Litfuse Blog Tour: Beyond the Ashes by Karen Barnett (The Golden Gate Chronicles, Book 2)

Beyond the Ashes
(The Golden Gate Chronicles, Book 2)
by Karen Barnett
Copyright 2015
Abingdon Press
ISBN: 9781426781414

The Story:
Where better to rebuild and face one's fears than in 1906 San Francisco, a city rising from the ashes? 

Ruby Marshall, a young widow, is certain she'll discover new purpose assisting her brother Robert with his cancer research, but she doesn't anticipate finding new love.

Dr. Gerald Larkspur dreams of filling his empty home with family, but he'd always hoped it would be a wife and children. In the aftermath of the great earthquake, the rooms are overflowing with extended family and friends left homeless by the disaster. When Robert's widowed sister arrives, the close quarters seem close indeed.

Ruby and Gerald's fledgling romance is put at risk when Gerald develops symptoms of the very disease they're striving to cure. Together they must ask---is it worth a second chance at love when time might be short?

 Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1IGu1bg

To read what others are saying about the book visit the Litfuse website!

Giveaway:

Is their relationship worth a second chance at love when time might be short? New from @KarenMBarnett + a #giveaway! http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/beyond-the-ashes-karen-barnett

My Thoughts:
So here's the thing, these days my TV viewing habits and my reading habits are really overlapping. I've been watching loads of period dramas on my iPad (network TV is basically nothing but reruns), and reading historical fiction 24/7, so these things blend together in my mind. My latest obsession is the historical medical drama. Series such as BBC's The Crimson Field and London Hospital give a glimpse at early treatment methods for things from gunshot wounds to cancer treatments and it's fascinating!

Beyond the Ashes by Karen Barnett explores similar territory with a liberal dose of faith mixed in. All the while reading this I couldn't help but picture the monstrosity that was the early X-Ray machine and the precautions that weren't taken when in use! Yikes!


Ruby's battle with loss at a young age and Gerald's unwillingness to acknowledge his own potentially life-changing health issue make for some rather heavy reading. I like that this book explores technological advancements in medicine and cancer treatments as did the novel that began the series, although Beyond the Ashes has a rather unique ending that I'm still not sure I like. I like experiencing the warm fuzzies when I close a book, and it just left me feeling a little down. All in all, this was a good story and I hope that book 3 addresses this Patrick fellow who is a complete dish with his green eyes and broad shoulders.

P.S. Anyone else picture Craig McLachlan aka Doctor Blake as Gerald?!

~ My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ~

*I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

Happy Reading!