Review: Iris by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Iris Marshall never wanted to be anything more than what she is—an official for the European League of (American) Football. So, why she said yes to being a courier for the CIA? She’s not sure, especially when it lands her in an international thriller that has her on the run from a killer. And worse, the person she’s on the run with? Arrogant, bossy, playboy Hudson Bly football player and the last person on earth she wants to go into hiding with.

Hudson knows his days as a wide-receiver are numbered. Too many head injuries, starting with a violent TBI in college have caught up with him. So yes, he agreed to be a patriot, do his bit for the USA and courier a message between agents. He never expected for that simple act to ignite an international man-hunt for the official who wrecked his life, Iris Marshall. But what’s a guy to do—let her get killed?

But spending time with Iris has ignited a desire in him that takes him by surprise, and for Iris, maybe Hudson is more than she thought.

But who is after Iris? When one of her fellow officials is murdered, maybe the killer is after more than just her—maybe she’s found herself in the middle of an international plot to take down a country.

It’ll take the help of the entire family to keep Iris safe…but at what cost when they have to choose between their careers…and their country?

My Review

The suspense and thrills continue in the fourth book of the Minnesota Marshalls series! Definitely read this series in order since the overarching mystery continues throughout, and the subplot in each book becomes the main plot of the following book. I really like this way of getting to know the Marshall siblings simultaneously as their individual stories weave together. Iris and Hudson get pulled into secret agent work for the CIA in the previous book, which puts a target on their backs. This book picks right up with their escape from a life-threatening situation, and the tension doesn't abate while they seek to discover who is after them while still participating in the football season with Hudson as a player and Iris as an official. I loved how the siblings have each others backs, and work together to fight against their enemies, the threads of each book's plot tightening as the elements of each are tied together. The chemistry between Iris and Hudson didn't feel as strong since so much of their attention is on their careers and the danger. I was happy with the resolution and the way they overcame the obstacles that had prevented them from deepening their relationship. We also get some perspective from Iris's parents as they face a new trial which I'm sure will develop in the next book. 

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

The Minnesota Marshalls series

 

Review: Ned by Susan May Warren

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

After four years of training to become a Navy SEAL, Ned Marshall is finally ready to marry the woman of his dreams, Shae Johnson. And Shae’s been uber patient, waiting, building a life as a free-lance graphic artist, moving around the globe to be with him. So, when she said yes to his proposal in Geneva, he fully expected to live happily-ever-after.

At the very least, he expected her to be waiting at the hotel for him three days after an emergency call-out. And maybe it was unreasonable to expect her to be sitting in the hotel, working on her watercolors—Shae, after all grew up in Montana, and she has adventure in her blood. So of course she’s going to go climb the beautiful Swiss mountains. Even make a friend.

But Ned isn’t thrilled with her new friend, and something about him doesn’t feel safe…

So she’s made some friends while waiting for Ned to return? Shae can’t believe that after years of sacrifice, Ned is actually angry at her—what did he expect, that she’d sit by the window? Dana and his friends are harmless, right?

Not so much. Because when Shae finds herself kidnapped, and brought to Russia, she fears the worst—she’s been swept up in a human trafficking ring. And when she’s sent to, of all places, Siberia how will Ned ever find her?

But Ned isn’t going to lose her—not after everything they’ve been through, and he’ll stop at nothing to rescue her. But when he discovers the real reason she’s been taken, he will have to become a traitor to his country if he wants her back.

Join the epic race to rescue Shae in the high-adrenaline book three in the Minnesota Marshalls series.

My Review

The high octane series continues with Ned and Shae's storyline that was introduced in the previous book Jonas, and it was more than I expected! I was fascinated with the dark setting in Sibera where Shae is sent. It's hard to believe slavery still exists in these forms in today's modern world, but it's horrifyingly true. Ned's devotion to Shae is limitless as he races against time and seemingly impossible barriers. The theme of faith and reliance on God and His plan is heartfelt and well-applied as Ned and his brother plan and fight on one end while Shae follows her instincts to stay alive and sane with help from a fellow prisoner. The twists had me glued to the pages and even when I thought I could let out my breath, the pace picked right back up! Along with Ned's rescue of Shae we have a subplot of his sister Iris and football player Hudson who are drawn into some secret agent stuff that's way over their heads and woven into the secrets and intrigue where many of the Marshalls siblings and cousins find themselves involved. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book! Because one story leads into the next, it's vital to read them in order. I do appreciate that the main character's story has a satisfying resolution even while the secondary characters have a cliffhanger to anticipate the continuing story.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

The Minnesota Marshalls series

Review: The Price of Valor by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Former Navy SEAL Hamilton Jones thought that the love of his life was dead. But when a girl claiming to be his daughter shows up with a dire message from his wife, Ham knows he will stop at nothing to find her and bring her home.

