Dusk's Darkest Shores

Author: Carolyn Miller
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Regency Wallflowers #1

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.

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Reviewer: Linda Klager

First of all, I was very attracted to this book because of the beautiful cover.  It shows a young woman overlooking a beautiful lake district in the English countryside.

Mary Bloomfield is a very caring woman who accompanies her father on his doctor's visits.  She is an able assistant to her father.  She has a keen mind and sees the needs that others have.

The town's people were anxiously awaiting the arrival of a hero from the war.  Adam Edgerton is soon to be married and this causes more excitement in the town.  The only thing that dampened the celebration was that Adam was hurt and needed to recover.  This caused concern with his impending marriage to Emily.  Adam was very depressed and when Mary's father examined Adam, a shocking revelation became known.  

Emily could not marry Adam and this caused Adam to go into deeper depression.  Mary's father and the parents of Adam needed help so the three of them suggested that Mary come to visit to use her great observation skills to get Adam to begin his recovery and new life.  Mary has a way of speaking very directly to Adam.  At first, Adam did not like the way Mary spoke to him, but later on, he admired her kindness and dedication.

Mary helped a neighbor deliver a baby that was born breech.  The mother survived this trying birth and Mary kept visiting afterward to make sure that all was well.  Mary was always helping her neighbors.

Mary also suggested to Adam that a dog would help Adam to live his life more independently.  Again Mary had great insight into what Adam needed.

I loved that Mary was always praying for her family and friends  She had such strong faith.  She was even more Biblical in her thinking than the local pastor.  In the beginning, the pastor was looking for a wife, but Mary made sure that she let him know her viewpoint of the Bible and this man backed down because his view was different than hers.

I would like to read another book by this author.  She described the area very well and that makes me want to visit the English countryside very much. 

This book was provided courtesy of Kregel Publishing through Interviews & Reviews.

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