Into the Flames

By the Hands of Men #2

by Roy M. Griffis

Charlotte Braninov, traumatized by loss and her service as a frontline nurse, returns to war-torn Russia to find her family. Captured by the Red Army, she exchanges one hell for another. Her still-loyal Lieutenant, Robert Fitzgerald, believing the woman he loves is dead, struggles to recover from the ravages of combat and typhus. In a desperate bid to rediscover himself, he commits to serve his country as a pawn in distant Shanghai. Forging their destinies in a world reeling after The Great War, Charlotte and Robert will learn anew the horror and the beauty the hands of men can create when they descend into the flames.

Genres: Historical Fiction

440 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2015

About the author

I was born in Texas City, TX, the son of a career Air Force meteorologist. Attended a variety of schools at all of the hot spots of the nation, such as Abilene, Texas and Bellevue, Nebraska. Sent to my grandparent’s house in Tucson, Arizona when things were tough at home. I was pretty damn lost, as my grandparents were largely strangers to me. My older brother, a more taciturn type, refused to discuss what was going on. Fortunately, like so many kids before me, I was rescued by literature. Or, at least, by fiction.

In a tiny used bookstore that was just one block up from a dirt road, I discovered that some good soul had unloaded his entire collection of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “John Carter of Mars” series in Ballantine Paperback. Moved by some impulse, I spent my RC Cola money on the first book, “A Princess of Mars.” I think what struck me was how these books were possessed of magic: they were able to transport me far from this dusty land of relatives who I didn’t know and relatives pretended not to know me to another dusty land of adventure, heroism, nobility, and even love. It was the first magic I’d encountered that wasn’t a patent fraud, and when I closed the stiff paperback with the lurid images on the cover, I decided it was the kind of magic I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to mastering. And, thus, I was saved.

Since then, I’ve never looked back. I’ve written poems, short stories (twice runner-up in the Playboy college fiction contest), plays (winning some regional awards back East and a collegiate Historical Play-writing Award), and screenplays. I’m a member of the WGAw, with one unproduced screenplay sold to Fox Television. Along the way, I’ve done the usual starving artist jobs. Been a janitor, a waiter, a clerk in a bookstore. I was the 61st Aviation Rescue Swimmer in the Coast Guard (all that Tarzan reading wasn’t wasted). I’m also not a bad cook, come to think of it. Currently, I’m a husband, father, and cat-owner. I’m an avid bicyclist and former EMT.

I live in Southern California with my lovely wife. My friends call me “Griff,” my parents call me “Roy,” and my college-age son calls me “Dadman.” It’s a good life. By the Hands of Men, Book Three: “The Wrath of a Righteous Man” will be released in May, 2016.

Reviews

[Stace · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Into the Flames’ is the second book in the ‘By the Hands of Men’ series and picks up the story where the first book ends. I had the pleasure of reviewing Griffis’ previous work and therefore expected much from the sequel.

The cover design sticks faithfully to the graphical format of the first novel, this time with a portrait of a soldier against a backdrop of events of the time.

Initially I was absorbed by the developing story of Charlotte as she travelled through Europe to reach her homeland of Russia. By contrast, the parallel story of Robert Fitzgerald was more protracted and caused the momentum to sag a little.

The author displayed an admirable geographical knowledge of London streets but then rather let the side down by allowing British characters to use American-English terms such as; ‘fall’, ‘sidewalk’ and ‘railroads’. Also I would question the slightly liberal use of the appellations ‘Lord’ and ‘Lady’. However, whilst those small points may well irritate some British readers, they will be largely irrelevant to a wider audience.

As with the first novel, this work is well-written with thought-provoking descriptive passages and a skillful use of literary devices. I again commend the author for doing his historical homework and tackling a complex period of history.

For me, this novel is a victim of its own success. I became totally wrapped up in Charlotte’s story and had the book concentrated on her alone, I could have found no reason to award anything less than five stars. However, try as I might, I just couldn’t engage with the same enthusiasm in Robert’s oriental adventure.

