This was such a good book!  It is centered around two identical twin sisters (Vivian and April Gibbons) the daughters of a famous french singer and wine merchant in Bordeaux, France.  The setting is before, during and after the British and Germans are at war.  As fate would have it both sisters inherit their mother's talent and are separated during a twist of events and reunited under the most difficult circumstances.  Each sister experiences love and heartache in intervals and when all seems lost love conqures all.  

Initially, in the begining I thought the book was going to solely be about Gillian Gibbons but as the story unfolds, it reveals so much more.  It was enchanting the way Ms. MacLean delivered this story.  I could clearly envision the events as they occured and really felt I were a part of them.  Although this brief moment in time took place before I was born, I learned a great deal during this reading and the characters were quite memorable. 

If you enjoy history and a good love story.  Please read this book.  I literally could not put it down.

This book just blew me away.  From the first page to the last, it was like, what, I never expected that.  I don't want to give anything away because one of the best things about reading this book, is I had no spoilers and to see where Julianne MacLean took us was wow.  It has some interesting history, some great characters and a storyline that just kept giving me the unexpecting.  
I would highly recommend this book to everyone.  I have read other books by Julianne MacLean and this was another one of her books that you won't be disappointed in.  After finishing the book, I am still thinking< I can't believe where she took me in this book.  All I can say is WOW!  What an amazing book. I hope you all get as excited reading this book as I did.  After finishing the book, I am still thinking, I can't believe where she took me in this book.  All I can say is WOW!  What an amazing book. I hope you all get as excited reading this book as I did.

A Fire Sparkling is a beautifully-written, moving novel that seamlessly interweaves the story of a family over three generations. The core of the story belongs to Vivian Hughes and her experiences as a young woman during WWII in Great Britain. MacLean gives just enough detail to provide an authentic sense of time and place. Reading this book was a completely immersive, emotional experience for me, with twists and turns that left me reeling. In my opinion,  this novel is a literary masterpiece, one I’m sure to read again; a book I’ll recommend to friends, certain they’ll love it too. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this novel.

A Fire Sparkling will leave you breathless...it is that good!  I am not going to rehash the synopsis because I don’t want to inadvertently give any spoilers. Julianne MacLean has written a story that spans WWII years with lessons that carry into the present for the families of those who lived, those who died and those who loved.  She paints a poignant picture of life as Britain is drawn into war with Germany.  She writes about the bond between sisters and the bond between friends.  She writes about bravery in the face of evil and the effects of secrets that finally come to light.  This is a book that should not be missed!  I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.  Most highly recommend.