The Fire in Ember by Diann Mills is a romantic fiction novel, the story tells of a Colorado ranch owner John Timmons, and a young girl named Bert (Ember Farrar). John is a respectful, loyal man whose mother and younger brothers rely on. Bert has left her law-breaking family in search for a better life and is found in the village returning a stolen horse. As she is discovered it is assumed that she is a boy and a thief so the village residents prepare to hang her.

The deputy marshal also John Timmons stops the hanging and pays for the horse, taking the young boy in on his ranch to work off his debt, when John discovers Bert is a girl.

As more cattle goes missing Bert is the obvious suspect, and she has to choose between putting the Timmons family in danger or helping her brothers. When John thinks that Bert has betrayed him he turns away from God and becomes bitter. Will he ever discover the true Bert?