This is a heart-touching Christian historical fiction novel set in the Lake District of England during the year 1811. Carolyn Miller has written a compelling story about learning to trust God in difficult and sometimes tragic situations. It’s not often that I recommend reading the “Author’s Notes” at the end of the story before you read the rest of the book. But in this case, I think the notes give some interesting historical background that adds extra depth to the story for the reader. I wish I had read these before I read the rest of the book.

The two main characters, Mary and Adam, have both experienced disappointments and heartaches. Adam is a wounded war hero who is struggling to find his way through to a new “normal” life after completely losing his sight. Mary’s dedicated her life to helping her physician father treat their patients, but she still sometimes yearns for a husband and family of her own. Mary’s compassionate heart drives her to attempt to help Adam find his way back to participating in life. As the two work together, things do not always go smoothly, and the faith of both Mary and Adam will be tested.

This story touches on some themes about accepting God’s will in our lives that apply to us today. I enjoyed reading the story itself, but the book also left me with some faith applications in my own life to think through.

There is mention of a sexual assault in this story. It’s not graphically described and is handled appropriately. But if this is a trigger for you, please be aware that this is part of the storyline.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Dusk's Darkest Shores
Regency Wallflowers #1
By Carolyn Miller

Mary Bloomfield has never caught the eye of any man and at her age, it seems she never will. And with the war with Napoleon, Amberley has even fewer men available for those in need of a husband. But she has a purpose in her life, helping her father with his medical duties to the neighborhood and surrounding area. Her caring nature calls often upon the Lord for His healing touch on the ill. Her dreams of a home and family of her own seem to be just that dreams.

Adam Edgerton's family is anticipating his return from war, his actions have labeled him a hero and he is expected to marry soon upon his return. But none know that his return is for illness. An injury has apparently robbed Adam of his future. A future shrouded in the darkness of doubt, pain, and betrayal.

Seeking to help Adam to see beyond his new limitations, Mary reaches out offering hope and encouragement. But can he really have a future as he is now, a man surrounded by darkness for the rest of his days? Mary and her father are not about to give up on Adam.

Dusk's Darkest Shores is the first book in the Regency Wallflowers series and it is an excellent series debut. Set in England's Lake District, I loved Mary's descriptions of the area, her attention to detail shows the depth of her caring and nurturing spirit. Now there are some moments that reveal the darkness of the soul in a sinful world in this book that speak of the injustices of the world and the prejudices of human nature. This is just a thread that runs through the story and it has a different impact on the various characters and how they respond to it. I would recommend this book to teen and adult readers - it is excellent reading and continues the standard one is used to from Carolyn Miller's previous books. If you are new to her work this would be a good one to start with as it is the first in a new series.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion - All thoughts expressed are my own.

I’ve been expectantly waiting this book since I heard Carolyn Miller say she was going to write about older heroines in Regency England. Mary is a character you can’t help but love. She is doesn’t feel like she compares to her younger friend and sister, yet, she knows her life has not lost its purpose though she might be following the “normal” path towards marimony. Coming face-to-face with wounded war-hero Adam Edgerton might awaken old dreams but, most of all, she wants to see him fully restored , mind and body, and she knows there is only one who can do that.

Dusks Darkest Shores is an endearing story about second-chances, hope and love.

“God’s goodness did not fade away simply because she did not perceive it. Circumstances were not a faithful prism through which to see God’s love. God’s love, like the sun, always remained.” Englishman Adam Edgerton, a local hero, and favored son has yet to learn this as he feels God has deserted him. In 1811, he returns from war, injured and broken. Can sweet, positive, wallflower Mary Bloomfield nurse back to health not only his body but his soul? These two are brought together by unusual circumstances. Miller kept me spell-bound as I watched each of them transform the other.
Miller weaves a compelling regency with a strong faith message. It isn’t overbearing, but it is prominent, part of the necessary fabric.
“What if God did want people to trust Him to act in miraculous ways today? Was it presumptuous to believe in healing miracles? Or was it faith?” So many questions for God as Emily and Adam each work out their own faith.
I loved seeing the family dynamics play out in Emily’s family, Adam’s family, and Susan’s. Sometimes one wonders if a character’s family had been different, would that have altered his or her personality?
An animal is recognized as being an important part of Adam’s healing. I love this concept and the way it is integrated into the story.
Why does God answer some prayers and not others? At the end of the novel, I still grapple with this main question. But, like Mary and Adam, I’m willing to trust God to make the plans and to lean hard into His ways.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher via Read with Audra. No positive recommendation was required, and all thoughts are solely my own. Because of content, recommended for adults and mature teens.

