1. Out of the Ruins, Golden Gate Chronicles Series #1
    Karen Barnett
    Abingdon Press / 2014 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$15.29 Retail Price$16.99 Save 10% ($1.70)
    4.6 out of 5 stars for Out of the Ruins, Golden Gate Chronicles Series #1. View reviews of this product. 21 Reviews
    Availability: In Stock
    Stock No: WW780570
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Displaying items 16-20 of 21
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  1. Katy
    Tennessee
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Rich historical romance
    January 29, 2016
    Katy
    Tennessee
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    This historical romance is set against the earthquake of 1906 in San Francisco. The historical details are fascinating and I was captivated by the description of the disaster and how people might have reacted and coped in this horrific situation. The story is heart wrenching from many different perspectives, though essentially it is a story of love and reaching out to accept love that is offered both by the Creator and by those who are reflecting His love. From cancer research and experimental treatments to the China slave trade, this is an interesting and complex story.

    The spiritual theme is often front and center, as the characters search for answers and often spend much time refusing to accept (or not recognizing) the answers that God provides. Many readers will be able to relate in some way with these dilemmas.

    Im looking forward to the second book in the series, Beyond the Ashes, Book 2 of The Golden Gate Chronicles.

  2. MaryAnn
    OR
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Can Good Come from Devastation?
    April 30, 2015
    MaryAnn
    OR
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 4
    Since I enjoy historical fiction and know the author personally, I looked forward to reading this novel. It didn't disappoint. The authentic details bring the period to life. Not only do we get a tale about the devastating San Francisco earthquake of 1906, we find medical drama about early treatment for cancer. I was expecting the former so became impatient waiting since it forms the second half of the book, but the whole story ties together well and forms a deeper picture of the lives affected by these tragedies. I also enjoyed Karen's way with words and some fine phrasing--this adds to the pleasure of reading for me. That being said, and maybe it's just me, but I didn't connect as strongly with the characters as I'd hoped to. In some stories I feel so much a part of the action, but in this one I felt like an observer. Nevertheless, I gladly recommend this well-plotted novel. (I was not asked to review the book by the author, but chose to do so.)
  3. Tammi
    maine
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Pulling Joy From the Ruins
    June 12, 2014
    Tammi
    maine
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Out of the Ruins is the first book in The Golden Gate Chronicles which is set in San Francisco in 1905. It was a time when new technology was beginning to replace horses and buggies with automobiles and the telephone was making in-roads into peoples homes. Doctors were gaining new knowledge, and experimented with new medical treatments to help their patients get well.

    Abby Fischer was shy and preferred working with plants and trees rather than be around people. She didn't have any friends other than her sister and best friend, Cecelia. But, Cecelia had been diagnosed with leukemia, and was dying. Abby couldn't imagine living without her sister so she made a bargain with God, telling him that if he made her sister well she would serve him; but if he didn't, she wouldn't have anything to do with him. When Dr. Robert King, begins an experimental x-ray treatment on Cecelia, Abby believed that God was using Dr. King to heal her sister. Abby also was beginning to see Robert as a friend. However, the treatment didn't work out the way she thought it should. So, she stopped praying and turned her back on God, letting anger and bitterness take root. Her choice led her into misery, even though she believed it was all God's fault. She even pushed Robert away, blaming him for the failed treatments and her own unhappiness.

    Robert King had a belief in God, but he believed that faith and prayer belonged in church on Sunday. During the week he put his faith in medical science. When he met Abby, he longed to be her knight in shining armor. Only God had other plans and he felt that he had failed Abby. He fell in love with her, but she wished that she had never met him.

    All too soon San Francisco was struck by a devastating earthquake, and raging fires that destroyed much of what the earthquake left behind. During the subsequent days that followed, homelessness and hunger, separation and loneliness, as well as, danger caused both Abby and Robert to discover they couldn't fix things on their own. Will they see their own need for a savior? Will they turn to God for help, or will they continue to struggle and to face things on their own?

