Firestorm

GIVEAWAY

HILTON, LAURA V.
FIRESTORM

When Bridget Behr and her family migrate from a bustling Amish community in Ohio to the remote and isolated Upper Peninsula of Michigan, they're met with an ugly surprise: the house they had brought sight unseen is an uninhabitable wreck. While her father and brother try to find work in the area, the family is forced to live in tents until the house and barn are rebuilt. Bridget can't shake the guilt that it was her fault her family moved -- and is too afraid to trust anyone, especially the flirtatious, overly-friendly Amish man who lives next door.

Gabriel Lapp has made Michigan his home out of necessity, but can't wait to move back to Florida with its sunshine and warmer temperatures. But when Bridget's family seeks refuge with Gabe during a fierce thunderstorm, he can't help but feel a tug of responsibility for them -- especially the girl with the dark green eyes.

Just a Bridget is finally settling into friendship, a new life, and maybe even love, a devastating forest fire ravages the county, destroying both land and the Behrs' dreams. Now Bridget and her family must decide: will they leave behind the ashes and start anew in another Amish community? Or will they dare to fight for the future they'd hoped for in Mackinac County?

My Review:

A different kind of Amish story -- and I love that about Laura V. Hilton's books. Struggling to find a way to explain what exactly is different. The setting for starts -- Michigan's Upper Peninsula, an area I've had a secret fascination for ever since I read Colleen Coble's Rock Harbor series. The newly settled Amish community faces unique challenges in the remote northern location which adds interest to the story.

Plus, the author doesn't sugar-coat the Amish faith or lifestyle. Her characters are flawed, the families aren't perfect. There's brokenness and relationship issues and any number of negative behaviors in the face of adversity. But there's also the desire to do better, make amends, confess and repent and try again. And those journeys are what make this story so compelling.

Gabe is a major flirt with a devil-may-care attitude that pretty much guarantees trouble. He's got a chip on his shoulder that shows up in a defiant attitude at times, and makes him too quick to concede defeat. His brashness hides insecurities and this is very much a coming of age story for him.

Bridget has a tendency to withdraw, to throw up walls which make her seem unapproachable -- stuck up even. Their romance sizzles in fits and starts as they both send off mixed messages which adds to the confusion and angst. But when these two are 'on' they are so on. Toe-curling, swoonilicous, stick-my-head-a-snowbank kissing scenes which might just scorch your finger tips as you turn the pages!

A great cast of secondary characters adds so much spice to the mix. I'd be spitting mad one second and then succumbing to side-splitting laughter the next. And Bishop Miah might just be one of my favourite characters ever. A mix of wisdom and humour...with the patience of Job!

Firestorm is a spectacular start to Hilton's newest series -- The Amish of Mackinac County and I can't wait for more.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Firestorm, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 16, 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!