Through the Shadows {Litfuse Review}

 

 

About the book Through the Shadows:

Through the Shadows (Abingdon, May 2016)

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?

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.

 

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My thoughts:

 

Being a fan of the other books by Karen Barnett in this series I knew this was a book I wanted to pick up and read.  I loved getting to know Elizabeth King and the demons that were chasing her.  She felt she could find refuge by hiding in a school for Chinese girls rescued from less than desired circumstances.   But can she really or will her past follow her?  

 

Throw in the decidedly handsome and eager Charles McKinley who wants to help her family find out how they could have lost everything in the great earthquake and you have a mix of temper and love in the best proportions.  But when he finds out that his own family could be to blame for Elizabeth’s misfortune what will he do?  Will he turn his uncle over to the police or hope to find another way to restore the Kings money?

 

When Elizabeth’s past comes to the school she teaches at and declares to the whole world just how fallen she really is can she ever take solace in music again or will she again need to flee and run?  Will she find true forgiveness from a heavenly Father and in turn forgive herself?  

 

Such a great book full of suspense and surprises.  I truly enjoyed reading this one and hope that there are still more to come!