Shine Like the Dawn: A Novel

Shine Like the Dawn by Carrie Turansky sweeps readers back in time to 1903 Heatherton, England. In 1899 the Lounsbury family (Daniel, Abigail, Olivia, Maggie, and Violet) are enjoying Olivia’s birthday by taking a picnic across the lake. They are far into the lake when the boat starts taking on water. Unable to row the boat back to shore in time, they start swimming to shore. Unfortunately, only Maggie and Violet make it back alive. Four years later, Maggie and Violet are living with their Grandmother Hayes above her millinery shop. Nate Harcourt is returning home to Morningside Manor after a four years absence to see his father before he passes away. Maggie and Nate used to be good friends before she lost her family. She has not forgiven him for not being there for her when they died. Nate inherits his father’s estate and Clifton Engineering Works. Nate promised his father that he would care for his stepmother, Helen and stepsister, Clare. Helen, though, does not make this task easy. Maggie received her father’s journal after his death, but just recently started reading it. She finds out that someone had reason to harm him and he was threatened shortly before his death. Could the boat have been sabotaged? After a fire destroys the millinery, Nate invites Maggie, Violet and Grandmother Hayes to stays at Morningside Manor. This could be Maggie’s opportunity to find the evidence she needs. Nate is grateful to spend time with Maggie and, hopefully, repair their old friendship. Will Nate help Maggie with her quest? Shine Like the Dawn is a well-written and researched novel. Carrie Turanky captured the setting and the historical period. The author brought the characters to life and gave them real personalities. We are given characters to love and a couple to dislike. The book had a good pace, but I thought it was slightly too long. Shine Like the Dawn captured and held my attention. The Christian element is light (not preachy). Maggie had closed her heart to God and let in anger and hurt instead. She does not understand how God can let good people die and suffer (something I struggle with myself). One of the main messages in the novel is to let God in to heal your heart and comfort you. I give Shine Like the Dawn 4 out of 5 stars. I appreciated the mystery element that was present in the story. It enhanced the novel. There are other issues in the story (I could not describe everything in my summary). Nate learning to run his father’s company, workers wanting to strike, Maggie struggling to forgive Nate (she only knows her side of the story, romance between Nate and Maggie, Violet injuring her leg, the rebuilding of the millinery, and Lilly’s romance with Rob are some of the other storylines. The novel has a lovely and fulfilling conclusion. Shine Like the Dawn is a good book for readers who enjoy Christian, historical books (set in the Edwardian period). This was the first book I have read by Carrie Turansky, and it is not my last.