Sunrise (Sky King Ranch #1) by Susan May Warren

 

Pilot Dodge Kingston has always been the heir to Sky King Ranch. But after a terrible family fight, he left to become a pararescue jumper. A decade later, he's headed home to the destiny that awaits him.

That's not all that's waiting for Dodge. His childhood best friend and former flame, Echo Yazzie, is a true Alaskan--a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide for the DNR. Most of all, she's living a life Dodge knows could get her killed. One of these days she's going to get lost in the woods again, and his worst fear is that he won't be there to find her.

When one of Echo's fellow researchers goes missing, Echo sets out to find her, despite a blizzard, a rogue grizzly haunting the woods, and the biting cold. Plus, there's more than just the regular dangers of the Alaskan forests stalking her . . .

Will Dodge be able to find her in time? And if he does, is there still room for him in her heart?

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

Is it possible to be freezing cold just from reading a book?  Yes, yes it is.  This book is set in Alaska and man, I am so glad I don't live there!  I really don't think I could do it.  So. Much. Cold.  ❄ AND So. Many. Bears.  😨

I'm happy to be back into a new series by this author.  She really knows how to bring the adventure and danger into her books.  Her characters are humanly flawed but trying and not giving up which makes them so relatable and endearing.  Hurts definitely follow Dodge and Echo- between each other and with other people.  Watching them navigate those hurts and learning to forgive themselves and each other was satisfying.  I loved the pacing in this book and how it built in tension and purpose.  I can see the other stories forming from this one and I'm excited to follow this family through more adventures.

Content:  peril, violence, kissing.  Christian elements.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.