Release: Oct 26, 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc
Source: Amazon
Find it at Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, IndieBound
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Crystal Reflections chronicles the early days of the industrial revolution when glass manufacturing peaked in western Pennsylvania. During this time, Paul Zimmerman, a bright, ambitious boy, emigrates with his family from Germany. And he will soon become a prominent figure in the glassmaking business.
Raised by a Lutheran minister, Paul conducts himself by the teachings of his faith and has many friends. As a manager, he also has a few enemies, including Harry McCabe, a labor representative. They have a common interest in a beautiful young Irish girl for vastly different reasons. Amy is the love of Paul’s life. For Harry, she is an object and the ultimate victim of his anger. Paul and Harry’s paths unintentionally cross throughout their lives, even after Amy disappears.
The struggle between forces of management and labor weighs heavily on Paul. Following the early death of his wife, circumstances allow him to reunite with Amy. Even though they have reached into deep middle age, their passion continues. And Paul enjoys a relationship with the adult son he never knew he had. Life becomes useful again, but Paul falls ill with a mysterious condition that would ultimately lead to death. In this weakened state, he struggles with Harry McCabe, which ends with Harry’s destruction.
Set in Pittsburgh during the Victorian era, Crystal Reflections is a story of family, commitment, romantic love, and loss set against the glass industry’s backdrop, for which Pittsburgh was famous long before steel.
About the Author:
John Griffith was born and raised in Pittsburgh. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. John also earned a Juris Doctor degree at Duquesne University School of Law. Besides, he owned a financial services business in Pittsburgh until moving to Florida in 2002.
Since then, he has served as an institutional investment consultant to many of Florida’s largest business and governmental entities. John currently lives on a quiet inlet on Tampa Bay with his wife, Betsy, and their dog, Lucille. Besides his daily work, he writes books, sings, plays guitar, and uses his boat to explore the many natural and historical treasures around the Bay.
Crystal Reflections Review:
I always love reading a gripping historical family saga, and “Crystal Reflections” fits nicely in the category.
Firstly, I loved the details the author put into the storyline. This book is the first one I read revolving around the glass making industry, and it was fascinating. The author nicely adds many subplots that revolve around building and managing the business, takeovers, strikes, and unions. The way he describes the settings and sets the landscape feels authentic to the era. Moreover, he also talks about various diseases prevalent during the time, like Erysipelas and nephritis. The author also adds thrilling moments, like the scenes where people wrongfully accuse Ben, making the story memorable.
Secondly, the characters are refreshing. Paul and Edward are strong characters, and I enjoyed how they went through life with their family and facing challenges headstrong. Moreover, I liked Paul’s relationship with Harriette and Amy. Initially, I loved Paul and Amy’s relationship, but I found Harriette to be a better choice for him in the long run. Also, there are quite a few twists that I did not expect, especially in connection to Paul and Amy. Similarly, even Terence Powderly and Harry made formidable villains, where you didn’t know how they would strike react.
However, I felt the author rushed with the ending. There is a lot of build-up between Harry and Paul, and I wanted more details for the climax. Also, as some of the family’s descendants had the same names as their parents, it was hard to keep track of the characters, namely when they appear in the same scene.
Apart from that, I enjoyed “Crystal Reflections” and found it an entertaining historical romance saga.
