The Shadows Trilogy - 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.
BOOK ONE LINGERING SHADOWS 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?
BOOK TWO FACING THE SHADOWS Book Two of The Shadows Trilogy finds Lizzy in turmoil. Her heart aches for Daniel, who has yet to conquer his demons. As his downward spiral continues, Lizzy struggles to maintain her resolve and forage ahead on her own.
With so much working against her, the reality of having to return home to the manor only enhances her sorrows. Lizzy knows the only way to win back control over all that haunts her is to face that which she has avoided for far too long, even if that means unearthing the truth behind her breakup with the minister, Mathew Carter.
In order to continue her quest to move forward, Lizzy will have to draw strength from God and his healing touch, but only if her heart is ready to accept all that entails.
Two souls united by circumstance, divided by pain, must pull themselves from the depths of despair and embrace all that is waiting for them and welcome God's gracious intervention in their lives.
BOOK THREE BEYOND THE SHADOWS Lizzy and Daniel have settled nicely into their new life in the Lake District. Daniel is growing in his Christian faith and Lizzy couldn’t be more delighted. Life is wonderful for the young couple until Daniel receives devastating news that may lead to his undoing and challenge his sobriety. With temptation testing him, Daniel will have to draw on God’s strength and his family’s support to resist it or live with the fact that he’s not only failed himself but failed God.
Lizzy and Daniel are put to the test. Can they withstand the physical, emotional and spiritual challenges they’ll face as they return to Ireland and face Daniel’s past?
Is their love and their faith strong enough to pull them through or will the pressure tear them apart?
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 not what I expected. At all. The books were set in England, which was a pleasant surprise. Slightly confusing at times, but still good. I wasn't expecting Daniel to be an alcoholic either. My idea of his Past was more along the lines of mob boss type stuff. Regardless, despite not being at all what I thought, I still enjoyed it a lot. It kept me up till all hours of the night reading. Once Daniel became a Christian, the romance gained a slightly cheesy aspect, but I still enjoyed it immensely. It was nothing compared to the average Hallmark movie, so honestly not that big of a deal.
Content-wise, definitely for a mature audience. The main character is a married woman in an abusive situation, so it does get a little dodgy in the middle of the first book, but it is handled very well. Still, definitely not for young teens or sensitive readers.
These books are amazing and really sweet and I enjoyed them a lot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Lingering Shadows: 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.
Facing the Shadows: This was a good next installment in Lizzy and Daniel’s story. There were some hard choices to make and rocky roads to traverse. I’m interested to see what happens next.
Beyond the Shadows: This was a book that came such a long way from the beginning. There is so much growth in the characters and their situations. It was good to learn about Danny’s past and his family. I’m looking forward to learning more about them.
Secrets and Sacrifice: Meeting Grace in Beyond the Shadows really piqued my interest in her. I was beyond thrilled to find out that this book is dedicated to her. There were wonderful times in this book, lots of learning, hard choices, and trusting in God.
A Highland Christmas: I liked this last book in the series. Having it set at Christmas with so many of the people we’ve met and grown to love was great. I liked having it from Brianna’s perspective.
I received a free copy of this boxset and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Juliette, I am somewhat confused. At this point, this is a Trilogy and I just finished Book 3, but then when I look at the Boxset (Books 1-5), it's a series. The stories were good, the characters are interesting and well-developed, and there is a lot to think about in this trilogy. I love that Lizzy and Daniel were able to work out many of their marital problems, and especially that Daniel found the strength, courage and determination to give up 'the bottle' and to work on being a good, reliable and dependable husband to Lizzy and father to Dillon. At this point, the story behind Daniel's life, his siblings and their relationship has left me unfulfilled, although I am happy that he was able to feel forgiveness in his heart for his Da and that he was able to visit his homeland and his extended family. Of the three books in the trilogy, I liked 'Facing the Shadows' the best. I found 'Beyond the Shadows' to be almost a continuing, long sermon, with some family fiction in between and would rate it as 3.5 stars. However, it's a good clean Christian story with some interesting characters, and worth the read.
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. 4 stars I purchased Facing the Shadows:The Shadows Trilogy book 2 by Juliette Duncan and this review was given freely. Poignant and drama packed. This second section has Lizzy returning to her parents and trying to build a life without Daniel while Daniel spirals deeper into a life of alcohol and drugs. Lizzy faith is tested and strengthened as she moves through the last weeks of her pregnancy,learns a secret about her father, learns the cause for her breakup with Matthew, and stands by Daniel even though he continues to be self destructive. 4 stars I purchased Beyond the Shadows:The Shadows Trilogy book 3 by Juliette Duncan and this review was given freely. Just when Lizzy and Daniel are starting to settle into their new lives with baby Dillon in their new home at the College, Daniel is tested by bad news from his siblings. This is a story of love, struggling with addiction, forgiveness, and of trust.