I’ve no doubt the author put his heart into the entire work with equal measure but the themes of Charlotte’s fight for survival in her homeland and Robert’s service to King and Country in China, didn’t really impact equally, making the end result rather unbalanced.

Undoubtedly it was hugely advantageous to have read the first book in the series, as this novel would struggle to stand alone in spite of the reader being drip-fed some backstory. It was necessary to know the main protagonists’ shared history to understand why this book contained two separate storylines.

In spite of my observations, this was an enjoyable read and I look forward to finding out what happens next. If you are a fan of this genre, I recommend this work as a follow on from the first book and award ‘Into the Flames’ four stars.

Reviewed by Julie at www.whisperingstories.com

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roy M. Griffis Presents a Tale of Life, Loss & Love
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The Hell of WWI - Their paths are destined by Fate
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The saga of pain, loss and love continues as Roy Griffis takes us back to post World War I and we pick up the story of the lovely Russian, Charlotte and the English soldier she fell in love with, Robert Fitzgerald. Into the Flames tells of two souls, brutally separated and not knowing what happened to the other, yet each had a path to follow that took them into equally dangerous worlds, as they continued to look into every face to find each other.

Charlotte returns to her homeland, only to find that this is not the Russia she remembers, and is a worse nightmare for her than the battlefronts she has left behind. Robert was sent home to recover from the brutality of war, his injuries and typhus, leaving him a shell of the man he once was, never knowing, but assuming Charlotte has been killed.

Their paths are destined by fate, one to become an agent for his crown and country in a foreign land, one to become a prisoner of war in the war raging within her homeland. Both risk life and limb, both risk their sanity as life continues to be a living Hell, both internally and externally.

Roy Griffis brings history to life, making the horrors of war and espionage breathe as two souls attempt to live on with their hearts shredded with pain. This slice of history, split between both Charlotte’s and Robert’s lives as they attempt to save others to fill the emptiness they feel. Mr. Griffis writes with heart, as he allows his readers to feel each moment as if they were right there. Wonderful characters, some a little mysterious, but all are very well developed and uniquely placed in this saga exactly when needed. Highly recommended reading for history lovers, highly recommended for anyone who likes good reading with depth.

I received this review copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Series: By the Hands of Men - Book 2
Publication Date: November 14, 2015
Publisher: Roy M. Griffis
ISBN: 1492849278
Genre: Historical Fiction
Print Length: 441 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Sally Spoelstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horrible atrocities of done by men told in a great story

I read this book quickly. One reviewer said it was slow. Nope.
Hard to take in the torture and murder during the Russian revolution by both whites and reds. The characters are very believable. I am sure I have met their types.

History made fascinating.

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

By The Hands Of Men Book 2: Into The Flames, picks up where the first book left off. Robert is still healing from his sickness and is also dealing with the loss of Charlotte, whom he thinks is dead. Charlotte has been swept into a world of death when she is one of the only survivors of a train slaughter, due to the fact she is a nurse. She is in the hands of the enemy and is being used for her skills. All she wanted was to find her family, all he wanted was her. She departs on her own journey, while he departs on his.

This story was just as amazing as the first. It shows how Robert and Charlotte are dealing with the new lives they have been dealt and what it takes to survive a country hardened and torn apart by war. The only thing they don’t have is each other.

This book was filled with mystery and a whole lot of action. It was written very well and was a great continuation of the first book. I’m glad Charlotte's story happened the way it did, but Robert’s was sad. I hope to read more of both of them in the future since were left with a wide open story-line....Stormi

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[GREGORY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story just got better and has me hook line and sinker.

After thoroughly enjoying book one, not being a series kind of guy, I was very reluctant to carry on. Unfortunately, if you start this series, do not count on stopping. And guess what, there are 6 yes 6 books in this series and I am about to down load #3 going for 4-5 and 6, whatever. This one was Charlotte in Russia in the middle of the war between the Reds & Whites. Just fabulous.

