Susan May Warren is usually one of our favorite authors... but this book seemed a little off from her usual style. Although her plotlines are always stellar, and the writing is excellent in Sunrise, the story just felt a little cold. I didn't feel the usual heartwarming emotions I usually do in her books, especially as compared to the Christiansen series. By the end of the book, I didn't connect with any of the characters very well. Another question I kept asking myself as I read the book was, "Why would anyone ever want to live in Alaska?" The way the book was written just didn't make Alaska very appealing.

However, this IS Susan May Warren we are talking about! Her writing style and faith always impress me and I may read the second book in the series just to see if it gets any better. :)

BREATHTAKING!

Susan May Warren starts her latest series with the breathtaking, Sunrise, Sky King Ranch Book 1. Set in the rugged wilderness of Alaska, Warren has plenty of places to add in all manner of drama involving family dynamics, multigenerational unrequited old loves, people dedicated to helping their communities and their way of life, protecting the land and animals that are important to them and of dealing with those who want to try to ruin this way of life. Warren ramps up the suspense with killers on the loose as well as a rogue grizzly bear! Warren allows her heroes to exhibit vulnerability yet also demonstrate bravery beyond belief. They learn about themselves as individuals, as couples and they learn what it means to trust in God on a much deeper level.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell. The opinions expressed here are my own and without influence.

Susan May Warren has a great talent for writing adventure while providing this reader with characters I totally invest in - characters who is not perfect, made mistakes, but learn from that and grows closer to God during that journey. And on top of that, this author keeps me on the edge of my seat trying to see how fast I can see and guess what is going on.

And just when I thought I had everything under control, the author throws in a new POV twist.

"Forgiveness isn't for the person you're forgiving, Echo. It's for yourself. It's what you do to be set free."

I loved this story. From Dodge and Echo (how unique is that name) who had to deal with past hurts and truly forgive to move forward, to huskies and grizzlies and danger! I was kept up late flipping my kindle.

"This was love. Love showed up. Love stayed. Love sacrificed."

Warning: For readers who do not like cliffhangers, this story did end in one, thought that just makes me excited for the rest of the series. I'm secretly hoping certain CIA agents from a different series will pop up later in this series...

Fans of Susan May Warren and Romantic Suspense - pick up this book. You will feel like you are right there in Alaska!

“Sunrise” by Susan May Warren

“She’d had her happily ever after and had blown it. And there was no putting it back together again. So, even if Dodge did show up, there was no happy, hot-chocolate ending waiting at the end of this not-so-Hallmark blizzard.”

Warren does it again! She gives a wonderful start to her new Sky King Ranch series with an Alaska setting. This time with a hunky hero from the Kingston family. When Dodge shows up, he is all in…I mean he tries not to be, but the hero in him just can’t help it. “Sunrise” has it all. Romance. Adventure. Healing. Faith. Family. Warren takes readers on a journey of a lifetime for those who have always wanted to venture to the great Alaskan outdoors. It’s a romantic adventure with a focus on family and an inspiring faith thread woven into it in true Warren fashion. The scenery and wildlife leap off the pages.

“The sky overhead had turned a deep lavender, not dark, but with a hint of twilight that would just slightly deepen then burst back to life in a few hours.”

An old romance is given a second chance when Dodge comes home to help his dad. He gets pulled into a rescue mission almost immediately when he hears the girl he once loved is in trouble. Flying rescue and delivery missions explores the wilds of Alaska and small town living in the outskirts of Denali. But, the sparks don’t compare to the ones between Dodge and Echo. Trying to let go of past hurts to find their way back to each other is only part of the story though. They need to let family hurts go, too.

“This was love. Love showed up. Love stayed. Love sacrificed.”

If you’ve ever been curious about living in the wilds of Alaska you’ll love Warren’s newest release. Filled with strong men, tough women, and even cuter huskies, she explores the Alaskan life. I loved the Alaskan spirit of adventure and the deep rooted faith it takes to live there. As a longtime resident of Alaska, I really enjoyed the start of this series and can’t wait for the next book “Sunburst.”

I was given an advanced reader copy through NetGalley by the publisher. All opinions are my own and have been given honestly.

