Into the Whirlwind

Written by Elizabeth Camden

Narrated by Morgan Hallett

As owner of the 57th Illinois Watch Company, Mollie Knox's future looks bright until the night the legendary Great Chicago Fire destroys her beloved city. With her world crumbling around her, Mollie will do whatever it takes to rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating fire. Zack Kazmarek, an influential attorney for one of Chicago's finest department stores, is a force to be reckoned with among the city's most powerful citizens. Bold and shrewd, he's accustomed to getting exactly what he wants--until he meets Mollie Knox, the beguiling businesswoman just beyond his reach. In the tumult as the people of Chicago race to rebuild a bigger and better city, Mollie comes face-to-face with the full force of Zack's character and influence. Zack believes this may finally be his chance to win her, but can Mollie ever accept this man and his whirlwind effect on her life, especially with her treasured company on the line? " A sweet, emotion-filled romance to warm the heart and touch the soul... The cast of characters is varied and lovingly detailed, colorful and bursting with life." -- Publishers Weekly " Into the Whirlwind is a delight. Elizabeth Camden shows remarkable ability to breathe life into nineteenth-century Chicago and its people. If you are a fan of historical romantic suspense, I cannot recommend this book or this author too highly."-Davis Bunn, bestselling author of Rare Earth "Camden takes readers on a breathless ride with smart, serious Mollie in the midst of tragedy and rui" -- RT Book Reviews

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781470379872

Elizabeth Camden

Elizabeth Camden is a RITA and Christy Award winning author. A research librarian at a small college in central Florida, she has published several scholarly articles and four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and her love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. She lives with her husband near Orlando, Florida. For more information, visit elizabethcamden.com.

Reviews for Into the Whirlwind

[Janeen Sullivan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an amazing story. It was well written with strong characters. I honestly didn’t know how the author was going to wrap it all up which, for me, is a sign of a great story. Especially when, like this one, wrapped up in unexpected ways beautifully. I highly recommend this book. The narrator did a fantastic job. She managed to separate the two male characters that were totally different in such a way that defined them perfectly. Each one dramatized by her reading so well. Sometimes I wish narrators could receive reviews. It must be a very difficult task, especially if there is an accent. Kudos to this narrator. She is very good.

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[Anna N Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rich storytelling of historical events in Chicago. Love this author!

[sneezybee23 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mollie Knox, owner of the 57th Illinois Watch Company, employs veterans who served with her father in the 57th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War. These veterans are talented artisans who craft high-end watches, but to Mollie, they are family. Mollie's contract with Hartman's, a fine department store, affords her a measure of financial security until Zack Kazmarek, Hartman's handsome, yet intimidating attorney, issues an ultimatum that Mollie must sell her business to Hartman or lose her contract. Unexpectedly, the Great Chicago Fire ravages the city, destroying tangible property and intangible dreams. When famed Colonel Lowe, leader of the 57th Illinois Infantry, helps Mollies rebuild, Mollie is torn between the kind, stable Colonel Lowe and the passionate, unstable Zack Kazmarek.Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden is a stand-alone novel set in nineteenth-century Chicago. Admittedly, I don't know many details regarding the terrible tragedy of the Great Chicago Fire and Chicago's period of rebuilding; however, Camden's depictions seemed authentic and realistic. Into the Whirlwind has a solid plot that quickly hooked my attention and carried it through to the end of the novel. I found it refreshing that the romance elements of the story kept me guessing who Mollie was going to end up with. I recommend this book to lovers of historical romances.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission?s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[ibjoy1953 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK I have read several stories about the Great Chicago Fire and I am always glad when I can read another one. And I loved Into the Whirlwind. There is so much history recorded this this book that at times, to be honest, it did get boring. I was so into the characters that I wanted to read about them!Molly Knox was working go save the company her father left for her, which was ruined by the fire. Spending so much time with lawyer Zack Kazmarek, there was an attraction that couldn’t be denied. I liked Molly from the start but Zack, he was kinda whack in the beginning but then he grew on me. The information and talk about the fire was interesting, because I enjoy talk about that time in history. And reading this author’s take on what it might have been like back then was fun and entertaining. If you enjoy historical fiction that is good clean fun, this is one you will enjoy. Why not grab your copy today! And hope you enjoyed as my as I did!!A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. 

[sarah_gruwell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is my first book by Elizabeth Camden, and it is a wonderful introduction. The world of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire comes to vivid life; I felt the heat of the flames and heard the roar of those same flames as it tore through the city, destroying everything in its path. And yet, the re-building of this great city and its citizens lives shone with optimism and enthusiasm. I adored how Camden used the backdrop of this historical event to explore the themes of rebuilding and reevaluating ones lives and goals. I also adored her characters, especially Mollie. She's an independent woman who is shown as intelligent, with a fantastic business sense, and yet a soft side as well. She's not afraid to push forward with ideas that everyone else seems to balk at. She has a very evident journey from focusing primarily on her world of clocks and gears to one that contains love and passion for causes as well with Zach. It's nice to see all this in a romantic lead in a Christian Fiction book. This book had everything I could ask for from a Christian Historical Fiction book: fantastic historical detail, characters I can love, and a romance that while a bit light feeling, was also very emotional. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great Christian Historical Romance.

