Sunburst is the second book in Susan May Warren’s Sky King Ranch series. Dodge and Ranger fly to Nigeria to rescue Colt and a few others kidnapped by terrorists. Due to unfortunate circumstances, Ranger and Noemi become separated from the rest of the rescuers as they race for their lives along with 15-year old Blessing. Ranger is injured and fighting for his life as they head to Noemi’s uncle’s home where they hope to reconnect with Dodge for a safe flight home. Along with the suspense there is romance, some Nigerian culture and customs, and even a Nigerian wedding. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the story and can’t wait to continue with the Kingston family. I thoroughly enjoy Susan May Warren’s books and highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Revell Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to review Sunburst in exchange for my honest review.

Susan May Warren is the absolute queen of romantic suspense with an emphasis on adventure in a nature setting. Sunburst is an action-packed rollercoaster ride that travels from tropical Key West, Florida to the wilds of Nigeria then on to the backwoods of Alaska all while telling the most compelling story sure to transfix readers to ever riveting page.
I love the Kingston family, triplets Dodge, Ranger and Colt and Dad Barry, too. These type A macho men are the epitome of heroes as a pilot, Delta force operator and Navy Seal. Their training, endurance and physical abilities are inconceivable, but Warren makes every situation they handle realistic and credible. Noemi Sutton is her own brand of heroine and I loved her unique personality and relentless loyalty. Ranger and Noemi's attraction and physical chemistry, in the midst of danger while running for their lives, makes it all even more exciting. The adrenalin rush Sunburst gives had me on the edge of my seat!

Sunburst is a gripping suspense, but it took me by surprise with the humor and witty banter woven into it. The Nigerian wedding Ranger and Noemi allow her family to give them so as not to blow their cover has some of the funniest lines and situations of any I've read from Warren. I want to read those scenes again just for the humor and laugh out load moments.

Not only is Warren the best when it comes to suspenseful nature adventures, she's exceptional at tying in the inspirational content. One of my favorite quotes:
"'Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.' That's direction and protection. You don't need to know where you're going, just the one who is with you. And there is no one better to have on your side than the almighty God. He has a path, and it's good."

I highly recommend this absorbing blockbuster and can hardly wait to read Colt's story in Sundown, coming in November. I appreciate Revell Publishing making a copy of Sunburst available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

Sunburst is a very well written book. Great plot and character dynamics. Susan MY Warren has written another winner. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

My thoughts: Sunburst is the second book in this riveting new series by Susan May Warren. This book starts with a bang in the excitement level is ramped up high through most of the book. It was a bit confusing as it jumped from point of view to point of view without warning and I had to go back and reread to see what was happening and who was the main character in that scene. It was also set in multiple countries and states and revisited former characters from previous books and leaves you wondering what's going to happen in book 3. If you like romantic suspense with plenty of adventure you are absolutely love sunburst. It will burst into your life like a ray of sunshine but be careful you don't get burnt. I was given a copy free and all opinions are my own.

Here's the second book in the Sun King Ranch series and it's Ranger's story. Starting out with the big rescue and Ranger collidies with the woman he'd never forgotten. The rescue turns into a run from danger and a family reunion for Noemi, along with a little lie that will spin their relationship.

This series should be read in order, because the events build on those from the previous book. The mysterious woman's identity unfolds and the danger in Nigeria wasn't simply a kidnapping. Ranger and Noemi both learn what it means to reconsider dreams when life's circumstances change. This story ends on a cliffhanger leading into Colt's story and a new mission.

Highly recommend for readers who enjoy suspsense clean romance.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

'Yeah well. I'm a SEAL. I live for trouble.'
I am always so happy when I hear Susan May Warren has a new book coming out. And ecstatic when I get my hands on it and settle into it. Because that's exactly what happens: I settle down deep and simply disappear into it. Completely.
Warren takes us into the second book of her Sky King Ranch series here and even further into danger as we dive into Ranger's part of the story. From the bush in Nigeria in a terrorist camp and an elaborate mansion to the spring in Alaska, we are treated to Warren's unmatchable style as she carries us along on a wave of a satisfying read that never fails to completely transport the reader to every setting.
And her spiritual thread, as always, is so powerful, and ministering to this reader. Warren will always remain one of my very favorite authors. Well done!
My thanks to Revell Books for a copy of this book. The opinion in this review is expressly my own

This novel follows the story of Ranger Kingston, who is now working for a global SAR team and his relationship with Noemi . It has the suspense one would expect from a Susan May Warren novel. It also gives a glimpse into a Nigerian wedding celebration. I enjoyed the story setting descriptions and the personalities of several supporting characters. Readers of the first book in the series will see more of an introduction to the mysterious character who was found in Sunrise, though no real answers are discovered yet.

There's a lot of great storytelling, but I would have liked a better understanding of why the initial meeting of the hero and heroine was so impactful. I also struggled with why they didn't just have a direct conversation about their feelings. Some of the time period changes were hard to follow.

I enjoyed the brotherly camaraderie, commitment, and forgiveness.

