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16 January 2014

Noela Nancarrow reviews ASHTON PARK by Murray Pura

Ashton Park
by Murray Pura
Harvest House Publishers (January 1, 2013)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
~5 Stars~ *****

This is an exceptional and exhilarating saga featuring a wealthy, large aristocratic family called the Danforth's of Lancashire, who reside in an ancient, grand manor on their Ashton Park Estate. There is nothing stuffy about this story however, considering it is replete with forbidden romances, and drama and action that's also intensified with an edge-of-your-seat suspense. Ashton Park carries a semblance of Downton Abbey but whether you're a fan or not, you can be sure this novel is definitely livelier and way more action-packed than the television series.

We are taken back to an era during World War One where the decline of the aristocrats and the breaking down of strict social rules has begun to take effect. Lord William and Lady Elizabeth Danforth struggle to come to terms with these changes when it directly touches their family with some of their children falling in love with those of a lower class. As a result, there are secret rendezvous', betrayals, and heartbreak. With the Great War also impacting upon the Danforth family due to the active service of three of the young Danforth sons and one of the Danforth daughters, this family of nobility goes through tremendous upheaval during the time span of this book which is from 1916 until 1923.

It is during this time; the great conflict between the British and the IRA (Irish Republican Army) was also transpiring and beginning to intensify. The youngest son Robbie Danforth, who was enlisted in the British Army, was serving in Ireland for this war and we see him wrestle for self-control when it becomes extremely personal to him. His brother Kipp, a pilot in the Royal Air Force, takes up in the air for an exciting battle with a German tri-plane and ends with a victory that then credits him with becoming an Ace. And Edward the eldest son is in the Royal Navy, and faces his own harrowing experiences. These and a few other portrayals of extremely intense battles are illustrated in this book, but all are absolutely thrilling without being verbose. The history is fascinating and interesting, and the author, proficient in his research.

There is not a dull moment to be found in Ashton Park amidst the trials and triumphs of the Danforth's and their loved ones. The romances dotted right throughout are delightful and smile-inducing. Their faith in God is often tested, and sometimes left wanting, while other times, inspiring. The births and weddings are joyous, but the dangers and deaths are heart-stopping and heart-rending. Ashton Park also delivers an important message of redemption and forgiveness. Overall, it captures you with its charm whilst whisking you on a fascinating journey back into history with its breathtaking scenes!

Find Murray’s books at AmazonCBDB&NDeeperShopping, and other bookstores.
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GIVEAWAY: Winners choice of a copy of one of the books in The Danforths of Lancashire series; Ashton Park, Beneath the Dover Sky, or London Dawn—paperback or ebook.
Leave a comment and your email address to be entered in the contest.


69 comments:

  1. I loved reading your wonderful review of this great book, Noela! Thanks for sharing with us. :)

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    1. Your welcome MARIAN... anytime!! ;) Glad you enjoyed it!

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  2. This series is getting great reviews. I must put it on my TBR list. Maybe I will win a copy to get me started. :-)
    Nancycooks4u (at) gmail (dot)com

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    1. Maybe you will NANCY! :) All the best with your entry getting you started!

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  3. Huge fan of DA, and I love historical fiction. This sounds like a great book!

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    1. Sounds like this book is right up your alley then TARA! ;) Hope you get to read it soon!

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  4. Thanks for fabulous review, Noela! I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

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    1. Thank you AMY, that's sweet, and I hope you get to enjoy the rest of the series soon too! :)

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  5. thanks for the chance to read a fabulous novel by Murray Pura :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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    1. Speaking on behalf of CARRIE and the OWG team, you're very welcome KAREN!! :)

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  6. What a beautifully written review, NOELA! I am needing to read this series, but have another one of Murray's to read first. The guy pops out books like rabbits do bunnies! What's a reader to do?!

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    1. Thanks DIANA, you're very kind. I have no idea what to do about the bunnies... ;) Can you believe I ONCE thought that I'd run out of books to read?? Not any more lol... Now I can't keep up with SO many great books/authors... but I still keep buying and collecting them!! :)

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  7. Thank you so much for your review. Your passion about the book will make readrrs want to read more of your posts in the future.

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    1. My email is Lonewolfgirl7@gmail.com

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    2. Thank you HALITA, I hope so!! :) Thanks also for coming back with your email, we'll need that if you win! God bless!

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  8. Oh I love watching Downton Abby this beautiful book sounds so interesting can't wait to read it.
    oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com
    Thanks again for doing free bookgivaways.

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  9. Would be thrilled to win any of these books in paperback.

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    1. Well I hope you get to win one also BONNIE!! :) Blessings!

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  10. These all loook great! Thanks for the review.
    bookwormgal 2011 at yahoo dot com

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    1. They do don't they MICHELLE?!! :) You're welcome and thank you!

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  11. If I win, I'll choose the first in the series! They all look so Awesome!!!
    richmond.abigail@gmail.com

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    1. Definitely the best one to start off with if you haven't read any of them ABIGAIL! I agree that they look awesome Abigail, I just have them on e-book but I think they'd look pretty impressive as a ppb series on my shelf! :)

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  12. I love Murray's writing. ♥ I hope I win this drawing.
    cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I'm with you on that one CINDI, I love his writing too! All the best with your entry Cindi!! :)

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  13. A must read for me. Fantastic review thank you.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Thank you so much MARY, and I hope you get to read it soon!! God bless!

