Born of wealth and privilege, Elizabeth Walton-Smythe's future should have been set in stone. The headstrong teacher and her minister beau should have been married. That was the plan, as far as Lizzy was concerned. But, that wasn't to be, and one fateful encounter with a roguish Irishman quickly alters Lizzy's future and sends her heart and her life into a tailspin.
Marriage shouldn't have been an option, but in her haste to rebel and escape, it soon became her reality. Now, she's faced with a new, different kind of fateful decision. One which will test her faith and her resolve.
With secrets from Daniel's past lurking and deep, dark secrets of her own to contend with, can the love that should have never been be salvaged, and will these two seemingly lost souls be able to endure the greatest challenge of their lives?
This is a story of passion, love, and of God's inexplicable desire to free people from pasts that haunt them, so they can live a life full of His peace, love and forgiveness, regardless of the circumstances.
Juliette Duncan is a USA Today bestselling author of Christian romance stories that ‘touch the heart and soul’. She lives in Brisbane, Australia and writes Christian fiction that encourages a deeper faith in a world that seems to have lost its way. Most of her stories include an element of romance, but the main love story in each of her books is always God's amazing, unconditional love for His wayward children.
Juliette and her husband enjoy spending time with their five adult children and eleven grandchildren, When not writing, Juliette and her husband I love exploring the wonderful world we live in.
Please feel free to contact Juliette by email (author@julietteduncan.com) or via Facebook.
This was a great book on love and loss. Daniel had had a bad time early in his life but when he met and finally married Lizzy. Thinking they were in love and ready to live their lives as a couple only to find that Daniel had rebelled on loving the Lord because of things that happened in his past. Lizzy tried to get him to change his ways but he kept lying to her until she finally called him on it and told him to leave and not come back till he was better able to be the husband and father she needed him to be. She was hoping he would change and except the Lord as his Saviour and learn to live and not drink and get a job and live for real. This was a free Arc read and one I loved from start to finish. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
Juliette Duncan has once again created characters that are real to life and in situations that any of us could find ourselves in. She is so good at showing us how God works in even the worst situations.
The story does include mild abuse caused by alcoholism. Caution to readers that might be distressed by the subject.
This story is very well written with characters that warm your heart.
Since the main characters Daniel and Lizzy seem to get married after a very brief courtship I think the readers would benefit from a prequel.
I wasn't immediately drawn into the characters.
Because of his alcoholism Daniel was a less than ideal male lead. And put me off a bit. But the story is about Love, forgiveness and redemption.
I leaned toward having the same feelings that Lizzy's dad did but my feelings were more grounded. Lizzy's dad just didn't give Daniel a chance for his own reasons. Which made this reader like Daniel all the more even though his behavior was a turn off to me.
Lizzy was a strong and independent woman who wasn't afraid to stand up for herself and tell her husband and father how she felt.
She unashamedly stood up and spoke about her relationship with God.
And in the end helping her husband accept Christ.
I received a complimentary copy of book 1 and 2 from the author.
I didn't realize that the series is written as a serial. Book 1 leaves the reader on the cliff.
The reader is left with Lizzy and Daniel separated and Daniel deep in the throws of alcoholism.
Because this series is written in a discipleship manner I wish that book 1 & 2 were combined into one volume.
If a reader has a limited budget as I do the message contained in these pages might be missed by someone who needs to hear about God's love and his redemption plan.
I enjoyed books 1 and 2. I liked the Happy ending and was pleased that Daniel become an honorable husband and believer.
I looked forward to the chance to read more of this series. The boxed set includes books 1-5 are on my Christmas wish list!
I was somewhat disappointed in this story, as it didn't really finish; however the author does explain the situation in the end and it is a trilogy. I do have the next one in the series so will continue reading.
I think the story, in itself, is just too real and too sad. Unfortunately, it is life and although I say that I like to read 'real life', I think I wanted a little more fiction in it. Yes, I have seen this life style many more times than I want to admit, and is it believable, you bet it is. I just feel so sad for Daniel and Elizabeth - they have a long road ahead of them.
As much as I found it somewhat depressing, I think stories like this should be recommended reading for every young teen, male or female, before they start 'the dating game' of life. Young people need to know that they can't change another person no matter how much they love them. Change has to be something the person wants to do and marrying them won't do anything other then bring heartache.
This book is the first in the series about Lizzy and Daniel. Don't be expecting a romance or a 'light and fluffy' read, these are more 'women's fiction', dealing with a lot of series issues and are strongly Christian in content. Lizzy marries Daniel (a non Christian) early in the first book, unaware that he had alcohol issues and a violent past. Throughout the books we see Lizzie's personal and spiritual growth as she works through some difficult times with her relationship with her parents and in her commitment to keep loving her husband. I look forward to the continuing story in books 2 & 3. Note: definitely a series needing to be read in order and you definitely need to read book 2 if you want to find out if/how the issues in book 1 are resolved.