I received a free ARC of this novel from NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

The second in the Sky Ranch series is set deep in Nigeria. Ranger is part of a team to rescue his brother Colt and other hostages. He's surprised to see another face, Noemi, a part of the group being held. Noemi and Ranger will need to put their feelings aside as they try to escape and also rescue Blessings, a 15 yr old girl. Lots of Nigerian culture adds to this story. I did not enjoy the past memories popping up unexpectedly. Readers will be enticed by the cliffhanger to read the next book.

Great romantic suspense! The first part of the book is more romance than suspense, and is filled with interesting details of Nigeria and a Nigerian wedding. The suspense ramps up as the story continues, weaving a spellbinding tale with various twists and turns. Noemi and Ranger are complex characters, both afraid to care too deeply, but drawn irrevocably together. The story is compelling and engrossing, an absolute page-turner! I haven’t read book one in the series and didn’t need to before reading this book, but I will definitely be reading it now! And I look forward to book 3 in the series!

“Pain is just weakness leaving the body.”

This one is an adrenaline rush! Warren has crafted a high-stakes, globetrotting romantic adventure set against the backdrop of culturally rich Nigeria and the wild frontiers Alaska. It starts off with Ranger Kingston, a former Navy SEAL, who heads to Nigeria to save his brother, Colt, and an aid worker, Noemi Sutton, who have been kidnapped by terrorists. Your heart will be pounding as you read about hostage situations, flying bullets, Boko Haram infiltrations, and the SEAL rescue attempts. I loved this five-star reading experience because Warren took me deep inside the world of navy SEALS and to a country I’ve never visited.


Warren’s Christian character development is second to none! She crafts her characters so that they continually push themselves towards introspection and then effortlessly allows us to see how they deal with inner struggles brought about by their external situations. The concept of being shaped and molded by God in the heat of the battle is appealing to me. That’s real life! Ranger’s exploration of God’s abandonment and his lack of trust felt so authentic. Warren reminds readers of the SEAL phrase “The only easy day was yesterday,’ and that if we are prepared and ready to face our battles head on, we can, with God’s help, turn every battle into a victory. I needed to read that today. Warren’s ability to surprise me with her character’s actions never fails. Just when I’m convinced what direction the story is going to take next, her characters stubbornly stomp off in the opposite direction! I love following them and seeing how they work out their redemption, trust and reliance of faith for themselves. My favourite line, and one I’ll not forget, is “every time my world gets darker, I see God more.” As I stood on the deck tonight sailing towards Copper Mountain, I looked up at the clear sky, thought of Ranger and was reminded of this revelation.

The Kingston boys are dreamy, but Noemi is my new favourite character. I loved the tension and the vulnerability and how she and Kingston played off each other. I see a lot of myself in Noemi! I enjoyed the references to her culture and am now dying to try jollof rice, owho soup, akara, chin chin, and fufu. Most of all, I loved the authentic touches of pidgin English. I’ve kept one for my own use: “Heaven almighty, Gon don butta my bread!”

Warren writes to evoke empathy and challenges us to overcome fear. Her transitions to different points of view and different plot lines kept me on my toes.

As we continue our sail towards Copper Mountain on our Alaskan cruise, I’m watching out for Roy. If I see him, I’ll be sure to run the opposite direction!

This was a fast-paced journey that will have the reader wondering what's going to happen next. At one point, it seemed as though everything that could go wrong, did. But these seemingly horrible moments helped to cement the theme: though it may seem as though we're invisible to God, He sees us wherever we are and He cares about what happens to us.

Sunburst is the second book in the Sky King Ranch but can be read as a stand-alone, though it's best to read the books in order for the full story. This is a second-chance romance that will encourage you to believe in fairy-tale endings. Ranger and Noemi made a sweet couple and so it was good to see how their romance played out.

I enjoyed seeing the Kingston brothers working together and repairing the bonds that had been broken. Readers will be reminded that God sees us and He can restore what had been lost.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley and Just Read Tours; a positive review was not required.

Another romantic adventure with two fantastic leads, including an understated wounded hero, “Sunburst”, by Susan May Warren (Revell), combines an intense love story with an exciting suspense plotline.
Ranger is such an amazing hero, complicated, strong and kind, super serious and honorable; he has recently left the SEALs and is dealing with a sense of loss of identity and a life-altering health issue.
He’s in a terrible place and feels he has nothing to offer his old crush. He’s a bit tortured and affected by guilt.
The conflicts Ranger deals with were gradually revealed and I really loved how the author handled the health issue, creating tension and anticipation about it and inserting it in daily life (although I would have adored more pages dedicated to it!).
Noemi is brave, strong and feisty, yet vulnerable after having experienced already such loss.
The dialogue between Ranger and Noemi is amusing with the heroine answering back and challenging him and the hero adopting often a self-deprecating and much appreciated sense of humor.
I liked the alternating between past and present in the couple’s story.
I also liked how both carried a torch for each other through the years after their sweeping, short-lived romance during Ranger’s training.
The portrayal of Nigerian culture seemed believable and well-researched and, of course, the natural beauty is arresting (and what a beautiful cover).
The family and friends dynamics is a pleasure to watch and the religious factor well woven into the narrative.

