ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Shelter in the Storm
Series: Johns Mill Amish Romance #1
Author: Laurel Blount
Publisher: Berkley Books
Release Date: May 25, 2021
Genre: Christian Contemporary/Amish Romance

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.

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In My Opinion

While I don’t read a lot of Amish fiction (I’ve finally quit saying I don’t read it at all), I have read and enjoyed some of Laurel Blount’s contemporary romance books. Plus, the description of this book was just so intriguing, I couldn’t pass it up.

Joseph’s life takes a tragic turn when there is a shooting at his family’s store in the town of Johns Mills. But the family isn’t left alone to grieve in the way the Plain are accustomed too. No, the media has gotten hold of the story and even during the funeral, the small Amish community is inundated with the Englishchers.

Naomi is visiting her cousin when the tragedy strikes the Hochstedler’s family, and she determines to serve them in anyway she can. It’s Naomi’s presence that brings a calming influence to Joseph’s home despite the grief, upheaval, and trials that continue to bombard them.

Blount delivers a sweet and moving romance with real and relatable characters who doubt, get angry, question God, and miscommunicate. Shelter in the Storm is a strong start to the Johns Mills Amish Romance series, and will appeal to fans of Amish and fans of romance alike.

Disclosure statement:                                          
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.