Overview

On a blistery day in October 1875, a boat load of Icelandic explorers crash land on a beach paradise called Willow Point on Lake Winnipeg. Except it proves to be anything but paradise. The Strong Amongst Us follows the fictional Olason family, on an epic journey based on actual events. Against a stunning backdrop of Lake Winnipeg, young Nathan Olason scrambles to survive against all odds in this strange unforgiving new country called Canada. Nathan and his relatives hastily construct rough cabins, struggle to hunt and stay alive during the first brutal winter. He soon meets Anwa, a Swampy Cree native woman, who teaches him to survive in this unfamiliar land. With natural sand beaches and breathtaking sunsets, the lake quickly changes, to a menacing force, with massive storm surges and frigid temperatures, claiming lives like flies. Nath soon realizes that to claim this country as New Iceland he must persevere. Anwa stands beside him as he struggles against heavy snowfalls, emerging Canadian governments, racism, violence and mass starvation deaths. He begins to fall deeply in love with Anwa, forming a bond others dream of. With her help, they begin to triumph with hunting and ice fishing; teaching themselves how to live off the land. Then just as they think they have prevailed against the odds, tragedy strikes an ominous blow; a smallpox epidemic that decimates villages, quarantines the town of Gimli, but most of all, threatens to claim what he holds dear the most. With stirring realism, surprising bits of humor and steamy romance scenes, this historical saga weaves a rich tale of immigration, immense love, determination, resilience and the perseverance of the human spirit. It will leave you breathless.

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9781777211257

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Reviews

This book is a must-read, a hidden gem, and a novel that touches me emotionally. The characters, their journey, the plot and the emotions are real. The characters are thoroughly developed and I found myself connecting with them unlike other stories. Although a work of fiction, I felt like I was there with a birds-eye view of the action. This story does what a story is supposed to do: Make you feel like you're there, while connecting to the characters and their journeys as time passes. I highly recommend this novel because it's a story of hope, love, connection, strength, overcoming fear and obstacles, while still trying to do what's best for the characters, their families, and their community. I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series to see what happens next! - T. Conkey, USA, June 4, 2020 As someone who doesn't read much I couldn't put this book down. Even taking place during an unfamiliar time, the characters are very relatable and I learned so much about the history of Gimli and the Icelandic immigration. I didn't expect this book to hit my emotions so hard. Definitely a new favorite. -JM, USA, May 27, 2020

This book is a must-read, a hidden gem, and a novel that touches me emotionally. The characters, their journey, the plot and the emotions are real. The characters are thoroughly developed and I found myself connecting with them unlike other stories. Although a work of fiction, I felt like I was there with a birds-eye view of the action. This story does what a story is supposed to do: Make you feel like you're there, while connecting to the characters and their journeys as time passes. I highly recommend this novel because it's a story of hope, love, connection, strength, overcoming fear and obstacles, while still trying to do what's best for the characters, their families, and their community. I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series to see what happens next! - T. Conkey, USA, June 4, 2020 As someone who doesn't read much I couldn't put this book down. Even taking place during an unfamiliar time, the characters are very relatable and I learned so much about the history of Gimli and the Icelandic immigration. I didn't expect this book to hit my emotions so hard. Definitely a new favorite. -JM, USA, May 27, 2020

Author Information

J. A. Boulet is the passionate author of The Olason Chronicles, a historical saga of immigration, love, perseverance and an epidemic. The first book in the series, The Strong Amongst Us, was coincidentally released in the spring of 2020, during the Covid 19 pandemic. J. A. Boulet was born and raised in Western Canada as a first generation Canadian from European descent. Her parents landed in St. John's, NFLD as refugees in 1956, a direct result of the Hungarian Revolution. She was born many years later, raised in a strong Hungarian culture and proudly calls Canada home to this day. J. A. Boulet started writing poetry at the age of five and progressed to short stories and novels during her teen years. She has a keen interest in history, healing, family bonds and global conflicts. J. A. Boulet writes with a spine-tingling realism like none other, grabbing your emotions and refusing to let go. The Strong Within Us Book 2 was subsequently released on November 11, 2020. She currently lives in Canada with her two teenaged sons and a crested gecko named Mossio.

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