Sunburst features the Kingston family on the Sky King Ranch in Alaska. In Sunrise, readers were introduced to Dodge and his story, but now in Sunburst, we are told a little more about Ranger’s past and even have a glimpse into Colt’s story. Sixty percent of the story takes place in Africa, then returns to the Sky King Ranch to finish the plot. As a personal preference, I just finished Willow by Ronie Kendig, so I have a disdain in my mouth for the stories that take place in Africa. Personally, a number of our church members have been on mission trips to Africa. Even as far as a family spending an entire year living there. Not me. I have no desire to visit or serve in Africa. Unless God tells me otherwise, I do not plan to visit Africa. Anyways, as for the plot, it does feature some interesting aspects of the Nigerian culture, like a wedding and the family dynamics. These were interesting to view because they are definitely different than the American culture. The romance is over the top between Ranger and Noemi. They both have feelings for each other, but they want to deny it because they believe the other person does not like them. They do not want to be hurt again. As for the plot, plenty of moments were Ranger and Noemi are running through the woods, jumping into creeks, flying through the water on a speedboat, picked up in a helicopter, and flown halfway across the world. One of my favorite aspects of the story was the cliffhanger at the end of the novel. Cannot wait to dive into Sundown and see how Warren ties this series together.

I received a complimentary copy of Sunburst by Susan May Warren from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Sunburst
by Susan May Warren
Pub Date: June 7, 2022
Revell
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Susan May Warren's books are quite popular at our library so I was quite eager to get my hands on this 2nd book in the series. , I had never read Susan May Warren prior to a couple of years ago. Now, it is safe to say she is probably my favorite author of the Christian romantic suspense genre. I enjoyed the story and am highly recommending this book. Sunburst is everything a Christian romance novel should ever be—wholesome, funny, exciting, and Christ-filled.
5 stars

Ranger was a guy who got the job done, and the guys home after a night out.
Women were trouble, between brothers and family he knew first hand.
A brother now being held by terrorists, hardly even breathing
Naomi was full of life, the soil of different countries to try beneath her feet
Now looking at guards, trying to breath, to survive, to escape.
They needed one another, the only way to even attempt, would test them.
Maybe even tempt them of a long lost love. Will it help or get killed by trying
A gripping story of love, family and duty. Good story I enjoyed Given ARC by
Net Galley and Revell for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

“‘And hello, maybe you’re exactly where you are supposed to be….Maybe God used your issues to give you exactly what you wanted.’”

To think, I had never read Susan May Warren prior to contributing to Life is Story. Now, it is safe to say she probably my favorite author of the Christian romantic suspense genre. I could not wait to read Sunburst. As soon as I finished Sunrise, I wanted the next novel on my Kindle, as soon as possible. Typically, I’m fine with waiting for sequels, which may be surprising. Not with Warren’s books. I had high hopes for Sunburst. And from the moment I met Noemi, Susan May Warren had me—hook, line, and sinker.

Noemi is a confident, stubborn, independent spitfire of a woman when she first meets Ranger Kingston. They hit it off, but fate rips them apart. It was fine, Noemi thought. I can’t get married, thought Ranger. The truth hurts. But neither accepted it, their memories of each other always whispering in their metaphorical ears. Then terrorists slam them together once more, and whispers turn to screams. Metaphorical ears change to literal. They are stuck in Nigeria, with their best means of protection being to pose as husband and wife. Which, though they both deny, becomes all too real for each of them.

Ranger and Noemi want the wedding to be real, in every aspect of the word. But Ranger has his duties, and Noemi thinks she’s cursed. Everyone around her gets hurt, or worse, dies. She can’t let that happen to Ranger, so Noemi wants to disappear. She does not want anyone’s life ruined because of her. Both Ranger and Noemi resist the tug between them…the only question is…will sense get smacked into them before it is too late?

Gosh darn it, I loved Sunburst by Susan May Warren. I keep thinking she can’t get better, but she always does. Suspenseful, yet heartwarming and comical. Complex—Warren reveals a subplot that clearly connects the three books together—yet easy to read. Fulfilling, with a powerful message, in typical Susan May Warren fashion. That is what I adore most about this author: Warren drops Christian truth bombs into her novels in a way that explodes warmth, comfort, and yes, sometimes conviction. But the bombs aren’t surprises. She portrays the messages of God in a sincere manner, without falling into the preaching that some authors do.

I admit, sometimes I’ll skip the sermons in novels. Often times, they add little to the story, and I feel like they’re just…dropped in, because the writer wanted to ensure the novel checked the “Christian” box. Not Susan May Warren. I wouldn’t dream of skipping a word, much less a single sentence. Sunburst by Susan May Warren is everything a Christian romance novel should ever be—wholesome, funny, exciting, and Christ-filled.