"... the bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flow'r" William Cowper

I knew this would be an emotional read as I knew about this horrendous fire that took place July 6, 1944. My mother spoke of it from childhood memories, and it has been added into a fictional television series that I watched once. The fatal fire engulfed the Barnum and Bailey Circus tent in Connecticut taking the lives 0f 168 people.
I want to thank Rhonda Dragomir, Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for my copy of the book. This is my own unsolicited opinion. First and foremost, I have to commend the author for handling this true historical event with care and respect. This isn't a pleasant topic. It was a horrifying event, and she presented the reality of it with taste and such emotion on the parts of the characters. She 'let' them tell the story. It's just such an excellent handling of a heartbreaking nightmare. This character driven story is told in a fictional account by one of the circus clowns, Hank and a woman, Evelyn Benson who experiences crushing loss. This story is very well researched and descriptive. It is written as to what may have happened along with the horror of what did take place and how people coped with the aftermath.
I honestly can't praise this touching book enough. It is highly emotional, with both main characters lives being profoundly affected. It is part of the "A Day to Remember" series.

I would never have guessed this was a debut novel! It is a wonderful, emotion packed read. Beautifully crafted, true-to-life characters jump off the pages and into your heart. Thanks to Ms. Dragomir’s vivid, detailed descriptions, I could see and feel the chaos and fear at the Ringling Brothers Circus on that fateful day in Hartford, Connecticut, on July 6, 1994. I enjoyed the sweet love story that unfolds as Evelyn and Hank, with their own personal struggles, search for missing family members and truth concerning the cause of the fire amidst the aftermath of the tragic event. I especially appreciate the strong faith thread and spiritual growth experienced by the characters. This captivating fictional story of hope based on a tragic true historical event touched my heart and stirred my soul, and I highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more books by this author. Note: This is the second book in Barbour’s wonderful A Day to Remember series. Each book in the series is a standalone read.
I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Well, I began reading this book, saw it was about the circus, and thought to myself, I’m not interested in the circus, then put it aside for a few days. Then I picked it back up and could hardly put it down!

The author did a great job keeping the reader engaged in this story about a horrendous fire at a Ringling Brothers circus in Hartford, CT in 1944. She used fictional characters to tell this true story in which nearly 170 people died trying to exit the burning circus tent. The main characters, Hank and Evelyn, are very believable people as is their story. When a tragedy such as this occurs, there are missing people and cases of mistaken identity, both of which happened here. The way the story unfolded and concluded were beautifully done, in my opinion.

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest opinion. Four stars!

On July 6, 1944, a devastating fire consumed a Barnum & Bailey circus tent in Hartford, CT. In Rhonda Dragomir's retelling of this event, the tragedy brings together two strangers together in a desperate search for a missing boy that just might bring healing to their own tattered hears. This was a beautifully written story that instantly drew me back in time to 1944. Whether we were reading Evelyn's point of view at the diner or Hank's perspective as a circus clown and Barnum & Bailey employee, I felt like I was getting a unique glimpse into the past. The author did a fantastic job with the historic setting. The characters were flesh and blood, hardworking, kind, yet flawed people who were both just trying to do their best in life. The story was tragic but tastefully written. I felt Evelyn's pain as she searched for her family. I can only imagine how confusing it must have been to try and reunite children who'd been separated from their parents. I was dying to find out what happened in the end and rooting for Evelyn and Hank to work out the obstacles between them. If you enjoy historical romance, I highly recommend you read this one. I'm curious about the other books in this series, as well, and plan to check them out.

This is book two in the series from Barbour entitled A Day to Remember
Tragedy strikes on July 6, 1944 jn Hartford, Connecticut. Evelyn Benson was supposed to join her brother and his family at the circus that fateful afternoon. Now she has to search for her missing family members after a fire sweeps through a tent with disastrous results. The story relates how Evelyn, a waitress, and Hank, a circus clown, embark on a quest to find niece Lily and nephew Jamie.
Such a heartbreaking story with many obstacles for Evelyn to overcome, including putting her trust in Hank who has his own past to deal with.
A remarkably told story of a frightening event and the grim aftermath. It was intense and sympathetic while conveying some mystery and a budding romance. It had a solid faith thread that delved into the spiritual growth of the characters.
This is the first book I have read from this author and I will be on the lookout for her next offering.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through Celebrate Lit via Netagalley. I was not required to post a positive review. All opinions are mine alone.*

A well written historical novel about the Hartford Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey circus tent fire of 1944. With well paced writing and unforgettable characters, author Rhonda Dragomir has put this disaster into very human terms. I look forward to reading her other recreations of real-life disasters.

