Saturday, January 24, 2026

The Blaze of Courage

 


About the Book

Book: Blaze of Courage

Author: Avrie Swan

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: January 13, 2026

A mysterious locket brings a fire survivor and a wounded veteran together, but their growing feelings might be more dangerous than the men pursuing them.

Charlotte Clarke survived the flames that destroyed her town and took her family, but at what cost? Left injured and alone, she seizes the chance for a fresh start when a dying friend asks her to take a locket to a relative in Kentucky. But she has no means to reach her destination until she meets a handsome horse trainer headed south and convinces him to let her travel with him.

Haunted by his years in the cavalry and desperate to save his family’s failing stables, Stefan Roberts is focused on transporting his father’s racehorses to Kentucky for the spring races. He isn’t looking for complications—especially not in the form of a determined young woman with secrets of her own. Yet as they travel together, Charlotte’s courage and determination begin to crack the walls he’s built around his heart.

When a shadowy pursuer closes in, Stefan and Charlotte must face the pasts they’ve been running from, and the faith they thought they’d left behind, before their fragile hopes for the future go up in smoke.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Avrie Swan is a Christian author and avid reader with a love for all things historical. Having grown up exploring antique stores and museums, she eventually decided to combine her interest in history with her love for writing and began working on her first full-length novel at the age of fourteen. She especially enjoys writing stories that focus on themes of family, faith, and growth through difficult times.

When Avrie is not writing, she is watching old movies, collecting antique books, and hunting for agates. A native Wisconsinite, she enjoys spending the cold winters indoors with her cat on her lap and a good book in her hand.

 

More from Avrie

Hello, folks!

When I wrote Blaze of Courage, I wanted to create a story centered on three things I love: adventure, faith, and horses. I adored horses as a kid, and although my family didn’t have the time, space, or money for a big animal, my mom managed to enroll me in a horseback riding camp when I was around nine or ten. I was over the moon! Since then, I’ve had more chances to interact with and learn about these loyal, graceful (and sometimes ungraceful) creatures. Blaze of Courage wouldn’t be complete without them!

In addition to everything related to horses, Charlotte and Stefan’s journey in Blaze of Courage centers on the theme of returning to Christ. Unlike Carina, who held onto her faith despite her struggles, the fire and its aftermath severely challenged Charlotte’s beliefs. Have you ever felt like hiding from everyone after being hurt? It’s often easier to hide our feelings and blame others rather than face what truly bothers us, and in Charlotte’s case, this includes trying to hide from and blame God. Of course, hiding from God is a strategy doomed to fail. What happens once Charlotte realizes this is something for you, dear reader, to discover.

The characters in Blaze of Courage are some of my favorites, and I thought it would be fun to create a little game based on them! Feel free to check out the link below and take the quiz to see which of the four group members you resemble most. If you play, share your results on social media or leave a comment on my Instagram! I’d love to see what you get. As always, God bless!

https://take.quiz-maker.com/QNUD28ZQX

Sincerely,

Avrie Swan

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, January 24
Locks, Hooks and Books, January 25
Books Less Travelled, January 25
Simple Harvest Reads, January 26 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 27
Inkwell Inspirations , January 27
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 28
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 29
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 30
Holly’s Book Corner, January 30
Devoted Steps, January 31
Life on Chickadee Lane, February 1
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, February 1
Betti Mace, February 2
Cover Lover Book Review, February 3
Pause for Tales, February 3
For Him and My Family, February 4
Stories By Gina, February 5 (Author Interview)
Devoted To Hope, February 5
Connie’s History Classroom, February 6

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Avrie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/4093b/blaze-of-courage-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, January 12, 2026

Sean (Garfield, The Next Generation Book 1) by Sharon Srock

 


Sharon is a truly gifted author who excels at bringing characters to life. It's easy to picture Sean and Monica and to understand the struggles they are going through. It's satisfying to listen to conversations with God and understand the problems underlying as well as be part of two special people coming together. Excellent read, as always.

I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#Sean @SharonSrock #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianContemporaryFiction

My reviews

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

The Midwife: Salem Village - Book 2 by Pegg Thomas

 

Taking place during the early Salem Witch trials, this is a very tense story.  The characters realistically bring to life what it would have been like to have lived in that area at that time. To live under the pressure of constant accusations going on around you - people whom you know are completely innocent. And knowing the power it gives to those in the village who crave it. There is also the fact that both Quaker and Puritan families lived in this village, and they were wary of each other, yet many tried to get along and share their trades. A blossoming love story carries on the difficulties between them all when a Quaker girl and Puritan boy fall in love and when a midwife to all residents is caught up in her own dilemmas. Plenty to keep you engaged to the very end, and wanting a next one to see how it all pans out for everyone. 

I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TheMidwife #SpinnerOfYarnsPublishingLLC @PeggThomas #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My reviews

Friday, January 2, 2026

At Morning's Light (Home to Green Creek, Book #2) by Lauraine Snelling , Kiersti Giron

 



I treasure every word of these stories. The love, the grief, the struggles, daily life and Christian lessons. Blending families in the community, neighboring farms and at the boarding house. Loveable characters that feel like family and friends. 

#BethanyHousePublishers #AtMorningsLight #LauraineSnelling #KierstiGiron @LauraineSnelling @KierstiGiron #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

From the back cover:

In her new homeland of Iowa, she must risk heartbreak and uncertainty for her dreams to flourish.

Maya Bredesen and her husband plan to journey from Norway to a new life at her cousin's boardinghouse in America, but on one last fateful fishing trip, a fierce winter storm steals away her husband. With her dreams for the future crushed, Maya is left grieving on the voyage to Iowa, accompanied instead by her brother, who plans to finish his seminary degree.

Arriving at a boardinghouse spilling over with orphans and a newly married couple, Maya struggles to find her place amid the chaos. A new friendship develops between her and Eben Miller, the reserved, kind farmer next door, but just as Maya begins to recover from her wounded heart, more tragedy engulfs her. As she and Eben weather trials together, can they overcome the difficulties this new land holds when it seems so far from becoming home?
 


My reviews

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas

 

I really enjoyed getting to know and spend time with Hetta, Garland and Fritz as well as their family and friends. Richly told, loosely based on real history, Hetta and Fritz come to America from Germany in 1930s. Fritz as a prisoner of war, Hetta 14 years later looking for her fiancé who had disappeared, after she saw an article with her fiancé's name on a gravestone. Garland is a police officer who got tangled up in it all. Intricate story of love and hope that takes paths that you may not expect. Very intriguing, keeps you turning the pages to see what happened, with history of the wars in Germany mixed in. Excellent choice to spend your time with and add to your library. 

I received this book free from the author and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TheseBlueMountains #NetGalley @SarahLoudinThomas 

My reviews
Amazon

Hearts in Bloom: A Regency Anthology (Regency Anthologies)

 

Cozy book with 5 stand-alone recency romances. Sweet, clean stories of first loves and the obstacles they encounter along their way to realizing their love. I have a soft spot for the librarian and the town's anonymous Valentine sender, but each tale is special in its own old-fashioned way. A great addition to your library or a beautiful gift. 

entertaining, realistic, easy-to-read, page-turner, romantic, happily-ever-after, wonderful-characters, original

@evershirepublishing @KLynSmith @RosanneELortz @CarolineWarfield @GLRobinson

My reviews

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

The Christmas Pledge by Kaitlynn Clarkson

 

Interesting historical romance of two medical professionals still in college who have a chance meeting on a train in a blizzard. Interesting story unfolds as they both return to their lives with 3 years of college to go. Keeps you turning the pages to see what happens. Sweet, painful romance.