Shine Like the Dawn by Carrie Turansky Plus Giveaway

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About the Book

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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?

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Margaret Lounsbury enjoys working in her grandmothers millinery shop, helping take care of her younger sister. The sisters lost their parents and older sister in an accident several years before. When longtime friend Nathaniel comes home after inheriting his father’s estate, Margaret has mixed feelings about his return. Why did he leave her stranded when she lost her family? It was when their millinery shop burn down and Nathaniel invited them to his mansion to live that life changed for the Lounsbury family.

I love this Edwardian England fiction written by Carrie Turansky! It is a little difficult to read sometimes because of the emotions fly around because of the difficult situations throughout the book. I like Nathaniel. Even though he inherited a fortune, he didn’t act like he was better than any one else. Of course there is the stepmother that I wanted to strangle because she was so self centered. But you need one of those in all books to make it interesting. Margaret wasn’t afraid to search for answers to her questions while at the mansion. The other characters in this story all fit so well together, supporting each other. Ms. Turansky does another amazing job of giving readers a fantastic romantic story that will give you hours of entertainment. I highly recommend Shine Like the Dawn for your reading enjoyment.

I received this book from Celebration Lit Blog Tours to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

 

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 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 customers request, so that creates some humorous conflict in the story.

 

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

A Refuge at Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

 

ABOUT THIS BOOK

The Great War shakes the world of a spirited young woman and the brave British pilot she loves, taking her from London to her family’s magnificent country estate, and sending him into the war-torn skies over France.

Penny Ramsey has always considered Highland Hall her home, but when Britain becomes involved in World War One she travels to London to assist her sister Kate with the eight orphan children she and her husband Jon have taken into their home. Doing her part for the war effort takes priority over Penny’s dreams of romance until she meets Alex Goodwin, a Royal Naval Air Service pilot in training.

Alex is determined to prove his worth and do his part to defend his country. Knowing he is heading off for the dangerous assignment of  chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, he feels it’s unwise to form any romantic attachments. But he can’t help admiring the pretty, warmhearted Penny and wondering what it would be like to find her waiting when he returns home from the war.

As Penny writes to Alex, their friendship blossoms, and she becomes his tie to home and normalcy as he faces the hardships war. But being an RNAS pilot means confronting the enemy, and the fallout form those experiences push Alex beyond Penny’s reach. Can God mend the brokenness left by the losses of war? Will faith and forgiveness bring them together again?

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

A Refuge at Highland Hall is the third book in the Edwardian Brides series by Carrie Turansky. I was glad to read more of Highland Hall’s Penny Ramsey in this story. Because of Britain’s involvement in WWI, Penny decides to travel to London to help her sister Kate and her husband with the houseful of orphaned children they have. Its there that Penny meets Royal Naval Air Service pilot Alex Goodwin, and there was definitely an attraction between the two! Knowing he would be chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, Alex couldn’t allow anything series between the two. But they could write to each other while he was in France. But faced with unforeseen circumstances, Alex’s life takes a dramatic change, and seeing Penny again was out of the question.

This is such a wonderful book! First of all, the cover is beautiful, and the story inside is full of entertainment. I loved meeting the characters again, they now seem like family members. Penny is such a sweetheart, and I was cheering on a relationship between she and Alex. There’s a lot of things going on in this book, a lot of twists and turns happening that made me keep my nose in the book until I finished!! Author Carrie Turansky does an amazing joy of weaving everything together nicely, and giving readers a sweet romance.

And the history in this story is phenomenal, it made the trip back into the past WWI era so enjoyable. As I read, I felt like I was living the story along with the characters. This book is a must if you enjoy historical and WWI fiction. And this one is a nice clean read! One that anyone will enjoy!

I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bestselling Inspirational Romance Author Carrie Turansky has written more than a dozen historical and contemporary novels. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award; and been a finalist for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the ACFW Genesis Award. Readers say: “Heartwarming and inspiring! I couldn’t put it down!” . . . “Touching love story. It captured me from the first page!” . . . “Rich characters, beautifully written . . . my new favorite author.”
*** Visit her blog and sign up for her email newsletter at http://www.Carrie Turansky.com
*** Follow Carrie on Facebook at: http://www.Facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky
*** Check out her Pinterest Boards: http://www.pinterest.com/carrieturansky/

Litfuse Presents…..The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

Litfuse Presents…..

