I give this story a 4.5 star rating. While it didn’t keep my attention quite as well as its predecessor, it was a very exciting story with a breathtaking backdrop. I enjoyed the angle of Olivia’s backstory and her growth throughout the novel. I very much liked the character of Filbert and would have liked to have seen more of him and his backstory. My favorite thing about this story was the setting. I have never seen Yosemite in real life and now I really want to! Karen described it beautifully. This series has the most wonderful settings! Can’t wait to see where Karen takes us next!

Where the Fire Falls

A Vintage National Parks Novel

by Karen Barnett

WaterBrook & Multnomah

WaterBrook

Christian , Outdoors & Nature

Pub Date 05 Jun 2018

I am reviewing a copy of Where the Fire Falls through Waterbrook Multonomah and Netgalley:

Olivia Rutherford is a watercolorist who has shed her humble beginnings to build her image as an avant-Garden artist who appeals to the regions wealthy art collectors. When she lands lucrative contract painting illustrations of Yosemite National Park for a travel magazine.

Clark Johnson has found a calling as a back country guide after no longer being able to be a minister due to false accusations. And soon he finds himself face to face with the opportunity to be a National Parks Ranger, but is this a true calling?

Clark is able to open Olivia’s eyes to the wonders of Yosemite making her realize that the people are as much a part of this park and it’s story as it’s vista’s. This revelation may bring her Charade to the end.

I give Where the Fire Falls five out of five stars!

Happy Reading

I loved reading this story set in Yosemite. It let me know about how the national parks were early on and tied it to a story within the park. I loved how Olivia was able to go between the two worlds of her former life of poverty to painting for the rich. I loved how Clark was able to help Olivia with trusting others and moving ahead. I look forward to reading more in this series

More from the author can be found here.

As much as I dream of road tripping all over this great big country of ours, visiting California never appealed to me… until this book! In addition to the captivating scenery, Oliva and Clark endure soul-deep seeking, searching, and yearning for spiritual restoration. Nature has a beautiful way of quieting the chaos and allowing us to see our need for forgiveness, direction, worth, peace, hope, etc., in a nutshell, our need and want of the Creator.

My national park bucket list keeps growing with each book in this Vintage National Parks series and I’m looking forward to the next literary journey to one of our nation’s natural treasures! Even if you are never able to visit these places in person, I highly recommend experiencing them through these inspiring and encouraging stories.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

This is one of the best Christian fiction books I’ve read this year. A compelling—and at times quite suspenseful— storyline and a setting like no other in Yosemite National Park make this book a standout. Both Olivia and Clark have pasts that they are trying to keep in their background. Although Olivia is presenting herself with a false identify in order to promote her true artistic talent, she longs to be able to truly be herself again. Clark longs to return to the ministry, but a false accusation in his past is blocking his pathway to return. When late 1920s glamour meets majestic Yosemite, the storyline becomes both intriguing and inspiring. Both Clark and Olivia have lessons to learn about faith, hope, and the unfailing love that God has for His children.

I loved this book, and you will, too. Karen Barnett has joined the list of my favorite authors, and I’m excited to read her next book in this series. Truly deserving of five stars.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The second in a series, Where the Fire Falls tells the story of a budding artist, Olivia, and the Yosemite park guide, Clark, who is hired to the guide her through the park in 1929. This historical romance is not to sugary-sweet and has a little bit of suspense and drama thrown in. I enjoyed the little facts about Yosemite that were thrown in- I had to look up the Firefall! This is definitely a series I will keep reading.

Yosemite comes alive in this novel. Love all the vivid descriptions of the scenery. The camping experience during this time period is interesting. Olivia and Clark's struggles with the future based on their pasts rang true. Very Enjoyable book that makes one want to visit Yosemite. Recommended!

Where The Fire Falls Is a lovely historical romantical parental Spiritual story. Poor Olivia - she is working her GOD-given gift to the bone - why? you ask, well for a heck of an unreal serious reason and that is something you really need to find out what it is. I tell you, at parts my heart ached for her - does she get help? She needs finances bad - why? You ask - again you really have to read this tender story. Does she find love? Does what she is working for work out? Does she follow what GOD wants her to do?

