What do you think?
Rate this book
Global Search and Rescue #1
The Way of the Brave
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.
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.
446 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2020
615 people are currently reading
3044 people want to read
About the author
Susan May Warren
197 books3,585 followersI can't help be amazed at the gifts God has delighted me with - a wonderful husband, four amazing children, and the opportunity to write for Him.
I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life.
Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience started when I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed our ministry highlights.
Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.
Susan and husbandI grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series.based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.
Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.
I 'm delighted you've stopped in to visit. My hope is that you'll be blessed and encouraged by soul-stirring stories of regular people interacting with a God who loves them.
I'd love to hear from you! I love getting mail, especially from readers and I welcome your questions and comments. Write to me at susan@susanmaywarren.com. And, if you're interested, sign up for my newsletter, a quarterly sneak peek into upcoming releases and projects. Thank you for your interest and support.
God Bless and Happy Reading!
In His Grip,
Susan May Warren
I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life.
Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience started when I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed our ministry highlights.
Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.
Susan and husbandI grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series.based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.
Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.
I 'm delighted you've stopped in to visit. My hope is that you'll be blessed and encouraged by soul-stirring stories of regular people interacting with a God who loves them.
I'd love to hear from you! I love getting mail, especially from readers and I welcome your questions and comments. Write to me at susan@susanmaywarren.com. And, if you're interested, sign up for my newsletter, a quarterly sneak peek into upcoming releases and projects. Thank you for your interest and support.
God Bless and Happy Reading!
In His Grip,
Susan May Warren
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 437 reviews
October 14, 2021
This is a great book about rescuers. A group of rescuers rescue a group of female mountains from the Danali mountain of Alaska.
There is a good romance which springs up betwene the rescued and the rescuers.
Most excellent descriptions of beautiful scenery.
I recommend it to all.
There is a good romance which springs up betwene the rescued and the rescuers.
Most excellent descriptions of beautiful scenery.
I recommend it to all.
September 30, 2021
This was quite different to what I expected from the normal Susan May Warren Novel, but just as entertaining. What an exciting, adventurous ride. These pages were filled with danger, action, but even more than that, which is why I love this author's work, is the way the characters' physical struggles represented the spiritual struggles and walk with God as well.
“I was pretty focused on the moment.” “And so is God. But he also sees the big picture. That’s why we have to live by faith, not just by sight. Because he is always working on our behalf, in the moment, even if we can’t see it.”
I loved all of the characters, especially HAM, who was just such a solid and supportive team member, knowing when to push and when to just listen. I loved Jake and his almost Superman moment had me laughing out loud.
Don’t assign truth to experiences, or your faith to your feelings. You have to base everything on who God is. Good. Loving. Our rescuer.
The author's research was so detailed. I felt the danger and do not understand why people would like to put them through that for fun. There was a few things I felt I didn't get closure and a few things I felt was a bit weird
I'm looking forward to this series, especially after that ending with Ham.
“I was pretty focused on the moment.” “And so is God. But he also sees the big picture. That’s why we have to live by faith, not just by sight. Because he is always working on our behalf, in the moment, even if we can’t see it.”
I loved all of the characters, especially HAM, who was just such a solid and supportive team member, knowing when to push and when to just listen. I loved Jake and his almost Superman moment had me laughing out loud.
Don’t assign truth to experiences, or your faith to your feelings. You have to base everything on who God is. Good. Loving. Our rescuer.
The author's research was so detailed. I felt the danger and do not understand why people would like to put them through that for fun. There was a few things I felt I didn't get closure and a few things I felt was a bit weird
I'm looking forward to this series, especially after that ending with Ham.
February 9, 2020
'You're just mad because God didn't answer your prayer the way you wanted him to.'
When you pick up a Susan May Warren book, you can be sure that you will not be disappointed. Ever. As she begins another series, that, by the way, promises to be amazing, I was again reminded of that fact.
'That thing inside you that you can't keep dodging, that pull to do something more with your life? God isn't finished with you yet. He's calling you to something.....'
Warren begins her new series, Global Search and Rescue, with The Way of the Brave, which is Orion Starr's story, and Jenny Calhoun's. Jenny does a yearly challenge with two friends and this year's feat is to climb Denali, which soon turns extremely deadly. Jenny is a former CIA profiler and psychiatrist who approved an action that ended in an ambush with the Taliban with lives lost. Now, the man who was also injured in that action is the pararescue jumper who comes to her rescue on Denali when things turn seriously sideways. Can these two overcome the wounds that threaten their emotional lives? Will they allow God to mend their hearts?
One of the things I enjoy most about Susan May Warren's writing is her ability to pull a reader into the story with a powerful spiritual theme. She is so amazingly good at this. And she also deftly weaves in characters from previous books from time to time, which is always a delight to me. And then she ends the book on a note that makes the reader wish it was already time to read the second in the series. She also gives us a glimpse of the story which will involved secondary characters. Anytime I sit down to read a Susan May Warren book, I am guaranteed an absolutely wonderful read! I highly recommend this book.
My thanks to Revell Publishing for a copy of this book through the Revell Reads program. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
When you pick up a Susan May Warren book, you can be sure that you will not be disappointed. Ever. As she begins another series, that, by the way, promises to be amazing, I was again reminded of that fact.
'That thing inside you that you can't keep dodging, that pull to do something more with your life? God isn't finished with you yet. He's calling you to something.....'
Warren begins her new series, Global Search and Rescue, with The Way of the Brave, which is Orion Starr's story, and Jenny Calhoun's. Jenny does a yearly challenge with two friends and this year's feat is to climb Denali, which soon turns extremely deadly. Jenny is a former CIA profiler and psychiatrist who approved an action that ended in an ambush with the Taliban with lives lost. Now, the man who was also injured in that action is the pararescue jumper who comes to her rescue on Denali when things turn seriously sideways. Can these two overcome the wounds that threaten their emotional lives? Will they allow God to mend their hearts?
One of the things I enjoy most about Susan May Warren's writing is her ability to pull a reader into the story with a powerful spiritual theme. She is so amazingly good at this. And she also deftly weaves in characters from previous books from time to time, which is always a delight to me. And then she ends the book on a note that makes the reader wish it was already time to read the second in the series. She also gives us a glimpse of the story which will involved secondary characters. Anytime I sit down to read a Susan May Warren book, I am guaranteed an absolutely wonderful read! I highly recommend this book.
My thanks to Revell Publishing for a copy of this book through the Revell Reads program. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
January 20, 2020
Yes! This is definitely my favorite Susan May Warren book yet. Some of her books can be hit or miss for me, but I really enjoyed this one aside from a few things. First off: that cover is so unique and interesting! I'm all about unique cover design, and this one definitely is unique! I'm so glad I have a paperback copy to enjoy it to its fullest.
Right away, our main characters, Orion and Jenny, and their stories grabbed my attention. Orion and Jenny are both very broken characters, which makes them so realistic and relatable. The story is very suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I love a good survival story, and this one fit the bill perfectly! A couple issues I had: I feel like Warren's writing style can tend to be a bit over dramatic at times. Small things end up sounding very dramatic, when in reality, they're not. That is something that can annoy me, and it took a bit for me to get past that. But then, that's probably just me. The other thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the romance. At times it can get too physical\sensual for me. But again, that's just a personal issue.
