Refining Fire

A historical fiction book, Refining Fire is the second in the Brides of Seattle series, set in Seattle Washington 1889. This book is about the Madison Bridal School, where young women come to learn the etiquette to run a household and the hopes of finding a husband. Militine Scott has come to the school, not to a life of marriage, but an escape from a pain past no thanks to her father. Due to her lack of trust in men, Militine is not quick to realize that she has caught the eye of Thane Patton. He too has a past to hide. Together they begin to trust in God and follow His path, causing them to grow in their love and to heal from the past in their lives.
Tracie Peterson's beautiful use of historical periods, along with the deep struggle show more her characters face, really makes me continue to love and read her books. As I have been a fan of Christian fiction books for quite a few years, I believe that Mrs. Peterson has always done a remarkable job introducing her readers to their faith at just the right time in her books. She did not disappoint me with Refining Fire, and I am anxiously waiting for the next book in the series. The book I found was a very quick read; that kept me engrossed all the way to the end. show less

Refining Fire by Tracie Peterson is the second book in the Brides of Seattle series. It takes place in Seattle, Washington Territory in 1889. Abrianna Cunningham and Militine Scott attend the Madison Bridal School. Militine is attending the school, but she is not serious about finding a husband. She has secrets in her past (she is only twenty-two) and does not think anyone will ever want her if they find them out. Thane Patton knows something about secrets. He is attracted to Militine and would like her to consider a future with him. Can these two overcome their past to have a beautiful future? Will they be able to survive Abrianna and her ideas?

Refining Fire can easily be read without having enjoyed the first book in the Brides of show more Seattle series. I have read just about every book ever written by Tracie Peterson and this is the first one that I have not enjoyed. I found it to be very preachy. It is over the top, in your face, shove it down your throat preachy (I prefer it to be more subtle). The story is cute though predictable. It is a normal, Christian romance book. I did not like Abrianna. I found her to be an unlikeable character (very pushy). I give Refining Fire 3 out of 5 stars. The writing is good (as always), but I just did not enjoy the story.

I received a complimentary copy of Refining Fire from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. show less

I love Tracie's books, and this is on par with the rest of hers. It started off a bit slow, but by a third of the way in, I was hooked and couldn't wait to find out what happened. Definitely recommended!

Christian Romance

This is the 2nd book in the Brides of Seattle Series, however it can be read as stand alone.

Militine is a very bitter young woman in 1889 Seattle Washington. She has turned her back on God. Her best friend Abrianna Cunningham is the adopted daughter of the prioress of the Madison Bridal School, very religious and zealous in her beliefs, to the point of being obnoxious at times. Both young women live at the Madison Bridal School of Seattle. Militine has a past that she is running from and what better place to hide than the Bride School.

Abrianna is a little general and determined to open a food house (soup kitchen in our time) on the docks for the homeless, poor, and disenfranchised. She pulls in Militine and 2 young men show more that watch out for the women at the school, Thane and Wade. Thane is a voluntary fireman and boat repairman, he never talks about his violent past to anyone except Wade; Wade is a Christian and a carpenter by trade; he loves Abrianna. The food house is a resounding success. Ms. Peterson painted a vivid picture of how we fight spiritual battles with ourselves. Thane is fighting such a battle but his friend Wade is diligent in presenting the message of God, his forgiveness, and his love. Of course there is a villain, Priam Welby who is very sly in hiding his true nature from Abrianna whom he desires. The history of human traffic is long and our villain is in the illegal trade of foreign antiques and human trafficking. Ms. Peterson used this unsavory history in her story. Ms Peterson also portrayed Seattle’s history of water shortage due antiquated water and hydrant system to fight fires and the great Seattle fire.

Ms. Peterson did a great job of showing the growth of our characters spiritually. We watch Militine and Thane become loving, forgiving, trusting people; they fail in love. The message of Gods love and forgiveness is throughout this story, but presented in such a way as to not be preachy or pushy. Ms Peterson gave Abrianna several hurdles to overcome, her fathers sudden appearance, a new Pastor that doesn’t like woman in positions of power and wants to subdue Abrianna, a villain that is courting her, and sweet Christian Wade that loves Abrianna.

We have 2 very different personalities in Abrianna and Militine. Abrianna is an extrovert very forceful in her presentation of God and I felt Ms Peterson was showing how each of us can appear when we are in the mist of doing the jobs we feel God wants us to undertake. She is force to be reckoned with. We watch as she travels the snares of courting. Militine is an introvert. She is hiding her feelings and her past, terrified of being hurt again and the past rising its head. She believes God has abandoned her, and we get to watch her grow into a wonderful and loving person as she comes to know Gods love and the love of Thane.

The story never lags, it kept me interested from the first chapter. It has a lot of action, the history in the story was fascinating, and a woman’s place in that time period was illuminating, especially as portrayed by the Pastor of her church. I found Abrianna refreshing as she would not fit in the woman’s mold as it was thought in 1889. The romance in the story is very clean. Ms. Peterson included mystery, faith, selfishness and unselfishness, forgiveness, guile, reunion,evil and love into a wonderful book anyone should enjoy.

I would highly recommend this book.

I received this book from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an honest review. show less

I have enjoyed reading stories from this author for several years and love it when what she writes is a part of a series. Refining Fire is part of the Seattle Brides Series and is a great read. It gives you insight into not only what it is like for her characters, but what Seattle was like during the time frame.
Militine is attending the Madison Bridal School, not to become a bride, but to escape from her past. She finds herself learning to trust with the help of her friends Abrinna and Wade as well as with help from Thane who is seeking answers himself. Each learn to work together and trust God to make it all work out.
More from the author can be found at http://www.traciepeterson.com/

I received a copy of the book free to review from show more the publisher. show less

Second book in the "Brides of Seattle," by Tracie Peterson. A historical fiction set in Seattle, Washington in the 1890s. Abrianna and Militine are friends who live at the Madison Bridal School. Abrianna is adventurous and feisty while Militine is quiet and withdrawn, trying to hide her past. Throw in one or two unsavory characters and it makes a great summer read!