Exactly one month after D-Day, history was made again, for a tragic reason without any positivity. July 6, 1944, the Hartford Circus Fire occurred when a fire broke out in a tent during a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performance in Hartford, Connecticut. One hundred sixty-seven people died in one of the worst fire disasters in U.S. history. The story features Evelyn, who has already suffered tragedy during WW2, and then meets Hank, a clown in the local circus. Hank is battling his own demons, but tries to help Evelyn with her struggles. They grow close and then endure a harrowing night when the circus tent catches fire during a show. This book is such a tragedy, and based on a true story, but it's also a story of strength, hope, and faith. It is part of a series, but each book in the series works as a standalone.

Another great book. This is a new to me author but the description and topic on the back pulled me in and kept me engrossed in the storyline to the very last page. This is one I would like to share with my friends so we can talk about. The characters were amazing and I'm still thinking about it.

When the Flames Ravaged is part of the multi author series called A Day to Remember. It is, also, the first book by Rhonda Dragomir I have read. The historical details within the pages of this story made me feel as though I was right there experiencing the events first hand. I love how the author uses the element of faith within the pages.
I am giving When the Flames Ravaged a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for lovers of clean historical fiction, particularly based on true events. I would love to read more by Rhonda Dragomir in the future. I am looking forward to the next installment from A Day to Remember series, Denise Weimer's When Hope Sank.
I received a paperback copy of Rhonda Dragomir's When the Flames Ravaged from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

This book is part of a series, but each is a a stand-alone and written by a different author. July 6th, 1944 is the day a circus tent caught on fire during a show. There were lives lost, heroes and cowards revealed, and families changed forever. This book is fiction, but the tragedy of the circus tent is not. It happened during an already emotionally charged time.
The main character, Evelyn, is a war widow trying to make ends meet when her life is drastically altered by the fire. She meets a circus employee who is willing to help her as she tries to find her brother, sister-in-law and their two children. During the aftermath of the fire, Evelyn struggles with her weakening faith. She has to remember that God is always with us and will help us to find our way back to Him.
*I was given a copy to read by the publishers. My opinions are my own.

Very good!!! This book definitely held my attention and I didn't want to put it down.
This book is part of a great series and I'm looking forward to reading more!

I vaguely remember hearing about the circus fire that occurred during World War II but I have never had the chance to delve further to find out the circumstances that surrounded this tragic event. When the Flames Ravaged gives a heart-stopping account of what happened under that circus tent in Hartford in 1944.

As I was reading, I had to keep reminding myself that this actually happened. It’s so horrific and unimaginable to me. One minute you’re sitting with your family enjoying an afternoon at the circus, and in a matter of seconds it literally goes up in flames, the scars continuing to impact many today. It’s such a sobering thought. I’ve only ever been to a real circus once when I was five years old, so I am no expert of roustabouts by any means, but I have always had a fascination with the circus life.

The novel focuses on one clown in the show, Hank, and a waitress at a local diner, Evelyn, that are deeply affected by the events of that day. Hank is really battling his emotions internally while trying to be strong for Evelyn as they search for Evelyn’s family after the fire, and it shows his character early on. I adored all of the characters and think they were the perfect vessels to flesh out what transpired from a first-person perspective.

After I finished reading, I went to the website that is dedicated to this tragedy and I literally felt like the wind was knocked out of me. It’s one thing to read a fictional account, but quite another to put faces to this unthinkable tragedy. While the culprit has never been identified, I like to think that this was a freak accident and caused by a stray cigarette, because if this was maliciously intended it makes this ordeal that much worse.

There is one scene in particular that was seriously one of the sweetest scenes I’ve ever read in a novel. So incredibly powerful and such a great ending to such a harrowing story.

As with any tragic tale, I wish it would’ve never happened in the first place, but it did and sadly it is an event that is being forgotten with time. Thank you to the author for bringing this horrific event back into the spotlight and doing it in the best way possible. May we never forget the victims of the Hartford circus fire.

July 6, 1944 was a day to remember, but not for a happy reason, but rather for a tragedy. It was on this day that 168 people died and more than 700 were injured in Hartford, Connecticut as a fire spread and brought down a Ringling Brothers, and Barnum & Bailey Circus big top. As horrible asa that was, it could have been so much worse at 6,000 to 8,000 people were in attendance. While Rhonda Dragomir tells the story around her fictionalized characters, her research is evident as she includes the events of that day, and honors some of the victims by including parts of their stories. The emotions in this story swing from deep relief to gut-wrenching grief, from stalwart resolution to mind-numbing weakness. Readers will deeply empathize with Evelyn Benson as she searches for her family, marvel at her brother as he heroically saves lives, and root for Hank Webb as he seeks to help Evelyn while he wrestles with his past. They will be inspired by Bernice Riegel's selflessness as she offers all she has to give.

