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Montana Fire #3.5

Oh, the Weather Outside Is Frightful

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She kept him alive in his darkest hour…



CJ St. John never dreamed his epic summer as a smokejumper would end with a harrowing plane crash—one that crushed his pelvis and rendered him nearly an invalid. He wouldn’t have made it through the dark night of pain and danger without brave fellow smokejumper Hannah Butcher. In fact, if he were to admit it, he probably fell in love with her that night.




He gave her the courage to reach for her dreams…

Hannah Butcher had dreamed of being a smokejumper for years—but dreaming and doing are vastly different. During rookie camp, she would have given up if it hadn’t been for CJ St. John urging her on. She probably fell in love with him then—but especially when he held her hand and kept her calm during their terrifying survival.


;

A winter storm awakens their memories—and fears…

When Hannah discovers that CJ plans on skipping out on their mutual friends’ wedding, she knows he’s been lying to her about his recovery—and determines to give him the same stubborn encouragement he’s given her by forcing him to attend. But when a blizzard detours them, and worse, they’re run off the road, they’ll have to face their darkest fears to survive. A Christmas story about the miracles that happen when the weather outside becomes frightful.

Note: If you picked up this title in the Candy Cane Kisses Christmas Anthology, this is an extended version! Discover how CJ and Hannah fell in love...and continue their story after the storm is over!

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2016

170 people are currently reading
486 people want to read

About the author

Susan May Warren

213 books3,626 followers
I can't help be amazed at the gifts God has delighted me with - a wonderful husband, four amazing children, and the opportunity to write for Him.

I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life.

Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience started when I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed our ministry highlights.

Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.

Susan and husbandI grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series.based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.

Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.

I 'm delighted you've stopped in to visit. My hope is that you'll be blessed and encouraged by soul-stirring stories of regular people interacting with a God who loves them.

I'd love to hear from you! I love getting mail, especially from readers and I welcome your questions and comments. Write to me at susan@susanmaywarren.com. And, if you're interested, sign up for my newsletter, a quarterly sneak peek into upcoming releases and projects. Thank you for your interest and support.

God Bless and Happy Reading!

In His Grip,
Susan May Warren

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
Profile Image for Brittany .
2,877 reviews209 followers
February 9, 2017
I first read a shorter version of this story in a novella collection titled Candy Cane Kisses, which featured novellas by several different authors. Oh, The Weather Outside is Frightful was the first novella in the collection and was definitely my favorite of the group. However, when I heard that the author had released an extended edition of this story, I decided to purchase it because I was eager to know what details were added to the story. I am so glad that I did!

I am also very happy that I made the decision to purchase the Audible version to go along with the ebook. It was truly a wonderful audiobook! Oh, The Weather Outside is Frightful was a joy to listen to. The narrator did a fabulous job with the various character voices. His reading of them was so believable! And the story…well, it was just perfect.

I felt like this edition gave me a real understanding of the way CJ and Hannah bonded during their time as smoke jumpers, as well as an even deeper look into the thoughts of these two characters. They both developed feelings for each other as time progressed, yet throughout the various parts of the story, CJ and Hannah battled tremendous doubts. Whether it was doubting their personal worthiness or whether the other could have any feelings for them, there was great emotional turmoil!

The details that were shared within the flashbacks were wonderful and I absolutely loved the epilogue! The author added this to the extended edition and it rounded out the story so nicely. I thorougly enjoyed this addition to the Montana Fire series, and recommend this book and all of the stories from the series.