A historical, Christian romance that takes place in the 1920’s In Yosemite National Park. Artist Olivia Rutherford is running away from her past when she accepts a job painting for an outdoor magazine. She must go to Yosemite to paint, but will also be facing many fears as she takes the assignment. A young man at the park is assigned to assist and guide Olivia around Yosemite. Clark works at the park and is not happy when he is told to “babysit" the artist. Olivia has many secrets as well as fears that have haunted her for years. She knows that if anyone finds out who she really is or about her family, her whole career will shatter and she will never find true love. This story is rich in describing the beautiful natural vistas and lovely amenities that are actually at Yosemite. Excellent characterization and interesting plot make this a 4.5 rating with a high recommendation.

Where the Fire Falls by Karen Barnett will be available June 5, 2018 by WaterBrook and MaultWomah. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Where the Fire Falls (2018) by Karen Barnett is the second book in her Shadows of the Wilderness series. This novel is set to release on June 5, 2018 by WaterBrook & Multnomah Publishers. This book will come in all forms including eBook, and is 352 pages in length. With a full-time job and a precocious six-year old at home, Where the Fire Falls took me two days to read. I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from WaterBrook & Multnomah via NetGalley. In no way does this change my opinion of the book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give Where the Fire Falls 5+++ STARS. This novel is a Historical Christian Romance.

Where the Fire Falls may be Karen Barnett’s best book yet. It is SO engaging — I could not put it down. When I had to because of chores I needed to get done I was so annoyed. LOL! The characters, Clark and Olivia, are so well written and believable, but it is their struggles that make them the most relatable. The setting is written in such rich detail that I felt like I was in Yosemite. And, the action is non-stop. The romance between Clark and Olivia grows naturally — none of that insta-love, which I really appreciate because insta-love often feels fake. Overall, this novel is a knock-out!

The main characters in this novel are Olivia and Clark. At the beginning of the novel, both characters are experiencing an identity crisis. Olivia is running and hiding from the sins of her father, while Clark is running and hiding from his former congregation in a Joseph-like situation (accused of something he did not do). Both Olivia and Clark find themselves in Yosemite trying desperately to put the pieces of their lives into something passable for the life they think they (and God) want. My favorite part of this novel is the struggle with identity that both characters deal with. It’s such a realistic problem that everyone goes through.

Of the characters, Clark is the most relatable to me. There is a moment in chapter 18 where Clark goes to Yosemite chapel to talk to God. He begins by saying, “God, I don’t even know what I’m doing here.” At this point, the pastor of the church, whom Clark didn’t see when he started openly talking to God, says, “Maybe I can help shed some light on that.” What follows is one of the best conversations about God that I’ve ever read in a book. It’s amazing!!! I might have made several memes just from this chapter. Hehehe! Anyway, later in the discussion, the pastor asks Clark, “Who are you?” What a great question. Our knee-jerk reaction to that question is always a list of the things we do, which is how Clark responds. I would answer: mother, wife, teacher, daughter, friend. These are the things that I do every day, but it doesn’t actually answer the question, and neither did Clark’s list of all he does. The real answer is that we are children of God. Because I am a child of God, He has formed my life in such a way that I do the role of mother, wife, teacher, daughter, and friend. I think most every person’s crisis of self is really that we are overwhelmed by all we do. We need to step back and remember who we are — children of God — so we know where to go when all that we do overwhelms us.

Where the Fire Falls allowed me to reflect on my identity crisis. It happened after my child was born. In my head, the birth of my child was supposed to be such an idyllic time. I would take on the role of mother and I would be so caring and loving and nurturing. I would know exactly what to do, when to do it, etc. I knew taking care of an infant would be hard work, but I also knew it would be satisfying work that would make me happy. Yeah, I don’t know where I got all that rosy-eyed stuff from because it is malarkey…at least in my experience. In truth, what really happened was I lost myself. The woman “Nicole” disappeared in a single night, and all that was left was a broken, exhausted, hadn’t showered in a couple of days, is that poop on my shirt?, servant who didn’t know up from down. They say that good moms know the different cries their children make — like it’s a secret language between mother and child. The only cry I can tell to this day is the “Mom, I’m hurt and scared” cry. I had no idea what my infant daughter wanted EVER. I couldn’t tell you if she wanted food, a change in diaper, to sit up, to go to bed, etc. She just cried and cried all the time. And with every cry, what made me Nicole would disappear little by little until I woke up one morning devastated because I didn’t know who I was anymore. Where did I go? I used to be a lover of life, books, art, movies, discussions, etc. I used to have such a strong and certain faith in God. Where did that person go? How did I go about getting her back? Was God even listening to my prayers? Did He see all my tears and frustrations? Did He see that I had disappeared and didn’t know how to get back to myself?

