Courage

Heroes of The Big Sky, Book 1

De: Kristen Proby

Narrado por: Stephen Dexter, Erin Mallon

From New York Times best-selling author Kristen Proby comes an all-new novel in her Big Sky series, Courage. This is the first story in the Heroes of Big Sky, all about men in uniform in Cunningham Falls!

Natasha Mills feels like she’s loved firefighter Sam Waters her entire life. Since she first met him during middle school, she’s harbored a secret crush on her best friend’s big brother. It’s just something she lives with every day - too bad he doesn’t notice her. To Sam, Tash is his little sister’s best friend, and that’s it.

Disaster strikes the Waters family, leaving Sam’s sister and her husband dead, and their young children in the hands of Sam and Natasha. Suddenly, these two are navigating the loss of people they loved, while trying to figure out parenthood together. The grief is devastating, and raising twins is harder than either of them bargained for. But in working together, and leaning on each other, Sam and Tash learn that family comes in all different shapes and sizes.

The more time he spends with Natasha, though, the more Sam realizes just how sweet and sexy she really is. He finds himself slowly but surely falling for her. But when the time comes for him to let her go - will he be able to walk away from the family he’s helped build?

©2024 Kristen Proby (P)2024 Ampersand Publishing, Inc.

Sweet & Emotional

This story begins with a tragedy for all the characters, Tasha loses her best friend, Sam loses a sister, and two young children lose their parents. It’s quickly revealed that Sam and Tasha will be co-guardians for the twins and they both put their lives on hold to try and figure out a new normal for themselves and the children.

There is adjustment and compromise for all of them, with Tasha doing most of the work and not really wanting to ask for assistance. When Sam realizes that Tasha is stretching herself too thin, he jumps right in to help her out. It’s clear that the children feel more secure when both Tasha and Sam are present in their lives. There is definite heat between Tasha and Sam and the close proximity has them acting on their feelings and really beginning to become a family. The conflict comes in with an out-of-town job offer for Sam that can further his career but take him away from the kids and Tasha.

This is a very sweet, fast read, low on angst and with a quick resolution to the conflict. I enjoyed the characters and the story kept me engaged. My heart broke for this little family that had to work through such grief while still moving forward. This is a new series, but a spin-off from Kristen Proby’s Big Sky series and several characters from those books appear here. I have not read all of the Big Sky series but had no trouble following along, this can definitely be read as a stand-alone.

This was a four star read for me, but the narration, which was stellar, bumped it up to a five. I really enjoy dual narration and I had no trouble following along and knowing the difference between major and minor characters.

Friends to Lovers

Kristen Proby had me be crying in the beginning and smiling at the end. My favorite kind of read. So many emotions. I love how this book takes you on a journey to heal and then give you the happy ever after you want. Sam and Natasha become guardians of 2 five year old twins after the death of their parents and coming together to raise them has many ups and downs. I found the story very real and the characters believable.

Kristen Proby is a Master!

Cunningham Falls! One of my very favorite fictional towns to visit. I always feel like I'm going home to visit my family when I read a part of this series. I could not be more excited that it’s evolving into the next “generation” of this wonderful town. (Hello Seth ;), I can’t wait for his story!)

I was so happy to get Sam’s story. After seeing him throughout this series It was nice to see him and Natasha get their love story. I have to say this one hit all the emotions for me. I don’t want to give too much away, but the events that begin this story just wrecked me and made for such an emotional listen. I haven’t really experienced a storyline line close to this before. It made for such a real connection to these characters.

My heart broke for Kevin and Kelsey. Sam and Natasha were thrown in the deep end, I loved watching them grow in this story and become so strong and great family.

I loved them, I ranted at them, I rooted for them. This is a great listen and it didn’t disappoint even if you’ve never read any Big Sky before, you will love this story. I can’t wait for more.

Sweet and charming

This is my first Kristen Proby book, so I wasn’t familiar with the characters mentioned but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I was a bit surprised that with the very emotional plot that starts the book off, the rest of it is not heartbreaking and instead leans more towards fun and sexy with low angst. Sam and Natasha started a relationship almost immediately after becoming an instant family. Personally, I prefer a book with lots of angst and I kept thinking how amazing this could have been with more angst and more heart breaking emotions. But if you are looking for a sweet and fun story then this will be a delightful read. Stephen and Erin brought out the fun and lightheartedness of the story and Sam and Tasha came to life with their narration.

Narrators were amazing!

The narrators truly brought the story to life with their captivating voices, skillfully evoking emotions that made me shed tears. Their performances were so immersive, sucking me into the narrative in a way that I hadn't experienced before. An audiobook that truly tugs at the heartstrings, thanks to the incredible Kristen Proby for another amazing book!

Beautiful story!

I couldn’t wait for Sam’s book and Kristen did not disappoint! This book has so many feels! I could not put it down.
Sam and Tash (Natasha) were absolutely amazing together. These two, were thrown together to raise a family and I was constantly in awe of how they navigated a relationship of being not only friends, but a family and ultimately lovers while not only caring for these adorable twins but also taking care of each other and having each other’s backs.
This was such a beautiful story! These narrators were absolutely fantastic and really breathed life into these characters!

Is that a heart in my chest?

This story had me experiencing those strange feelings in my chest. I think they call that thing in my chest a heart... And it felt some things in this book. Anytime kids are involved, my heart decides to feel. 🙄😂😂 I loved this story, the characters, and seeing all of the old gang in Cunningham Falls. It warmed me from the inside out. Well done! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Taking the next steps

Courage comes in many different forms and it isn’t easy to pick up the pieces up after an unexpected tragedy. Natasha and Sam’s lives were ripped apart due to a tragic accident that resulted in the death of someone they loved. Left with having to raise their five year old twins they are desperately trying to pick up the pieces and console one another. It’s difficult when their world was knocked off their axis and Sam is about to move to Spokane for a new job. Kristen is a magnificent author and her narrators always draw you in desperate to see what happens next!

Courage

I loved Courage by Kristen Proby! Sam has been a favorite of mine since the original series (Love Under the Big Sky) when he was an EMT. Now, he's a fireman and tasked with raising his niece and nephew, along with Tasha, his sister's best friend.

Stephen Dexter and Erin Mallon brought Sam and Tash to life in a wonderful way! This is a series that I will definitely listen to again and again!

Super sweet

What a cute story of heartbreak to healing. Both Sam and Natasha lose the closest people too them, leaving them responsible for twin 5 years. Natasha initially takes on more of the day to day, until Sam realizes she needs more help. Cue the crush on your best friend's older brother to come out, this time however he is for it too. While this non traditional insta family was not what anyone would have wanted, they are learning to work through it. This a heartwarming story of love with little angst but lots of love. Erin Mallon and Stephen Dexter did an amazing job with the narration!