REVIEW: “A Race to Splendor” by Ciji Ware
Description [from the back of the book]: In April of 1906, the ground in San Francisco shook buildings and lives from their foundations.
Amidst this rubble, two women find themselves pitted against each other in an architectural competition of daring, corruption, and unimaginable splendor. Fortune and power lie before them… but only for the one who wins…
Ciji Ware’s magnificent novel tells the remarkable story of rebuilding lives in the face of tragedy. From the ashes of San Francisco rises a heroine you won’t soon forget.
This story is based around the real-life first female architect, Julia Morgan, and her rebuilding of The Fairmont hotel in San Francisco after the great earthquake in April 1906. Julia, herself, is a secondary character in the story, though, with the fictional Amelia Hunter Bradshaw taking the lead role as a second female architect!
Amelia and Julia are racing and competing against each other in order to rebuild two of the finest hotels in San Francisco — the Fairmont, and the Bay View. But, Amelia faces trouble at every turn, mostly thanks to her employer, J. D. Thayer and his ex-business associate, Ezra Kemp.
Amelia and J.D. discover a lot about themselves — and each other — throughout the rebuilding process.
I really enjoyed this book, but found a few parts to seem too fake or contrived. It didn’t really pull away from the story, though.
There was less of the romantic side to things than I thought there’d be. But I loved the spunky & fiesty character of Amelia Hunter Bradshaw. And the stuff about the rebuildings was interesting, too. 
Recommended.
Rated: B+
I have this one on my wishlist. I love reading about women who came before their time. Thanks for the review!