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Heart of Thunder
Beauty Clements hates her name. In fact, she hates just about everything and everyone. When she is sent to live with her brother, Blaze, she does everything she can to cause trouble. Bound up in bitterness and guilt, she can't see any way free of the pain that drives her. Is it possible for Blaze to get through to her? And is there any way to undo the damage Beauty has caused and show her that God's love and forgiveness is more powerful than anything she has done in her past?
- GenresChristianYoung Adult
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2014
9 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Glazebrook
21 books32 followersJenny lives in the country town of Gundagai with her husband Rob, four children and many pets.
Jenny writes Australian stories which capture what it means to know God and live for him in a broken world.
All Jenny’s stories have themes of hope and redemption. Several of her novels have been finalists in the CALEB awards for faith inspired writing.
She completed a Diploma of Theology at Tahlee Bible College (where she met her husband, Rob) and is a qualified chaplain and experienced inspirational speaker. She loves to encourage others to understand God’s love, see His hand in their lives, and walk closer with Him each day.
Jenny writes Australian stories which capture what it means to know God and live for him in a broken world.
All Jenny’s stories have themes of hope and redemption. Several of her novels have been finalists in the CALEB awards for faith inspired writing.
She completed a Diploma of Theology at Tahlee Bible College (where she met her husband, Rob) and is a qualified chaplain and experienced inspirational speaker. She loves to encourage others to understand God’s love, see His hand in their lives, and walk closer with Him each day.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 18, 2015
The main story is about Beauty Clements, a troubled teen whose mother died when she was born. At least that's the character 'heart of thunder' refers to. However this thread tends to be overshadowed much of the time by the ups and downs of the romance between her older brother Blaze and her friend, Bonnie Blake.
Beauty is known as 'the cat' at her school for her vicious tongue and the way she occasionally lashes out with violence. Behind her sneers and difficult behaviour is a girl convinced she's a murderer. It's not just that her mother died in childbirth, it's that Blaze nearly died of tetanus because of her, Bonnie nearly died in a fire trying to save horses when Beauty was too scared to help, her own horse Monty has died in an accident which claimed the life of a little boy - all because she wasn't paying attention.
Beauty is eaten up with guilt. But she's not going to let anyone know how vulnerable she is.
Sent to live with her brother Blaze, now a youth minister in a church, she mocks him at every turn. And, jealous of the love between him and Bonnie, tries to undermine it with provocative (but totally insightful) comments.
But Blaze has his own problems. A young man commits suicide - and Blaze blames himself for not giving the youth the time he needed. Instead he was out, proposing to Bonnie. Consumed by guilt, Blaze becomes obsessed with never turning down a cry for help ever again. Soon his relationship with Bonnie is stretched to breaking point.
As usual in Jenny Glazebrook's stories, the characters always carry with them a cloak of innocence - doesn't matter what they've been up to. The sweetness and gentleness of their inner nature is apparent.
I would have liked the tiny but significant thread with Alex Goldsmith to have been given more prominence. Perhaps another book?
Beauty is known as 'the cat' at her school for her vicious tongue and the way she occasionally lashes out with violence. Behind her sneers and difficult behaviour is a girl convinced she's a murderer. It's not just that her mother died in childbirth, it's that Blaze nearly died of tetanus because of her, Bonnie nearly died in a fire trying to save horses when Beauty was too scared to help, her own horse Monty has died in an accident which claimed the life of a little boy - all because she wasn't paying attention.
Beauty is eaten up with guilt. But she's not going to let anyone know how vulnerable she is.
Sent to live with her brother Blaze, now a youth minister in a church, she mocks him at every turn. And, jealous of the love between him and Bonnie, tries to undermine it with provocative (but totally insightful) comments.
But Blaze has his own problems. A young man commits suicide - and Blaze blames himself for not giving the youth the time he needed. Instead he was out, proposing to Bonnie. Consumed by guilt, Blaze becomes obsessed with never turning down a cry for help ever again. Soon his relationship with Bonnie is stretched to breaking point.
As usual in Jenny Glazebrook's stories, the characters always carry with them a cloak of innocence - doesn't matter what they've been up to. The sweetness and gentleness of their inner nature is apparent.
I would have liked the tiny but significant thread with Alex Goldsmith to have been given more prominence. Perhaps another book?
April 26, 2016
Heart of Thunder tells the faith journey of Beauty Clements, a broken young woman struggling with deep pain and guilt. Beauty is the sister of Blaze Clements, and their other ex-circus performing siblings. Her story interweaves with the continuing story of Blaze and his sweetheart, Bonnie, as Beauty is forced into their world when her father decides he can no longer deal with her brooding then explosive anger, after the loss of her beloved horse, Monty. Blaze seems to have it all together and an answer for everything, making Beauty feel preached at and even more antagonistic. Prone to raging fits intended to strike anyone nearby, the girl her school mates call 'the cat' then discovers further distractions in the way of alcohol and boys.
