Jocelyn Green always leaves me in awe when I finish one of her books. With masterful prose, she manages to bring history to life in ways that make me feel as though I am living alongside her characters from the past, feeling every emotion and witnessing every event just as they do. “Veiled in Smoke”, her new release from Bethany House Publishers, is the first story in “The Windy City Saga”. This dramatic novel brings the tragic event of Chicago’s Great Fire of 1871 to vivid existence in our imagination, following two sisters as they experience the fire – and it’s aftereffects – firsthand.

“Veiled in Smoke” contains so much emotion within its pages, not only regarding the unimaginable tragedy of the Chicago Fire, but also the personal struggles that the characters face (and that are pertinent to the time period). Mental health issues, a murder shrouded in mystery, a man who is not all that he appears, strife between sisters, and a romance blossoming against all the odds are just a few of the emotional threads that weave this book into a story. It may sound like a lot to keep track of, but it is all interconnected seamlessly into a can’t-put-it-down story.

If you enjoy historical fiction that is not only set in the past, but also truly brings events and struggles from history to life through vivid scenes and memorable characters, I highly recommend any of Jocelyn Green’s books – but especially “Veiled in Smoke”. I cannot wait for the next part of “The Windy City Saga” to be released, and I’m guessing you will feel the same after reading this emotional story.

“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.”