1. Into the Whirlwind
    Elizabeth Camden
    Bethany House / 2013 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$18.75 Retail Price$20.00 Save 6% ($1.25)
    4.4 out of 5 stars for Into the Whirlwind. View reviews of this product. 58 Reviews
    Availability: In Stock
    Stock No: WW4210242
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Displaying items 11-15 of 57
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  1. An Old Fashioned Girl
    Minnesota
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Great, realistic characters
    August 6, 2013
    An Old Fashioned Girl
    Minnesota
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 4
    Part watchmaker and all business woman, Molly Knox has owned and operated a small, specialized watch company since her father died. A safe haven for men of the 57th Illinois Regiment who were injured in the Civil War, Molly's employees are like family to her. No matter what comes, she wants the best for her employees - whether in offers to purchase her business, fighting to compete against the new mechanized watch factories, or rebuilding after the great Chicago fire. Zach Kazmarek, the attorney of their sole watch outlet, has been fascinated by the woman for three years, and now he finally has the opportunity - and the incentive - to woo her, but between business practices, disasters, and their rather explosive encounters, he has a relationship as difficult to build as the razed Windy City herself.

    What impresses me most about Elizabeth Camden's writing is her ability to create a unique story. Because her plots are so different from the run-of-the-mill historical romance, they linger far longer than most books I read. This is not the story of two people falling in love and realizing it when it is almost too late during the Chicago fire; this is the story of two people rebuilding their lives after the fire. Yes, they forged a relationship during the blaze; yes, it is the start of a romance; but these are not characters who exist solely to fall in love. Like real people, they strive to survive and God blesses them with love.

    Her main characters are not defined largely by their relationships to each other, with a few interests to make them more interesting or real; her characters are defined by their talents, passions, habits, actions, and thoughts. They are extremely well rounded, passionate individuals. By the end, we know enough about them to know how they would react to just about anything. By trade, Molly is a watchmaker and a talented business woman; her passion is for the intricacies of watch mechanics. What she loves more than her business, though, is the people who work for her, and that love of others directs her decisions. Zach is a ruthless business attorney, but he is not heartless; he is fiercely protective of those whom he loves, and while he does not express his love for Polish history in the same way as his parents, he still goes to extravagant lengths to support them and their cause in his own way. She is calculating, straight-laced, by-the-book; he is impulsive, bold, a whirlwind. Both are flawed and in need of grace.

    The plot is solid and the supporting characters distinctive with personalities of their own. The only thing Camden falls a little shy on is the Christian message that is more prevalent in her previous books. While her characters are God-honoring individuals, there was less of a gospel message or lesson to be learned. For that, 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

    Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers, which provided a free review copy for the express purpose of review. My opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review.
  2. Elizabeth Rumley
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Blown Away
    August 2, 2013
    Elizabeth Rumley
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Managing her very own business and supervising her employees is what Mollie Knox loves doing, and she has been successful at turning a profit for the past few years. So when one of the best lawyers in the city — famous for his shrewd ways- desires to meet with her, she can't hide her alarm.

    What does he have to say? Will he force her to give up her treasured business, the 57th Illinois Watch Company because she's a woman? Have they done something wrong?

    I must admit, I've never read any of Elizabeth Camden's books before. I couldn't stop reading! Mollie is unlike any heroine I've ever "met" before. Fiercely loyal, dedicated, and stubborn, she is determined to do whatever it takes to keep her father's company afloat. When the great Chicago Fire destroys everything she ever had, she fights to pick up the pieces and begin over again. When someone offers her a better living situation after the fire, she refuses and stays with her employees and friends in the blackened, barely standing walls of an old church. Day by day, she works in the dirt and ashes with all the rest of them, struggling to rebuild. At first, I thought her rather stiff and single-minded, but only a few pages had passed before I began to understand just what motivates Mollie. She is perfectly inperfect, and when she discovers two shocking secrets — one kept by the lawyer for three years, one hidden in her father's trunk — she is at a loss. What is the best path to take? Whose advice should she be listening to?

    Zack is just as determined as Mollie, but he has come from a radically different background. His parents are Polish immigrants who are determined that someday, things will be different for Poland. Zack doesn't know how to relate to them, because they refuse to listen to his warnings that their cause is hopeless. He has worked hard to get to the top of the working class as lawyer for one of the richest men in all of Chicago. Accustomed to getting whatever he wants with his powerful influence and contacts in the very worst parts of the city, he's stunned when the one person he wants doesn't want anything to do with him. Willing to fight to the bitter end for what he considers right but also for the people he loves dearly, he is caught at a crossroads.

    Mollie and Zack are as different as fire and water. She's visited his office often over the past three years to report on her company, but all she knows is that he keeps a little bird in his office. He's admired her from a distance for years and never breathed a word to her. But all barriers disappear amid the panic and despair as all she has ever known goes up in smoke — literally. After the fire, danger heightens along with the looting as people begin to comprehend all that they have lost. Filled with breathtaking action, the difficulties and triumphs of true love, and amazing history, this is one of the best novels I've read in a long time. Elizabeth Camden has the ability to take a historical event that many people have forgotten about and turn it into something worth reading over and over again.

    If you're looking for a great summer read, I strongly recommend this book!
  3. Lady Di
    Oklahoma
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Swept Away by the Whirlwind
    June 11, 2013
    Lady Di
    Oklahoma
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden is a historical Christian romance set at the time of the great Chicago fire in 1871. This book tells the story of Mollie Knox, a young woman struggling to keep her father's watchmaking company going. As Mollie tries to save what she can from the fire, she finds herself with Zack Kazmarek. Zack is the legal genius for a large department store in Chicago that purchases many of the watches made by Mollie's company. Mollie is completely unaware that Zack harbors feelings for her. Zack is unable to keep these feelings hidden from Mollie as they try to escape the fire. After the fire, as Mollie tries to restart her business and as Zack is trying to help rebuild the department store, they try to see if they can keep alive the sparks of love that were lit during the fire. There are several attempts to put out these sparks, but you will have to read for yourself to see if they manage to stay lit.

    This is the second book of Ms. Camden's that I have red. I really enjoy that there is a depth to Ms. Camden's characters that I don't see in a lot of books. Zack and Mollie are strong characters in a strong story line, well supported by the minor characters and subplots that run along with the main plot. This book is an excellent read for anyone wanting a story that goes a little deeper and will leave you very satisfied in the end. The book is scheduled for release on August 1.

    *I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.*
  4. KavR
    Canada
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A memorable read
    October 19, 2013
    KavR
    Canada
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Another masterpiece by one of my favourite authors. Camden has the incredible ability to breathe life into history. Fascinating details of 19th century Chicago and the great fire is an enthralling background to this compelling story. Rife with contrasting emotions, Mollie and Zack and a cast of intriguing secondary characters make this book memorable. I was committed from the very first page, anguishing over the gnarly bits, praying over the hopeful ones, and cheering at ending that left me cheering. An exceptional read for historical romance lovers everywhere.
  5. FaithFictionFactandFluff
    Canada
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    It's a whirlwind all right!
    September 9, 2013
    FaithFictionFactandFluff
    Canada
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Elizabeth Camden has now officially earned a place in my list of top authors! I mean, with her last book, "Against the Tide," I was pretty much sold but this story sealed the deal.

    It was fantastic. I am in love with Zack Kasmarek and I found my self yelling at Mollie far too often. There are some words that get saved for frustrating heroines and I'm afraid I used them rather fluently on poor Mollie.

    Okay, this may be painting the wrong picture... It wasn't that she was an awful character, it's just that I was so into the story that I was getting involved with every little detail. The history aspect of this novel was fascinating and the author must have labored many hours to bring every bit of burnt out Chicago to life for us.

    This is a book I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a good book; not only historical romance but lovers of all fiction.
Displaying items 11-15 of 57
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