Malachi's Mountain: Mountain Men - Echoes of Thunder

by Janice Cole Hopkins

He wanted to silence the past but found a quiet hope for the future.

After the Civil War shatters everything he knew, Malachi North retreats to the Wasatch Mountains in Utah Territory, trading the ruins of Virginia for the quiet of a high-altitude cabin. Years pass in solitude until the ache for companionship stirs something deeper – longing for a wife, a second chance, a future. His first attempt ends in disappointment. Then an intriguing woman arrives with her brother, but she’s searching for her missing husband. Drawn into their quest, he agrees to guide them through unforgiving terrain, trusting Providence to chart a course through heartbreak, hope, and the wild unknown.

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

Janice Cole Hopkins grew up in the Appalachian Mountains. As an only child, she learned to love the stories of Appalachian culture, and when she started school, she discovered a even wider world of stories through reading. She was writing her own by third grade and had published poetry by eighth grade. After graduating from Appalachian State University, she first wrote for magazines because the shorter articles were more manageable while she taught school. She retired early and became her mother’s caregiver, which is when she wrote that first novel, and she hasn’t stopped since. Soon she will have over a hundred books listed on Amazon with more to come.
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Reviews

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

WAIT, I SAY, ON THE LORD

“They have chosen solitude in the rugged wilderness for their own reasons. When devastation rips through their lives, their sorrows are like Echoes of Thunder throughout the mountains.”

The Mountain Men—Echoes of Thunder is a multi-author series that is a clean, historical series revolving around mountain men and the life they chose, and the women who play a vital role in their lives. It is the beauty of the land that can also be harsh and unforgiving. Love and respect are key, as if life and death.

The story takes place in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah Territory. It begins in May 1871 with Malachi North on his mountain, which he calls Malachi’s Mountain. He has lived there for about five years, since his service in the Civil War with the Union. He is originally from the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia. What a shock to return home after the war ended to find it razed, his parents and older brother deceased, and his former fiancée married to a wealthy carpetbagger. He left Virginia and traveled west, settling in Utah territory. He is a Christian man who loves the Lord and wants a wife.

Guide Claude Skinner is leading Gordon Thompson, along with his sister, Amanda Snyder, in search of her husband, Alden, who has been gone for nearly two years. What was to be a hunting trip in the west has continued all this time. The siblings have traveled from the Ozarks in Missouri, hoping to find Alden.

The story has mystery, suspense, life and death danger, along with good, bad, and evil. Claude abandons Gordon and Amanda, and along with Malachi and a Shoshone Indian, Fierce Hunter, they search for Alden. The trip includes mishaps, misunderstandings, and danger. Not everything turns out the way Amanda hopes, but before plans can be made to return home, Gordon is injured from a fall off his horse, breaking his leg and sustaining a concussion. It will be months of healing before they can resume traveling. Rather than the expense of staying at the boarding house in Salt Creek, Malachi offers his home for the siblings. The friendship between Malachi and Amanda is full of chemistry, a mutual love of the Lord, a shared faith, and develops into more—but what does this mean for their future? What will Gordon and Amanda do after Malachi is injured? Will they leave and head back to Missouri, or stay and take care of their host?

NOTE: I read this book with my paid subscription to Kindle Unlimited.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Historical Romance

Another amazing story from the pen of Janice Cole Hopkins! I pray that she has many, many more years to share her stories with the World!

No one ever wants tragedy in their lives, but this book reminds us that hardships and difficulties shape us and mold us, and align us with God's perfect timing!! And, I'm really enjoying this wonderful series as well!!

[Debbie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book! Malachi escaped to the west after the war. After a few years in isolation, he felt lonely without companionship. Then Amanda and her companions arrived. Malachi was attracted to but Amanda was searching for her husband. This is a clean wholesome book where the characters rely on their Christian faith. I highly recommend reading this book!

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Men- Echoes of Thunder

This is a great story of a reclusive mountain man helping Amanda and Gordon find. Amanda's missing husband. I Love the characters and story from beginning to end. The series is Great also, always something different and enjoyable.
This is the first time reading this author and i will look for more from Janice Cole Hopkins.

[Shonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!