does and how we respond when faced with these things makes all the difference. 

Adam Edgerton was the village’s handsome war hero who had everything to look forward to until an unexpected illness he contracted while fighting changed all of that. He was thrown into despair and would need someone to help him see life can be beautiful once again. I loved that he chose to find the good in his circumstances and didn’t lose hope. When his faith was tested He chose to still believe in God and His goodness. 

Mary Bloomfield, in my opinion, was the true hero of the story. She chose to repeatedly forgive when wronged, gave selflessly to others in the village, and put aside her desires of marrying and happiness in order to honor a friend. At first she reluctantly helped Adam because her father, the local doctor, needed her to check on Adam and assist him. She provided encouragement, support, and friendship when Adam wanted to push her away and give into despair at times. Mary was the medicine that Adam needed and I loved watching their relationship develop and grow into something special. In Adam’s words to Mary he said, “After all, it was you who inspired me to dare to dream.” 

The proposal scene was fabulous. When the “I do” was spoken, I couldn’t help but say, “Aww. That was sweet!” This is an inspirational story and recommend reading it. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Kregel Publications of a copy of the book. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

About the Book:

How can a meek wallflower help a returning war hero whose dreams are plunged into darkness?

Mary Bloomfield has no illusions. Her chances for matrimony have long since passed her by. Still, her circumstances are pleasant enough, especially now that she has found purpose in assisting her father with his medical practice in England's beautiful Lake District. Even without love, it's a peaceful life.

That is until Adam Edgerton returns to the sleepy district. This decorated war hero did not arrive home to acclaim and rest, but to a new battle against the repercussions of an insidious disease. Mary's caring nature cannot stand to see someone suffer--but how can she help this man see any brightness in his future when he's plunged into melancholic darkness, his dreams laid waste by his condition?

Adam wants no charity, but he's also no coward. If this gentle woman can work hard, how can he do less? Together they struggle to find a way forward for him. Frustration and antipathy slowly develop into friendship and esteem. Then a summer storm atop a mountain peak leads to scandal--and both Mary and Adam must search the depths of their closed hearts for answers if they hope to find any future path with happiness at its end.

Paint and Nectar

This beautiful time slip story whisked me away with its three interwoven stories of a buried heirloom and the two families whose feud lasts for more than a century. With greed being at the center of how events take place, it was truly tragic to see to what extremes men would go to in order to find the elusive treasure. 

There were so many wonderful quotes and metaphors in relation to life that I marked throughout the book that I will be returning repeatedly for encouragement. I find that to be a true gift to not only have a compelling story, but also be uplifting and faith building. Using gardening and painting with watercolor was a brilliant way of creating the thread that ran throughout the story. 

Even though Ms. Beth was a wonderful secondary character, her actions and wisdom brought about love and healing for these two families. Here is one thing she had to say that spoke to my heart.“In a way, all art is an imitation of a real, living experience. Think of Eliza’s garden and the many times she painted it. We love those paintings. They’re beautiful and evocative.” Ms. Beth took the blossom from Lucy’s palm and held up to her own nose to smell. “But the fragrance is unique to life. And it’s life that deserves preserving. Abundant life. If we don’t tend our ground, something else grow there. The choice is up to us.”

Ms. Clark’s descriptions of Charleston and the renaissance of music and art during the 1920’s and 30’s were so intriguing and well described that I just had to investigate the jazz singer, Cab Calloway and the houses on Rainbow Road. I will have to go visit Charleston to see them for myself. I highly recommend this 5 star book. 

Thank you to the author and Bethany House for a copy of the book. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Book:

In 1929, a spark forms between talented watercolorist Eliza and William, a charming young man who has been hired to forge her popular paintings. Her aunt makes it clear Eliza should stay away from him because of a feud between their families over missing heirloom silver. But the source of the rivalry was long ago, and as the two get to know each other, they fall in love. William regrets the job that desperation led him to take and their families' ongoing bitterness, but setting things right comes at a cost.

In present-day Charleston, Lucy Legare has just inherited an old house from a mysterious benefactor, along with all the secrets it holds, including an old silver heirloom. Declan Pinckney is determined to buy the house for his family's development company. But as Lucy uncovers secrets about the house, garden, and silver, she becomes more determined than ever to preserve the historic Charleston property, not only for history's sake but also for her own.

Book Tour and Giveaway for A Torn Allegiance

 

Peace is tenuous in the small kingdom of Oldenburg, and the looming threat of invasion from Napoleon weighs heavily on the royal family. Their country’s best chance for safety lies in strengthening their alliance with the English. So it is that Prince Hayes Wilhelm finds himself returning to England, where he hopes a prominent duke can help him protect his country. 

 Lady Elsie longs to make a difference in the world, but spying was not quite what she had in mind. So when her father, the Duke of Shelby, approaches her about keeping a close eye on the visiting crown prince of Oldenburg, she reluctantly agrees. But the outspoken young woman did not anticipate finding in Hayes a man who shares—and respects—her progressive ideas. Their mutual attraction is undeniable, but Elsie cannot forget her charge to spy on the man who is quickly stealing her heart. With the threat of war looming ever closer, Elsie and Hayes must consider carefully whom to trust—before their secrets tear them apart. 

Here's your chance to win a copy of A Torn Allegiance. Best wishes on winning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0ae98b8a264/

A Torn Allegiance

Political subterfuge is not something that Lady Elsie Morrow would willingly be a part of, but her father has asked for her help.  He needs to find out if the visiting Oldenburg monarch, Prince Hayes Wilhelm, is really looking to establish stronger diplomatic ties with their country. Or, is he in England to meet with French supporters to secure his southern border and help Napoleon win the war? Elsie can go under the guise of attending social functions to introduce Prince Hayes to the wealthy and potential political allies while gathering information for her father.. The delicate dance that Elsie and Hayes perform in order to keep their countries safe creates a wonderful, suspenseful historical adventure filled with espionage, danger, and threats against the crown. 

I found myself drawn to both Lady Elsie and Prince Hayes because of their love for their country and the welfare of their people. Both are curious, courageous, and persistent in determining what would best to help their people. Elsie is bold, confident, and a progressive thinker. She shows great strength of character, kindness, and wisdom when facing adversity, making her a wonderful choice for being a future monarch.  Prince Hayes is everything you would want a king to be: forthright, compassionate, and standing against powerful, evil men. But, each of them have secrets that could possible destroy their relationship and the peace of their countries.

This is the second book of the Royal Regency Romances and I look forward to reading more. Prince Hayes has quite a few brothers whose stories need to be told. If you like historical or regency romances, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. 

Thank you to the author for an advanced reader copy. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

About the Book: 

Peace is tenuous in the small kingdom of Oldenburg, and the looming threat of invasion from Napoleon weighs heavily on the royal family. Their country's best chance for safety lies in strengthening their alliance with the English. So it is that Prince Hayes Wilhelm finds himself returning to England, where he hopes a prominent duke can help him protect his country. 

Lady Elsie longs to make a difference in the world, but spying was not quite what she had in mind. So when her father, the Duke of Shelby, approaches her about keeping a close eye on the visiting crown prince of Oldenburg, she reluctantly agrees. But the outspoken young woman did not anticipate finding in Hayes a man who shares--and respects--her progressive ideas. Their mutual attraction is undeniable, but Elsie cannot forget her charge to spy on the man who is quickly stealing her heart. With the threat of war looming ever closer, Elsie and Hayes must consider carefully whom to trust--before their secrets tear them apart.