Into the Whirlwind

By: Elizabeth Camden

Narrated by: Morgan Hallett

Elizabeth Camden’s historical romances continue to gather accolades from critics and fans alike. Set in late 19th-century Chicago, Into the Whirlwind introduces Mollie Knox, who’s just lost her successful watch company in the Great Chicago Fire. To win Mollie’s heart, influential attorney Zack Kazmarek offers his help, leaving Mollie to put her faith in a man she hardly knows.

©2013 Dorthy Mays (P)2013 Recorded Books

1871 Great Chicago Fire, Story of Grit, Work, Love

One of the best historical fiction listens . . . and my first about the Great Chicago Fire . . . Mollie Knox is running a watch company lovingly left to her by her father, employing forty civil war veterans who fought alongside her father, some who are severely handicapped from the war, when the fire, started in the O'Leary barn breaks out . . . thrown together with Zack Kazmarek, the cocky attorney for the famous Hartman's Department Store, buyer for her company's watches, helps Mollie through the inferno, her opinion of Zach changes . . . and for the first time she learns how the stiff, polished attorney really feels about her . . . as the story continues over the months following the fire, through the rebuilding and recovery of the city of Chicago, both Mollie and Zach have to face many obstacles, and face themselves . . . I greatly enjoyed the exploration of Zach's Polish heritage and the story of his parent's love of their homeland . . . Into the Whirlwind is listed as an historical romance, but it's so much more . . . it's all about family, the struggle of immigrants in America, the class wars as those who had very little worked and tried to make a better life for themselves and their families, and the hard scrabble ways of survival that many of the "upper crust" will never understand. It's a study of integrity in the face of adversity . . . and I loved it!

Captivating!

Would you listen to Into the Whirlwind again? Why?

From the very opening sentences through to the very satisfying ending this book was a pleasure to listen to. Molly and Zach's love/hate relationship was fun, frustrating and ultimately very real. I plan to listen again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Into the Whirlwind?

The descriptions of the firestorm that consumed the city. Those chapters were so well written.

What does Morgan Hallett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great narration! I am now a fan!!

Great story line with lots of historical facts

Really enjoyed all the interesting facts that I’ve never known this stories is full of
The history of the Chicago fire watch makers & skyscraper
With a love story
Very well written
The narrator makes all the difference whether the story is enjoyable r not
This narrator is wonderful
This is a great listen
I highly recommend

Loved Zack!

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
After her father's death, Mollie Knox takes over his watchmaking company and uses her head for business to solidify the good name of the 57th Illinois Watch Company. Her future looks bright until the night her beloved city is destroyed in the legendary Great Chicago Fire. With her world crumbling around her, Molly must do whatever it takes to save her company in the aftermath of the devastating fire.

Zack Kazmarek is an influential attorney with powerful ties to the political, mercantile, and ethnic roots of Chicago. His only weakness is Mollie Knox, a woman who has always been just beyond his reach. However, all bets are off after the fire destroys Chicago, and Mollie is in desperate need of assistance. Just as Zack finally begins to pursue the woman he loves, competition arises in the form of a hero from her past who can provide the help she needs to rise from the ashes.

While Mollie struggles to rebuild, the two men battle for her heart. One has always loved her, but the other has the power to save her. In the race to rebuild the city, can she survive with her business and her heart intact?

MY TAKE
I love Elizabeth Camden's books. This is the second one for me, so I knew I was in for a treat. She didn't disappoint. Setting the book during the time of the great Chicago fire made for some compelling stories and a walk down history. It was also a fascinating look into the process of making watches.

I loved Zack! Why do I so often love the guys in clean romances but want to shake the heroines? That was the case with Mollie. She was a strong and compelling character but she sometimes took her logic and need for order way too far. Because while Zack could be very logical and orderly (he couldn't have been such a good attorney otherwise), he was also a force to be wary of. And he used to scare Molly. He'd known and loved her for three years, and she was clueless. Yet he understood her so well!

But the man was doggedly determined and loyal--sometimes to the wrong people. Add in Mollie's insecurities, her fear of the wild and crazy (Zack), and misplaced loyalty, and it can create a terrible mess for him, especially when a hero-like orderly man steps in to help her. But the ending was very much worth it.

It dragged a little while Mollie was figuring things out, or I'd give it a full five stars. The narrator Morgan Hallett did a great job.

4 1/2 stars

Totally Captivating!

Would you consider the audio edition of Into the Whirlwind to be better than the print version?

Not sure. Only listened to the audio.

What other book might you compare Into the Whirlwind to and why?

I could compare this with Francine Rivers Redeeming Love...only because it would be the most recently read book remotely close to this one categorically. However, this one was far more captivating. Great length. Really brought the story full circle.

What about Morgan Hallett’s performance did you like?

Loved her portrayal of the characters. Great pace.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Such great character development.

Great historical fiction

I truly enjoyed this book.. it was very enjoyable. It covered history, clean romance and a very good story line.

Very well read!

Morgan Hallett read this so well, I think I got more out of it than if I'd read it myself (and that is rare!) I really appreciated the personality she gave vocally to each person.
I really appreciated Zach's passionate, driven personality. I felt he was a well fleshed out character. And I appreciated Molly's development process. I liked the background & development of the girl (Sophie) which made her behavior understandable. And, frankly, I enjoyed most all of the many supporting characters. I felt that their stories were well suited for this time, place, and predicament.
It was an interesting bit of history, (though I find myself wishing more of Molly's story was fact.)
(Reviewed by David's wife.)

Compelling story loved the history

What a great story. I have not heard in such great details about the fires. Just that they happened. The author did a great job pulling me into the lives of all the characters. There were a lot of characters and side stories but they were all beautifully woven together seamlessly. Definitely recommend this story. It’s definitely not the typical romance but I liked it. The only negative part… but I know back in the day it was considered normal… but the main male character was a bit too demanding and controlling. The main female character put up with it at times and at other times she did her own thing. But it was still a great story.

Best love story in a long time

Recently I have listened to several novels from Elizabeth Camden and given them several excellent reviews. This is my third from her, and my favorite one yet. The character development in this is beautiful and the plot twists delightful. However these are my favorite characters.

Old Chicago

I had no idea what happened in Chicago so long ago. The people pulled through with shear will, stubbornness, and they never gave up. It's kind of a love story, but a person cannot guess the ending. You have to listen! : )