Into the Whirlwind

After her father's death, Mollie Knox takes over his watchmaking company and uses her head for business to solidify the good name of the 57th Illinois Watch Company. Her future looks bright until the night her beloved city is destroyed in the legendary Great Chicago Fire. With her world crumbling around her, Molly must do whatever it takes to save her company in the aftermath of the devastating fire.
Zack Kazmarek is an influential attorney with powerful ties to the political, mercantile, and ethnic roots of Chicago. His only weakness is Mollie Knox, a woman who has always been just beyond his reach. However, all bets are off after the fire destroys Chicago, and Mollie is in desperate need of assistance. Just as Zack finally begins to show more pursue the woman he loves, competition arises in the form of a hero from her past who can provide the help she needs to rise from the ashes.
While Mollie struggles to rebuild, the two men battle for her heart. One has always loved her, but the other has the power to save her. In the race to rebuild the city, can she survive with her business and her heart intact? show less

Mollie Knox inherited her father’s business, the 57th Illinois Watch Company. She was no stranger to it, she was just as much an expert as the other employees, all of which were like family. They made the best, most expensive watches in the country and had an exclusive contract to sell them at Hartman’s in Chicago. Everything was going along fine, until October 8, 1871. Mollie had been asked downtown to talk with Hartman’s lawyer, Zack Kazmarek. She smelled smoke in the air, but didn’t think too much of it. But, this day and night turned into terror as the fire spread across the town. Zack, who had always been strictly business with her, was now fighting with her through the crowds to get to her apartment, to rescue her lawyer, show more who was blind. Together they battled, suffered, burned, coughed throughout the night trying to save everyone and everything they could.

This is a story of rebuilding after all is lost. Of not giving into fear, but pushing past it in order to get order back in their lives. A closeness was forged between people of all kinds during that fire, some would last a lifetime and others would be betrayed. There is romance, suspense, and even a little bit of humor in this book. It’s a book that you will be immediately drawn into and will not want to put down.

This is a Christian novel, but it’s not “preachy” like I’ve heard other reviewers of Christian fiction complain about. This novel weaves their faith through their lives like a breath, sometimes hard to catch, sometimes the breath gets knocked out of them, but like breathing, it comes back to a regular flow eventually for them. One verse that comes to mind after finishing this book is “...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31. show less

This is my first book by Elizabeth Camden, and it is a wonderful introduction. The world of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire comes to vivid life; I felt the heat of the flames and heard the roar of those same flames as it tore through the city, destroying everything in its path. And yet, the re-building of this great city and its citizens lives shone with optimism and enthusiasm. I adored how Camden used the backdrop of this historical event to explore the themes of rebuilding and reevaluating ones lives and goals.

I also adored her characters, especially Mollie. She's an independent woman who is shown as intelligent, with a fantastic business sense, and yet a soft side as well. She's not afraid to push forward with ideas that everyone else show more seems to balk at. She has a very evident journey from focusing primarily on her world of clocks and gears to one that contains love and passion for causes as well with Zach. It's nice to see all this in a romantic lead in a Christian Fiction book.

This book had everything I could ask for from a Christian Historical Fiction book: fantastic historical detail, characters I can love, and a romance that while a bit light feeling, was also very emotional. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great Christian Historical Romance. show less

Full disclosure, I’ve never read a so-called Christian fiction title before. I thought I’d stretch my horizons a bit, and the history of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 always fascinated me. The story begins shortly before the conflagration and we meet Mollie and Zack, (seeming) opposites who attract. Mollie is a businesswoman with a mission, to keep her late father’s company afloat especially since it employs a ragtag bunch of Civil War veterans formerly part of the 57th Illinois, her father’s old infantry unit. She has a business relationship with Zack the Scariest Lawyer in Town who represents her largest client in town, Hartman’s department store. Everything hums along status quo until the fire hits and all bets are off. show more Zack and Mollie are thrust together throughout the fire and along the way collect more assorted characters, including a spoiled young girl and a lonely dentist. From then on the book descends into typical “will they or won’t they get together?” stuff amidst the backdrop of somewhat nefarious business deals. The characters of Zack and Mollie are probably the best well-written in the book, which is good, because their romance is sweet. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about the secondary or tertiary characters, which border on the outskirts of cliché. While the point of the book is probably to illustrate the egalitarian spirit engendered by the fire, with the rich and poor rubbing shoulders, sometimes literally during the fire and its aftermath, some of the situations seem a bit contrived, especially with the addition of the character of Colonel Lowe as Zack’s rival and Polish immigrant girl Anka as Mollie’s. These additions only ratchet up the annoyance factor. The historical detail is very good and well-researched, and for that reason the book hums along, especially since there are few stories that cover this particular point of history. I didn’t wince too much at the Christian ideals espoused; they were straightforward and not too preachy, although they too seemed a little thrown in. Personally, I would have liked a little more grit to the story, but that’s a matter of taste. Overall, this book is a light, pleasant read.

P.S. One big problem I have with this book is on the cover, and for that I don’t necessarily fault the author. As pictured behind the character of Mollie is an unmistakable view of the Rookery, a landmark of Chicago architecture that was completed in 1888, more than seventeen years after the events related in the story. Tsk, tsk. show less

Into the Whirlwind is a turbulent love story set amidst the rubble of Chicago as Mollie endures the challenge of survival and the triumph of rebuilding the city. This stand-alone novel is steeped in history and filled with rich characterization, emotional impact, and beautiful prose. I greatly enjoyed this character-driven drama and will be reading more of Elizabeth Camden's work.

