Jake Silver may not be able to put the memories of his time as a sniper and Navy SEAL behind him, but at least he can put his skills to use as a part of the Jones Inc. rescue team. Saving the life of pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Aria Sinclair on Denali helped too. Now he can’t get her out of his head, and when he hears she is in the path of a hurricane down in Key West he can’t help but jump on a … a plane to rescue her.Aria has dedicated her life to helping children born with defective hearts. After all, she was one of those children. Now driven to succeed, she lives a lonely, stressful life. One she would have lost on Denali if it hadn’t been for Jake. Jake is exciting and handsome, but he’s also dangerous, and she’s already lost one person she loves. She can’t bear it again.It’s not until she finds herself trapped in the middle of a category 4 hurricane that she can admit she needs Jake desperately. With their very survival in the balance, can they hope for a second chance at life . . . and love?
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The Heart of a Hero
Global Search and Rescue #2
By Susan May Warren
Dr. Aria Sinclair and Jake Silver just want to put Alaska behind them and forget about the biggest mistake they almost made. There is only one problem their hearts don’t agree, and what’s worse when they were together, it was as if they could be themselves not hiding behind a facade.
Aria has thrown herself back into her work, not giving herself time to heal from the trauma of Denali, and she is burning both ends of her candle. As a pediatric surgeon, Aria needs to be at her best, and those around her know she needs a break. Aria’s break is a 2-day conference in Key West with time off for a little R and R; unfortunately, it is the height of hurricane season, and Aria’s luck is holding.
Jake knows that Aria is the one for him, but he doesn’t know how to convince her of this. The last time he saw her ruined everything, and she left without a word. She brings calm to his turbulent thought, helping him deal with the pain and mistakes of the past. But she’s made it perfectly clear that Alaska is in the past and she wants to leave it there.
But when a hurricane bears down on Florida, Jake can’t wait around, doing nothing, not when he knows Aria needs him. But running towards danger is the very reason that Aria wants Jake in the past. He takes chances, and she doesn’t want to be responsible for the death of someone else she cares for. But Jake needs to rescue Aria, it is the only way he can make up for the biggest mistake of his life – the day he lost his little sister, the day he broke his family.
Ham is back, as the head of Jones, Inc., has to be in the book and the storyline that began at the end of the first book in the Global Search and Rescue series is fleshed out as we meet his daughter Aggie and learn about his wife. Yup, a good bit of drama that takes him to Europe and reveals something of significance is at work – something that could have a bearing on the upcoming Presidential election.
Fans of Susan May Warren’s previous series will enjoy little hints at crossovers with the current cast of characters. This series can be read without reading the last series first. I would, however, highly recommend reading the first book in this series as there are many references to what occurred previously. The action is sequential, so reading this series in order is essential to fully grasp what is happening in the current book. So before you crack open the cover of this book, you have to first read The Way of the Brave. (This is an absolute must, in my opinion, to fully enjoy The Heart of a Hero.
If you love dramatic situations with danger and challenges lurking around every corner, you’ll love this newest romantic suspense from Susan May Warren. And the conclusion lets the reader know that they will be counting down the days to book 3.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
How do you survive a hurricane? Well it helps to get stranded with a former Navy SEAL. “Heart of a Hero” is the second book in Susan May Warren’s Global Search and Rescue series and it follows Aria Sinclair and Jake Silver right through the center of a hurricane. While it can be read alone I highly recommend reading it in order so you can get some of the character background. The first book (The Way of the Brave) also details preceding events that are referenced in this book. It was also excellent and I’d recommend it anyway.
Aria and Jake had previously met in Alaska and a mistaken text throws them into one another paths again. And right into the path of a hurricane. This story has everything from natural disasters to jail breaks. In the midst of all the chaos and a fight for survival, each struggles to find the path God wants for them. Forgiving themselves for the past and taking hope in the future. There were several surprises along the way and I loved the book.
As always, Warren does an excellent job at developing her characters and seamlessly weaving the spiritual struggles of the characters with the overall story. It’s page-turner and it will keep you reading late into the night.
Finally, this book also sets the stage for the third book in the series featuring Hamilton Jones. While Aria and Jake’s story is complete, the ending of this book will leave you itching to find out what’s going to happen to Hamilton.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (by way of a Library Thing win), for sending me a complimentary advanced review copy. A positive review was not required and all words are my own.
