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english_lady03's review
4.0
Full review for Audra Jennings Blog Tour coming on Tuesday.
All I can tell you for now is I loved this book. It was an interesting and multi-layered Regency which was a lot more than just a romance.
Fun fact: There is a place called Amberley in Sussex as well! It is famous for chalk mines.
All I can tell you for now is I loved this book. It was an interesting and multi-layered Regency which was a lot more than just a romance.
Fun fact: There is a place called Amberley in Sussex as well! It is famous for chalk mines.
farmfreshlisa's review
4.0
I really enjoy [a:Carolyn Miller|61431|Carolyn Miller|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s books for Regency reads! She spends time flushing out the characters and allowing you to feel for them. The story of Mary and Adam is no different. Mary is resigned for her old maid status, yet still holds in the inner most part of her heart a wish for a husband and family. So while she waits she serves with her whole heart doing whatever she can to help those around her. To the point that if she can't "fix" whatever is wrong, she feels like she's failed. Even when she knows it's totally out of her control. Her prayers are ones of easing her anxiety and worry about friends and family--trusting in God to be in control.
Adam is dealing with a life he never imagined in a worst nightmare--blindness due to an injury. How will he be able to help his father on the farm when he can't even help himself do anything. What is even the point of anything without his eyes? His battles are ones of trusting that God knows and sees Him and has a purpose for Him even in the disability.
Their story is one of strangers turning to friends turning to...desires of the heart. But having to each let go and let God handle everything even if...even WHEN it may not be to the direction we want.
Very good and very satisfying ending--didn't just wrap up everything and solve all problems.
4.5 stars.
Lisa’s Ratings
5⭐ = Unforgettable. Make me FEEL emotions. I laughed or cried. I didn't want to put it down or let it end. They became my friends. A personal favorite.
4⭐ = Excellent read. Couldn’t put it down. Will recommend to others. But I didn't *feel* anything.
3⭐ = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting. But nothing stellar or unforgettable. Not sure I will recommend it.
2⭐ = The book was tolerable, but I almost didn't like it.
1⭐ = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
Adam is dealing with a life he never imagined in a worst nightmare--blindness due to an injury. How will he be able to help his father on the farm when he can't even help himself do anything. What is even the point of anything without his eyes? His battles are ones of trusting that God knows and sees Him and has a purpose for Him even in the disability.
Their story is one of strangers turning to friends turning to...desires of the heart. But having to each let go and let God handle everything even if...even WHEN it may not be to the direction we want.
We see in the Gospels that Jesus is willing to heal, but sometimes I think we can discount God's purposes by focusing on the here-and-now answers, while our heavenly Father might see a greater good can occur by an answer that's delayed. Or His response might even be a no. It does not mean that we stop praying, nor does it mean He does not love us or that He is not in control. God works all circumstances together for our good. Our challenge is to trust Him when it does not seem to go our way.
Very good and very satisfying ending--didn't just wrap up everything and solve all problems.
4.5 stars.
Lisa’s Ratings
5⭐ = Unforgettable. Make me FEEL emotions. I laughed or cried. I didn't want to put it down or let it end. They became my friends. A personal favorite.
4⭐ = Excellent read. Couldn’t put it down. Will recommend to others. But I didn't *feel* anything.
3⭐ = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting. But nothing stellar or unforgettable. Not sure I will recommend it.
2⭐ = The book was tolerable, but I almost didn't like it.
1⭐ = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
riellareads's review
4.0
What a cute story! I have not had the opportunity to read any of Ms. Miller’s books before and am so glad that I was given the chance to read Dusk’s Darkest Shores. Mary Bloomfield is content where God has placed her. Even though she is considered by some to be a spinster, she has found purpose in helping others, especially alongside her father, the local doctor. The return of Adam Edgerton, a wounded soldier, brings excitement to the sleepy and beautiful town. Adam is now battling the effects of a destructive disease. Mary cannot allow him to suffer alone and together they begin to move forward. Will they be able to find a future with happiness?
I really liked Mary. She was so thoughtful and caring. I was very inspired by her faith, especially with her prayer life! She was so intentional about praying for people, something that I definitely need to grow in. I also related to her and her struggles with her words every now and then! She and Adam really were able to help each other. Adam was hurting so much. He had to struggle to fight the disease and darkness. I think that Ms. Miller showed his struggle in a realistic way. Even though he had bouts of sadness and discouragement, I feel like he was growing. He was discovering what he could still do and learning to depend on God. I thought that they really complimented one another, which is one of the best things in a relationship!
Watching Mary and Adam grow together and their relationship was super cute, I also enjoyed getting to know the village and everyone there. It was really sad at different points to see the struggles that people had. I thought it was also quite inspiring, the display of faith: Mary’s steady faith that had to come to terms with the tragedies of life and Adam’s rekindling of his trust and dependence on God. I appreciated seeing Mary’s family, and Johanna definitely grew on me! I am excited to read more of Ms. Miller! I definitely recommend this to those who enjoy Christian historical fiction. It is a little bit heavier, probably teen and up.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
I really liked Mary. She was so thoughtful and caring. I was very inspired by her faith, especially with her prayer life! She was so intentional about praying for people, something that I definitely need to grow in. I also related to her and her struggles with her words every now and then! She and Adam really were able to help each other. Adam was hurting so much. He had to struggle to fight the disease and darkness. I think that Ms. Miller showed his struggle in a realistic way. Even though he had bouts of sadness and discouragement, I feel like he was growing. He was discovering what he could still do and learning to depend on God. I thought that they really complimented one another, which is one of the best things in a relationship!
