I received a complimentary copy of this book from The Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. No compensation was received for sharing this review and all opinions are my own.
Series: Vintage National Parks #2
Published by Crown Publishing Group on June 5, 2018
Source: The Publisher
Genres: Christian, Fiction, Historical, Romance, Suspense
Pages: 352
Stunning Yosemite National Park sets the stage for this late 1920s historical romance with mystery, adventure, heart, and a sense of the place John Muir described as "pervaded with divine light."
Watercolorist Olivia Rutherford has shed her humble beginnings to fashion her image as an avant-garde artist to appeal to the region's wealthy art-collectors. When she lands a lucrative contract painting illustrations of Yosemite National Park for a travel magazine, including its nightly one-of-a-kind Firefall event, she hopes the money will lift Olivia and her sisters out of poverty.
After false accusations cost him everything, former minister Clark Johnson has found purpose as a backcountry guide in this natural cathedral of granite and trees. Now he's faced with the opportunity to become a National Parks Ranger, but is it his true calling?
As Clark opens Olivia's eyes to the wonders of Yosemite, she discovers the people are as vital to the park's story as its vistas--a revelation that may bring her charade to an end.
Where the Fire Falls is one of the best books that I’ve read this year. I couldn’t put this book down. Honestly, the only thing preventing me from giving this book five stars is that one of the characters grated on my every last nerve. Marcus was a secondary character in this story but his presence distracted me from the overall plot. He was a character I felt existed to get on my nerves. He was a horrible, sleazy sort of fellow.
Aside from that, I loved everyone else. Olivia’s character was well-developed and though she’s a bit standoffish—I can’t help but like her. She puts up false pretenses and lies to protect herself but Clark brings out the best in her. She progressively becomes a better person with his influence and I loved this character growth and development.
Speaking of Clark, he has secrets of his own. Secrets that he begins to trust Olivia with, slowly. With time, these two learn to love and trust each other—and God. They form a beautiful friendship and the love that follows was so natural and beautiful.
I truly loved this book and I was able to follow along even though I had not read the first book in this series. Having enjoyed this book so much—I definitely plan to go back and read The Road to Paradise (Vintage National Parks, #1).
Note: Kristin reads and reviews both Christian and secular fiction on A Simply Enchanted Life. Out of respect for my readers, I am including a content review. This content review will help you decide whether this book is suitable for you.
Christian or Secular: Christian
ASEL Rating: no profanity, violence, bedroom scenes, or other content that could otherwise be considered disturbing. (There is mention of a body being found at the foot of a waterfall—this is non-graphic)
Themes: Romance, Travel, Friendship, Trust
Suggested Age: 13+
About Karen Barnett
Karen Barnett is the award-winning author of The Golden Gate Chronicles (Out of the Ruins, Beyond the Ashes, and Through the Shadows) and Mistaken. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two kids, and three mischievous dachshunds. When she’s not writing, Karen enjoys photography, hiking, public speaking, decorating crazy birthday cakes, and dragging her family through dusty history museums. Oregon Christian Writers (OCW) honored her with the Writer of Promise Award in 2013 and a Cascade Award for her debut novel, Mistaken, in 2014. In 2016, she was named Writer of the Year by the prestigious Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Karen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW) and has been published in Guideposts and other national magazines.
Great review! :) I LOVE this series!!
I can’t wait to read them all! :-)