About the Book

Book: Blaze of Courage

Author: Avrie Swan

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: January 13, 2026

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.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Avrie Swan is a Christian author and avid reader with a love for all things historical. Having grown up exploring antique stores and museums, she eventually decided to combine her interest in history with her love for writing and began working on her first full-length novel at the age of fourteen. She especially enjoys writing stories that focus on themes of family, faith, and growth through difficult times.

When Avrie is not writing, she is watching old movies, collecting antique books, and hunting for agates. A native Wisconsinite, she enjoys spending the cold winters indoors with her cat on her lap and a good book in her hand.

More from Avrie

Hello, folks!

When I wrote Blaze of Courage, I wanted to create a story centered on three things I love: adventure, faith, and horses. I adored horses as a kid, and although my family didn’t have the time, space, or money for a big animal, my mom managed to enroll me in a horseback riding camp when I was around nine or ten. I was over the moon! Since then, I’ve had more chances to interact with and learn about these loyal, graceful (and sometimes ungraceful) creatures. Blaze of Courage wouldn’t be complete without them!

In addition to everything related to horses, Charlotte and Stefan’s journey in Blaze of Courage centers on the theme of returning to Christ. Unlike Carina, who held onto her faith despite her struggles, the fire and its aftermath severely challenged Charlotte’s beliefs. Have you ever felt like hiding from everyone after being hurt? It’s often easier to hide our feelings and blame others rather than face what truly bothers us, and in Charlotte’s case, this includes trying to hide from and blame God. Of course, hiding from God is a strategy doomed to fail. What happens once Charlotte realizes this is something for you, dear reader, to discover.

The characters in Blaze of Courage are some of my favorites, and I thought it would be fun to create a little game based on them! Feel free to check out the link below and take the quiz to see which of the four group members you resemble most. If you play, share your results on social media or leave a comment on my Instagram! I’d love to see what you get. As always, God bless!

https://take.quiz-maker.com/QNUD28ZQX

Sincerely,

Avrie Swan

Interview with Avrie

How long does it take you to write a book?

Writing a book can take anywhere from a few months to a year—it depends on my workload! For example, the first draft of Embers of Truth took about three months, but I spent another two months editing and rewriting before I was satisfied enough to turn it in. Drafting Blaze of Courage, on the other hand, took around five months, plus two more for editing. It really depends on how familiar I am with the plot and how much time I can dedicate to it. Motivation also plays a big role; some days I’ll write a few chapters, and on others, I won’t write at all.

How do you create your main characters?

Creating main characters is honestly one of the most fun parts of writing for me. To start, I usually visit a site like Pinterest and browse around for ideas on my characters’ appearances. I consider their roles in the plot and any important backstory details, most of which I already have at least a rough idea of before I begin. Once I feel like I know what they look like, I’ll typically make a sketch or two in my notebook. This helps me maintain a consistent appearance throughout the book—and it usually helps me develop their personalities, too!

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

Drafting the manuscript for sure! Getting the story down on paper is, for me, the hardest part of writing. It involves a lot of planning, backtracking, filling in plot holes, and more. I don’t like leaving blank scenes during the initial writing phase, so I usually reread what I’ve already written or do additional planning until I figure out what to add in the empty space. It takes extra effort, but it makes the editing process much easier for me.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

When I’m not writing, I love to read with my cat Ivan, draw, and go hiking with my family. Rock hunting has been a passion of mine since I was little, so most family walks also include stopping to dig up a sparkly stone or two. In terms of work, I am a youth librarian. This means I spend much of my day telling stories, making crafts, and helping kids develop a love for books. I couldn’t ask for a better job! 

What does your family think of your writing?

My family has always been my biggest support system when it comes to writing. For example, my grandmother has read all my books, from the first stories I scribbled on blank sheets of printer paper to Blaze of Courage and everything in between. Even if some of my early attempts at storytelling were poor (and several definitely were), she always encouraged me to keep writing and learning. Likewise, after I finished Embers of Truth, it was my sister and parents who urged me to look into publishing it. I’ve also received dozens of messages from family members who bought or shared my stories and are eager to read more. It’s an incredible blessing to have such a supportive network of family and friends, and I’m grateful for them every day!

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, January 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 25

Books Less Travelled, January 25

Simple Harvest Reads, January 26 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 27

Inkwell Inspirations , January 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 29

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 30

Holly’s Book Corner, January 30

Devoted Steps, January 31

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 1

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, February 1

Betti Mace, February 2

Cover Lover Book Review, February 3

Pause for Tales, February 3

For Him and My Family, February 4

Stories By Gina, February 5 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, February 5

Connie’s History Classroom, February 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Avrie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/G0Oie/blaze-of-courage-celebration-tour-giveaway