I enjoyed this sweet, Christian story. The main characters, Daniel and Lizzy, get married after a very short courtship. It is only after they are married that Lizzy realizes Daniel is an alcoholic. He loses his temper when he is drunk and did abuse her after he had been drinking. Lizzy is a Christian while Daniel is not and she spends a lot of time praying for him and talking to him about God.
This is the first in a trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger, with the couple separated and Daniel deep into alcoholism.
I must admit that I read book #4 first, not knowing there were precious books. I enjoyed #4 so much I knew I wanted to read the first 3. I was not disappointed.
Lizzy does not marry for love..... her journey has its up and downs - more downs that ups in this first book.
Can't wait to read #2 and continue with Lizzy on her journey.
sweat story for all the seasons! This book is the first of the TheShadowSeries, well written and fast and easy to read. the main charachters are 2: Lizzy and her husband Danny. Lizzy parents are not happy about Danny, so the couple married without saying parents. after marriage, Lizzy got pregnant and the trouble start.. Danny has a bad past that torments him again. I'm look forward to reading next book to know more about the Lizzy and Danny!
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and look forward to the next book in the series. Many different real life that affect this couple, one being alcoholism and another being a father who does not like her choice of husbands and the final one being unequally yoked in religion. Can they get through these issues? The reader wants to plod through the story to find out what happens next. I look forward to the next book in the trilogy.
4 stars I purchased Lingering Shadows:The Shadows Trilogy book 1 by Juliette Duncan and this review was given freely. This is the first section of the bigger story of Christian Elizabeth's hasty marriage to the non-believer and alcoholic Daniel. Flashbacks to her recent boyfriend, regrets, secrets, and the not so pleasant side of alcoholism are intertwined with Elizabeth's family life, school teaching, and pregnancy.
Oh how this book made my heart ache. I feel like we are in for a rollercoaster of a ride with this series. The characters are very well developed. The trope of a wife dealing with a drinking husband just hits you hard. It’s painful to see the abuse and to wonder at what point God says enough is enough.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
A man with big problems marries a woman whose father thinks he is not good enough. He knows he is not good enough - but does not care. And neither does she. They love each other. But when she gets pregnant, he starts drinking again. And disappears. God works throughout this book, and although she wonders if it will ever turn out good, God is still working!!!
The Shadows Trilogy from Juliette Duncan isva well-written clean romance based on Christian principles. It's a series lots of depth and faith building. The characters are true to life and you get to know them well. The story is a moving and captivating one which is engaging till the end. The only pity is that the series is finished.
This book was a quick, short read. It leads into book 2. I really enjoyed it, the author did a great job of getting you to know the characters and be one invested in their lives. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
Wow!! I never thought Lizzie would have to face the problems she did. Daniel's past definitely needs to be faced by him. First he needs to turn to God for help. I look forward to the next book to see how everything unfolds
This is a wonderful book. The book is a story of a couple who get married and have to fight several different battles to come out on top! I recommend this book to anyone who loves clean romance books.
Unfortunately many people find themselves in similar situations as the characters. I’m so happy to read an author that points people to God for help. Jesus is the only way.
She marries on the rebound. He seems perfect but then he’s not. She tries, asks God for guidance but it doesn’t go well. His drinking loses him his job, she’s pregnant and then she has to leave.
This is a wonderful Christian series with strong characters, excellent plot, and well-written. Each book centers around one or two of the numerous main characters, and has very interesting stories to relate--some are quite different than you might expect. The stories are about a loving family, deception, faith and God's forgiveness. In addition it deals with God's guidance, comfort, peace and healing. All of the books are extremely good, but my favorite is number 4, Secrets and Sacrifice. Grace is an extremely successful barrister (attorney) in Belfast, Ireland. She pleads guilty to placing a bomb 15 years ago that killed 10 people. She has carried the heavy weight of guilt ever since and has erected walls in her life to keep people at bay. Her attorney finds evidence of two bombs and one didn't go off. It also deals with her younger sister, Brianna, raped by two cousins and turned to drugs. No more details--don't want to spoil the story, but I highly recommend the series.
Good clean entertainment with interesting characters caught in everyday trials, faced and overcome through affirming faith who the One Who Made Us All.
