Dusk's Darkest Shores (#01 in Regency Wallflowers Series)

The second book in the series Regency Wallflowers was a delight. The village hero comes home to a different world that isn't what he expected. Adam Edgerton is the popular good-looking boy with a pending engagement to the village beauty but war leaves him scared and people don't know how to deal wiht the disappointment of a changed man, but his change is really in his heart that blossoms by the doctors daughter who is the only one, besides her father that treat him normal and believe that he can live life fully even with a seen handicap. I loved the honesty, the dealing with grief of life as was once known and how people all deal with it differently; the witty banter and the honesty as to people's unkindness even though appearing to be God fearing. \\n\\nThe story of these character's are beautifully interwoven as we look below the surface of the outer body and see the beauty within. Oh how we judge people based on looks and abilities, yet God sees so much more. He is never finished with us. I love how Carolyn Miller's writing is unashamedly based on Godly people that gives the reader hope in God who can work through all of those difficult circumstances that tend to come our way at some point in our lives.

I loved this gentle slow burning romance. Mary is the essence of unrequited love. She has longed after her brother's best friend, Adam, since a child following them around the marshes on all of their adventures. However, he is engaged to marry beautiful Emily, who is everything she isn't, or so it seems. Mary has been left a wallflower, overlooked by all the eligible gentlemen of her village and has given up any hope of marriage and children, a deep pain in her heart that she is battling with God to come to terms with. Mary is, however, very skilled at assisting her father, a doctor in his practice with her unparalleled nursing skills and care. She cares deeply for everyone around her and remembers them all in prayer, believing in the healing touch that can only come from God. \\nAdam has been away fighting in the Napoleonic wars and finally news of his return home has reached the village, but it is not to be the happy reunion everyone expects. Adam has been struck blind through illness contracted after being wounded in battle. His betrothed can no longer fathom being shackled to a blind man. Adam needs someone who can truly help and care for him. \\nEnter Mary, who has loved him all this time, and who can see past his blindness to the man he still is. Will Adam now be able to see Mary for who she truly is?

I really enjoyed the story between the hero and heroine. There was a part at the start of the story I struggled with. Caroline's author note says she grew up in a church that believed in miracles, but I haven't. So, the early emphasis on Mary praying with a burning sensation in her hand as the person was healed came off weird to me. However, I enjoyed the discussions at the end of the book about why God chooses not to heal sometimes. I also really liked the rest of the story. So, if you don't mind miracle workers or can ignore that part like I did, the story is very interesting and engaging. Plus, the miracles are only a big thing at the start. Caroline tappers it off and focuses on the couple for the rest of the book for the most part. I really enjoyed this.

An engaging story that is wonderfully written. The main characters were very realistic and the story heartwarming and inspiring. Readers will be taken on a journey into the lives of Mary and Adam and the challenges they both faced living in a small community. This is a moving story of love, redemption and hope with a touch of drama. A delight to read.