I love the way the author, wove Biblical applications into very real life situations. She also was not afraid to put scripture in appropriate places..... this is CHRISTian fiction after all.
I often see where some readers are upset, with what they perceive as being preached at, which always confuses me. There are tons and tons of secular fiction books to read, so would they not expect bible quotes, and applications to be in a Christian fiction book?
In any case, I enjoyed the trials and struggles and how God worked in the lives of the characters. I would recommend this author highly.
I have read books that were in the Christian fiction section where God is barely mentioned or not at all....maybe the character went to church once, or prayed once and that was the sum total. If you want to read a book, that is truly Christian, this author is one I would recommend.
the main charachters are 2: Lizzy and her husband Danny. Book1-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. Book2- she is pregnant, full of hope of Jesus, he has a dark past and a present with alchool and violence problems.Who are stronger? With love of each other and pray, can they solve their problems? Book3- New places, new people, new stories ! in fact, in this book you can meet part of Daniel family and their lives I'm look forward to reading next books to know more about Danny family... go on with book 4 and 5 !! love books, well written.
the main charachters are 2: Lizzy and her husband Danny. Book1-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. Book2- she is pregnant, full of hope of Jesus, he has a dark past and a present with alchool and violence problems.Who are stronger? With love of each other and pray, can they solve their problems? Book3- New places, new people, new stories ! in fact, in this book you can meet part of Daniel family and their lives I'm look forward to reading next books to know more about Danny family... go on with book 4 and 5 !! love books, well written
I would definitely recommend The Shadows series but all her series. I get wrapped up in the stories Mrs. Duncan creates as well as the verses she uses as encouragement to her characters. I have been encouraged by the way the Bible verses are added within the story at just the right times to enlighten and encourage the characters. Using this strategy and real life situations, brings spiritual enlightenment to the reader of God’s amazing word! I am starting my 4th series box set! Thank you for sharing your writing and your Love for God in your books! You encourage me to want to write!
These stories take you on a journey through this young couple's struggles to truly building a true loving marriage. It is not an easy road and they do have so many issues to deal with but with God's help they find their way. Everyone needs to know their story. A very good read.
Their alcoholic father walked out of the home and soon they were orphans, looked after by relatives. The scars of their upbringing carry through to adult hood. Can God redeem their past? Juliette Duncan sensitively and compellingly draws one into the pain and the joys
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.
A set of 8 siblings face various challenges when their father deserts them and their mother dies prematurely. Parceled out amongst various relatives, they all face various traumas. God’s redeeming love touches their lives and transforms them. Difficult situations, astonishing testimonies of God’s watchcare over them.
I really enjoyed reading the story of Lizzy and Daniel. What ups and downs these stories involve. A very close look at alcoholism on the part of one partner and how it affects the other. Written with great sensitivity. Highly recommend this series.
This wonderful box set is filled with amazing characters and the most important part God. The author will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. You won't be able to stop reading these books.
These are wonderful books. The series is a story of a couple who get married and have to fight several different battles to come out on top! I recommend these books to anyone who loves clean romance books.
I've seen the aftermath of the events that lay in the lives of people who are are trapped in this life of alcohol and drugs of different types. The only way out is absolute desires of the one in use to be free of them.
This was one of the most enjoyable series I have read in a very long time. The characters were excellent and the development and interaction was great. I do enjoyed reading a book that stayed true to the Word of God.
My only regret in reading this series is that it came to an end. Beautiful stories of beautiful, broken people and the redeeming Love that only God can provide.
This was a great read of a series on how couples met and fell in love with both their partners and with God. Got this series from kindle unlimited free. Great back stories and the love shared in the book. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
Juliette has a way about bringing you right into the story so you feel like you are part of it. Such a wonderful heartwarming series. Stories of how Great God is and letting him into your life.
Juliette writes heart wrenching and heart warming love stories. You certainly want to read the complete series.She paints a wonderful picture of God,s love and grace.
I’ve read the complete 5 book series & it’s so very awesome! Juliette Duncan has really outdone herself with it! Outstanding, stupendous, on the edge of your seat, all flow extremely well from book to book. You’re almost always waiting to see what will happen next. Juliette is an amazing writer & really excelled with this series. You won’t want to put them dow. Everyone enjoy it!!