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BOOK REVIEW: Refining Fire
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by Vickie McDonough Dancing Word Reviewer
Title: Refining Fire Author: Carol Cox Publisher: Heartsong Presents ISBN: 1-59310-097-3 Genre: Inspirational/Historical/Romance
So far, life hasn't been very good for Jenny Davis. First, she was orphaned in an Indian attack, and then her guardian proved less than trustworthy. She is forced into frightening situations that cause people to believe she’s a fallen woman. With the help of Michael and Elizabeth O'Roarke, she's finally able to put her past behind her and start anew as a cook in Elizabeth's restaurant.
But Jenny knew things were too good to last. Soon she begins to receive notes detailing her past deeds. People begin whispering behind her back, and she knows the small town has discovered her less than stellar past. The only thing she can do is start over in another town—and Evan Townsend gives her that opportunity. As partners, Evan and Jenny open a restaurant in Tucson. Soon, Jenny also becomes part owner of a silver mine. And while she might trust her initial partner, Red, an old Irish man who's become a surrogate father to her, she doesn't feel the same about Andrew Garrett, a third partner Red brings onboard. Though she's attracted to Andrew, Jenny doesn't trust men. Can Andrew be as good as he seems, or is he a sly hooligan out to rob her and Red of their mine?
Refining Fire is the courageous story of a young woman with the grit and tenacity to overcome her past and make a new life for herself. Jenny doesn’t always make the right choices, which sometimes gets her in trouble. She also doesn’t always choose the right people to trust, but in the end, she learns that she can't run from her problems but needs to face them head on. There is a compelling faith message as Jenny wrestles with being a good enough person for God to love. Many readers will be able to relate to her struggle.
My only real complaint about Refining Fire is that it's more of a women's fiction story than a romance. We meet the hero early on, but then he disappears until half way through the book. Still, Refining Fire is a book that will boost your spirits and hosts a reserved heroine who learns to stand up for herself and who finds out that she's not as alone as she thought. | |
