Review: The Heart of a Hero by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Jake Silver may not be able to put the memories of his time as a sniper and Navy SEAL behind him, but at least he can put his skills to use as a part of the Jones Inc. rescue team. Saving the life of pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Aria Sinclair on Denali helped too. Now he can't get her out of his head, and when he hears she is in the path of a hurricane down in Key West he can't help but jump on a plane to rescue her.

Aria has dedicated her life to helping children born with defective hearts. After all, she was one of those children. Now driven to succeed, she lives a lonely, stressful life. One she would have lost on Denali if it hadn't been for Jake. Jake is exciting and handsome, but he's also dangerous, and she's already lost one person she loves. She can't bear it again.

It's not until she finds herself trapped in the middle of a category 4 hurricane that she can admit she needs Jake desperately. With their very survival in the balance, can they hope for a second chance at life . . . and love?

My Review

This second book in the Global Search and Rescue series picks up where the first one leaves off, with a continuation of Jake and Aria's new and undefined relationship, the appearance of Ham's secret daughter, and the search for answers to his wife's mysterious disappearance. It would definitely help to read The Way of the Brave first, to get to know Jake and Aria since their story begins there as a subplot. While the first book left me feeling frigid from the snowy mountain setting, The Heart of a Hero took us to tropical Florida, but no less dangerous with a hurricane devastating the area. Aria is dealing with her regrets from the mountain climbing trip and her continued attraction to Jake, who seems all wrong for her (but of course he's just what she needs). Jake is drawn to Aria and her compassionate way of drawing out his deeper feelings that he's struggling with. They each have issues with their past that involve siblings, and I loved that even though they are both uncertain and vulnerable with their feelings for each other, they still provide support and encouragement for each other as they work through their emotions. Others that they have rescued also provide inspiration with the themes of forgiveness and being enough, and Mimi was a favorite. The chapters from Ham's perspective were more difficult for me because they dealt with past missions and flashbacks from his early relationship with Signe, but I always felt like I didn't quite understand what was going on. He was a source of spiritual strength for his friends in the first book, but in this one he seemed more lost. I'm looking forward to his story being featured in the next book. Overall, this book provides the author's trademark adventure, romance, and inspiration with complex characters that you can't help but root for.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the other books in the Global Search and Rescue series . . .

Book One

Book Three

Coming October 2020

Review: The Heart of a Hero by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Jake Silver may not be able to put the memories of his time as a sniper and Navy SEAL behind him, but at least he can put his skills to use as a part of the Jones Inc. rescue team. Saving the life of pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Aria Sinclair on Denali helped too. Now he can't get her out of his head, and when he hears she is in the path of a hurricane down in Key West he can't help but jump on a plane to rescue her.

Aria has dedicated her life to helping children born with defective hearts. After all, she was one of those children. Now driven to succeed, she lives a lonely, stressful life. One she would have lost on Denali if it hadn't been for Jake. Jake is exciting and handsome, but he's also dangerous, and she's already lost one person she loves. She can't bear it again.

It's not until she finds herself trapped in the middle of a category 4 hurricane that she can admit she needs Jake desperately. With their very survival in the balance, can they hope for a second chance at life . . . and love?

My Review

This second book in the Global Search and Rescue series picks up where the first one leaves off, with a continuation of Jake and Aria's new and undefined relationship, the appearance of Ham's secret daughter, and the search for answers to his wife's mysterious disappearance. It would definitely help to read The Way of the Brave first, to get to know Jake and Aria since their story begins there as a subplot. While the first book left me feeling frigid from the snowy mountain setting, The Heart of a Hero took us to tropical Florida, but no less dangerous with a hurricane devastating the area. Aria is dealing with her regrets from the mountain climbing trip and her continued attraction to Jake, who seems all wrong for her (but of course he's just what she needs). Jake is drawn to Aria and her compassionate way of drawing out his deeper feelings that he's struggling with. They each have issues with their past that involve siblings, and I loved that even though they are both uncertain and vulnerable with their feelings for each other, they still provide support and encouragement for each other as they work through their emotions. Others that they have rescued also provide inspiration with the themes of forgiveness and being enough, and Mimi was a favorite. The chapters from Ham's perspective were more difficult for me because they dealt with past missions and flashbacks from his early relationship with Signe, but I always felt like I didn't quite understand what was going on. He was a source of spiritual strength for his friends in the first book, but in this one he seemed more lost. I'm looking forward to his story being featured in the next book. Overall, this book provides the author's trademark adventure, romance, and inspiration with complex characters that you can't help but root for.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: The Way of the Brave by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Former pararescue jumper Orion Starr is haunted by the memory of a rescue gone wrong. He may be living alone in Alaska now, but the pain of his failure--and his injuries--has followed him there from Afghanistan. He has no desire to join Hamilton Jones's elite rescue team, but he also can't shirk his duty when the call comes in to rescue three lost climbers on Denali.

