Into the Whirlwind

Some stories are just a good romance and other stories are a good romance but also teach you a lot about history. This story is the latter. In this novel I learnt about watch making, clock making, the historical event of the Chicago fire and the Polish culture. This is what I enjoy about Camden's books. I like that the characters are intelligent, passionate about their job and have personality strengths and weaknesses. I liked the inclusion of a child character who added depth to the storyline. The romance story line became a love triangle which added tension. The reader is kept guessing with many twists and turns in the story. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to all historical fiction readers.

The characters in this novel were very well developed and I relished every opportunity I had to cuddle up with this book. I enjoyed the historical reference to the Chicago Fires, and appreciated the insight into immigrant life and pride during that era. Lovely, clean and uplifting.

I have become a fan of Elizabeth Camden's work, and this novel was a good one, although not without a couple of minor problems. I think it was a little on the long side, the Christian element seemed a little forced, and at times the storyline seemed to jump awkwardly between threads. Mind you, there was a lot to cover and it did fit the disjointed sense that must have existed after the Chicago fire which is the historical centrepiece of this novel. \\r\\nMs Camden has a wonderful way of making me like her male protagonists. They are frequently giant, loud, brash bears of men, not a type I normally find appealing, but with the soft centres she brings to them I find they win my heart, even while they are being ham-fisted when it comes to anything sensitive. She certainly knows how to draw a character well and that is something I delight in.

It's no secret that I'm a fan of Elizabeth Camden's books. So I was really happy to dive into her latest book. I have to say that while I was interested and at no stage did I want to stop reading the book, I did not love it. \\r\\n\\r\\nI've been mulling on this fact for a few days now, trying to figure out why this is. First off though, the things I did love. Setting the story amidst the Great Chicago Fire was great! I didn't know much at all about this and was fascinated by the events of that time, thus I eagerly devoured the story based on this. Watching the characters reconstruct their lives amongst the debris' of a broken city was great. Reading this book made me want to go to Chicago and learn all about the fire. The pace was quick and kept me on the edge of my seat for much of the book - always a good thing. \\r\\n\\r\\nWhat I had trouble with really, was Zack and Mollie. I found the basis of their relationship hard to grapple with and believe. At some stages, I really didn't like the way these two treated each other. For me, the romance happened so fast and derailed so fast that I wasn't sure these two actually had time to process their feelings for each other - especially Mollie. Yet, through all this I was still rooting for them and wishing Mollie would seriously get her head together make the right choices - on many levels not just with Zack. \\r\\n\\r\\nSo, considering I felt passionately about this book, must mean that although I didn't love it, it impacted me.…

The story kicks straight in to the action, showing Mollie and Zack trying to escape the fire, before taking us back six days to the morning where Zack presents his offer. We are introduced to some of the employees of the 57th, named for the regiment Mollie's father fought for in the war-the small business employs fifteen veterans from the 57th, all disabled in one way or another, and all who rely on Mollie for a livelihood. \\r\\n\\r\\nMollie, Richard and Zack were all likeable characters, backed up by a strong cast of supporting characters, especially Zack's mother and some of the employees of the 57th. The plot was excellent-very fast-paced, with a high level of tension in the scenes between Mollie and the two very different me, but particularly in the scenes during the fire. While it is Christian fiction, the faith elements were very low-key, and I think anyone who enjoys historical romance with a high level of drama would enjoy Into the Whirlwind. One of the best books I've read this year-recommended. Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.