🐎 🌩️ “Courage in the Storm” (Johns Mill Amish Romance #3) (2023) 🌩️🐎 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Johns Mill Amish Romance (Book #3)
Paperback: 336 Pages
Publisher: Berkley (April 25, 2023)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0593200241
ISBN-13: 978-0593200247
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“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.”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Berkley/Penguin Random House, for providing a complimentary review copy through the author’s launch team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
I got introduced to the author’s work in 2019 with Hometown Hope, the third book in her Love Inspired series, Pine Valley.
I ended up getting the first two books of that series (still on my TBR). But, I’ve read each of her LI books as they’ve released.
Like other authors, she has branched into the more “mainstream” publishing, only the Amish fiction sub-genre of Inspirational fiction.
In May 2021, Shelter in the Storm – the first book in this series – was released. And, I ended up reading it prior to being on the launch team for the second book, Strength in the Storm.
For those wondering if this book can act as a standalone – not in my opinion. Much of Miriam’s background is established in the first book, the second book establishes the accident that Sam and Breeze are in, which brings Reuben into this story – Courage in the Storm. So, I HIGHLY and STRONGLY suggest readers get the first two books before reading this one.
Obviously, having read the first two books – I DESPERATELY needed this one. After all, isn’t that cover just STUNNING? Due to my favorite color being purple, the first book is technically my favorite cover. But, artistically? This one REALLY pops out!
Blount returns us to Johns Mill, home of the Hochstedler family:
🌩️ Joseph & Naomi (Shelter in the Storm)
🌩️ Emma & Sam (Strength in the Storm)
🌩️ Miriam (Courage in the Storm)
Blount also introduces us to:
🐎 Reuben
⛪ Adam
As this is an Amish fiction story, there will be themes and mentions of faith.
There is no mention of the shooter – Trevor – only that Sam wasn’t able to keep him in “custody”. Also, it is apparent Sam nor Emma mentioned seeing Trevor. Trevor still remains at large, and his parents are absent from this book.
Like the previous books, this is told from the POVs of the “couple” – Miriam and Reuben.
While the shooting is mentioned, most of the story deals with Breeze – Sam’s horse from the accident in book #2.
This book has mentions of anxiety, PTSD, alcoholism, and child abuse.
It’s now been 18 months since the shooting of Miriam’s parents, and she’s finally venturing outside of the home – but not quite to the road or town. She is looking forward to better days – her sister Emma is pregnant as well as her sister-in-law Naomi. Yet, she still feels like a prisoner in her home.
But, the family is also dealing with the fallout from Sam’s accident. His vision has worsened from an unrelated condition, but his horse – Breeze – is suffering much like Miriam.
Sam has a choice – to try to rehabilitate and rehome the animal, or let it be slaughtered. He knows someone who can help – someone who wants NOTHING to do with the Amish life – Reuben.
Reuben, as he owes Sam for helping him leave an abusive situation, agrees to the job – but then, he’s leaving anyone and anything Amish behind.
When he arrives, he assesses the horse. Breeze is fearful, full of terror, and in obvious “fight” mode. Reuben then sees Miriam, and as he’s dressed like the Englisch, she is terrorized. Of course, this leads Reuben to a conclusion – Breeze and Miriam are linked.
He soon recalls the shooting and connects everything. He learns she hasn’t ventured into town since an incident with a photographer, but he says “yet”. While she isn’t his “project”, he knows that she will have to venture to town to get better. However, at this point – Miriam can help with the horse.
Joseph is against it though, however – both Breeze and Miriam make progress. More so when Reuben makes a decision to do something he’d prefer not to do.
Knowing Reuben’s past, Miriam’s family worries he will lead her away from the church. However, she is strictly Amish – Reuben jokes that her liking chickens and quilting solidifies that.
However friendly they get; they know that they don’t belong in the other’s world. Yet, they’re still drawn to each other – each healing from their own traumatic pasts. And, Miriam definitely needs the courage to face the crew that is filming a movie about her family’s tragedy.
A new bishop arrives and sees a chance to bring Reuben back to the church, yet it is Adam’s meddling that causes more issues for Reuben. But, he realizes that he isn’t alone now.
Courage in the Storm delivers a powerful message about second chances, the power of healing, the strength of faith, and the shelter of family in an emotional and provocative read.
Blount once again delivers a story that has realistic elements within its fictional covers and draws the reader into the story. So much so, that I ended up reading half of it inside of a 4-hour period. The short chapters and steady pacing really held my interest along with the slow, but steady progression of the main story.
This book series truly has the makings of a mini-series. And, I definitely would watch it on the TV.
Fans of the author, and those who’ve been reading the series won’t want to miss this read! I’m extremely excited for the fourth, and final book in the series – Home from the Storm – Caleb’s story, which is coming this winter! I can’t wait to read the conclusion and see what happens with Trevor as well as the movie about the tragedy.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html; update: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
Other Books in the Series:
Publisher: Berkley (May 25, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0593200209
ISBN-13: 978-0593200209
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“In this moving Amish romance, two broken hearts find hope in each other after a terrible loss.
Unspeakable tragedy strikes the Amish hamlet of Johns Mill when an unstable Englischer opens fire in the Hochstedler’s General Store. In the aftermath, and under the media’s spotlight, Joseph Hochstedler struggles to hold his shattered family together, drawing unexpected comfort from a faithful childhood friend.
Born with a serious heart defect, optimist Naomi Schrock has always longed to live a life of service. She rolls up her sleeves, determined to help Joseph cope with this terrible crisis. But dare she hope that his friendship will finally deepen into love?
As the media’s obsession with the Hochstedler shooting escalates, Joseph and Naomi find themselves caught between tradition and compromise, lingering sorrows and uncertain hopes. And in the end, two people who’ve already lost far too much must find the courage to trust their hearts one last time.”
Series: Johns Mill Amish Romance (Book #2)
Publisher: Berkley (February 22, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0593200225
ISBN-13: 978-0593200223
Click Photo for Purchase Information ➡️
“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.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author LAUREL BLOUNT writes captivating romances full of grit and grace – with characters who will 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.
She can be found on the following social media networks:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurelblountbooks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurelblountauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurelblount
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