Review of Sunburst by Susan May Warren

 

About the Book ~

When former Navy SEAL and lifelong bachelor Ranger Kingston is called upon to take part in a rescue mission to save his brother Colt from terrorists in Nigeria, he is shocked to find among the hostages a woman he could never forget.

Noemi Sutton was attempting to return a young girl to her family in Boko Haram territory when she and the girl found themselves taken hostage, along with several others. And while Ranger Kingston may be able to get the hostages away from their captors, he'll need Noemi's help if he ever hopes to get out of Nigeria alive.

Her solution? Pose as husband and wife. But when her uncle discovers the union, he insists on a traditional Nigerian wedding--which would bind Noemi to a man destined to break her heart. Worse, the trouble they're fleeing has found them--again. It's clear anyone around Noemi is bound to be caught in the crossfire. Including her potential new husband.

She'll need to figure out a way to leave the man she loves if she wants to save his life.

For more information about Susan May Warren and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Sunburst by Susan May Warren is the type of riveting, intriguing, on-the-run romantic adventure that I love to read! 

No one knows how to write an insta-love romance that's not only believable but also compelling quite like Susan May Warren! Seriously, the author has this trope down to a science, and Sunburst's romance blazed with the chemistry between Noemi and Ranger. Additionally, I really enjoyed how the author added in the fake marriage trope on top of that, and the traditional Nigerian wedding was fascinating! However, there was some messaging that could be potentially triggering to readers who've experienced betrayal trauma. The pacing was excellent! You couldn't get comfortable for long because the stakes kept rising, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

The spiritual messages contained in Sunburst were heart-wrenchingly beautiful! Ranger struggled with a perfectionist mindset dominating his sense of duty, while Noemi struggled with abandonment and doubting that God even noticed her. At the heart of it, their struggles boiled down to the same root: are you worthy, are you even enough, for God to love you? To rescue you? To have a good and perfect plan for your future? Spoiler alert: YES! Ranger and Noemi's journey illustrates this truth quite wonderfully!

Four Stars ~ Sunburst by Susan May Warren was a thrilling, romantic adventure! Sunburst is the second book in the author's Sky King Ranch series. While the overarching mystery will make more sense if the series is read in order, I didn't feel lost reading the series out of order. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series! 

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of The Heart of a Hero by Susan May Warren

About the Book ~

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?

For more information about Susan May Warren and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Find a place to huddle down while reading The Heart of a Hero by Susan May Warren because you will be swept away by this epic story! The Heart of a Hero features Jake and Aria -- who readers got to know a little through an excellent setup in The Way of the Brave -- as they fight against their hearts, their false narratives, and the brute strength of a hurricane! Like...why aren't you reading this book right now?

The hurricane angle in The Heart of a Hero hooked me right away! This had such a disaster movie vibe -- with an incredible faith angle, but more on that in a moment! Between the ragtag crew, the danger from the storm itself, and the danger the storm unleashed (no spoilers!), each new development had my eyes rushing to keep up with the flipping pages. And my little scaredy-cat self is thankful I got to experience these terrifying ordeals from the safety of my cozy nook!

As the title suggests, Jake and Aria struggled with their hero hearts. Jake believed himself to be more villain than hero; Aria believed her life to be a mistake, causing her to fear actually living life. And God's heart leapt from the pages as Jake and Aria grappled with surrendering their hearts to Him. This story is for anyone who has ever believed they must be worthy of forgiveness through the qualifying lens of a debt that can never be repaid while an internal shame megaphone reminds them of this over and over again. This story is for everyone because it proclaims these freeing truths: we are forgiven, washed clean, and loved.

Four Stars ~ The Heart of a Hero by Susan May Warren is thrilling, healing, and not to be missed! The Heart of a Hero is the second book in the author's Global Search and Rescue Series. This could be read as a standalone; however, the backstory and an on-going mystery will be more easily understood if the series is read in order.

Possible triggers ~ Death, traumatic situations, physical attacks.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of The Way of the Brave by Susan May Warren

About the Book ~

Haunted by the memory of a rescue gone wrong, former pararescue jumper Orion Starr 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 in Alaska.

Jenny Calhoun's yearly extreme challenge with her best friends is her only escape from her guilt. The former CIA profiler and psychiatrist green-lighted an operation against the Taliban that ended in ambush and lives lost. When her cathartic climb on Denali turns deadly, she'll be forced to trust her life to the most dangerous of heroes -- the man she nearly killed.

Orion and Jenny will have to put their wounds behind them to save their friends...and their hearts.

For more information about Susan May Warren and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

I recommend reading The Way of the Brave by Susan May Warren while buried under a mountain of blankets. You'll still be cold, but you can remind yourself that you're not lost in an avalanche of ice and snow as you burrow deeper into the blankets, LOL!

