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Sunrise
Trouble has a way of finding Jason Whitney, and only his sister Joyce and the pastor’s daughter Rose see any good in him. So, when he is fired from the bank the same day it is robbed, the blame quickly falls to him. Unable to defend himself, Jason flees town. Joyce begs her wealthy friend Rowan to help prove Jason’s innocence, but now Rowan has also gone missing.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1937
67 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
592 books570 followersalso wrote under the pseudonym Marcia MacDonald
also published under the name Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
A popular author of her day, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction. Her characters were most often young female ingénues, frequently strong Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.
niece to Isabella MacDonald Alden
also published under the name Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
A popular author of her day, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction. Her characters were most often young female ingénues, frequently strong Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.
niece to Isabella MacDonald Alden
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 28, 2023
Rating: 3.9 / 5
This is a book that has a lot of great parts interlaced with some more slow-moving parts, if i had to sum it up in a nutshell. The beginning is undoubtedly great: Jason Whitney is walking out on his life because he can't seem to get a fair deal from anyone, with everyone willing to think the worst of him without any proof whatsoever. The final straw is when he's fired from his job at the bank because they think he's been dishonest with his bookkeeping--and Jason won't have it, by gosh!
Anyway, in his wake he leaves Joyce, his older sister, and Rose, the minister's daughter. They are the only two to believe in him, apart from, of course, his good friend Rowan Parsons--who is also in love with Joyce and, after declaring it, goes off after Jason to bring him back.
Now, I have to admit that if the story had focused some more on Rowan and Jason's adventures together, maybe switching back and forth between their chapters and the hometown chapters, I might've finished this book a bit faster. However, the first 170 pages focus almost exclusively on the home-folk, like Jason's family and especially Rowan's parents. While this was sweet and I liked seeing how these good people stood up against the rumors they were hearing about Jason and Rowan and tried to be strong about it, at the same time I kept wondering just what the heck had happened to them that months passed before they came back home.
Well, at around the 170 page mark we finally find out about it, and the last hundred pages or so is that back-and-forth that I was waiting for.
Overall, I'd say that everything was just so sweet and that it was a story of faith that I deeply needed and appreciated at this time. It even made me cry in a few parts and, so far, few Grace Livingston Hill books have made me do that. Still though, that just goes to show what sincere feeling is put into this and how much faith can fit within a story.
Ultimately, I'm opting for four rather than five stars for this story however, since it is a bit of a slog to get through at times, and I would have liked a longer, more drawn-out ending after the difficulties and separations experienced by the characters. Still though, this is a story that inspires and shows how faith triumphs over all, so it's well worth a read for anyone interested in this genre or seeing faith in action.
Once again, Ms. Hill has proven that she has a definite place on my bookshelves and in my heart with her novels. Praise God!
This is a book that has a lot of great parts interlaced with some more slow-moving parts, if i had to sum it up in a nutshell. The beginning is undoubtedly great: Jason Whitney is walking out on his life because he can't seem to get a fair deal from anyone, with everyone willing to think the worst of him without any proof whatsoever. The final straw is when he's fired from his job at the bank because they think he's been dishonest with his bookkeeping--and Jason won't have it, by gosh!
Anyway, in his wake he leaves Joyce, his older sister, and Rose, the minister's daughter. They are the only two to believe in him, apart from, of course, his good friend Rowan Parsons--who is also in love with Joyce and, after declaring it, goes off after Jason to bring him back.
Now, I have to admit that if the story had focused some more on Rowan and Jason's adventures together, maybe switching back and forth between their chapters and the hometown chapters, I might've finished this book a bit faster. However, the first 170 pages focus almost exclusively on the home-folk, like Jason's family and especially Rowan's parents. While this was sweet and I liked seeing how these good people stood up against the rumors they were hearing about Jason and Rowan and tried to be strong about it, at the same time I kept wondering just what the heck had happened to them that months passed before they came back home.
Well, at around the 170 page mark we finally find out about it, and the last hundred pages or so is that back-and-forth that I was waiting for.
Overall, I'd say that everything was just so sweet and that it was a story of faith that I deeply needed and appreciated at this time. It even made me cry in a few parts and, so far, few Grace Livingston Hill books have made me do that. Still though, that just goes to show what sincere feeling is put into this and how much faith can fit within a story.
