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 11-15 of 21
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  1. Heart2Heart
    Victorville, CA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Incredible story set to historical facts!
    May 22, 2014
    Heart2Heart
    Victorville, CA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    "God, I'll do anything. I'll be anything. Whatever You want - name it. Just make her better. And You'd better be listening God, because I'm going to make one last promise. If You dare take her away...I'll never speak to You again." (pg 16).

    When Abby Fischer made that prayer to God as a promise to her sister Cecilia who was dying of leukemia, she believed God would send help. She never expected it would be in the arms of the man who would help her out of the tree she had crawled in to for her private prayer time. Dr. Robert King, is her cousin Gerald's assistant. Just when all hope is lost for a cure for Cecilia, Robert believes that the latest treatment involving X-rays may be the last option for helping to prolong her life. All of the previous treatments involving morphine and arsenic have failed to bring about the answer to prayer they have been searching for.

    Now it seems as if God has indeed provided her with that answer. Armed with the latest textbooks that have shown that a researcher in Chicago discovered one of his cancer patients improved when he irradiated the tumors. Apparently, the radiation not only penetrates the body, it appears to target and kill cancerous cells specifically. Now they can only hope that Cecilia will be strong enough for the treatment to work. Ir could help her gain back some of vitality and provide more time for the treatment to eradicate the cancerous cells.

    Yet what Robert and Gerald fear is that the family is making them into heroes and banking on the fact that the cure will work and Cecilia will be healed. But since this treatment is still only exploratory at best and still in the research phase they still don't know how much radiation or length of time she needs to be under the Xray machine. If they're not careful they could end up causing her more damage than healing. No matter how much they try and convey honest expectations to the family and Cecilia, Abby believes God is going to answer their prayer. Only time will tell and it may be that time will be their worst enemy as the great earthquake from 1906 prepares to rock the city.

    I received Out of the Ruins from Karen Barnett compliments of Abingdon Press and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own unless otherwise notated. This is such a great novel based on the two fold research that went into its creation. From the background on medical practices of the early 1900's to the unfolding of the tragic earthquake that devastated San Francisco in 1906. Just when you think it can't get any worse, it does. I found myself relating quite a bit to Abby. While she has such a profound love for her sister, she is still weak in her faith and believes prayer is simply a wish list for God to answer. She will have her faith tested in the direst of circumstances when she finds herself all alone in a city while her family remains lost in the multitude attempting to escape the ruins of San Francisco and find safety. She learns that God never leaves us in the midst of our circumstances but walks faithfully by our side from beginning to end. This is the first novel in the Golden Gate Chronicles and I can't wait to see what lies in store in the next novel. I loved this one and can easily give it a 5 out of 5 stars.
  2. ConnieR
    ME
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    God's provision amidst tragedy
    May 15, 2014
    ConnieR
    ME
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    With her first book, Mistaken, Karen Barnett moved close to the top 10 of my favorite authors. With this book she has firmly established her position there. I have found her books to be thought-provoking in their historic settings, causing me to become more interested in the time periods she is writing about. I liken her depth of setting to two other favorites, Jane Kirkpatrick and Lisa T. Bergren.

    Out of the Ruins introduces us to Abby Fischer and her family at a critical point in time. Abby's sister has cancer and the family has chosen to travel to San Francisco to put the young woman into the hands of her doctor cousin and his assistant, who are experimenting with radiation as a treatment for cancer.

    I love the development of the relationships in this book, both among the major characters, and also the little side stories such as Abby meeting a group of Chinese girls and the missionary who provided for the girls. I look forward to Book 2 in this series!
  3. Regina Jennings
    Oklahoma
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Exciting and Intriguing
    May 13, 2014
    Regina Jennings
    Oklahoma
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Out of the Ruins

    From the optimism of medical breakthroughs to the tragedy of the great San Francisco earthquake and fire, Out of the Ruins immerses the reader in the hopes and fears of unforgettable turn-of-the-century characters.

    Abby Fischer needs a miracle. Her sister Cecelia doesn't have long to live but an experimental treatment with the new X-Ray machine might be the answer. The quest to save Cecelia's life will push Abby into the path of Dr. Robert King and into the middle of one of the greatest disasters of California history.

    Fast-paced action and meticulous research make this book shine.

    (I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.)
  4. oregonheidi
    Oregon
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Beauty from Ashes
    May 6, 2014
    oregonheidi
    Oregon
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    I've just finished reading Out of the Ruins, the first book in Karen Barnett's series, The Golden Gate Chronicles. Having enjoyed her first novel, Mistaken so much, I was eager to read more of her work. And I was not disappointed!

    Whereas the author's first novel struck me as more of a romantic suspense, Out of the Ruins tends more toward historical romance. If you like history, you'll be fascinated, witnessing 1905-06 San Francisco–the west coast's brightest star– fall to ruin. The ingenuity and tenacity of the survivors made me wish I'd been born in that day.

    Laura, the main character, walks a very bumpy road with God. Her sister dies, leaving Laura to work her way through the stages of grief. She hangs on to her anger, holding it up as a shield against God's love. She'd prayed desperately for her sister's healing. How could He betray her? Many of us have questioned–or even rejected–God's answer to our prayers.

    This novel addresses the steady path to healing as Laura discovers her own inner strength, blazing a trail back to trust and love, and ultimately, her faith in God. The author's crisp writing make this a journey you don't want to miss.
  5. lcjohnson1988
    Indiana
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    May 2, 2014
    lcjohnson1988
    Indiana
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This first book in the Golden Gate Chronicles is set in San Francisco in 1905. It is a time when horse and buggy via for the road with cars and the telephone is invading homes. Medical science has made strides, but is still limited in treatment options for certain health issues.

    Abby Fischer has no friends other than her sister Cecelia. They share a very close sisterly bond. Abby is shy and would rather work with plants and trees than be around people. Abby makes a bargain with God, one of those "If you'll do this, then I'll do this" type bargains. Abby pins all her hope on Dr. Robert King, putting him on a pedestal. However, things do not work out the way Abby thinks they should so she stops praying to God, stops going to church and stews in her anger toward Him. She lets the anger take root and turn to bitterness. She is unhappy and miserable by her own choice, even though she thinks God at fault. She keeps Robert at a distance, blaming him for her unhappiness.

    Robert King believes in God, but puts his prayer life and faith on the shelf during the week, taking it out only on Sunday at church. The remainder of the week he puts his faith in science. Then, he meets Abby and longs to be her knight in shining armor. Only the task before him is beyond human capability and he fails Abby. He has come to love her, but she wants nothing to do with him.

    Disaster strikes soon after in the form of an earthquake with subsequent raging fires that destroy much if not more than the quake. Through the two days of homelessness, danger, hunger, separation and loneliness Abby and Robert each discover they can't fix things on their own. They are only human and have limits. Will they turn to the One who is limitless in their time of suffering and great need?

    I thought the author did a great job of describing the devastation and turmoil after the earthquake. I felt like I was right there on the scene. My favorite character was Aunt Mae. Her words of wisdom were from the heart of her own experiences. I also liked the addition of the Chinese element in the story and hope that will be explored more in the next book in the series, which I plan to read. I think this is a good beginning to an interesting series.
Displaying items 11-15 of 21
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