Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Into the Whirlwind Baker Publishing Group (August 15, 2013) by Elizabeth Camden
MY THOUGHTS:
I read all three of this author's books last year and I was impressed by how they steadily got better and I liked each one more than the last. So when I heard about Into the Whirlwind I had very high expectations, and while I did really enjoy this story it failed to top Against the Tide for me. But, regardless of that it was still a good story in it's own right. I can't remember a time of not knowing about the Great Chicago Fire but I had never really taken the time to think about how terrifying it was and how hard the process of rebuilding such a great city was. I loved how Mollie was a business owner so we could see how hard it was for businesses to get back on their feet after this tragedy. There were so many aspects I had never considered and it was really cool to see how the city banded together to help each other.
Zack and Mollie were very interesting characters who were vastly different. They both had times were they frustrated and confused me with their actions and choices but in the end I did enjoy their characters. I especially liked Zack's care and support of his parents and Mollie's devotion to the wounded men from her father's battalion.
There were many twists that I really didn't see coming and it all worked together to form a very unique and interesting story.

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?

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