Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden - REVIEWED

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Into the Whirlwind Baker Publishing Group (August 15, 2013) by Elizabeth Camden

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A research librarian and associate professor, Elizabeth Camden has a master’s in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s in library science from Indiana University. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband in central Florida.




ABOUT THE BOOK

After her father's death, Mollie Knox takes over his watchmaking company and uses her head for business to solidify the good name of the 57th Illinois Watch Company. Her future looks bright until the night her beloved city is destroyed in the legendary Great Chicago Fire. With her world crumbling around her, Molly must do whatever it takes to save her company in the aftermath of the devastating fire.

Zack Kazmarek is an influential attorney with powerful ties to the political, mercantile, and ethnic roots of Chicago. His only weakness is Mollie Knox, a woman who has always been just beyond his reach. However, all bets are off after the fire destroys Chicago, and Mollie is in desperate need of assistance. Just as Zack finally begins to pursue the woman he loves, competition arises in the form of a hero from her past who can provide the help she needs to rise from the ashes.

While Mollie struggles to rebuild, the two men battle for her heart. One has always loved her, but the other has the power to save her. In the race to rebuild the city, can she survive with her business and her heart intact?

My Thoughts:

“This fire would not be the end of her.”  (p. 85)

Mollie Knox is a very, very, very determined woman.  When the Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed the only thing she’d ever been sure of – her ability to successfully operate 57^th Illinois Watch company -  she had to dig pretty deep to find the strength to declare war against the loss she was facing.  Funny thing, she was already contemplating making a profound change in her livelihood when the fire struck.  And afterward, during the struggles everyone in the city faced after such devastating loss, she had to carefully consider where her true security was found.  She had to consider the price she placed on a security that really wasn’t – well, secure.

Zack Kazmarek is another character who must struggle with issues of self-worth and security.  He has placed his security into the promises of others and his faith in his own mental prowess.  Ultimately he must gamble on letting go and trusting in things beyond his control.  He must battle a fierce desire to make promises he cannot keep

. 

Elizabeth Camden has written a very dramatic story that will sweep you up into its embrace and hold you tightly from first page to last.  There are many twists and turns along the way, and one minute you want to throttle Mollie, and the next you want to throttle Zack.  As a reader, you must exercise restraint and not flip to the end of the book to see how things work out for the characters you come to love.  There are many taut story lines that are woven throughout the pages of this novel, and Camden masterfully brings them together into a masterpiece of trust, love, and ultimately faith.  This is a great historical romance that you will be ever so glad you took the time to read.  I am happy to recommend this novel!

If you would like to read the first chapter of Into the Whirlwind, go HERE.