One Last Chance

Author: Susan May Warren
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series: Alaska Air One Rescue #2
Pages: 336
Release Date: June 4, 2024
Publisher: Revell

Find. Save. Protect.
Meet the heroes of the Last Frontier.

Axel Mulligan was built to be a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. He swam fast and endured long, a miracle for those in peril--until a tragedy sent him home to Alaska. Now, three years later, he's not going to let the past repeat itself. As an Air One rescue swimmer, he'll do anything to save lives--including sacrifice his own.
 
He expects to do just that while trying to rescue a group of tourists from the icy waters of the Gulf of Alaska. If not for the voice on the other end of the ham radio, he might have given up and let hypothermia win. That voice awakened something in his heart, and he sets out to find the woman it belongs to.  
 
Flynn Turnquist is not who Axel thinks she is. A national wildlife researcher, she's deep in the bush, tracking wolf pack patterns. Or is she? In fact, she's a former cop, tracking down a serial killer. She nearly had him--until he escaped into the wilds of the Alaskan bush.
 
When Axel finds Flynn and discovers what she's really up to, it stirs up a terrible nightmare he's been dodging for years--the kidnapping and death of his own cousin. Worse, he's led the killer right to Flynn's doorstep. Now, it's a race through Alaska to stay alive. And when tragedy strikes again, he must choose between rescue or redemption.

An exhilarating adventure through the Alaskan wilderness!

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

"Faith isn't weakness. Faith is aligning yourself with true power. True control."
 
Alaska Air One Rescue keeps getting better and better with each book. I loved Axel and his dedication to search and rescue. His heroic heart was so easy to love. And walking through his faith journey of learning to let go of control and not dwelling on the past was a great reminder of who really is in control.
 
Flynn was as intense as Axel—experienced in hunting down serial killers but also desperately missing her twin sister, who is deemed missing. The battles they waged against the mighty rivers in Alaska were fueled by adrenaline, and the suspense surrounding a serial killer on the loose was fast-paced and intricately woven. Axel and Flynn were so lovely together, and their romance was tender and sweet even when their moments were peppered with life-threatening danger.
 
I loved hanging out with Moose, and I can't wait for the next book in the series! There are so many cameo appearances by characters from the author's other books that I've lost count. If you're a fan of Susan May Warren, you will pick up on every single one of them and appreciate them wholeheartedly.
 
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell via Interviews & Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Conny Withay

“Now, it’s a race through Alaska to stay alive. And when tragedy strikes again, he must choose between rescue or redemption.” The back jacket explains Axel’s dilemma in Susan May Warren’s novel, One Last Chance.

The second book in the Alaska Air One Rescue series, this three-hundred-and-thirty-six-page advanced reader copy targets those who like a Christian contemporary romance about being on a rescue team in the Alaska wilderness while learning about second chances. Containing the word heck, topics of injury, murder, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes a teaser of the next book in the series, a note to the reader, the author’s biography, and advertisements.

In this second book in the series, Alaskan rescue swimmer Axel has always been the hero, saving others while barely saving himself. When Flynn, an out-of-town detective, tries to find her lost sister, Axel has to take more than one chance to save her while keeping them both safe in the wild elements. As the two search for a serial killer, they must deal with their past guilt and blame by leaning on God’s will.

This sequel is like raging water that ebbs and tides as Axel and Flynn try to stay alive, be it on land or in the water. I liked the vivid descriptions of the Alaskan terrain and how one must stay alert to stay alive. I appreciate how both protagonists wanted to always be in charge, yet each had to deal with their past experiences to find their true selves.

Some may not like a series involving cold, dangerous Alaska and serial killers. Others may not care for one or two rather steamy kissing scenes. Like the prior book in the series, I found some of the characters and the plot stereotypical at times.

Although there are prayers to God for help and answers, there is no mention of Jesus and the eternal plan of salvation, so any religion trusting any god could be construed. I prefer all of the Almighty's pronouns capitalized for reverence.

If you are into contemporary romances that include serial killers getting tracked down in the backwoods of Alaska, chances are you will enjoy this one and look forward to the next one.

Thanks to Revell and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.

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Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

One Last Chance is an adrenaline-fueled masterpiece from beginning to end. You don’t want to miss this one!

Flynn’s life is filled with the darkness that follows a job profiling and chasing down serial killers. During her search for her sister in Alaska, she meets Axel, a rescue swimmer, over the radio when he’s trapped in a capsized boat. 

He searches her out to thank her for being his lifeline and finds her running from a shooter. They are soon pulled into the case of a local serial killer. Each one has a level of pride in their abilities that puts a wall between them and their faith. What will it take to let go and let God? 

I love the sense of family in the Air One team and their friends. Having lived in this part of Alaska, I can say this series paints an accurate picture of the fortitude, strength, and faith of the people of the area. A shout-out for the research it took to make this book show the heart of the community.

This is one of the best romantic suspense books I’ve read and a perfect follow-up to One Last Shot, book one in the Alaska Air One Rescue series. I highly recommend it.

I was given a copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley and Interviews and Reviews. This is my honest opinion of the book.

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Reviewer: Tammy Lunsford

The two main characters in this book are plagued with nightmares from their tragic past. It has made them the people they are today, but it has also hurt them in the relationship department as well. 

Axel Mulligan always wanted to be a Coast Guard swimmer, and he was good at it, but after a series of occurrences that affected his ability to do his job, he ended up back in Alaska. He is now a rescue swimmer for Air One. Axel is fearless and wants to save everyone, which is how he ends up talking to a woman on a ham radio. They are connected, but they just do not know it yet.

Flynn Turnquist is a detective who chases and apprehends serial killers. She is obsessed with a particular case, which is how she ends up in Alaska on the other end of the radio transmission with Axel. Flynn is battling her own set of demons.

This was a briskly-paced mystery/thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is a great blend of faith-filled suspense and a lesson in knowing our own limitations without limiting the power of prayer. It was an emotional book that had me tied up in knots at times. I felt such empathy for both characters and their battles.

This is one of my favorite quotes: "And when we trust Him, we can know He will be with us, here in the valley or up on the mountain or even in the depths of the sea. And it will be good, even if it doesn't feel that way." Those are some powerful words to live by, especially when we are in the valley.

This book and this series are top-notch. I highly recommend this book and the one before it. Word of warning: you need to find a comfortable spot to read because you will be there until you finish it.

Thank you to Revell Publishers for this ARC through Interviews & Reviews.  I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Reviewer: Kristina Hall

An exciting second installment in the Alaska Air One Rescue series!

Susan May Warren is one of my favorite authors, and I always appreciate getting the chance to read one of her books.

One Last Chance was full of well-developed characters. Axel and Flynn were both sympathetic main characters. Poor Axel had a lot of regrets that affected his life, as did Flynn. Their first "meeting" was epic. You'll have to read it to see what I'm talking about. The supporting characters (whom I know we'll see more of in future books) were great as well. One thing that did get on my nerves a bit was the preoccupation with being or not being a hero. This point has been included in a lot of the Susan May Warren books I've read, and I think I'm just a little tired of it.

The plot contained plenty of high stakes, adventure, and tender moments to keep me flipping pages. As usual, Susan May Warren's writing style fits the story well, and I appreciated that she kept both the romance and language clean. One of the kisses did get a little descriptive for me, but it still stayed well within the realm of "clean."

Overall, One Last Chance was an action-packed read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction, romance, and action/adventure novels. I'm looking forward to reading the third book in the series!

I received this book free from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. 

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