Ultimately, I'm opting for four rather than five stars for this story however, since it is a bit of a slog to get through at times, and I would have liked a longer, more drawn-out ending after the difficulties and separations experienced by the characters. Still though, this is a story that inspires and shows how faith triumphs over all, so it's well worth a read for anyone interested in this genre or seeing faith in action.
Once again, Ms. Hill has proven that she has a definite place on my bookshelves and in my heart with her novels. Praise God!
January 16, 2022
This was a decent enough story...but it just felt ssssoooooooooooooooooo long! Chapters upon chapters filled with town gossip, bridge parties, and unimportant nothingness which could have been filled with exciting pirate adventures! As it was, we really only got about 3 chapters of Rowan and Jason's high seas escapades...which in my opinion was a loss to the book.
In all honesty, the 2 paragraph account that Jason tells of his journey in church in the last chapter could very well have been the entire book. In fact, I don't know that I've hard skimmed any other GLH book as much as this one, and that's saying a lot. There was just so little real substance! A lot of gossipy talk, no actual plot points except one that I won't spoil, just boring small town life happenings while we wait for the pirate boys to come back. It was all rather dull and excruciatingly slow!!
Overall I'm giving this a 2 because I liked the idea and I wanted to know how it ended. As far as characters go, Joyce was a weak pushover, Rowan and Jason were b.a. pirates, Rose was an afterthought, and Hannah was the best! I won't reread this, but it wasn't the worst. Still won't recommend though.
In all honesty, the 2 paragraph account that Jason tells of his journey in church in the last chapter could very well have been the entire book. In fact, I don't know that I've hard skimmed any other GLH book as much as this one, and that's saying a lot. There was just so little real substance! A lot of gossipy talk, no actual plot points except one that I won't spoil, just boring small town life happenings while we wait for the pirate boys to come back. It was all rather dull and excruciatingly slow!!
Overall I'm giving this a 2 because I liked the idea and I wanted to know how it ended. As far as characters go, Joyce was a weak pushover, Rowan and Jason were b.a. pirates, Rose was an afterthought, and Hannah was the best! I won't reread this, but it wasn't the worst. Still won't recommend though.
July 2, 2017
Two young men missing, two young ladies waiting for word - any word - and the absolute reality of a town that loves to gossip and the way a story can build and grow out of proportion until lives are ruined on all sides.
I was captured by this tale and had no idea where it was going. I felt for the families of the boys, and hated how wicked idle tongues can be. If ever there was a book against the practice of gossip, it's this one! There's some deep losses, and terrible grief in this book. But it's also tempered by beautiful faith and a glorious ending for all involved. I had never read this one before, and I truly couldn't put this one down.
I was captured by this tale and had no idea where it was going. I felt for the families of the boys, and hated how wicked idle tongues can be. If ever there was a book against the practice of gossip, it's this one! There's some deep losses, and terrible grief in this book. But it's also tempered by beautiful faith and a glorious ending for all involved. I had never read this one before, and I truly couldn't put this one down.
December 28, 2021
This is a more substantial book than some of Mrs. Hill's books, but it's not due to the romance(s). Those are given so little time that one wonders if the book should be called a romance.
However, I still enjoyed the book because of the many layers to the story. There is the substantial faith of Rowan's parents. There is the horror of a bad choice in romance with Myra (especially in those times before divorce was really possible). There is the crime committed and the terrible suspicions.
But, most of all, underlying everything, is the evil people can do just by jumping to conclusions and gossiping. None of the people who did this horrible thing even seemed to realize or recognize their own sin. Certainly is a wake up call to watch our loose lips.
To end on a good note, however, there is also the joy of two young men being saved in the Lord. Oh, how, I wish this surety for every single person out there.
However, I still enjoyed the book because of the many layers to the story. There is the substantial faith of Rowan's parents. There is the horror of a bad choice in romance with Myra (especially in those times before divorce was really possible). There is the crime committed and the terrible suspicions.
But, most of all, underlying everything, is the evil people can do just by jumping to conclusions and gossiping. None of the people who did this horrible thing even seemed to realize or recognize their own sin. Certainly is a wake up call to watch our loose lips.
To end on a good note, however, there is also the joy of two young men being saved in the Lord. Oh, how, I wish this surety for every single person out there.