Watching Mary and Adam grow together and their relationship was super cute, I also enjoyed getting to know the village and everyone there. It was really sad at different points to see the struggles that people had. I thought it was also quite inspiring, the display of faith: Mary’s steady faith that had to come to terms with the tragedies of life and Adam’s rekindling of his trust and dependence on God. I appreciated seeing Mary’s family, and Johanna definitely grew on me! I am excited to read more of Ms. Miller! I definitely recommend this to those who enjoy Christian historical fiction. It is a little bit heavier, probably teen and up.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
readingintheweehours's review against another edition
5.0
This was delightful. Good plot. Characters with depth.
Great faith component.
I loved it. This was my first of Carolyn Miller, but certainly not my last.
Great faith component.
I loved it. This was my first of Carolyn Miller, but certainly not my last.
kiriamarin's review
Ao final do livro a escritora cita a vida de uma pessoa real que tinha deficiência visual e conseguiu ter uma vida normal e bastante conhecido na sua época, do qual se inspirou a escrever esta estória e seu protagonista, um soldado ferido da guerra entre Inglaterra e França. É um livro cristão, então o romance é bem sublineado e clean. Agradável.
meezcarrie's review
5.0
“Our challenge is to trust Him when it does not seem to go our way.”
I picked up Carolyn Miller’s newest book, Dusk’s Darkest Shores, fully expecting to chuckle at witty banter and swoon over great romantical tension and gush over smart writing & layered characters… and I did all of those things! But I was not expecting my heart to fill with such tenderness for these characters, nor was I expecting my eyes to fill with such sweet tears at the end. But I did those things too. Miller is one of my very fave Regency romance writers, and I’ve loved every single one of her books. But this one, my friends, will long hold a special place in my heart.
I instantly loved Mary – her sweet spirit, her wry humor, her honesty, her strong faith, and her compassion for people who are struggling. She is refreshingly without guile, and she has no patience for, nor desire to cater to, all the two-faced games and gossip that can still be found in small towns the world over. Yet, despite her genuine contentment with her life, she still has a heart that can be burdened & wounded & even broken. I loved these various layers to her character – she was real and relatable and exactly like someone I’d want as a friend.
Adam is equally layered, but for different reasons. Once a lauded war hero, he’s now instead pitied & whispered about by the very people who once planned grand celebrations for his return. The illness he suffers has affected every facet of his present and every hope for his future, and for a time he is understandably consumed by grief and self-pity. Even then, however, I could see wisps of what I came to adore about him as the story progressed – his own wry humor, his inner strength, his faith, and his hero’s heart. Y’all, he and Mary are so perfectly matched that it was a true pleasure to watch them figure that out too. The banter & tender moments of their interactions, as Mary helps Adam acclimate to living a meaningful life even with his new challenges, were just perfection. Exactly the right amount of grin-inducing levity or swoons when needed, but also the right amount of time spent wrestling with authentic emotions and faith.
The theme of Dusk’s Darkest Shores particularly resonated with me. Miller conveys this message so organically to the story and with such gentle wisdom that, even if I hadn’t already been pondering these things, it would have stood out to me anyway. The quote I included above and this one – “Sometimes I wonder if trusting in God even despite a lack of seeming answers might be the faith God is really looking for.” – have stayed close to my heart.
Bottom Line: My heart is still absorbing this gorgeous story. Dusk’s Darkest Shores by Carolyn Miller is witty and smart and so very touching. Mary and Adam’s friendship took me through a range of emotions but always made me smile, even through my tears or swoons. (And those first kisses! Still fanning at the thought…) I loved that Mary is a woman of prayer, and I loved the authenticity with which the author depicts believers living out their faith, even when questions arise for which there are no easy answers. A must read for everyone, and one of my top reads of 2021!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
I picked up Carolyn Miller’s newest book, Dusk’s Darkest Shores, fully expecting to chuckle at witty banter and swoon over great romantical tension and gush over smart writing & layered characters… and I did all of those things! But I was not expecting my heart to fill with such tenderness for these characters, nor was I expecting my eyes to fill with such sweet tears at the end. But I did those things too. Miller is one of my very fave Regency romance writers, and I’ve loved every single one of her books. But this one, my friends, will long hold a special place in my heart.
I instantly loved Mary – her sweet spirit, her wry humor, her honesty, her strong faith, and her compassion for people who are struggling. She is refreshingly without guile, and she has no patience for, nor desire to cater to, all the two-faced games and gossip that can still be found in small towns the world over. Yet, despite her genuine contentment with her life, she still has a heart that can be burdened & wounded & even broken. I loved these various layers to her character – she was real and relatable and exactly like someone I’d want as a friend.
