When the Sky Burned by Liz Tolsma ~ a book review

 

 

This book is not only about the terrible tragedy of the fire but also about how faith can sustain you through trials. It is one of a series of books highlighting historic disasters that have changed history.

Mariah Randolph is a young artist who loves to paint the local landscapes in Peshtigo. Her father has made a marriage arrangement with Hollis Stanford, the son of the railroad owner. Her father has seen how living in a logging and railroad town has taken a physical toll on his wife and he wants a better life for his daughter.  Jay Franklin works as a bookkeeper in Hollis’s office. He also loves Mariah and feels protective of her.

Someone sends Mariah a letter warning her about Hollis and accusing him of stealing from the company. Who sent it? Is it true? In the midst of this mystery, a tragic fire takes place. Hundreds of people are killed or injured. The town is practically destroyed. The only people who survive are the ones who manage to make it to the river.  Mariah loses both her parents and also loses her sight as a result of the intense heat. She feels hopeless because she can’t paint anymore.  She and Jay work together to try to catch Hollis before the marriage date. Their faith gives them the strength to continue and draws them closer to each other.

The author does a wonderful job of portraying the danger and horror of the fire and the aftermath.  The reader really feels the heartache of the situation but also the hope that faith brings.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“A Tornado of Fire and Embezzlement Sweep through a Community  
 

Enjoy a 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.

 

Promising painter Mariah Randolph longs to have her canvases displayed in the world’s best museums, and Hollis Stanford, the heir of a railroad tycoon, is her ticket to success. The railroad’s bookkeeper, Jay Franklin, discovers discrepancies and is convinced that Hollis is stealing from the company. But any proof of his dirty dealings go up in smoke when fire utterly destroys the town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, October 8, 1871.

 
The fire leaves Mariah blind, but Jay befriends her and even helps her to start painting again. But a trip to Chicago to return Hollis’s daughter to him could put both Mariah and Jay in more danger than even the fire that devastated the town and their lives.”

The author incorporates a strong faith element in the characters without being preachey. 

Will Mariah and Jay discover the truth in time to stop the wedding? Will the town survive and rebuild? Will Mariah ever paint again? 

Go HERE to read an excerpt

Included at the end of the book is the historical account of the event.

 

I received a complimentary ARC** of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.

**A word about ARC books.   Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) are a preview copy and are not a finished product. They may differ from the final published work and may include additional editing. My reviews may include some things that vary from the final published book.