Refining Fire

Arizona Territory Brides #2

by Carol Cox, Colleen L. Reece

Orphaned, then mistreated by her guardian, Jenny Davis has learned some hard lessons in life. For one thing, she believes God doesnt love her. How could He, when Hes allowed such terrible hardships to befall her? Jenny decides any happiness she may find will have to come about through her own efforts and moves to Tucson in hopes of beginning a new life. Andrew Garrett is in the Arizona Territory to scout out mining opportunities for a group of Colorado investors. He intends to finish the job he was hired to do, then return home--until he takes one look at Jenny. But digging ore out of hard rock may be easier than breaking down the walls of distrust Jenny has erected around herself. Fall in love with this inspiring love story and our entire collection of Christian romance novels from Heartsong Presents!

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 2004

About the author

Carol Cox has an abiding love for history and romance, especially when it’s set in her native Southwest. As a third-generation Arizonan, she takes a keen interest in the Old West and hopes to make it live again in the hearts of her readers. A pastor’s wife, Carol lives with her husband and daughter in northern Arizona, where the deer and the antelope really do play—within view of the family’s front porch.

Reviews

[Dianne Sidebottom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andrew and Jenny met across a room in Prescott but there story develops in Tucson. Elizabeth and Michael aided Jenny out for two years and opportunity to start a fresh. I liked Red's character and Manuel. The next book is about some years later and their son Jacob who goes to Dan's place the son of Elizabeth and Michael.

[Robyn Echols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this Story

I enjoyed this story about a woman trying to outrun her past, only to have it catch up with her. It was a great story about the choices one must make on whom to trust. Great characters and good conflict kept this interesting.

[Linda Branich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is #2 in the Arizona Brides series, which takes place during Arizona territorial times.

Jenny is still working in Elizabeth's restaurant at the beginning of the story, but is finding it very hard to live down a reputation that is unjust, so when a customer offers her a position as a partner in a new restaurant in Tuscon, she jumps at the chance. Through her hard work the restaurant prospers, and she earns enough money to purchase her own house and live comfortably. She is thought of in town as a respectable businesswoman and it seems that she is able to leave her past behind--for a while. Evan, her restaurant partner, apparently has shady business dealings and designs on Jenny. When Jenny refuses him, he lets her take the blame for HIS shady doings and Jenny's life begins to unravel again, just as she begins to have feelings for Andrew.

Andrew has feelings for Jenny, as well, but because she is not a Christian, he knows he must keep his distance and only be her friend.

My favorite characters are Red, an old miner, and Manuel, a young Mexican boy who is the man of the family since his father's death. Jenny begins to look upon Red as a father figure after she becomes partner to him in a silver mining venture. Manuel is a faithful, trustworthy employee and friend to Jenny.

This is pretty simple story--good wins over evil and boy meets girl, but still enjoyable and I look forward to reading the third book in this Christian romance.