Kidnapped by rebels while serving as an interpreter in Ukraine, Signe Kincaid has spent the past decade secreting out valuable information about Russian assets in the US to her CIA handler. Fearing for her daughter after being discovered as an operative, Signe sends her to Ham for safekeeping. She's ready to give her life for her country, and she can hardly expect Ham to rescue her after breaking his heart over and over.

When Ham discovers the reason Signe has kept her distance, he must choose between love for his wife and love for the nation he has vowed to protect. Will he save the many? Or the few?

USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren takes you on a global search and rescue mission where the stakes are higher than ever in this final installment of her popular series.

My Review

Another non-stop action/adventure/suspense filled ride with the heroes of the global rescue team! I'd definitely recommend reading these in order since the subplot of the each previous book leads into the main plot of the following. There's an overarching political intrigue that ties them together, and I appreciate that the books don't end on cliffhangers even if all the threads aren't wrapped up. Ham is united with his daughter at the end of the previous book, and I loved seeing his relationship with her and how easily he falls into the role of father. Signe is more difficult to understand, and her layers are revealed slowly throughout the book. The thought processes of the characters are a bit choppy, as that seems to be the author's writing style, but it was more prevalent in this book. The rocky relationship of team members Orion and Jenny is explored along with Ham and Signe, and just as tumultuous is  unexpected natural disasters which provide contrast with the spy drama. It was satisfying to have the mysteries answered and  also fun to see the cameos of SAR and special op friends and colleagues from the author's other series.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

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

Review: Jonas by Susan May Warren

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Jonas Marshall is done storm-chasing, plagued with the memory of a terrible accident that paralyzed a fellow chaser, so the last thing he’s going to do is run into more danger. Now, he’s just a simple weatherman deploying dirigibles in an experiment to track weather patterns in Slovenia.

As far from danger as he can get.

But danger comes knocking in the form of hiker in need of rescue, and he can’t deny that her companion—beautiful Sibba Kovac—is a great distraction from the guilt that haunts him…until she paraglides right out of his life.

Probably for the best.

But danger still won’t leave him alone when a storm knocks his dirigibles out of the sky, and he happens upon one that looks tampered with…

It is. And worse, it’s carrying what could be radioactive waste. At least according to EOD expert Sibba…who finds herself face-to-face with the rescuer she can’t forget. But she’s not looking for him—her grandfather is missing, and she’ll stop at nothing to find him.

When her missing grandfather leads to the threat of a dirty bomb, she’s the only one who can stop it. And Jonas is the only man brave enough to run into danger with her. But she doesn’t have room in her heart to love him—not when she lives with death in her periphery. Can the right man, at the right time help her see beyond her fears to a future?

And if they have a chance to save the world, can Jonas let go of the woman he loves?

My Review

This series keeps getting better! I loved the unique occupations of Jonas and Sibba- severe weather chaser and bomb diffuser?! Guaranteed action. I also loved the setting of Slovenia, since it's a new location for me to read about and most especially because my mom and stepdad are currently serving a church mission there! Although now I'm freaked out about the leftover bombs from the wars. Anyhow, we continue with the nonstop adventure, danger, and suspense as Jonas chases down his weather dirigibles and crosses paths with Sibba, joining efforts to prevent more nuclear waste from being deployed in the area. The strong support characters from other books in the author's various series assist with the mission as they follow Jonas and Sibba who lead them to the perpetrators. I loved their chemistry, the way they admire and respect each other, and even though they both have their issues to work through and overcome, their faith emerges to strengthen them in their trials. Some of the story is told from Ned's perspective, providing a lead-in to the next book, which I can't wait to read!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the other books in the Minnesota Marshalls series . . .

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Fraser by Susan May Warren

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Fraser by Susan May Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Fraser 

Series: The Minnesota Marshalls #1 

Author: Susan May Warren 

Publisher: SDG Publishing 

Release Date: February 14, 2023 

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Fraser Marshall is pretty sure his career as a Spec Ops fighter is over. Yes, he’s gone into private security, working for Jones, Inc, but his last gig ended with him wounded and taken captive. And those wounds just won’t heal. The last thing he wants to do is stick around his family’s winery pressing grapes. But what choices does he have?

