The HEA Cafe

Hi Lyn Cote here!

My latest book Blessed Assurance has three novels in one. The first one is about Chicago in the year of the Great Fire 1871. And here’s a little about what made the Chicago Fire great!

Chicago Blog

Two facts made the fire spread faster in Chicago that fateful night–the raised wooden sidewalks and the balloon framing of the houses. First, think of a fireplace. It must have a draft in order to draw air into the chimney or fire which needs oxygen can’t ignite. So imagine a windy night and long streets with raised wooden sidewalks. The sidewalks not only burned but acted like an open draft on a woodstove or fireplace; the sidewalks sucked in the air, fed the fire and burned.

Now balloon framing is the way we build our houses. It means that each wall is constructed out of tall wooden studs that reach from the foundation to the roof. So if a fire starts on the first floor, nothing stops it as it climbs the walls. In modern homes, fire stops or non-flammable gypsum board is put between floors so the fire can’t just go up up up. The fire stops are placed between each floor so the fire must completely engulf the first floor before climbing higher.

Needless to say, fire stops had not been introduced in the 19th century. In fact, the Chicago Fire brought this construction defect into prominence. And remember that Chicago was built from the Wisconsin and Michigan pine forest wood. Pine burns hot and fast.

Isn’t it funny how it’s these little things that add up to big disasters? Kind of a life lesson, isn’t it?

And here’s a review of BLESSED ASSURANCE by Harriet Klausner.

“Whispers of Love”. Several years have past since the Civil War made Jessie Wagstaff a single mother. She runs a Chicago boarding house as she raises her young son Linc. A new guest Lee Smith makes her feel uneasy as he seems too interested in her late husband’s family and besides she feels attracted to him. However, when the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 threatens mother and daughter, Lee risks his life to keep them safe.

“Lost in His Love”. In 1906 San Francisco social activist Linc Wagstaff demands the city outlaw child labor. To make his case stronger he investigates the Dickensian exploitation. During his inquiries he meets heiress Cecilia Jackson. As they fall in love, he holds her accountable for practices her trustees are doing to increase her wealth. Before they can confront one another, an earthquake devastates the city leaving everyone struggling to survive.

“Echoes of Mercy”. Meg Wagstaff has returned to the States after spending time as a volunteer in France during the war. Her parents, Linc and Cecilia are elated she came back safe, but Meg learns her childhood friend Delman Dubois has been accused of murdering Mitch Kennedy by the New Orleans police. Meg refuses to believe Del would kill anyone so she travels to the city to prove her Negro friend is innocent. As Del faces racism that will gladly lynch him, Meg feels like a traitor as she is attracted to her opponent New Orleans Parish Attorney Gabriel St. Clair.

The omnibus collection of the three superb Wagstaff BLESSED ASSURANCE inspirational historical tales will elate fans of the genre as each era comes alive due to the strong lead couple and a deep support cast.

Harriet Klausner

And Happy Holidays!

Lyn