Dusk's Darkest Shores By Carolyn Miller & GIVEAWAY

Dusk's Darkest Shores

by Carolyn Miller

Publisher: Kregel

Series: Regency Wallflowers

ISBN: 9780825446535

Look at me starting out a series with book one! It does happen on occasion! I'm part of the team sharing about the book's release so I was sent it for review.

Summary:

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.
 
Best-selling author Carolyn Miller is back with a fresh series that will not only thrill readers eager for more of her work, but bring in new fans looking for beautiful writing, fascinating research, deftly woven love stories, and real faith lived out in the Regency period.
 
Click here to read an excerpt.

My Review:

If you are a Regency era fan, Dusk's Darkest Shores is one you don't want to miss! I'm always exited to begin a new series by authors I enjoy. I immediately liked Mary Bloomfield. She wears her heart on her sleeve and treats everyone so kindly. She has grown up helping her father, the local doctor, with the ailments of the people in their little village.

Then along comes returning war hero, Adam Edgerton, who is betrothed to Mary's sister dearest friend, Emily. Unfortunately, Adam isn't the same man as he was before he went to war. Something Emily can't quite accept.

Mary's father and Adam's mother convinces her to help Adam adjust to being home again. While Mary is willing to help, Adam is rather disagreeable. Mary has her work cut out for her. Let's just say, her kindness is certainly tested.

Now, I do want to mention Mary's sister, Joanna and her friend, Emily (Adam's betrothed). They are rude and nasty and I have to admit not liking either of them. They're selfish and treat Mary deplorably, which then fascinates me because they are constantly seeking her out for comfort and wisdom, neither of which do either of them ever seem to appreciate. Whew, glad I got that off my chest. HA!

That aside Adam is cantankerous and gives Mary a lot of grief. Can I just say in Mary's defense that she really needs friends. Or just one friend. This town she's grown up in and they all look at her askance when she's only ever been godly towards everyone. So when Adam treats her in the same way, I wanted to knock him upside the head.

One of the facets I appreciated about this story was that Mary showed grace and perseverance time and time again. Whether it was with the local minister (don't get me started on him), her obnoxious sister, or Adam's crabbiness, she was considerate and thoughtful. Her faith got her through most of the situations she found herself in throughout this story and it definitely impacted Adam. I appreciated that it clearly came from following her parents' example, although Joanna seemed to have missed that boat.

I'm not going to give anything away in regards to the people in the story. I wish a couple of the people were the main characters of book 2, but it doesn't look like they are. Poo! That's ok, I'm still looking forward to the next one. hahahaha

About the Author:

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children.
 
A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel, and food.

Miller’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. 
 
Learn more about Carolyn at www.carolynmillerauthor.com, or find her on Facebook (Carolyn Miller Author), Instagram (@CarolynMillerAuthor), and Twitter (@CarolynMAuthor). 

Be sure to enter the giveaway, too!

- a copy of Dusk’s Darkest Shores
- a canvas bag to carry your latest reads
- a fun pair of Jane Austen socks
- Novel Teas’ English Breakfast tea
- “Drink tea, read books, and be happy” tea spoon
- “Let your faith be bigger than your fear” mug
- Black currant preserves from England
- Wax Lyrical candle from England