I always enjoy novels based on real historical events
It’s good to understand how past events influence our lives today. The Angel of Second Street brings 1880’s Eureka, California, to life – the good (Ida and Blaine, and their commitment to living as Jesus commands) and the bad (those with power and control over them, who basically forbid them from following their beliefs).
I especially liked the way the story shone a light on immigration, showing that current views on immigration are nothing new but also showing that communication is key (and banishing the immigrants is not the answer). One thing I’ve never understood is why “good Christians” would forbid sharing the gospel with immigrants (or slaves).
I suspect that illustrates another age-old problem: the love of money is the root of all evil.
Ida is only seventeen, and has had a relatively sheltered upbringing, which meant she sometimes came off as naive and a little immature. However, her heart is set on following God which means it’s in the right place. She did have a lot of freedom, often more than I’d expect for someone of her age and upbringing. Like any teenager, she sometimes misused that freedom, believing that she knew better than the aunt and uncle who raised her.
Sometimes she was right.
Blaine is older, having just graduated college, and now preparing to work in his father’s business. Unfortunately, his father is not the nicest of men (to put it politely), and the two don’t see eye-to-eye on Blaine’s future or on how to deal with the “problem” of Eureka’s Chinatown. It’s great to see a hero who takes a truly Biblical approach to life, and I was really rooting for Blaine and Ida to get together.
I recommend The Angel of Second Street for historical fiction fans, especially those looking for solid Christian fiction suitable for teenagers.
Thanks to Barbour and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
About Barbara Tifft Blakey
Barbara Blakey is a freelance writer and the author of the award-winning literature-based language arts program Total Language Plus. Barbara is also a nationally recognized speaker, conducting workshops and seminars for Christian women’s groups and homeschooling conventions for more than fifteen years. She lives in Olympia, Washington, with her husband, Terry.
Find Barbara Tifft Blakey online at:
About The Angel of Second Street
How Can Compassion be Considered Wrong?
When life is weighed down by challenges, pillars of enduring hope and love are always waiting to be discovered.
Ida Dempsey has grown up in a privileged life of luxury thanks to her aunt and uncle. Although Second Street—where women of ill repute ply their wares—is off limits to respectable citizens, her heart of compassion compels her to frequent the area, hoping to make a difference in their lives. Ida has also befriended Qui Shau, a Chinese woman who keeps house for her family, but friendships between the whites and Chinese are taboo in Eureka. Ida tries to keep secret her forbidden compassion, but someone is watching and will use it against her.
When Blaine Prescott meets Ida at a church picnic, his parents warn him away from any relationship with the young lady who has been seen on Second Street in the company of a Chinese woman. But how could such a kindhearted, lovely young woman be anything but good? But when riots break out in Chinatown and Ida disappears, Blaine will do anything to find out where and why she has gone.
Sara Beth Williams is a published author of Contemporary Christian romance, an ACFW and CIPA member and freelance writer. She has a background in freelance publicity, blog managing, newspaper journalism and nine years in the field of education. Two of her three novels have been nominated for a Selah Award. A Worthy Heart (2020) and Anchor My Heart (2022). She lives in Northern California with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not held hostage by the keyboard, she enjoys playing guitar, reading, gardening and spending time with her family.
