The Way of the Brave

by Susan May Warren

Published by Revell Publishing House

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: 

Wow, I had no idea that I could become more attached to a Susan May Warren series than I did with the Montana Rescue Me series, but Orion and Jenny's story has blew me away. The start of the story had me a little anxious because there was a lot of background information on ice climbing with terminology and tools that I did not understand at all, but pushing past that initial intro of information is well worth it.  The story itself takes off for each of these characters separately and intertwining at just the perfect moments.  



The world building of snowy mountains and ice ledges was designed perfectly for the images played out well in my head.  The descriptive action scenes were my most favorites parts of the story.  I held my breath quite a few times, unable to tear my eyes away from the pages, even when my husband or son started to talk to me.  I had to hold a finger up, begging for a just another few minutes. I am so excited for next installment and cannot wait to see how the lives and relationships unfold in the rest of this powerful and exciting series.

This story is strong, powerful and moving. You will laugh. You will tear up or cry. You will find yourself holding your breath!  Did I mention I want to go to Alaska?! 

Susan May Warren

About the Author

Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson

Christmas in Winter Hill

by Melody Carlson

Published by Fleming H. Revell Company

This was such a sweet story that gave me all the Hallmark Christmas vibes!  I loved the main character Krista as she seemed very real and relatable. She comes from a dysfunctional background but has persevered through it in order to provide a successful future for her and her daughter.  Also, she isn’t afraid to stand on her own two feet and I admire that in a female protagonist.  I felt that she real life comments and advice to offer her daughter which I can relate to as a mother of a 12 year old.  The description of Christmasville was festive and cheerful.  I love reading about small towns that celebrate together.  I come from a suburban area and we only wave hi and bye to our neighbors. 

I do wish the story would have been longer. At times the plot felt driven too quickly and the romance was very rushed, especially considering the background for Conner.  This is my first Melody Carlson book and I would love to read more of work, but I do usually prefer more content in my reads as well as a much slower build to a romance.  Some light flirting and hand holding can really build the anticipation for a reader! 

 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publishing company. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus. 

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series. 

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.