About the Book:
Abby’s shattered faith in both God and man is challenged when the terrible earthquake hits 1906 San Francisco.
While her sister lies on her deathbed, Abby Fischer prays for a miracle. What Abby doesn’t expect, however, is for God’s answer to come in the form of the handsome Dr. Robert King, whose experimental treatment is risky at best.
As they work together toward a cure, Abby’s feelings for Robert become hopelessly entangled. Separated by the tragedy of the mighty San Francisco earthquake, their relationship suddenly takes a back seat to survival. With fires raging throughout the city, Abby fears for her life as she flees alone through burning streets. Where is God now? Will Robert find Abby, even as the world burns around them? Or has their love fallen with the ruins of the city?
Purchase your copy here.
About the Author:
Karen Barnett is the author of Mistaken and several articles that have been published by Guideposts and other national magazines. She lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband, two children, and three cats.
You can connect with Karen on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and her website.
My Opinion:
I think we’ve all been where Abby has been before, someone we love is dying, we pray that God will keep them alive and then in grieving we blame God for not keeping His side of the bargain. We forget to pray Your will be done – and often His will is not what we want – even though it brings us sadness and grief if the loved on accepted Christ we can have the assurance that they are with the Lord and much better off. We don’t like that though and that is where we find Abby – her dear sister Cecelia is dying and even experimental treatment can’t save her no matter how god-like Abby makes Dr. King out to be. Set in California in the early 1900’s before the great earthquake, Cecelia’s family moves to be near her in the hospital and everyone is in high spirits as the x-ray treatments seem to be working – I kept shaking my head at how the calibration was done because of what we now know about x-ray exposure – and then it stops and Cecelia tells Abby it’s time to go. Abby feels let down by the God she believed in, the doctor whom she was pinning her hopes to cure her sister, and her dad who sells her beloved orchard so they can stay in the city.
It takes the eye opening experience of living through the great earthquake and getting Chinese girls who’ve been rescued to see what God can and does do in His time – as well as the love that can melt even the hardest of hearts. I enjoyed this book, I haven’t read a fictional book set during the earthquake in California so it was a real treat but I think the real touching part was seeing Abby turn from a fickle, young women into a woman full of faith and ready to accept love from someone she felt let her sister die and love from her Heavenly Father. Abby learns through hardships just how far the Lord will chase us and what it’s like to rest in His arms when we can no longer go on in our own strength. If you enjoy historical fiction with elements of non-fiction and a bit of romance then this book will need to be added to your beach read (or a/c in the living room read).
If you’d like to see what other bloggers thought of this book please visit the Litfuse Landing Page.
(c) 2014, Sarah Bailey/Growing for Christ, All Rights Reserved, Unauthorized Duplication is a Violation of Applicable Laws
Don’t miss the debut book, Out of the Ruins, in Karen Barnett‘s new series, The Golden Gate Chronicles. Set against the backdrop of early 20th century San Francisco, Out of the Ruins will remind readers that no matter who we are or what we’ve done, God is still as close to us as our next breath.
Karen is celebrating with a fun giveaway and Facebook author chat party.
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire HDX
- Out of the Ruins by Karen Barnett
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 19th. Winner will be announced at the Out of the Ruins Facebook author chat party on June 19th. Connect with Karen for an evening of fun book chat, games, and prizes. Karen will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in The Golden Gate Chronicles series!
GrowingForChrist 
Thanks for taking the time to review Out of the Ruins! The story is very dear to me. I’m glad you enjoyed it!