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Refiner's Fire #1-3
Refiners Fire Pack, #1-3
Each book in this powerful Civil War trilogy from award-winning novelist Lynn Austin's powerful Civil War trilogy offers a unique and shattering perspective on the conflict while exploring the deep affect the war had on the faith of a nation.
1296 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2004
5 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Austin
45 books5,550 followersFor many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.
Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother (age 98), and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.
Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.
Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published 27 novels. Eight of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.
It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.
Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother (age 98), and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.
Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.
Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published 27 novels. Eight of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 14, 2018
Powerful stories of the struggles of people that lived through the Civil War. Surely this gives an accurate picture of what it must have been like to be a black person and a white person that saw how unkindly they were treated. Strong Christian messages throughout. An inspiring read!!
July 18, 2024
I really enjoyed this story about a southern Belle right before & during the Civil War. She's a devout Christian & the book includes many times when someone reads a passage from the Bible out loud, but it wasn't preachy or overbearing in the least. Its very natural. The story deals with many topics, but especially slavery, & why it's so wrong.
The main character pretty much risks her reputation, her relationship with her fiance & friends, & even her life, but she grows, & over time, she becomes strong in her reliance on God. Her beliefs are always based on scripture, God's promises, so it's not blind faith, nor some nebulous, vague hope. I was impressed by her, how she handled the shaky situations she found herself in; it's hard to describe. She is not a 'Pollyanna' or a "holier than thou" type, either.
I highly recommend this book to anyone. It has romance & humor mixed in with a story that is set during an extremely tumultuous time in America, when there was much division & unfortunate bloodshed. I thought the ending was too abrupt, though. It was like turning a corner & almost running into a brick wall, it was so abrupt. I would have preferred it if the author had taken some time with the latter part of the story, maybe just another chapter or two? But it is a very good book by an awesome author!
The main character pretty much risks her reputation, her relationship with her fiance & friends, & even her life, but she grows, & over time, she becomes strong in her reliance on God. Her beliefs are always based on scripture, God's promises, so it's not blind faith, nor some nebulous, vague hope. I was impressed by her, how she handled the shaky situations she found herself in; it's hard to describe. She is not a 'Pollyanna' or a "holier than thou" type, either.
I highly recommend this book to anyone. It has romance & humor mixed in with a story that is set during an extremely tumultuous time in America, when there was much division & unfortunate bloodshed. I thought the ending was too abrupt, though. It was like turning a corner & almost running into a brick wall, it was so abrupt. I would have preferred it if the author had taken some time with the latter part of the story, maybe just another chapter or two? But it is a very good book by an awesome author!
January 18, 2025
4.5. I enjoyed all 3 books in this set. Historical fiction--book 1: a southern belle living a life as a slave owner's daughter joins the abolitionist cause. Book 2: civil war through eyes of 2 very different girls. Book 3 A slave girl and how she finds freedom--and is it all she thought it was cut out to be?
February 26, 2020
My absolute favorite book series. Candle in the Darkness is the one I like the best out of the three but they're all equally well-written.
I'm not normally a fan of historical fiction, but this book trio tells the tales of three women whose lives are intertwined during the Civil War. It covers the time before, during, and after the war, with each book recounting the experiences from a Southerner, Northerner, and Slave's point of view.
I'm not normally a fan of historical fiction, but this book trio tells the tales of three women whose lives are intertwined during the Civil War. It covers the time before, during, and after the war, with each book recounting the experiences from a Southerner, Northerner, and Slave's point of view.
August 26, 2020
These books are probably my favorite books ever. I enjoy the Civil War time period and Lynn Austin took me there not once, not twice, but three times. I have read these books multiple times and once I start them, I can't put them down.
December 14, 2020
Simply amazing.
October 10, 2023
Amazing
April 23, 2025
My first Novel I read by this author. Austin's depiction of life in the south during the Civil War, pulled me in! It quickly became one of my favorites by her!
December 13, 2018
The Refiner's Fire series by award-winning author, Lynn Austin, explores themes deep in the human experience against the backdrop of the American Civil War.
The books are not consecutive, but rather cover the war years from different perspectives of loosely affiliated characters. Austin familiarizes readers with the major battles and politics of the Civil War against the backdrop of key locations including Richmond, Virginia; Philedelphia, Pennsylvania; the different path of Western Virginians; Washington City (which became Washington D.C.), Charleston, South Carolina; Beaufort, South Carolina, and various battlefields.
Book 1, "Candle in the Darkness" is driven by a southern belle who develops abolishionist beliefs; finding herself in the south and on the wrong side of the conflict leads to excruciating decisions about "What is the right thing to do?".
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book 2, "Fire by Night" explores the war years from the perspective of Northerners challenged to determine "What is worth fighting for?"
