Through the Fire

Through The Fire by Donna Hiill is the journey of two people finding their way back to love. Musician Quinten Parker can't come to terms with his wife's death. His heart won't let him touch his piano, compose or find love. Tragedy seems to follow Quinten. He never knew his father, his mother left him and his sister to look after themselves when they were teenagers. When his sister is killed Quinten feels that he should have been able to prevent her death. Rae Lindsay has used her music to escape life and love ever since her husband and five year old daughter were killed three years ago. Quinten and Rae are kindred souls, they want to love again but don't know how and are afraid to tempt fate. When they meet, they are surprised by the attraction they feel towards each other. They are drawn together by mutual need and recognition that their feelings have to be dealt with either by coming together or never seeing one another again. With the guidance of Quinten's landlady who is his surrogate mother and Rae's girlfriend Gail, Quinten and Rae decide to give love a chance. But it's not easy, especially for Quinten. He has a young son he has not told Rae about, he just recently found out about Jamel himself. But he likes the idea of his son being in his life. He is still close to his ex-girlfriend Maxine. Maxine and Quinten haven't been together for years but he still feels "something" for her and is disturbed that happily married Maxine is pregnant. When Quinten's mother turns up and wants to be in his life again, he turns to Maxine instead of Rae because "that's what he has always done." Quinten and Rae bring a lot serious baggage to their relationship but fans of Quinn Parker get the sense that he is on the road to happiness at last."Through the Fire" is the perfect title for this novel. The Cover graphic is beautiful. Vannie(~.~)

Quinn Parker and Rae Lindsay are two souls destined to share forever. Quinn could barely live for today let alone tomorrow after the devasting loss first of his twin sister,then his wife. A chance meeting between Quinn and Rae leaves him unprepared for her deep insight into his vain existence, he is stunned by her ability to read into the depth of his pain. But, the confidence in Rae's words don't reveal the real reason she is able to see into the emptiness reflected in his eyes, she too has experienced a terrible tragedy that mirrors the same haunting loss.Quinn feels a kindred spirit with Rae and although he struggles against the rebirth of emotions that flood him, as they progess into a relationship he knows he can no longer be content to hide in his cocoon of loneliness. Rae too,is reluctant to fully give into her awakening emotions, she recognizes Quinn's insecurties but fears she will end up losing in love again. I was in tune as Quinn began to emerge from that dark place he made for himself, learning to live again, accepting the healing power and confident love Rae has opened to him. With the quiet support of family and friends both Rae and Quinn overcome the fires that threatened to consume them and rise like the Phoenix to a renewed life together. This book was awesome.

As always this was a very interesting book. This book bought closure to the Quinten Parker saga. I felt somewhat possessive of Quin, I really would have preferred that he and Nikita made a go of it, but due to her untimely dealth that was impossible. It is good to know that he was able to find love with someone and, hopefully he and Rae will live happily ever after. I admire the way the story was bought to a close and in the end, all parties involved appeared to be happy. I felt as if that was the end of a story well told, and sort of sad to see the saga end of Quin Parker, Nikita, Maxine, & etc. but life must go on and I did enjoy this episode. Donna, you did it again, this is an excellent book and I enjoyed it as I always enjoy your writing.

Through the Fire is what I affectionately call a three-quel, it's the sequel to a sequel. And if you've followed the story of Quinten Parker, you will embrace this story with open arms. Rae Lindsay is convinced that she will never love again, the tragic lost of her husband and her 5 year old daughter has left her cold and empty. She took refuge in the only thing that still brought her comfort; her music. Quinten Parker has existed for 3 years on good and bad memories. He too lost a wife to a tragic accident and he is unable to share himself with anyone, unable to embrace life, and unable to feel and he does not take refuge anywhere. What these two lost souls brought with them was not baggage, it was something worse, they brought guilt, insecurities and mistrust. They had both erected walls so high, scaling them was impossible. Their walls must come down, but how?This has been heralded a Romance read, but I beg to differ, it is a good human story about life and death; about fears and conquering; about love and forgiveness. I strongly suggest you read the stories that preceded Through the Fire, it will give you a better appreciation of the struggle. But this story will definitely stand firm on its on merit. Donna Hill is an excellent story teller, she has spun a story so heart wrenching, it will have you mesmerized as you watch the lives unfold. You will wonder if they can burn the past and rise from the ashes. An absolutely glorious read!Reviewed by aNN

During the month of May 2001 I began to read the romance novels of Donna Hill. This is the fifth novel of Donna Hill that I have read this month. This third installment, which started with A Private Affair, was simply wonderful and on point. Throughout the three novels involving Quinn, Nikkita, Maxine and then Rae. I prayed that Quinn would find peace within himself and come into his own. I was not disappointed.Though the Fire explored Quinn's deeply hidden emotional issues and his ability to either deal with them or not. I truly enjoyed his love affair with Rae, a very strong and committed woman with her own baggage. This is story of two people who lost loved ones and their guilt behind it all. The secondary characters were truly wonderful in that they assisted in seeing Quinn and Rae through their baggage. This was a perfect ending to some very complexed characters and it was a treat to see it all come to fuition. I will definitely read more by Donna Hill!A Fan for Life!