[Barb Taub · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my high school English class, our teacher screened Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet, assuring us that we would love it because the leads were played by actual teenagers. And I tried, really I did, to get into the tale of star-crossed lovers. Only… not so much. Romeo seemed whiny. Juliet had a bit more backbone, but still didn’t do it for me. It wasn’t until several more versions of the story later that I realized the problem. Romeo and Juliet isn’t a love story—it’s a hate story. The events unfolded, the emo lovers angsted and died, all because of the hatred their parents didn’t hesitate to escalate to the level of open warfare.

In his brilliant epic depiction of the first World War, author Roy M. Griffis introduces us to another star-crossed pair whose love story is set against the backdrop of the hell on earth that is the Great War. Like all the best tropes, the Romeo and Juliet devices continue to be effective. Charlotte is a young teen, a Russian aristocrat whose family has disappeared into the maelstrom of the Russian Revolution. Educated in England, she volunteers as a nurse to the British Army and finds herself assisting at a field hospital in France. The son of an unpopular Irish duke, Robert Fitzgerald is suffering from prolonged assignment in the trenches, an ingrained sense of obligation to his men, and an inconveniently persistent code of honor.

War itself is the third main character, perhaps even the primary one. Neither Charlotte nor Robert can pretend that the hell around them is anything but manmade. She realizes that “…no one could look on that shattered land and feel confident in the sanity of man, nor the mercy of the Almighty.”

Charlotte remembers being taken as a child to view the Sistine Chapel in Rome. But in the war, she learns that while the hands of men can paint heaven, they can also create hell.

[quote]“She could not credit that something so wondrous had been made by the hands of men. As she worked and struggled to keep breath and life in the ruined men on the operating table, she was continually reminded how the hands of man could as easily make a hell on earth, even as she used the memory of the Chapel in Rome as a talisman to push away despair.”

As eighteen year old Charlotte—already an experienced nurse—heads to the front lines, she compares the nightmare landscape around her to a painting by Hieronymus Bosch. “Instead of bird-headed imps torturing the damned or winged monstrosities flaying sinners, she saw bloated corpses of horses and lorries blown inside-out scattered like broken toys along the way.”

When Charlotte and Robert meet, their conversation is a parody of flowery romantic love, with him calling her “My Lady” and Charlotte responding with “My Knight”—all as he holds down one of his men while she operates without anesthetic. While not precisely love at first sight, neither can forget the other even as the sweep of war separates them. From their alternating points of view, we see Charlotte and Robert develop from relatively shallow and inexperienced youths who pass through the crucible of war, honing each to self-confident strength.

Despite the rules and regulations of that most looming of parents, the British Army, the two fall in love. Of course, their relationship must be secret, but just as Juliet has her Nurse, they are aided by Matron, the hospital’s head nurse.

As their story proceeds, Robert and Charlotte are torn apart. Both believe the other dead or lost to them, and their star-crossed romance seems to end in heartbreak and loss.

In Book 2, their separate stories continue, but now the tropes are more aligned with what Gertrude Stein named the Lost Generation. “All of you young people who served in the war. You are a lost generation… You have no respect for anything. You drink yourselves to death.” (Statement quoted by Ernest Hemingway in A Moveable Feast (1964))

Alone in an alien world, both Robert and Charlotte struggle to find their identities. She decides to return to Russia to look for her family, while Robert breaks with his controlling father and returns to the only thing he knows, service to his country.

Although the Great War is officially over, Charlotte is back in Russia, where even the horror of her previous war hasn’t prepared her for the nightmare of pain and suffering that awaits a country in the throes of revolution. Taken captive, starved and abused, she struggles to stay alive, while despairing of escape. “The entire country was her prison.”

Meanwhile, believing her dead, Robert rejects his father and his heritage, and returns to serving his country, this time as a spy— part of the Great Game. As he heads to Shanghai to help uncover and block the spread of Soviet-style socialism, Robert begins finally to try gain perspective by studying history. The impulsive romantic of Book 1 is growing up.