Initially she sets out to merely defy her brother and taunt his self-righteous piety, but when tragedy rips Blaze’s world apart, his downfall fuels her rebellion as she discovers he is far from perfect. In fact, he seems blind to his own self-destruction, which fills a significant portion of the story. Only when confronted by the serious consequences of her choices by the school clown, does Beauty (who by this time is hiding behind her fake name, Amy) realise there might be more to her brother’s faith than she has previously entertained – and more to her own pain, too.
Her fresh insight shocks Blaze, but nothing seems able to stop his self-imposed burnout. Blaze has let go of all he loves as penance for his perceived failure to protect one of the young men from his youth group from a fatal accident. Yet, he overlooks the lives he has touched without even trying. Beauty adds her voice to help him realise he’s missing the point. But her brother won’t listen. A crossing of paths with a stranger finally brings Blaze undone. Only then does he begin to see his HEA may not be so far from reach, and that maybe he’s allowed some good things in his life.
This story is written with a strong redemptive element. You gain a sense the author writes from a place of understanding and is no stranger to life’s challenges and pain, but in exploring these deeper issues, reveals an earnest compassion to see healing for hurting hearts. This is evident in the spiritual journeys of the Clements clan, who are a bunch of unique characters you can’t help but get attached to.
(A smidge under 4 stars.)
Initially she sets out to merely defy her brother and taunt his self-righteous piety, but when tragedy rips Blaze’s world apart, his downfall fuels her rebellion as she discovers he is far from perfect. In fact, he seems blind to his own self-destruction, which fills a significant portion of the story. Only when confronted by the serious consequences of her choices by the school clown, does Beauty (who by this time is hiding behind her fake name, Amy) realise there might be more to her brother’s faith than she has previously entertained – and more to her own pain, too.
Her fresh insight shocks Blaze, but nothing seems able to stop his self-imposed burnout. Blaze has let go of all he loves as penance for his perceived failure to protect one of the young men from his youth group from a fatal accident. Yet, he overlooks the lives he has touched without even trying. Beauty adds her voice to help him realise he’s missing the point. But her brother won’t listen. A crossing of paths with a stranger finally brings Blaze undone. Only then does he begin to see his HEA may not be so far from reach, and that maybe he’s allowed some good things in his life.
This story is written with a strong redemptive element. You gain a sense the author writes from a place of understanding and is no stranger to life’s challenges and pain, but in exploring these deeper issues, reveals an earnest compassion to see healing for hurting hearts. This is evident in the spiritual journeys of the Clements clan, who are a bunch of unique characters you can’t help but get attached to.
(A smidge under 4 stars.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2015
amazing,best book ever :)
November 30, 2025
Yet another gorgeous Christian YA contemporary featuring horses and real truths 🥰
This story became an immediate “Keeper” once I discovered my fav girl, Bonnie (from Blaze in the Storm), was a prominent side character in the sequel. And yet, Beauty and her struggles with guilt and self-sabotage add layers of depth that deepen my love for both her and Bonnie alike. Oh, and can’t forget loveable Blaze as he battles pressure, guilt, and biting off more than he can chew 😋
God’s truth shines bright throughout the novel as you learn alongside the characters. I laughed and cried and wanted to slap sense into these precious characters, lol.
Full of internal struggles and family conflict, mystery and romance, Jenny Glazebrook once again delivers a wonderful blend of entertainment and inspiration.
This story became an immediate “Keeper” once I discovered my fav girl, Bonnie (from Blaze in the Storm), was a prominent side character in the sequel. And yet, Beauty and her struggles with guilt and self-sabotage add layers of depth that deepen my love for both her and Bonnie alike. Oh, and can’t forget loveable Blaze as he battles pressure, guilt, and biting off more than he can chew 😋
God’s truth shines bright throughout the novel as you learn alongside the characters. I laughed and cried and wanted to slap sense into these precious characters, lol.
Full of internal struggles and family conflict, mystery and romance, Jenny Glazebrook once again delivers a wonderful blend of entertainment and inspiration.
November 9, 2017
Good book for teens to read about anger and unresolved issues and how they wreak havoc.
For teens who love horses.
Would be a good one for their parents to read too and discuss the issues with their children.
For teens who love horses.
Would be a good one for their parents to read too and discuss the issues with their children.
March 30, 2025
I really enjoyed this book
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews