Review: Strength in the Storm by Laurel Blount

 

Strength in the Storm (Johns Mill Amish Romance #2) by Laurel Blount

Publication Date: February 22nd 2022

Pages: 336

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Emma’s family suffered a tragic loss when her parents were gunned down by an “Englischer” (a non-Amish person) obsessed with Emma. The event has left her sister, Miriam, who was present, shaken and with PTSD. Unfortunately, it seems Emma is hindering Miriam’s recovery being a little too helpful. 

When the aunt of Emma’s childhood sweetheart, Sam, needs caring for it seems like the perfect opportunity to get out of the house and give Miriam some space to progress in her healing. Aunt Ruth is not an easy patient and I admired Emma’s patience dealing with her. She was empathetic despite Ruth’s sharp tongue, but not to the point of being a doormat.

 Emma and Sam were once best friends and a little more, or as much as you can be as young teenagers, but Emma broke Sam’s heart. Of course, caring for Aunt Ruth means Emma and Sam spend more time together. Being around Sam brings back some of the old feelings she had for him and now being more mature she’s able to appreciate his good qualities. His good looks certainly don’t hurt either! However, when another tragedy strikes, will the second chance they have at romance evaporate? These two had a bumpy road to cross. Their romance was full of longing and a bit of angst, and I loved every bit of it!

There’s a lot at play here with the “Englischer” who murdered Emma’s parents on the run and still posing a threat and then an accident that put their future together in peril. I loved how determined and steadfast Emma was. She dealt with so much, but she tried to stay positive. Sam went through a lot as well and like any normal person, didn’t deal with it well at times, but that was more because he didn’t want to be a burden.

I haven’t read many Amish romances, but I’ve enjoyed the ones I’ve read so far.  I like the inspirational outlook presented in Strength in the Storm. With so much negativity out there it’s nice to read about characters, like Emma and Sam, who try to look for good wherever they can find it and persevere through adversity. I was rooting for their well deserved HEA. 

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

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’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. Learn more online at laurelblountbooks.com.