Overall, if you are looking for a good suspenseful survival story, look no further! This one is going to be one I read more than once, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series! (Sidenote: that cliffhanger with Ham's story was brutal! I need the rest of his story ASAP.)
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Right away, our main characters, Orion and Jenny, and their stories grabbed my attention. Orion and Jenny are both very broken characters, which makes them so realistic and relatable. The story is very suspenseful and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I love a good survival story, and this one fit the bill perfectly! A couple issues I had: I feel like Warren's writing style can tend to be a bit over dramatic at times. Small things end up sounding very dramatic, when in reality, they're not. That is something that can annoy me, and it took a bit for me to get past that. But then, that's probably just me. The other thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the romance. At times it can get too physical\sensual for me. But again, that's just a personal issue.
Overall, if you are looking for a good suspenseful survival story, look no further! This one is going to be one I read more than once, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series! (Sidenote: that cliffhanger with Ham's story was brutal! I need the rest of his story ASAP.)
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
January 7, 2020
This book was so good!
From the very beginning, I was hooked on the story and the characters. I LOVED that the hero was a former AF PJ (go Air Force!). And I love that we'll get to see the rest of the characters in upcoming books because I definitely want to know what happens with Ham and Jake and Aria. Ms. Warren knocked this series opener out the ballpark.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.
From the very beginning, I was hooked on the story and the characters. I LOVED that the hero was a former AF PJ (go Air Force!). And I love that we'll get to see the rest of the characters in upcoming books because I definitely want to know what happens with Ham and Jake and Aria. Ms. Warren knocked this series opener out the ballpark.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.
January 24, 2020
This book reminded me of that movie Vertical Limit with Chris O'Donnell and Robin Tunney- hikers stranded on a snowy mountain and when a rescue team went to save them, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Although in the movie only a few made it back alive, have no fear, there is a less gut-wrenching ending to the book!
There is a strong cast of characters that all have heavy burdens from their pasts, and while some are running from their feelings, some are facing them with anger, and some are relying on God's grace to get them through. The main characters are Jenny and Orion who have a second chance at love, but we also have scenes from the perspective of Jake and Aria, new acquaintances with instant attraction, leading into the next book where they will feature as the leads. And at the end of the book in the "coming next" section we hear from Ham, the leader of the SAR team and also their spiritual mentor. I appreciated his counsel to his team and to Jenny, starting them on a path to understanding how God works in their lives. The big universal question of why do bad things happen to good people is explored in thoughtful and profound ways. Orion and Jenny have such a struggle with this and the experiences they have on the mountain make them face the answers they are both avoiding and yearning for. While I felt a little stir-crazy that the majority of the book takes place on the mountain (interspersed with flashbacks to Jenny and Orion's early relationship), this is a strong beginning to the series and I'm so excited to see what comes next for these amazing and memorable characters!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
There is a strong cast of characters that all have heavy burdens from their pasts, and while some are running from their feelings, some are facing them with anger, and some are relying on God's grace to get them through. The main characters are Jenny and Orion who have a second chance at love, but we also have scenes from the perspective of Jake and Aria, new acquaintances with instant attraction, leading into the next book where they will feature as the leads. And at the end of the book in the "coming next" section we hear from Ham, the leader of the SAR team and also their spiritual mentor. I appreciated his counsel to his team and to Jenny, starting them on a path to understanding how God works in their lives. The big universal question of why do bad things happen to good people is explored in thoughtful and profound ways. Orion and Jenny have such a struggle with this and the experiences they have on the mountain make them face the answers they are both avoiding and yearning for. While I felt a little stir-crazy that the majority of the book takes place on the mountain (interspersed with flashbacks to Jenny and Orion's early relationship), this is a strong beginning to the series and I'm so excited to see what comes next for these amazing and memorable characters!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
July 24, 2020
Ah the joy of starting a new Susan May Warren Series! There is an interesting cast of characters that are sure to bring stories of bravery and adventure in the upcoming novels.
I loved the beginning and end of The Way of the Brave. The bulk of the novel is an adventure novel with several mountain climbers stranded on Denali in Alaska. I got a bit mired down in the details.
I look forward to continuing the series. The ending was definitely a hook for the next one.
I loved the beginning and end of The Way of the Brave. The bulk of the novel is an adventure novel with several mountain climbers stranded on Denali in Alaska. I got a bit mired down in the details.
I look forward to continuing the series. The ending was definitely a hook for the next one.
December 19, 2019
My first Susan May Warren book ever and I must say I am going to have to catch up on some of her other books!! I now know why my friend loves her so much!!
This is filled with action/adventure and will take you where no one has gone before.
The cover once again grabbed my attention. I love it that the story inside matches what is in the story.
I think the only thing I didn't really like was the romance aspect of it. I thought that it was too soon into the book but I guess if a couple feels the sparks then hey who am I to judge. I also found some things that were repetitive too but overall I still enjoyed it. It was the twists and turns that made it exciting!! I've never been to Denali before except through Tracie Peterson. So, this adventure was a bit different. Sometimes it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck too!!
This author sure knows her stuff and I love her style of writing. I was certainly impressed except for the few things I mentioned early on.
I for one, enjoy the Christian filled themed of these books. It's why I got into reading them. Some of them have blessed me mightly. I am a changed person because of these books and the authors who put them out there.
I loved this book because it's all new to me. I enjoyed meeting Jenny Calhoun.
God knows what He's doing when he puts two people together. Maybe it's to mend old hurts, maybe it's for something else only God knows.
I think Orion is a bit of an unusual name. It's certainly original. I like different.
The supporting characters like Sasha, Aria, Ham were great!! I made friends with them too!!
I'm going to reread this in the future because I will want to do this when the 2nd book comes out!
This book is the 1st of a new series too and it's going to be exciting!!
This author has made me a fan for life!!
This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group, Revell Division through Interviews & Reviews.
This is filled with action/adventure and will take you where no one has gone before.
The cover once again grabbed my attention. I love it that the story inside matches what is in the story.
I think the only thing I didn't really like was the romance aspect of it. I thought that it was too soon into the book but I guess if a couple feels the sparks then hey who am I to judge. I also found some things that were repetitive too but overall I still enjoyed it. It was the twists and turns that made it exciting!! I've never been to Denali before except through Tracie Peterson. So, this adventure was a bit different. Sometimes it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck too!!
This author sure knows her stuff and I love her style of writing. I was certainly impressed except for the few things I mentioned early on.
I for one, enjoy the Christian filled themed of these books. It's why I got into reading them. Some of them have blessed me mightly. I am a changed person because of these books and the authors who put them out there.
I loved this book because it's all new to me. I enjoyed meeting Jenny Calhoun.
God knows what He's doing when he puts two people together. Maybe it's to mend old hurts, maybe it's for something else only God knows.
I think Orion is a bit of an unusual name. It's certainly original. I like different.
The supporting characters like Sasha, Aria, Ham were great!! I made friends with them too!!
I'm going to reread this in the future because I will want to do this when the 2nd book comes out!
This book is the 1st of a new series too and it's going to be exciting!!
This author has made me a fan for life!!
This book was provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group, Revell Division through Interviews & Reviews.
January 22, 2020
The Way of The Brave is the exciting heart pounding start of the new Global Search and Rescue series.
The book started off with a bang and just kept on running.
Intense, nail biting edge of your seat action grips you throughout.
There are a lot of characters introduced to us in fairly quick succession but the more you will be able to sort them out.
I was thoroughly impressed with the research put into ice climbing at Denali National Park and the details of pararescue jumpers.
I felt the book strongly resonated with clean romance,adventure,Christian faith elements that were there but not pushed on you .
Secondary characters introduced will make an appearance in future books in this series as main characters and I can't wait to read them!
Pub Date 07 Jan 2020
I was given a complimentary copy. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
The book started off with a bang and just kept on running.
Intense, nail biting edge of your seat action grips you throughout.
There are a lot of characters introduced to us in fairly quick succession but the more you will be able to sort them out.
I was thoroughly impressed with the research put into ice climbing at Denali National Park and the details of pararescue jumpers.
I felt the book strongly resonated with clean romance,adventure,Christian faith elements that were there but not pushed on you .
Secondary characters introduced will make an appearance in future books in this series as main characters and I can't wait to read them!
Pub Date 07 Jan 2020
I was given a complimentary copy. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Read
January 8, 2020You know that question people ask, "If you're stranded on an island and you have only one book you can take with you, what would it be?"
Well, if you ever find yourself stranded on the face of the Denali in the middle of a snow storm--take this book!! The adventure in this story starts early on and does not stop until the last page. Ms. Warren paid great attention to detail in her research, giving readers an authentic climbing experience even at the great peril of the characters.
***I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to give a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.***
Well, if you ever find yourself stranded on the face of the Denali in the middle of a snow storm--take this book!! The adventure in this story starts early on and does not stop until the last page. Ms. Warren paid great attention to detail in her research, giving readers an authentic climbing experience even at the great peril of the characters.
***I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to give a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.***
March 13, 2020
Fantastic book of man v. Nature. A page turner. Filled with challenges and romance. The author is wonderful at creating characters you can't walk away from and she's definitely done it again with this novel. The hero and heroine are real and broken, but together they are better than they are apart. A fantastic read.
January 12, 2020
Though this wasn't my favorite book by Susan Warren, you can bet your bottom dollar that I still read through this book in a flash and loved nearly everything about it. Mrs. Warren has an amazing talent of writing books that suck you in and won't let you go until the last page and this book did just that. I could hardly put this down last night even though I had to get up early for church.
The characters in this book were real and authentic. Jenny was a very down to earth, who still lived in her past regret. I loved watching her change over the course of this book into the person that God would want her to be. I really liked getting to know her character more. Her friends, Sasha and Aria, were also fun to read about. I honestly cannot wait for Aria's book because I cannot wait to see how Mrs. Warren redeems her story.
I really liked every male character in this book. Ry, Ham, and Jake were all Special Opt. veterans that all had their own demons. Ham was probably my favorite because of his down earthness and his preaching. I know most characters who preach can be annoying, but Ham doesn't do overbearing. It was perfect every time he had a gospel conversation with one of the other characters. Ry was also awesome. I loved his character development. I cannot say too much in fear of spoilers but his transformation was beautiful.
One thing that I wish Mrs. Warren did a tab bit better was the PTSD thing. I have a huge heart for veterans with PTSD and she did a decent job, but I definitely felt like she could have developed it a little bit better. However, PTSD is such a difficult topic to even begin to write about so I just applaud her for her even including it!
Another thing that I felt could have been better was the romance. I loved Ry and Jenny together but I felt like there was just something lacking and I could not pin point what. I still love them together and I am hoping to see them in later books! One thing in the romance department that I had a love/hate relationship was with one of the side characters romance (I won't say who's in light of spoilers). I understand why Mrs. Warren included it, but I felt like it was a tad bit too much. It wasn't the worse though so that was a good thing. I love the characters together so I hope they take Ham's advice and get their acts together!
Overall, I really did enjoy this story as a whole. I cannot wait for Ham's story especially after that crazy cliffhanger!
*FTC: I received this book from Revell and the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.*
The characters in this book were real and authentic. Jenny was a very down to earth, who still lived in her past regret. I loved watching her change over the course of this book into the person that God would want her to be. I really liked getting to know her character more. Her friends, Sasha and Aria, were also fun to read about. I honestly cannot wait for Aria's book because I cannot wait to see how Mrs. Warren redeems her story.
I really liked every male character in this book. Ry, Ham, and Jake were all Special Opt. veterans that all had their own demons. Ham was probably my favorite because of his down earthness and his preaching. I know most characters who preach can be annoying, but Ham doesn't do overbearing. It was perfect every time he had a gospel conversation with one of the other characters. Ry was also awesome. I loved his character development. I cannot say too much in fear of spoilers but his transformation was beautiful.
One thing that I wish Mrs. Warren did a tab bit better was the PTSD thing. I have a huge heart for veterans with PTSD and she did a decent job, but I definitely felt like she could have developed it a little bit better. However, PTSD is such a difficult topic to even begin to write about so I just applaud her for her even including it!
Another thing that I felt could have been better was the romance. I loved Ry and Jenny together but I felt like there was just something lacking and I could not pin point what. I still love them together and I am hoping to see them in later books! One thing in the romance department that I had a love/hate relationship was with one of the side characters romance (I won't say who's in light of spoilers). I understand why Mrs. Warren included it, but I felt like it was a tad bit too much. It wasn't the worse though so that was a good thing. I love the characters together so I hope they take Ham's advice and get their acts together!
Overall, I really did enjoy this story as a whole. I cannot wait for Ham's story especially after that crazy cliffhanger!
*FTC: I received this book from Revell and the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.*
January 15, 2020
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.
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.
January 10, 2021
The Way Of The Brave by Susan May Warren is a Christian contemporary suspense that will have you on the edge of your seat. It is the first book in the Global Search And Rescue series which promises to be fantastic.
The central theme is that of rescue. There are actual rescues which are mirrored by God who wants to rescue us from a life of disconnection from Him. The effects of our pasts may pull us away from God as we deal with our anger and hurt. God may even seem absent. “She wasn’t sure God was even listening to her anymore.” God hears and God sees. God is present whether we feel Him or not. In our anger and our pain, God longs for us to turn to Him and let Him relieve us of our burdens.
The evil one wants to distract us from God’s love. “Evil wants to shut you down. Shame you.” The enemy tells us we are no good. We are unworthy. We need to drown out his voice with the love of God.
God is love. His character is love. We must always remember this in the bad times. God will never abandon us. “God didn’t base His actions… on what she thought of herself.” Our feelings and emotions are unreliable gauges. We need to trust in the character of God.
We need a heart connection to God. There is the theme of hearts within the novel. There has been a literal heart transplant giving a second chance of life (before the book opened). Likewise God can exchange our hearts of stone for a hearts of flesh giving us a second chance of life.
The reader witnesses a character paralysed by past actions. We sense the tension that wars within – to tell the truth or keep the past hidden. “Our past doesn’t need to keep us from flying.” When we release our burdens to God we can live free.
Susan May Warren has created a marvellous cast of characters with their realistic flaws and concerns. They are easy to empathise with. Her plotline is well thought out and executed as we witness the many ways in which we can be brave.
