Sunrise By Susan May Warren

SUNRISE

by Susan May Warren

Publisher: Revell

Series: Sky King Ranch 

ISBN: 9780800739829

Being a fan of Susan May Warren, I couldn't pass up the chance to read the first book in this new series! She knows how to bring Alaska to life. Revell sent me the book for review.

Summary:

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?

My Review:

I'm trying to collect my thoughts on this whole story! The author had my emotions so messed up they didn't know if they were up or down. I'm still kind of a hot mess with the ending. A) a cliffhanger? really?! (I'm not okay) B) the start of book 2 has me VERY impatient. There is a LOT I need to know... NOW! lol

Ok, let's talk about Sunrise though. Dodge was mad, I was mad. Dodge was hurt, I was hurt. I mean, that's just how SMW makes a reader feel. You KNOW how hurt he's been by the people in his life. We don't know why initially, but all of the layers begin to peel back and we learn the "why" to all of them. I'll admit, I could completely understand why Dodge had no desire to be back Sky King Ranch.

Then there's Echo, and after learning her story I totally understood her hurt. And, whew, that was a lot. I think people in general go through a lot in life, but man, if you live in Alaska like theses characters do, they're like a whole other level! This definitely includes Echo.

There is a LOT going on in this story. A lot of it was relational for the main characters... with each of their parents and with each other. I appreciated how Dodge's dad made sure to direct him to God in regards to forgiveness and guidance. That was a thread throughout the entire story. Barry Kingston wasn't a perfect parent and I think a lot of us can relate to that. His heart is in the right place and his legacy of faith is one that makes an impact.

Of course, there are bears and moose, but mostly bears. Lots of bears. Also, one super creepy dude who is easy to dislike from the get-go!

Like I said at the start, there's a cliffhanger that has my mind whirling. The snippet of book two that we get doesn't deal with the cliffhanger, so now there are actually TWO cliffhangers! I'm not okay. HA!

About the Author:

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 85 novels with more than 1 million books sold, including the Global Search and Rescue and the Montana Rescue series, as well as Sunrise and Sunburst. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT Medallion and numerous Readers' Choice Awards, Susan makes her home in Minnesota. Find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com, on Facebook @SusanMayWarrenFiction, and on Twitter @SusanMayWarren.