    I thoroughly enjoyed reading Out of the Ruins. The plot flowed well and I was drawn into the story. I enjoyed meeting the characters, walking with them through their grief and trials and watching them stretch and grow as they were faced with such hardship. I am looking forward to reading the next book in The Golden Gate Chronicles.

    **Out of the Ruins by Karen Barnett was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.
  4. Kate
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    An interestingly set historical novel.
    June 10, 2014
    Kate
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    I love historical fiction novels that offer a look into a time that isn't emphasized much. Out of the Ruins offered a wonderful glimpse into the beginning of the 20th century in San Fransisco where the world is starting to morph into the modern era that it is today.

    Out of the Ruins seemed like it was two books in one. Part one focuses on the new medical technology of the time. Dr. Robert King and his mentor Dr. Gerald Larkspur have been working with radiation from the newly discovered X-ray technology to help battle cancers. It was interesting to see how this started the path to cancer treatments today, but reading how the radiation scales were tested on the doctor's themselves made me cringe. We know so much more about radiation now, but back then it was so new and unknown.

    It was in this first part of the book we really get to know Abby. She is battling so much. She has a very weak faith and then she is handed her sisters diagnosis of leukemia, and she is forced to relocate so her sister can get the treatment she needs. As time goes on, she loses the only home she ever knew due to the medical bills her family has received. And finally, after much heartache and change, the great quake strikes the city and a massive fire sweeps through. She is lost.

    The second part of the story is a story of survival and finding faith through the darkest of times. We see in this part of the story the quake and how quickly the fire decimates the city that has lost it's water supply. It a horrifying time for everyone there. I did kind of wish that the quake was shown in a little greater scale here, but the destruction that it produced started to unfurl as Abby made her way through the city.

    I enjoyed how this story wasn't strictly a love story between Abby and Robert, I enjoyed that this is a story of finding faith. Everyone, I believe, has been in a place similar to Abby. The feeling of being alone, with no one who cares to watch out for you as you are thrown one hard ball after another. However, when offered a life raft for her pain through a journal from her aunt, she takes it and Abby starts to learn and grow.

    I enjoyed the the background history and the main story of this book. I'm looking forward to the rest of The Golden Gate Chronicles.

    Thank you to Litfuse Publicity and Abingdon Press, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
  5. weatherlover1
    U.P Mi
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: Female
    3 Stars Out Of 5
    Loved the Historical Detail
    May 19, 2014
    weatherlover1
    U.P Mi
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 3
    Meets Expectations: 3
    3.5 Stars

    Abby's sister is fighting a losing battle with leukemia. When her cousin suggests a new treatment might work her family jumps at the chance and make the trip to San Francisco. Months pass and Abby's sister does not survive. Abby had grown to care for Robert who was her cousins right hand man, but when her sister dies she blames him and God. As she is dealing with the grief of her sister's death the 1906 earthquake hits and the city and her family is thrown into chaos. Can Abby get her faith in God back as well as find love?

    This book sounded very interesting. I didn't know a lot about the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and found it quite fascinating. This is a very well written historical account of what living through a horrible disaster would be like.

    What I liked: Learning about the medical science of the time was really interesting to me. Plus throwing into the mix the earthquake made for a fascinating historical read. I really felt I got a feeling for what it would have been like there when it was happening. I also thought the plot was interesting. Dealing with the death of a loved one and why God allows is a challenging subject.

    What I did not like: While the plot and historical aspect of the story were quite good the characters lacked. It almost felt like the author was telling the story of the earthquake and added the characters into it. They just did not seem to mesh together. The story seemed to drag on even though the last half of the book only covers a few days. The romance between Abby and Robert also seemed flat.

    Overall this was not a bad book I did enjoy reading it I just did not love it. I really enjoyed reading about the x-ray machine and how it was being used in 1906. The earthquake and what the city went through after the earthquake was devastating. It was hard to imagine the scope of the fires that broke out. I do plan to read the next book when it comes out. I hope that now that the framework for the series has been established there will be a better love story. If you enjoy historical fiction I say add this book to your read list. The historical details were outstanding.
Displaying items 16-20 of 21
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