You can read this review on my blog at:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Profile Image for Madison.
1,088 reviews71 followers
October 23, 2017
Another sweet novella from Susan May Warren. I love how so many of her series overlap, so there are always familiar characters and old friends to catch up with, along with the sweet romance.
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews273 followers
December 27, 2016
I never miss a Susan May WArren book. That's actually why I bought it. I never miss anything she writes. We get to see folks from the previous Montana Fires characters AND some ones from Susan's older books! Loved seeing everyone again.
This was a great story with a wonderful message. God's there even if we can't see Him working on our behalf.
Profile Image for Cecelia.
Author 33 books186 followers
March 24, 2017
Hannah and CJ have been through a traumatic experience. Smoke jumpers, they’ve almost lost their lives and since CJ is still recovering, he doesn’t feel ready for a relationship. He takes prescription drugs to deaden the physical pain that still haunts him from the incident. He speaks to his buddy Hannah online via the game that they play. How can he find the courage to tell Hannah his true feelings?
Hannah is determined to set things right. Scared, she’s haunted by a past experience. She doesn’t trust herself NOT to make a mistake as a nurse. Can she learn to overcome her fears?
An invitation to a mutual friend’s wedding put Hannah and CJ into direct contact with one another. A big snowstorm and a stranded stranger are just two of many elements that make this book a satisfying Christmas read. If you like short, snowbound, holiday stories then you should give this one a try. It’s a slightly suspenseful and quick read.
3,923 reviews1,763 followers
September 27, 2020
During these tumultuous times, I take comfort in the few constancies available to me -- like being able to count on Susan May Warren to mercilessly torture her characters (and me) even during the holiday season. :-) Heart warming Christmas fare? Definitely not! There are so many 'yikes' and 'ouch' and oh 'nooooooo' moments that I continually embarrassed myself as I listened to the audible version of Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful on my neighbourhood walks. My tormented gasps and harried squeals got the attention of passersby who thought I'd injured myself somehow. (I have a disability and walk with either Nordic Poles or a walker so their concern was logical...and kinda sweet.) I kept having to explain that my pain went much deeper than bone and muscle, that it was my heart in peril thanks to the cunning imagination of one very cagey author. :-)

So, be prepared for a few yuletide sucker punches and plenty of angst as Hannah and CJ come to grips with the clashing of life's perils and heart's desire.And if you're a Warren fan, you'll see many familiar faces along the way. In fact, this edition has bonus content that wasn't in the novella collection Candy Cane Kisses published in 2016. I haven't read the Montana Fire series yet, but I'm guessing the bonus content comes in the form of flashbacks to that fateful plane crash, which, I'm also guessing was told in one of the novel's from different character's viewpoints. This is all CJ and Hannah muddling their way through uncertainty and hardship as they make their comebacks -- both individually and as a team of the happily-ever-after variety.
Profile Image for Linda.
Author 26 books242 followers
January 1, 2022
Loved it.

Yes, there's a lot here, a lot that reading some of the other books would make flow more smoothly, but seriously, this is great as a stand alone too. It will just make you want to go read the others. Warren has a way with words. Her writing is fun and introspective. Her stories are upbeat and always include those God moments good reading should have. Hannah and CJ's story is good romance, adventure included, and lots of human introspection and frailties that we all have.
Profile Image for Kristi.
739 reviews
July 1, 2020
A quick read for this 3.5 of the Montana Fire series. I enjoyed it. Hannah got on my nerves a little with the fear of....well everything. CJ was a tad frustrating too. But overall it was a good story and I'm glad I read it.

Rating: G
Language: a clean read
Recommend: yes
Profile Image for Tamara Tilley.
Author 10 books23 followers
January 30, 2017
OH, THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL, finishes the Montana Fire series with, a snow storm, a baby, a wedding, and another relationship that must find its footing if it’s going to survive.

C.J. St. John is fighting back to recover from the injuries sustained in the plane accident that almost took his life. If not for Hannah Butcher, he’s convinced he wouldn’t have survived the crash. Not only did he survive, but C.J. knows in his heart of hearts, he fell in love with Hannah that night. But somehow, he can’t bring himself to admit his feelings to Hannah. Especially since his career is over.

Hannah Butcher was there for C.J when he needed her, keeping him from going into shock and surviving a harrowing plane crash. But, Hannah wouldn’t have made it through her rookie summer with the smoke jumpers if it wasn’t for C.J.’s encouragement. The night they spent on the mountain, Hannah saved their lives, but lost her heart—to C.J. When they get back to civilization, C.J. and Hannah fumble over their feelings for each other, allowing distance to grow between them.

