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The McGuire Brothers #1

Surviving the Storm

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HIGH-STAKES REUNION

After witnessing her boss's murder, Aria Zimmerman isn't sure she'll make it to safety. She would already be dead if it weren't for her ex-boyfriend David McGuire. Now she and David are in a race for their lives on the rugged Oregon coast. If their enemies don't get them, the elements will. With a lethal tsunami bearing down on them, Aria has no time for regrets and little hope of reconciliation with her former love. Her only wish is that they live long enough to avenge an innocent man's death…

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2015

140 people are currently reading
947 people want to read

About the author

Heather Woodhaven

59 books186 followers

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5 stars
314 (58%)
4 stars
146 (27%)
3 stars
64 (11%)
2 stars
7 (1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Gloria.
1,183 reviews146 followers
October 6, 2024
I know to expect a nonstop, action packed, and suspenseful read from Heather Woodhaven. Surviving the Storm is another adventure to grab and keep my attention. It is a story of a second chance for Aria and David, who broke up due to misunderstanding and lack of communication during a stressful time a couple of years ago. But they are thrown together after witnessing a murder as they run to get away from the bad guys but have to battle a couple of natural disasters on the Oregon coast that leaves them without power or cell service. Can they get to safety and find answers and reconciliation? This is another win for the author.
I went back and forth between listening to the audio purchased from Chirp and reading on my Kindle.
Profile Image for Terri Lynn.
997 reviews
September 27, 2015
This was a nice romantic suspense novel about a would-be architect who saw her boss murdered and had to run from gunmen with the evidence they sought from her boss's computer- along with the man she loved and broke up with 2 years earlier over a misunderstanding. Battling a tsunami on the wild Oregon coast with the killers in pursuit they must use their wits out in the forest to try to escape and battle with whatever they can find while no help is available.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
345 reviews11 followers
November 17, 2015
Lots of adventure packed into this suspense ! Aria Zimmerman just witnessed her bosses murder, almost gets gunned down, comes face to face with her ex and has to survive the after affects of an earthquake.
David McGuire has no idea what his first day on the job is going to like but seeing Aria and then running for there lives wasn't it.
Can Aria and David out run both the storm and the gun men?
Profile Image for Melissa Henderson.
Author 8 books193 followers
November 11, 2016
Action packed adventure is found in this quick moving story by Heather Woodhaven. Mistaken trust, secrets and more keep the story exciting and kept me wanting to read more. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more by this author.
Profile Image for Nancy.
2,604 reviews64 followers
April 22, 2021
3.5 stars. Best parts were the spiritual ah ha moments.
Setting: Northern coast of Oregon
Earthquakes and tsunamis then landslides !!
Plot was shaky for me.
As usual .. if you like action this LIS is for you !
David McGuire and Aria.
I hope to finish the series by reading Lucas and James stories next.
Profile Image for Catarina Águas.
2,428 reviews210 followers
January 3, 2023
I loved this book. Aria was trying not to get hurt and running from love and grief was her only way to do that. I liked her and I fell for her because you could see that she really loved him despite not knowing exactly with that love. David was so in love with her, you could see, he never stopped and he would everything he could for her to be safe. These two were meant to be together
51 reviews
July 18, 2015
Amazing book from the beginning to the end. Kept you reading faster to find out what was going to happen. A must read book for suspense lovers.
Profile Image for Katherine.
320 reviews
August 5, 2015
Aria and her former boyfriend, David, are on the run because Aria has witnessed a murder! The murderer won't give up until he sees Aria dead! The killer is relentless! Not to mention crazy! David and Aria flee for their lives up the coast of Oregon through dangers and challenges galore, not knowing from one minute to the next whether they will survive! David is determine to Aria safe!

I read this book yesterday and it was the first book I had ever read that was written by this author. I liked it! Murder/suspense is my favorite genre, so this book was what I love to read. It was well written and at a good pace. I couldn't put it down! When I started reading it, I had no idea I would finish it the same day I started reading it!

I would like to thank Heather for sending me her book. The author wrote an article on her blog about a vacation. She asked, at the end of her article, if the reader would share their favorite vacation spot. Well, I shared mine and she sent me her book! She signed it! Thanks again Heather! :)

Happy Reading! If you've never been to the coast of Oregon, try to go sometime. I've been there and it's wonderful!
4,072 reviews1,766 followers
December 13, 2023
originally published in 2015 with Love Inspired Suspense. This edition is independently published.