Adam is equally layered, but for different reasons. Once a lauded war hero, he’s now instead pitied & whispered about by the very people who once planned grand celebrations for his return. The illness he suffers has affected every facet of his present and every hope for his future, and for a time he is understandably consumed by grief and self-pity. Even then, however, I could see wisps of what I came to adore about him as the story progressed – his own wry humor, his inner strength, his faith, and his hero’s heart. Y’all, he and Mary are so perfectly matched that it was a true pleasure to watch them figure that out too. The banter & tender moments of their interactions, as Mary helps Adam acclimate to living a meaningful life even with his new challenges, were just perfection. Exactly the right amount of grin-inducing levity or swoons when needed, but also the right amount of time spent wrestling with authentic emotions and faith.
The theme of Dusk’s Darkest Shores particularly resonated with me. Miller conveys this message so organically to the story and with such gentle wisdom that, even if I hadn’t already been pondering these things, it would have stood out to me anyway. The quote I included above and this one – “Sometimes I wonder if trusting in God even despite a lack of seeming answers might be the faith God is really looking for.” – have stayed close to my heart.
Bottom Line: My heart is still absorbing this gorgeous story. Dusk’s Darkest Shores by Carolyn Miller is witty and smart and so very touching. Mary and Adam’s friendship took me through a range of emotions but always made me smile, even through my tears or swoons. (And those first kisses! Still fanning at the thought…) I loved that Mary is a woman of prayer, and I loved the authenticity with which the author depicts believers living out their faith, even when questions arise for which there are no easy answers. A must read for everyone, and one of my top reads of 2021!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
brittsbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
abigailkayharris's review
THOUGHTS
I’ve read one other book from Miller which I didn’t love… Dusk’s Darkest Shores redeemed her for me!
Adam and Mary are just so sweet, I love seeing them together and apart, their story was darling, everything had such a warm feeling.
The fact that Adam was a soldier sold me on needing to read this book, and it being a regency romance, and the cover, and Mary’s description in the blurb, okay, everything sold me on this book and it turned out even better than I had hoped it would.
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
I’ve read one other book from Miller which I didn’t love… Dusk’s Darkest Shores redeemed her for me!
Adam and Mary are just so sweet, I love seeing them together and apart, their story was darling, everything had such a warm feeling.
The fact that Adam was a soldier sold me on needing to read this book, and it being a regency romance, and the cover, and Mary’s description in the blurb, okay, everything sold me on this book and it turned out even better than I had hoped it would.
I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
travelerswife4life's review
Have you ever read a book that just makes you want to be more selfless?
Well, that’s how Dusk’s Darkest Shores made me feel. Mary was what I would consider a leader in selflessness; don’t get me wrong, she has her faults. But overall, she is on the surface, perfect. Yet, in the midst of it all Carolyn Miller gives voice to the fears many of us have, and she turns them in to relevant life lessons. Plus, I truly wish I were a good with herbal remedies as Mary!
Did you catch on that I did not say anything about Adam the male lead character? Well, that because I cannot say much without giving away some fabulous information. I can tell you that I loved his spirit, endurance, and his Faith. A very admirable character.
The overall storyline was interesting, and it kept my attention, there were a few parts that seems slow to me; however, I really enjoyed the themes Carolyn Miller interwove into the story and I definitely will be reading the rest of the series.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
“Heavenly Father, she whispered, I know I am not much but I do believe You are real, and that You love people, and that You want to make a tangible difference to people’s lives today. Use me for Your purpose I pray.”
Also, you should check out Audra’s cool Pinterest board of quotes!
Well, that’s how Dusk’s Darkest Shores made me feel. Mary was what I would consider a leader in selflessness; don’t get me wrong, she has her faults. But overall, she is on the surface, perfect. Yet, in the midst of it all Carolyn Miller gives voice to the fears many of us have, and she turns them in to relevant life lessons. Plus, I truly wish I were a good with herbal remedies as Mary!
Did you catch on that I did not say anything about Adam the male lead character? Well, that because I cannot say much without giving away some fabulous information. I can tell you that I loved his spirit, endurance, and his Faith. A very admirable character.
The overall storyline was interesting, and it kept my attention, there were a few parts that seems slow to me; however, I really enjoyed the themes Carolyn Miller interwove into the story and I definitely will be reading the rest of the series.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
“Heavenly Father, she whispered, I know I am not much but I do believe You are real, and that You love people, and that You want to make a tangible difference to people’s lives today. Use me for Your purpose I pray.”
Also, you should check out Audra’s cool Pinterest board of quotes!
staceylovestoread's review
5.0
I love the way Carolyn Miller highlights the lives of common, working class people in Dusk's Darkest Shores. It isn't your typical Regency romance with typical characters, but in my opinion, that is what makes this story so good. I like that it focuses on more relatable characters and situations and includes a strong Gospel message. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Regency upper crust romance and Carolyn Miller writes some of the best there are. But, this book promises to be the start of a unique and refreshing Regency series. I can't wait for the next one!
I received an advanced copy from the publisher and all opinions are my own.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher and all opinions are my own.