Blaze of Courage

by Avrie Swan

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.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

322 pages, Paperback

Published January 13, 2026

Reviews

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peshtigo, Wisconsin to Lexington, Kentucky
Charlotte has lost everything in the great Peshtigo fire. Recovering from her injuries, she sets out to return a keepsake to relatives of a friend who died in the fire. On her journey to Kentucky, she encounters Stephan who is taking two thoroughbreds to his father’s stables in Montecello, Kentucky. In Chicago they help out twins Tom and Sebastian who join them on the journey.
The story is about the travels and sinister men who are after something Charlotte possesses.
Along the way, Charlotte questions why God would let bad things happen to her if He cared. Stephan and others show her that God does care for her because He sacrificed His Son.
This touching story had mystery, intrigue, a clear gospel message, a bit of romance, and characters that showed compassion and bravery.
I was expecting to read more about the fire but maybe that was in the first book of the series. I lived pretty close to Peshtigo many years ago so I am interested in the history of the fire.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Wild Heart books through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

[Valri Western · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot is heavy on character development in this second book in the series but also has a great deal of suspense. Charlotte is left alone after the Peshtigo Fire that took her family, or did it? A third book is definitely going to happen when the sister will have to reunite!
Charlotte agrees to take a precious family heirloom to Kentucky when the owner dies but how to get there? She's practically destitute and doesn't know how she'll get there but happens upon a horse trainer, Stefan, who is going to Kentucky to take his horses there. Along the way, they have so many adventures, including picking up two delightful twins! I loved Sebastian and Tom. They added so much to the story. Stefan and Charlotte are a grumpy/sunshine combo but they both have issues they are dealing with and throughout the journey, they have a lot to work through. The twins actually help in this process! When highwaymen dog their every steps, will the little band of travelers escape harm or will they be caught up in their evil plans? Never has a simple journey to Kentucky been fraught with so much danger! I enjoyed getting to know these characters!

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting story about a young woman who seeks a new life after surviving the Peshtigo Fire of 1871. Charlotte Clark’s journey took her on an unknown and dangerous path after a dying friend made a final request of her. Joining forces with Stephan Roberts who is also heading to Kentucky on family business makes for an eventful journey as they take on two more traveling companions and face increasing danger along the way. A former cavalry officer in the Civil War, Stephan had to fight back dreary thoughts and feelings of guilt while Charlotte worked to find her way back to faith. I learned something new about post Civil War history in this book and enjoyed the way the author made it part of the story line. Twins Tom and Sebastian livened up the story with their antics and added dimension with their own personal stories. This author is new to me and I look forward to reading more of her books.

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher. A positive review was not required and these are my own and honest opinions.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Charlotte Clarke’s story after she survived the historical fire in Peshtigo, WI fire on October 8, 1871. She was transported from Peshtigo to another hospital and found a dear friend struggling to survive also. The friend asked a specific request that meant Charlotte would have to travel to fulfill her friend’s dying wish. Charlotte was not prepared for the dangers in Chicago but kind and gentle Stefan Roberts came to her rescue. His plans changed to include Charlotte as he was traveling to Kentucky with horses. Each chapter found unexpected challenges, new dangers, some rambunctious twins, and of course villains causing Stefan and Charlotte undue trauma. This was an emotional read with the realism of the story, travel and all that was at risk. Will the primary characters find answers to all that had occurred? There is a faith message that brings hope, peace and a new love for life.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher without any obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own thoughts.

[April Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte has faced so much; the loss of her family, her home, scars that now cover her arms, and now her friend. Where has God been in all this? Stefan has survived much but locked his life away behind fears, pain, and hurt. He is now trying to save his father’s legacy.

They meet on the road to Kentucky and become unlikely traveling companions; the twins, Bastian and Tom, add some lightness to their hearts and journey. The Fitzgerald family along the way points them both toward God as the source of their comfort and healing.

There is mystery and suspense surrounding Charlotte’s journey with them confronting some really bad guys. There is a good resolution for the suspense and a happy ending, but I do hope there is another book in the series for the sisters to find each other.

I enjoyed this novel. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

October 8, 1871 was an ordinary day, until it wasn’t. High winds and dry vegetation fed the fire that swept through Peshtigo, WI leaving many with no way out. Charlotte, badly burned, is sent to Milwaukee for medical care. Her mother and sister were not as fortunate, leaving Charlotte all alone in the world.

A dying wish found Charlotte bravely on the road from Chicago to Kentucky to return a locket. Joining a horse breeder and twins, she sets out for the adventure of a lifetime. In the midst of all of this, she found peace and joy knowing she was doing the right thing. Highwaymen, danger and plenty of excitement traveled with this motley crew. Will they safely get to deliver the locket?

An early copy of The Peshtigo Fire Chronicles Book 2 was received through Wild Heart Books and BookFunnel. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure in reading the first book from Avrie Swan's The Peshtigo Fire Chronicles series, Embers of Truth. I was excited to have the opportunity to read the second installment, Blaze of Courage. I adored this story between Stefan and Charlotte. Their story was full of adventure, love, and suspense. I found it to be a great way to spend the afternoon next to the fireplace on a cold day. I loved it.

I am going to give Blaze of Courage five stars. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean Christian Historical Romance. I am hoping there will be more to come from The Peshtigo Fire Chronicles series by Avrie Swan in the future.


I received a copy of Avrie Swan's Blaze of Courage from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in Swan’s The Peshtigo Fire Chronicles series. It will be helpful if you read the first book, Embers of Truth, before this new one, since the first book gives a bit more background about Charlotte’s family. New characters are introduced in this book, along with a whole new plot and location. Obviously a third book will be coming to bring the two sisters finally together. But until then, enjoy Charlotte’s story, the twin boys that get involved, the lame horse trainer, and their journey together. Not so nice characters are also introduced, but I don’t want to talk about them.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

[Psusan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blaze of Courage is the second book in the Peshtigo Fire Chronicles by Avrie Swan. Charlotte Clarke lost everything in that fire including her family, so she decides to start anew elsewhere. Tasked with taking a special item to Kentucky, she is willing but has no means. Stefan Roberts is traveling there with the family racehorses, so she does join him. Much of the focus is on these two characters, the trauma that they have endured, the emotional fallout and now how they are working through it. They must also find their faith once again, thinking it was lost but God is always near. What a story this is with more at stake than a simple locket. It was exciting to read how Charlotte and Stefan had such determination and cleverness.

[Shonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-crafted story that captivates all your emotions. Each character finds a special place in my heart, and I quickly became attached to them. The long journey, filled with danger at every turn, also serves as a time of growth and healing under God's guidance. Trust, love, and unity flourish among strangers as they flee from a traitor and his henchmen, who are willing to kill for the secrets of a spy.

Every page is packed with intrigue and heart-pounding moments as the characters strive to survive while accomplishing a heroic task. This beautifully emotional story includes laugh-out-loud antics and guarantees a happy ending. It's both entertaining and unforgettable!

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blaze of Courage gives us Charlotte Clarke’s story after she was separated from her sister and mother during the Peshtigo fire. Charlotte is tasked with a journey to deliver a locked for her friend to her family and she will face danger and uncertainty during the trip.

Stefan Robert’s is on a journey of his own and being saddled with a stranger isn’t part of it but there’s something about Miss Charlotte and along the way he will heal from his past and gain a family as well.