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 … 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.
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I am a Susan May Warren FAN! I just plowed through another series of hers and couldn’t wait to pick this up. Now I can’t decide if I’m mad at myself for not waiting for all of the books to be out or thrilled that this first book in the series is as equally captivating as my first reading experience with Warren’s stories.
Orion Starr is a hero in hiding, plagued by a mission gone terribly wrong. Jenny Calhoun is the CIA profiler that put the mission into motion, and the guilt has kept her running to the next highest mountain, literally. When she and her friends climb a dangerous mountain, just to prove they can, everything goes wrong. They are soon in a race for their lives. Starr, the forever hero at heart, comes in to save them, but can Jenny carry the guilt of letting him rescue her, when she almost killed him? They both wrestle their painful pasts to help everyone get down the mountain, hopefully alive.
Way of the Brave is one of those books that will keep you hooked until the very end. Warren has masterfully and in great detail described a world that I know nothing about without making it tedious. The research and care she put into describing the life of a climber really added to the intensity of the story. You hang on every word through the intensity of each new challenge the teams face. You won’t know how this one will play out until the very end. The end closed a chapter and left me feeling satisfied, but also desperately craving the next book for more adventures from these characters.
Susan May Warren, thank you for allowing me to participate in the read and review The Way of the Brave. It was a wonderful way to start a series.
Jenny Calhoun is a Psychologist specializing in PTSD and former CIA agent & profiler, who is also a mountain climber. As she and her friends are preparing for a climb up Denali, she has a healthy dose of fear & respect for the elements. She wants to make sure she gets her team up and back safely.
Orion Starr is a former SEAL member and mountain climber who has been living in Alaska to try and heal his heart and soul along with his physical injuries, after a mission in Afghanistan, where he lost all but 2 of his team mates and he is not sure if or when he will fully recover from that mission. The 2 members that Survived are Hamilton “Ham” Jones and Logan Thorne.
Ham got a hold of Orion and is now asking him to accompany him on a climb up Denali. Orion really does not want to go but due to a bit of guilt for that mission that went wrong, he accepts. He is still rocked by the fact that Logan Thorne showed up on his doorstep months back, Logan had been captured by the Taliban and tortured then let go. Logan was convinced that someone was out to get him and had conspiracy theories as to whom and why.
While a attending a festival in NY while before going up Denali, Jenny & Orion bump into one another & of course they were stunned to see one another when he called her Jacie she played it off that she was not who he was looking for. But Orion knew it was her and he could not figure out why she pretended not to know him. Jenny felt bad not responding to Orion but she never expected to see him again and how could she explain that she is actually a CIA agent and not a photographer getting a story.
Jenny & Orion are preparing their teams for the climb, they have no idea what is coming their way.
What a story! Orion Starr is quite a hero, and add in Ham and Jake? Sign me up for the rest of this series, stat! This story packs quite a punch, with mystery, a mountain climbing expedition gone wrong, and lots of heart-stopping moments, and romance. My favorite part of the book was the banter between the characters, especially the references to one of my all-time favorite television shows, Mash. That made the intensity of the book easier to handle. Enjoyed this thrilling read and I can’t wait for the next installment!
I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
Life…and death, can be found on The Great One…
Well, that was a surprise! I only half glanced at the back cover of this book, deciding instead to read it just because it’s been awhile since I’ve read one of Susan May Warren’s books and I really liked her Christiansen Family series. I honestly thought it was going to be a military-ish story. Boy, was a wrong! This is extreme adventure, and romance, at the top of the tallest peak in North America, Denali in Alaska.
The Way Of The Brave had everything you could ask for in a extreme outdoor sports novel. It had epic storms, whiteouts, avalanches, ice, snow, crevasses and seracs (yeah, I had to look that last one up), dangerous falls, altitude sickness, and some other nasty surprises for our heroine, her hero, and their friends. It was great! Which, of course, I can say because I’m sitting at home with a nice fuzzy blanket.