Six months later, Hannah pursues C.J., forcing him to keep his end of their bargain—to dance with her at their team member’s wedding. Unfortunately, a blizzard and a car accident derail them from their plans and forces them once again to turn to each other and God if they are going to survive.

Though this installment had a lot of back story, for those who might not have read the other books, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. BURIN’ FOR YOU was from the point of view of Gilly and Reuben. This novella allowed readers to experience the same plane crash from C.J. and Hannah’s POV, and then the fallout that followed. The characters in this series were so good, because they weren’t perfect. With every strength that defined them, there was an underlying weakness they were struggling with. Throughout the series, each character grew in the relationship with God and each other. A series that is now on my favorites list.
Profile Image for Lis Carey.
2,213 reviews137 followers
February 13, 2017
CJ St. John and Hannah Butcher meet while spending a summer as smoke jumpers in Montana. For CJ, it ends with some serious injuries, and Hannah saving his life. For Hannah, it ends with the conviction that she'll never overcome her temptation to freeze in moments of crisis--that she shouldn't even complete her training as a nurse because she'll be useless.

They've both got a lot to work through. Each can see the other's strengths, but only their own weaknesses. Despite bonding as teammates in an online adventure game, they both avoid meeting for months, until finally brought together again.

They're both kind, decent, likable people, and despite their own self-defeating impulses, they fortunately have other kind, decent, likable people around to push them in the right directions.

It's a novella, so not very long, and a pleasant way to spend a few hours.
Profile Image for Sarita.
1,508 reviews655 followers
December 13, 2018
I enjoyed this Montana Fire Christmas novella. Hannah and CJ was both quiet side characters in the previous books, but which played vital roles in the lives of those characters. I enjoyed getting to know them and see what made them who they are today. The novella goes back through the series and plays it out from Hannah and CJ POV, which was a nice take to this series.

I think this can also be a novella for the Noble legacy series. I have that series and still to read it, and after this novella will move it up my TBR. CJ is part of the Noble legacy family. I am just hoping that some things that were revealed in this novella was already revealed in that series, otherwise I might have spoiled some things for me.

Susan May Warren is fast becoming a favourite author and looking forward to reading more from her.
Profile Image for April.
965 reviews32 followers
December 20, 2016
Fan's of Warren's Montana Fire series will not want to miss this sweet and touching novella. Hannah and CJ are both still recovering (physically and/or emotionally) from the chopper crash. I enjoyed getting to see them learn, trust and reach out to God and each other. Also, several members of the team make cameo appearances!
4.5 Stars
Profile Image for Robin.
1,289 reviews17 followers
October 24, 2016
Very well written story. Strong characters dealing with emotionally scarred inner selves, having feelings for each other, and how they manage to resolve the scars. I was drawn in from the beginning and thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful story. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Cayla.
655 reviews
December 5, 2016
Great Christmas read. Loved seeing the Noble Legacy crew again!

4.5/5
Profile Image for Courtney Clark.
710 reviews112 followers
December 13, 2016
Perfect for the season - if you're in the mood for a little romance, slight suspense, a cowboy, and blizzards.
Profile Image for Lucinda.
Author 22 books1,303 followers
January 10, 2017
4 1/2 stars. Love this series.
Profile Image for Aletha.
992 reviews5 followers
September 21, 2017
I enjoyed this novella a lot. First, Christmas love stories are my guilty pleasure...even better when they don't have to be secret.

This one was extra special because I feel like I've known CJ for years (since he was a wee one). Having spent a quality summer with him and Hannah, it was wonderful to get a chance for them to star.

Due to their troubles and sticking with their personalities, one thing that stuck out was that they had seemed basically worry free (minus Hannah occasionally) yet so perfect and strong in the three books where they are secondary. Then we enter heir heads and realize how unsure and struggling they are. I think that says a lot about humanity. Everyone around us always seems to be doing better and we feel like we are alone, which isn't the case.

Fun read.
Profile Image for Tara Kolker.
58 reviews5 followers
December 21, 2022
Light and romantic, this story takes place in mountainous Montana. I've never been there, but I find myself fascinated with stories (and pictures!) of Montana, so the setting of this novella was a bonus for me.

Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful is the fun, cute, quick-moving story of Hannah and CJ and their personal struggles to find the courage inside themselves that everyone else already sees -- including each other. They survive a horrific plane crash together, but in spite of their mutual attraction, they each manage to block the other from seeing how much their hearts need that connection... so they spend the following months both denying it. They surely both read more into it than was there, right? Yet they cling to their shared time online, talking as they team up to fight off zombies and save orphans in a game that gives them both false pictures of bravery.

This was my first-ever story by Susan May Warren, and I have to say, I liked it! I should probably have read the others in her Montana Fire series prior to this, but that didn't scare me away. It was the equivalent of a cream puff. Very light, even with the struggles both main characters deal with.

Also, I listened to this via Audible, and Jackson Nickolay did a great job. I'm kind of picky about narrators, and while some of his voices for the characters (read: CJ's little sister, for one..) weren't exactly on my top favorites list, overall I really enjoyed his reading and voices.
1,159 reviews13 followers
February 2, 2017
This is a very pleasing novella set in Montana during the Christmas season. Main characters C. J. St. John and Hannah Butcher connected in an emotional and romantic way while working together on a smoke jumpers fire fighting team, but neither thinks the other feels the same way. On their last mission, the previous summer, the plane taking them to their destination crashed, leaving C. J. with a broken pelvis and numerous other injuries. Hannah was instrumental in keeping him alive until they were rescued, but had to return to her hometown shortly after to complete nursing school. The two have kept in touch through a video game, planning to meet at the Christmas wedding of two friends and former smoke jumper teamates. However, each has been struggling with personal demons, which they haven't shared. Hannah panics at the worst possible moment during her nursing training and may not graduate. C. J.'s recovery is going very slowly and causing him to question his self-worth. An unexpected event brings them face to face with their struggles and may determine their future.

I really enjoyed the Montana setting, so different from my east coast home. This is the land of true cowboys, ranchers, and bull riders, who every day encounter challenging situations that can change their lives in a moment. The story is believable and inspiring.
1,073 reviews
December 13, 2016
CJ and Hannah had survived a plane crash together several months before this story opens. Hannah is a nursing student who has mainly recovered from her injuries. CJ was more seriously hurt and is recovering at his family's home, several hours away. They keep in touch by playing an online game. Two of their former coworkers are to be married so that presents the perfect opportunity for them to get together. The only problem is that CJ doesn't want to go. His injuries and slow recovery, plus not knowing what he can do with his life now, have soured his attitude. Hannah goes to get him and doesn't take "no" for an answer. On the way to the wedding, they are caught in a blizzard. It was fun to discover that I had previously met CJ, as a young boy in the Noble Legacy series, and to be reacquainted with some of his relatives. It would be nice to meet CJ and Hannah in another future book to discover where they went from here.
When I was going to post this review on Amazon, I found out there is an extended version of this novella that does answer some of the questions I have about "what comes next." I read this in the Candy Cane Kisses Christian Christmas Romances collection. I feel kind of gypped.
Profile Image for A.M. Heath.
Author 24 books356 followers
February 4, 2017
My Thoughts: This novella fits into Warrens A Montana Fire series. I was able to understand it as a stand alone but I can see how it would fit snuggly into the other stories of the series.
I’ll be honest, I was a little surprised to meet the characters and find them spending so much time in a saloon. It just seemed off for a Christian novel but having read Warren enough, I trusted her enough to continue. In hindsight, I can say that the characters were acting appropriate for the setting and their personal beliefs. And things never got out of hand.
As I’ve come to expect from Warren, I found a beautifully penned message weaved into this wintery novella. I found her message on relying on God during a crisis edifying.
Aside from the message was a really well crafted story about a branch of emergency workers that I’ve never read into before. Portions of the story was focused on their jobs as smokejumpers. Action lovers will enjoy this a great deal. I was surprised by how much I did. I expected a cozy snowed-in story and found something even greater inside.

Rating and Recommendation: I’m giving it 5 stars and highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys Christian Contemporary Fiction or for those who enjoys more action with their romance.
Profile Image for Bhriv.
604 reviews27 followers
November 6, 2016
Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful, written by Susan May Warren, is a delightful Christmas read!

Oh, the Weather Outside IS Frightful for CJ & Hannah! Just love the way that Warren writes her characters! CJ has been injured and is recovering on his families ranch...but he's feeling pretty terrible because he can't walk. He has the hots for Hannah, but she's across the state with his other friends (also Smokejumpers) getting ready to go to a wedding. CJ had promised that he would go to Kate if they survived the frightful event last summer...they did...would he really go to the wedding with her...as her date?? Pretty awesome read for a novella! I'm not a huge fan of novella's but Warren did an awesome job of keeping us informed of who and what was going on with lots of emotion in between...even choked me up at one point!

I purchased this book along with others in the collection Candy Cane Kisses.
Profile Image for Marylin.
1,306 reviews45 followers
December 17, 2016
Such a Great Book!

This book had me hooked from the very first sentence!
I loved how it flowed with emotions and adventure.
I find it was helpful to have read the other books in the Montana Fire Series. It was fun to see some of those stories from Hannah's perspective. I loved how the author wove all the stories together.
Hannah and CJ each had issues they needed to work through and it was wonderful to see how they learned to trust God and each other.
As always I love how Susan May Warren weaves the message of God's love in all her stories.
This is a great book and easy to read with lots of adventures, drama and swoon worthy romance! I think you'll find it's worth getting!
Profile Image for Cass.
176 reviews3 followers
December 12, 2016
But Love Can Be Delightful when . . .

We let God be in control instead of our own misguided notions and emotions as C. J. St.John should have known. Likewise Hannah Butcher knew life tended to test our mettle. Still, when two stubborn, strong willed people decide they're going to do something, or be somewhere come what may, then just maybe they may have some lessons to be learned. Not to mention the slow burn they try to keep well hidden from each other. Will these two ever learn? Will they actually get together? I'll never tell. You'll have to buy "Oh, The Weather Outside Is Frightful" by Susan May Warren to find out.
Profile Image for Sherri.
196 reviews7 followers
January 18, 2017
So sweet!

This was a very sweet way to wrap up this series! I received the first book for free and was very pleasantly surprised. Then I had no choice but to download the rest of them! CJ and Hannah were side characters in the others and I wasn't even curious about them until the third book. I loved their story, it was so sweet. Reading this series was a great way to spend the holidays, I think I may have read them all in a week! I'm sure I'll read more from Susan May Warren, she's got me hooked!!
262 reviews
February 10, 2017
As always, Susan May Warren has managed to suck you right in. I loved the story, and it just made it all the better by visiting with old friends. SMW has expertly crafted three separate series to unite in this one story. In some of the other Montana Fire & Montana Rescue novels we see where there are connections, but here we are reunited. Because of her expert writing skills, these are people we know, and for this book we were able to see them again. It's difficult to wait for the rest of the Montana Rescue series that she is still writing.
18 reviews
December 15, 2016
Smoking Hot!

This is the first book by the author I've read, but it won't be the last. It would have been better to have started from the beginning in the series, but I still was able to figure out what was going on between all the characters. This is a sweet book about learning to trust in a higher power and knowing that things might not always work out as you hope, but God will be with you, you won't be alone.
Profile Image for Pat.
1,104 reviews
December 1, 2016
Wow! I just love these characters. CJ and Hannah are like real people who have to face difficult struggles and conflicted emotions and expectations. But I loved taking this journey with them...and am looking forward to more updates on them as well as on their teammates and family - some of whom have come full circle from their stories I read quite a few years ago.
8 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2017
What a wonderful addition to my holiday reading. I enjoyed this book. Even though the setting and experinces of these characters are completely outside my relm of experience, I had no trouble enjoying and jumping right in to the story. It was well written with amazingly strong character development in so short a book. I hope to learn more about Hannah and CJ in future books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews

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