All I can say is WOW! This book will leave you satisfied...and wanting more. Sunrise by Susan May Warren is absolutely everything I love about Christian Fiction! The setting of the Alaskan countryside is so descriptive you'll need a heating pad, the romance will warm things up, and the spiritual message will fill your heart to the brim! This is the kind of story that'll take you to church...in all the good ways. It's fantastically written and you might find yourself trying to slow down because the words just flow. Then, when you get to the end, you'll be left counting down the days until the next book in this series, Sunburst, will release!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was my first book by Susan May Warren and I absolutely loved it! I have a special love for Alaska - I visited several times when my daughter lived there - so the setting was perfect to me and the story line of a small town near Denali with all its inhabitants was just plain fun. I loved how Dodge and Echo had a history that they needed to overcome and how faithful he was to be there for her. He is the perfect hero!

I can’t wait to read Sunburst which is about Dodge’s brother Ranger.

If you like Christian romance that has one adventure after another you will love Sunrise!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Published 4 January 2022.

Sunrise
by Susan May Warren
Pub Date: January 4, 2022
Revell

Pilot Dodge Kingston has always been the heir to Sky King Ranch. But after a terrible family fight, he left to become a pararescue jumper. A decade later, he's headed home to the destiny that awaits him.
I love the characters that Susan May Warren creates! They are so likable and interesting.
Thanks to Revell and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC.
Fans of Susan May Warren will love this new series!
I highly recommend it.

5 stars

DNF at 10%. This book unfortunately introduces SO many characters in such a rapid fashion that it's completely distracting. It's almost like name dropping but with names no one knows, and which are quite frankly, also distracting (Winter Starr?). This was my first try with this author and sadly will be my last. This approach to story telling feels like setting up spin off stories to create a series and I'm just not into that at all.

A new series from Warren is always a cause for celebration. I found this particular book a tad hard to get into for a few chapters, but quickly found myself engrossed in the adventures. It definitely made me want to visit Alaska! I look forward to reading the adventures in the next two books!

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

If you have read Susan May Warren’s previous series you will definitely want to read this one. It will keep you in suspense and wanting more and more.

I graciously received an advance e-copy from Netgalley for review. All opinions are my own.

Susan May Warren's books always hook me immediately, and Sunrise is no exception. Her newest series is off to a fantastic start, and I cannot wait to get to know rest of the Kingston brothers as the series continues.

Dodge Kingston hasn't seen his family since he ran away after a fight ten years before, but he's headed home to help his dad recover from an accident and decide what's next for his future. His former girlfriend, Echo Yazzie, is the last person he ever expected to see again. Echo loves her Alaskan life as a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide, and seems content -- but is she? Will Dodge take over the family ranch and get to know his first love all over again? Or will he leave again?

Alaska has always intrigued me and homesteading is something I'm just a little obsessed with, so I was thrilled to see that both played a big role in this story. The characters were raw and had relatable struggles, while remaining realistic, and the plot was easy to follow. I loved both Dodge and Echo's passion for the things and people that were important to them. I always appreciate that Susan May Warren consistently weaves strong Biblical truth throughout her stories, and enjoyed seeing that in Sunrise as well. Despite suspecting I knew who the "bad guy" was relatively early on, I couldn't put this novel down and stayed up far too late to finish the last chapter.

If you enjoy contemporary romance, romantic suspense, or if you're just a Susan May Warren fan, you won't want to miss Sunrise!

*I received a complimentary copy of Sunrise through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.

I'm excited about this new Sky King Ranch series! The first book got off to a great start. "By the time Dodge got to the hospital, he'd already broken his first promise" (location 65). I was immediately intrigued. Alaska is a great setting. It already has a thrilling aura and wonder for those of us in the lower 48. This book highlighted many of the beauties and dangers of life in Alaska. I wanted to be with Echo out on her dogsled. I wanted to fly with Dodge over the mountains and rivers. Even the encounters with the wildlife are exciting when you're home safe in your chair and not facing an enraged grizzly.

Echo Yazzie (best name ever) is fiercely protective of her dad, friends and animals. When her first love returns, she recognizes that "You're not over me, Dodge. And I'm not over you. And like it or not, you're going to have to deal with that" (location 1380). I appreciated her forthrightness and that she didn't try to play games.

This is a book of second chances and forgiveness and letting go of bitterness. There's a strong, beautiful faith present in some of the characters that is really compelling.

Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I'd highly recommend it. All opinions are my own.

To say I couldn’t wait to read this book is an understatement. Susan May Warren is amazing at what she does, and I can’t seem to get enough! When I pick up a book from her I want to make my time and savor it, but also read it as fast as possible with no distractions. Sunrise is the first book in the Sky King Ranch series and I couldn’t wait to dive in. Warren kept me on the edge of my seat and I loved every single moment of it. Dodge Kingston is the definition of hunky hero. As if having served in the military wasn’t enough, he also flies airplanes and choppers. But his heart has always belonged to one woman, and Echo is definitely one of a kind. Being raised in Alaska makes a woman tough. And Echo has had enough trauma in her life that would make anyone want to lock themselves inside. Being a homebody isn’t always a bad thing, and she still leads guided tours around Alaska. when Dodge comes back home, old feelings aren’t buried as deep as either of them thought. Can Dodge and Echo clear the air about what happened 10 years ago? Or will their past continue to define them even to the point of pushing them even closer to danger?

I enjoyed every moment I spent reading this book, and had a really difficult time putting it down once I started. This story had me biting my nails, swooning, and also tucking an extra blanket around myself to stay warm while picturing the cold Alaska Wild. I felt as if I was with them as they trekked through the woods, and ran straight into danger. When I turned the last page it was a little sad because I knew I would have to wait until the next book comes out before I could spend more time with the Dodge, Echo and their families. It was also nice to get to see a few familiar faces from previous novels thrown in. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Romance and Suspense. I fell in love with this little Alaskan Town, and know without a doubt you will too. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishers and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Sunrise by Susan May Warren gives readers a thrilling ride through the Alaska wildlife. Dodge Kingston heads home after years of running from his past. He intends to stay long enough to help his dad with the business. But he can’t hide forever from Echo Yazzie, the woman that broke his heart years ago.

There’s plenty of emotional drama in this story as well as real dangers from the wilderness. Dodge and Echo each have to overcome their own past issues to be able to find love. Echo is a strong woman who knows her way around the Alaska wilderness. I fell in love with her tenacity and fearlessness. But what steals the stage in this story is the scenery and setting. Whether flying through the sky or trekking on a sled pulled by dogs, this story takes readers into the depths of Alaska. Dodge and Echo have to contend with bears, poachers, and freezing temperatures to name a few of the hazards of life in Alaska. The author captures the breathtaking scenery and paints a picture that makes me feel like I’m part of the story.

I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves epic family dramas and of course the scenery of Alaska! This story ends with a set-up for the second book in the series (Sunburst) and I can’t wait to read this. Talk about intense. Susan May Warren knows how to bring readers heart-warming characters with tons of drama and action. This is going to be an epic series!

I received an ebook review copy of this book through Revell and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Sunrise is a great start to Susan May Warren’s newest series, Sky King Ranch. I really enjoyed this book. It was full of danger, mystery, adventure, suspense and romance. I adored the characters Echo and Dodge. They were believable and ones that are relatable. I loved the beautiful Alaskan setting. This is one of those books that is not predictable and full of twists and turns. I never knew what was going to happen next. I had no problem reading the whole book in one sitting. It is now one of my favorites I have read by this author to date.

I am giving Sunrise five stars. Readers who enjoy reading clean romantic romance. I am looking forward to reading the next book from the Sky King Ranch series, Sunburst.

I received a paperback copy of Sunrise from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Is it possible to be freezing cold just from reading a book? Yes, yes it is. This book is set in Alaska and man, I am so glad I don't live there! I really don't think I could do it. So. Much. Cold. ❄ AND So. Many. Bears. 😨

I'm happy to be back into a new series by this author. She really knows how to bring the adventure and danger into her books. Her characters are humanly flawed but trying and not giving up which makes them so relatable and endearing. Hurts definitely follow Dodge and Echo- between each other and with other people. Watching them navigate those hurts and learning to forgive themselves and each other was satisfying. I loved the pacing in this book and how it built in tension and purpose. I can see the other stories forming from this one and I'm excited to follow this family through more adventures.