Earlier this year I had been chosen through the Revell Reads reviewer program to review the first book in this series, The Way of the Brave. Since I really enjoyed that, I was looking forward to this book to see where the series was going. As I was going to review this anyway, I signed up for the JustRead blog and review tour.
The Way of the Brave introduced readers to Hamilton “Ham” Jones’ private Global Search and Rescue (SAR) Team consisting of Ham, Jake, and a reluctant Orion Starr. The three men, former Navy, are also friends. The Way of the Brave was Orion and Jenny’s story. If you haven’t read that one, I highly suggest it as parts of that novel are included in this plot line and could be essential.
Where that one had a lot of climbing jargon that could make it difficult for the reader – this one has boating, medical, and diving terminology. This book doesn’t have as much technical jargon as its predecessor did though. As I was familiar with the medical jargon, that part didn’t confuse me. And, I was able to get through the other technical jargon. It shows that Warren has indeed researched her subject for technical accuracy. Readers who enjoy climbing, boating, or medical will probably enjoy the attention to detail.
Some books that are part of a series work great as standalone reads. Thus you don’t have to read the first one or subsequent ones to get a clear and connected picture. For me, this one does not work as a standalone. And, as parts of it deal with Ham, the plot of book #3 – The Price of Valor – is closely woven into this story almost from the beginning. As a result, it would be best to read all of these together or in close proximity such as their release date. Like The Way of the Brave, the cover features that story’s hero on it. This is Jake Silver and Aria Sinclair’s story.
This picks up about two (2) weeks after the incident on the Denali (The Way of the Brave) and also after Ham left Alaska and went to pick up a daughter he didn’t know he had. Already the reader, if they have read the first book, has been introduced to the trio of men as well as Jenny and Aria. Sasha, one of the women with Jenny and Aria on that fateful Denali trip, isn’t featured too much in this book (she doesn’t appear in the end of it). Orion and Jenny are mostly M.I.A from this story as well.
Told in third person POV, this alternates from Jake/Aria to Ham’s search for his wife (and his daughter’s mother), Signe in Russia. Bouncing between the Jake/Aria story to the Ham/Signe story was a bit confusing. Some flashbacks blended in with current time and it made it somewhat difficult to follow. There are also references to someone the team is looking for from a military rescue that occurred prior to the series, this is also mentioned in the previous book as well. These multiple plots can, for some readers, make the story seem “busy” and cluttered with too much going on.
Jake is trying to forget what happened with Aria in an Alaskan Hotel room, and she is too. After losing a neonatal patient, she then gets a chance to go on a conference.
And, it is that conference that will have her in need of Jake’s services, much like when she was on Denali. A hurricane is heading Aria’s way. A cryptic and erroneous text message from her, along with a category 4 hurricane heading in her direction has Jake jumping in for another rescue. Unlike the previous novel though, Jake is this rescue by himself. And, the reader soon learns why he does what he does – it is because of a sister that went missing and is still missing. I really hope the writer builds on that storyline for the third book as I can tell there is a mystery behind it. It would be very interesting to see where this is going or could go.
Aria has her own faults and frailties to contend with – namely her heart, and not figuratively. It is quite literal in that she is battling her heart. In the first book, it was disclosed that Aria’s twin, Kia, was killed in an accident and as a result Aria got her twin sister’s heart as her own was defective. Aria is battling the level head side of herself and the adventure seeking side of her sister’s heart. This slight plot line makes one consider the mental aspect of organ donation. Aria feels like she is two different people at times. This is also what leads her to the complicated relationship she does and doesn’t have with Jake. They have a lot in common, yet are so different.
Readers will finally learn the reason for Jake’s departure from the Navy SEALs six months earlier, and it was one I wouldn’t have guessed. This emphasizes the importance of mental health in the military.
The rescue does not go at all the way it should with damage from the storm, an electrocution, and other surprises that Warren throws at the characters and readers. It is almost like a wild thrill ride that lasts longer than three minutes.