The Way Of The Brave is a fabulous start to a riveting new series.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
The central theme is that of rescue. There are actual rescues which are mirrored by God who wants to rescue us from a life of disconnection from Him. The effects of our pasts may pull us away from God as we deal with our anger and hurt. God may even seem absent. “She wasn’t sure God was even listening to her anymore.” God hears and God sees. God is present whether we feel Him or not. In our anger and our pain, God longs for us to turn to Him and let Him relieve us of our burdens.
The evil one wants to distract us from God’s love. “Evil wants to shut you down. Shame you.” The enemy tells us we are no good. We are unworthy. We need to drown out his voice with the love of God.
God is love. His character is love. We must always remember this in the bad times. God will never abandon us. “God didn’t base His actions… on what she thought of herself.” Our feelings and emotions are unreliable gauges. We need to trust in the character of God.
We need a heart connection to God. There is the theme of hearts within the novel. There has been a literal heart transplant giving a second chance of life (before the book opened). Likewise God can exchange our hearts of stone for a hearts of flesh giving us a second chance of life.
The reader witnesses a character paralysed by past actions. We sense the tension that wars within – to tell the truth or keep the past hidden. “Our past doesn’t need to keep us from flying.” When we release our burdens to God we can live free.
Susan May Warren has created a marvellous cast of characters with their realistic flaws and concerns. They are easy to empathise with. Her plotline is well thought out and executed as we witness the many ways in which we can be brave.
The Way Of The Brave is a fabulous start to a riveting new series.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
October 2, 2021
Another solid read. I liked all the main characters and thought they were well developed. I loved the setting as well. I've never been to Alaska, but it's on my bucket list. I enjoyed the action and dramatic events that took place.
I got lost a little in the mountain climbing lingo. I always like to try and visualize a scene when it's described in a book and this was a little hard to do for this story just because I was so unfamiliar with the terminology. But overall I enjoyed it and will continue reading the series.
I enjoyed it and thought the faith element was handled well. I know Ham probably came across as a little pushy with Orion, but I do feel that Orion had stepped back from his faith and wasn't a non-believer. There were several times scripture and prayer were spoken throughout and I felt it was always used at the right time.
Orion and Jenny had such a strong connection and I think they will make a good team. I also really liked Jake, he has such a fun personality. I didn't like how toward the end Jenny automatically blamed him for a situation that was not all his fault. It takes two in these types of things and Aria was willing, he even asked if she was sure. I'm not justifying what could have happened had Jenny not walked in, but the way she treated Jake was not right. Ham seemed older to me (I'm not sure how old he is in this book), but his personality struck me as an older man. He carried himself well and seemed like a top-notch kind of guy.
One of my favorite quotes:
"Evil always seeks to betray. To destroy and separate and instill fear. And, on that day, evil won. But that doesn’t mean we surrender the battle. We will not dishonor those who paid the ultimate price for freedom by giving up. Evil wants to shut you down. Shame you. Destroy your relationships. Keep you from being the person you can be. Don’t let it."
Rating: PG -Violence, life-threatening situations, some heated physical moments that never "crossed" over but came close
Language: no use of deity or profanity, there were moments some harsh language was implied but never actually spoken
Recommend: yes
I got lost a little in the mountain climbing lingo. I always like to try and visualize a scene when it's described in a book and this was a little hard to do for this story just because I was so unfamiliar with the terminology. But overall I enjoyed it and will continue reading the series.
I enjoyed it and thought the faith element was handled well. I know Ham probably came across as a little pushy with Orion, but I do feel that Orion had stepped back from his faith and wasn't a non-believer. There were several times scripture and prayer were spoken throughout and I felt it was always used at the right time.
Orion and Jenny had such a strong connection and I think they will make a good team. I also really liked Jake, he has such a fun personality. I didn't like how toward the end Jenny automatically blamed him for a situation that was not all his fault. It takes two in these types of things and Aria was willing, he even asked if she was sure. I'm not justifying what could have happened had Jenny not walked in, but the way she treated Jake was not right. Ham seemed older to me (I'm not sure how old he is in this book), but his personality struck me as an older man. He carried himself well and seemed like a top-notch kind of guy.
One of my favorite quotes:
"Evil always seeks to betray. To destroy and separate and instill fear. And, on that day, evil won. But that doesn’t mean we surrender the battle. We will not dishonor those who paid the ultimate price for freedom by giving up. Evil wants to shut you down. Shame you. Destroy your relationships. Keep you from being the person you can be. Don’t let it."
Rating: PG -Violence, life-threatening situations, some heated physical moments that never "crossed" over but came close
Language: no use of deity or profanity, there were moments some harsh language was implied but never actually spoken
Recommend: yes
January 6, 2020
This is such a great start to a new series that kept me glued to the story until the end. It is filled with adventure, danger, relational tension, romance and a strong thread of faith woven throughout.
Orion Starr grew up in Alaska near Denali where his father worked. He is back in Copper Mountain after leaving the Air Force Pararescue Jumpers following a mission gone really bad. He is angry at God, bitter and confused about the bad mission, especially after so much loss in his family life. His friend, Hamilton Jones, former SEAL and owner of an international search and rescue business and gyms, GoSports in Minnesota, and Ham's friend, another former SEAL, Jake, are in Copper Mountain to recruit Orion for the SAR group.
Three friends set out on a girls' trip to climb Alaska's Denali to prove that they are stronger than they think. Former CIA profiler, Jennifer Calhoun organized the trip with her friends, Aria, and Sasha after a year of training in Minnesota at GoSports. Jennifer and Orion met in Afghanistan but haven't seen each other since the tragedy and there is unfinished business between them-and things about Jennifer that Ry doesn't know. When the two groups meet up in Copper Mountain, Jennifer pretends that she doesn't know Orion. While the guys head to a smaller mountain, the girls head to Denali.
This is an intense time of survival where humans are at the mercy of the mountains and the weather generated on them along with injuries and accidents. But it is a much deeper story of overcoming past hurts, forgiveness and acceptance through faith, and the promise of romance. This story does end in somewhat of a cliffhanger for the next story, one I am looking forward to reading. An exciting new series!
I received a complimentary ARC from Revell through NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are mine only.
Orion Starr grew up in Alaska near Denali where his father worked. He is back in Copper Mountain after leaving the Air Force Pararescue Jumpers following a mission gone really bad. He is angry at God, bitter and confused about the bad mission, especially after so much loss in his family life. His friend, Hamilton Jones, former SEAL and owner of an international search and rescue business and gyms, GoSports in Minnesota, and Ham's friend, another former SEAL, Jake, are in Copper Mountain to recruit Orion for the SAR group.
Three friends set out on a girls' trip to climb Alaska's Denali to prove that they are stronger than they think. Former CIA profiler, Jennifer Calhoun organized the trip with her friends, Aria, and Sasha after a year of training in Minnesota at GoSports. Jennifer and Orion met in Afghanistan but haven't seen each other since the tragedy and there is unfinished business between them-and things about Jennifer that Ry doesn't know. When the two groups meet up in Copper Mountain, Jennifer pretends that she doesn't know Orion. While the guys head to a smaller mountain, the girls head to Denali.
