FIRE BY NIGHT
Lynn Austin
Bethany House
ISBN 1-55661-443-8
November 2003
Inspirational Historical Fiction
When beautiful and spoiled, Julia Hoffman hears the man she has loved since fifteen call her spoiled, shallow and unbearably self-absorbed, she decides she must change in order to be the woman he wants. After witnessing the terrible battle at Bull Run, Julia ran instead of trying to help the wounded soldiers. So in order to win the affection and approval of Reverend Nathaniel Greene, Julia decides to go to Washington City to become a nurse.
Phoebe Bigelow has always been told that she was too tall, big boned and homely looking to be a girl, her brothers have always called her Ike. So when her three brothers decide to join The United States Army, she remains at home with a position as nanny and cook for a local storekeeper. After the first day, Ike makes the decision to leave Bone Hollow disguising herself as a man in order to join the Army.
As the war rages on, both Phoebe and Julia see things that they would have never seen under normal conditions. Julia, the nurse and Phoebe, the soldier, are dedicated to the cause they believe in. Soon Ike starts to fall in love with one of her fellow soldiers Ted Wilson and she does everything possible to keep him safe. When she is hurt in battle her secret is discovered. Julia leaves the hospital she is working in to go and help the men who are injured on the battle field. She and Dr. James McGrath work side by side to help heal as many people as they can. Dr. McGrath's bedside manner is enough to make anyone want to quit, but Julia will not give up on her work or her feeling for James and Nathaniel.
FIRE BY NIGHT is the second book in " The Refiner's Fire" series, the first book is 'CANDLES IN THE DARKNESS'. What an excellent read! Readers will enjoy how the novel flows from Julia to Phoebe, and how their stories intertwine with each other. Also, the secondary characters play and important role, plus the added fact that the characters from the previous book are also mentioned. This book is available at your local bookstore or www.bethanyhouse.com
