Sunrise

Author: Susan May Warren
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Series: Sky King Ranch #1
Release Date: January 4, 2022

Coming home was never the plan

After a terrible family fight, pilot Dodge Kingston left home to join the Air Force. A decade later, he's headed back to the destiny that awaits him as heir to Sky King Ranch. But that's not all that's waiting for him at home.

Echo Yazzie is a true Alaskan woman--a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide for the DNR. After her childhood best friend and former flame, Dodge, fled Denali, she settled into life on the Alaskan range. She's made her peace with being left behind--by her mother and by Dodge. And she's strong enough to live without them.

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. What she doesn't know is that there are more than just the regular dangers of the Alaskan forests stalking her . . .

As Dodge sets out to find Echo, he can't ignore the feelings he still has for her. But will he be able to find her in time? And if he does, is there still room for him in her heart?

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Reviewer: Gee Dixon

Dodge thought he would come home, but his father was injured in a plane crash. Somebody has to run Sky King Ranch. So he returns to Denali, Alaska. Echo is a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide for the DNR. Echo has a partner in her work that went off to check her cameras and did not make it back. So Echo took off to find her. Plus, Echo’s father had left too. Echo knows the woods are dangerous, but she has to find Penny and her dad. She had to be careful due to grizzlies and not knowing there were poachers.
 
Dodge and Echo are powerful characters and make the story enjoyable and inspirational. Susan May Warren did an excellent job for this first book in the series. I am looking forward to reading the next book.
 
I was given an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation from Revell through Interviews & Reviews.

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Reviewer: Raechel Kelly

Everybody gets excited for a new SMW book! And rightfully so. "Sunrise" starts off the new series Sky King Ranch. Set in Alaska, I really felt like I was transported there myself as I read, and I loved all the vibes it gave. The characters were so realistic and well written, and I loved following along with their story. 

Dodge and Echo have had an enduring history together, and also bear a lot of their own individual scars. I liked that they both had issues to work through, and that it wasn't all wrapped up in a bow at the end. I mean, their romance certainly was lovely at the end (sooo sweet), but they both were still progressively growing in their journey and I appreciate that.

The faith message was subtle, evident in small pieces, but done very well. There were definitely some truths that hit home for me too, and I marked down a few different things.

Echo was relatable for me, especially her 'what ifs' - "What if I'm too happy?...What if I love you too much? What if-" "Stop what-iffing."  That is so me. 

Sunrise has great characters, and enthralling plot, and suspense that keeps you turning the pages for more. It's going to be hard to wait for the next book in this series!!

This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Winnie Thomas

“Forgiveness isn’t for the person you’re forgiving. . . It’s for yourself. It’s what you do to be set free.”

I’m always excited to begin a new series by Susan May Warren, and the first book in her Sky King Ranch series is fantastic. Set in the wilds of Alaska, and starring Dodge Kingston, one of a set of triplets, this book drew me in from the first page and kept me holding on for dear life amidst all the action.

When Dodge returns to Alaska after ten years away, he doesn’t count on seeing his old girlfriend, Echo Yazzie again. And he isn’t happy that he still has feelings for her. Dodge is a wonderful hero—courageous, daring, and compassionate, but he and Echo both have baggage from their pasts to work through.

“Stop telling God what you want, and let him work his will in you. You might find answers.”

With lots of action, adventure, suspense, a dash of romance,  themes of forgiveness, second chances, and letting God prevail in your life, this story has something for everyone. I’m looking forward to Ranger’s and Colt’s stories and more Alaskan adventures. 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Joy Hannabass

Even though Dodge Kingston is back on the ranch and at the moment at the hospital to see his dad, he is sure his dad doesn't want to see him, ever. That is until the Dr. tells his sister they can see their dad for a while, and she insists he go in with her. But Dodge knows it will all blow up when his dad realizes he is home to stay until dad gets well enough to run the ranch again.

Sunrise by Susan May Warren doesn't really start off at a fast pace, but the more the story unfolds, the better this book gets. I really liked Dodge from the start, and I think it is because he was fighting so many demons of his past while being there. He couldn't see how his home people really thought of him. Maybe many of his issues relate to how Echo will feel about him coming home after 10 years. Their relationship is very complicated, and it will take more than a few days to even come close to being fixed. More like a few years, maybe? The other characters in this unique and wonderful Alaskan town were a friendly bunch and always willing to help their neighbors.

Being set in Alaska, I loved all of the snow, and how they traveled, and the different rides they used. There were a lot of tense moments flying around throughout the story, and for different reasons. I found it hard to believe how some of the ladies were okay going out in the snowy places and surviving alone in Alaska's wild and dangerous mountains. 