Former CIA profiler and psychiatrist Jenny Calhoun's yearly extreme challenge with her best friends is her only escape from the guilt that has sunk its claws into her. As a consultant during a top-secret mission to root out the Taliban, she green-lighted an operation that ended in ambush and lives lost. When her cathartic climb on Denali turns deadly, she'll be forced to trust her life and the lives of her friends to the most dangerous of heroes--the man she nearly killed.

Her skills and his experience are exactly what's needed to prevent another tragedy--but in order to truly set Orion free from his painful past, Jenny will have to reveal hers. They'll have to put their wounds behind them to survive, but at what cost?

Leap into action with this high-octane, breakneck new series from bestselling author Susan May Warren.

My Review

This book reminded me of that movie Vertical Limit with Chris O'Donnell and Robin Tunney- hikers stranded on a snowy mountain and when a rescue team went to save them, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Although in the movie only a few made it back alive, have no fear, there is a less gut-wrenching ending to the book!

There is a strong cast of characters that all have heavy burdens from their pasts, and while some are running from their feelings, some are facing them with anger, and some are relying on God's grace to get them through. The main characters are Jenny and Orion who have a second chance at love, but we also have scenes from the perspective of Jake and Aria, new acquaintances with instant attraction, leading into the next book where they will feature as the leads. And at the end of the book in the "coming next" section we hear from Ham, the leader of the SAR team and also their spiritual mentor. I appreciated his counsel to his team and to Jenny, starting them on a path to understanding how God works in their lives. The big universal question of why do bad things happen to good people is explored in thoughtful and profound ways. Orion and Jenny have such a struggle with this and the experiences they have on the mountain make them face the answers they are both avoiding and yearning for. While I felt a little stir-crazy that the majority of the book takes place on the mountain (interspersed with flashbacks to Jenny and Orion's early relationship), this is a strong beginning to the series and I'm so excited to see what comes next for these amazing and memorable characters!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the upcoming book in the Global Search and Rescue series . . .

Review: Wyatt by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

He’s lost her twice…he’s not going to lose her again...

NHL Hockey Goalie Wyatt Marshall has everything--fame, money and a thriving career. But he’s hiding the two things that matter most...a career-ending injury, and his broken heart. He’s been in love with Coco Stanley since she walked into his life at age fourteen, a foster child for the Marshall family. She stole his heart years later, when, after a secret tryst, she returned to her home country of Russia. But she won’t let him back into her life—and he can’t figure out why.

She’s harboring a secret that could cost lives...

Coco Stanley is tired of living her life undercover. Or at least, with an assumed name, always pretending to be someone she’s not. And that’s not the only secret she’s harboring. If Wyatt discovers the real reason she left him, it might just destroy him. She’s resigned herself to loving him from afar...

But when he discovers she’s in danger...

Wyatt is horrified when he learns Coco has been shot and left in Russia, her fate unknown. There is nothing—nothing—that will stop him from finding her. So what if he’s not one of his super-heroic brothers, not a Ranger, not a SEAL...Wyatt is a hockey goalie, a special kind of crazy brave. Except, is he brave enough to face the secret Coco is keeping, or will it destroy everything he’s hoped for?

What will it cost them to save her?

What Wyatt and Coco don’t know is that revenge is stalking her and bringing her home just might cost them their long-awaited happy ending.

Continue the breath-taking Montana Marshalls series!

My Review

I think I'm developing an anxiety disorder from reading this series! It's hitting my threshold for suspense and angst (which really isn't hard to do). It was a relief to learn more of Coco's backstory and secrets, although one surprise made everything more complicated but also awesome. It was hard for me to understand the choices she made- I could see at least three more preferable options, but the author did a good job of showing how Coco's circumstances and life experience made it hard for her to see things from another perspective. Wyatt is a bit of a headcase, but I liked how it was easy to see how different he is from his brothers. His verbal spewing when he is overwhelmed is hilarious! His emotional loyalty and devotion to Coco is endearing and their sensitive moments together were special. They both learned some important spiritual lessons (the supporting characters sharing the insights got a bit preachy) but the emotion of the moments really came through. I loved seeing more of Ruby and York and can't wait to see their story play out in the next book where I hope all the intrigue will finally be resolved!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: Ford by Susan May Warren

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Family…country…or the woman he loves…

Navy Seal Ford Marshall isn’t the kind to stand by and let a woman get hurt—especially when it involves his twin sister, RJ. So, when she makes the news, accused of sparking an international incident, he doesn’t care what it takes—he’s going to find her and bring her home.

But he might need a little help, so he calls on the woman who has had his back during the last three years—Petty Officer Scarlett Hathaway, former communications expert-turned Rescue Swimmer candidate. She’ll help him get into the country, watch his back, and…well, they might be able to have one last mission together before she leaves for a new life, a life he very much wants to be a part of now that she is off his team. Maybe he can convince her to give them a chance to kindle the spark that’s simmered between them for years.

Scarlett Hathaway isn’t sure what future she wants—not when she suddenly has to care for her little brother. Maybe she should quit the Navy and start a life with the man she can’t seem to get out of her heart. So yes, she’ll help Ford find his sister. And maybe, along the way, figure out if they have a future.

But finding RJ somewhere in the vastness of Russia with the FSB chasing them will push Scarlett beyond even her courage and make her question everything she thought she wanted…including Ford. What will it cost her to love a man who saves the world?

And when Ford is asked to choose between saving his sister, saving the world from a war, and rescuing the woman he loves…can he live with his decision?

My Review

This series just keeps getting better!!! Ford is a complex character and I appreciated seeing more layers of his personality, strengths, and struggles revealed as he undertakes a personal mission to rescue his twin sister in Russia. We got to know the dynamic between him and Scarlett in the previous book, Tate, so I recommend reading the series in order for full enjoyment and understanding. They have amazing chemistry that just increases in this book. I love how they support each other and bring out the emotion in each other. They both have some internal issues to work out and as they develop their faith in God they grow closer together. The plot is non-stop and full of action and suspense as many factors come together and the characters barely stay one step ahead of the danger. A total nail-biter and I'm so excited for the next book, Wyatt!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review & Giveaway: Tate by Susan May Warren

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for Tate, the second book of The Montana Marshalls series by Susan May Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Tate 

Series: The Montana Marshalls, Book 2 

Author: Susan May Warren 

Publisher: SDG Publishing 

Release Date: July 9, 2019  

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

What will it cost this bodyguard to save the woman he loves?

Bodyguard, Tate Marshall, has always been the family troublemaker. Maybe it’s his impulsive propensity to get into the middle of problems that don’t belong to him. But once in, he can’t stop himself from trying to solve them and that includes his recent dilemma. He’s in love with the woman he’s supposed to protect, the beautiful Gloria, “Glo” Jackson, daughter of US Senator and presidential hopeful Reba Jackson. A member of the country band, the Yankee Belles, Glo was targeted in a recent terrorist attack designed to deter her mother from running.

Glo is as stubborn as her mother, and Glo isn’t about to hide from threats, at least the kind that won’t cost her heart. Because she’s already paid a terrible price for the war on terror, and she can’t let herself love a man who might die, especially because of her.

As the campaign heats up and the threats deepen, so does the attraction between Tate and Glo. But when they’re discovered, and Tate is fired, what will he do to protect the woman he loves?

And what will Glo do to keep from losing another man to the costs of war?

The gripping second installment of the Marshall Family series.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Christian Book

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  MY REVIEW

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Another amazing story in the Montana Marshalls series! The previous book Knox provided a great lead in to the suspenseful plot as well as introducing readers to both Tate and Glo, but only hinting at the things they have gone through, increasing curiosity and anticipation for this book. I loved the strong yet vulnerable personalities of Tate and Glo, and the chemistry and attraction they share. I've been interested in the Marshall siblings since reading Reuben's story in the third Montana Fire book, Burnin' For You. The brothers and sister have a strong family bond, but also some drama in their history and it's been great to get to know the dynamic they share and look forward to more being revealed with each book. The siblings are finding their own way in life, but have a haven in the family ranch where their mother keeps the homefire burning. The swift pace and exciting action kept me glued to the pages and the angst between Tate and Glo as they figure out their relationship was heartwrenching. Highly recommend to fans of contemporary romance and suspense! 

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions expressed are my own)
 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over sixty-five novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation.

