Billionaire Ian Shaw can have everything he wants–except a happy ending. Or at least that’s what it feels like with his fortune recently liquidated, his niece, Esme, still missing, and the woman he loves refusing to speak to him. In fact, he doubts she would date him even if they were stranded on a deserted island.Despite her love for Ian, Sierra Rose knows he has no room in his life for her as … for her as long as the mystery of his missing niece goes unsolved. The only problem is, Sierra has solved it, but a promise to Esme to keep her whereabouts secret has made it impossible to be around Ian.
When the PEAK chopper is damaged and Sierra lacks the funds to repair it, Ian offers a fundraising junket for large donors on his yacht in the Caribbean. But the three-day excursion turns into a nightmare when a rogue wave cripples the yacht and sends the passengers overboard. Shaken up and soaked to the bone, Ian finally has a chance to test his theory when he and Sierra do indeed find themselves washed up on a strange, empty shore.
It will take guts and gumption for the PEAK team to rescue the duo. But it will take a miracle to rescue Ian and Sierra’s relationship.
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“It’s not what happens to us, it’s how we respond. Being broken, being empty is part of life. But how we fill up those empty places, how we heal – that’s what matters.”
If I had thought Susan May Warren went above and beyond with A Matter of Trust (Montana Rescue #3), I was absolutely mistaken. This book takes it up another notch. Reading it was like going to my favorite bakery to try out a new item on the menu and being blown away…. completely and utterly….by the richness, complexity, and surprising layers found in the treat. And totally satisfied because I knew I would get a wonderful treat coming to one of my favorite places. If you’re a fan of Susan May Warren’s books, this book is a must. If you’ve never read any of her books, this book will hook you in and not let you go. Troubled Waters tops my list of contemporary romance reads.
The story unfolds as Ian, a billionaire with a terribly broken past, tries to rebuild his life – yet again – after another disaster strikes. Sierra, his previous assistant, now working for the PEAK rescue team, has loved him for quite a few years but can’t seem to bridge the chasm created by lies of omission and misplaced distrust and hurt. Fans of Montana Rescue series, like myself, have been waiting for quite some time for Ian and Sierra’s story to unfold since they were introduced in the prequel novella (we’re talking about 3.5 books here, people). I thought I knew everything I needed to know about Ian and Sierra’s pasts but, again, the author throws in quite a few surprises to paint a better picture of how they became to be who they are. Ian is more multi-dimensional than I had previously thought and his fears and dreams come alive in this book. Sierra’s fears and dreams are opened up in this book as well. And Ian’s best friend Dex is introduced in this book; I’m hoping there will be a book about Dex sometime soon….he’s an incredible character who deserves a storyline and a happy ending of his own.
And……the tension between Pete and Jess, who are pulled apart by their pasts and haunting mistakes (much like Ian and Sierra), builds in this story until my heart just couldn’t take it anymore. I wept with Pete and I don’t think I’ll be right again until I read their story. I know their story is under way, but please write faster, Susan, so that my heart can stand upright again!
The story is well-crafted and it moves very swiftly with no lagtime. The ocean scene and subsequent rescue following are intense and fraught with emotion. Ian’s encounter with God is real, heart-felt, and sincere and Sierra’s unending prayers for him and gentle encouragement definitely are something to model after. Some of the mystery surrounding Esme’s disappearance (Ian’s niece) is explained in this book, but the given explanations just open up more doors for the continuation of the intrigue and mystery…
I can’t wait for the next book, Storm Front, where Ty will get his own story. Ty has been the silent and loyal sidekick of everyone’s for too long!
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. I was not required to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
I just loved this book. This is my favorite, so far, in this series (Montana Rescue) not because it was way better than the others but because I just fell in love with the main characters. I also partly identified with Sierra Rose. Susan always knows how to weave a story and even though her characters have flaws, she lets them grow and become better, stronger people. Always inspirational with out being “preachy”
I wasn’t sure about another book about being stranded on an island, but I should’ve known that Susan would write it beautifully. In this story, both Ian and Sierra are unsure about where to go in their lives. Sierra is struggling with her sense of purpose and of belonging, especially within the PEAK rescue team. Ian is the type of man who hates to lose control of a situation, and he pushes away anyone who hurts him. I could relate to both of their struggles, and I think that we all have moments in our lives where we have to learn to surrender control to God and discover His plans for us. It’s an exciting ride as both Sierra and Ian find their way to accepting what God can do for them, how He can heal all of their broken places. I was also relieved to finally learn more about Esme Shaw’s reasons for disappearing, and I’m excited to read more about how that plays out in Storm Front, the next installment in the PEAK rescue series.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.)
