After the death of their father, Collette and Jean-Michel Langelier are no longer tied to post-war France. While his sister dreams of adventure, Jean-Michel is hoping to finally escape reminders of the horrors he faced in the war. When Jean-Michel receives an unexpected invitation for them to visit Alaska and the Curry Hotel, it seems an opportunity for a change he needs. Katherine Demarchis is a … Demarchis is a young widow who does not grieve the dangerous husband she was forced to marry. Now she just wants to retreat to a quiet life, content to be alone. First, though, she’s agreed to accompany her grandmother on a final trip, but never expects to see a man from her past.
Katherine and Jean-Michel once shared a deep love that was torn apart by forces beyond their control. Reunited now, have the years changed them too deeply to rediscover what they had? And when Jean-Michel’s nightmares return with terrifying consequences, will faith be enough to heal what’s been broken for so long?
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One of the perks of jumping into a series after the books have all been released is that you get to read them all right away. I was glad that even though the books are intended to also be able to be read as standalones, many of the characters of the first book were present in this one and I was glad to be revisited by them. Towards the beginning I wasn’t sure if I was going to fall into this one as deeply as the first book, but oh boy did it grip my attention once it had it!
Without sharing the labels this novel touched on some more difficult topics like PTSD and domestic violence. It’s safe to say there were some pretty intense emotions that the characters were wrestling with as they desperately sought peace and healing. God wasn’t forced upon them but seeds were sown that eventually started to take root and it wasn’t until they looked up that things started to improve around them. I appreciated that it wasn’t made into a miraculous “I’m a Christian now so all my pain and struggles have disappeared” type of healing. Faith in Jesus restores our relationship with the Father but it doesn’t immediately fix all of our earthly struggles. He does work in us and through us, but there are things he may not heal us from in this lifetime. It reminds me of the passage in 2 Corinthians 12 when Paul asks God for healing from a thorn in his flesh. God’s response is “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Whatever his ailment was, his weakness continually reminded him of his need for Christ. He couldn’t do it all on his own, but he also wasn’t meant to. Y’all, I think this is a message we could all use a reminder of every now and then.
I truly adored the cast of characters in this book. I especially loved the witty banter between them that proved they were more than just co-workers and friends, but a sort of family. Their care and concern for one another was refreshing to see. The growth that was able to happen in them through the fellowship and spiritual encouragement of one another was also a wonderful thing to witness. I already know I’m going to have a difficult time letting these characters go once I finish the next and final book in the series.
Historical fiction fans? Read this series! I highly recommend it. I will be digging into the next book as soon as I finish this review 🙂
The opening scenes of the second book in The Heart of Alaska Series take place a half a world away from the Curry Hotel. Having survived an uprising in Syria, Jean-Michel’s return to France is soon followed by the death of his father. In response to the promptings of others, he and his sister embark on a monumental journey to Alaska. As this is happening Katherine Demarchis and her grandmother are also making their way by rail to the foot of Denali. Peterson and Woodhouse use their main characters time in transit to anchor their readers into the backstory of widow Katherine Demarchis and Jean-Michel’s forbidden courtship from years prior as well as the abuses Katherine suffered at the hands of the man her parents chose in his place.
Once everyone converges on the Curry Hotel, I couldn’t help but feel at home with the characters I met in book 1—even cranky ol’ Chef. How could a person not find hope and healing in a place surrounded by majestic beauty and friendly hospitality? Well-known and respected narrator, Christina Moore brings this story to life with her passionate and heartfelt delivery.
I always feel like I have learned something about my faith when I read her books. I have read every one she’s written (I think) and look forward to her future books.
Great series
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Enjoyed reading a clean wholesome book with interesting characters.
I would recommend this book to my friends.
Out of the Ashes by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse is the second book in The Heart of Alaska series. Jean-Michel Langelier just lost his father which leaves him responsible for his younger sister, Collette. Collette has been encouraging Jean-Michel to take a trip to get away from the memories that haunt him, when he receives an invitation from Maria Harrison. She is asking him to travel to Alaska and stay at the Curry Hotel. Katherine Demarchis is the widow of Senator Demarchis, but she does not grieve his loss. The man her father forced her to marry was a cruel, demeaning person. Katherine just wants to live out her life as quietly as possible, but her grandmother (Maria Harrison) has requested that she accompany her on a trip to Alaska. After taking the scenic route across the United States, they arrive in Alaska and Katherine is startled to see Jean-Michel. Katherine and Jean-Michel had fallen in love five years prior in France. However, her father was against the match and quickly set out arranging a marriage for Katherine. In the intervening years, they each have experienced different horrors that have changed them (Jean-Michel was a soldier in a war zone and Katherine had an abusive husband). Will the magic of the Curry Hotel and its congenial staff help these two heal? Is there a chance for them to have a future together?
Out of the Ashes is nicely written (I like the writing style) and has a good pace throughout the story. It did, though, take me a while to get into the story. Once I did, my attention was held until the end. While Out of the Ashes is the second book in The Heart of Alaska series, it can be read alone. The religious aspects are prevalent throughout the story (having faith, scripture, forgiveness of others and oneself, power of prayer). We get to see people discovering God and developing a relationship with Him. We get good descriptions of the characters, town and area. This area of Alaska sounded beautiful. I liked the characters who worked at the hotel. They are what make the story enjoyable (enhance it). I felt that the authors accurately portrayed how a victim of mental abuse would act and feel. It is not something that goes away immediately just because the abuser is gone. It can take many years (if ever) for an individual to get the thoughts to go away. There is, of course, some predictability to the story, and I felt that the book was a little too long (could have used some editing). There is a lovely ending that wraps up the main storylines. I give Out of the Ashes 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The next book in The Heart of Alaska series is Under the Midnight Sun.