Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Courage in the Storm by Laurel Blount

Courage in the Storm

Book Summary

In this powerful Amish romance, an isolated woman and a compassionate man learn that love can build a bridge between their two worlds.

Since witnessing the murder of her beloved parents, Miriam Hochstedler suffers from paralyzing anxiety and a deep-seated fear of the Englisch. Unwilling to venture beyond her family’s Tennessee farm, she forms a close bond with a badly injured gelding. Like Miriam herself, the traumatized animal seems unlikely to recover—until skilled horse whisperer Reuben Brenneman arrives.

A survivor of an abusive childhood, Reuben understands fear better than most. He’ll do whatever it takes to help a terrified animal, but his compassion doesn’t extend to the church that turned a blind eye to his family’s suffering. Once he finishes this job, he’ll return to the Englisch world, putting his Amish heritage behind him forever.

As Miriam works alongside Reuben, battling the horse’s fear—and her own—an unexpected friendship blooms and deepens into romance. But the Amish faith that sustains her inspires only distrust in Reuben, and the Englisch world he’s chosen has already broken her heart once.

Falling in love was easy. But staying together will take all the courage they have.

My Thoughts

Courage in the Storm by Laurel Blount is a touching tale. It is a delight to return to Johns Mill. I enjoyed getting to know Miriam and her caring family along with Rueben and Breeze. Courage in the Storm is well-written with steady pacing. The characters are realistic and developed. I can tell that the author did her research for this story. She captured the fear a human and animal can feel after a traumatic event. In Courage in the Storm, “Fear always has its reasons. It comes down to experience usually.” I like the analogy of relating a wild animal’s fear of humans to be a learned behavior. I see it with the feral cats in my community. They learn to fear humans from their mother and the other cats. The path to healing is bumpy and slow. You can make progress and then an incident happens that will set them back (the old one step forward and two steps back). Rueben came to help a horse and ended up aiding Miriam as well. In exchange, Miriam helped Ruben with his issues.

I liked Johns Mill new bishop, Abram King. He was a breath of fresh air. I like how he handled situations and counseled the members of his community. There is humor in the story (a little levity was needed). I loved hearing about Miriam and her chickens (and the rooster). I had to laugh at the names Miriam gave the chickens. Miriam said that “each chicken has a unique personality.” Courage in the Storm is the third A Johns Mill Amish Romance. It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading Shelter in the Storm and Strength in the Storm. I like that we get to catch up with the characters from both of those books. I am looking forward to reading Home from the Storm (we get Caleb and Rhoda’s story). One of my favorite phrases from Courage in the Storm is, “. . . asking for Gott’s help to do what’s needed. With Him, we can do many things that seem too hard at first.” Courage in the Storm is a heartfelt tale with a fearful maedel, a frightened horse, a patient trainer, concerned relatives, a benevolent bishop, and a gracious Gott.

Courage in the Storm is available from Amazon*. The first two novels in A Johns Mill Amish Romance series are Shelter in the Storm and Strength in the Storm. The fourth book in A Johns Mill Amish Romance series is Home from the Storm which will be out on December 26 (a good way to use you Christmas gift card). Laurel has the inspirational romance A Family to Foster coming out on August 22. Readers can follow Laurel Blount on Amazon and you will receive an email when she has a new book release. Thank you for joining me today. I will return tomorrow with Poaching is Puzzling by Daryl Wood Gerber. It is the twelfth A Cookbook Nook Mystery. I hope that you have an inspiring day. I am off to work on my back bike chain. I am finding the quick link to be frustrating. I have watched several videos and they make it look easy. I can get one side, but I cannot get the other side. I am determined to get it. Wish me luck! Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Saturday, April 2, 2022

Strength in the Storm by Laurel Blount: Review & Giveaway!

Strength in the Storm

About the Book

In this touching Amish romance, a brokenhearted woman and a steadfast man discover that the safest place to weather tragedy is in each other’s arms.

After the murder of both her parents, Emma Hochstedler returns to the small community of Johns Mill, hoping to resume her quiet existence. Reclaiming her place proves harder than expected—especially now that a movie is being made about her family’s loss. But then, an old friend offers her a lifeline that gives her new purpose.

Amish builder Samuel Christner is the biggest—and the strongest—man in town. In fact, the gentle giant has only one weakness—Emma. Even though she broke his heart, he won’t let his childhood sweetheart face her troubles alone. He hires Emma as a nurse for his elderly aunt…and finds himself falling for her all over again.