As a mountain girl, I enjoyed the snowy nature of The Way of the Brave! However, I know nothing about climbing an icy mountain prone to avalanches, so there was a lot of technical information to learn. The author definitely did a lot of research for The Way of the Brave, and the action picked up pretty quickly. I absolutely LOVE a good Man VS Nature story, and the author nailed this! The captivating intensity was everything I hoped to find in such a storyline. Additionally, there's intriguing and emotionally-tugging setup for future books in the series -- something the author also does really well!

Orion and Jenny's relationship was forged in the fires of shared hardships! Their backstory -- though brief -- gave them a strong connection. A connection they both held on to when their worlds were shattered. I enjoyed seeing how that connection deepened when they reconnected -- through even more hardships! I also enjoyed the setup for Jake and Aria's story and getting a glimpse of who they are now.

The hero quality of this series is evident. Like seriously, look at that swoony cover, and have you read the title??? But what makes a hero? Is it a man who never needs help? Is it a woman who has never made mistakes? These questions make up some of the spiritual themes of Orion and Jenny's story as their separately (and together), confront their fears, break free from the past, and bravely give God the broken pieces of their hearts. And the way God's love and grace leaps from the pages might result in a soggy book!

Four Stars ~ The Way of the Brave by Susan May Warren is an exciting story with an important message! This is the first book in the author's new Global Search and Rescue Series from Revell. I'm looking forward to the next book, The Heart of a Hero!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of Storm Front by Susan May Warren

About the Book ~

Life and love hang in the balance during a deadly summer of storms.

A tornado has destroyed a small Minnesota community, and among the missing are not only a group of students but also PEAK Rescue team leader Chet King. Ty Remington will stop at nothing to rescue his mentor, not even when the girl he loved--and lost--walks back into his life. But Brette needs his help more than he knows, despite her stubborn determination to push him away. And when he gets a second chance, loving her just might cost him more than he can imagine.

A blogger for Vortex Storm Chasers, Brette Arnold didn't expect her adventures to land her in the same place as Ty, the guy who she walked--no, ran--from over a year ago. She had her reasons--good ones. The kind that tell her that falling for him again would only lead to heartache. But Ty isn't the kind of man to give up--not on the missing students or on her.

For more information about Susan May Warren and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Warning: do not read during strong winds! This book is a wild ride and there's no need to add heart palpitations to the evening's activities!

Storm Front might be my second favorite book (so far) in the Montana Rescue Series. (Nothing can ever replace number one, Rescue Me. I heart Sam and Willow's story!) Join the PEAK Rescue team on their latest adventure, and don't forget to breathe!

And can I just say that my inner meteorologist geek LOVED living vicariously through this story? I used to tease my family that I wanted to be a storm chaser one day, and I've always been fascinated with tornadoes. (Okay, I'm TERRIFIED, too! LOL!) So yeah, I had a lot of fun with this book! Storm geek, party of one! ;-)

If you've been waiting for Ty's story, then you won't be disappointed! This swoony, I'll-be-there-for-you, vulnerable hero will leave you feeling like you've melted on a hot July day. If you felt like Ty and Brette's relationship fell into the pitfalls of insta-love, then I'm pleased to tell you I was delighted with the way Susan May Warren added substance, depth, and a love you could root for into their story. I had a hard time with the breast cancer angle in the story (some things just hit too close to home), but I found even that to be well done, a storyline with struggles and fears that will be relatable to many readers. This is a novel that tackles fear, dragging it to the ground and helping the reader see their fears through God's heart of love.

Five Stars ~ Storm Front is an epic adventure that you won't want to miss! However, I strongly urge you to read the previous four books (Wild Montana Skies, Rescue Me, A Matter of Trust, and Trouble Waters respectively) before diving into this new adventure. Just trust me on this. :-)

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Review of Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren

About the Book ~

Billionaire Ian Shaw can have everything he wants--except a happy ending. Or at least that's what it feels like with his fortune recently liquidated, his niece, Esme, still missing, and the woman he loves refusing to speak to him. In fact, he doubts she would date him even if they were stranded on a deserted island.

Despite her love for Ian, Sierra Rose knows he has no room in his life for her as long as the mystery of his missing niece goes unsolved. The only problem is, Sierra has solved it, but a promise to Esme to keep her whereabouts secret has made it impossible to be around Ian.

When the PEAK chopper is damaged and Sierra lacks the funds to repair it, Ian offers a fundraising junket for large donors on his yacht in the Caribbean. But the three-day excursion turns into a nightmare when a rogue wave cripples the yacht and sends the passengers overboard. Shaken up and soaked to the bone, Ian finally has a chance to test his theory when he and Sierra do indeed find themselves washed up on a strange, empty shore.