But this book was about so much more than the thrills, chills, and spills of climbing Denali. No, Susan May Warren doesn’t leave her characters in just an adventure novel nor in a shallow romance. Jenny and Orion both have to come to the end of their literal and metaphorical ropes, to find themselves, each other, and most importantly to find God. And they both have to learn a lesson that we all find difficult to swallow, forgiveness of one’s self and of others. The Way Of The Brave has plenty of adventure and romance but there’s also some deep stuff in there as well. And I’m not just talking about snow and ice.
So, my advice, since I enjoyed it so much, is to check out the first book in the Global Search And Rescue series for yourself. I think you might like it…
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
A new series by one of my favorite authors and does this first book start off with an adrenaline rush. It is action packed filled with a lot of emotions, insights, forgiveness, romance, regrets – you just get it all in this outstanding book. It is well written as usual with well developed characters, scenery, with scenes described so well you thought you were right in the middle of the action. Looking forward to book 2 in this series.
This is my first Susan May Warren book and the endorsements are very accurate–I was drawn in from the beginning and the action and adventure never let up. The two main characters, Orion Starr and Jenny Calhoun, have a bond of sorts. They actually met several years ago, they are each very accomplished in their perspective professions, and they both have a very fragile relationship with God. It is during a very intense and dangerous mountain rescue that Orion and Jenny must learn to trust each other and God. Will they begin to see each other as more than friends? Will their faith and trust be strong enough to see them through?
The Way of the Brave offers excitement and adventure coupled with friendship and romance and I recommend it to all who enjoy Christian romance. There is also an event at the end that suggests another great book in this Global Search and Rescue series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell but I wasn’t obligated to write a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
The story is filled with adventure as the author takes us into a world of danger and intrigue. I loved getting to know Orion. He had the characteristics of a moody, unhappy yet brave personality. He can’t forgive himself for something that happened in the past.
Jenny reminds me of a daredevil who holds a secret that is controlling her life. When the pair team up, the action starts and emotions flow into an explosive journey. I absolutely loved reading about Alaska. It was easy to visualize the area with details the author provides. The author never disappoints with stories that weave faith throughout as we sit on the edge of our seat as daring rescues keep the characters busy.
I liked reading about mountain climbing and appreciated how people put their lives on the line to save others. I can’t imagine dangling from a rope as they use their skills to rescue others. Get ready for a super charged action filled story that will make you want to read as fast as you can to see what happens.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing Blogger Program. The review is my own opinion.
This is a wonderful suspenseful story that takes place on the mountains of Alaska. I definitely do not wish to ever go mountain climbing. This has great descriptions of the mountains and I am really afraid of heights. I would not like the cold either. The characters in this story are fantastic and I look forward to learning more about them in the next books in the series. Orion and Jenny learn many lessons while living through many trials. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Anyone who knows me well is aware that I have always had a major problem with heights so I was just a bit nervous about reading Susan May Warren’s latest novel The Way of the Brave. After all most of the story revolves around climbing Denali, in the winter no less! Because I love all books by this author and do not want to ever miss reading even one of them, I dove into this one fulling expecting nightmares. I can thankfully say that I survived the journey without even one nightmare but if this story ever becomes a movie, I don’t think I could handle it.
I am also happy to say that aside from Denali, winter storms, treacherous climbs, altitude sickness, and an accident or two, the author’s trademark focus on characterization was evident throughout. Orion Starr (don’t you love that name?) was indeed a worthy hero who despite his reconstructed knee and PTSD and no wish to join another rescue team, jumps into action when asked to help find and rescue three lost climbers. Jenny Calhoun’s past also keeps her running with ever more dangerous physical challenges to try to stop the memories. With a brief past connection, she holds a secret Orion is unaware of and fears his reaction when he learns the truth about her.
The Way of the Brave was an excellent tale filled with plenty of danger and suspense as well as hold-your-breath scenes. Each and every character was important to the story and I look forward to seeing some of the others featured in their own personal novel. Warren always has a strong and important message woven into her stories and this one is no different. I may not care for high places and would never think about climbing even a small mountain, much less Denali, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As always I recommend it as well as every other book this author has written. They just keep getting better and better!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
WOW! Another action packed, adrenaline rush, adventure by the Queen of Rescue Romantic Suspense! Yes, I just created that title.