I picked up the audio to this book on Chirp before I realized I had read the book when it first released eight years ago. I listened to it anyway and enjoyed the story just as much, if not more, as an audio book. Breathtaking and spellbinding!

https://kavsbestreads.ca/2023/12/13/s...

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A *MacGyverish flare brings an extra zest to this page-turning romantic suspense. Fraught with danger, each page brings a new surprise. There's action aplenty, a rekindled romance and subtle hints of humour. All conspire to make this gripping story an unforgettable read.

*For those of you who aren't familiar with the MacGyver reference -- it's from a series by the same name which aired in the late eighties, early nineties about a special agent who had an uncanny knowledge of the physical sciences which he used to create devices out of ordinary items to help him get out of dangerous situations.
1,004 reviews1 follower
August 9, 2015
Surviving the Storm by Heather Woodhaven is a romantic mystery suspense story. It involves Aria and David who had been an item years ago and lost touch. A Mutual friend hires them both to work for him. A Murder, bad workmanship and construction and an earthquake lead t an very busy and scary time Then a tsunami happens and it takes determination and communication to fight for survive,justice and forgiveness. It is book that kept my interest and is not boring. Kept me guessing until the end. It has action, adventure as well. I received a copy of book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

26 reviews1 follower
September 29, 2015
Never ending action!

Thank you for this book! The non-stop action really kept me entertained and my mind off of my sickness. You are a great writer. I enjoyed every second of this book!
Profile Image for Kath.
1,068 reviews26 followers
October 18, 2021
Great mystery read with mild romance included.
Profile Image for Sharon.
1,255 reviews49 followers
April 1, 2022
Very Entertaining Romantic Suspense. Interesting lead characters.
Profile Image for Debbie.
3,670 reviews91 followers
May 30, 2023
"Surviving the Storm" is a Christian romantic suspense. The suspense came from running from the bad guys as well as an earthquake, followed by a tsunami. They came up with some creative ways to fight the bad guys. After her father died, Aria wanted to play it safe rather than risk seeing a loved one die again in an accident.

David was really self-centered. He sent her a love letter years ago, and when she didn't respond the way he expected, he cut things off. He's still angry at Aria and said things to her that he knew would be hurtful. Even though his father was good friends with her father, they somehow never discovered that Aria's father had died. He cared more about his pride than her. I think the only reason he keep pursuing her now was because his pride couldn't stand being rejected.

He's irritated when she didn't precisely follow his plans because then how can he protect her (but it's all about him, not her). Actually, he's constantly irritated by her and the things she likes (her bug car) and her personality (caring enough to write a note and pay back someone when they take things from their house). He even said that his feelings were more important to him than her feelings. And when he pointed out how her fears were controlling her life, he did it in a harsh way and to get what he wanted. Must admit the story lost a star when they're in a big hurry (bad guys, tsunami) and they're going to use her car, yet he insisted on driving even though he doesn't even know where to go and she does. Girl, you can do better than him.

Aria came to realize that God loves her and His love will help her through the losses of this life. There was no sex or bad language.
Profile Image for Debbie Wentworth Wilson.
411 reviews39 followers
September 10, 2023
Take a rainstorm, change it to snow, add in an earthquake, then a tsunami, and for good measure a murder of a dear friend right in front of Aria, and you have the beginning of Surviving the Storm. She saves David, her former boyfriend, from the murderer of their older friend George, but then they go on the run with a flash drive that George had hidden.
Aria had always wanted to be an architect. A couple of years before, she was nearly through college when she saw her father, a contractor, fall to his death from scaffolding. Overwhelmed by her mother's emotional collapse, Aria refused to open the sympathy cards, which caused her to miss David's card proposing. When he called, he knew nothing of her father's death, so her request for space struck him as rejection.
As they flee the murderers, the earthquake and tsunami wipe out most of the town, leaving them hiding on the edge of the national forest, unable to reach the authorities. Relying on each other opens their hearts to how much thy still love each other. Their flight from their pursuers requires all their combined ingenuity.
Surviving the Storm was enjoyable but felt a little contrived. It's a good action story with lots of suspense. I would gladly read more by Heather Woodhaven
3,633 reviews41 followers
September 11, 2023
This is a Christian , clean , suspense romance about two individuals that once were sweethearts but ended up breaking up and going their separate ways. Life and fate brings them together when newly hired David McGuire construction foreman comes face to face with Aria Zimmerman, shortly after she witnesses the murder of their dear friend and owner of the Oregon resort under construction.
Running for their lives as the murders are trying to find them and eliminate them with the intent of eliminating them, they find themselves in the midst of a Tsunami.
Will they survive the Tsunami and the killers ? Will the danger make them realize they are meant to be together?
This was an action packed romance that will keep the listeners praying for the lives of this couple and as well as hoping that they realize that together, these two are stronger.
The narrator , Hilarey Johnson , did a great job with the delivery.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Profile Image for Kelly.
114 reviews1 follower
June 19, 2024
This is the first book I've read by Heather Woodhaven, and I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped. I listened to the audiobook version and that could be a reason why I didn't like it. Hilarey Johnson made it seem like Aria, the female lead, very needy and childish because of the voice she chose to use for this character. The romance was cheesy and awkward.

