FLAME FROM WITHIN
SHIRLEY KIGER CONNOLLY
ISBN# 978-0-9793327-1-5
28 February 2008
Vintage Romance Publishing
107 Clearview Circle,
Goose Creek, SC 29445
Trade Paperback
398 pages
Historical-Inspirational Romance
Rating: 3 cups
Because the Union Army burned her family home, Amethyst Rose Lebrún has been reduced to rags. Left with no other choice, she must travel to her sister’s home, which is reputed to be a house where men pay for women’s services. Aimée cannot quite believe her sister’s morals could fall that far from what her parents taught.
Captain Palmer Jordan III, a Union officer, is the enemy as far as Aimée is concerned. However, he might be her only hope of escaping the life being forced on her. He happily assists her where he can, although he knows she cannot see past the colour of his uniform. A deeply religious man, he wonders if God has chosen the right person to help Aimée when he cannot stop the feelings that develop for her within him.
Aimée loses everything and, at a time when she desperately needs to have faith, cannot seem to connect with God enough to talk with him, let alone hear any advice he might have for her. It is only when she is on the verge of freedom and safety from the machinations of two nasty types that she is able to hear His voice. Thereafter, she knows that she is not alone and that if she trusts, all will be well.
I found it very difficult to suspend my disbelief long enough to accept that even a southern belle could be as naïve as Aimée. This story is engaging, well written and entertaining. The author’s extensive research into the war between North and South shone through the entire story. The characters, particularly Aimée and Lulu, are presented as complete individuals, each with their own unique traits to distinguish them from others. The inspirational aspects were not overdone, but instead, were threaded seamlessly throughout the story as it unfolded. Lulu was a wonderful character in her assisting role to Aimee.
Caro
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books