Looking back on that time, I can totally see God in everything! Hind sight is 20/20. Eventually, like Clark and Olivia do in Where the Fire Falls, I re-learned to seek my identity in Christ, which did make everything a bit clearer. I realized that God doesn’t stop speaking, I just needed to tune my ears to the right station! Once I came to that conclusion and adjusted myself accordingly, I found myself again. I learned how to be Nicole, but also Bella’s mommy, Robert’s wife, my students’ teacher, my mother’s daughter, and my best friend’s friend. I learned I didn’t have to give up Nicole, I just had to tweak it a little based on where God was moving my steps. When you’re on the correct wavelength with God, your identity becomes so self-evident, and then this perfect peace from God fills your soul. I will most definitely feel overwhelmed by all that I do sometime in probably the near future, but now I don’t have to ever fear losing myself again. I know who I am, and I know where to go when I feel those overwhelmed feelings. This is what Clark and Olivia discover over the course of the novel, and it was a truly excellent trip to take with them!

Where the Fire Falls is a beautiful and brilliant novel. I HIGHLY recommend this book. Not only does it have amazing characters traversing some of the most gorgeous landscape God ever created as they deal with adventures and crises, but it has timely themes that allow the reader to really look into himself/herself and wrestle with the question, “Who are you?”. I adore a novel that allows the reader the opportunity to look within and wrestle with issues, and come out the other side of the book a slightly newer person. Where the Fire Falls does this and more. When this book releases in June, run to your nearest store and purchase this book. The journey one takes in this book is priceless.

Loved Karen Barnett's second book in her Shadows of the Wilderness series, Where the Fire Falls, takes place in the beautiful Yosemite National Park in the late 1920s. Full of danger, suspense and romance. This is a wonderful book. I enjoy Karen's writing.

Olivia is a water-colorist who is a flashy flapper living the high life until she has to take charge of her younger sister. She travels to the National Park to paint for a national magazine.

Clark who is a guide at the park and a former pastor who is put in charge of showing her the sights and because he has been accused of indecent behavior in his past he wants nothing to do with Olivia. But he doesn't have a choice. And the fire falls with sparks of attraction.

I received this book from NetGalley and WaterBrook & Multnomah. All opinions are my own.

The second installment of the Vintage National Parks series was just as enthralling as the first! I loved the Yosemite setting and the unique characters. A few plot lines felt dropped/unexplained, but overall this book was a delightful historical romance and I can't wait to read more from this talented author!

SUPERB!

Where the Fire Falls (A Vintage National Parks Novel Book #2) is superb! Barnett is at her best when taking her readers on an adventure through one of the National Parks. This novel is set in vintage Yosemite and involves two people who are trying to find themselves. What better place for soul searching than in the splendor and grandeur of Yosemite National Park when it was still extremely new and vastly unspoiled by hordes of visitors? A beautiful young woman is running from her past and trying to paint her way to a wonderful new future for herself and her younger twin sisters. A ruggedly handsome man and former pastor, has been serving as a wilderness guide. As such, he is still helping people find their way and he definitely realizes that the young painter is desperate to find find her way both professionally and spiritually. Each of them have their own struggles but they discover that shared burdens are lighter burdens. This novel is jam packed with everything you want in a great book - excellent, realistic characters, creative plot line, incredible descriptions of the spectacular details of major scenic areas in Yosemite and a dark mystery that runs throughout the book. It is superb! I was provided an ARC of this book by WaterBrook and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

I've been going to Yosemite since I was about a month old, so I really enjoyed reading Where The Fire Falls by Karen Barnett. She's done a great job of describing this beautiful national park, and of fitting into the historial timeframe. I'm glad I haven't had to get around the park mostly on foot or horseback – those shuttle buses they have now are sure nice.

The plot twists wore me out a bit, but she resolves things nicely. If you should have the opportunity to read this book while in Yosemite, what a special treat! If not, I still recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook & Multnomah through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A superior five star plot based in a magnificent setting. Burning coals shoveled off cliffs for star-fall like evening entertainment is not the only activity where the temperature is rising. The smoldering romance between Olivia and Clark ignites into a genuine love story. As their relationship heats up, they forge a lasting bond based on their true selves. Each character experiences betrayal and dashed dreams, but finds healing in beautiful Yosemite National Park. The subplots and lingering mysteries keep you guessing until all is revealed at the story’s end.

Christian themes are woven expertly into this story. Clark says, “Olivia, you’re never alone.” Echoing the sentiment behind Hebrew 13:5. As you watch the main characters' plot lines work out for good, you recall that God has a plan for each life, and while you may not see it now, you can trust that God loves you as his heir and intends for you to find your way back to him. The dialogue describing how grace differs from disgrace is heartwarming and original. You’ll remember this exchange long after you finish the book.

This title is book two in Karen Barnett’s Vintage National Parks series. The attention to detail she has given to establish the correct time period reflects a high level of research. The musical references, hairstyles, and male and female attire are right out of the late 1920's.

You’ll be glad you spent time in Yosemite National Park with Barnett’s novel. It’s as grand as the park itself. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher for my honest review. This books is available in early June.

I love hiking, camping and being outdoors enjoying God's beautiful world. I also love christian fiction therefore, I am adoring the Vintage National Parks series! I thoroughly enjoyed every single page of this book. The descriptions of Yosemite Nation Park throughout the story were beautiful and created the most marvelous images in my mind. Liv's & Clark love story was entertaining and sweet. Looking forward to hopefully reading many more of Karen Barnett's books.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Where the Fire Falls is a well written inspirational romance. I loved the plot, characters and setting for this book. The author's writing was excellent and I will be reading more of her books. I recommend to fans of historical romance.

Yosemite National Park is a leading character in and of itself. It's beauty, it's fragrance, it's scenic wonder, and adventure comes to life! Where the Fire Falls is the second book in Karen Barnett's Vintage National Park Series and it does not let down the first! Olivia Rutherford is a starving artist, carrying a huge burden, and trying desperately to financially care for her younger twin sisters. She gets an opportunity that could launch her into the world of success, but she must decide what she's willing to give up, what she's willing to risk, and if constantly trying to hide who she really is, is worth it. There's a theme of discovering who we really are as God's children and being free in that, that runs throughout this story. It's beautifully done and very well written! And the sweet love story that blossoms between Olivia and her tour guide, also former minister, Clark Johnson is delightful. Clark has his own struggle to work through and they are able to help each other. Bravo Karen! Can't wait to get my hands on the next book!

Where the Fire Falls by Karen Barnett is the second book in her A Vintage National Parks Novels series. I have enjoyed the first book, The Road to Paradise, and I couldn't wait to dive back into a story in a setting that I haven't explored. The characters of Olivia and Clark jump off the page. Right from the beginning, I wanted to know more about the back story of Olivia. She intrigued me. Clark was a little different. I didn't learn a lot about his back story or the lack of one right away, which was okay for me. The plot captured my attention and had me flipping through the story. I had a hard time putting the novel down. I loved how Barnett showed her love of this setting through the eyes of Clark. I felt like I was right there with Clark and Olivia as they traveled to scenic parks of the park to paint. A mystery appeared toward the end of the novel, and I loved it. It didn't feel out of place. I actually felt like Barnett wrapped her mystery in the historical novel without any faults. The romance sparkled but bloomed toward the end during the mystery element.
In conclusion, Where the Fire Falls by Karen Barnett is a captivating story taking place in the Yosemite National Park with loveable characters. This story kept me up, and I eagerly await the third book in the series. Fans of historical romance, I believe, will love this story. I sure did!

I received a complimentary copy of Where the Fire Falls by Karen Barnett from Waterbrook Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

This book was well written and very interesting. The first book in this series started off slow but this one was able to grab my attention right away. Olivia was a very interesting character and I loved how she grew and matured throughout this story.

The writing was vivid and I felt as though I was in Yosemite National Park with Olivia, Clark, John and Melba. After reading this book, I truly feel as though I need to visit this wonderful park. I would love to see the beautiful waterfalls, the breathtaking mountains, and camp under the stars at night.
The mystery of this story was a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect there to be some suspense, but it really brought this story to life.

I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to the next one in this series. I love being able to travel to these National Parks without spending any money, and I get to add more places to my travel bucket list! It’s definitely a win-win.


*I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.*