I got hooked into the action and suspense, which is why I kept listening. I figured out who was behind the murder pretty early in the book, but still wanted to find out how it was going to end.
29 reviews
August 1, 2022
not a bad book, just not a great book

I’m glad I didn’t pay for this book, but I’m also glad I read it. I didn’t like that they WHOLE book took place in 1 day! Though the characters had a history, that was mentioned a bit during the story, I just didn’t feel connected to them at all.

Also the drama just kept coming. Things would kinda calm down for a very short time, but then more drama would be happening. Guns, running, tsunamis, more running…..it was a bit much for me.
Profile Image for Laura Hamby.
220 reviews19 followers
March 16, 2022
Starting Over?

What started out to be a bit of a matchmaking reunion by a man who loved them both turned into a story of one crisis after another that tested their outlooks and threatened their safety. This is my second book by Heather Woodhaven and I plan to start book 2 in this series next! This book dealt well with overcoming fears and taking risks.
121 reviews3 followers
April 19, 2022
MacGyver Romance

Surviving the Storm is a MacGyver romance that is entertaining and very clever. I’ve enjoyed every Heather Woodhaven story that I’ve read, but this one is the best. Authors need good imaginations to create good stories. This story is a showcase for Ms. Woodhaven’s imagination and creative talent.
Profile Image for Dorel.
4,389 reviews39 followers
June 21, 2017
This is the 1st book I read by Heather Woodhaven. This story had the right amount of action in it. I really enjoyed the action in this story. I really liked Aria & David's character. I really liked Aria & David's teamwork. I really liked the ending.
47 reviews
February 9, 2022
New Author for my reading list!

I had not seen any of Ms Woodhaven's books before but loved the fact that it is a great fit in the Christian action genre. A story of loss and recovery,action and suspense,and a very enjoyable read. Will be on the lookout for more from this author.
155 reviews1 follower
March 11, 2022
Suspense Throughout

This story is very well-written. David and Aria are on a run for their lives, while a tsunami hits the area. They lose cell phone coverage plus the police have no way to get to them. They have to improvise to stay alive.
Profile Image for Hannah.
3,005 reviews1,451 followers
February 26, 2026
The weather definitely acts like a character in this book from the earthquake and the tsunami to the residual flooding that keeps them trapped as bad guys hunt them. I really enjoyed the McGuyvering of household tools and cleaning supplies as self defense weapons.
Profile Image for Tricia Cox garrett.
934 reviews5 followers
June 1, 2023
Surviving the Storm

Great book. Well written and was full of surprises. The suspense and romance blended well together. Good clean suspenseful romance.
2 reviews
January 17, 2025
3 stars because I finished it easily but not a great story. I didn't know it was a little Christian-like when I bought it.
Profile Image for Debby.
1,998 reviews5 followers
October 6, 2025
Almost four stars, so I rounded up. Another good story. With suspense and good characters. Also, great Biblical values and verses.
181 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2021
Aria and David had dated in the past but had broken up in misunderstandings. They find themselves in danger in a large construction site as the developer is murdered and the killers pursue them. Their escape is hindered by an earthquake and a tsunami as they try to escape the villains. This is a fast paced action story with a new threat every page. David and Aria endure endless threats and injuries as the killers pursue them in a rugged terrain as they try to escape the environmental dangers and those of the killers. I have rarely read a book that was so filled with action.
Both David and Aria survive the dangers and find their love has become confirmed.
This is an action story that will grip the reader from the first page to the last.
222 reviews1 follower
September 1, 2021
Excitement on the Oregon Coast

You really have to keep turning the pages faster as Heather Woodhaven has sent us on a thrilled packed adventure which started as a frightened man's speech followed by a gunshot. Loved how Woodhaven showed us the adventure overlaid with memories had by Aria and David plus the reality of how the gunmen wanted to kill them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews