Member Reviews

Pilot Taylor Grayhawk and Smoke jumper Brian Flynn survive jumping from a plane when both engines flame out. They are trapped in an area surrounded by fire with very little food and water and no way to escape. They have a history. They dated in high school and that didn’t end well. They have not seen each other since that time. Depending on each other for survival brings back old feelings.

This book has so many heart stopping moments that I couldn’t put it down. It runs the gamut of emotions . . . love, hate, fear . . . This book has it all.

I highly recommend this book. Joan Johnston has been one of my favorite authors for a long time. I look forward to reading her next book.

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Taylor and Brian have a serious past. Brian thought that they would go distance but found out quickly that sometimes your best laid plans just may crash and burn.

Years later they find themselves in a situation that will test everything they thought they knew about not only each other... but themselves. Can Taylor and Brian make it out of this situation with not only their lives intact... but their hearts as well? Read and find out!

I voluntarily read an advanced review copy of this book

I absolutely loved this book! I loved that they were both so honest with each other when it mattered the most. I also loved how hard they were willing to fight for each other... and risk it all to ensure that they had a chance to survive. What was beautiful to me were those moments of weakness and desperation...those moments when they to others they looked worn out and crazy but to each they were absolutely perfect.

Overall this book was really good, not going to lie ya'll, there were tears (ugly snot tears)...there was heartache and most important of all there was romance!

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I totally enjoyed this book. The details of the fire were awesome and scary. I've read other books on firefighting, but this was spot on. The animosity between the two families was ridiculous but I'm sure it happens quite a bit. Taylor listened to her twin in high school when she said she should't date Brian and broke up with him. She didn't stop caring about him and vice versa. When they had to depend on each other to survive, they opened up to their feelings. Brian was injured rather severely and had to deal with that on his own. I've read quite a few Joan Johnston books and this one was great. I got this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

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SURRENDER is an action packed drama that actually showcases more than one story – each wondrously linked and well written as is to be expected by Joan Johnston. Before we even begin to talk about SURRENDER make sure to look for all books in this Bitter Creek series. SURRENDER is candidly eye popping crazy and amazing with each page better than the past.

Firefighters are a different breed – heading into the blaze while everyone else is racing away. We can’t help remember the scenes of 911. These were the heroes and Joan Johnston did her research well so that she could capture the essence of what makes a firefighter.

In the case of smoke jumpers well I can’t even fathom their bravery and smarts. They know what they face and yet the dangers are insurmountable but necessary. Raging forest fires are beyond menacing. They are totally destructive. One would wonder how someone could jump from a plane smack dab in the middle of one of these infernos.

Taylor Greyhawk – one of the King brats – is a pilot and this current mission to drop off smoke jumpers has put her and the spotter on board – none other than Brian Flynn – one of those awful Flynn boys – in grave danger. An unfortunate decision and move had them both falling right smack into the middle of that raging beast.

Now it seems that these two feuding families are faced with working together – has hell frozen over – to search for and hopefully find their siblings. Hopefully alive but surely not in the best condition if and it’s a big if Taylor and Brian had actually survived the plunge into the inferno.

As it turns out the two who would be the front team are Aidan Flynn and Leah Greyhawk. And their story is mesmerizing and heartbreaking. This feud has caused all sorts of problems for all the Flynn and Greyhawk children who now as adults seem still sucked into the middle of a fight without a winner in sights.
Joan Johnston has done her homework. The details that explain and describe the ordeal of making that jump and finding a way to survive are extraordinarily outlined in this adventure. Day to day, hour to hour and week to week trials are handled with great attention to detail. The reader actually feels a part of the drama of Taylor and Brian.
As we learn Taylor – affectionately called TAG by Brian – have a past. A teenage past nipped in the bud by their respective siblings who were continuing the horrible feud of their fathers. Tag and Brian have kept their distance for many years. But they are throw together by their jobs in smoke jumping. Both felt they had moved on from their days together as teens. In reality it had left both of them in a sort of limbo with neither one even remotely looking to reopen that chapter.
The fight to survive is going to teach them a lot about themselves and each other. They are very realistic in the probability that either one or both of them might not get out of this fix. They are both fighting any leftover attraction. In truth both Tag and Brian are very frightened but determined to be as optimistic as feasible when all odds are definitely not in their favor.