The answer comes via a panicked phone call from his kid brother, Creed. 

Help, Fraser. I’m in over my head… 

Yeah he is, because he’s run away with a princess, with her bodyguard hot on the trail. And said bodyguard, Pippa Butler is going to hunt them down, no matter the cost. 

Even if she has to join forces with a bossy, arrogant former American SEAL. But Pippa has her own set of lethal skills, and if Fraser gets in the way, she’ll leave him on the side of the road. Still, maybe he’s not a terrible side-kick. He is handsome, and he makes her laugh… 

No, no, bad Pippa! She has no room for a man—an American—in her life. And Fraser hasn’t ever considered slowing down. Even if Pippa has him wondering if there is a different future ahead. 

But there’s more to the story than a Romeo-and-Juliet runaway romance. Princess Imani has seen a murder, and the perpetrator isn’t going to let her get away. Will Fraser and Pippa find the couple first? 

And if they do, can they work together to keep them safe? 

It’ll be tough if their hearts get in the way…

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Christianbook | IndieBound | BookBub

 

My Review

5 stars / It was amazing

I loved this new installment in the exciting lives of the Marshalls! The previous series focused on the branch of the family in Montana, and this one continues the adventure and suspense with the cousins in Minnesota. Fraser had a role in the author's book Sunburst, the second book in the Sky King Ranch series, and I love when secondary characters get their own story! As a reader of all the previous books, it was great to see characters again as the network of Jones Inc, SEALs, and others are called on to help as Fraser and Pippa chase down Creed and Imani. The book can definitely be read as a stand alone; those who haven't read any or only some of the author's other books will still get the full picture. Fraser and Pippa have a bit of a rough start, and I loved seeing them warm up as they got to know and respect each other. They have great chemistry, with their differences complementing each other and the important things they have in common deepening their connection. The action is non-stop on their journey to intercept Creed and Imani with no way to communicate, yet the author skillfully weaves in the development of their relationship, personal issues, and spiritual development. I was glued to the pages as I read and felt immersed in the movie-like setting and plot. Fraser's other siblings are also introduced in small ways and I can't wait to read where the author takes them!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

 

Also Available

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About the Author

With nearly 2 million books sold, critically acclaimed novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA, and Carol award-winning author of over ninety novels with Tyndale, Barbour, Steeple Hill, and Summerside Press. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic-suspense, thrillers, rom-com, and Christmas novellas. With books translated into eight languages, many of her novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers, were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA's Inspirational Reader's Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award. She’s a three-time RITA finalist and an eight-time Christy finalist.

Connect with Susan by visiting susanmaywarren.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Fraser and $10 Susan May Warren Store gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 21, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 28, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

 

Review: Sundown by Susan May Warren

 

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Former Delta Operative Colt Kingston knows when someone is lying. He may not know the truth, but he sure doesn't trust Tae, the woman who is caring for his ailing father at Sky King Ranch. Behind those beautiful blue eyes, he can tell there is a troubled--and smart--woman.

A few of her stories prove true--he's found the crashed plane and the dead body inside. Still, her story of survival seems too incredible to believe . . . until the thugs she claims to be hunting her show up and threaten Sky King Ranch. Now Tae must disappear, along with her secrets.

But Colt's not about to let her go it alone. And when they discover that her secrets include the antidote to a plague that threatens the world, it'll take all three Kingston brothers to save the country they've vowed to protect.

Susan May Warren brings her Sky King Ranch series to a climactic close with this high-stakes race against the clock.

My Review

All the loose threads from the overarching plot of the series tie together in this concluding book, as well as provide connections to the individual plots in Sunrise and Sunburst. Tae is on a mission to save the world, and Colt's mission is to save her. The epic plot is full of the adventure, suspense, and thrills of an action movie, while also pulling readers into the emotions, romance, and spiritual growth of our main characters. Colt and Tae are so impulsive that I wanted to smack my head sometimes, but with the support of the other Kingston brothers and a network of friends and colleagues, they stay one step ahead (barely) in their quest to thwart the villains threatening them and the country. I enjoyed the variety of locations in this series and it was so satisfying to have the continuing stories of Colt's brothers woven into this last book.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

 

Don't miss the previous books in the Sky King Ranch series . . .