The Daughter of Highland Hall 

by Carrie Turansky

The Daughter of Highland Hall || Book 2, Edwardian Brides (Waterbrook Multnomah, October 2014)

What if the title, the estate, the life of security and splendor… what if it isn’t enough?

Strong-willed and beautiful, debutante Katherine Ramsey feels ready to take the London social season by storm, and she must. Her family estate, Highland Hall, has been passed to older male cousin Sir William Ramsey, and her only means of securing her future is to make a strong debut and find a proper husband. With her all-knowing and meddling aunt as a guide, Katherine is certain to attract suitors at the lavish gatherings, sparkling with Great Britain’s elite.

When a shocking family scandal sidelines Katherine, forcing her out of the social spotlight, she keeps a low profile, volunteering with the poor in London’s East End. Here Katherine feels free from her predictable future, and even more so as a friendship with medical student Jonathan Foster deepens and her faith in God grows. But when Katherine is courted anew by a man of wealth and position, dreams of the life she always thought she wanted surface again. Torn between tradition and the stirrings in her heart for a different path, she must decide whom she can trust and love—and if she will choose a life serving others over one where she is served.

Learn more, read an excerpt, and purchase a copy at Carrie’s website.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

I have been waiting on this second book by Carrie Turansky! The Daughter of Highland High

coming asap!

Carrie Turansky

Carrie Turansky is an award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas. She has written contemporary and historical romances, women’s fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Scott, and they have five adult children and four grandchildren.

CFBA presents Once Upon a Winter’s Heart by Melody Carlson

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Once Upon a Winter’s Heart

Center Street (January 7, 2014)

by

Melody CarlsonABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults–with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.
ABOUT THE BOOK

Emma Burcelli has suffered over a decade of dating disasters. But she concludes that love is officially dead when her grandfather Poppi suddenly passes, leaving her grandmother Nona devastated. To help out, Emma works in the family bookstore, which Nona insists must be decked out in sweetheart décor as Poppi would have done for Valentine’s Day. Although she feels like a V-Day Scrooge, Emma quickly learns to enjoy the task with the help of a handsome family friend, Lane Forester, who shows her that hanging hearts is much more fun when done to the tune of Dean Martin. As Emma and Lane share time and memories of Poppi, she reconsiders the notion that romance is alive.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Once Upon a Winter’s Heart, go HERE.

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Sweet romance from Melody Carlson. Likeable and believable characters and heartwarming. One thing for me though is that it is not up to par with other novels by Ms. Carlson. Maybe it is because the story is short and not really room for digging deep in the characters lives. Over all though, if you enjoy a sweet romance and want a quick read, you will love this one.

I received this book from the publisher and CFBA  to read and review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.

The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

The Governess of Highland Hall

by Carrie Turansky

 About this book

Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help? 
 
Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey.

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.

While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Julie Foster and her parents were forced to leave the mission field in England where they were serving as missionaries because of her father’s illness. While back at home, Julie needed a job, so she applied for the job as governess and Highland Hall, and she got the job. The children of the estate’s master were not so bad, but his two nieces were a different story. But as Julia struggled to do her best, things seemed to mellow a little for her. Not to mention the master, Sir William Ramsey started to become an attraction that just couldn’t be, because no head of an estate would even get involved with a mere governess. Or would he?

Downton Abbey fans will love this one! There was so much tension flying around at Highland Hall between the teen girls, the head housekeeper, Julie and Sir William himself. I immediately fell in love with Julie and Sir William and his sister Sarah, but the nosey housekeeper, well she needed to get a grip! Even thought Julie wasn’t a trained governess, she brought a much-needed change of attitude and atmosphere to the household. She was positive and applied discipline when needed in a sweet and loving way. I loved the attraction between Julie and Sir William. It was one that shouldn’t happen between two people of entirely different social standings, but it happened anyway. That’s what made it so enjoyable. And then there was the attraction between Sarah and the head gardener too that was unusual. It was like everything happening wasn’t suppose to happen, but it did anyway! And I loved it! Carrie Turansky is an awesome storyteller and I will be looking for more of her books in the future. Starting with Book two in this series coming in October 2014. The Governess of Highland Hall is one book you do not want to miss!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of eleven inspirational romance novels and novellas. She has been a winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the Crystal Globe Award. Her next book will be The Governess of Highland Hall, releasing 10/15/13. She lives in central New Jersey with her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, author, speaker and counselor. They have five young adult children. Carrie leads women’s ministry at her church, and when she is not writing she enjoys gardening, reading, flower arranging, and cooking healthy meals for friends and Family.