About the Book

Book: When the Flames Ravaged

Author: Rhonda Dragomir

Genre: Christian / Historical / Romance

Release Date: March, 2024

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 devasting blaze of unknown origins consumes the circus tent along with Evelyn’s hopes and Hank’s anonymity.

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About the Author

Rhonda Dragomiris 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 has multiple published works in anthologies and periodicals, along with numerous Bible studies studied weekly by more than 10,000 women around the world. Rhonda has garnered numerous writing awards for both fiction and nonfiction, including her selection as 2019 Writer of the Year by Serious Writer, Inc. In 2020 she was also a finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest for her first novel, a 16th century historical romance.

More from Rhonda

The heroine’s last living family members are struck down in a tragic fire. Will she crumble? Will she tumble into bitterness? Will she forsake her faith? We view life through her eyes and wonder, “What would I do?”

The best fiction sails the vast sea of human experiences and explores how we survive when storms roil the waters. Triumph, tragedy, victories, valleys—though we have not lived through the exact events as the characters, we feel the same elation on the crests and despair in the troughs of the waves.

This is why I love to write historical fiction, especially romance. I interweave my own thoughts and feelings with those of my characters. My words become theirs, and their responses mirror my own as I fight to keep my head above water.

I spent dozens of hours researching When the Flames Ravaged, the story of a horrific circus fire in Hartford, Connecticut on July 6, 1944. I gasped, I wept, and I marveled at the courage of rescuers who sacrificed their own lives to save others. True, live-or-die battles fueled my imagination, and composite characters leaped to life.

At one point, my hero dives into dark water, grasping with frail human understanding to comprehend the scope of the disaster. He decides good and evil are locked in an everlasting struggle, and humans are mere pawns stuck in the middle. Then he asks, “What is the use of serving God if He won’t protect you?”

Who has never asked the same thing when tragedy strikes? Pat answers and platitudes won’t suffice. Only a personal quest to discover an acceptable answer to this age-old question will help us find peace in the midst of the churning sea of doubt.

I hope my novel will toss a live preserver to everyone treading water.

My Thoughts

When the Flames Ravaged is written by

Rhonda Dragomir. This is book two in the Day to Remember series. The series is written by multiple authors with a focus on American historical events that changed so many lives.

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus train chugs into Hartford, Connecticut. So many people are excited about it. They desperately needed something entertaining while war rages on. Clown Fraidy Freddie aka Hank Webb is hiding some hard stuff deep down. He’s trying to get everything set up and blend in when he has to deal with some unsavory circus characters. The circus has to hire people on the towns that they are in due to the shortage of bodies from the water.

Evelyn is a war widow. She lost her husband in the Bataan Death March. She lives with her brother, Bill and her sister in law Helen. Along with their two children Lillie and Jamie. She works long hard hours for minimum wages at a local diner. She is looking forward to visiting the circus with her family. However, her boss calls her into work.

Once the circus is all set up the matinee is all ready for the show on Thursday, July 6, 1944. While the show is starting up flames burst out. Despite Hanks efforts there is a lot of carnage that is left behind. Hank and Evelyn are drawn to each other. Hank tries to be the pillar of strength for Evelyn while she has to sort a lot out. However as details of the fire emerge can their friendship withstand it?

This is a beautiful written story based on a horrible tragedy. The author has done great research to bring this part of history to life. The story is well written and so engaging.

I’ve been loving all of this series. Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.