Ashes of Remembrance

It should have been a happy day in Ballyknockanor. Joseph Burke and Kate Donovan were finally getting married. But the rejoicing turned to sorrow when the groom was arrested at the reception for his part in the recent Irish repeal movement. Unknown to Joseph and Kate, this is part of a larger scheme by neighbor Colonel Mahon in an attempt to take over their lands. As he plots and schemes, Kate finds herself in danger. Joseph becomes a further victim of the plot. Will last minute attempts to stop his punishment be successful? Will he and Kate ever be reunited? Can she survive Mahon's plans for her?The first part of this book was so hard for me to get through, I thought about quitting. I just wasn't sure that I could deal with any more of the character's sadness. But just before I quit, the pace of the story really picked up and I got drawn into these character's lives once again. There are so many fascinating plots levied against them, I had a hard time putting the book down until I reached the satisfying ending. As always, the Thoene's back up their story with wonderful historical research that makes this time period come vividly to life.With the way this book ended, you can bet it won't be too long before I'm back for the final chapter in these characters's saga. And I'm sure I'll enjoy it just as much as I did this chapter. Well worth reading.

Most novels don't portray real life situations, and often there is this feeling that everything is going to turn out all right. This novel takes you through a real life experiance, which if you treat like real life and avoid skipping to the end, takes you through an immensely difficult time in history, where the only thing that will keep you going is your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to see you through the trials. Since real life is unpredictable and at times completely unstable, Thoene does a fantastic job of portraying some of the harsh realities, struggles and responses to those realities that make the characters able to keep going even when all looks hopeless. Despite the struggles or perhaps because of them, there is victory possible!Despite the differences in that time and ours, Thoene's characters reach across the gap of history and pull the reader into their lives. It's another masterful piece of writing!

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the Galway Chronicles- I'm anxiously awaiting my copy of the next book. I really enjoy historical fiction, and I love anything about Ireland's past, so these books have been such a treat for me. I'm even recommending them to my dad, who strictly reads non-fiction, because I think he would enjoy them immensely. Through all the tragedies and horrors that these characters have experienced, one common theme is evident- God is always there, always protecting, loving, and comforting, even while the world is crashing all around. A sincere thank you to the authors, for conveying such a wonderful message and a terrific story.

I must admit that at first I had some trouble getting into the Galway Chronicles. I think now it was a matter of getting used to the authentic Irish dialect and the fact that the heros of the story are Catholics! After chapter two of the first book my brain adjusted and I have been hooked ever since. Marvelous stories! This one follows the story of Kate and Joseph and the beginning of the political troubles of pre-famine Ireland. I am learning things I never understood about the true beginning of the Irish troubles. More than that, my faith is being stretched. My ingrown prejudices against Catholics (don't all Protestants have even a bit of suspicion?) have been challenged. My heart has been opened to those whom I have been taught all my life to suspect. Could Catholics know and love the same Jesus I know? Well, what a thought. Probably these books will offend a number of Protestants because they seem to show that both Irish Catholics and Irish protestants really banded together in that time to free themselves from English rule. They had a common love of Christ and of liberty. They were something like the founding fathers of our own nation!~ What a revelation! Are these books banned in England? Are they burned in some Protestant church parking lot because they seem to say that Christ is alive and well in the hearts of men and women on both sides of the denominational lines? I have known that my goal as a beliver in Life for the unborn was shared by Catholics. I was once surpirsed by that in my early days as a bigot. Now I am finding that we share the same Lord, the same baptism, the same hope. Bravo to the Thoenes for writing a series of novels which tell the truths of God's love so clearly in such an unexpected way. The topic was explored with great courage and tremendous spiritual insight. Can't wait for book four!May God bless them in tearing down the walls between Protestant Christians and Catholic Christians. (Just as they have done between Jews and Christians in their Zion books.)