Sparks of Hope

By Avrie Swan

A woman rebuilding after tragedy and a grieving father searching for hope discover that the past isn't finished with them.

After the Peshtigo Fire reduces her teaching dreams to ash, Willow Deeran refuses to let the flames win. She pours her last hope into an audacious plan: opening an orphanage for the children left homeless by Wisconsin's deadliest wildfire. All she needs is funding-and a partner she's never met.

Violin maker Valentine Ashardt has spent the year since the fire hiding behind his grief, haunted by the daughter he lost in the blaze. Helping Willow build the orphanage offers more than purpose. As silent co-owner, he'll have access to every child who comes through its doors. Surely, one of them will be his Mary.

As anonymous threats mount, old accusations resurface, and a mysterious little girl with no memory arrives on their doorstep, Willow and Valentine must decide if their dreams might not look different than they'd once hoped. Because sometimes God's plan looks nothing like what we imagined. And sometimes the family we've been desperately searching for has been standing beside us all along.

For fans of Joanna Davidson Politano and Jody Hedlund-a tender story of faith renewed, purpose rediscovered, and love rising from the most unexpected ruins.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1963212770
• ISBN13: 9781963212778
• Release Date: August 2026
• Publisher: Wild Heart Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Inspiring Story of Hope

This is book three in the Peshtigo Fire Chronicles and it was a stunning conclusion. Willow redirects her dreams of becoming a teacher to help the orphans she has met on the streets after the fire has robbed them of home and parents. It broke my heart to think of them on the streets so I could identify with her compassionate heart. Valentine is a loner trying to heal from heartbreaking loss and hope that he will find Mary eventually. In contrast you have spiteful self centered people who want to stop the orphanage and the friendship that has developed which makes for action that has you quickly turning pages. Well written and I loved that characters from previous books finally have complete endings and all is tied up with a bow and gifted to you like a present. I was deeply involved and engaged with each book in this series and learning the history of this fire. I recommend reading this complete series as I guarantee you won’t want to miss out. I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.