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.

Click here to get your copy!

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 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.

Interview with Rhonda

Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.

People often inquire about my unusual last name. Dragomir is Transylvanian (yes, THAT Transylvania). In Romanian, Draga means lover or beloved, and mir means peace, just like in Russian. Dragomir literally means “lover of peace,” and my husband is a Quaker minister.

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Faithful (especially to God), curious, and empathetic.

What book is currently on your bedside table?

I read on my Kindle app so my book is constantly with me. My current read is Within These Walls of Sorrow by Amanda Barratt.

What has been your favorite part of the publishing journey? 

I’m a research nerd. I loved reading every report and perusing every photo of the historical event that is featured in my book – a fire at the Ringling circus in Hartford, CT. A close second would be the friends I’ve made at writing conferences and meeting agents and editors.

Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?

A major plot thread is the search for my heroine’s nephew. His disappearance during the fire and its aftermath is based on the true story of a little boy, one which had a heartbreaking ending. I wrote a happier ending, one which I wish had been true in real life.

Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?

My heroine, Evelyn, is a gold-star widow. She trudges through grief with heavy steps that mirror my own as a young bride. My eighteen-year-old brother died four days after my wedding, and I came home from my honeymoon early for his funeral. Unfathomable circumstances cause us to doubt God’s goodness and power, and Evelyn is comforted and enlightened by truths I discovered on my own journey. Her pain is mine, but burnished by the 45 years of experience I have finding peace amidst the grief.

What were the highlight or key challenges you faced when writing this book?

Writing this book based on true accounts of victims and survivors often put me through emotional turmoil. When faced with such tragedy, the only authentic human response is to weep. Even though I’ve read the book many times, certain passages still make me pause until I can find a tissue. In my interview with the publisher, I broke down in tears as I described the plot. The editor smiled and said, “Oh. You’re one of those writers.” Yes. I am.

What is the key theme and/or message in the book?

Throughout the book I quote the verses of William Cowper’s beautiful hymn, God Moves in a Mysterious Way. One of the doublets reads, “Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.” Disastrous events can cause us to think God is frowning upon us, but if we trust instead of doubt, we will see his smile. His ways are higher than our ways, and although some events will never be understood from the perspective of earthly life, when we reach heaven, we will know even as we are known.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

The best place to discover more about what I’m writing and why is to visit my website: www.rhondadragomir.com.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I’m currently writing two books. One is a World War 2 novel about survival and friendship between two women in Nazi-occupied Latvia I have titled The Invisible Strand, and the other is a combination of an allegorical short story with a 30-day devotional tentatively titled The Fragrance of Surrender.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 30

Pause for Tales, March 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 1

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 2

Texas Book-aholic, April 3

Simple Harvest Reads, April 3 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 4

Betti Mace, April 5

For HIm and My Family, April 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 6

Blossoms and Blessings, April 7

The Lofty Pages, April 7

Connie’s History Clasroom, April 8

Labor Not in Vain, April 9

Holly’s Book Corner, April 9

Cover Lover Book Review, April 10

Inkwell Inspirations, April 10

To Everything There Is A Season , April 11

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 12 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rhonda is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-Gift Card & a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2aa75/when-the-flames-ravaged-celebration-tour-giveaway