There's often a tendency to skim over descriptive passages, but not so in this book! Elizabeth excels at capturing the feel of a historical event, bringing it to life and making you feel as though you are there. The story begins on October 8, 1871, as the raging Chicago fire is destroying everything in its path: "The fire had burned a four-mile path along Lake show more Michigan that was almost a mile wide. More than a hundred thousand people had been left homeless, and half the businesses in the city had been burned out." One of the disastrous results of the fire was the collapse of the local insurance industry, and I loved how Elizabeth creatively worked this into her narrative through Zack's efforts in reform.

Mollie and Zack are strong leading characters. 26-year-old Mollie Knox excels at business and runs her father's 57th Illinois Watch Company. She is a hardworking, compassionate leader who trains fifteen wounded veterans from her father's military unit in the art of high-end watchmaking and devises ways to keep the company afloat.

Zack Kazmarek is an attorney for Hartman's, the only store in Chicago that could afford to carry Mollie's expensive watches. Zack is a bold, confident man, protective of those within his care - and he embodies characteristics that we love in a hero - he is hardworking, honest, loyal and kind. It was especially touching to see how he loved and cared for his Polish immigrant parents.

While the fire taught Zack how important Mollie was to him, she wasn't ready for a relationship. "Zack was a wild, unpredictable force of nature, while she lived in an orderly world of ticking watches and production schedules." And to further complicate matters, the handsome and gentlemanly Colonel Richard Lowe comes sweeping in to rebuild Mollie's company. "He was Lancelot without the pesky adultery problem."

As much as I admired Mollie as a caring employer who struggled to succeed in business because she was a woman, she wasn't my favorite heroine. I felt that she made some bad decisions out of pride, with heartbreaking results in one instance, and I cringed at her often harsh, unfeeling words spoken to Zack in anger. On the other hand, I felt that Mollie not being a "perfect" character added to the depth and enjoyment of this story.

There is a strong cast of supporting characters, especially in the wounded veterans who work with Mollie. I also came to love Sophie, the young girl rescued by Zack and Mollie during the fire. "Extraordinary in her insolence" at first, she blossomed when given the opportunity to find purpose in life through hard work and being part of a team.

Into the Whirlwind is a fascinating and engrossing story that I highly recommend to all readers.

This book was provided by Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. show less

After her father's death, Mollie Knox takes over his watchmaking company and uses her head for business to solidify the good name of the 57th Illinois Watch Company. Her future looks bright until the night her beloved city is destroyed in the legendary Great Chicago Fire. With her world crumbling around her, Molly must do whatever it takes to save her company in the aftermath of the devastating fire.

Zack Kazmarek is a powerful attorney with influential ties to the political, mercantile, and ethnic roots of Chicago. His only weakness is Mollie Knox, a woman who has always been just beyond his reach. However, all bets are off after the fire destroys Chicago, and Mollie is in desperate need of assistance. Just as Zack finally begins to show more pursue the woman he loves, competition arises in the form of a hero from her past who can provide the help she needs to rise from the ashes.

While Mollie struggles to rebuild, the two men battle for her heart.
One has always loved her, but the other has the power to save her.
In the race to rebuild the city, can she survive with her business and her heart intact? [Goodreads]

Into the Whirlwind by author Elizabeth Camden
to release August 1.13
Publisher Bethany House

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A novel that captivated me...
From the historical realities of the Chicago fire that impacted the lives of thousands
and Ms Camden's characters specifically, this was a story of perseverance.
Physical as well as relational. Characters were exceptionally well drawn and authentic to their personalities. Frustrating, delightful, confusing and confused. I cared about them.
Their choices and outcomes were so far reaching, I was fully engaged in their lives -
dreams, plans, futures - wanting them to see behind the scenes with my benefit as a reader.

A unique topic with excellent insight into the intricacies of relationships, class distinctions, business integrity, scruples, gender conflicts, motivation, and physical disabilities.
Emotionally charged scenes as our protagonists fled through the streets to escape the advancing fire. Camaraderie in the aftermath. The horrors of plundering as goodwill dissipated.
Love and loyalty from unexpected sources.
And then the
discriminate business actions that cost our protagonists personal trust and love...

Will Mollie be willing to set aside her comfort in book keeping and routine?
Will Zack step back to allow another suitor to step forward?
or is he still a whirlwind force Mollie must reckon with?

I was more than ready for the light to dawn on the romantic entanglements!
For clarity and resolution. For love to win!
For Mollie to choose the whirlwind...

I enjoyed days reliving the satisfaction of Zack and Mollie's story.
I highly recommend this book
and wish you all the patience needed while anticipating its
August release...

ps - to set the record straight -
It wasn't a cow that kicked over a lantern that started the fire.
A newspaper reporter admitted to making up that story.
Not a good thing since Mrs O'Leary ended up a recluse because of it.

But I, for one, am definitely glad Elizabeth Camden made up this story!

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Elizabeth Camden, author of The Lady of Bolton Hill, The Rose of Winslow Street, and Against the Tide, received a master's in history from the University of Virginia and a master's in library science from Indiana University. She is a research librarian by day and scribbles away on her next novel by night. Elizabeth lives with her husband in Florida. Find more at www.elizabethcamden.com.


With appreciation to Bethany House Publishers for the copy to read and review without obligation.



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This is the first book I've read that took place during the great Chicago fire. I liked learning about it and also watchmaking. I liked Millie and Zack, but Col. Lowe kind of gave me the creeps, which was probably intentional. I enjoy the books of Elizabeth Camden and will probably read more.