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Reviewed by Joanie Chevalier for Readers' Favorite
October Storms by Amanda Collins Beams is set in the late 1800s in central Illinois, although the first and last parts are set in the 1970s. October Storms starts off with two friends looking forward to sightseeing at Robert Allerton Park, which has a Georgian-style mansion they want to explore. It starts storming and the women hit a dead-end, and that’s when the story brings us into the 1800s. We are soon in the middle of a crisis, with Louise and her two young children running for their lives from an evil man who decided to take advantage of them when he saw that the man of the house had been gone from the farm for quite some time. Readers who enjoy stories set in the 1800s will revel in the authentic settings and three-dimensional characters Amanda Collins Beams creates in October Storms.
What I liked best about October Storms is the careful consideration and consistency with which she created the setting and characters for this story. October Storms is set in the late 1800s and the 1970s, and Amanda Collins Beams is consistent about staying true to the eras throughout the story. My favorite character is Agnes, a businesswoman owning a store, and she gives Louise a safe place to heal, as well as other life-enriching opportunities as time goes on. The talents of the pioneer women are many, and as I read October Storms, I marveled at all they had to go through, sometimes just to get through a day. Recommended for all who love a story full of hope, determination, and perseverance.
