when the flames ravaged | excerpt + giveaway

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about the book

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.

publisher: barbour publishing

release date: march 1, 2024

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other books in the series

when the waters came

when hope sank

excerpt

The mob pushed ahead, and Evelyn’s grip on the little girl’s hand loosened. She needed to pick her up, but in the stampede, she couldn’t manage it. “Hold on, honey,” she yelled. “Don’t let go.”

“Mama!” The child cried out, actively resisting Evelyn’s handhold. “I won’t leave my mama!” With one last violent tug, she escaped, turned, and forced her way toward her fallen mother against the stream of humanity. Her golden blond pigtails—festooned with long, red ribbons—bobbed in the gusts of superheated air fueled by flames billowing from the tent. Then she was gone.

Evelyn tried to follow, but another high-handed man spun her around and forced her to follow the crowd. With her back to the tent, her ears were assaulted with an unearthly howl. Carried aloft on wings of fiery demons, the screams of victims created a macabre symphony of death.

Then the big top collapsed, a whoosh of scorched air followed by eerie quiet.

The silence of the dead.

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.

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 HERE

tour schedule

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