Content: peril, violence, kissing. Christian elements.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

WOW!
Susie May Warren knows how to grab her readers and take them on a nonstop action ride, bigger than a rollercoaster and more terrifying than parachuting out of a perfectly sound airplane! Provide a phenomenal backdrop of Alaskan living with intriguing characters, and Sunrise by Susie May Warren comes to life.

IMHO, a great book is like having a baby. How?
1. The excitement and anticipation of a newborn (the book's premise and opening chapters);
2. The gestation period (learning and understanding what makes the characters tick and fabulous content);
3. The impending birth (building a well-written and maybe terrifying book climax); and
4. The birth (a satisfying conclusion ending with all smiles).

Sunrise delivers (pun intended) all these elements in spades. Do yourself a favor. Grab a copy of Sunrise and then strap yourself in and enjoy the ride!
5 awesome stars!!!

Pilot Dodge Kingston has always been the heir to Sky King Ranch. But after a terrible family fight, he left to become a pararescue jumper. A decade later, he's headed home to the destiny that awaits him.

That's not all that's waiting for Dodge. His childhood best friend and former flame, Echo Yazzie, is a true Alaskan--a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide for the DNR. Most of all, she's living a life Dodge knows could get her killed. One of these days she's going to get lost in the woods again, and his worst fear is that he won't be there to find her.

When one of Echo's fellow researchers goes missing, Echo sets out to find her, despite a blizzard, a rogue grizzly haunting the woods, and the biting cold. Plus, there's more than just the regular dangers of the Alaskan forests stalking her.

My review: Dodge returns home when his father is in a plane crash and can't fly which means he will loose his business. Going back home is the last thing he wants to do. Echo is Dodge's best friend and former girlfriend. One fateful night ten years ago it all changes. This is the story of Dodge and Echo's journey to find love again and forgiveness.

I had trouble putting this book down. There's no great mystery in this book. But it's a great story and I recommend it to everyone. We were given a little teaser about the next book in the series. Can't wait to read it.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGally in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

Susan May Warren does a fantastic job crafting a Contemporary Romance story that readers will enjoy and a setting that is downright chilling!

Dodge Kingston left home over a decade ago after a family fight. He now returns to help salvage Sky King Ranch after his father is in an accident. What he doesn’t count on is meeting back up with his old flame, Echo Yazzie and having all the same feelings come right back to the surface. Echo never left Alaska and has been working as a dogsledder and research guide for the DNR; it is a dangerous life but one she loves. One of the researchers working with Echo goes missing and Echo doesn’t hesitate to head out in search with her dog team. Dodge now must put hurt feelings aside and try to find Echo before it is too late. Not only are they racing against the Alaskan wilderness, but other dangers await them in the wild.

Susan May Warren is a great Christian fiction writer that puts out books faster than most any other author out there. I have loved her romantic suspense series and her collaboration writing the Rembrant Stone series. Sunrise is her newest and it is a contemporary romance; the story is good with characters that intrigued me from the beginning. I did feel that things got a little repetitive at times causing the story to drag a bit, not a lot, but at a few key points I was wanting it to pick up when it was moving at the slower pace. The ending was by far the best part and left me aching for more! Luckily with her. you don’t have to wait too long for the next book to come out.

One thing that got me scratching my head was the use of so many unique names, Dodge, Echo, Idaho, Colt, and Range, not many normal names throughout the book. I get wanting to have names that will stick with the reader but at times it can take readers out of the story with so many unique names. I must admit, I’m more of a fan of suspense than contemporary but this was a good read and I think fans of Warren’s writing will enjoy this new story and beautiful setting.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Warren has done it again. I flew through this book and loved immersing myself in the Alaskan bush life. I love how many of her books feature men and women who save lives. I wouldn't call Dodge fearless, but he is quite the impressive man. I liked that he had faults but was aware of them. Echo was honestly even more impressive. I really don't think she was afraid of anything. I loved reading about a female musher.

The plot in this one is crazy. This isn't for the faint of heart as they face all the perils of Alaska from weather to wild animals to other emergencies. It seemed like every time I thought she would give them a break she hit them with something else.

For me there was a little something missing between Dodge and Echo. I'm not sure I felt enough chemistry, but they were good together and maybe it was just me.

I'm looking forward to Colt and Ranger's books!

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.