Into the Whirlwind

While the cause of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 still is a mystery and left up to debate, it is the setting for Elizabeth Camden's latest historical novel Into the Whirlwind. We get a glimpse into the lives of Mollie Knox, the owner and proprietor of the 57th Illinois Watch Company one that she has managed to keep running long after the death of her father. Something virtually unheard of in this time period was a woman with a strong business sense and the unique ability to forecast future needs in order to keep ahead of the competition making the finest pocket watches sold exclusively at Hartman's, one of Chicago's finest department stores.

To say that she is more than intimidated to deal with Zack Kazmarek, Hartman's attorney is an understatement and she lives in fear that their next meeting will mean nothing but bad news for her company. It is one her father started after he fought with the 57th Illinois Infantry, a regiment that met its end backed against a cliff and was decimated in a three-day shootout that killed, crippled, or maimed the majority of the soldiers. The survivors of that battle were like brothers to her father, and he sent out word that any wounded veteran of the 57th could find employment at his watchmaking factory in Chicago. He renamed the company in honor of his old battalion, and fifteen of the forty employees were veterans with various afflictions. It was these employees that concerned her the most. If the company were to fail, what would these people do for work?

So when she received a note on gold letterhead and engraved ink asking her to meet with him to discuss a potential business venture at her office at 2pm, Mollie had every reason to be concerned. Zack Kazmarek was the legal mastermind behind the city's most elite mercantile empire. Half of Chicago was in his back pocket and the other half was afraid of him. Mollie fell into both categories. He had always been coolly polite to her, but Mollie knew better than to let that lull her into a false sense of security. After all, the rumors about Mr. Kazmarek were legendary. It would definitely be a life changing meeting for both of them but could either of them handle what would become of that fateful meeting?

You'll have to find out by picking up a copy of Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden. For those of you that love historical fiction novels, then this is simply perfect for you. Once again Elizabeth manages to create a strong female character that shows both her determination to move ahead despite all the odds facing her as well as taking the advice of the people who are working at the company including Frank,  the company's blind attorney, who can see more than those around him. This is such an exceptional novel and once again, I was completely captivated by the first page until the final one and easily rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars. I received Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Bethany House Publishers for my honest review and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review.

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Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

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• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (August 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764210246
• ISBN-13: 978-0764210242
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches