Thursday, June 12, 2014

AUTHOR KAREN BARNETT

MY REVIEW OF

OUT OF THE RUINS

Golden Gate Chronicles | Book 1 (Golden Gate Chronicles Series) 

BY

KAREN BARNETT

5 STARS

                              

Kindle Fire HDX Prize Pack Giveaway

&
Facebook Party
(See Details Below)


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?




MY REVIEW


Karen Barnett’s story is charged with high voltage emotion encircling factual detail of the historical San Francisco earthquake in 1906. Although the characters and story are fictional, the realism rings authentic. Be prepared to experience heart jerking responses during your tour through this shocking event. Expect to audibly gasp and feel the need to pray for the situations described as seen on a wide screen movie. This is a sensational writing.

We tune in on the Fischer family near San Jose, California at a difficult time. The eldest sister Cecelia suffers from leukemia with little hope of surviving, but younger sister Abby will not accept Cecelia’s pending death. She tries to make a deal with God, but quickly loses faith as He does not answer her prayer as demanded. When cousin Dr. Gerald Larkspur and his assistant Dr. Robert King arrive at the Fischer family orchard, Abby grabs onto hope when the doctors feel their new found cancer cure can help Cecelia. Consequently, the entire family, including little brother Davy travel the distance to San Francisco where Cecelia is hospitalized. The Fischer family stays with cousin Mae Larkspur in San Francisco. Mae is one of my favorite characters throughout this story, as she is loving, full of faith in God, and a teacher of the Word.

Prior to the doctor’s assessment of Cecelia’s situation, handsome Dr. Robert King, is taking a walk through the orchard and first meets Abby hanging upside down from a fruit tree. Nope, I am not explaining that! He becomes immediately and irrevocably attracted to Abby. Abby is a strong minded, strong willed, immature 19 year old who doesn’t understand the word “no” and God made boundaries. Is this a case of striking the obvious match? Could be!

Soon to experience unmeasurable sorrow, their lives are further disastrously turned to chaos when the infamous earthquake hits San Francisco. Ms. Barnett’s unique gift for description so vivid is one of her most favorable assets with the written word. Her story is uniquely imaginative based on real facts. She writes well of the longing of a romance interrupted by of all things, a major earthquake. I repeat, be prepared for many surprises and shocks as we follow Abby through her journey of searching for loved ones and meeting new acquaintances while San Francisco burns. Karen Barnett gives us a hint of human prejudice that remained existent even during tragedy. Some incidents are merciless, however plausible during such a time as this. God’s presence is there for all – will Abby find her way to Him in her journey? Will the Phoenix show it’s courageous head out of the ashes when the flames are gone?

Since this book is part of a trilogy, I am anxious to learn of who and what survived Out of the Ruins in the next two novels. I am certain it will be as exciting as this story. I see a remarkable future for this impressive writer.

I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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. For more information, visit her website KarenBarnettBooks.com.
http://www.KarenBarnettBooks.com


About Karen

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever--and yet our human story changes daily. As a writer of historical romance, I love to explore my characters' faith and how their experiences impact the way they view God.

There's nothing I enjoy more than a beautiful love story and God's devotion to His people is the best one of all. It even ends with the hero riding in on a white horse! (Revelation 19:11).

My first novel, Mistaken, released in July 2013 with Abingdon Press and my next novel, Out of the Ruins (Book 1 of the Golden Gate Chronicles) will hit store shelves in May 2014.

I was blessed to be named the Cascade Awards Writer of Promise in 2013 from Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

Back in 2010, Guideposts Magazine printed "Birthday Wish," a story I wrote about my son and a very special prayer. I am represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Agency.

I grew up in Washington and went to college at Valparaiso University in Indiana, followed by graduate study in Geosciences at Oregon State University. Fueled by a fascination for God's creation, I worked several years in outdoor education--as a naturalist at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, a seasonal ranger at Mount Rainier National Park, and as Park Naturalist at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon.

I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my husband, two children, three furry felines and an attention-hungry dachshund. When I'm not writing and blogging, I enjoy playing guitar, hiking, decorating bizarre birthday cakes, and dragging my kids through boring history museums.




Karen Barnett's
OUT OF THE RUINS
"Hope" 
Kindle Fire HDX Prize Pack Giveaway & Facebook Party
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 "Hope" giveaway and Facebook author chat party.

outofruins-400-click


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, fun 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!

Find out what readers are saying about the book HERE.

Giveaway open to US and Canadian residents only.

**By entering, entrants agree to opt-in to receive promotional emails from Karen Barnett. If at any time you wish to unsubscribe you can do so through the unsubscribe instructions on one of the emails.**

Have you entered to win a Kindle Fire HDX and a copy of OUT OF THE RUINS? Winners announced at my live Facebook party on 6/19. Enter and RSVP here: http://prmo.me/Y7Vh50