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  14. Wonderful review! I would love to read this book!

    amyputney89 [at] gmail [dot] com

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    1. Thanks AMY! I would love you to be able to read it also, so here's to a win!! :)

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  15. Hello Noela. Great interview. Murray sure has a way with stories right? Makes history interesting. I would love to win the last book in this series. Hi to Murray and the rest of my OWG gals. Love you all. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. MAXIE, you're so right!! IF ONLY we learnt history this way at school, I for one, would've absorbed a whole lot more, lol!! Thanks Maxie, and we love you too!!!

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  16. Oh I so want to read this series ! Loved your review......
    Blessings
    Linda Finn

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    1. Thanks LINDA, I hope you get to read this series too!! Bless you!!

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  17. Great interview. I am wanting to read this book.

    wwchildren at gmail dot com

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    1. You'll enjoy this book WILANI so I hope you get to read it soon! All the best with your entry!

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  18. I haven't had the chance to read any of these books yet, and certainly would love to!

    bettimace at gmail dot com

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    1. In that case BETTI, I sure hope you get a chance to read them soon!! :)

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  19. This series is getting wonderful reviews. I can't wait to read this series! Please enter me in contest. Thank you for the opportunity to win.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com. Have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. You're entered EMMA!! All the best with your entry, and have a wonderful weekend yourself too!! Blessings!

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  20. What a great review. Count me in on this one.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. You're in too MELANIE, and thanks! Bless you!

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  21. Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Noela! I look forward to reading this series.

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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    1. My pleasure BRITNEY, and I hope you enjoy the experience when you get to read it!! :)

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  22. These sound great thanks for a chance to win. I haven't read any of this authors books before
    lhxp73@yahoo.com

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    1. Nice of you to stop by DEB, and I'd love to encourage you to check out Murray Pura's books, he has quite a few out and they are all excellent reads!!

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  23. Thanks for the great review. I have this book on my wishlist for awhile. Didn't even know there was a third out already. Thank you for the chance to win.
    sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

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    1. We're glad to have been able to update you then BOOS MUM! :) Wishing you all the best with your entry... and if you're blessed to win, you'll be able to tick off one item at least from your wish list! ;)

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  24. What a great review! I have not read any of this series yet so would love to win one of these fabulous books!

    kcrouse1950 at verizon dot net

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    1. I sure hope you get a chance to read this series then KATHI, and thanks! All the best!!

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  25. Another wonderful review, Noela!

    Sounds like this book has included EVERYTHING a reader could possibly want to read: romance, war, birth, death, redemption, forgiveness, rendezvous, betrayal, heartbreak, drama, action, wealth and estates, danger, faith, trials, and triumphs. Certainly makes ME want to read "Ashton Park"!

    I haven't read any of Murray's book - thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of "Ashton Park"!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
    OWG

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    1. Haha you're not wrong BONNIE, it DOES almost have everything in it and I do love that in books, and movies too actually lol. I still can't believe you've not read anything by Murray, Bonnie! You do have a lot of catching up to do don't you... perhaps at our 'slumber party'? All I need to do is find my way over there... ;)

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  26. Sounds like a neat book.
    Just got introduced to Murray Pura as a writer He is great at it
    God bless all of you
    Chris Granville
    granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet

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    1. God bless you too CHRIS, and that's GREAT you know about Murray's books now, there's a lot of entertaining reading there!! You'll see some of my reviews for a few of his other books on Amazon.

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  27. Great review, Noela, as usual! Sounds like a fab book!!! Hugs!!!

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    1. Thanks CARRIE, and yes it is!! Hugs back to you!!!

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  28. London Dawn print book for me to round out the series! Thank you for your review. Historical fiction is my favorite genre. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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    1. Hi KATHLEEN, nice to see you! Historical Fiction is my favorite genre also, can never seem to get enough of it! All the best with your entry too... It's great to be able to round off a series isn't it. I need London Dawn to round off mine also! :)

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  29. Great review - looks like a wonderful series...thanks for the chance. truckredford(at)gmail(Dot)com

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    1. Thanks ELIZA, and all the best with your entry!! :)

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  30. I haven't heard of this series until reading this, I will have to see if my library has it yet.
    sonflower277 at gmail dot com

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    1. I'm glad to have been able to bring it to your attention SONFLOWER! Hope your library has it, or perhaps you'll win it!

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  31. Faantastic review! Loved the first novel....the other 2 are on my list to buy and read. Mommiebethers{at}gmail{dot}com

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    1. Thank you BETH, this first one was great wasn't it?! Hope you get to enjoy the others soon too! :)

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  32. Great review They sound like great books
    Also please have a wonderful,terrific,blessed week
    Chris Granville
    granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet

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    1. Thanks CHRIS, you have a very blessed week too!!

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  33. NOELA this is an outstanding review!! Sorry I'm late coming by! MURRAY's books are always the best aren't they?? I have several I need to catch up on!! :-)

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  34. Excellent and enticing review, Noela! Definitely would love to read Murray's fine writing. Thanks for this giveaway and the chance to win a great read.
    Happy Easter!

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