Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green

Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green

Meg Townsend and her sister, Sylvie, seek a quiet existence managing the family bookshop. Meg feels responsible for caring for their father, Stephen, whose spirit and health are both damaged from his time as a prisoner during the Civil War. Her one escape is the paintings she creates and sells in the bookshop.

Then the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago's business district. The fiery explosions and chaos stir up memories of war for Stephen as he runs from the blaze and becomes separated from his daughters. Days later, when the smoke has cleared, Meg and Sylvie manage to reunite with him. Their home and shop are lost, and what's left among the ashes may be even more threatening than the flames, for they learn that a close friend was murdered the night of the fire--and Stephen has been charged with the crime. After he is committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum, where they cannot visit him, Stephen feels as lost to them as the shop that now lies in rubble.

Though homeless and suddenly unemployed, Meg must not only gather the pieces of her shattered life but prove the truth of what happened that night, before the asylum truly drives her father mad.

This story is has many historical facts written into it, but the actual main characters are works of fiction.  From the historical point of view this story was interesting.  However I struggled to read this book, as it seemed to be all bad news for this family.  It just wouldn't capture my imagination and I will admit to putting the book down a few times.

However I perservered and I found that by the last third of the book I was starting to enjoy the book a bit more.   The love story between Meg and Nate was the only uplifting thing to me in this book. This is the first book in The Windy City Saga, and I hate to say this I don't think I will be reading the rest in the series.

Star out of 5 : 2.5  When reading a book it shouldn't be hard work; this was hard work.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"More Than We Remember," by Christina Suzann Nelson

"More Than We Remember," by Christina Suzann Nelson

When Addison Kilbourn's husband is involved in a car accident that leaves a woman dead, her perfectly constructed life crumbles apart. With her husband's memory of that night gone and the revelation of a potentially life-altering secret, Addison has to reevaluate all she thought she knew.

Emilia Cruz is a deputy bearing a heavy burden far beyond the weight of her job. After a traumatic brain injury, her husband is no longer the man she married, and Emilia's determined to prevent others from facing the same hardship. When she's called to the scene of an accident pointing to everything she's fighting against, she's determined to see justice for those wronged.

Brianne Demanno is hiding from reality. She once thrived as a counselor, but when tragedy struck a beloved client, she lost faith in herself and her purpose. When her neighbors, the Kilbourns, are thrown into crisis, Brianne's solitary life is disrupted and she finds herself needed in a way she hasn't been for too long.

As the lives of these women intersect, they can no longer dwell in the memory of who they've been. Can they rise from the wreck of the worst moments of their lives to become who they were meant to be?

This book was interesting, but a bit too complicated at times for me.  It took too long for everything to knit together in the story with the three main characters.  You knew their stories were intertwined pretty early on, but I personally found the back story lengthy.

Each woman has been hit hard with problems in their lives, and this book show's you how they deal with those problems and come though the other side of them, stronger women.

Stars out of 5 : 3.5  Too long to weave the story together for me.  Bit depressing of a story also to read during these times.  However I think when reading this book a lot of people will be able to relate.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".