Refining Fire

GIVEAWAY

PETERSON, TRACIE
REFINING FIRE

     

Militine Scott, twenty-two, is in training at the Madison School for Brides in Seattle, Washington. Though she has no intention of pursuing marriage–believing no man will have her–she has found the school provides the perfect opportunity to hide her unsavory past.

Thane Patton, though fun loving and fiercely loyal to his friends, hides a dark secret, as well. He finds himse Militine Scott, twenty-two, is in training at the Madison School for Brides in Seattle, Washington. Though she has no intention of pursuing marriage–believing no man will have her–she has found the school provides the perfect opportunity to hide her unsavory past.

Thane Patton, though fun loving and fiercely loyal to his friends, hides a dark secret, as well. He finds himself drawn to Militine, sensing a haunting pain similar to his own.

Will they finally allow God to make something new and beautiful from the debris of the past?

 

My Review:

 

This is the second book in the Brides of Seattle series which centers around the young women enrolled in the Madison Bridal School in 1889.  The crazy aunts are back, running the school, and I adore them! Their scenes are hysterical, their dialogue witty as they bring wisdom and chuckles to the story in measured doses. Best quote in the book comes from Aunt Miriam:

 

"Abrianna, it is not our job to win converts. It is our job to show people the love of God and share the truth of the gospel. You can hardly do that hitting them over the head with the cross."

 

You will note that Aunt Miriam is speaking to Abrianna and that's because, once again, she (and her potential love interest, Wade) steal the show. As in the first book, this one is all about them. Militine and Thane are relegated to secondary character status which makes the back blurb very misleading. This was the same problem with Steadfast Heart.

 

Abrianna is larger than life and in nearly every scene. She's like a revved up Anne of Green Gables and so over the top she can be annoying. But she's endearing as well. She's the heroine who makes things happen. All the action revolves around her and her scheming. Sometimes she comes across as holier than thou (hence the above admonishment from Aunt Miriam) but her heart is in the right place so I found myself forgiving some of her impetuous statements.

 

Militine is a pale shadow in comparison -- and there's a reason for that. She can't shake free from her unsavory past and lives in fear of discovery. Thane is dealing with his own troubled past as well. There was such scope for depth and emotional connection in their storyline but after an intriguing build up everything was resolved in one anti-climatic scene.

 

On the other hand, the relationship between Abrianna and Wade heats up with definite promise. I am hoping the third book finally brings them resolution -- along with a suspense thread (carried on from the first book) that has been left hanging most precariously.

 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Refining Fire please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 2 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!