Elizabeth Walton-Smythe of Wiveliscombe Manor, making her way in life as Lizzy, chose a bit of a bohemian life as a means of rejecting her privileged past. Barely settled into her courageous new life, she finds herself swept up in a whirlwind marriage with a dashing man from Ireland. She soon discovers her new husband’s failings as he retreats to alcohol in the face of difficulty. Determined to prove her disapproving parents wrong Lizzy searches for answers to understand this man so different than what she thought she needed in a husband. This is a story of one running from a failed marriage in the oblivion of alcohol and one running from the structured controlled life of privilege. Both struggle in their own way to overcome their vastly different pasts to meet each other in the middle on a path to a successful and peaceful marriage. The question is, in their struggles, will they find their way back to each other. Initially, I thought the characters would be a bit predictable and superficial. But the story quickly developed and I was brought into the chaotic minds of the newly married. In plumbing their thoughts I found myself caught up in the struggle. I loved the way the author captured the way longstanding friends know each other without voicing their problems. And I liked that Lizzy's friend Sal bridged the chasm between Lizzy's posh life and her new life married to someone from “the other side of the tracks.” And I admire Lizzy for being the peacemaker in their troubled marriage. If you are a wee bit older or enjoy TCM, you've probably seen those serials that end at a dramatic point and you're left waiting until next week. This book is part one and leaves you hanging over the cliff waiting for the next book. Not getting to the end of this story in this book is not my cup of tea, but I know many readers do relish the wait for the next book. The good news is the next book just released. For the vast majority that do like to hang in suspense, this is definitely a great five star read! Again, for the TCM audience, this story reminds me of a movie with one of my well-loved actors, Cary Grant. If you enjoyed Suspicion, you will definitely enjoy this tale of coming to understanding of a partner in marriage when evidence leads astray.
View original review at http://www.chantolaspinall.com/reader... Elizabeth had all she wanted, as money was not an issue, however, she lacked what she needed the most, love. No fancy gift could fulfill her. No amount of lavish luxury could quench her heart's desire. Her father cared more about his social image than he did about her, his only daughter. Her mother, his submissive wife was no different and took his side no matter what.
Just when she discovered love buried into the depth of her first crush, Matthew, it was snatched away. He broke ties with her and the hurt still remained after years passed. Unwilling to forgive, Elizabeth held onto the bitterness, pushing away the God of creation she once loved.
Daniel, a charming lad with a cheeky Irish smile managed to lift her spirits. She loved him, she believed she did. Enough to marry him against the will of her parents. From the very beginning she doubted marrying him, but she wanted to prove to her parents that she was able to make her own decisions. Most importantly she would rather be with someone than to be lonely.
The wedding bliss faded with every drink Daniel took. At times she couldn't recognize the man she vowed to call husband until death. Alcohol was what he used to numb his pain both past and present. Each sip destroyed the fairy tale ideology she expected marriage to be. Doubts and insecurities surfaced and with a child on the way, Elizabeth most trust the guiding hands of God to restore what she has broken.
I enjoyed the authenticity of Lingering Shadows. It broke down the walls of perception and exposed readers to raw reality. We saw faith, marriage and families being tried by real life circumstances. This book is one in the series of three which means that Daniel and Elizabeth's story is far from over. Happy Reading! -Chantol Aspinall
Read Lingering Shadows (The Shadows Trilogy #1) by Juliette Duncan Born of wealth and privilege, Elizabeth Walton-Smythe's future should have been set in stone. The headstrong teacher and her minister beau should have been married. That was the plan, as far as Lizzy was concerned. But, that wasn't to be, and one fateful encounter with a roguish Irishman quickly alters Lizzy's future and sends her heart and her life into a tailspin. Marriage shouldn't have been an option, but in her haste to rebel and escape, it soon became her reality. Now, she's faced with a new, different kind of fateful decision. One which will test her faith and her resolve. With secrets from Daniel's past lurking and deep, dark secrets of her own to contend with, can the love that should have never been be salvaged, and will these two seemingly lost souls be able to endure the greatest challenge of their lives? This is a story of passion, love, and of God's inexplicable desire to free people from pasts that haunt them, so they can live a life full of His peace, love and forgiveness, regardless of the circumstances. I am looking to read the other 2 books. for now I give this book 4 stars and a 8. A ok read...
I was somewhat disappointed in this story, as it didn't really finish; however the author does explain the situation in the end and it is a trilogy. I do have the next one in the series so will continue reading.
I think the story, in itself, is just too real and too sad. Unfortunately, it is life and although I say that I like to read 'real life', I think I wanted a little more fiction in it. Yes, I have seen this life style many more times than I want to admit, and is it believable, you bet it is. I just feel so sad for Daniel and Elizabeth - they have a long road ahead of them.
As much as I found it somewhat depressing, I think stories like this should be recommended reading for every young teen, male or female, before they start 'the dating game' of life. Young people need to know that they can't change another person no matter how much they love them. Change has to be something the person wants to do and marrying them won't do anything other then bring heartache.