This is an intense time of survival where humans are at the mercy of the mountains and the weather generated on them along with injuries and accidents. But it is a much deeper story of overcoming past hurts, forgiveness and acceptance through faith, and the promise of romance. This story does end in somewhat of a cliffhanger for the next story, one I am looking forward to reading. An exciting new series!
I received a complimentary ARC from Revell through NetGalley. All opinions and thoughts are mine only.
May 23, 2020
"You need to contend with the darkness in your heart, learn to forgive, and realize that it's not about you. It's about who you could - will - be. Because of your suffering. And because you came through it."
Susan May Warren's books have a way of burrowing deep into your heart and soul and this first book in the new Global Search and Rescue series is another great example of her writing. Brimming with intensity and adrenaline of ice climbing, simmering romance, fear and anger with the past, and gentle voice of God's love, this story will have you holding on to the edge of your seat while crying with the characters' pain and joy.
Meeting Orion and Jenny was indeed a pleasure. Orion is a noble rescuer but is running away from himself and God after a devastating attack that ended his pararescue jumper career. Jenny is a respected psychologist with a past that she is also running from. Their reunion on the treacherous icy mountainside of Denali is bittersweet as disastrous events unfurl one after another. Jake, another former military now turned search/rescue, and Aria, Jenny's best friend, also have voices in this story which leads very nicely into the second book of the series that will explore their relationship further.
Fans of the author's writing will appreciate how this series is loosely connected to the Montana Marshalls series - from mentions of events to cameo appearances of minor characters from the previous series. The political environment is a continuation of what the readers saw in the Montana Marshalls series and I'm curious as to how the presidential candidacy of Senator White will play out. Bring on the next book!
Those who love action and suspense in contemporary romance will totally love this book. I received a copy of the book from Revell via LibraryThing Early Reviewers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Susan May Warren's books have a way of burrowing deep into your heart and soul and this first book in the new Global Search and Rescue series is another great example of her writing. Brimming with intensity and adrenaline of ice climbing, simmering romance, fear and anger with the past, and gentle voice of God's love, this story will have you holding on to the edge of your seat while crying with the characters' pain and joy.
Meeting Orion and Jenny was indeed a pleasure. Orion is a noble rescuer but is running away from himself and God after a devastating attack that ended his pararescue jumper career. Jenny is a respected psychologist with a past that she is also running from. Their reunion on the treacherous icy mountainside of Denali is bittersweet as disastrous events unfurl one after another. Jake, another former military now turned search/rescue, and Aria, Jenny's best friend, also have voices in this story which leads very nicely into the second book of the series that will explore their relationship further.
Fans of the author's writing will appreciate how this series is loosely connected to the Montana Marshalls series - from mentions of events to cameo appearances of minor characters from the previous series. The political environment is a continuation of what the readers saw in the Montana Marshalls series and I'm curious as to how the presidential candidacy of Senator White will play out. Bring on the next book!
Those who love action and suspense in contemporary romance will totally love this book. I received a copy of the book from Revell via LibraryThing Early Reviewers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
December 11, 2019
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
4.5 stars.
“The Way of the Brave”, by Susan May Warren (Revell), is a beautifully written, intense story, where characters haunted by guilt and tragedy seek redemption in the cold, “harsh beauty” of Denali Mountain.
Orion Starr, with his quiet manner and “focused energy”, a man “practically born to ice and snow” and to climb Denali is a fascinating, wounded hero, a rescuer to the core.
Both afflicted with guilt and tragedy in their personal and family stories, Orion and Jenny feel they don’t deserve forgiveness and are reluctant to resume and develop a beautiful romantic relationship initiated three years ago.
With the “cold, unforgiving, brutal” Alaskan mountain as the setting, the odyssey of three intrepid women and a group of brave, yet kind, rescuers is suspenseful and full of challenges and danger.
All these conflicting emotions and feelings, doubts about God and faith and the balance between resilience and vulnerability in the face of hardship is what Susan May Warren writes in such a powerful and admirable way.
Perhaps one wouldn’t expect some type of conversations, whether about God or feelings of love, to take place in the lethal setting of Denali Mountain, but the author somehow makes them ring true in a vibrant narrative where the cold landscape is as much a character as Orion/Jenny, Sasha/Lucas and Aria/Jake.
Men who are so strong and protective, yet aren’t afraid to weep and have deep feelings for their beloved ones are a kryptonite for me and reading this novel was a fantastic journey, not devoid of some anxiety because of all the danger involved.
A great start for a new series, “Global Search and Rescue”, I can’t wait for the next story, “The Heart of a Hero”.
4.5 stars.
“The Way of the Brave”, by Susan May Warren (Revell), is a beautifully written, intense story, where characters haunted by guilt and tragedy seek redemption in the cold, “harsh beauty” of Denali Mountain.
Orion Starr, with his quiet manner and “focused energy”, a man “practically born to ice and snow” and to climb Denali is a fascinating, wounded hero, a rescuer to the core.
Both afflicted with guilt and tragedy in their personal and family stories, Orion and Jenny feel they don’t deserve forgiveness and are reluctant to resume and develop a beautiful romantic relationship initiated three years ago.
With the “cold, unforgiving, brutal” Alaskan mountain as the setting, the odyssey of three intrepid women and a group of brave, yet kind, rescuers is suspenseful and full of challenges and danger.
All these conflicting emotions and feelings, doubts about God and faith and the balance between resilience and vulnerability in the face of hardship is what Susan May Warren writes in such a powerful and admirable way.
Perhaps one wouldn’t expect some type of conversations, whether about God or feelings of love, to take place in the lethal setting of Denali Mountain, but the author somehow makes them ring true in a vibrant narrative where the cold landscape is as much a character as Orion/Jenny, Sasha/Lucas and Aria/Jake.
Men who are so strong and protective, yet aren’t afraid to weep and have deep feelings for their beloved ones are a kryptonite for me and reading this novel was a fantastic journey, not devoid of some anxiety because of all the danger involved.
A great start for a new series, “Global Search and Rescue”, I can’t wait for the next story, “The Heart of a Hero”.
January 9, 2020
I am so torn about how I feel about this book. First, I’m not really sure I would call this a romantic suspense. To me, it’s more of an adventure romance, as most of the story takes place on Mt. Denali where the main group of characters are either trying to climb the mountain or save those in peril from mishaps on the mountain.
I am sure the research done for this book took a ton of time, but I felt that there were just too many climbing terms, techniques, and equipment names that I am not familiar with and that really took me out of the first 1/3 of the story.
I also had trouble buying into the romance between Orion and Jenny. They had only known each other for a few weeks -3 years previous and hadn’t seen each other since - so it was really hard to believe that their relationship meant so much to each other at the start of the story.
Once I got past the first part of the story and the action picked up, it was pretty incredible. I was on the edge of my seat pretty much for the rest of the story! Many of the situations our characters were placed in was very intense!
I felt like the faith element of the story was well done and fit perfectly with what the characters had been through in the past and what they were going through currently.
All that being said, I feel sort of like I read two different stories. One about how to climb a mountain and all of the equipment that is needed and one really good romantic adventure! 3.5 stars!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I am sure the research done for this book took a ton of time, but I felt that there were just too many climbing terms, techniques, and equipment names that I am not familiar with and that really took me out of the first 1/3 of the story.
I also had trouble buying into the romance between Orion and Jenny. They had only known each other for a few weeks -3 years previous and hadn’t seen each other since - so it was really hard to believe that their relationship meant so much to each other at the start of the story.
Once I got past the first part of the story and the action picked up, it was pretty incredible. I was on the edge of my seat pretty much for the rest of the story! Many of the situations our characters were placed in was very intense!
I felt like the faith element of the story was well done and fit perfectly with what the characters had been through in the past and what they were going through currently.
All that being said, I feel sort of like I read two different stories. One about how to climb a mountain and all of the equipment that is needed and one really good romantic adventure! 3.5 stars!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
January 20, 2020
Please, Ham, don't let me down. Because he didn't want to have to choose which woman to carry off this mountain. And which woman would die.
Fans of Susan May Warren will certainly be wooed by majestic language, beautiful word pictures, and deep faith themes. If you aren’t familiar with climbing techniques and equipment, you might become overwhelmed with all the jargon. I know I sure did. Warren writes The Way of the Brave as if she has literally faced the mountain and all its treacherous terrain and wild weather and survived only by the grace of God.
A major factor that kept me glued to the pages is how Warren builds connections between characters. She is one of the best when it comes to the intricacies of relationships. Orion and Jenny challenged and encouraged one another both physically and spiritually. In the darkest moments, when life and limb were literally on the line, they never gave up on God or each other and not only did their relationship strengthen but most important of all, their faith was rejuvenated. Characters Jake and Aria haven’t discovered God’s amazing grace yet so I am looking forward to that love story in book two, coming June 2020.
I received a copy from the publisher. The opinions stated are entirely my own.
Fans of Susan May Warren will certainly be wooed by majestic language, beautiful word pictures, and deep faith themes. If you aren’t familiar with climbing techniques and equipment, you might become overwhelmed with all the jargon. I know I sure did. Warren writes The Way of the Brave as if she has literally faced the mountain and all its treacherous terrain and wild weather and survived only by the grace of God.
A major factor that kept me glued to the pages is how Warren builds connections between characters. She is one of the best when it comes to the intricacies of relationships. Orion and Jenny challenged and encouraged one another both physically and spiritually. In the darkest moments, when life and limb were literally on the line, they never gave up on God or each other and not only did their relationship strengthen but most important of all, their faith was rejuvenated. Characters Jake and Aria haven’t discovered God’s amazing grace yet so I am looking forward to that love story in book two, coming June 2020.
I received a copy from the publisher. The opinions stated are entirely my own.
January 18, 2020
Wow what an adventure! I am so excited for this new series and this first book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I loved all of the characters and I am eager to read the next story. This book is non-stop action from the battle field to the mountainside of Denali. I don’t know anything about climbing and I am amazed that people attempt to climb these mountains! I was able to visit Denali a few years ago, from a distance of course, and I didn’t realize climbing to the top was a possibility. I loved the suspense of everyone trying to survive and how detailed Susan is with her writing the experience. Orion I think might end up being my favorite male character I have read in a long time. The romance and secondary story lines were well written. This book also makes me have even more appreciation for our military and those that defend our country. The mental and emotional toll that it takes on these people is something often ignored or glossed over. This story was a good reminder for me to be so thankful for these individuals.
I highly recommend this book! It will keep you up late and holding your breath for what will happen next.
Five stars!
I highly recommend this book! It will keep you up late and holding your breath for what will happen next.
Five stars!
January 3, 2022
Mystery, Action, Faith, and Love, what more could we ask for?
I'm a huge fan of Christian fiction. Although some of them can seem a bit corny, this one wasn't. It had a great plot, writing style, characters and intrigue. I'm very much looking forward to continuing this series.
I'm a huge fan of Christian fiction. Although some of them can seem a bit corny, this one wasn't. It had a great plot, writing style, characters and intrigue. I'm very much looking forward to continuing this series.
January 12, 2020
"The Way of the Brave" is a Christian romantic suspense novel. The author thoroughly convinced me to never climb to tall, snow-covered, windy peaks. If something could go wrong, it did go wrong on their way down. It was clear that God had a hand in what was happening since one disaster led the rescuers to the women and another led them to find something that needed to be found. But the suspense was high as accidents kept happening and people were injured. There was also tension because of the guilt that Jenny carried about what happened to Orion, someone she cared about and didn't want to hate her.
Jenny was a skilled, capable climber, and it was a freak wind that blew them into danger. I did wonder why Orion, a PJ and mountain rescue worker who explained to a group why they needed a guide prepared for certain emergencies, didn't bring along some critical things for the rescue. Otherwise, he seemed very capable as well. All the main characters worked well together. Jenny and Orion supported and encouraged each other.
Both Jenny and Orion questioned why God would let innocent people suffer and if God was really interested in rescuing them. Their friends later discussed with them why God might have let them get in trouble on the mountain and how God can use difficult situations to heal and shape us. There was some intense kissing, but there was no sex. One couple nearly went too far, but that added tension (guilt) to the relationship. There was no bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this intense and suspenseful novel.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Jenny was a skilled, capable climber, and it was a freak wind that blew them into danger. I did wonder why Orion, a PJ and mountain rescue worker who explained to a group why they needed a guide prepared for certain emergencies, didn't bring along some critical things for the rescue. Otherwise, he seemed very capable as well. All the main characters worked well together. Jenny and Orion supported and encouraged each other.
Both Jenny and Orion questioned why God would let innocent people suffer and if God was really interested in rescuing them. Their friends later discussed with them why God might have let them get in trouble on the mountain and how God can use difficult situations to heal and shape us. There was some intense kissing, but there was no sex. One couple nearly went too far, but that added tension (guilt) to the relationship. There was no bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this intense and suspenseful novel.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
January 23, 2020
Wowsers! I’ve been a fan of Susan May Warren’s books for several years now—particularly her most recent romantic suspense series such as the Montana Rescue, Montana Fire, and Montana Marshalls series—so when I say this might just be her best book yet, I don’t say it lightly. First of all, it was a riveting read from beginning to end. One of the things I loved about both the Montana Rescue and the Montana Fire series was the element of “Man vs Nature,” an element that I feel is underused in romantic suspense in general. Well, this story was “Man vs Nature” at its most gruelling. Saying these characters were lost on Denali is like saying the Titanic sprung a leak. This was an epic story of survival, and Susan May Warren brought it to life in vivid, adrenaline-pumping detail.
But beyond that, I sensed a subtle shift in Susan May Warren’s writing in this novel—I want to say a deepening or a maturing, but neither totally captures the sense I’m trying to convey, and I don’t want to imply that there has been something lacking previously, because that isn’t the case at all. It’s a deepening or maturing of the kind that intensifies flavour. Both the writing and the characterisation were crisper, tighter, more nuanced. And the characters’ spiritual journeys had my eyes filling with tears at one stage. Warren isn’t afraid to have her characters struggle through the tough questions, and not only do they get meaningful answers, but the whole story built towards the spiritual “ah-ha!” moment so that I felt the truth of what these characters needed to learn all the way to my soul.
This really was the best kind of reading experience. Intense, visceral, and totally immersive. I am on tenterhooks waiting for the next book in this series!
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
But beyond that, I sensed a subtle shift in Susan May Warren’s writing in this novel—I want to say a deepening or a maturing, but neither totally captures the sense I’m trying to convey, and I don’t want to imply that there has been something lacking previously, because that isn’t the case at all. It’s a deepening or maturing of the kind that intensifies flavour. Both the writing and the characterisation were crisper, tighter, more nuanced. And the characters’ spiritual journeys had my eyes filling with tears at one stage. Warren isn’t afraid to have her characters struggle through the tough questions, and not only do they get meaningful answers, but the whole story built towards the spiritual “ah-ha!” moment so that I felt the truth of what these characters needed to learn all the way to my soul.
This really was the best kind of reading experience. Intense, visceral, and totally immersive. I am on tenterhooks waiting for the next book in this series!
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
October 28, 2021
3.5 stars. Hmmm that was really good. Super intense!! Felt like an "I Shouldn't be Alive" episode XD but way better. People must be crazy to wanna climb Denali. Or any snowy mountain for that matter. And why do they all have such tragic back stories? Maybe it's a variable in being crazy enough to want to climb Denali XD.
One big huge complaint though. What's with the almost sex scene???? We go the whooooole book without anything (well I guess there were a few hints that I could happen eventually) and then all the sudden it almost happens??? Argh. Why? Why? Not necessary. Not necessary at all!
One big huge complaint though. What's with the almost sex scene???? We go the whooooole book without anything (well I guess there were a few hints that I could happen eventually) and then all the sudden it almost happens??? Argh. Why? Why? Not necessary. Not necessary at all!
December 30, 2019
The Way of the Brave launches a new series by pro writer Susan May Warren. With her trademark breathtaking romance, fearless heroes and endless suspense and action, The Way of the Brave is a thrilling and slightly daunting read.
Jacie is haunted by mistakes she made while working as an undercover CIA profiler - mistakes that led to good service men being injured and killed. Now, with her two best friends, she is attempting to scale Denali, a ruthless mountain, in a bid to remind herself she is strong and not being held back by her mistakes. Orion lost the only remaining family in the attack on his Parajumping team that left him injured and his teammates dead or taken captive. Coming across Jacie, now going by Jenny, Orion thinks might have a chance of rekindling what they once started, but he has no idea she is the one who holds the answers he seeks or the one to whom his anger is unknowingly directed. When Jacie and her friends are blown off the mountain it will take the strength of both her team and Orion’s to get back to safety.
Mountain climbing is definitely not on my to-do list. In fact, it’s something I just cannot see the appeal of. So it was a little hard to connect with the characters and their drive to scale Mount McKinley. It does, however, make for stunning backdrop scenery and a perfect setup for a suspense novel where everything that could go wrong, does go wrong. Whiteouts, avalanches, falls, injuries, altitude sickness - why do people go mountain climbing again? But it tests the characters, pushes them to their limits and force them to reevaluate their lives, faith and pasts. It also gives them the excuse to snuggle close to keep warm.
Alongside the spills and thrills of the mountain climbing and ensuing rescues (yes, that’s plural), is the heartbreaking backstory of all the characters. Jacie and the decisions that haunt her, as well as family trauma from her childhood, Orion and his anger, grief and trauma from losing both his military family and his blood family. Ham, Orion’s friend and fellow climber, is on a mission to save them all, if he can just forget the one person he couldn’t save. Jake, the third member of Orion’s team, is also running from his demons, and Jacie’s two friends have secrets, regrets and burdens they are trying to out climb.
As she does in her stories, as Jacie and Orion rekindle their affections, face their demons and save themselves, Susan May Warren shadows the story to come, offering readers insight into Jacie’s friend Aria and Orion’s friend Jake and their pasts and blooming attraction, setting the scene for book two in the series.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
Jacie is haunted by mistakes she made while working as an undercover CIA profiler - mistakes that led to good service men being injured and killed. Now, with her two best friends, she is attempting to scale Denali, a ruthless mountain, in a bid to remind herself she is strong and not being held back by her mistakes. Orion lost the only remaining family in the attack on his Parajumping team that left him injured and his teammates dead or taken captive. Coming across Jacie, now going by Jenny, Orion thinks might have a chance of rekindling what they once started, but he has no idea she is the one who holds the answers he seeks or the one to whom his anger is unknowingly directed. When Jacie and her friends are blown off the mountain it will take the strength of both her team and Orion’s to get back to safety.
Mountain climbing is definitely not on my to-do list. In fact, it’s something I just cannot see the appeal of. So it was a little hard to connect with the characters and their drive to scale Mount McKinley. It does, however, make for stunning backdrop scenery and a perfect setup for a suspense novel where everything that could go wrong, does go wrong. Whiteouts, avalanches, falls, injuries, altitude sickness - why do people go mountain climbing again? But it tests the characters, pushes them to their limits and force them to reevaluate their lives, faith and pasts. It also gives them the excuse to snuggle close to keep warm.
Alongside the spills and thrills of the mountain climbing and ensuing rescues (yes, that’s plural), is the heartbreaking backstory of all the characters. Jacie and the decisions that haunt her, as well as family trauma from her childhood, Orion and his anger, grief and trauma from losing both his military family and his blood family. Ham, Orion’s friend and fellow climber, is on a mission to save them all, if he can just forget the one person he couldn’t save. Jake, the third member of Orion’s team, is also running from his demons, and Jacie’s two friends have secrets, regrets and burdens they are trying to out climb.
As she does in her stories, as Jacie and Orion rekindle their affections, face their demons and save themselves, Susan May Warren shadows the story to come, offering readers insight into Jacie’s friend Aria and Orion’s friend Jake and their pasts and blooming attraction, setting the scene for book two in the series.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
February 23, 2020
Originally posted on Inkwell Inspirations
“Today, we save lives.”
The Way of the Brave, the first novel in award winning author Susan May Warren’s new Global Search and Rescue series, takes readers on a journey to the state of Alaska, where Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, can be found in all of its treacherous beauty.
Readers were first introduced to former pararescue jumper Orion Starr in Susan May Warren’s Summer of the Burning Sky series. After devastating losses and injuries during his time in Afghanistan, Orion has retreated to his home in Alaska. His rescue skills are put to the test when three climbers are lost on Denali, including one woman with a painful connection to Orion’s past.
The Way of the Brave starts with a slow build-up to the action and intricate details regarding climbing techniques and the climbing tools needed. Once the action starts, get ready for a fast-paced thrilling ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat. One part of the novel even brought me to tears. Orion and Jenny’s story was very well written, but I really connected with their friends Jake and Aria the most. Jake and Aria were my favorite characters in this novel, and the banter between them was so fun to read. I am really looking forward to their story in book 2 of the series, The Heart of a Hero.
Susan May Warren is known for her phenomenal family-centered series and incorporating characters from previous series into her newer series. In The Way of the Brave, which focuses on two groups of friends, longtime fans of Susan May Warren will love the return of some familiar characters along with the introduction of some new characters. Since The Way of the Brave is the start of a new series, this is the perfect opportunity for readers who have never read any books by this author. The Way of the Brave is highly recommended for readers of action-filled contemporary romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
“What happens in Alaska stays in Alaska.”
“Today, we save lives.”
The Way of the Brave, the first novel in award winning author Susan May Warren’s new Global Search and Rescue series, takes readers on a journey to the state of Alaska, where Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, can be found in all of its treacherous beauty.
Readers were first introduced to former pararescue jumper Orion Starr in Susan May Warren’s Summer of the Burning Sky series. After devastating losses and injuries during his time in Afghanistan, Orion has retreated to his home in Alaska. His rescue skills are put to the test when three climbers are lost on Denali, including one woman with a painful connection to Orion’s past.
The Way of the Brave starts with a slow build-up to the action and intricate details regarding climbing techniques and the climbing tools needed. Once the action starts, get ready for a fast-paced thrilling ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat. One part of the novel even brought me to tears. Orion and Jenny’s story was very well written, but I really connected with their friends Jake and Aria the most. Jake and Aria were my favorite characters in this novel, and the banter between them was so fun to read. I am really looking forward to their story in book 2 of the series, The Heart of a Hero.
Susan May Warren is known for her phenomenal family-centered series and incorporating characters from previous series into her newer series. In The Way of the Brave, which focuses on two groups of friends, longtime fans of Susan May Warren will love the return of some familiar characters along with the introduction of some new characters. Since The Way of the Brave is the start of a new series, this is the perfect opportunity for readers who have never read any books by this author. The Way of the Brave is highly recommended for readers of action-filled contemporary romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
“What happens in Alaska stays in Alaska.”
January 19, 2020
The Way of the Brave was definitely action-packed! So many terrifying things happened up on Denali, that for most of the book, I had to read a chapter and then take a break so that I could handle all that I was reading about.
There was a lot of technical climbing terminology that went right over my head. I did end up looking up a few terms so that I could visualize what was going on better. I found myself wondering why anyone would ever want to put themselves in such a position of danger.
However, I really did like the book, as well as the characters who were introduced in it. Jenny and Orion both questioned the existence of God throughout this story, went through a lot, and ended up with faith journeys that may not have come about without all that they endured.
The author has set things up for another exciting series. Also, if you have read The Montana Marshalls series, you will recognize some scenes from the second book in that series, Tate, overlapping with this one. I found that fun.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
There was a lot of technical climbing terminology that went right over my head. I did end up looking up a few terms so that I could visualize what was going on better. I found myself wondering why anyone would ever want to put themselves in such a position of danger.
However, I really did like the book, as well as the characters who were introduced in it. Jenny and Orion both questioned the existence of God throughout this story, went through a lot, and ended up with faith journeys that may not have come about without all that they endured.
The author has set things up for another exciting series. Also, if you have read The Montana Marshalls series, you will recognize some scenes from the second book in that series, Tate, overlapping with this one. I found that fun.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
March 12, 2020
If you are a mountain climber and are familiar with all the jargon and details related to mountain climbing (crampon, figure-four, undercling, belay biner, gaiters, dry hold) you might enjoy this book.
If you have any interest in mountain climbing, or know people who mountain climb, you might enjoy this book.
If you’re not a mountain climber, nor have any interest in mountain climbing, and think anyone who climbs to the summit of an icy, snowy, highly dangerous mountain with 300 foot lethal crevasses, and has friends or relatives who have been buried in an avalanche, or died in a disastrous fall just might have rocks in their head, and if you’re not crazy about replaying conversations and repetitious flashbacks, you may not enjoy this book.
You can probably guess which category is an easy fit for me.
My favorite thing about this book was the creative names the author gave her characters...Kia, Ham, Jacie, Aria, Kit, Sasha, Skeet, North, Dixon, and best... Orion Starr.
Sadly, this book didn’t work for me.
If you have any interest in mountain climbing, or know people who mountain climb, you might enjoy this book.
If you’re not a mountain climber, nor have any interest in mountain climbing, and think anyone who climbs to the summit of an icy, snowy, highly dangerous mountain with 300 foot lethal crevasses, and has friends or relatives who have been buried in an avalanche, or died in a disastrous fall just might have rocks in their head, and if you’re not crazy about replaying conversations and repetitious flashbacks, you may not enjoy this book.
You can probably guess which category is an easy fit for me.
My favorite thing about this book was the creative names the author gave her characters...Kia, Ham, Jacie, Aria, Kit, Sasha, Skeet, North, Dixon, and best... Orion Starr.
Sadly, this book didn’t work for me.
December 23, 2019
3.5 stars
"We don't stop living live because bad things can, or will, happen."
Orion Starr and Jenny Calhoun had stopping living, in a way, since a mission went terribly wrong in Afghanistan. Orion, a pararescue jumper and Jenny, an CIA agent posing as an embedded journalist were on opposite ends of the tragedy; Orion lost teammates and sustained injuries requiring a knee replacement; Jenny, on the other hand, had a nervous breakdown. The remarkable friendship they had molded on the battlefield literally went up in smoke. But Orion had once promised Jenny; "I will find you", he just had no way of knowing at the time that it would require a different kind of rescue mission, one requiring a dangerous extraction off the side of the most treacherous mountain peak in North America; Denali.
"This trip is about conquering our fears. About going beyond who we think we are."
Famous last words; but oh, how Jenny Calhoun prayed they would not be her epitaph. When a hideous wind blast literally blows her companions and her off Denali, they struggle to survive before an avenging angel from her past manages to arrive. If only it was that easy, for Orion Starr still doesn't know the truth.
Honestly, the repetitive references to various climbing implements and the author's vivid descriptions of the Alaskan terrain, were overwhelming at times. Assuming most readers are not serious expeditionary hikers, the story was difficult to picture or even imagine. Scene after scene rather ran together, nevertheless, it was the strength of the characters that carried this story; their struggles, their honesty, their bravery, their will to live, their faith, their forgiveness. Sweeter words were never spoken than, "I forgive you", "please, let it be over".
I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews.
"We don't stop living live because bad things can, or will, happen."
Orion Starr and Jenny Calhoun had stopping living, in a way, since a mission went terribly wrong in Afghanistan. Orion, a pararescue jumper and Jenny, an CIA agent posing as an embedded journalist were on opposite ends of the tragedy; Orion lost teammates and sustained injuries requiring a knee replacement; Jenny, on the other hand, had a nervous breakdown. The remarkable friendship they had molded on the battlefield literally went up in smoke. But Orion had once promised Jenny; "I will find you", he just had no way of knowing at the time that it would require a different kind of rescue mission, one requiring a dangerous extraction off the side of the most treacherous mountain peak in North America; Denali.
"This trip is about conquering our fears. About going beyond who we think we are."
Famous last words; but oh, how Jenny Calhoun prayed they would not be her epitaph. When a hideous wind blast literally blows her companions and her off Denali, they struggle to survive before an avenging angel from her past manages to arrive. If only it was that easy, for Orion Starr still doesn't know the truth.
Honestly, the repetitive references to various climbing implements and the author's vivid descriptions of the Alaskan terrain, were overwhelming at times. Assuming most readers are not serious expeditionary hikers, the story was difficult to picture or even imagine. Scene after scene rather ran together, nevertheless, it was the strength of the characters that carried this story; their struggles, their honesty, their bravery, their will to live, their faith, their forgiveness. Sweeter words were never spoken than, "I forgive you", "please, let it be over".
I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 437 reviews