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Where the Fire Falls: A Vintage National Parks Novel by Karen Barnett - I could not resist the vintage look of the cover when I saw this book being talked up on several blogs!
Olivia Rutherford is a rising artist trying to make her own way - and to make enough money to support her two younger sisters. She's also trying to distance herself from a scandal attached to her father, so she's changed her name and presents herself as a high society flapper. When she's commissioned to paint scenes from Yosemite National Park for a travel magazine, it could be the big break she's looking for, but since Yosemite is also where her father committed a crime so she's very uncomfortable. A new friend, Sophie, and her wealthy art connoisseur husband Marcus accompany Olivia, but Marcus seems interested in Olivia for something other than her art.
Clark Johnson was a pastor but a false accusation resulted in him leaving his church in disgrace. Now he's a trail guide at Yosemite, and he is hired to take Olivia and her party into the wilderness so she can paint the scenery. Although he initially thinks Olivia is shallow, he starts to see that she is putting on an act and wants to get to know the real person. They begin to trust each other and their mutual attraction is obvious, but can they each put their past behind them and move on?
And while Olivia's artwork is gaining attention, someone is also working against her. Some of her paintings are stolen and destroyed, and someone has told the press about the connection to her father's notoriety. Her future - and her sisters' futures - are on the line, and Olivia will need to decide who to trust. Will she keep on doing things her way and follow her agent's advice, or will she trust God and follow her heart?
I really enjoyed the setting and the characters, and the mysteries woven into the background help move the story along. It starts out with unanswered questions about the crime her father committed and where he is now, but I did not feel like those were adequately addressed. It's a vague shadow over Olivia's life, but one that deeply affects her, yet little regarding it is actually resolved. The book is second in a series, so I wondered if the thread would be picked up in a third book. However, the first in the series is about different characters and a different park, so that seems unlikely. All the same, it was such an enjoyable read that I can't be truly disappointed that all the background wasn't completely filled in. In fact, I'd like to read the first in the series and if there is a third, I'll try to read that too.
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