Lynn Austin

In the wake of the Civil War, the wealthy and carefree Julia Hoffman endeavors to bring meaning into her life when she falls in love with abolitionist and reverend Nathaniel Green, eventually serving as a nurse alongside Phoebe, who has entered the army under false pretenses. Original.

Fire by Night

Jeni Enjaian

**Update** I enjoyed this book the third time around as well. For some reason, whatever makes this book and the rest of the series so special, Austin fails to capture in her other books. This book survives round two of the purge from my personal collection.

I actually didn't mean to finish this book today but I got to a point where I just couldn't put it down.

I liked the fact that the narration was split (somewhat unevenly) between two characters and how Austin brought them together partway through the book and used each character to further the other character's story.

Austin manages to create a compelling story and a character, Julia, that is likable even though at first it doesn't seem so. When she makes a brief appearance in the first book she's a spoiled, stuck-up brat, not extremely obnoxious but just obnoxious enough.

In this book, Julia really grows as a person. Her transformation is believable. Also, I absolutely love the love story although by the end I just wanted Austin to get them together already.

The only criticism I can think of is that the character of Nathaniel Greene is a bit wooden; it's too easy to dislike him although he does show a modicum of growth.

This is a book I could read multiple times. I highly recommend it.

Fire by Night

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