This novel spurred my interest in the original events of July 6, 1944, and I found myself frequently researching online to learn more. I highly recommend When the Flames Ravaged, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

June 6, 1944 - The Hartford Circus Fire. It was supposed to be a day of fun and laughter. It quickly became one of the worst circus disasters in history. This experience you won't soon forget. Evelyn Benson and Fraidy Freddie begin on a path together to find her missing nephew and answers, as well as closure to the disaster of that day. They soon find they will be forced to face old and new demons as well the horror of the fire on that fateful day. I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing & was under no obligation to post a review.

** “Where did the providence of God end and the responsibility of man begin? Was God’s power limited by the free will of mankind? And what about his own choices?” **

Rhonda Dragomir brings us the second installment of the A Day to Remember series with “When the Flames Ravaged,” a telling of the horrific 1944 circus fire in Hartford, Conn.

Having lost her husband in World War II’s Bataan Death March, Evelyn Benson works as a waitress while living with her brother Bill, his wife Helen and their children Lily and Jamie. They can’t wait to attend the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus that has pulled into town, looking forward to a day of fun and entertainment.

Hank Webb works as a circus clown known as Fraidy Freddie, but he has a secret he’s keeping and a past he’s running from.

But Evelyn’s and Hank’s worlds quickly collide when, on July 6, 1944, a horrific fire occurs at the circus — a performance Evelyn missed due to work but her family attended. Their lives become forever intermingled as they work to search for her loved ones, all while finding love, forgiveness and redemption on their journey.

Dragomir does an incredible job of fictionalizing a real and horrific occurrence, basing characters and events on reality, to create a lovely yet emotional story. She develops incredible characters, all while filling the book with a number of great themes, like how to deal with times we feel God has abandoned us (“Was God with her? Faith chimed, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. But doubt quoted Jesus in His darkest hour. My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?”); blame; sacrifice; no one is responsible for another’s actions; and God’s power and goodness.

Fans of historical fiction and inspirational stories will love “When the Flames Ravaged.”

Five stars out of five.

Barbour Fiction provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

This review is entirely my own opinion.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book when I read it. I was unsure of it to begin with because it is a little different than what I am used to. The author, Rhonda Dragomir, told a beautiful story of love but also the heartbreaks of life. She beautifully portrayed Evelyn's agony but also her story of love. She incorporated the redemption of Hank so beautifully in the story ultimately pointing us to Christ.

This book is about a tough time, and is a hard one to read, as I'm sure it was to write! I don't give this 3 stars because of the author's writing, because I think she's a good author, but instead, because of the sadness of the story, it just wasn't my favorite to read. It's interesting history, and something I really had never heard about, so in that sense, I liked learning about something new. If you're a history lover, you'll want to read this book, especially if you've never read much about this day in history.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Two hurt souls, find friendship and faith in the light of tragedy.

Evelyn lost her husband in WWII, moving in with her brother's family, she finds hope being around family until it is dashed again in terrible tragedy. Based on a real life event, this story tells of the heartbreak and pain experienced by the families of the victims of this horrific event. A compelling and heart rending read, it was just so sad all that Evelyn had to endure. But also encouraging and full of faith.

Overall, at times it was a hard read as the subject matter was just so sad, but I liked how the author gave this story a faith filled message in light of suffering. I liked Hank and Evelyn form a friendship, comforting each other, and leaning on faith throughout. A compelling historical read, about a tragic true and event in history.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I cannot imagine the horror of a huge circus fire. As in any emergency, people panic.
The main characters in the story are real examples of individuals who struggled with guilt, questions of why God allows such tragedies, and feeling overwhelmed at what life threw at them.
You should find yourself seriously thinking through your own responses to life.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

It feels a little awkward to say I have enjoyed Barbour Publishing’s A Day to Remember series featuring great U.S. disasters, but the gripping historical events have created a very interesting series. When the Flames Ravaged is based on the true events of the horrifying Ringling Brothers Circus fire in July of 1944. This intriguing debut novel by author Rhonda Dragomir is beautifully written, emotional and engaging. Both main characters immediately captured my heart and emotions as I followed their journey of reconciling loss with restoration and love. I look forward to reading more books in the series and more from this great new author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read for my honest review.