But while romance blooms, storm clouds gather. And when darkness falls, it will take all Sam’s strength—and all their love—to see them through.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award-winning author Laurel Blount writes inspirational romances full of grit and grace—with characters who’ll walk right off the page and into your heart! She lives on a farm in Georgia with her husband, their four fabulous kids, and an assortment of ridiculously spoiled animals.

A enthusiastic multi-tasker, Laurel writes for both Berkley/Penguin Random House and Love Inspired/Harlequin. She’s the recipient of ACFW’s Carol Award, The New England Reader’s Choice Award and GRW’s Maggie Award. She’s represented by Jessica Alvarez of Bookends Literary Agency.

Strength in the Storm is Laurel’s seventh book—and four more stories are in the works! Courage in the Storm will be out in November. Stay tuned!

More from Laurel

A word from Laurel:

Oh, I can’t wait for you to meet Emma and Sam—they’re one of my all-time favorite story couples! And what an intriguing combination they are: a gentle man known far and wide for his physical strength…and a heartbroken woman—his boyhood sweetheart—who’s his one and only weakness.

Don’t you just love a good second chance romance? I know I do! There’s something so satisfying about seeing a broken love story beautifully mended. Of course, it won’t be easy. Emma and Sam’s story is mixture of joy and sorrow, laughter and tears—lots and lots of bumps on the road for these two. But they’re about to discover that love and faith shine their brightest in life’s darkest moments—and that trouble only makes a hard-won “happily ever after” even sweeter!

My Thoughts

Strength in the Storm by Laurel Blount is a heartwarming story that will capture your heart. Strength in the Storm is the second A Johns Mill Amish Romance. It can be read as a standalone for those who have not read Shelter in the Storm, however, you will be missing out on a special story. In Strength in the Storm, we get Samuel Christner and Emma Hochstedler’s story. Emma and Sam were best friends in school until an incident changed their relationship. That did not stop Sam from doing what he could to protect Emma. The majority of the reporters have left Johns Mill, but now the screenwriter for the movie is bothering Emma. Sam is not about to let that happen. Emma’s younger sister has had a challenging time since witnessing her parents’ murder. It is suggested that Emma may be coddling her sister which is preventing her from recovering. When Sam mentions that his sister, Leah is looking rundown from taking care of their crabby Aunt Ruth, Emma volunteers for the position. Sam stops by every few days to check on Emma (and Aunt Ruth, of course) and looks forward to seeing her smiling face. Sam finds himself falling for the pretty maedel despite his Aunt Ruth’s opposition. What happens, though, when danger reenters Emma’s life?

I thought Strength in the Storm was well-written with developed, relatable characters. I just loved Birdie, Ruth’s Englisch neighbor. She is such a contrast to Ruth. Strength in the Storm picks up where Shelter in the Storm ended. I found myself drawn into the story and I did not want to stop reading (makes it hard to get chores done around the house). The author does not shy away from tough subjects. Strength in the Storm deals with the good and bad. You never know what life is going to throw at you next and I like that the author captured that in this story. The faith element hit the right note. I liked that the character’s had strong faith and trusted God to guide them. There are storms in our lives, but we can trust God to see us through them. I enjoyed my latest visit to Johns Mill, and I hope that I get to visit again soon. Strength in the Storm is an engaging Amish tale with a bouncy buggy horse, a petulant aunt, a steadfast Sam, a traumatized sister, an at large lawbreaker, and a caring Amish community.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Laurel is giving away the grand prize package of a $75 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book! Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click here below to enter.

Strength in the Storm is available from Amazon*. The first A Johns Mill Amish Romance is Shelter in the Storm. Courage in the Storm (third book in A Johns Mill Amish Romance) will be out in November. The cover is beautiful (love the colors).

You can find Laurel Blount's other novels here plus you can follow her to receive an email when she publishes a new book. Thank you for joining me today. Do not forget to enter the giveaway and leave a comment for extra entries. I will return on Monday with When the Crows Away by Auralee Wallace. It is the second book in An Evenfall Witches B&B Mysteries. I am off to work outside. I am trying to get the side garden completed before the hot Florida weather descends for the summer (we are actually having a spring this year). I hope you have an uplifting day and a relaxing weekend. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader