The Hurricane Within

by Ashlee Leppert

In The Hurricane Within we travel with United States Coast Guard Air Medal recipient Ashlee Leppert through sudden reassignments that take her into the heart of Hurricane Harvey with all of its disaster and triumphs. Along the way, scars from the past resurface as Ashlee battles with mysterious physical symptoms that appear with more frequency and eventually put the mission and Ashlee’s own survival at risk. Find out about Ashlee’s faith, which carries her through—all the way to being the honored guest of the President of the United States at the State of the Union Address.

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2019

About the author

Ashlee Leppert is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran who served honorably as a helicopter rescue flight crew member and is a recipient of the Air Medal. Drawing on her experiences in life-and-death rescue missions, she writes with honesty, courage, and deep emotional insight about resilience, leadership, and the unseen impact of service. Ashlee is the author of The Hurricane Within and The Hurricane Within, Volume 2: Beyond the Storm, and she is also an inspirational speaker, sharing powerful lessons on purpose, perseverance, and navigating adversity both in uniform and beyond. She loves reading, traveling, golfing, and spoiling her dog, Penny Pie Puffler.

Reviews

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashlee is a delight. She keeps it real and tells us about her experiences. She came and spoke to our book club and was very open and honest

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is not sophisticated but does seem authentic. Not masterfully written but this is an interesting and genuine story.

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awareness is an important thing because it allows us to notice, when we’re engaged with events on a larger municipal, national, or even global level, that these conflicts often mirror the problems taking place in our own lives, and that these rumblings in political or social arenas can serve as important guideposts to help us identify and bring into focus personal problems that demand our attention. In Ashlee Leppert’s second volume of her moving new memoir, The Hurricane Within: Beyond the Storm, the author draws parallels from her relief work on the Hurricane Harvey disaster and looks at how it became a metaphor for a personal struggle with disease in her own life, sharing valuable lessons about struggle and faith with her readers.

Before we get to the author’s work with the Coast Guard after Hurricane Harvey, we learn a bit about her past and her values. She talks about listening to EMO, and she waxes on about her first love, Mitch. There is also some real tragedy early on, including the death of Nash, a close friend, and a traumatic sexual assault. But she finds salvation in Christ and bravely pushes forward.

The author deals with the decision to become a female Coast Guard Officer in the first volume, so this tome is dedicated to her disease, myasthenia gravis, and how she dealt with a process that changed her sense of self and forced her to draw on both her Christian faith and what she had learned in the Coast Guard as she fought tragedy, chaos, food shortages, and more.

The second half of this book begins with a nod to Emerson and the “Road Less Traveled.” Unlike Emerson’s pal Thoreau, no one will be cooking her meals, doing her laundry, or giving her a chalet by the lake to occupy rent-free, where she can stare at her navel and contemplate the meaning of life. She starts by following an impulse, buys a Forest River Wildcat, tosses her shotgun and her sidearm in the car, and takes off on a road trip. She meets new people and works through the sense of loss she feels at leaving behind a fulfilling career in the Coast Guard.

I especially liked the tale of the beating she laid on a rapey drunk while defending her sister outside a bar. When she heard the police approaching, she thought, “Oh, no, the cops…” I guess even ex-military react the same way to a potential encounter with the men in blue.

I also enjoyed the recounting of her family relationships and particularly the story of her trip to Detroit to reconnect with her best friend, Erin, in the midst of the COVID panic. Here, in one of America’s greatest rock and roll cities, she is able to connect with her roots and recognize the importance of home, friends, and family.

If you have ever had to face reimagining yourself, or if you have ever faced a threatening medical diagnosis – I have, on both accounts, so I know – then there is nothing better than finding commiseration with someone who has gone through the same thing. Ashlee Leppert’s honest and moving memoir of a difficult time in her life shows us just how big a role faith, family, and friendships play in helping us heal, grow, and, when necessary, redefine ourselves in positive and life-affirming ways.

[Konnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and having a look inside the Coast Guard. It’s always important to have a look into the careers/lives of the very people who go to task for the safety of Americans, and America. Often their personal lives and struggles go by the wayside leaving them in need of recovery time and reflection. Imagine rescuing someone and not knowing who they are, or if they made it, and where they are today. Wow! Upon finishing the book, I had so many questions. Being blessed with meeting Ashlee provided the opportunity to ask questions and to hear answers to questions asked of fellow book club members. Ashlee is down to earth, and she is the real deal. Ashlee is a complete delight. I think as a book club we focused mostly on the Coast Guard and the people that were rescued. Ashlee seems focused on her personal experience, obstacles she faced during her time in the Coast Guard, and recovery after enduring difficult times. I look forward to her next book as I think there will focus more on these topics.

[Darcy Guyant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can relate to Ashlee's story on so many levels. As a retired USCG HH65 pilot I appreciated the detailed descriptions of conducting Search and Rescue operations. It's been over 20 years since I've done it myself, but her level of detail brought it all back to my mind.
Dealing with "strange" inconsistent health issues was another area I could commiserate with Ashlee on. Her health issues impacted her ability to perform at 100%, but she preserved. Similarly my issues resulted in a career change that also didn't include flying. But God, had other plans.
Also, as a brother in Christ, I appreciate Ashlee's witness and her faith, then and now. She is a wonderful example and role model for those desiring to be "salt and light" in the world.
Bravo Zulu!

[Graciela Tiscareno-Sato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not every day of military aviation service is glamorous - in fact there are VERY few! Ashlee takes us through incredibly gratifying days and days that rip your heart out.

Come along with her on this life she has lived of adventure, heroism (although she'll never call it that), mistakes, grief, joy, camaraderie of serving on a Coast Guard aircrew and so much more.

I listened to Ashlee's on voice reading the audio book....as I prefer to do for autobiographies of my fellow military veteran sister authors. You'll LOVE it!

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read by a female veteran who was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease. She doesn't dwell on the illness, but instead focuses on her career in the Coast Guard. She constantly praises her fellow aviators and first line workers and appreciates the health she once had. Her story is hers. It feels authentic and paints a great picture of search and rescue operations. The writing is simple and not weighed down by technical or military jargon.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A True Hero

I had to constantly tell myself this is not a book
of fiction! This is a TRUE STORY! I think my heart stopped beating several times during Ashley's
account of her many rescues! I also had to stop and make myself Breathe! You and your whole crew were real heroes! GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR
SERVICE!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, first hand account of a woman in the Coast Guard. The book is in need of an editor, but that kind of adds to the charm...it felt like I was having a conversation with her. I'm giving this one to my sons to read.

[Andy Valadez · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are there. A gripping tale of rescue and danger as seen from the U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Team aboard a MH-65 hero. Saving lives during Hurricane Harvey.

[Mistye Staten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

What an incredible story! Knowing Ashlee as I have most of her life, the bravery and heroism is just a natural part of who she is. A great story of strength, perseverance, and bravery told by a true hero! Thank you for all you've done Ash!