Tag Archive | The Windy City Saga

Shadows Of The White City by Jocelyn Green

Dec20

What Love Is

Shadows Of The White City by Jocelyn Green is a powerful historical Christian novel that I loved. It is the second book in The Windy City Saga but can be read as a stand-alone. For maximum enjoyment and to track character progression, I recommend reading the previous book first.

I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces. As with book one, the tale is grounded in fact as the Chicago Fair of 1893 takes centre stage and there are actual historical figures within the novel.

This is a book about love, family and a search to belong. Everyone wants to know their roots. We follow a character desperate to know her ancestors. What she doesn’t realise is that her worth is already in God alone. God calls her beloved and His daughter.

God places the lost in families. “She might not be able to change the system, but she could change the life of this one, precious girl.” There were many orphans living in poverty when lead character, Sylvie, opened her heart to Rose.

We learn that “families are born, but they can also be chosen.” Families are those who love us. God says we are part of His family. “God says I am His child, I am good enough for Him… because of what Christ has done on my behalf.” Too often we strive to be better but God asks us to come as we are and then we will change.

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Veiled In Smoke by Jocelyn Green

Dec12

Rising From The Ashes

Veiled In Smoke by Jocelyn Green is a powerful Christian historical novel that totally consumed me. It is the first book in The Windy City Saga which promises to be fabulous.

Whilst this is a fictional tale, it is grounded in fact as it is based on the devastating Chicago fire of 1871 which destroyed much of the city, leaving many homeless. Locations and some actual people are real (as we find out in the author’s notes at the back of the book.)

Fire destroys but fire also cleanses and renews. The reader is reminded that Jesus walked beside Daniel and his friends in the firey furnace, and Jesus walks beside us. “She must trust Him for what she could not see.” We cannot always feel or see Jesus but He is beside us. “Had to believe God remained in control even when His children were not.” God sees the end from the beginning. We can trust His leading.

Within the novel the two sisters own a bookstore and are passionate about books. They quote from popular novels of the day, including the Bronte sisters, Louisa May Alcott, Shakespeare and more. The reader can see parallels between one lead character and the fictional Mr Rochester in Jane Eyre. Fire destroys and both have to re-learn how to do things differently.

Within the novel a character has to learn to look at things from a different perspective as the subjects of her paintings change from portraits to landscapes after the fire. “The rich and the poor connect… You are compassion, he is resilience. Both of you are Chicago.” At the heart of Chicago are the people and not the buildings. Buildings can be re-built.

Everyone faces storms. I loved the quote included by the fictional Amy March, “I’m not afraid of storms for I’m learning how to sail my ship.” As we navigate choppy waters, we need to focus on Jesus. “The One who made the sea is in my boat with me.” Jesus will never leave us. “Avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward.” We need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. He will navigate the seas of life with us.

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Drawn By The Current by Jocelyn Green

Nov10

God, Our Safe Harbor

Drawn By The Current by Jocelyn Green is a simply marvellous Christian historical novel that is grounded in fact. It is the third book in The Windy City Saga series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The novel is set in Chicago in 1915 and has its’ focus on the real-life Eastland disaster. We witness characters suffering from PTSD, although that was unheard of at that time.

To survive the sinking was a matter of luck. “She would never understand why she had been spared.” Sometimes there are questions, to which we will never know the answer this side of heaven. After a trauma, it is necessary to talk it out. “Surviving wasn’t as simple as it sounds. Talking helped.”

We see the power of prayer. “Not that I can think of a single thing that might be of use to him, aside from prayer. That, he’ll need in spades.” Prayer is simply talking to God. We need to lift others up to God. We can trust that God always has our back. “Please, Father … send help.” There are times when we have no words but God knows what is on our hearts.

We see the patronizing attitude of some men. “You’re a nurturer. It’s what women are good at.” Women were seen as inferior to men by some. In contrast, others saw their equality.

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