The action and description of the hurricane’s damage is realistic and vivid. The reader could almost feel like they’re going through it along with the characters. In addition to the fast-paced drama, there is the human element of the “evacuees” and what their parts are in this story. This is where the character development both blossoms and fails. I was frustrated with Aria at how much she was conflicted. There were times, that despite her brilliance in her field, I wanted to shake her. Not that I would’ve dated Jake (he’s a bit too young for me), there was nothing wrong with him and even Aria knew that – she just kept pushing him away. While the independence was a good thing, and I didn’t want her to be clingy, there was a happy medium to be found. And, for me, it took her way too long to see that. If the covers are any indication as to who these guys are, he’s the most handsome of the three (Orion, Ham, Jake). The other minor characters were beautiful and charming, except some “criminals” that were thrown in.
This is definitely a fast-paced, high-action story. Danger is added in chapter 10 with a character I didn’t trust from the beginning of his introduction. I was hoping to get more background into a few characters that were introduced here. I’d like to see what was going on there as well as an open plot line with the mentioned “criminals”.
With everything going on with the hurricane, I would’ve liked to see more focus on those characters as I feel there was a bit too much focus on the Ham/Signe story line, despite how fascinating and complex it seemed. The background suspense of the rescue and hurricane was enough to carry this story.
One character that was introduced was a pregnant girl by the name of Angel, who had decided to name her baby Hannah after her friend. This is why I’m eager to read the third story. I just have a feeling something is going on with that. Or at best I’d love to see where that leads.
Readers will get a sad death in this story line. It was one I didn’t see coming and it is still shocking. Not too violent, but shocking none the less. This was truly an engaging and entertaining read. I could almost see it being played out as a movie.
As this is distributed by Revell, a Christian/Faith themed publisher, the story has a lot of references to God and faith. This has far more references than its predecessor, but these references are not key elements of the plot. They are still strong and used for themes of salvation, forgiveness, and redemption. While not many in the beginning, by half way they do get more frequent.
Fans of the author and those who’ve read the previous book might enjoy this follow up. They will definitely need to catch the third and final installment, The Price of Valor as well. There is a big reveal at the end of book two about Signe and readers will be stunned. For those not wanting spoilers, I would recommend avoiding the blurb for book three until you’ve read The Way of the Brave and The Heart of a Hero.
This was slow at first for me to get into, it did start picking up after the 2/3 mark. Overall I did enjoy this book and hope that some of the plot lines and sub-plots introduced here are resolved or continued in the third and final book which releases later this year.
Wow, this book should come with a label that reads Warning: High intensity adventure ahead. May cause loss of sleep due to inability to stop reading.
Aria heads to Florida to relax at a medical conference after the traumas she endured while climbing Denali but ends up stranded in Key West in the path of a Category 5 hurricane. Jake heads to Florida to find her as he is worried and cannot forget the connection he had with Aria on the mountain.
The suspense and adventure is seriously non-stop and in the midst of it all is some serious character development. I loved how Jake and Aria lifted each other up and helped each other to heal, and their romance is so very sweet. I enjoyed meeting some great new side characters and hope we see more of them in the next book.
While reading The Way of the Brave is not absolutely necessary before reading this book, I would recommend it as it will make the character and their relationships with each other easier to understand and more enjoyable. I anxiously await the final book in the series!
Many thanks to Revell Publishing for a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
When Jay first showed up , he made an impact on my as a reader. You wanted to know more about him and his story. Susan May Warren has a way of creating complex characters that are flawed by redeemable. Jay and Aria’s story continues from The Way of the Brave. As you read you find out more about how these characters view themselves and each other. I love this story because it reminds me that God reveals himself and how he feels about us through his words and people. There story is about two people who are still very much affected by the mistakes and trauma of their past. They are locked into a prison of their own making. Ms. Warren’s side characters make such an impact on these two stubborn people who love each other but must overcome their own fears and thinking to see what God had in store for them.
I received this book from NetGalley and the opinions expressed are entirely my own. When a book touches my heart I must share my opinion.