It will take guts and gumption for the PEAK team to rescue the duo. But it will take a miracle to rescue Ian and Sierra's relationship.

For more information about Susan May Warren and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

If you're like me and have been anxiously awaiting (translation: pacing, binge eating, and counting seconds) the arrival of Ian and Sierra's story, then you will not be disappointed.

If you don't have a clue what I'm talking about, then get thee to a bookstore! ;-)

Susan May Warren drops you into mystery and action on the first page, and it doesn't let up until the end. And I don't know if this is important to you or not, but I am never getting on a boat ever again! This edge-of-your-seat story is told mostly from Ian and Sierra's perspectives, but you will get some glimpses from a couple other people on the PEAK team.

But I can't tell you who. ;-)

Did someone say romance? Was that me? Well, since someone asked, the romance is sweet and clean, yet steamy and real in the way that only Susan May Warren can do it, and the end - OHMYGOODNES!!! Welcome to Swoon City, my friends! <3 <3 <3

Ian is one of my favorite dudes in the Montana Rescue Series, second only to Deputy Sam Brooks (#allthehearts). He's hardworking and charming and makes mistakes that make you want to slap him. And when he makes the choice to love, forgive, and trust, you will do a happy dance. Well, at least I did. :-) And Sierra's struggles are so relatable! Who among us hasn't felt like they have had to earn love, respect, or their place in life? Fear of being left behind... Fear of not being able to control the world around you... Forgiveness... Truly these beautifully flawed people, er, characters will reflect your heart in an alarming way.

Five Stars ~ Another thrilling installment in the Montana Rescue Series! Troubled Waters is book four. While you could probably read Troubled Waters by itself, you may be confused by some of the character dynamics and a building mystery if you read the series out of order. I recommend reading Wild Montana Skies, Rescue Me (#allthehearts), and A Matter of Trust respectively before you dive into (minor pun intended) Troubled Waters.

I received a copy of Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Review of A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren

About the Book ~

Champion backcountry snowboarder Gage Watson has left the limelight behind after the death of one of his fans. After being sued for negligence and stripped of his sponsorships, he's remade his life as a ski patrol in Montana's rugged mountains, as well as serving on the PEAK Rescue team. But he can't seem to find his footing--or forget the woman he loved, who betrayed him.

Senator and former attorney Ella Blair spends much of her time in the limelight as the second-youngest senator in the country. But she has a secret--one that cost Gage his career. More than anything, she wants to atone for her betrayal of him in the courtroom and find a way to help him put his career back on track.

When Ella's brother goes missing on one of Glacier National Park's most dangerous peaks, Gage and his team are called in for the rescue. But Gage isn't so sure he wants to help the woman who destroyed his life. More, when she insists on joining the search, he'll have to keep her safe while finding her reckless brother, a recipe for disaster when a snowstorm hits the mountain.

But old sparks relight as they search for the missing snowboarder--and suddenly, they are faced with emotions neither can deny. But when Ella's secret is revealed, can they learn to trust each other--even when disaster happens again?

For more information about Susan May Warren and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Looking for you next thrilling read? Then you must read A Matter of Trust because Susan May Warren has done it again!

First of all, I loved all the skiing/snowboarding lingo! I grew up skiing, so it was a lot of fun to see that piece of my world included in a novel! <3 And may I just say that a certain mountain kiss was Swoon City, my friends!

Trust is a core subject in this novel, and it's handled SO well. Ella and Gage have to - wait for it - overcome some obstacles and learn to trust each other and God once again. I know that's fairly shocking given the title, A Matter of Trust. ;) Ella and Gage do not have an easy time since they both feel like they were betrayed. And trusting someone who has broken your trust is one of the hardest things we have to do in this life.

Then you have the God angle of the trust triangle. Even though three years have passed since the incident and Ella and Gage's anger has slightly waned, they are having trouble trusting God. Ella regrets her actions during the trial, especially once information came to light. Add that to the fact that she feels like she has to earn everyone's love and approval, to life up to the legacy of her family, and it's no wonder she's struggling to trust God. And Gage believes that he is responsible for all the hotshot skiers who are trying to follow his line. Learning to trust that God is bigger that our mistakes is no easy feat, as Gage learns! I loved reading about their journey and seeing God's truths settle on their hearts like a warm blanket!

Four Stars - Another wonderful addition to the Montana Rescue Series! While A Matter of Trust is its own independent story, events and an ongoing mystery build in each book, so I recommend reading the series in order. Start with Wild Montana Skies and Rescue Me (AMAZING!!!).

I received a copy of A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. She is a youth leader at her church, and loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.