by: Vicki McDonough

Dancing Word Reviewer

Title: Candle In The Darkness

Author: Lynn Austin

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

ISBN: 1-55661-436-5

Genre: Inspirational/Historical/Fiction

Caroline Fletcher is the pampered daughter of a wealthy southern gentleman. Tessie has been her mammy since Caroline’s birth; but Tessie is more than a slave, she is Caroline’s comforter and friend. Slave holding is a way of life in the south—something Caroline never questioned until the fateful day when her daddy broke Tessie’s heart by selling her only child, nine-year-old Grady.

The heinous act broke not only Tessie’s heart, but Caroline’s too. Grady had been her childhood playmate. His ever-present smile always cheered her, but the memory of him screaming in terror as he was ripped from his mother’s arms and hauled away by slave traders, opens Caroline’s eyes to the suffering, hopelessness, and heart-breaking loss slaves endured.

After her mother’s death, Caroline is sent north to live with her aunt’s family. During a two-year stay, she becomes enthralled with the abolitionist movement. Caroline wants so badly to help the slaves gain their freedom, but what can a single southern girl do?

When Caroline returns home, she meets the dashing Charles St. John. Though a slaveholder himself, Charles is fascinated with Caroline’s fiery determination to help those less fortunate. They have many heated debates over the slavery issue, but the two are deeply drawn together in spite of their differences. Caroline and Charles soon become engaged and plan a summer wedding. But before summer comes, civil war breaks out.

With her daddy and Charles fighting for the Confederacy, Caroline supports the cause by sewing uniforms and nursing wounded soldiers. Still, she is haunted by the inhumanity of owning slaves. When Caroline’s northern cousin, Robert, a Union soldier, is captured and requests her help, she is caught in the middle. By helping the Union, Caroline feels she is helping to end the war sooner and bring freedom to those suffering the injustices of slavery. But how can she help the enemy and risk endangering Charles and her father further? And where is God in the midst of this senseless devastation?

As I read Candle In The Darkness, Book One in the Refiner’s Fire series, only one word kept coming to mind: Wow! What an incredibly thought-provoking story. Though loaded with minute historical detail, Candle In The Darkness never feels weighed down or boring, instead, the historical aspect is deftly woven in between scenes of romance, dialogue, and action. This is the first book I’ve read by Lynn Austin, and I was deeply impressed. Her depth of characterization quickly pulls the reader into the story. At times, Caroline’s struggles seemed insurmountable. Conflict abounds in this fascinating story of a timid, young woman’s struggle to live out her faith in a time of turmoil and darkness when no one else will stand with her. I highly encourage you to hurry out and buy a copy of Candle In The Darkness.