Customer Reviews

Love From The Ashes

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Grace Wyne wants to marry for love. After she refuses her sixth proposal for a 'suitable match,' her mother ships her off to her father in San Francisco. Nate Dempsey, an Irish immigrant, gets a job working for Grace's father as a chauffeur and finds himself immediately fascinated by the irrepressible Grace. Then disaster strikes in the form of the Great San Francisco earthquake, and neither Grace nor Nate's life will ever be the same. Denise A. Agnew builds a triumph out of the tragedy of the 1906 earthquake. She fashions a hero from an ordinary man, a heroine worth fighting for, and a love which can survive anything. Passionate description and an obvious love for her subject make Ms. Agnew's book Love From the Ashes a satisfying read.

LOVE FROM THE ASHES by Denise Agnew is a powerful, original romance guaranteed to satisfy the most demanding romance reader. Set in San Francisco in 1906, historical accuracy sets the remarkable tone and background of this fascinating glimpse into the past.

Nathaniel Dempsey, Nate, is accustomed to division. Coming from Ireland, he has known religious division. Now a member of the San Francisco working class, he knows class division. Yet despite the barriers of wealth and background between them, those divisions aren't enough to keep his attraction and love for Grace under control.

Grace comes from a world of wealth and privilege. Raised in the highest social circles, life in Denver had been an endless sea of social events including parties, balls, weddings and funerals, all very carefully supervised according to very proper rules. But when Grace refuses her sixth proposal, her mother and stepfather banish her to San Francisco to live with her father. Delighted with her newfound freedom, Grace and her stepmother Mary become involved with the suffragette movement.

Grace's father hires Nate to chauffeur his wife and daughter in his new Studebaker. Of course the independent Grace insists upon driving lessons, throwing herself headlong into the adventure. But she wasn't prepared to fall in love with her father's chauffeur. Nor to confront her father's disappointment and displeasure in her desire to pursue the suffragette movement.

LOVE FROM THE ASHES is a delightful reminder of priorities. Combining romance and tragedy, love and unexpected danger, it is a marvelous reminder of what beauty may grow in a place swept clean by fire when love is allowed to grow.

Nate Dempsey is a hero in all senses, overcoming the odds and taking care of the women in his life. The boss' daughter is another woman he protects, and comes to care for. Can he protect her against Mother Nature when she decides to throw earthquakes and consuming fires at San Fransico? You'll stay up late to find out if Grace and Nate can salvage their love from the ashes.

Great story, super characters! Will take you to another time without getting too historically detailed. A must read with fun yet strong characters. Who wouldn't want to lose themselves for a while in a story like this?

I read this book via Kindle in the space of an evening and enjoyed it pretty well, especially the character of Grace. While other reviewers have mentioned sex scenes and "foul language," both are extremely mild compared to most other romance novels.

Constricted by societal dictates and the separation of classes, Grace is a modern, headstrong woman who wants a marriage based on love instead of connections. Sent to live with her father and his new wife in 1906 San Francisco, she begins a rocky, tumultuous relationship with Nate, fresh off the boat from Ireland. Nate is battling his own demons, in particular his attraction to the cinnamon-haired beauty who is out of his social stratum. It is only after the devastating effect of the 1906 Earthquake that makes them realize how precious love is and that it must not be wasted.

This book is what I would call a "slow burn." The sexual tension between Grace and Nate grows at a slow, unhurried pace. When they finally consummate their desire for one another, it's like gas being thrown on a fire. I've read a lot of romance novels, and this one is definitely HOT - page gripping, never want it to end HOT.

The other thing I appreciated about this story is how adeptly the author ended it. Some books build to a climax and then cut you off at the knees (it's over before you realize it) while others drag out the ending mercilessly. This had just the right balance. Also, if you want a quick history lesson on the Great Earthquake and the women's suffragette movement, this book provides both.

This one's a keeper.

I also read this via my kindle and loved the bit of history thrown into a well written love story. Every "page" of the book kept me waiting for the next. Very well written and worth the purchase.

I usually read historicals in the mideivel and regency era, but decided to read one a little "newer". I really enjoyed the true romance and the ups and downs of a budding relationship. Ms Agnew did a great job in writing about the life before the earthquake. I didn't find the language or scenes any worse than movies. I recommend reading "Love from the Ashes".

I downloaded this to read on the kindle on an 18 hour train ride... Well. I didn't get around to it. There were other books, there was the dining car, there was an attempt to sleep, it didn't happen.

So, over a month later, back in my everyday life I look and say "What was that one about?" And realized I hadn't read it yet. So I start to read and I am captivated. Enchanted. Nate and Grace are both absolutely fetching characters and the detail and drama just swept me off my feet and I couldn't put it down--I didn't even get up to pee.

Lots of history, really steamy chemistry between the characters (plenty of heat!) and a beautiful love story that transcends early 20th century class barriers. Denise Agnew FTW!

Simply, I really liked this book, and have recommended it to my friends. Being from the Bay Area, I like reading about my stomping ground during the 1900's. The main character was a strong woman, in a time that women were not supposed to be strong. There's no way you couldn't like it.