A Nurse’s ObligationA Town’s Demise
A Mother’s Regret
A Son’s Calling
A Daughter’s Mistake
A Time to Forgive
For every woman who thinks she left her past behind…Historic, environmental drama wrapped in a love story...
It's 1948 in the steel town of Donora, Pennsylvania, site of the infamous “killing smog.” Public health nurse, Rose Pavlesic, has risen above her orphaned upbringing and created a life that reflects everything she missed as a child. She’s even managed to keep her painful secrets hidden from her doting husband, loving children, and large extended family.
When a stagnant weather pattern traps poisonous mill gasses in the valley, neighbors grow sicker and Rose’s nursing obligations thrust her into conflict she never could have fathomed. Consequences from her past collide with her present life, making her once clear decisions as gray as the suffocating smog. As pressure mounts, Rose finds she’s not the only one harboring lies. When the deadly fog finally clears, the loss of trust and faith leaves the Pavlesic family—and the whole town—splintered and shocked. With her new perspective, can Rose finally forgive herself and let her family’s healing begin?
***2013 Eric Hoffer Award Finalist*** ***Independent Publisher Awards: 2012 Silver, Best Regional Fiction–Mid-Atlantic*** ***National Indie Excellence Awards: 2012 WINNER-- Literary Fiction***
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“Shoop masterfully details familial struggles, secrets, and consequences that keep the reader riveted til the end.” - Melissa Foster
“A great and satisfying read. Rose’s triumph over adversity touched me deeply. Ms. Shoop truly knows how to tug the heartstrings. S. K. McClafferty, author of The Ghost and Devlin Muir.” - S. K. McClafferty, author of The Ghost and Devlin Muir
“This is a well-written story set authentically in a historic place and time, around an intricate plot which includes most of the elements that provide for a good “soap opera,” or a book that would be accepted by Oprah Winfrey.”-Historical Novel Society
About the Author
After the Fog is the second novel by bestselling Kindle author Kathleen Shoop. Her debut novel, The Last Letter, garnered multiple awards in 2011. A Language Arts Coach with a Ph.D. in Reading Education, Kathleen lives in Oakmont, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.
Kathleen has also written award winning Love and Other Subjects and her stories have also appeared in several of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.
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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY !!
THREE Lucky Winners will each receive a $15 Amazon Giftcard,courtesy of After the Fog author, Kathleen ShoopEnding on Sunday 9th November at 11.59pm ESTOpen WorldwideEnter Below & Good Luck !!a Rafflecopter giveaway
After the Fog by Kathleen ShoopMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
After the Fog by Kathleen Shoop is a 2012 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Based on real events that took place in 1948 Pennsylvania concerning the “Killing Smog” the story tells the story of Rose, an independent nurse with a slight penchant for nipping vodka here and there. She is determined her children will have life other than the one most in the town of Donora live, which is work at the mill. But, Rose's husband and extended family is unaware of Rose's closely guarded secrets. All of that will change when the gas from the mill lies stagnant over the town.
Going in I knew this book was not a romance or mystery in the usual sense and that it was stark and depicted a harsh life and living conditions. I have read several of Kathleen's books and at first, I will admit, I didn't really know quite how to take her stories. But, after read a couple of her romances I began to really appreciate her style and grew to admire her courage as an author. She is not afraid to tackle the darker sides of life which is realistic and emotional and raw. And boy does it ever pack a powerful punch.
The only complaint I had with this book was it had a few mistakes in it , they were minor, but it did affect the rating only because I know others have and will bring it up and it should be noted. However, this book is the best one I have read so far from this author. Yes, Rose is a very difficult to understand character, especially in the beginning. However, the more I learned about her past, the more I understood her and felt sympathy for her plight. I know people who are sort of like Rose. She never slowed down, not ever. It was perhaps too painful to stop and contemplate very painful matters or deal with family issues in depth. It was easier to focus on her duties and rules. But, when the funding for her job is in jeopardy, her daughter makes a startling announcement, or two, and her son informs her of his new career plans, plus her marriage begins to show some cracks when she learns her husband, Henry has been less than honest with her by keeping secrets ,Rose begins to turn to alcohol more and more often. If that weren't bad enough the smog rolls in and Rose finds herself face to face with a part of her past she has never been able to deal with and is at the root of all that troubles her soul. One bad thing after another follows like a domino effect until Rose is absolutely broken.
It's at this point that Rose pulls herself up and takes a good hard look at herself and doesn't at all like what she sees. But, is it too late? Has she lost everything?
Well, it's not too often that I end up doing the ugly cry , but this one really got to me. But, not for the reasons you might think. I actually saw hope and inspiration in this story. Life was hard for the people of this town even in the best of times. To have something like this happen was devastating and there were many deaths. It was sad. Rose's life was particularly difficult and while she never meant to come away as being rough around the edges, she was simply dealing with life the only way she new how to. If you have children, then you know you want them to have a better life. Rose wanted that too. She was very disappointed at the direction their lives were taking, and then the behavior of her husband leaves her feeling even more fragile. But, in the end things look much, much brighter. Things will be different from the way Rose thought they should be, but things are going to be much better for everyone without all the baggage and lies and secrets. Rose will know she is loved, respected and that despite some of her terse character flaws, she has set a good example for her children to follow. The bonds of family are like no other and this book shows that although we may go through crisis and we may not always get along or see eye to eye, our family is there for us through good and bad and will forgive us our for our flaws and mistakes like no one else will or can. So I think this story was ultimately uplifting and satisfying.
I really liked this book and I am learning to appreciate this author's voice more and more. This one is 4.5 stars.