Susan May Warren is a phenomenon! Her incredible stories plunge readers into a world of adventure and romance and remind us that the best adventure of all is putting our faith in God to follow wherever He leads.
I love her. My student readers love her. (If you have not introduced her books to the teen readers in your life, what are you waiting for?) Other writers love her.
What else can I say? Buy this book—better yet, buy the whole series and share with a fellow bookworm. You’ll make their day & yours 🙂
Troubled Waters is book 4 in the Montana Rescue series by Susan May Warren. This book is a continuation of the series. While it is a good story in itself, it is best to read the series in order. With this book we pick up with the PEAK rescue family as well as Ian and his missing niece.
Ian’s funds have been frozen pending investigation due to an accident with his business. He is struggling with how to liquidate his personal property to help those hurt by the accident.
PEAK’s chopper has been damaged and there are no funds to repair it. Sierra plans a short cruise on Ian’s yacht as a fund raiser. The cruise goes terribly wrong, when it is extended and goes into a bad storm. The PEAK rescue family, along with Ian’s niece travel to Florida to help rescue the people from the yacht.
This is a great quick to read story that gives the reader answers to questions they may have from earlier books in the series. I admire the strength Ian’s niece has to return home and give the true accounting of what cause her to run away. The part in the book that stands out to me is, when on the yacht with Ian’s friends whom seem to have it all, his friend tells Ian that a few years earlier he hit rock bottom. Hayes tells Ian “there comes a time in every man’s life when he either has to get right with Jesus and ask for help, or go it alone.”
I have enjoyed reading this series. Each story is filled with suspense as well as a touch of romance. The characters are well developed and the story is written to hold the readers attention.
I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing, this is my honest review.
First….AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
This book was so good. It made me ugly sob toward the end. Twice. It made me love my Jesus more. It made me love Susan May Warren more. It made me love Sierra and Ian more than I already did. It made me adore the PEAK team more, if that’s possible.
These books are, for one, beautiful. The covers are stunning, the men are stunning *ahem*. If I’m really whining, I would say that it irritates me how very few guys are on covers of books. The book could be 80% about a guy, but the girl will always be on the cover. So I really love that the guys are on these covers.
*Okay, done complaining.*
The message of the Gospel is clear: come to the end of yourself, and God is there. Put your faith in HIM. Not in what you can do. It’s different for everyone, but Ian especially has a personality that is not just a ‘oh, well, I know Jesus died for me so I want to follow’. No, he’s the personality that had to come to the absolute end of himself to cry out to God. And I love stories like that. Because some people do need to be in utter shambles before they come to Jesus. Which is not ideal, but hey, it makes grand stories because it’s very true to actual life.
I also love how each character is living out his/her life WITH and WITHOUT people. The characters are driven by each other, and by themselves. I like that. The side characters are spicy, snappy (I loved Dex), and they each bring something to the story.
An easy to read, page turning, predictably unpredictable fabulous Christian romance. Full of action, I Iove the flawed reality of the characters interwoven with truths that catch the reader by the heart and just make you go “hmm”. I love the entire series and especially this could be standalone book. So glad I found this series!
3.5 Stars
This book in the series focuses mainly on Ian and Sierra. There is of course always a lot going on in her books and there is some more of Jess and Pete’s story as well, but it will continue.
As usual with Susan May Warrren, there is never a dull moment. There is always a lot of action going on and a sweet romance sprinkled in.
So. Much. Angst. I loved that Sierra and Ian finally got their happy ending! It was in the prequel novella that their relationship was introduced and they have had ups and downs in the three books since. They have definitely been put through the wringer, and Troubled Waters is no exception. Their feelings are strong yet they haven’t communicated with each other in a year or so, and building trust again is awkward and painful. I liked their experiences on the island since their guard and walls were finally down and they relied on each other for strength and support, including faith.
The other relationship this book focused on was Jess and Pete’s, another one that has spanned across the last couple books… and still doesn’t get completely resolved, although they made some headway in communication. I think this book was bogged down a bit by the relationship drama because these two couples have so much time lapsing between their hot and cold phases. The first three books have a relationship introduced and resolved with a HEA (happily-ever-after) within their pages, so in comparison this one felt different. Also with the main emergency and rescue happening in tropical waters instead of the mountains gave it a different vibe. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, since switching up the setting brings variety, but I do prefer the mountains and seeing the PEAK team in their element. Overall, a crazy adventure and plenty of romance! I love this series and can’t wait for more!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
Loved it. Troubled waters was a great read.
I absolutely loved reading Sierra and Ian’s story. Ian and his tendency to control everything pushed Sierra away. Sierra has a secret that she has been hiding from Ian. From rescues at Glacier National Park to rescues at sea, this story is wonderful! Are the secrets too great and is Ian willing to let go?
Cannot wait to read the next book in the series!
My favorite in Susie’s series so far!
Troubled Waters picks up where Book 3 ends with the PEAK search and rescue team in need of a helicopter. Ian, original founder of PEAK, offers his yacht to the team for a fundraiser and Sierra jumps at the chance to plan the event and prove her worth to the PEAK team. Unexpected events transform a weekend of blue waters, sun, and surf, into a nightmare as Sierra, Ian, and their friends struggle to survive. But the struggle doesn’t end there. Hearts are on the line as past anger and guilt threaten to capsize more than one relationship and the only salvation comes from a God of infinite mercy and love. The mystery of the missing niece is resolved; however, there is remains a lingering question of why Esme ran away and the danger that awaits with her return. You definitely need to read this series in order as there are interwoven storylines throughout the series that lead up to this story. Susan May Warren knows how to keep the reader up long past their bedtime seeking that happily ever after…and she doesn’t disappoint!
You know, we all have those favorite authors where we eagerly await their next release, knowing that before you even begin reading the book, it is going to be good. Susan May Warren is one of those; I know from the minute I first hold her newest book, it is going to be a great ride!
Troubled Waters is just like that, good from the first word to the last; so good, in fact, you begin eagerly awaiting the next release in the series! While each book could conceivably be read as a standalone, I ask why would anyone want to miss out on it all?
It is Ian and Sierra’s story Warren writes about in Troubled Waters; a story full of danger and rescue; romance and misunderstandings, and cookies! When Sierra is troubled about something, whether it is the high stakes rescue of the team members following the crash of their helicopter in the midst of rescuing a firefighter during a dangerous mountain fire or her relationship with Ian.
The state of the art helicopter used by the rescue team is severely damaged in the crash and it will take hundreds of thousands of dollars to fix it. The team doesn’t have that kind of revenue nor do they have anyway of obtaining it, until Sierra comes up with the idea of a celebrity cruise on Ian’s yacht, a very big yacht, a yacht that even he has not taken out yet.
Designing a cruise for celebrities and the very rich is nothing new to Sierra, who has her own secrets that she refuses to reveal, not even Ian. The 3-day cruise is going well and everyone is having a great time, but secrets have a way of coming to light when people from one’s past suddenly show up on a yacht.
When a giant rogue wave hits the yacht, what happens next is…
Ah, I cannot tell you that, you must read the book for yourself! I will tell you that I read this book in less than 24 hours, within which I also worked 6 hours; slept 8; family time/meals, etc., yet…I still could not get Ian and Sierra out of my mind. I simply had to know.
This was a fantastically written story that takes you from the Glacier National Park to the carribean waters. The relationship between Sierra and Ian has been a mountainous road and in this story they will learn that life is fleeting and to admit their feelings. They will also learn love is not easy and they may mess up. This is a story of survival, forgiveness and restoration. It will make you cry and smile. I received a complimentary copy and I am reviewing voluntarily.
Susan May Warren continues her Montana Rescue series with Ian and Sierra’s story. I have been waiting for the release of this book since the novella “If Ever I Would Leave You” where I fell in love with this couple. The wait was well worth it. This is a wonderful continuation of the PEAK team rescue and the mystery of Esme’s disappearance. Ms. Warren weaves a suspenseful page turner overflowing with adventure, romance, and faith. She takes you on an wild ride from wildfires in Montana to a Hurricane in the Gulf. What I truly appreciate when reading Ms. Warren’s books is her dedication to delivering a novel that is well researched, believable,and God honoring. Her relate-able characters come alive and teach us all things about life, relationships, faith and ourselves.