**This is a Books for Christian Girls content review for girls ages 9-19. The Spiritual, Negative, & Sexual Content from this book are honestly listed below. Keep in mind, when reading a BFCG review, ignore the things that don't bother you, but take notice of the things that do.**
About this book:
âSeparated by an inconceivable tragedy, can faith and love reunite childhood friends and light the way to a bright future?
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 event reshaped their family, shattering an idyllic life and their future prospects. 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 because she wonders if what happened that day on the lake...might not have been an accident.
When wealthy inventor and industrialist William Harcourt dies, his son and Maggie's estranged childhood friend, Nathaniel 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 the search for the truth about her parents' death draw the two friends closer or leave them both with broken hearts?â
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- Psalm 37:5-6 at the beginning; Many Prayers; Church going, Hymns are sung & a sermon; A bit of Witnessing; Scriptures are mentioned, quoted, & talked about; Many talks about God, faiths, prayers & trusting Him; âH's are capital when referring to God; Maggie is mad at and feels hurt by God & believes He doesn't hear her prayers *Spoiler* [ When she does pray, Maggie doesn't think God wants to hear from her; Maggie does pray 2/3s in that she wants to believe and opens her heart (hide spoiler)] *End of Spoiler*; Many mentions of God; Many mentions of prayers & praying; Many mentions of churches, church going, a reverend & sermons; Mentions of Bibles, books of the Bible & Bible reading; Mentions of God's will, forgiveness & His peace; Mentions of Heaven, faiths, spiritual awakenings & going to God; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; Mentions of missionaries; Mentions of sermons on condemning people & hellfire; Mentions of sins; A couple mentions of Thanking God; A mention of divine provision;
*Note: A couple mentions of superstitions & a magician.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a âBlast!' and a form of âdumb'; Eye rolling; A few mentions of curses (said, not written); A couple mentions of sarcasm; Being hit, pain, blood, & stitches (up to semi-detailed); Guns aimed and shot along with blood (up to semi-detailed); A fire & smoke (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of deaths, drownings & what could have been murders along with accusing (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of lies, threats & blackmail; Mentions of pain, being hit, blood, screams, injuries, being hit by a car & accidents (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of illnesses, dying & deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of the war & prisoners; Mentions of going to jail, prison or being hanged & illegal actions; Mentions of a fire & smoke; Mentions of mobs & threats of strikes and violence; Mentions of game & hunting; Mentions of gossip; A few mentions of stealing & feeling like a thief; A couple mentions of a drinking gambler; A couple mentions of pubs; A mention of a robbery; A mention of pipe smoke.
Sexual Content- a hand kiss, four cheek kisses, two forehead/head kisses, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses & a semi-detail kiss; Touches, Tingles & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Noticing; Mentions of hinted affairs & advances; Mentions of hand holding & blushes; Mentions of having feelings & being attraction for someone; A few mentions of a child born out of wedlock; A few mentions of kisses & kissing; A few mentions of reputations & chaperones; A couple mentions of looks of longing; A couple mentions of finger kisses; Love, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: A few mentions of a women's' figures & curves.
-Margaret âMaggieâ Lounsbury, age 21
-Nathaniel âNateâ Harcourt, age 24
P.O.V. switches between them & Lilly
Set in 1903 {Prologue set in 1899}
320 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Four Stars (and a half)
Ahh. I just adore Carrie Turansky's beautiful writing! Like her previous historical series, the faiths and prayers were incredible and inspiring in âShine Like the Dawnâ. Honestly, this is such a pretty book! From the stunning cover and the Scripture inspired title (Psalm 37:5-6) to the intriguing plot! I so love and appreciate how clean this talented author's books are and have been impressed every time I pick one up.
Maybe it's because Nathaniel is one of my favorite boy names ever, but I found this Nate to be one of the best & most life-like/real heroes I've ever read. Maggie could be a bit too stubborn at times, but I understood where she was coming from, so it didn't bother me. ;)
{Everything that says up to semi-detailed, was truly barely over the barely-above-not-detailed scale. So, so clean.}
I thought seeing one couple falling in love was neat, but I really liked the added romance of Lilly & Rob being engaged and in love by seeing her point of view. Such a neat bonus! :)
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
About this book:
âSeparated by an inconceivable tragedy, can faith and love reunite childhood friends and light the way to a bright future?
