Kindle Edition Audiobook Amazon River of Fire Category:  Action/Thriller Publisher: Leaning Tree Christian Publishers ISBN-10:  1499590539 Type: Fiction Pages: 140 Copyright: May 17, 2014 ISBN-13: 9781499590531 Price: $2.99 (eBook) Adam Wakefield is sure of two things God has called him to pastor the church in Chicago, and he wants Victoria Winters as his wife. Adam Wakefield is sure of two things God has called him to pastor the church in Chicago, and he wants Victoria Winters as his wife. Metting Victoria on the train, he fells in love with the disgraced teacher. Jailed and run out of town, Victoria isn’t sure she can trust Adam. Possibly he just like the men who conspired to against her in Pottsville. Adam is excited about his new position and sees great possibilities for the church. However, things are not as they seem. The leadership is stealing from the church. They murdered the last pastor, and if Adam uncovers their plot, he too will have to die. Unaware of their murderous plan, he changes the policies of the church reaching out to the poor. Can Adam win Victoria’s love and overcome the evil that surrounds him, or will it cost him his life?         Excerpt "Shut up! Stick his shirttail in his mouth," Whitey ordered. Mutely, the twins obeyed, neither one daring to defy him. He could just as easily turn on them. Rearing back, Whitey brought the switch down again. Billy bit down on the rough material of his homespun shirt. He tried to hold on, but on the tenth blow, he passed out, hanging limp in their grasp. Releasing Billy's arm, George screamed, "Stop! Stop, you've killed him!" "Naw," Whitey said. "He’s fakin’." "I'm gettin' outta here," Rudy said, taking to his heels. "Me too," George agreed, following his brother. The two boys ran down the snow-covered road leading to Pottsville. "Cowards!" Whitey called after them. The twins disappeared over a small rise. Kneeling beside Billy, Whitey rubbed snow in his face. "Don't hit me again,” the boy moaned. “I'll get the jar for you." "You better," Whitey said, his face inches from Billy's. "And iff’en you tell on me, I'll whip you harder next time and I'll get your momma too. You hear me?" "Yes," Billy whispered. "What?" Whitey said, shoving his fist in Billy's face. "Yes, I hear you!" he shouted with his last ounce of strength. Jenny Hayman was taking loaves of bread from the oven. She wasn't worried about Billy's lateness. Many times before he stayed after to help Miss Winters clean the school room. Jenny cut off a thick heel of one loaf, buttered it heavily and put it in a pan on the stove. That'll keep it warm 'til he gets home, she thought, humming to herself. She always fixed Billy a snack before he did his chores. She smiled, breathing in the aroma of the fresh-baked bread. It made the house smell so nice. She heard the front door open and close. Thinking that strange as Billy always came in through the kitchen, especially on baking day, she called out. "Billy, is that you? I've got a slice of bread for you on the stove." There was no answer, only the sound of the bedroom door closing. Entering the kitchen, Owen Hayman asked, "Where's Billy? I saw him come in." "I guess he's in his bedroom." Wincing at the searing pain, Billy peeled off his bloody shirt. He balled it up and shoved it under the bed. His father entered the bedroom without knocking. "Son, when you feed the pigs tonight, I want─" Owen stopped in mid-sentence, his eyes drawn to the open wounds on Billy's back. "What happened? Who did this to you?" Tears sprang to his eyes and his thick hands clenched into fists. Billy's mind raced. He knew what Whitey was capable of. His father might stop him, but if he didn't, Whitey would hurt his mom. He had to protect her. "Billy, tell me now," Owen Hayman ordered. His father would be furious with her but Billy had no choice. "Teacher," he murmured. "Teacher did it."

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Life can be very difficult, sometimes challenging not only one's concept of what's fair, but also one's faith. Victoria grew up with her aunt in Chicago. Hoping for a better life than slaving as a seamstress, Victoria takes up teaching in a small town. Little did she know that she was being cheated and set up for ruination and more. Packed onto the train to Chicago, she returns home feeling disgraced.

Adam grew up in a small town. He worked with people as well as being a minister. When a friend recommends him for a job as pastor of a wealthy church in Chicago, he's torn as to whether he should accept. Little does he know that his new role would challenge not only his faith, but also his life. Victoria and Adam meet by chance on the train to Chicago. Their lives continue to intertwine until fate brings them together for life. The bond that attracts them is tenuous at first, as, for differing reasons, the two wonder about the power of attraction that pulls them together. But there is a stronger bond from higher up with greater plans than just Victoria and Adam.

A classic love story? Perhaps. Darrell Case's Christian romance novel, River of Fire, has a thrilling plot that leads the reader through a number of life-challenging scenarios. The characters are well developed, as is the plot for the most part. As the two main characters, Victoria and Adam, learn and struggle with their faith, their journey leads them through the mires of opposing forces of good and evil. A good read.

Upliftingly Beautiful
As a Spiritual Christian my heart resonated with much in this story. We are to worship God in SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH.. Those who don't totally understand the Spirit of God, will NOT get the understanding portrayed in the lives of these people. I did. I believe the author has experienced similar to what he wrote of into these pages. The beginning of the story began harshly with unfairness and lies directed at towards the heroine, Victoria.
I detest deceit. However, I persevered and continued reading and am thankful not to have missed an amazing message. I highly praise this story.
God Bless the author, he writes in similar fashion to myself.
Crystal Mary Lindsey.

Suspense in Big City Church
"River of Fire" by Darrell Case, is a tale of Christian living in the 1880's. A young pastor, Adam Wakefield, from Apple Valley, Arkansas is offered a pastorate at the largest church in Chicago.

Adam's chance meeting with a member of the Chicago Market Street Church, leads to this offer. Though Adam loves his small church and his congregation in Apple Valley, he feels God's leading for him to accept this most exceptional opportunity.

Adam has no idea what big city life entails. Nor has he been exposed to the crime, corruption, downright evil he will find himself embroiled in once in Chicago. He finds both friends and enemies in this suspense-filled tale.

I loved this book. I could hardly put it down. It is a story of suspense, drama, romance, faith, the love of Jesus as well as of the power of the Holy Spirit and redemption.