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book 3, "A Light to my Path" documents the oppression of slaves who long for liberation; As they wonder if the promise of freedom is an illusion, they are forced to wrestle with "How do I move beyond my past to create a new life?"
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a character forming read that goes beyond mere enjoyment or entertainment to challenge the reader regarding the deep questions of life with which we all struggle. As with the other Lynn Austin work I've reviewed, "Eve's Daughter's", this series ranks among the best Christian historical fiction I have read.
An excellent series for book clubs who are willing to commit to the three books, as they are not simply chronological extensions but intertwining perspectives. While the main characters are predominantly women, the strong men among the cast are also compelling, and I would not limit my recommendation to women only; men interested in the subject matter and open to the genre will not only enjoy, but also profit from, reading this series.
Eve's Daughters, Austin, 1999
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The books are not consecutive, but rather cover the war years from different perspectives of loosely affiliated characters. Austin familiarizes readers with the major battles and politics of the Civil War against the backdrop of key locations including Richmond, Virginia; Philedelphia, Pennsylvania; the different path of Western Virginians; Washington City (which became Washington D.C.), Charleston, South Carolina; Beaufort, South Carolina, and various battlefields.
Book 1, "Candle in the Darkness" is driven by a southern belle who develops abolishionist beliefs; finding herself in the south and on the wrong side of the conflict leads to excruciating decisions about "What is the right thing to do?".
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book 2, "Fire by Night" explores the war years from the perspective of Northerners challenged to determine "What is worth fighting for?"
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book 3, "A Light to my Path" documents the oppression of slaves who long for liberation; As they wonder if the promise of freedom is an illusion, they are forced to wrestle with "How do I move beyond my past to create a new life?"
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a character forming read that goes beyond mere enjoyment or entertainment to challenge the reader regarding the deep questions of life with which we all struggle. As with the other Lynn Austin work I've reviewed, "Eve's Daughter's", this series ranks among the best Christian historical fiction I have read.
An excellent series for book clubs who are willing to commit to the three books, as they are not simply chronological extensions but intertwining perspectives. While the main characters are predominantly women, the strong men among the cast are also compelling, and I would not limit my recommendation to women only; men interested in the subject matter and open to the genre will not only enjoy, but also profit from, reading this series.
Eve's Daughters, Austin, 1999
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
April 1, 2014
I loved this great historical fiction book. This takes place during the Civil War and follows a young girl who begins her story as a girl then a young woman and tells of her family, friends, slaves, and her courageous efforts to help end the war and do what God wanted her to do, regardless if it meant losing all she had to do what she felt was right. It was interesting how both sides, the Union and Confederate quoted scripture supporting their viewpoints. It was quote fascinating and helped me to see things from both perspective. In the end, of course, God's will is done as no man should be a slave to another man. It is well written and educational. The only reason I did not give it a 5 is because the main character often conflicts her actions with her thoughts without fully explaining her reasoning.
February 12, 2014
Austin wrote a novel of historical intrigue and passion. Details to the war added complexity to the daily routine of life for the people of both sides of the issue. She used the emotions of human love to give views for both sides and let human compassion win. I look forward to reading the next installment.
July 25, 2018
I really enjoyed this series. They are easy reads, yet captured my attention and caught me unaware of the emotion I would feel as I was swept into the world of 1860's America. The three books are written loosly during the same time frame during the American Civil War and follow the main characters as their lives are intertwined in ways they don't even realize.
February 22, 2009
A well written and inspiring hystorical fiction series from the civil war. Not a typical series, as each story tied into the next, but with different characters and story lines. I enjoyed each different approach.
May 25, 2013
After just going to Washington, D.C. And touring Gettysburg an all of the history around the area, this book really spoke to me. I believe I've always been a history fanatic and this series was absolutely amazing to read and I soon became lost in this truly beautiful series
July 16, 2023
I loved how you can see relatively the same events, but through the eyes of 3 completely different people. I also enjoyed how all of the characters lives are intertwined more than even the characters themselves they know.
January 9, 2012
Each book is written from a different perspective on the Civil War. It gave me things to think about I have never considered.
February 23, 2011
Loved all of these books!
August 28, 2011
All of Lynn Austin's books are good. One of my favorite Christian authors.
February 22, 2014
this was a great civil war/rights era series. I really enjoyed it.
April 15, 2014
I absolutley adored this series, I cried when I finished it :(
September 16, 2014
I loved this book if you love history this book is the best and it is also Christian
July 12, 2021
I found myself quickly transported to a different place and time.
This is a 3 book historical fiction series set in the time of the Civil War.
Lynn Austin never lets me down.
This is a 3 book historical fiction series set in the time of the Civil War.
Lynn Austin never lets me down.
April 7, 2023
Without a doubt, my favorite Christian fiction series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews