Book Review – The Fire in Ember by DiAnn Mills

I’ve been a DiAnn Mills fan for some time. Her novels have always delivered, and DiAnn’s latest historical romance, The Fire in Ember, is no exception. It’s actually moved to the top of the list and become my favorite novel by this author.

Some of the characters from her previous novel, A Woman Called Sage, are included in this story. It was great fun for me to be reunited with those people, but it’s not necessary to read the prior novel in order to understand or enjoy The Fire in Ember.

The story takes place in 1888. Deputy John Timmons feels responsible for his widowed mother and four younger brothers. Besides helping to keep the law in the area, he runs the ranch that provides for his family.

John’s world gets shaken up when he rescues a boy, Bert, who is about to be hanged by the owner’s ranch hands for stealing a valuable horse. The boy insists he didn’t steal the horse, but the owner wants to be compensated for the time the animal was missing. Afraid the boy will be harmed, John pays the rancher and takes Bert home to work the debt off on his own ranch. It’s only then that he and his family discover Bert is really a seventeen-year-old girl.

Bert (Ember) has never been treated so kindly, and she’s happy to work as hard as she can for them. The Timmons share their faith and love for God with her—something she’s never experienced. But once her debt has been paid, she plans to leave the ranch, afraid of being found by brothers who abused her.

When cattle rustlers begin attacking the area ranches, Bert fears her brothers might be the culprits. She worries they’ll find her and hurt the family she cares for. But ashamed of her past, and not wanting to put anyone in danger, she keeps her former life a secret.

John and Bert fall in love, but she’s convinced that she’s not good enough for him. And when cattle continue to be taken from surrounding ranches, he becomes uncertain whether he can trust her.

This novel is an action-packed adventure with twists and turns. The Fire in Ember is about facing fears with courage—trusting that God will help. It’s also about sacrifice, family love, and release from bondage (emotional, mental, physical, spiritual) by sharing the truth.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical romance with a Christian world view.




Award-winning author DiAnn Mills has fifty books in print and has sold more than a million and half copies. She was a finalist in the 2008 Christy Award for her novel Lightening and Lace. She is the recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award for 2005 and 2007. DiAnn and her husband have four adult sons and live in Houston, Texas.