The pace of these books is definitely more marathon than sprint. Apparently, there are two more volumes coming, with Book 3 due out next month. (You pretty much have to read them in order to understand what’s built each story arc.) The supporting characters are both well-rounded, plus they stimulate the character development of our two heroes. And that development is remarkable, as we see them react to the experience of love and of war. And it doesn’t hurt that the writing is terrific. Historical data seems exhaustively well-researched, and descriptions of the various settings are superb. There is even an ever-so-slightly formal tone that hints at Edwardian phrasing without dumping readers headfirst into a flowery Victorian word-vat.

My only complaints (and they are minor) are that while most of the characters are British, the spellings and quite a bit of the syntax are all-American. In addition, author Griffis is not above cliffhanger endings. There are several episodes that seem a bit superfluous, such as Charlotte’s interactions with the Jewish pawnbroker (like that’s not stereotype!) and his viciously bigoted aristocratic customer. It seems as if some scenes with minor characters have as their only purpose to hit us over the head with the racial, religious, or ethnic stereotypes that Charlotte and Robert have (presumably due to their purification in the fires of war) purged from their repertoire.

But as I debated how to rate these books, I looked back at my own criteria for five stars. (Author goes straight to my auto-buy list, books I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone, books I would buy hard copies of and not lend out.) That pretty much nails my reaction to this fascinating series. I can’t wait for the next book!

***I received this book for free from the publisher or author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***

[Cindy Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly good book

This second book of the series is an emotional journey as Charlotte returns to her country, Russia during the revolution.

The conditions of the country and the crazy political atmosphere is told through her eyes having not been in her beloved Russia for near on a decade. It is difficult to imagine the idiocy of the civil war from either the White or Red Army’s standpoint. And this after the Great War’s conclusion. Insanity prevails!

This is a gruesome yet interesting story that I would recommend to readers of historical fiction. Very well written and with obvious attention to historic detail.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sleepless Night

I read the second book, and the Russian part was terrible. It will lead me to go back and read history again. I thought of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in present time and wonder if the Russian people will ever be free. It is a great book weaving together history and great fictional characters. I started the book in the late evening and couldn't quit reading. On to the 3rd one.

[Bob Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

By The Hands of Men, Book Two

The story continues, following Charlotte as she returns to her home country. Wearing her Nurse's uniform she is captured by factions of a Red(Communist) Army and pressed into service. She witnesses the horrors and cruelty of both side of the Bolsheviks Revolution.
Excellent reading, but may be too graph for some readers.

[Mary Kay Wooten · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the Hands of Man, #2

The saga is only getting better. Book 2 takes place primarily in Russia. This was the most descriptive accounts of the Bolsheviks & their reign of terror that I have read. The conditions in Russia during this time were deplorable. Ready to continue with book #3. I can't seem to stop reading this saga.

[P.R. Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author's writing is clear and descriptive. If his research is correct about the Russian Revolution, and I am not a student of that time, I never imaged it was such a brutal time and it makes me wonder about the sanity of mankind.

[M.K. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An atmospheric book, that leaves you in no doubt of the horrors or war. We follow the experiences of Charlotte a teenage nurse sent a hospital near the front line. Here she finds the joy and pain of love found and lost, and the brutality of which mankind is capable.

[Derek Sanderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely excellent!!

Really brings to life the horrors of war no matter the side, yet without unnecessary gore. The historical details are stunningly presented and captivate from the first page. Moving on to Book 3.

[ann betts · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the hands of men

A look into the events of the Russian Revolution. Such a bloody cruel time and I always disliked the Bolsheviks, I think the Reds lived with a bunch of double standards and would eliminate anyone.

[Marianne Raubolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

spellbound until the finish

I read book 1 and 2 and was spellbound along with shock and grief
EveryAmerican should read this book and be thankful that there many good people who are fighting for our freedom and rights.

[Fleta Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

great portrayal of bravery and suffering

The insanity of confused people led by ruthless rulers makes this book very important read and understand. The best part is the heroic work of those who tried to save others.

[Sheila Dugan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exhausting !

This book was so well written that I felt I was right with each character and the experience they each had.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disturbing, yet gripping

Very well researched, I learned a lot about Russian history. This story was hard to put down. I would recommend it to anyone who was not faint of heart.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

The along conditions of war and the human psyche.

[Mary Herold · Rating 4 out of 5]

the horrors of war and the greed of men,

A riveting story of a horrible war. So many innocent lives were lost unnecessarily. How they survived is remarkable. Well written .

[Hilary Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heroine, What an amazing women Charlotte is..makes for a great read, but what's happening with Robert...

[Laurel Joy Davar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic

Few times have seen the depths of depravity as the Bolshevik revolution. This story is well told. Not for the faint of heart.

[Barbara Schofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible

I've read little about the Bold over revolution. This book was eye opening.
I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Russian history.

[Melissa Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 2nd book I didn't enjoy as much. It focused on Charlotte's journey back to Russia with the Bolshelvek (sp) uprising.

[Donna M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

Amazing series. Really brings the era and war to life. Mans inhumanity to man. Read the whole series....a must read for everyone interested in historical fiction.

[Kaitlyn King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey everyone I hope you are having a great Monday. This week, as promised, I have found the time to finish a book and do a review. A while back you may remember that I did a review for book one in this series. Normally I don't do a review past the first book in the series but in this case I am making an exception. I love history and historical fiction. The first book dealt with the First World War and this one deals with the battles that went on after.
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to read this book and I will be reading the third book as well. But let me tell you about this book:
Warning, if you haven't read the first book this will spoil the ending.

The Great War has ended but for Charlotte the battle still rages. Her loving soldier, who had asked her hand in marriage, had forgotten all about her after nearly dying of influenza. Having nothing to hold her in Europe anymore she takes her broken heart and heads home to Russia. On her way there she is taken hostage by the Russian Army who are killing all who they see to be betrayers of the revolution. The only thing that saves her is her kindness and position as a nurse during the War. With bodies piling up around her Charlotte will have to find her strength through the pain of losing the love of her life.
Robert is suffering from a broken heart that he blames on himself. After suffering from influenza he had forgotten the love of his life for a brief moment driving her away from him. When he had finally realized what she had meant to him it was too late. News that she had been killed on the train back to Russia brings him pain in more ways than the war had. Now he is throwing himself into his work in the army. He leaves Europe for China to keep an eye on the Russians who are threatening to take over the Eastern world.
Two lovers, both believing the other to be lost, are now thrust further apart across the world. Will there be any chance at them coming together again? Both will face challenges that will change them in ways the war never could.

I enjoyed this book. The author, as always, has a strong voice for both characters. I like that each Chapter changes points of view to give equal parts to the story of Charlotte and Robert. Since each story shows the difference that each part of the world are handling the aftermath of the end of the Great War it offers more than just a typical love story. If you love history you will love these books.
Characters: A-
Setting: B+
Pace: B
Plot: A
Ending: B
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Have a great day everyone and Happy Reading!
- K

[Carrie Westmoreland Kurtz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow…
That is the best word I can find to describe these books. Wow! So Good!

Roy Griffis contacted me and asked if I would like to read and review the first two books in his By the Hands of Men series and, of course, I said yes. I was honored and, to be completely honest, a little nervous. I haven’t read many historical novels and I have never read any about war. I wasn’t sure if I would like them and I really, really hate writing negative reviews! Mr. Griffis sent me the novels and I was so excited when I checked the mail and they were there! I love getting new books and was thrilled to see that he signed them for me too! I was ready to dive in! I was already in the middle of another book so I made sure I set enough time in my day to get through it so I could jump into my new, beautiful books.

I’m not sure why, but I felt intimidated when I first started reading book one, The Old World. War…it made me nervous. Please like it, please like it! Well, as I read I quickly realized that I was nervous for no reason at all! It was so good! I couldn’t put it down! Before I knew it, I looked at the clock and it was after 1 o’clock in the morning! I had to make myself put it down so that I wouldn’t be a zombie at work the next morning. As soon as I got home from work I picked it back up and devoured the rest of the book.