She is also the founder of MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Knox & Tate, plus 2 CDs - Kelsea Ballerini (Unapologetically) and Brett Young (Ticket to LA)

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight June 10, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on June 17, 2019. US only. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.

 Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Review: Knox by Susan May Warren

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

He's not looking for trouble...

Montana rancher Knox Marshall's danger years are behind him. A former bull-rider, he now runs the Marshall family ranch, raising champion bucking bulls for the National Professional Bullrider's Expo (NBR-X). Wealth and success are his, but life is stable, expected, and…ordinary.  But he wants more from life...

But trouble is looking for her...

Kelsey Jones just wants a safe life, a family, a home. Onstage, the beautiful rising star of the Yankee Belles becomes the person she longs to be - vivacious and confident - burying the brokenness she carries from a violent assault. Becoming NBR-X’s next country act is key to outrunning her past and achieving the success and security she craves.

When trouble finds them both...

Knox and Kelsey's paths collide when an explosion at an NBR-X event traps them in the rubble and leaves them reeling. Kelsey’s crippling nightmares return, but for Knox, an obsession to find the bomber is ignited.

What will it cost him to protect her? 

When Kelsey’s past threatens Knox’s family, he'll have to choose between saving the Marshall legacy or becoming the protector he's always longed to be.

My Review

Be still my heart! I was thrilled to find out that the author is writing a series about the Marshall family- Rueben, the oldest brother, was my favorite smokejumper in the Montana Fire series, and the brief glimpse we see of his family when they are reunited at the end of Burnin' for You provided the perfect lead-in to more stories. I loved reading Knox's perspective and understanding his feelings about being responsible for the ranch while his siblings went on to lead exciting lives. He feels nice, safe, and old, but when Kelsey comes into his life with all her trauma and vulnerability, he is exactly what she needs, and he feels good about that. It was interesting to see the dichotomy in Kelsey's persona- the vibrant country singer who can hold a crowd in the palm of her hand, and the frightened victim who is just trying to hold it together for one more day. She drew out the hero in Knox, and he helped her feel protected and cherished for who she really is. They had great chemistry and the author did a fantastic job of showing them falling in love amid the turmoil in their lives. I loved the peace of the ranch and the way it calmed Kelsey, allowing her to realize the Lord's hand at work in her life. The pace is steady and quickens with each element of danger the characters face. Part of the story is shown from the perspective of Tate and Glo, and I'm excited for their story and the continuation of the suspenseful plot! All five books in the series are being released this year and I appreciate that we won't have long to wait between each book!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

THE MONTANA MARSHALLS (family series)
 

Book 1: Knox
Book 2: Tate (July 2019)
Book 3: Ford (September 2019)
Book 4: Wyatt (October 2019)
Book 5: Ruby Jane (November 2019) 

Review: Wait For Me by Susan May Warren

The sixth book in the Montana Rescue series

My Rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Pete Brooks can't believe he's waited an entire year for Jess Tagg to return to Montana, only to have her break his heart by getting engaged to her ex-fiancé. Worse, a series of mistakes on the job have cost lives, and Pete isn't sure he wants to continue to work in Search and Rescue. Maybe if he can just get over Jess, he can figure out how to move forward.

EMT Jess Tagg has returned to Montana to finally give her heart to Pete, but it seems he's no longer interested. When a terrible fight between them sparks an impulsive decision, she finds herself crashed on the side of a highway along with Esme Shaw. And just when she thinks things couldn't get any worse, she and Esme are taken captive and into the untamed Montana wilderness--with murderous intent.

Now Pete and the other PEAK Rescue Team members are in a race against time, the elements, and the actions of a vengeful man. Pete will have to use everything he's learned to find Jess and Esme--and pray that his past mistakes don't cost him the life of the woman he can't stop loving.

My Review

I have a horrible habit of putting off reading the last book in a series I've loved because then that would mean there are no more books to look forward to. Completely irrational, since I know the author has another exciting series coming. All the books have been full of adventure, action, and angst, and this one is no different. Pete and Jess have provided some of the relationship drama in the previous books, and it was satisfying for them to finally grow, communicate, and have a resolution. They had quite the build-up! There is also a romance between Esme/Shea and a young man she met in the previous book, which gave us a nice break from the Pete and Jess drama. The murder case involving Esme's friend also comes to an end with the unexpected villain made known and it brought the elements of suspense and danger to the plot. It was nice to have everything wrapped up, and I'm ready for some fresh love stories from the author!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)