I don’t know how Susan May Warren does it, but she continually produces first rate novels. Her latest is one more example of what a master she is. The Heart of a Hero is Jake’s and Aria’s story. We were introduced to them in The Way of the Brave, and Jake’s story is one I’ve been looking forward to reading. I am especially fond of the trope where the hero can’t see he’s good and worthy. Jake is such a character and you can’t feel anything but love and admiration for him. He continually demonstrates his inner goodness by his willingness to sacrifice himself, if necessary, to protect and save the people he loves. This Global Search and Rescue series is more character driven than previous series by Warren, but I like that about it. There is plenty of action in the latest offering, but like its predecessor, it takes a while for it to crank up. Once it does crank up, though, it is a definite page turner. As always there is the spiritual element in the book. I’m very fond of that too. Warren does a fabulous job of showing any reader that no matter what we’ve done or how far we feel we’ve strayed, God is right there waiting for us to just give Him control. If you’re not particularly religious or Christian, don’t let the faith element stop you from reading The Heart of a Hero. It’s a five-star in my opinion, and it will entertain you. I received an ARC, but have ordered the book for my Susan May Warren collection.
Heart of Hero grabs you from the first page which sends you flying across the water on a Cat down to the churning waters of a hurricane.
This story doesn’t turn loose until the very end. Even the very last chapter has you gripping the edge, wondering what is going to happen.
It was great to see Aria and Jake grow throughout the pages. They both have issues to overcome and have to learn to rely on each other. It’s a whirlwind of a ride that you will most definitely want to take.
I received this book as an advanced reader copy from the publisher. The opinions here are my own–
Another phenomenal book in the series. In book 1 we meet Aria when she’s with her friends on a climb in Alaska on Denali. We are introduced to Jake when he is part of the rescue team for the 3 lost climbers.
In this second book of the series, we get more of Aria and Jake’s story but in Warren’s great writing style, we also hear more of the other characters we’ve gotten to know and love.
I enjoyed the story, the trials, suspense, twists and turns. Just when you think the rescue is done, there’s another plot twist.
The character development is good as the writer delves into the minds of Jake and Aria as they each dig deep inside themselves to understand their past and how it has shaped/molded them today. Other key characters also add keen insight for Aria and Jake.
I like how difficult concepts are explored in real and practical ways. Such as “how can God be good and sovereign when something terrible happens?” And again with that question of grace. “I know grace is difficult to accept… it’s in our nature to want to bargain for our redemption… but you can do nothing but receive it.” The characters have a very real discussions on these topics and others as they grapple with what life continues to dish out.
The two of them have their share of adventures and troubles in this book and I was tired for them as their saga continued. It was nice to have the side stories of the other friends (Arias friends and Jakes friends) break up some of the serious situations the main characters were in.
The story definitely has its share of adventure, trauma, heartache, surprises, and moments where you cheer for justice. I can see where the next book will pick up with a story of another Hero and another rescue as this series continues. But in this book, much of the story did wrap up so the reader is not left hanging with lots of loose ends at the end of this book.
Overall, another great read. The story was suspenseful, full of adventure, and showed how people deal with life/loss/trauma uniquely due to their background or makeup. And I do enjoy that she always throws a little love story in there too!
“Oh, she loved this man. And it could really hurt. But maybe it was worth every single crazy, dangerous moment of it.”
The Heart of a Hero, the second novel in award-winning author Susan May Warren’s Global Search and Rescue series, takes readers to the beautiful island of Key West, where a relaxing trip to the beach quickly turns into a rescue mission as a devastating hurricane threatens to destroy the lives of everyone in its path.
While The Heart of a Hero can be read as a standalone novel, the story begins a week after the conclusion of The Way of the Brave, the first book in the series. There are some secondary storylines and characters featured in both books that play a role throughout the series. Therefore, I do recommend reading this series in order to get the maximum enjoyment of all the storylines.
Readers were introduced to former SEAL Jake Silver in The Way of the Brave, and he is still dealing with the pain of his prior mistakes, including those with Dr. Aria Sinclair. When Aria is caught in a deadly hurricane, can Jake overcome his past and come to her rescue?
Jake and Aria’s story is a heartwarming tale of second chances, redemption, and rediscovering faith. Charming and charismatic Jake Silver stole my heart ever since I met him in The Way of the Brave, and I have been rooting for him to get his happy ending. The banter between Jake and Aria was so well done, and one part of the novel even brought me to tears. Get ready for a dangerous, action-packed, wild ride to romance. This is Susan May Warren at her best!
The Heart of a Hero 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.
“I know Jesus is in you, Jake. There’s just too much hero in you not to see it. Now it’s time for you to open your eyes and see it too.”