Right after I finished the first book, I picked up book two, Into the Flames. Once again, I was sucked right back into this beautifully written novel. Oh my word! It was possibly even better than the first book! I didn’t want it to end! So Good!


I highly recommend reading both of these wonderfully written books and I can’t wait to read the third as soon as it becomes available! Thank you so much, Roy Griffis, for sending these beautiful books to me! These are definitely books that I will read over and over!

*Note: I received copies of these books from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Richard Tearle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of two halves. Nurse Charlotte Braninov has returned to England following the end of the war and seeks out Robert Fitzgerald, the man she loves. But he fails to recognise her and Charlotte decides to go back to Russia. But that country is in violent turmoil and she escapes death only because of her nurse's uniform and is sent to the field hospitals of the Red Russians. If possible, conditions are even worse than those she encountered in the trenches. Here she meets and befriends Dr Nikolai, Indrina and the orphan Zlata. Still in love with Robert, she stoically lives from day to day.

Meanwhile Robert, who is suffering from loss of memory following a bout of typhus sustained in the trenches, slowly realises who that woman was who had claimed to know him. But he soon learns that she is dead – at least, so he believes. He then agrees to serve the Government in Shanghai, along with Orlando, his faithful valet. Here he encounters the worst of the Shanghai underworld.

In the first part, Roy Griffis continues where he left off in the first volume – the violence and dreadful conditions of war, the cheapness of life and the cruelty of man – and all without overstating the gruesome parts. But the second half – Robert's story – is much less slower in pace and, whilst not boring, doesn't capture the reader the same way as Charlotte's adventures.

Nevertheless, apart from one or two dubious phrases, the writing is excellent and easy to read and the plots well crafted. Recommended, though it helps to have read the first book in the series.

(for the Historical Novel Society)

[Shelly Wygant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the type of book that when you turn the last page you think to yourself how am I going to write a review that does this book justice.

When book one finished we saw Robert and Charlotte going there separate ways. Robert thinks Charlotte is dead. As he struggles to overcome this he sets sail to Shanghai to serve his country. Charlotte is very much alive and returns to her war torn country of Russia. What she finds there is beyond her wildest nightmare.

This story is about two characters that have to deal with horrible situations. So I loved this story so much because Mr. Griffis does a phenomenal job of making you feel that you are right there alongside the characters. As Charlotte was dealing with corruption, death, war, and destruction. I could smell the blood, hear the gunshots, feel the pain of the soldiers. It was like you are right there in the middle of the devastation. When Robert arrives in Shanghai you can feel the hustle and the bustle of the crowded street. Mr. Griffis does a wonderful job of describing the scenery.

I highly suggest that you read book one, The Old World first. If you want a story that ranges from heartbreak to devastation then you need to read this series. I can't wait to dive into book 3 to get some answers.

This Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review. Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm John Earle's wife, Carol. I'm piggybacking on his Goodreads account, rather than opening my own. He read Book One (The Old World) of the By The Hands Of Men series, and raved about how good it was. Then he read the second book Into the Flames, and raved about it as well. He finally convinced me that I might like the books also.

Typically our tastes in books and movies are similar but not identical, so I had no real preconceived notion that I would like the books. With that neutral expectation, I started The Old World.

Oh, my!

John told me that the characters were what made the books so good for him, and I have to agree. You just LIKE them. You want to be friends with them. Within 15 pages I was hooked, and it just got better and better.

When I finished the first book (on a bit of a cliffhanger), I immediately asked John if he had the second. Of course he did, so I've now finished Into The Flames as well and can't wait to pick up the story in Book Three, The Wrath of a Righteous Man.

These books are extremely well-written in language and with other references that are true to the time period of a century ago. Downton Abbey comes to mind as a time reference.

I now look forward to reading anything that Mr. Griffis writes.