It’s easy to understand the enormity of research that an author sometimes has to do in order to give credence to the story line. Joan Johnston out did herself in this one. SURRENDER is at times harsh and candidly scary. It’s our growing feelings for all these characters that keep us invested page by page right through to the ending. Looking for a great book that is impossible to put down. SURRENDER by Joan Johnston.

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Author Joan Johnston continues a storyline, that is running through several books, about two ranch families, one with sons, the other with daughters and their feuding fathers. This book involves one son, Brian and one daughter, Taylor. The book reader opens with two people in a plane that has both engines not working and deciding what to do to save themselves. Turns out these two people know each other well. What happens is quite and adventure in both love and survival. Snippets of what is going on between these two 'friends' and their family relationships get the reader interested in what has gone on, is going on and things to come. The storyline is well written and holds the readers interest all the way through leaving a satisfactory conclusion of Brian and Taylor (the two main characters in this book) but gives the reader an interest in seeing what happens next within the feuding families. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

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I really like this series about these families. The characters and the drama are always riveting. I'm anxious for the next book.

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Surrender is a great romance with a well crafted plot and characters. I throughly enjoyed this book and the author’s writing.

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Joan Johnston has written an original and suspenseful winner! I loved this book and will be going back and reading the other Greyhawk/Flynn books. I was totally captivated by Taylor (Tag) and Brian’s story. Tag is a pilot and Brian is a firefighter/smoke jumper. Their families have been long time rivals starting with their fathers dislike, or hate, for one another. When Tag’s plane goes down in a huge fire she and Brian have to fight to survive together. Once rescued they have to learn to live in in the real world together and deal with their family rivalry head on. There were many twists and turns in this story and I truly appreciated a unique story.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I’ve expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.

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Taylor and Brian have known each other their entire lives. They have also been taught by their feuding fathers to dislike the other family. However, during their high school years they had a relationship. She was known as the date them and leave them type, he was sure and confident. Despite what appeared to be genuine on both sides, she gives in to the family pressure and dumps him.

Fast forward 10 years and both are in their home town, not on a friendly set of terms, fighting the same brush fire. Taylor the pilot of the plane dropping jumpers into the fire and Brian, the spotter are forced to face death together. Thrown together for an extended period of time and with nothing and no one else to rely on, they give in to desire. Is it just their near death circumstances or can they actually make it work?

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I loved the twists and turns going on between the Grayhawk and Flynn families. It keeps the storyline interesting pulling you in from the start. This story is how Taylor and Brian get together with a twist or secret Vick reveals. A well written perfectly paced story with very strong characters you love. You will not go wrong with picking up any of this authors books.

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It’s been a while since I read a Joan Johnston book and I was very excited to have the opportunity to read the most recent one. This story is the latest in a continuing saga that has spanned quite a number of books from Ms. Johnston. You will find that there are themes and characters that continue on from earlier books but you are given enough of the necessary history that you don’t feel like you missed anything.

Taylor Ann Grayhawk (TAG) is a corporate pilot who flies CEOs to meetings across the country and also drops smoke jumpers during the fire season. When her plane runs into trouble and has to go down in a dangerous fire area, her only remaining passenger is smoke jumper and ex-boyfriend Brian Flynn. With a choice of dying together or attempting to survive together, they choose to go the survival route. And, the adventure begins there and literally doesn’t stop! It is a whirlwind of an adventure that is gritty and sometimes complicated by an old Grayhawk / Flynn family feud and rivalry, but ultimately an exhilarating race against time and the elements to survive.

I loved this story and couldn’t put it down. It was engaging, thrilling, and of course had an HEA.

I received an advance reader copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I rate this 5 stars.

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I am partial to smoke jumpers and this one did not disappoint. Brian and Taylor's journey had so many great elements to their story, that as a reader, I was completely engrossed from page one. The survival, trauma, and hopelessness they went through while working together to survive made this one a real page turner. Brian and Taylor's story leaves the reader with many emotions as Joan Johnston tells a story that is heartfelt and with so much depth. I read late into the night to see Brian and Taylor get their HEA, and look forward to reading more of the Flynn and Grayhawk rivalry in the 'Bitter Creek' series! I would like to thank NetGalley and Dell for gifting me "Surrender". My opinion is my own. This is mine. 5 Stars!

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"Surrender" (Bitter Creek Book 11/ King's Brats Book 3) by Joan Johnston is a great read. I loved Taylor and Brian's story. This is the first time I've read this author's work and I will definitely read more. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series. This story has romance, passion, smoke jumpers and firefighters, family, feuds, second chances, and more. Highly recommend to all fans of romance, firefighters and smoke jumpers, family, and series.

