The Fire in Ember

MILLS, DIANN

THE FIRE IN EMBER

Between one woman's life and one man's heart...a fire burns.

Bert believed returning a stolen horse was the right thing for her to do. But she never imagined ranch hands would mistake her as a horse thief, then sentence her to hang. She couldn't tell them the truth. Neither did she want to die.

Deputy John Timmons's middle name is responsibility. He's been caring for his mother and younger brothers on his ranch for five years. He thought he was saving a boy from a hanging -- his duty. But when he learns Bert is a girl, a whirlwind of emotions send his heart spinning.

Cattle rustlers have invaded the northern Colorado ranches, leaving murder in their wake. Bert is a suspect, especially when she refuses to give her real name or reveal what she's running from. John knows she's afraid of something, but what? He sees a sweet spirit , not a woman who's deceiving his family.

How can John arrest her when she's stolen his heart?

Twists, turns and unforgettable characters make this action-packed page-turner a historical romance with fire.

THIS BOOK STARTS OUT WITH A TENSE ACTION SCENE AND ENDS THE SAME WAY AND IS PACKED WITH SUSPENSE THROUGHOUT.

BERT'S STORY IS COMPELLING AND MILLS EXPERTLY FEEDS US PIECES OF HER PAST A BIT AT A TIME. HER REALITY IS A FAR CRY FROM THE WARM, LOVING FAMILY WHO TAKE HER IN. THE CONTRAST IS PAINFUL AT TIMES AS SHE STRUGGLES TO COME TO GRIPS WITH HER MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE PAST.

JOHN IS THE PERFECT RELUCTANT HERO. HE'S TOO SERIOUS, TOO CAUTIOUS, TOO SET IN HIS WAYS AT THE RIPE-OLD AGE OF TWENTY-THREE UNTIL BERT COMES INTO HIS LIFE AND SHAKES THINGS UP.

WITH ITS GREAT CHARACTER DYNAMICS AND A TIGHT AND TWISTY PLOT, THE FIRE IN EMBER MAKES FOR A CAPTIVATING READ.