Member Review

I was given a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Readers have been waiting right from the start of the Montana Rescue series to see a conclusion to Ian and Sierra's story, and I'm happy to say that it was well worth the wait.

Sierra's had her fair share of troubles in the last few years, culminating with having her house burned down, but she's finally found the place she felt she belonged as the administrative assistant for PEAK Rescue. However, a rescue gone bad leaves the future of Montana's beloved search and rescue organization uncertain, and Sierra is desperate for a way to keep the crew together. She decides to plan a junket sightseeing cruise aboard Ian's fancy yacht, The Montana Rose, and to invite a few of his well connected friends to hopefully donate enough money to get PEAK Rescue back off the ground, literally.

However, life seldom goes the way we plan it, especially in Sierra's case. And soon the fun, three day sightseeing trip turns deadly, when a rogue wave causes the yacht to capsize, and all its inhabitants are thrown out to sea. After hearing the news, members of PEAK Rescue hop a plan to Florida to try and assist in everything they can to see their friends back safe and sound, but the news isn't optimistic, and it will take strong, and lasting faith for all of them to pull through this horrific situation.

Throughout the course of this series so far, reader's have seen PEAK Rescue navigate snow, mountains, fires, and wild animal attacks, but this book is the first time the team has to deal with a water rescue, and it was written beautifully. Susan May Warren has a way of writing intense, dramatic stories that keep you glued from one page to the next, and this one was definitely no exception. I never knew what to expect reading from one chapter to the next, and her writing had me guessing right up until the last page. Right from book one, Sierra was one of my favorite characters, and I really enjoyed how Susan wrote her overcoming self doubt and disbelief over her shortcomings and feeling like she didn't do enough to truly be considered a valued member of the PEAK team. How she learns to truly give everything to the Lord, and be happy with how He's created her to be was a beautiful addition to the action packed story unfolding around her, and I felt it was blended in to the story line beautifully.

Ian is a character who's doubted God's place in his life, thanks to the numerous harsh life circumstances he's been dealt, and he'll truly hit rock bottom before he finally comes to realize that he's nothing without God on his side. The way this book dived into second chances, and how redemption can only come from God's never failing grace left a huge impact after I'd finished it, and I was beyond impressed with just how well Susan May Warren concluded Ian and Sierra's explosive story line that began right from the start of this series.

As well, Jess and Pete were characters that I'd come to really care about throughout the last few books, and it was like being reunited with old friends as I read more of their story in this one. While they still have many challenges and obstacles left to face together, I'm definitely rooting for them, and I'm excited to see how their story will play out when the next book releases later this year.

Without a doubt, Troubled Waters is my favorite book in the series so far. It was the perfect blend of action, romance, drama, heartfelt moments, friendship, God's grace, and a little humor for good measure. I've come to really appreciate the way that Susan May Warren's characters are described in a manner that feels like you're right there with them, and experiencing everything as they are. I gave this beautiful story five out of five stars, and I can't possibly recommend it enough. I will definitely be looking forward to the next novel releasing, as not only can I not wait to find out about Pete and Jess, but I'm also anxiously awaiting more of Ty and Brette's story! I'm so glad I chose this one as my first read of 2018! It really got my reading year off to a fantastic start!