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 event reshaped their family, shattering an idyllic life and their future prospects. 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 because she wonders if what happened that day on the lake...might not have been an accident.
When wealthy inventor and industrialist William Harcourt dies, his son and Maggie's estranged childhood friend, Nathaniel 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 the search for the truth about her parents' death draw the two friends closer or leave them both with broken hearts?â
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- Psalm 37:5-6 at the beginning; Many Prayers; Church going, Hymns are sung & a sermon; A bit of Witnessing; Scriptures are mentioned, quoted, & talked about; Many talks about God, faiths, prayers & trusting Him; âH's are capital when referring to God; Maggie is mad at and feels hurt by God & believes He doesn't hear her prayers *Spoiler* [ When she does pray, Maggie doesn't think God wants to hear from her; Maggie does pray 2/3s in that she wants to believe and opens her heart (hide spoiler)] *End of Spoiler*; Many mentions of God; Many mentions of prayers & praying; Many mentions of churches, church going, a reverend & sermons; Mentions of Bibles, books of the Bible & Bible reading; Mentions of God's will, forgiveness & His peace; Mentions of Heaven, faiths, spiritual awakenings & going to God; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; Mentions of missionaries; Mentions of sermons on condemning people & hellfire; Mentions of sins; A couple mentions of Thanking God; A mention of divine provision;
*Note: A couple mentions of superstitions & a magician.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a âBlast!' and a form of âdumb'; Eye rolling; A few mentions of curses (said, not written); A couple mentions of sarcasm; Being hit, pain, blood, & stitches (up to semi-detailed); Guns aimed and shot along with blood (up to semi-detailed); A fire & smoke (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of deaths, drownings & what could have been murders along with accusing (barely-above-not-detailed); Many mentions of lies, threats & blackmail; Mentions of pain, being hit, blood, screams, injuries, being hit by a car & accidents (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of illnesses, dying & deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of the war & prisoners; Mentions of going to jail, prison or being hanged & illegal actions; Mentions of a fire & smoke; Mentions of mobs & threats of strikes and violence; Mentions of game & hunting; Mentions of gossip; A few mentions of stealing & feeling like a thief; A couple mentions of a drinking gambler; A couple mentions of pubs; A mention of a robbery; A mention of pipe smoke.
Sexual Content- a hand kiss, four cheek kisses, two forehead/head kisses, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses & a semi-detail kiss; Touches, Tingles & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Noticing; Mentions of hinted affairs & advances; Mentions of hand holding & blushes; Mentions of having feelings & being attraction for someone; A few mentions of a child born out of wedlock; A few mentions of kisses & kissing; A few mentions of reputations & chaperones; A couple mentions of looks of longing; A couple mentions of finger kisses; Love, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: A few mentions of a women's' figures & curves.
-Margaret âMaggieâ Lounsbury, age 21
-Nathaniel âNateâ Harcourt, age 24
P.O.V. switches between them & Lilly
Set in 1903 {Prologue set in 1899}
320 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Four Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Four Stars (and a half)
Ahh. I just adore Carrie Turansky's beautiful writing! Like her previous historical series, the faiths and prayers were incredible and inspiring in âShine Like the Dawnâ. Honestly, this is such a pretty book! From the stunning cover and the Scripture inspired title (Psalm 37:5-6) to the intriguing plot! I so love and appreciate how clean this talented author's books are and have been impressed every time I pick one up.
Maybe it's because Nathaniel is one of my favorite boy names ever, but I found this Nate to be one of the best & most life-like/real heroes I've ever read. Maggie could be a bit too stubborn at times, but I understood where she was coming from, so it didn't bother me. ;)
{Everything that says up to semi-detailed, was truly barely over the barely-above-not-detailed scale. So, so clean.}
I thought seeing one couple falling in love was neat, but I really liked the added romance of Lilly & Rob being engaged and in love by seeing her point of view. Such a neat bonus! :)
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
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.
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.
