Through the Shadows
May 31st, 2016. Filed under: Tuesday's Tempting Reads.Through the Shadoes
By Karen Barnett
As San Francisco rises from the ashes, an age-old battle looms between corruption and the promise of new beginnings.
The devastating earthquake is just two years past, but the city of San Francisco is still trying to recover. Destruction of this magnitude is not so easy to overcome—and neither are the past regrets shadowing Elizabeth King’s hopeful future.
Hoping to right her wrongs, Elizabeth dedicates herself to helping girls rescued from slavery in Chinatown brothels, even if it means putting her own life at risk to sneak through the gloomy alleys and rooftops where dangers lurk.
Putting her life on the line for a worthy cause is admirable. But opening her heart is even more terrifying. So when Elizabeth meets attorney Charles McKinley—a man who dreams of reforming San Francisco’s crooked politics—Elizabeth begins to doubt: Can she maintain her pretense and hide her past? Or will her secret jeopardize both their futures?
ISLAND BREEZES
We return to the characters whom we previously met during and after the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. It’s now two years later and Elizabeth King is running from her past.
She volunteers her services teaching sewing and English at the Presbyterian Mission Home in San Francisco. She’s really not sure about leaving Sacramento as it’s all so strange at the home.
But Elizabeth can’t help but fall in love with the children. Soon she learns the danger connected with working at the home. She has difficulty being prudent an puts herself into a dangerous situation.
She tries to protect her heart, but eventually puts that on the line as well. Alas! Her past catches up with her, and now she’s disgraced and will probably lose her job. Just when she thinks she’s found happiness and fulfillment.
Thank you so much, Ms Barnett. I have thoroughly enjoyed The Golden Gates Chronicles. I do hope you have more installments of life there for us.
***A special thank you to litfuse for providing a review copy.***
Karen Barnett is the author of Beyond the Ashes, Out of the Ruins, and Mistaken. Named the 2013 Writer of Promise by Oregon Christian Writers, Karen lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband and two kids. When she’s not writing novels, she loves speaking at women’s events, libraries, and book clubs.