Through the Shadows Book Review

The Golden Gate Chronicles

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Brokenness.  Rubble.  Healing.  Rebuilding.  God grows life out of ashes; how will He redeem Elizabeth's past mistakes?

     Two years ago, the building of San Francisco were shaken off their foundations and burned to the round in the devastating earthquake and fire.  As the city rebuilds brick by brick, new hope is rising.  But Elizabeth King is also trying to rectify the rubble in her own life - and she's not sure anything will be able to erase her past.  But she doesn't anticipate finding new love.

     Helping to right her wrongs, Elizabeth commits herself to helping young girls escape brothels in Chinatown, one of the darkest sections of San Francisco. 

     When she meets rising attorney Charles McKinley, who desires to save the city from corruption, and has dashing good looks to boot, she can't help feeling hopeful.  However, she soon realizes while many loved ones may not turn away after discovering her secret, the man she loves will have no choice:  Elizabeth's past bears great consequences for both their futures.

REVIEW:  Trying to make up for her past wrongs, Elizabeth moves to San Francisco to help Donaldina Cameron by teaching her rescued girls how to sew and to play the piano.  She also goes with Donaldina into the heart of Chinatown to rescue those girls who want to escape the brothels and opium dens where they are held.  I like how Elizabeth leaves her comfortable life to help those who are coming from horrible situations to minister to them.  As she does, she sees the grace of God working in her own life.  As she faces her painful past and when all is revealed, I like how Donaldina stands beside Elizabeth when her job is in jeopardy. I also like how Charles does not bow to corruption but fights against it, even though it puts him and his future in a precarious position with powerful people. 
     This is a wonderful novel and a great end to this series.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Abingdon Press 

for review without compensation.

Karen Barnett is the author of Beyond the Ashes, Out of the Ruins, and Mistaken.  Named the 2013 Writer of Promise by Oregon Christian Writers, Karen lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband and two kids.  Visit her website at KarenBarnettBooks.com. 

Beyond the Ashes Book Review

The Golden Gate Chronicles Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  The man flashed a disarming smile, his Bristol-blue eyes causing Ruby's breath to leak from her chest.  Fine lines around his mouth spoke of a life filled with either worry or laughter, Ruby glanced down.  She wasn't going to swoon over a man . . . 

     Young widow Ruby Marshall is certain she'll discover new purpose assisting her brother, Robert, with his cancer research.  And where better to rebuild than in 1906 San Francisco, a city rising from the ashes?  Ruby arrives in the city with great hope and determination for a new beginning.

      But she doesn't anticipate finding new love.

      Dr. Gerald Larkspur has dreamed of filling his empty home, but he'd always hoped it would be with a wife and children.  In the aftermath of the great earthquake, the rooms are overflowing with family and friends left homeless by the disaster.  As he attends to every need of his patients and friends, Gerald doubts he will ever find true love, especially when he develops symptoms of the very disease he's striving to cure.

     She's had her love and lost it.  He is still missing his heart's desire.  Is it really better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?

REVIEW:  Ruby is an interesting character.  I like how she was very compassionate towards Robert and Gerald's patients who were getting treatments for and dying from cancer.  She comes off as standoffish towards Robert's fiance' Abby at first but steps out of her comfort zone to get to know Abby better, then makes her wedding dress.  She encourages Abby to continue a friendship that Robert disapproves of and encourages Robert to get to know Abby's friends better.  Her work with the families living in the tent cities helps her overcome the grief of her husband's death and helps encourage her feelings for Gerald.

     I love how Gerald grieves when he loses a patient and will stand up and fight hospital administration to keep funding for his research.  He struggles with the idea that maybe his research using x-rays to cure cancer is for naught but feels he and Robert and on the cusp of discovery.  I like how Gerald goes into the tent cities to help the families that are sick, even risking his life when an outbreak of diphtheria occurs.

     This is a good book, a wonderful continuation of the first story.  Even though the ideas and themes are intertwined, this book lays out everything in an easy to understand format so you don't have to read the first novel.  This is a great series.  I'm looking forward to the next one.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Abingdon Press for review without compensation.

 

Karen Barnett is the author of Out of the Ruin and Mistaken, and she was named the 2013 Writer of Promise by Oregon Christian Writers.  Karen lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband and their two children.  When she's not writing novels, Karen loves speaking at women's events, libraries, and book clubs.  You can learn more about her at KarenBarnettBooks.com.

Out of the Ruins Book Review

 

The Golden Gate Chronicles

Book One

SUMMARY:  "God, save her. I'll do anything.  Just make her better.  And You'd better be listening, God, because if You dare take her away . . . I'll never speak to You again."

     Abby Fischer doesn't know if God will answer her prayer for her dying sister.  She doesn't know if miracles really happen.  And she certainly doesn't know if the handsome Dr. Robert King, with his risky experimental treatment, is the one to remedy her doubts.  When tragedy strikes and the mighty San Francisco earthquake shatters what is left of her heart, Abby wonders if God will hear her as she flees alone through burning streets.  What will it take to show her that the One she doesn't want to love is the One whose love will save her?

     A shaky prayer.  A shattered faith.  A city in ruins.  What - or who - will bring Abby back to God?

REVIEW:  This was a really good book.  Most of the time, I felt like I was there, running through the streets of San Francisco, trying to navigate the chaos of a city whose streets are torn up and buildings are on fire.  The author also does a great job describing the medical advancements of the early 20th century, especially in the treatment of leukemia and the effects on the patients.  I also like how the author explained the difficulty Abby and Robert had finding each other and their loved ones in the earthquake and fire aftermath and how some did whatever could to help others, even those who were considered outsiders, like the Chinese.  Abby's turn of faith was inspiring and brought a smile to my face.

     This was a great book.  I look forward to reading others in this series and other books by this author.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group for review without compensation.

Karen Barnett is the acclaimed author of Mistaken and has also been published in Guideposts magazine.  She lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband, two children, and a dachshund named Mystery.  Find out more at KarenBarnettBooks.com.