At twenty-eight, Mary Bloomfield is not likely to marry. Despite being unmarried, Mary’s life is full.She helps her father, the local doctor, with his patients. Mary has a strong personal Christian faith which she shares with others to encourage and build them up. She should be content.

Adam Edgerton has been shipped home to England, the fate of those who can no longer fight. Worse, he’s blind. He can’t see the world around him, and he can’t see a future. With Mary’s help, he learns to live despite his lack of vision.

Carolyn Miller is an excellent writer who doesn’t shy away from the hard things in life. Dusk’s Darkest Shores touches on difficult topics, including rape, suicide, and disability. There are no easy answers in her novels, just as there aren’t easy answers in life.

Dusk’s Darkest Shores is Christian fiction of the best kind. Despite the sometimes dark subject matter and the fact Carolyn Miller refuses to allow her characters to take the easy path in their search for a happy-ever-after, Dusk’s Darkest Shores is ultimately an uplifting novel. It reminds us that God is with us even in those dark hours, and that when we let Him direct our paths, we will know his peace.

Recommended for fans of faith-building Christian fiction.

Thanks to Kregel Books and Netgalley for providing a free ebook for review.

I really enjoyed this unique tale. Most Regency novels are focused around aristocratic members of England’s society. This one focuses on commoners, farmers and doctors. War has been raging and the men have been fighting. Some are returning wounded. That’s the case here. Adam returns to a fiancé but is blind. His parents and village have great expectations for him. Mary is the local Drs daughter. She’s order for an unmarried woman. She gets set with the task of helping Adam learn to cope with his blindness. Offering him hope. I really enjoyed the story and ‘seeing’ the countryside through the characters. I definitely recommend this book! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated are my own.

I loved the premise of this story. Interesting from the start I wanted to see how it would all play out.
I loved getting to know Mary, smart kind and thoughtful. Though seen as a wallflower by some, I love her spirit and how she carried herself. She strong on the surface and blunt took when needed but beneath all that strength is a girl with a tender heart. I love how she took care of Adam being a friend when needed and a firm hand when necessary. It was an absolute delight to see their relationship grow.
Adam was your typical war hero. Initially being prepared to be celebrated by the people of the village, was now whispered about because of his sickness. He tried to be strong at times but he struggles. Especially with the notion that these might be his new reality.
I love the slow process to love. They are so perfect for each other without even realising it. The banter, the tender and swoon worthy moments. It was all so beautiful.
This is a tender and wonderful tale that gives you all the joyful and romantic moments but then also touches your heart in the most perfect way.

Dusk’s Darkest Shores proved to be an exceptional read with a sweet and relatable romantic pairing.

What a beautiful story. I enjoyed the fact that the heroine wasn’t some beauty. Instead, the novel focuses on the beauty within. At first, I thought Mary was shown to be too perfect, but the more I read, the more I saw her flaws come through. With this heroine, Miller gives us someone relatable to root for.

Adam is more of your typical, handsome hero. But he has an illness that changes everything. Miller skillfully uses Adam’s illness to highlight a common question in the Christian faith: why does God allow bad things to happen? Rather than answering this in a trite matter, Miller explores the mystery of God’s will and how things always work out for the best in the end.

Between the romance and the spiritual arc, Dusk’s Darkest Shores is a beautiful read I didn’t want to ever put down. If you love Regency romance, you’ll love this book.

Spoiler alert! Details of how the book ends..