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It’s always nice to return to the world of bitter creek. This is another kings Bratz book. Here we find out what happens after Brian and Taylor are stranded together after her plane has gone down after dropping firefighters off in a forest. Well Taylor tries to help Brian who is been injured they start to reminisce about their past relationship. It’s a great second chance romance with a lot of suspense. It’s also nice because as they are trying to survive, we see that their family is trying to find them. It’s also nice to see Aiden and Leah and that their story is the next to come. Having other stories while having the main couple as well helps to immerse the reader in the bitter creek world. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book. This is an honest review.

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SURRENDER is the first Joan Johnston title I’ve read, but it won’t be my last.

Taylor Grayhawk and Brian Flynn have a history, which is always fun. When they fall into a deadly situation, their long-simmering passion explodes.

But life isn’t easy as they work their way toward HEA. The feud between their fathers, King Grayhawk and Angus Flynn, which has complicated their lives forever, isn’t helped by other hurdles thrown their way. I won’t spoil anything by mentioning what those are, but rest assured they do add plenty of tension.

SURRENDER is the third book in a series called King’s Brats, which focus on Grayhawk’s daughters, nearly all of whom end up attracted to sons of Flynn. The action from earlier titles seems to be happening simultaneously because there are references to three other Grayhawk-Flynn couples in this book, two of which are further along in their relationships. Adding in the tension in these other relationships kept this book moving quickly.

Johnston has been compared to Susan Mallery and Linda Lael Miller and I have to agree. If you enjoy their books, you’ll love this and other titles from Johnston.

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This is a fast-paced read with plenty of drama and suspense. This is a second chance romance between Brian and Taylor. They are stranded together after her plane goes down while dropping firefighters off in a forest fire. Brian is attached by a bear and they become trapped in a cave. They have plenty of time talk about what happened between them as they grow closer they begin to look for a way out and start walking. Brian’s wound is getting worse, will they be saved in time? This is a fast paced read with plenty of drama and suspense. The chemistry between Brian and Taylor is steamy but with plenty of emotion. The story has a lot going on keeps you hooked throughout. A good read.

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Action packed, engaging, exciting and emotional thrill ride of a second chance romance I could not put down. This romantic adventure has it all, adventure, danger, secrets, bitter rivalries, family feuds and betrayal.....

Taylor and Brian are thrown together to fight a fighting a raging wildfire and are plunged into danger when their plane goes down and Brian is attacked. The struggle to survive gives them the opportunity and time (but not much time) to hash out what really happened all those years ago. Loved every emotional and heart pounding twist and turn. Highly entertaining reading experience.

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This is book 11 in the Bitter Creek series and it features Brian and Taylor. Both Brian and Taylor are extremely stubborn. They each want to do things on their own timeline. Even almost dying doesn’t ease their stubbornness. The chemistry is sizzling but not always acted on for one reason or another. They love each other but as you’ll find with each couple in this series, love isn’t always enough.

BRAVO! Another hit in a fabulous series. I think what I love most about this author’s writing is even during the heart of the story line with the main characters, she still manages to fill us in on the happenings of the entire rest of the family. I can’t wait for the next one.

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I finished “Surrender” by Joan Johnston in one sitting. I could not stop reading as the action was so intense. Taylor Grayhawk is flying her plane and dropping firefighters down to the forest fire. The fire has now taken out the plane’s engines and there is no safe place to land. Taylor and Brian Flynn are forced to parachute from her plane into the only small, clear area that is not on fire. This is the third book in the Bitter Creek King's Brats series. The trials that Taylor and Brian go through to survive, not only the fire, but his injury is “edge of the seat” thrilling. The intense attraction between the two former lovers adds to the excitement. You could read this third book in the series without having read the two previous books as Ms. Johnston provides enough back story about the family. As the other characters are added, during their hunt for Taylor and Brian, you will understand enough of the family dynamics (although I am sure you will want to get copies of the first two books, Sinful and Shameless). I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

OMGosh! This was fantastic. I just fell in love with Taylor and Brian. The characters and the plot were so realistic. I really don't know has Ms. Johnston does it but I just get lost in her books. I couldn't put it down it was so compelling. I could visualize the scenes happening just like I was there in the middle of it. I really hated to see the story end. It was like saying good-bye to old friends.

I so highly recommend this book to anyone. Ms. Johnston is a MUST read author for me.

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