There are many twists and turns throughout the story, a few surprises, and a whole lot of action and enjoyable entertainment in this book. Susan May Warren does a fabulous job writing this awesome story. This was my first read from Warren in a while, and I'll tell you, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm giving this one Five Stars, but it is worth many more.

If you enjoy clean, romantic suspense, you are in for a real treat with this one. 

This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews, for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Amy Smelser

It has been a little bit since I have dived into a Susan May Warren novel and this one really took me on a ride, mushing with dogs, helicopters, and planes. This story took place in the beautiful backdrop of Alaska, its snowstorms, and the dangers of its wildlife. I don't know if I will ever physically visit, but I feel like I did get a glimpse of Alaska in the book.

This was a story fraught with the danger of nature and even humankind. It is based around the oldest Kingston triplet, Dodge, who has come back to help out his father after his father's accident. Dodge, however, never wanted to go back home after having his heart broken by his girlfriend, brother, and father. Sometimes though, as Dodge finds out, there is much more to the story than at first seems, and it is not always best to run away without making amends. But Dodge is a bit hard-headed, even after serving in the military, and will eventually learn his lesson.

Echo, his ex-girlfriend, has pretty much stayed put even though she had big dreams. Her father needed her, and she did not feel like leaving him like her mother left them. Echo is also carrying some scars from the past and still trying to get over Dodge.

These two find out just how much they are needed by one another and others. Forgiveness and God's providential care play big themes, as do the animals. I enjoyed the dogs and bears very much.

I was provided a copy of this novel by Revell through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

Such a fantastic adventure filled with adrenaline, tender romance of a second chance love, faith-bolstering wisdom, and redemption and forgiveness after a long drought of anger and bitterness. I could not put the book down once I started it. I’ve never flown a plane/chopper, never worked with dogs, never met a wild grizzly bear, and never even visited Alaska but felt like I’ve done all these and more after being ensconced in Echo and Dodge’s world. I’m suspecting that the series will follow Dodge’s two brothers but I’m also hoping it will expand to include more of the uniquely wonderful secondary characters I’ve met along the way in Copper Mountain. 

Echo is a brave but wounded soul, dragged down by regret and darkness even as she makes a living in the Alaskan wilderness as a guide and protector of wild animals. Dodge is a loyal, steadfast Purple Heart earning former Air Force pilot who also has plenty of regrets but realizes his potential and dream and desperate need to forgive as he comes home and faces his past and future head on. I do so enjoy second chance romance and this one will remain one of my favorites. Mixed in with the romance is Echo and Dodge working to rescue hurt and needy people from snowy and stormy mountain, surviving bear attacks and other natural hazards, outsmarting some evil men with fast-paced action and plenty of suspense. And if that’s not enough, there is a mystery woman whose identity has yet to be revealed…

If you’re looking for a great book with unforgettable characters and setting, heart-pounding action and suspense, heart-filling spiritual wisdom, and heart-melting romance, look no further. I’m finishing out 2021 with a bam!

I received the book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own. 

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Reviewer: Rebecca Maney

"It's love breaking through."

"Sunrise" is many things. It's a really good book by a beloved author of numerous titles, it's also a dare to forgive, even when you understandably don't want to, it's most certainly a reminder that God's plans are often misunderstood just before His providence dawns crystal clear; perhaps best of all, it is a nudge to bask in the sunrise that illuminates even the darkest of skies, "love breaking through".

Obviously, these life lessons are clothed in flesh and blood. Meet Dodge Kingston, former Air Force hero with uncertain plans, coming back to a place he never expected to return; home. And Echo Yazzie, who stayed at home to homestead with her father while serving as a research guide in the wide open spaces near Anchorage, Alaska. She never expected to see Dodge Kingston again . . . or maybe somewhere deep down inside, a flame of hope remained that their paths might cross once again. And they did. Boy, did they ever.

Enjoy this reunion romance with all of its ups and downs, high points and pitfalls, promises and uncertainties. There's danger around just about every corner, on both land and sky, but the landing . . . . the landing is one that was always meant to be, for "what if we judged God by what didn't happen to us?".

I received a copy of this book from the Baker Publishing Group through Interviews and Reviews. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

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Reviewer: Miriam Young

“You weren’t planning on going home, were you?”

Dodge Kingston was most definitely not planning on going home, but even if he didn’t want to admit it, part of his heart had never left. Echo Yazzie had never planned on leaving home, but part of her heart had left with Dodge Kingston.

I started reading this book and could NOT put it down. Definitely is now one of my all-time favourites! The beautiful setting of Alaska, the dynamic of Dodge’s flying and Echo’s dog sledding, and the charm of the small Alaskan town that they grew up in is enough to keep your attention until the very last word.

I received this book courtesy of Revell through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews.

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