Aimee’s fiancé disappeared literally hours before the wedding was to take place. Later, he was declared dead; his parents buried Jonathan and returned to their homeland. Aimee and her family prepared an underground cave to hide from the Yankees; however, she was alone in it when “they” came and destroyed everything she had ever loved. She managed to rescue her devoted personal maid, Lulu, but her entire family was gone—except her older brother and sister, David and Florette. David had mysteriously disappeared; Florette ran a bordello in New Orleans.

Aimee’s disastrous life changes continued as she journeyed toward New Orleans which was the only place she had to go. She had never believed in God, but she could not allow her name, and that of her family, to be damaged by working for her sister. Throughout this excursion, God put certain people into her path who would, one day, play a large role in her life. The only constant in Aimee’s heart at this time was her hatred of Yankee soldiers!

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!

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Sweet

Reviewer: Brenda Talley
April 24, 2007