The Heart of a Hero (Global Search and Rescue #2) by Susan May Warren

Rescuing Aria Sinclair is just what former SEAL Jake Silver needs in order to redeem his past mistakes. Keeping her distance from Jake is what Aria needs to protect her heart. As a hurricane turns paradise into peril, they must save themselves and others in this story of second chances and survival--and the cost of both.

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I love the adventure and danger mixed with romance in Susan May Warren's books.  It really keeps things exciting and moving along at a fantastic pace.  This series, like some of her other more recent, has individual stories happening along with an over arching story line.  It's all connected but comes together a bit at a time.  I really love this approach because it keeps everything interesting.  It also means that you really must read these books in order to keep up with everything happening.

Jake is the kind of guy that runs straight into danger.  Literally.  It's as if he just cannot help himself.  He is a hero by all definitions and in this book, he was running into danger on practically every single page.  It made my heart weak.  haha.  I loved his strength and determination.  I loved his hero kindness.

Aria is so smart and although she is battling some pretty big demons, she really keeps things together for other people when it counts.   I loved watching her grow and accept herself.  I was glad to have met Jake and Aria in book one and know their history there because it laid the foundation of their relationship and gave understanding to how it progressed in this book.

I always end Warren's books satisfied and happy but eagerly awaiting the next book.  They just cannot come fast enough.

Content:  this is a Christian fiction book and has moments of stronger Christian themes.  Some moments of violence, peril, death, kissing.

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

The Way of the Brave (Global Search and Rescue #1) by Susan May Warren

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?

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It took me a bit to really get into this book. There are a lot of characters introduced quickly and it was hard enough to keep everyone straight at first let alone make emotional connections.  I can see that this story is laying the foundation for the series to come and there are many, many players in this game.  Each book will add a layer to an overarching story/mystery to be solved.  It's exciting to think about.

I have no idea how people willingly go into places like Denali where it's well below freezing, you can never get warm, you eat nasty things and seriously?  It's a death trap.   It absolutely boggles my mind.  But, welcome to a whole story of characters willing do this.  😳  A story of a whole group of characters who nearly freeze to death, starve, get altitude sickness, fall over cliffs, get injured, and almost die on more than one occasion.  Yup, it's one harrowing experience after another.  It's intense and my body was so locked up for half this book!  I had to remind myself to relax.

It was interesting to see how the different characters handled guilt and fear.  Not everyone responds the same in extreme situations which is what makes us human and individual.  I like how this author portrays that.

Meanwhile, Orion and Jenny come in contact after 3 years apart.  There are many things swirling around them from the past and it's all mixed in with some pretty yummy attraction.  I liked how things came together in the end and how I could feel the shift in not only the characters but the story line as well.  I'm looking forward to the next book!



Content: some violence, peril, death, kissing, Christian elements (a bit on the heavier side)
 
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.