[sherylhendrix · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mollie Knox is a strong-willed independent woman with an exaggerated sense of responsibility towards the Civil War veterans who served with her father, now deceased. Having inherited the ownership of the 57th Illinois Watch Company, she prides herself on providing meaningful work for the disabled vets her father hired after the war. The story is set during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and the total loss of her business, and how this woman fights to stay in business. She is beholden to two men who assist her in her quest, and her attraction toward both of them for different reasons leads to the romantic quandary in which she finds herself. A well-written and fast-paced story that should engage those who enjoy historical fiction.

[lindz2012 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book the most. It was the best written book so far for a historical fiction book. I love the fact that his is about history of event that happen in Chicago. It has some romance but not whole lot in it. This book is about the Chicago fire. It is cool that it tell you about the people and how people dealt with the fire.I really talks about the aftermath of the great Chicago fire. It detail the what happens to some of the buildings and what the neighbors did for the city and new change came about. If you really like history or interest in history of the US then this book is for you. Remember this book has some fiction but it still go learning tool to learn about American history in some ways.

[beautyinthebinding · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mollie Knox, owner of the 57th Illinois Watch Company, employs veterans who served with her father in the 57th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War. These veterans are talented artisans who craft high-end watches, but to Mollie, they are family. Mollie's contract with Hartman's, a fine department store, affords her a measure of financial security until Zack Kazmarek, Hartman's handsome, yet intimidating attorney, issues an ultimatum that Mollie must sell her business to Hartman or lose her contract. Unexpectedly, the Great Chicago Fire ravages the city, destroying tangible property and intangible dreams. When famed Colonel Lowe, leader of the 57th Illinois Infantry, helps Mollies rebuild, Mollie is torn between the kind, stable Colonel Lowe and the passionate, unstable Zack Kazmarek.Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden is a stand-alone novel set in nineteenth-century Chicago. Admittedly, I don't know many details regarding the terrible tragedy of the Great Chicago Fire and Chicago's period of rebuilding; however, Camden's depictions seemed authentic and realistic. Into the Whirlwind has a solid plot that quickly hooked my attention and carried it through to the end of the novel. I found it refreshing that the romance elements of the story kept me guessing who Mollie was going to end up with. I recommend this book to lovers of historical romances.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

[samantha100_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Into the Whirlwind, by Elizabeth Camden, opens October 8, 1871 which is the date of the Great Chicago Fire. We learn that Mollie Knox and Zack Kazmarek are running towards the fire with the intention of trying to save what might be left of Mollie's watch factory. Mollie and Zack make an unlikely pair as just days before Zack had tried to rush Mollie into selling her business to his employer. With good reason, Mollie is suspicious of his motives.The novel provides insight into the devastation caused by the fire and chronicles the aftermath. The author does an excellent job of pairing history with a remarkable story of romance, strength and determination. Diverse characters and their interactions with each other makes this novel a great read. I received this book free of charge from Bethany House and I give this review of my own free will.

[pianolady831 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Into the Whirlwind is a turbulent love story set amidst the rubble of Chicago as Mollie endures the challenge of survival and the triumph of rebuilding the city. This stand-alone novel is steeped in history and filled with rich characterization, emotional impact, and beautiful prose. I greatly enjoyed this character-driven drama and will be reading more of Elizabeth Camden's work.There's often a tendency to skim over descriptive passages, but not so in this book! Elizabeth excels at capturing the feel of a historical event, bringing it to life and making you feel as though you are there. The story begins on October 8, 1871, as the raging Chicago fire is destroying everything in its path: "The fire had burned a four-mile path along Lake Michigan that was almost a mile wide. More than a hundred thousand people had been left homeless, and half the businesses in the city had been burned out." One of the disastrous results of the fire was the collapse of the local insurance industry, and I loved how Elizabeth creatively worked this into her narrative through Zack's efforts in reform.Mollie and Zack are strong leading characters. 26-year-old Mollie Knox excels at business and runs her father's 57th Illinois Watch Company. She is a hardworking, compassionate leader who trains fifteen wounded veterans from her father's military unit in the art of high-end watchmaking and devises ways to keep the company afloat. Zack Kazmarek is an attorney for Hartman's, the only store in Chicago that could afford to carry Mollie's expensive watches. Zack is a bold, confident man, protective of those within his care - and he embodies characteristics that we love in a hero - he is hardworking, honest, loyal and kind. It was especially touching to see how he loved and cared for his Polish immigrant parents.While the fire taught Zack how important Mollie was to him, she wasn't ready for a relationship. "Zack was a wild, unpredictable force of nature, while she lived in an orderly world of ticking watches and production schedules." And to further complicate matters, the handsome and gentlemanly Colonel Richard Lowe comes sweeping in to rebuild Mollie's company. "He was Lancelot without the pesky adultery problem."As much as I admired Mollie as a caring employer who struggled to succeed in business because she was a woman, she wasn't my favorite heroine. I felt that she made some bad decisions out of pride, with heartbreaking results in one instance, and I cringed at her often harsh, unfeeling words spoken to Zack in anger. On the other hand, I felt that Mollie not being a "perfect" character added to the depth and enjoyment of this story.There is a strong cast of supporting characters, especially in the wounded veterans who work with Mollie. I also came to love Sophie, the young girl rescued by Zack and Mollie during the fire. "Extraordinary in her insolence" at first, she blossomed when given the opportunity to find purpose in life through hard work and being part of a team.Into the Whirlwind is a fascinating and engrossing story that I highly recommend to all readers.This book was provided by Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

[joyanne-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Mollie loves her job running the company that belonged to her father, making artisan watches for some of Chicago's elite. Then the great fire causes total chaos yet she is determind to rebuild. The last thing she needs is Zach Kazmarek, an attorney (whose ethics are in the gray area) that takes an interest in her and sends her into a whirlwind. I enjoyed this wonderfully written story, you feel like you're in the midst of all the pandemonium with Camden's vivid detail. The characters struggle to regain a sense of normalcy as they go about rebuilding their city. There's romance and lots of action in this highly recommended historical novel. A pleasure to read! I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[pamelajo-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Swept Into The Whirlwind...Mollie Knox is making a success of her father's watch company, which takes it's name from the 57th Illinois Regiment in which her father fought during the Civil War. She employs many disabled vets from that regiment and it is her primary purpose to keep them gainfully employed. Zack Kazmarek is a determined and forceful lawyer working for the department store where Mollie's watches are sold. He is of Polish descent, very brash, and has intimidated Mollie for years. However, he has come to admire Mollie and cares deeply for her. She is totally unaware of his affection until the day of the Great Chicago Fire.Together, Zack and Mollie barely survive the fire. They fall in love and that's when the whirlwind of emotions begin.Mollie loses everything to the fire and faces total devastation. As if that's not enough, she discovers information which leads her to believe that Zack simply pretended to care for her in order to cheat her out of a fortune. Can Zack prove that is not true? Mollie does not give him a chance to do so. Hurtful remarks and deep bitterness haunt both of them and they are not able to move past the resentment. The 57th Illinois Watch Company rises from the ashes when the former commander of the Civil War regiment arrives to save the day. Colonel Richard Lowe is smitten with Mollie. He wants to marry her and is the total opposite of Zack. Will he win Mollie's heart? Can she completely trust any man again? Who will be Mollie's true hero, along with proving his true love for her? Richard is a good man who offers the security which Mollie craves, yet the memory of Zack still haunts her.Into The Whirlwind is a unique story with appealing characters and a very suspenseful plot. It will keep you turning the pages late into the night. I highly recommend this excellent book!Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing a review copy of Into the Whirlwind. It certainly swept me away!

[wrbinpa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

1871 - The city of Chicago was being destroyed as a solid wall of angry flames towered into the sky. People were in a panic with total anarchy on the streets. The roof of the waterworks had collapsed and the pumps had failed. There was no water left to battle the blaze and the firefighters abandoned their engines and evacuated the city. The fire had burned a four mile path along Lake Michigan and almost a mile wide. More than a hundred thousand people had been left homeless and more than half of the businesses had been burned out. One of those businesses was the 57th Illinois Watch Company, known for the most beautiful watches in America, with their spectacular artistry and hand engraved gold cases. Mollie Knox had taken over the watch business after her father's death. Losing the business to the fire is devastating, but Mollie is determined to save the company. And the story unfolds ---Mollie is a passionate artisan and a strong business woman who likes a safe and orderly world. She is struggling to find a way to get this company back in action. Too many people depended on her and she will not accept failure. This fire would not be the end of her or the business. And, along the way, Mollie has two attractive suitors.The impeccable Zack Kazmanek is an attorney for Hartman's, a prestigious department store. He's been attracted to Mollie for three years, but he'd been icily aloof to her before the fire. Why the sudden change? Beneath his polished veneer of success, he is rather rugged and aggressive. Mollie is attracted to Zach, but can she trust him?Colonel Richard Lowe is Mollie's second suitor. He seems to have a strong moral code and he is a gentleman to the core. If Mollie married the Colonel, she would never have to face financial insecurity again. But, could she really fit into his world? Mollie just wants a man who truly loves her, imperfections and all, but she seems to be caught in a whirlwind.The author does a marvelous job getting into the minds of the characters and spins a tale of twisitng emotions. The book has a good flow with a satisfying conclusion, although predictable. However, there were times when the storyline seemed to drag a bit. Elizabeth Camden's style of writing never disappoints me. I highly recommend. 4 stars. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for an honest review. The opinions shared in this review are my own.