Through the Shadows by Karen Barnett

Through the Shadows

by  Karen Barnett  Historical Romance Abingdon Press 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? Note: This is the third book in the Golden Gate Chronicles.

Meet the Author

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.       Here's my review of this beautiful love story: First, I would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you” to Karen Barnett and her publisher for sending me a copy of "Through the Shadows" to review for them. I am truly grateful for this generosity. I really appreciate the time, effort and expense it takes to make a reviewer copy available to me. Whether or not you’ve read the first two books in the Golden Gate Chronicles (“Out of the Ruins” and “Beyond the Ashes”), “Through the Shadows” by Karen Barnett is an enjoyable read.  Of course, if you HAVE read those first two offerings, you will already be invested in the plight of the characters, their connections and the emotions of the events of the previous books.  Still, this novel can be read all on its own and enjoyed. Elizabeth King and Charles McKinley don’t exactly get off on the right foot when they first meet.  But isn’t that how so many great love stories are born?  From the opening pages, even amidst several faux pas, they seem perfect for each other.  These characters are richly crafted and jump right off the pages of this incredible book. Karen Barnett’s writing is funny and thickly laced with references to God and faith.  She transports the reader back in time to 1908 San Francisco with her well-researched prose.  She unfolds the story beautifully, while maintaining an air of mystery to keep the reader engaged.  She also keeps a mission focus in the forefront of the story, which I personally appreciate since I am trying to become more kingdom-minded.  This is a great book that I will recommend often to historical fiction fans.