Ms. Warren constantly places her characters in peril and wraps their physical peril around an internal one that she has them struggling with. Having SEAL’s, Air Force para rescue jumpers as character’s who have jobs that force them to be brave, yet on the inside they’re not and they’re carrying around pain from their past. That’s just a small example found within the pages of this book.
No matter what the adventure, or peril, you can count on Ms. Warren to always have God’s love and hope woven through every piece of the story. Giving the reader life lesson nuggets to think about.
If you’ve not read a book by Susan May Warren, what are you waiting for?!? This is a brand new series so start NOW!!!
I highly recommend this book!
Disclaimer: I did receive a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Danger abounds in this new Global Search and Rescue series by Susan May Warren! Three women set out to climb Denali in an effort to prove they are stronger than they know! They have not planned on a white out or other dangers they end up facing! These women learn to face their pasts when they are lost and injured on the side of Denali! Orion Starr is a former pararescue jumper with the SEALS and is determined to rescue the woman he fell in love with 3 years ago but he ends up injured himself! You’ll learn much about ice climbing! The Way of the Brave kept me on edge from beginning to end! If you like reading about outdoor danger, this is the book for you! I received a complimentary e-book through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.
The Way of the Brave begins the new Susan May Warren series, Global Search and Rescue. I found the Alaska to be fascinating. The characters go on a adventurous and dangerous journey that kept me on the edge of my seat at times. I do have to admit that the first third or so of the book was quite slow and was not easy to get into. After it started picking up, I could not it down until the end.
I give The Way of the Brave three and a half stars. I look forward to reading the second installment from the Global Search and Rescue series, The Heart of a Hero.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
I must admit I had to read this book wrapped in my heated throw and sitting in front of the fireplace. When it’s snowing outside and you’re reading a book about ice climbing on Denali in Alaska, things can feel pretty chilly! The Way of the Brave is the first book in Susan May Warren’s new series Global Search and Rescue. It’s action-packed from the start and doesn’t let up. I enjoyed meeting this new set of characters and learning more about them and their backgrounds. They each have their broken, hurting pasts which make them perfect candidates for Warren’s healing touch—although she has to shake them up a bit more before she’s done with them. Orion and Jenny are wonderful main characters, and there’s a stellar cast of supporting characters.
I did have a bit of a problem understanding and visualizing the ice climbing jargon and equipment, as I’m not at all familiar with it. I also had a few moments of wondering why anyone would want to climb in the ice in far below zero degrees weather. Nevertheless, it’s a great story of forgiveness, healing, hope, faith, and trust. With Warren’s signature wit and humor, the banter between the characters had me chuckling several times. I’m looking forward to Jake’s story coming soon.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Revell through LibraryThing. All opinions are 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.
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.
The Way of the Brave is the first book in Susan May Warren’s new series, Global Search and Rescue. This author is on my “must read” list, and she never disappoints me. The descriptions of mountain climbing were so vivid that I felt as though I were actually there (but the perils that the characters encountered have helped me to decide that I belong on flatter ground). I have to say that it definitely left me anticipating the next book, The Heart of a Hero.
The Way of the Brave tells the story of Jenny Calhoun and Orion Starr. Although Jenny denies it at first because she’s hiding a secret that’s eating her with guilt, they knew each other in Afghanistan for a short time. At the time she was a CIA profiler embedded as a journalist and Orion was a SEAL. After she made a terrible mistake that resulted in Orion’s team getting ambushed, she couldn’t rid herself of the guilt she felt. Orion, injured and bitter, retreated to his family home in Alaska, under the shadow of Denali. When Jenny’s annual climbing trip brings her to Alaska, their paths cross again. Jenny’s group runs into trouble, and Orion and his friends head out to rescue them.
Orion and Jenny both have to deal with some heart issues before they can even think about pursuing a relationship. I could identify with both of them because their struggles are so common. It’s easy to wonder where God is when things go wrong, or ask why God didn’t answer a prayer the way we wanted Him to. Sometimes we feel the burden of guilt that we just can’t seem to rid ourselves of. I think my favorite quote from the book was towards the end: “Yes, life is unfair, and we will always have people who will hurt us… But God wants you to let Him handle the justice…you just give Him your heart… The question is, are you brave enough to let go and give Him your heart?” It’s not easy to give up control and trust when you don’t have the end in sight.
The story kept me engaged through the vivid descriptions and heart-stopping action. Would Orion and Jenny be able to work through the issues and secrets hindering a relationship? Would the rescue even be a success? I would recommend The Way of the Brave to anyone who enjoys a suspense-filled epic romantic adventure. It is also an inspirational book, with definite Christian themes.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but the views expressed here are entirely my own.
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.
The Way of the Brave had interesting, well-developed characters. The shining star of this story was Hamilton Jones. Ham shares his faith naturally when his friends need it most. He impressed me in every scene!
Even though the long, early chapters with overwhelming details about Denali and mountain climbing weren’t my thing, this book picked up speed halfway through. I found this well-written rescue tale to be quite good!
What disappointed me, however, was the amount of sensual content. If it weren’t for that, The Way of the Brave would get a solid recommendation from me.
If you enjoy suspense and adventure stories, The Way of the Brave is available now at http://www.christianbook.com
I received a copy of this book from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing as part of the Revell Reads Blogger Program. A positive review was not required. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Thank you in advance to Revell Books for providing a review copy. A positive review was not required, and all words are my own.
While I got a copy of a Susan May Warren book from Tyndale’s rewards program late last year, this book –“Way of the Brave” – is the first one I’ve read by her.
“Way of the Brave” is the first in the Global Search and Rescue series. The cover is striking and draw attention to itself right off. You can’t help but notice it. It definitely fit with the theme of the book and somewhat adds a level of excitement and adventure before I opened the book.
Written in third person from the Orion/Jenny and Jake/Aria/Sasha perspectives, this story focuses on the characters of Orion Starr a former military para-rescue jumper (PJ) and former CIA profiler and psychiatrist Jenny Calhoun. Despite the years since they last saw each other … she keeps hearing him say he would find her.
With that promise, this action packed novel takes off. The action starts about the third chapter and goes until the very last. It doesn’t stop. I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster and even held my breath at a few points. It was an “edge of the seat” feeling, almost like it was a movie. The writer has a very vivid way of writing this in that it felt real in the “life or death” manner as I was reading it.
While categorized as a contemporary romance in the Christian theme (according to the bar code), it felt more like an adventure/suspense novel to me, especially with the rescue. During the rescue, which was about 90% of the book, there wasn’t too much time for romance. Inside with the copyright information – it did list the book as “suspense”.
This book has a LOT of climbing references such as equipment, maneuvers, and other jargon. This fit very well with them theme of the book. I will admit that the unfamiliarity with the terms threw me. It would be an understatement to say this is well-written – perhaps TOO well written. This can be a challenge for those unfamiliar with technical terms.
However, I was able to read between that for the heart of the story. And, this is a story with a lot of
I kept wanting to pick it up and read it. I definitely want to read the rest of the series. I also want to seek out her novels.
Since this is a Christian-themed read, there are strong references to biblical passages, God, and faith. There are moments of redemption as well.
For those who might enjoy climbing, mountain sports, search and rescue, or military reads – this would be one to put on the radar.
Good Friends & Danger! Three friends, Shasha, Jenny, and Aria, are trapped on Denali, a dangerously steep Alaskan mountain, known for avalanches, bad weather and blizzard white outs. Jenny convinced them to make the climb as a way to rise above some difficulties they have faced. Just when it looks like all is lost, a group of three former Seals: Orion, Ham and Jake, appear. Instead of getting the women off the mountain, the men become trapped while trying to rescue them.
Additionally, Orion and Jenny have a history, in fact, their past is the main reason Jenny was making this climb—to forget him along with the secret she never wants him to know. Orion, on the other hand, has been searching for Jenny for the past two years.
Besides the life and death battle on the mountain, there are also struggles with an incognito bomber at a political rally. The rally politician may hold the key to the mystery of two seals first listed as dead, but now possibly alive. Have they been spirited away by some government agency?
This book is amazing! You get caught up in this well-written story right away with action, dramatic relationships, and mystery. Faith enters the story through Orion’s fury over hearing about God from all-trusting Ham. I highly recommend this 5-plus star book to anyone who enjoys well-developed stories that will capture your heart!
Revell Publishing has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of, The Way of the Brave, for the purpose of review.