Book Reviews

Five Angels from Fallen Angel Reviews -~ Reviewed by: Linda L.

Flame From Within is a stirring poignant read. One cannot help but be swept into the historical events of the Civil War, and the aftermaths each family shares. Shirley Kiger Connolly pens a great historical read, depicting many ranges of emotions within her characters. This well-written drama shows the betrayal and hatred that sweeps during the war, as well as the solace each injured soul, in time, is able to find when learning to love and live once more. I was truly captivated with this story, and my heart went out to all the characters.

Four Books from Long and Short of it Reviews - ~ Snapdragon

This romance is truly an affair of the heart and will engage your emotions, as well as your imagination. Connolly's almost-poetic descriptive phrases, well developed scenes, and penchant for complexity even in supporting characters will make you believe you are looking directly into history.

These is a beautifully written historic romance, and I recommend it highly. Find a warm spot by the fire on a snowy day, and curl up with this incredible epic. I'm going to go have a second read.

Four and a half Hearts from The Romance Studio _ ~ Brenda Talley

This saga was written in much the same way at Gone With the Wind! It covers several years, different places and times, and all cumulates in one central place. The myriad of characters are extremely believable and give credence to the overall story. The one constant in the story is that God always led Aimee (even when she did not know it) into the path of someone who could help her and who continued to pray for her.

Flame from Within is an incredibly well-written, easy to read, impossible to put down, chronicle of one young lady’s journey through the years of the Civil War. Kudos to the author, Ms. Connolly!

5 stars
GAhome2mom
Goodreads

What can I say? I seldom have read romance novels secular or Christian. Shirley Kiger Connolly does magic with this novel. There is never a dull moment in the Flame from Within. If you enjoy romance novels, this just might be the book for you. I did not want to put it down until it was finished and I wanted more. Bravo!

5 sgtars
C. Connolly "Arklan 4316" (Heidelberg, Germany) (Amazon)

Shirley Connolly grabs the reader's attention quick by plunging into the devastation of the latter years of the American Civil War. The main character, Aimee, epitomizes the deep bitterness between South and North--an animosity that has all too often been overlooked by the passage of time. This was an ugly conflict and Ms. Connolly does a sound and believable job of using the emotions of the time to drive character decisions that would otherwise seem strange to us today. From the devastation of Vicksburg to the seedy bordello of the French Quarter to the wreck that used to be pre-Civil War Virginia, this love story is about choosing victory over vindictiveness trusting in God to remove the bitterness within your heart in order to let His love and the love of others find room--a profound lesson in this day and age of extremism. I read this in two sittings over two days. It will pull you in and keep you in your chair because you will want to know how it ends!

5 stars
mamacope (Tennessee) (Amazon)

Shirley Kiger Connolly has once again brought her readers a story with historical value, with insights into the era of the old south and the lives of those suffering through the Civil War. The story weaves a tale of loss of family, the rebuilding of lives and loves regardless of the the "side" of the North vs South. The character Aimee learns to love, forgive and has a healing of the heart and mind as she comes to have a relationship with God. Her faith grows and walls erected from the war come down. You will find this story compelling and will want to read from page one to the end without stopping. Mrs. Connolly has a talent of telling a story which you find yourself deeply involved and left wanting more with the next sequel! Enjoy a great read!!

5 stars
Patti Walters (Healdsburg, CA) (Amazon)

I loved this book! I loved the Civil War setting, the historical accuracy, the characters, the plot. The story told of the struggles the people of the south went through towards the end of the war. Aimee became my best friend. I could relate to her bitterness towards her "enemies" and the desire to do the right thing. She was awakened to personal spiritual challenges. I would recommend this book to anyone ~ my husband has read it, and he doesn't enjoy reading!

5 stars
Flame From Within, April 30, 2008
L. A. Bernardich "L. A. Bernardich (Youngstown, OH) (Amazon)

Hi Shirley~

I just finished your book "Flame From Within"
This is a very good book. Great story ~ very detailed.
Yoy have a creative imagination.
It is a page turner. I enjoyed it very much

Thank you Shirley ~ Keep writting ~ God be with you.

Lulu Ann Bernardich
April 30, 2008