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A Dark Lustre: Thanksgiving Books & Blessings Collection Five

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Eager to join her family in America, Emiliana crosses the Atlantic with hope for a bright future. During the voyage, Austin, the Viscount of Marshallford, gains her admiration when he befriends the parents of her four young charges. Determined to save his family estate, he journeys to marry an American heiress, never expecting to fall in love with a penniless Polish nanny. Once in Pennsylvania, both find that tragic circumstances call for desperate measures. If they ever meet again, how could Emiliana trust a man seeking an alliance with those oppressing her family?

183 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2022

About the author

Amy Walsh

7 books281 followers
Amy Walsh, the author of the Victorian romance, A Misplaced Beauty, and the contemporary romance, Elsie Whitmore: A Star from Oak Hills, is a 5th-grade teacher from Scranton, Pennsylvania. She enjoys outdoor activities, especially hiking and camping with her Scouts BSA Troop. Amy also appreciates opportunities to share her faith through singing, teaching, and writing for her church family. Amy and her husband, Patrick, have three children: Bree, Spencer, Liz, and a son-in-law, Kyle. Amy and her extended family love to spend time together celebrating special occasions, listening to great music, swimming and kayaking, and having occasional ping pong tournaments.

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5 stars
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4 (33%)
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Linda.
Author 47 books526 followers
November 30, 2023
Conditions in American coal mines were dangerous, and many owners did little about safety or preventive measures for their workers. Grateful for any job, immigrants comprised a high percentage of the employees and were unwilling to call attention to themselves by complaining. Author Amy Walsh manages to cover these serious topics without A Dark Luster being maudlin or depressing, the mark of excellent historical fiction. Emiliana and Austin are wonderful characters, and I especially enjoyed Austin’s journey from a Viscount who has no idea how “regular people” live to a down-to-earth, servant leader. I’m familiar with the area in Pennsylvania where the story is set, and it was fun to follow in the characters’ footsteps. The secondary characters are well-developed and add depth to the story. An afterward by the author includes historical information as well as her inspiration and subsequent research. A powerful, thought-provoking story with a lovely happily ever after.
Profile Image for Evelyn Foreman.
433 reviews20 followers
September 11, 2022
A mind captured, a heart stolen, a soul stirred…a description of this reader from page one! Emiliana’s journey from taking care of her grandmother in Poland to finally reuniting with her parents and sisters in the US was nothing short of God’s hand at work every step of the way. To watch how He orchestrated her passage, meeting Lord Austin, locating her family, detail after intricate detail as only He could was both inspiring and exciting!

Walsh brings every character to life in the most realistic way, causing the reader to be there, in the moment, living out each scenario, hoping against hope not to see “The End”! She is truly blessed with the gift of story telling with a purpose, entertaining, yes, but also intertwining the Gospel message throughout.
Profile Image for Renee Simmons.
337 reviews43 followers
October 17, 2022
I love Emiliana’s inspirational story of love, endurance and persistence! Emiliana left Poland after her grandmother passed away to join her parents and sisters who had come to America five years earlier hoping for a better life. While on the ship, she met Lord Austin and the quickly became friends. Lord Austin was making the voyage to meet his wife to be from an arranged marriage. But they both were disappointed in the life they were entering into. With faith, love, and persistence, can they change their fate and make a life in America?
Profile Image for Pascal's scriptures.
169 reviews1 follower
September 26, 2022
A book about inequality

I enjoyed the character of Austin more in this story.
Eager to help someone he doesn't know in a world that treats the poor as inferiors.
It was an interesting story.
Profile Image for Lori Chasko.
119 reviews19 followers
November 23, 2022
A Dark Lustre reminds us at this time of year what matters most, family. I saw the kindness displayed by the characters through their interactions with each other. Some parts I saw coming, some it took awhile. The author did a fantastic job!
307 reviews8 followers
October 25, 2022
Enjoyed reading about Austin and Emily’s growing care for each other and love for family.
Profile Image for Patti Wolf.
44 reviews2 followers
December 3, 2023
This was one of the best books of the year for me. The story is rich in culture and has great depth to its story telling. Thank you Amy!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews

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