Book Review of 'When the Flames Ravaged' by Rhonda Dragomir

Happy March Bookworms!

*Whew* Anyone else happy that February is over? Last month was a tough month for my family with grieving our family pet and me being sick for a large part of it. Here's hoping March is kinder and that I'll be able to share more content with you this month.

I am currently obsessed with the historical fiction genre and couldn't wait to read the novel that I am featuring today. I have heard of the Hartford circus fire in 1944 but seeing it from a human perspective brought this tragic event to technicolor.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this amazing novel and that you have a wonderful Friday!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: When the Flames Ravaged
Series: A Day to Remember
Author: Rhonda Dragomir
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Release Date: March 1, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Will Faith Perish in the Big Top’s Flames?

Introducing a new series of 6 exciting novels featuring historic disasters that transformed landscapes and multiple lives. Whether by nature or by man, these disasters changed history and were a day to be remembered.

Evelyn Benson’s husband perished in the Bataan Death March but not her faith. The World War II Gold Star widow is taken in by her brother and soothed by the love of his wife and children. Evelyn refuses to cower to grief. She may not understand God’s mysterious ways, but she has never questioned Him—until the circus fire.

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus train chugs into Hartford, Connecticut, on a sweltering day one month after the Allies invaded Normandy. Among the roustabouts is a reluctant clown, Hank Webb. He may hide from his murky past behind grease paint as Fraidy Freddie, but God wants to offer Hank a chance to be found. Though first, what little Hank believes about God will endure a fiery trial.

On Thursday, July 6, 1944, a devastating blaze of unknown origins consumes the circus tent along with Evelyn’s hopes and Hank’s anonymity.

My Review

I vaguely remember hearing about the circus fire that occurred during World War II but I have never had the chance to delve further to find out the circumstances that surrounded this tragic event. When the Flames Ravaged gives a heart-stopping account of what happened under that circus tent in Hartford in 1944.

As I was reading, I had to keep reminding myself that this actually happened. It’s so horrific and unimaginable to me. One minute you’re sitting with your family enjoying an afternoon at the circus, and in a matter of seconds it literally goes up in flames, the scars continuing to impact many today. It’s such a sobering thought. I’ve only ever been to a real circus once when I was five years old, so I am no expert of roustabouts by any means, but I have always had a fascination with the circus life.

The novel focuses on one clown in the show, Hank, and a waitress at a local diner, Evelyn, that are deeply affected by the events of that day. Hank is really battling his emotions internally while trying to be strong for Evelyn as they search for Evelyn’s family after the fire, and it shows his character early on. I adored all of the characters and think they were the perfect vessels to flesh out what transpired from a first-person perspective.

After I finished reading, I went to the website that is dedicated to this tragedy and I literally felt like the wind was knocked out of me. It’s one thing to read a fictional account, but quite another to put faces to this unthinkable tragedy. While the culprit has never been identified, I like to think that this was a freak accident and caused by a stray cigarette, because if this was maliciously intended it makes this ordeal that much worse.

There is one scene in particular that was seriously one of the sweetest scenes I’ve ever read in a novel. So incredibly powerful and such a great ending to such a harrowing story.

As with any tragic tale, I wish it would’ve never happened in the first place, but it did and sadly it is an event that is being forgotten with time. Thank you to the author for bringing this horrific event back into the spotlight and doing it in the best way possible. May we never forget the victims of the Hartford circus fire.

My Rating: ★★★★★

About the Author

Rhonda Dragomir is a multimedia creative who treasures her fairy tale life in Central Kentucky, insisting her home is her castle, even if her prince refuses to dig a moat. She is an award-winning author with published works in several anthologies and periodicals, and she co-wrote numerous Bible studies used weekly by more than 20,000 women worldwide.

Barbour Books will release her debut novel, a historical romance, March 1, 2024. She is often invited to speak at writers' conferences on topics related to technology and graphics.

Connect with Rhonda by visiting rhondadragomir.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each win a signed, print copy of When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir and a print copy of The Hartford Circus Fire: Tragedy Under the Big Top by Michael Skidgell!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 26, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 4, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!