November 26, 2020
Such a positive, uplifting book! Fantastic plot! Great lovable characters.
Loved this book! It's one I've not read before & the plot is different than any other, and believe me, I've read most of them! The author depicts so well how our Heavenly Father sometimes has to remove us from our comfortable life & surroundings to get our attention. It seems that only then are we ready & willing to listen. Thank God He doesn't give up on us!!
It was comforting to be reminded that death is a joyful thing for a born again person. A glorious sunrise indeed! I wonder how many husbands and wives kneel together at the throne of mercy & find grace to help in of need?
Loved this book! It's one I've not read before & the plot is different than any other, and believe me, I've read most of them! The author depicts so well how our Heavenly Father sometimes has to remove us from our comfortable life & surroundings to get our attention. It seems that only then are we ready & willing to listen. Thank God He doesn't give up on us!!
It was comforting to be reminded that death is a joyful thing for a born again person. A glorious sunrise indeed! I wonder how many husbands and wives kneel together at the throne of mercy & find grace to help in of need?
August 7, 2025
This title explores some interesting themes of deceptive appearances and the damaging nature of gossip, which seem very relevant in today's world of social media. The romance though is very weak as the two couples have only limited contact at the beginning and end of the book and basically fall in love with their idea of who the other person is.
July 7, 2019
Once again, this author wrote a lovely story from simple days, and the smells of grandma's baking wafting through the house. I love reading her stories. There is always a good ending with characters full of integrity.
June 5, 2023
A teacher's, however, all of us can relate to various characters at some point of our lives.
Young people have experienced what these teens felt at times in their lives. Older people have relatives or neighbors such as these typified in the story.
Young people have experienced what these teens felt at times in their lives. Older people have relatives or neighbors such as these typified in the story.
December 3, 2024
Another wonderful Grace Livingston Hill book!
The characters are very wonderful in this story and grow and develop as a story moves along. Grace Livingston Hill has written so many wonderful books!
The characters are very wonderful in this story and grow and develop as a story moves along. Grace Livingston Hill has written so many wonderful books!
April 11, 2022
Not may favorite GLH. Rather slow and a lot of annoying characters.
November 3, 2022
I loved this book, far better plot than any of her other books. And a good redemption story.
November 24, 2022
Old fashioned and comforting. A lovely story.
June 22, 2023
Great romance
Typical Grace Livingston Hill, but a great
story of romance, deception, tragedy, danger, sin and repentance. Good quick and easy read.
Typical Grace Livingston Hill, but a great
story of romance, deception, tragedy, danger, sin and repentance. Good quick and easy read.
January 15, 2026
I liked it very much.Some mystery ran through it, making it a book you wanted to pick up and see what was coming next. As usual with the author, it was an inspiring read.
January 22, 2013
This book was about a 19 year old boy named Jason who gets into all kinds of trouble because he won't stand up for himself. He runs away from home, intending to go to South America, where he will discover a gold mine or something, and then come home and be the hero of everyone. His friend, Rowan, who has just graduated from college, goes after Jason because he loves Joyce, Jason's sister. They encounter all kinds of adventures along their quest. Meanwhile, back at home, Joyce and Hannah, Rowan's mother, face a lot of mean town gossips, who conclude that Rowan and Jason had robbed the bank the night the boys left town. The death of Rowan's father occurs while the boys are gone, and Jason's father suffers a stroke from all of the stress that he's under. This book provides great insight in how to deal with death and in how to be good (and bad) parents. Jason, the town scapegoat, and Rose, the pastor's daughter, also fall in love during the course of the book. Grace Livingston Hill provides real insight in how to deal with gossip and how to remain true to yourself and God. As always, it was a very good read, but I couldn't relate to it as much as some of Hill's other novels, because the families involved are upper middle class. I related more to other books by GLH, like The Enchanted Barn and Because of Stephen.
June 11, 2009
what a nice story.....
January 12, 2016
Believe
Great read! Filled with all emotions. Keeps reader in their world. Trust in God, faith & love carry throughout the story.
Great read! Filled with all emotions. Keeps reader in their world. Trust in God, faith & love carry throughout the story.
August 3, 2016
Another great story from the late Grace Livingston Hill.
September 18, 2021
Good read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews