Book Review: Sundown by Susan May Warren

Sundown (Sky King Ranch #3). Susan May Warren. Fleming H. Revell (2022). 368 pages. Genre: Romantic Suspense, Christian Fiction.

First Line: "Colt Kingston was in worse shape than he thought."

Summary:  Taylor Price has been helping out at Sky King Ranch while she recovers from the events that led to a plane crash.  In fact, she helped nurse Delta Force operator, Colt Kingston back to health after he was beaten to within an inch of his life by terrorists.  Now that Colt is on the mend, Taylor is ready to talk about what led the plane to crash.  The problem is her story is hard to believe.  It involves the Russian Mafia, a kidnapping, her attempts to crash the plane and her survival of the crash. But, when they locate the downed plane, everything Taylor has said proves to be true.  And if it is true, Taylor's life and the lives of many other people are in danger.  As Taylor goes into hiding, Colt, with the help of his brothers and their connections, set out on a mission to eliminate the threat.  

My thoughts:  In this final book in the Sky King Ranch trilogy, Susan May Warren has given her readers another hard-to-put-down story.  

Colt Kingston, ex-Delta Force operator, has been living out of a duffle bag for ten years.  After an altercation with one of his brothers, he has not wanted to return to the ranch in Alaska.  But, after being severely injured by terrorists in Nigeria, he has no where else to go.  Of the three Kingston brothers, Colt is the one who seems the most fearless.  He is always first to enter the fray and often takes chances that others wouldn't.  Some think this is because Colt doesn't value his life and is being reckless.  Colt doesn't see it that way or does he?  He definitely has some things to work through and he does just that in this story.  

Taylor Price is a a doctor of infectious diseases and a medical scientist who is trying to create a treatment for a deadly virus.  That is why she was kidnapped.  Someone wanted to stop her work so that they could use the deadly virus as a weapon.  Taylor is brave and smart, but she doesn't know who she can trust.  She suspects there is no one she can trust. Taylor also has some things to work through, but first she has to save the world. 

Every time I read a book by Susan May Warren, I find myself being so thankful for the men and women who daily protect our country from threats.  She gives me a deeper understanding of the costs of serving in this way.  But she also highlights the reality that each of us is created with gifts and talents by God for a specific purpose.  In this story, Colt is seen by some as being reckless.  But he has saved so many lives by his actions.  God has given him the ability to take risks that others won't.  We need people like that.  On the other hand, Taylor is not someone who regularly takes physical risks, but she daily examines terrifying diseases and works hard to figure out how to stop them.  She is not afraid to step into the middle of a situation that has left someone injured.  We also need people like that. 

In the middle of all of that, there is romance blossoming between Colt and Taylor.  At times, it felt like the romance was bogging the story down.  But, that was a minor thing.  

Overall, this was a great conclusion to the Sky King Ranch trilogy.  There were several loose ends tied up.  I will be sad to say good-bye to these characters, but if I know Susan May Warren, some of these characters will make appearances in future books.  I look forward to seeing what is next.

Quotes:

"Tae sat on the deck of her tiny cabin that overlooked the lake on Kingston property, the mountains tracing their outline against the magnificent blue sky.  The sun shone through wispy clouds, and the scent of wildflowers layered the air."

"'You don't have to control every moment, plan every step.  Maybe you just say yes to the doors God opens.'"

"'The role of a soldier isn't to ask why, or even determine the course of the fight.  Our job is to just say yes.'"

"'People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."' George Orwell

Book Review: Sunburst by Susan May Warren

Sunburst (Sky King Ranch #2). Susan May Warren. Fleming H. Revell (2022). 353 pages. Genre: Romantic Suspense. 

First Line of Prologue: "Four years ago... Ranger wasn't here to get into trouble, but wow, she was pretty."

Summary:  Ranger Kingston, former Navy SEAL, is part of a mission to rescue his brother and others from a terrorist in Nigeria.  Among the hostages rescued is Noemi Sutton, a woman Ranger met years ago and never thought he would see again.  

Noemi Sutton is working for an organization attempting to unite refugee orphans with their families.  They were captured after discovering a village where everyone had died of smallpox.  But, why were they taken?  As they attempt to find a safe place to hide, it seems they can't escape the terrorists.  When they finally find refuge at the home of Noemi's uncle, who happens to be a king, things get really complicated. 

My thoughts:  When I read a novel by Susan May Warren, I expect a story filled with danger, adventure and a little romance.  This story did have all of that, however I think the romance played a bigger role.  

There was plenty of danger, suspense and adventure though.  Escaping from terrorists, not making it to the rescue helicopter in time, getting lost in the jungle and discovering that Noemi's uncle is a king all made for a very adventurous story.  The highlight was a Nigerian wedding.  The author includes a note to the reader at the beginning of the book explaining that her daughter-in-law is Nigerian and that she had always dreamed of having a traditional Nigerian wedding.  Because of the pandemic, she and the author's son were not able to have that type of wedding.  Warren worked with her daughter-in-law to create the wedding she had always wanted in this book.  

Even without the usual amount of heart-pumping danger and suspense, this was still a page turner.  The terrorists are still following them even after they think they are safe.  Figuring out how they have been able to follow them is tricky, especially when they don't know why Noemi has been targeted.  On top of that, Ranger and Noemi are working through their feelings for one another. 

I really liked Ranger.  He is a man of duty and won't let anything get in the way of that.  However, that has caused him to put his job as a SEAL ahead of everything else in his life including his family and a possible relationship with Noemi.  He is struggling with a physical problem that has caused him to have to leave the Navy.  This has caused him to question who he is, since that was his identity.  

Noemi is more of a free spirit and doesn't think she needs anyone.  Her father was Master Chief Sutton, a trainer in the SEAL program.  When Noemi was growing up he trained her in how to protect herself.  She thinks she can take care of herself.  

Most of the story takes place in Nigeria, but there is some of the story that takes place at Sky King Ranch in Alaska.  Both are such beautiful locations and we do get a glimpse of each one.  

Sunburst was a great addition to the Sky King Ranch series.  If you haven't already read the first book in the series, Sunrise, I would encourage you to start there.  This is a great series and I am looking forward to the next story.

Quotes:

"Noemi had been in plenty of open markets around the world, and they all possessed the same sort of local energy - men shouting prices, bickering, the exhaust of trucks and the bustle of workers unloading potatoes, rice, tomatoes.  The odor of fresh fish mixed with the robust scent of grilling meat, the cluck of penned hens, the thump of music from a nearby cafe, and of course the push and shove of the crowd."

"Her aunties had spent four hours on her makeup - including false eyelashes - and then arranging an elaborate headwrap that looked like a golden fluff of whipped cream.  They'd even giver her false nails, painted coral.  And then came the dress.  Deep, emerald-green skirt that hugged her hips before flaring out in ruffles to the floor, with gold stars embroidered into the hem."

"'You've always spent your life looking forward, the destination in mind.  But faith is stepping forward without knowing the destination. Your job, as a warrior of the Lord, is to listen.  To walk in faith.'"

Book Review: Sunrise by Susan May Warren

Sunrise (Sky King Ranch #1). Susan May Warren. Fleming H. Revell (2022). 368 pages. Genre:  Christian Fiction, Adventure, Romance.

First Line: "By the time Dodge got to the hospital, he'd already broken his first promise."

Summary:  When Dodge left Copper Mountain ten years ago, he made himself some promises.  One was that he would never return.  After receiving a phone call from his sister telling him their father had been in a accident, Dodge had no choice but to return to Copper Mountain.  Fortunately, his father was only injured, but he will need some help at the ranch for a while.  Dodge agrees to stay for a few weeks, but then he is leaving.

Echo Yazzie dreamed of leaving Copper Mountain for Anchorage or maybe even the lower 48.  She loves the Alaska wilderness and thought she might want to get a degree in Biology.  But if she left, her father would be alone.  To be honest, she wasn't sure she was ready to leave him.  She has made a life for herself raising and training sled dogs, gardening and guiding research expeditions in the wilds of Alaska.  

There was a time when Dodge and Echo thought they would spend their lives together.  Now it has been ten years since they have seen one another.  When a fellow researcher goes missing, Dodge and Echo have to work together to find her before it's too late.

My thoughts:  This is the beginning of a new series by Susan May Warren.  She excels at creating characters who are true heroes.  That is not to say that these characters don't have flaws, they definitely do.  But what makes them heroes is that they are willing to sacrifice for others and often choose to do what is right, rather than what is convenient.  They are relatable because they are not perfect, they make mistakes along the way and often mess things up.  

Something happened ten years ago that caused Dodge to leave.  He was hurt in many ways and promised himself he would never come back.  His story is revealed layer by layer as we watch him interact with the people in his home town.  He is home because it's the right thing to do.  His dad has been injured and can't fly his delivery route.  Dodge will take over until he can fly again.  He really doesn't want to see anyone from his past, especially Echo Yazzie.

Echo also has hurts in her past.  She loves Alaska and she really does love her life there.  But there is a part of her that wonders "what if".  Her dad has been struggling.  He loves wildlife and has spent many years rehabilitating animals that were injured.  But recently he has been making some bad choices - drinking and getting into fights.  Echo has her hands full.

The Alaska wilderness plays a huge part in the story.  The beauty and rawness of the landscape really comes through.  As Echo's fellow researcher goes missing, the elements prove to be the biggest adversary.  In fact, this was one of those books that I got so absorbed in, that the intrusion of real life was jarring. I didn't want to put it down, but I also didn't want it to end. 

Themes of forgiveness, second chances, faith and love dominate the story.  There is a lot to love about it and I highly recommend it.