Wow! I am someone who get excited about books and I have a new one to be excited about: Dusk's Darkest Shores, by Carolyn Miller! This book, set in Regency England touched my heart from the get-go! I was first drawn to it because it was Christian historical fiction set in the defence era, one of my favorite genres! Also I was drawn to it because of the author of whom I own a few books.
I was immediately swept in by the character of Mary, who at her age of 29 back then would have been considered a spinster, and literally was put on the shelf by society. But I loved the fact that she didn't allow society to dictate her life! She first surrendered her life to the Lord, and let Him direct her life, and that was a huge delight to me in the story as I have done the same thing! I felt a kindred spirit to Mary from the start! God had a plan for her, not just to use her to touch others, but to bless her personally! I loved that because He so often does, and that lead to the character of Adam.

What I really enjoyed about Adam's character was that it was real! Ms Miller, the author, did not mask his pain, but told it in a truthful way! Her character struggled with coming to the reality of his blindness, and I loved how she shared how Adam felt daily and how she used this struggle to lead her character closer to God through it! She showed how the Lord doesn't always take our struggles away, as He didn't with Adam, but He helps us through them, and sends people like Mary and Adam's family to help deal with what He allows! I really liked the honestly of the raw and real feelings and process that Adam went through coming to terms with his blindness!
I also loved how Mary and her father believed that God uses medicine to heal, and how they helped whoever they could with their medical training, and also how they didn't just look at the patients physical symptoms, but also looked after their emotional and spiritual needs as well! They believed that medicine healed, but it was God who was doing the healing! They also believed, as I do, that God can heal today but sometimes chooses not to, but we need to trust Him because He is good! Just like it said in chapter 3, "She would not lie and flatter him about his message. “I believe the best part was concerning the saving power of Jesus Christ. In fact, I would dearly love to hear more sermons spent exploring such things. Imagine if people believed that what is spoken of in Acts amongst the believers could actually happen today. Just think how remarkable it would be if God would choose to use us to heal the sick and see the lame walk. Don’t you think that would be wonderful?"

I loved her dads outlook on healing as well: chapter 3 "“No, my dear, I am not veering to pragmatism at the expense of faith. 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.” The words penetrated deep into Mary’s soul. What if God’s purpose was not to heal Adam? What a struggle to continue to trust God that would be." Adam and Mary both learned just that!
I really enjoyed Ms. Miller's letter at the end explaining we must trust God even when things don't work out as we plan!

The character of Susan was very difficult to read about, but again, I loved the reality of how bad things happen to good people, and God doesn't always stop them but He helps us through them, but we live in a sin filled world till Jesus comes back! Mary stood by Susan, and did what she could for her, but Mary couldn't control or stop what happened. I loved the conclusion the Lord revealed to Mary in chapter 22, "God was good. The evidence lay in jeweled tones before her. She had seen His faithfulness time and again. Just because the sun might feel hidden for a time did not mean it was not there. God’s goodness did not fade away simply because she did not perceive it. Circumstances were not a faithful prism through which to see God’s love. God’s love, like the sun, always remained.". Adam reiterated it in his way later upon that same chapter, "She nodded and tightened her grip in response. “Here atop this mountain, so close to the heavens, I am reminded of that, also. People down in the village may only see clouds, but the sun still keeps shining above the clouds and rain. It reminds me that God’s love is always present.”“Exactly. I would like to hear God’s reasons for why I cannot see, but I suspect I’ll never know. Should I spend the rest of my life asking why? That only leads to frustration and tears, I know.” Also further down on that same page Adam told Mary, "“I am still learning, but I want to keep on trusting God, even though my faith feels weak. But just because I’m weak today does not mean I can’t believe God for outrageous things tomorrow.”

The story of how Mary saw through Adam's blindness, and saw the man who he was touched my heart! Mary's love and persistence helped Adam to learn to trust her, and helped him to live again! She was so patient and kind, and the Lord used that to heal Adam, and also to bring Mary, who thought she would never marry because no one wanted her, that God had planned to send Adam to her all along! Adam wasn't wanting her near she could take care of him, but because she showed him her love and who she was through her actions, and that opened his eyes to see she was the one God had send him, not Emily!

My favorite line in the book was Adam saying this to Mary, "“Mary, you are the person who makes the darkness go away.”
So this book was a joy to read for me! I related to it because I, too, have a disability, have had to learn to trust God and allow Him to guide me through it! I loved the real emotion of the characters, and the reality of their situations. It was a book I really enjoyed reading because it was interesting, engaging, and I loved every minute of it! My rating is 5 out of 5 stars, and I can't wait to read more from this author! I wouldn't change a thing! Thank you so much for allowing me to review this book! I loved it!

“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)

I received a free copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

Carolyn Miller is one of my favorite Christian Regency authors, so I was excited to read Dusk’s Darkest Shores before I even knew what it was about. Upon finding out more information, both from reading the blurb and being provided more insights with the blog tour information, one aspect did concern me, that aspect being the blindness of the hero, Adam. For one, I’m blind myself, and it’s always delightful to see representations of blind characters on the page (even if they’re rarely, if ever, ownvoices). But then there’s the disturbing trend where romance (both inspirational and secular) tends to engage in a trend of pacifying able bodied readers by finding “miracle” cures for disabled people so they become more “worthy” of love, and add the whole “miracles can happen when you pray” aspect of some sects of Christianity, and my skepticism mounted.

While I can only speak for myself, and other readers might feel differently, I feel Miller captured the nuances of the internal and external ableism Adam deals with upon initial diagnosis, as those he previously thought were close to him looked upon him with pity, either praying for a cure or severing their association, and Adam deals with the prospect of getting used to navigating the world differently.

And while I feared there would be a bit of a savior complex in his relationships with Mary and her father, I didn’t feel that was the case. While it was hard to tell if Mary looked on him more with pity at first, they developed a believable affection between them, and I liked that she was the one to truly see and support him as he is now, as opposed to mourning and longing for a return to what he used to be.

This is a really beautiful romance that has a lot to offer, from the tender romantic arc to the historical tidbits baked into the narrative. Fans of sweet historical romance will love this one!

Great new book by Carolyn Miller. I loved the story and I loved seeing how the characters fell in love through a difficult trial. I liked how Mary never gave up on helping Adam even when he was being mean. I also liked how they were able to help each other as they each struggled through different losses. I also liked how she included their journey in their faith to God. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

Dusk’s Darkest Shores takes place in a quiet town, where Mary, an introverted spinster, assists her father who is a doctor. She’s very good with medicine, but mostly with kindness. She cares for every patient, and gives them all her attention and prayers, as she is very spiritual and full of faith. And we have Adam, a soldier who came back home blind, who sees his future working on his fathers farm disappearing. When Mary is asked to care for him, she manages to give him new perspective, and slowly we see his humor return as he comes to accepts his illness.

First of all: Walcheren, where Adam contracted the illness, is nowadays the most beautiful place on earth. I feel like I should defend my home after reading such bad things! Ok things may have been swampy in the past, but if you’re looking for picturesque villages, good food and amazing beaches it is the place to be. Please don’t invade it again though ;)

I really liked this story! The main characters have great chemistry and I loved their humor and banter! There is much depth in their conversations, and the story took a few twists and turns that made the plot interesting.

The disability representation seems really good. I was a bit afraid in the start that there would be a miracle to solve everything as the main character has witnessed healing before, but here it is not the case which I’m very grateful for. I get really upset when healing is used at the end of a story as reward for spiritual growth, which happens so often and gives the wrong message. Life with a disability is not a tragedy. And the author includes some very thoughtful insights about healing and miracles at the end of the book which really made me think, I appreciated that a lot.

So most of the story I absolutely loved! There were some downsides for me, for example all the female characters in this book seemed very gossipy, naive and shallow except the main character. In fact the entire town only seemed to be made out of gossip. Also the main characters kept apologizing and feeling actually really sorry when they said something that was simply the truth, I could see no other possible interpretation for offense, and the other characters sprouted all the harmful things and ended up saying a halfhearted sorry too. Let’s just say there was a lot of apologizing which felt a bit much. But these are all minor issues, as I really enjoyed the story itself. I love to see characters I can relate too, like really introverted ladies and disability.

I received a free ebook, this hasn’t influenced my opinion.

In Dusk’s Darkest Shores, book 1 in Carolyn Miller’s Regency Wallflowers series, readers are transported to England’s Lake District.

Mary Bloomfield is not your typical regency heroine. She is the spinster daughter of a doctor whose tender heart toward the hurting and strength of faith had me rooting for her from the beginning. And Adam Edgerton is a soldier returning from war with an illness that has changed his entire life’s course.

Miller excels at writing the intricacies of relationships. From Mary and Adam’s turbulent initial meetings to Mary’s relationships with her sister and other people in town, I was welcomed into Mary’s life. The faith thread was woven well throughout the book as well as Adam’s progression of his acceptance of what his life now looks like.

There is so much packed into the pages of Dusk’s Darkest Shores—emotional, spiritual, relational, and more—that I had a hard time putting the book down. And the theme of finding our worth in God and not in our abilities (or lack thereof) is one we all need reminded of once in a while.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

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.

I first read and reviewed The Elusive Miss Ellison in March, 2017 and have read and reviewed most, if not all, of Carolyn Miller’s subsequent novels since then. To say that she has become one of my must-have authors is an understatement. I have also enjoyed watching as this author has honed her craft and finely tuned each book along the way. I have thoroughly enjoyed them all but Dusk’s Darkest Shores may just be her best novel thus far.

Not only is this book a lovely romance but it plumbs the depth of human emotions and brings hope for those who believe they have none. Mary and Adam were characterized so well that I found it easy to care about their lives and struggles. I also appreciated how each of them matured as they recognized how true character is revealed by how one reacts to unexpected circumstances and hardship and that true beauty is much deeper than a pretty face.

Dusk’s Darkest Shores was one book I did not want to put down until its end and that end came much too quickly for me. The story was filled with all the requisite elements to make me one happy reader. If you have not read a book by Carolyn Miller, this one would be the perfect place to start.

In “Dusk’s Darkest Shores,” by Carol Miller, Mary Bloomfield, a woman of deep faith and a caring nature, though a meek wallflower with no illusions or prospects, helps Adam Edgerton, a decorated war hero, who is plunged into melancholic darkness, as he battles the horrific repercussions of a debilitating, insidious disease, his bright hopes and brilliant dreams laid waste by his pitiful condition. However, Adam is no coward, and kind-hearted Mary is prepared to work hard to help him. Together they must struggle to find a way forward for him, out of the overpowering maze of darkness and gloom. Hidden frustration slowly develops into budding friendship, as both Mary and Adam search the deepest depths of their own hearts for elusive answers. Carolyn Miller’s beautiful writing and fascinating research brings out the very best in Regency novels. It portrays the struggles of real faith in the hearts of the true-to-life characters, in a moving story of tragedy, emotional healing and trust in God. “Dusk’s Darkest Shores” is set in the heart of the beautiful Lake District of England. It is a novel of the highest standards and deepest sentiments, delicately blending an arresting plot and interesting characters into the most lyrical prose. I highly recommend it to all readers of Regency novels.

Miriam Jacob

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 love Mary’s strength and confidence to be exactly who she is, no reservations. She is realistic about her prospects, her strengths and her giftings. She deeply loves the Lord and longs for the Gospel as written to be shared with others. She lives out her faith in an encouraging and touching manner. I love that Adam must be blinded before he can truly see. When he finally sees Mary for the wonderful woman that she is, tender sparks ensue. I love the honest banter and friendship that forms between Mary and Adam. They are both longing for love and acceptance and when they are able to let their guards down, the authenticity is precious. An extremely delightful story from Carolyn Miller that I highly recommend to all readers of sweet romances that appreciate messages of hope and redemption. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

Two of my favorite types of characters were featured in this story- a military hero recovering from injury, and a stalwart heroine who finds purpose in being helpful. The author authentically depicted the range of emotions Adam went through as he grieved his former life and adjusted to his new reality. I loved how Mary balanced compassion with bluntness, like her father. It proved to be the soul-healing medicine Adam needed, even though he fought against it at times. I loved how they interacted and their friendship blossomed in difficult circumstances. Mary's tender feelings are hidden as she puts on a strong front, but she is vulnerable to thoughtless comments about her lack of marital prospects. Her younger sister is blunt without the compassion and the girls clash like oil and water, yet there is a strong thread of family loyalty and love that emerges. Their friend Emily who was engaged to Adam is a complication that provides an interesting study of human nature and self-preservation. What I liked most about this book is the hope that emerges from the darkness as Adam makes the shift from depression to determination, and the role Mary plays in supporting him. A wonderful story!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.