I received a free ebook copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Description
In the Spring of 1881, indigent seamstress Ginny Dahlke arrives in one of the earliest Polish American settlements—Parisville, Michigan.
Deemed charmless and awkward by her mean-spirited sister-in-law, Ginny disparages her chance of securing love.
But sought-after widowed farmer Peter Nickles is enamored by Ginny’s perseverance, her pioneer spirit and, her inclusive acceptance of the indigenous peoples of Michigan.
The seductiveness of a buxom heiress, a twisted story of an old-country betrothal, and the largest natural disaster in Michigan’.s history—The Great Thumb Fire of September 5, 1881, challenge their fledgling attraction and ultimate committal.
My Thoughts
Thumb Fire Desire is set in the “thumb” of Michigan during the late 1800’s. Ginny Dahlke comes to live with her brother and sister-in-law in a Polish American community. I was not very familiar with the area or culture and liked how the author included lots of details about Polish culture. While the characters are fictional, it is based on a real event, a fire that devastated the area. The perseverance and faith of these people shown through in Nickles’ writing. While I knew nothing of the Thumb fire, I was pleasantly surprised that there were many references to the town of Dansville, NY which is a small town in the same county where I grew up. It was a cool connection for me.
I liked Ginny a lot. She was caring and hard-working, but also had a sense of humor. Peter, her love interest, was also a good person liked to play jokes. Peter has suffered the loss of a wife and infant daughter and is naturally hesitant to start another relationship. I enjoy a romance where the relationship really develops and the characters get to know each other. You definitely get that in this story, but I would have preferred that it go a little faster. Peter’s indecisiveness grew tiresome at times. Overall though, it was a sweet, slow-burn romance.