When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir ~ a book review

 

When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir

 

The event that this story is based on was an actual event.  The author states in her notes, “This book is fiction, and I have used literary license to imagine the thoughts, words and actions…” of the characters.  She also says that her research involved many stories of the victim’s and survivors. Many of the story lines are inspired by the accounts written of that day. The circus fire of 1944 really happened.

This is a gripping and heart wrenching story about two people who are trying to overcome and accept their past.  Evelyn is a young widow whose husband died in WW1 and has had to give up her home and move in with her brother, Bill, and his family.  They live on a very small home with their two children. Evelyn works as a waitress in a small diner for very little pay. 

Hank is one of the many circus workers.  His main job as a circus clown lets him conceal his identity.  He is hiding from his past and the repercussions of his former actions.  He is present when the circus fire takes place and assists in leading many of the attendees to safety.

While Evelyn is not at the fire, her family is. The author describes the Big Top fire vividly without being overly gruesome.

 The events of that day and the weeks following help to bring Hank and Evelyn closer together and grow and renew their faith.  This is an historically accurate, Christian fiction romance.  The element of faith is very evident, and it is not an overly, “sugar-sweet” romance. Evelyn and Hank learn that they may not always know why God allows certain things to happen, but His ways are always good. The balance of faith, romance, suspense and danger makes this a riveting, thought provoking story. 

This is from the publisher's website:

" Will Faith Perish in the Big Top’s Flames?
 
Introducing a new series of 6 exciting novels featuring historic disasters that transformed landscapes and multiple lives. Whether by nature or by man, these disasters changed history and were a day to be remembered.
 
Evelyn Benson’s husband perished in the Bataan Death March but not her faith. The World War II Gold Star widow is taken in by her brother and soothed by the love of his wife and children. Evelyn refuses to cower to grief. She may not understand God’s mysterious ways, but she has never questioned Him—until the circus fire.
 
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus train chugs into Hartford, Connecticut, on a sweltering day one month after the Allies invaded Normandy. Among the roustabouts is a reluctant clown, Hank Webb. He may hide from his murky past behind grease paint as Fraidy Freddie, but God wants to offer Hank a chance to be found. Though first, what little Hank believes about God will endure a fiery trial.
 
On Thursday, July 6, 1944, a devasting blaze of unknown origins consumes the circus tent along with Evelyn’s hopes and Hank’s anonymity."

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.