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.

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My Thoughts:

This is the second novel in the Peshtigo Fire Chronicles that is a series about two sisters who are separated from one another, and each thinking the other died, during that great fire that destroyed not only their home but their whole town. This is Charlotte's story.

Charlotte the youngest of the sisters has just found out that the bank was calling the loan on their family home. However, due to unfortunate circumstances, they lose one another in a fire that changed the lives of many. Charlotte now believing she is all alone in the world is nursing her burn wounds and wondering why God has abandoned her. Through a series of events, she is given a mission that brings her into contact with Stepan Roberts.

Stepan Roberts is carrying his own tragic circumstances of his family and a bit of PTSD from his time in the war. He and Charlotte are on their way to Kentucky, he reluctantly allows her to join him and along the way they pick up a couple of orphaned twin brothers. Their journey is one that is wrought with danger along with growing friendships, reliance on one another resulting in a type of makeshift family. This results in a tale of hope and love and a faith rediscovered.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

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