Veiled in Smoke.

Stephen Townsend hasn’t been the same since he returned from the war, his mind trapped in a relentless chaos he can’t escape. His daughters Meg and Sylvie struggle to make sense of this new man, but their efforts are hindered even more when he’s accused of a murder he can’t remember committing the night of the Great Chicago Fire.

As the city begins to restructure itself, the Townsend sisters are forced to face their own rebuilding . . . of their home, their business, and their lives. But their greatest reconstruction–that of their beloved family–remains at risk.

My thoughts:

Our first book review in our new home! How exciting is that?! This book was a lovely gathering of fiction against a rich historical backdrop. Romance played a part in this novel, but it wasn’t prominent. I personally prefer a little more romance in my historical fiction, but the lack of it certainly didn’t take away from the quality of the story.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, you will love this book. Green has done her homework and it shows in the realistic portrayal of her characters during the time of the Great Chicago Fire. It’s also evident in her portrayal of Civil War soldiers. Their injuries, both physical and mental, play a vital role in this novel and I’m grateful for her ability to tenderly, yet truthfully, approach the subject.

I’ll be honest and tell you that it took me a hot second to get into this one. I’m sure it was just a style preference as this was my first Jocelyn Green book. But when I finally became invested, I couldn’t put it down. There were new mysteries around each corner and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

Veiled in Smoke releases February 4th with Bethany House Publishers.

I’m deeply grateful to Bethany House and NetGalley for allowing me to have an early copy of this book for review. All expressed opinions are my own.

Purchase: Amazon | Christianbook | Barnes & Noble

Book Boyfriend:

If you’re new around here you may not know this, but I acquire book boyfriends like some women acquire shoes. This section of our reviews will be for the naming and spoiler-free discussion of such book boyfriends in any new reads. I have deemed this important information that needs to be shared so I can bless you. Read and swoon on, friends.

Nate Pierce takes the book boyfriend title in Veiled in Smoke. Our beloved reporter has a servant’s heart and is just too sweet. He’s a bit of an unexpected hero and those are my favorite! I can’t wait for you to meet him on February 4th.