A fascinating book of strength and faith. All the training the characters go through isn't quite enough to carry them along without their trust in one another and their search beyond themselves. I truly enjoyed the characters and learning more about Denali and climbing along with the wonderful storyline. I highly recommend this novel.

This new series by Susan May Warren starts off at a gallop, with a fast-paced plot that left me breathless a time or two.
I love that her novels lately have been so adventure related. It’s almost like I’m there hiking Denali with them, though after this story, that’s pretty unlikely. ;) Her description of what it takes to climb doesn’t get too technical that you get bogged down in the story, which I appreciated.
I enjoyed the characters in this book. They felt believable, and though the jobs that brought them together, and the experiences they’ve had to live with after are unique, they are still very relatable.
The romance(s) in this book were really well-written, and I was definitely cheering for those characters most of the time.
This story is fast-paced, with a meaningful faith element, and has certainly drawn me in to this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

This book was hard to read and impossible to put down.

I'll never understand how some people put their lives (and the lives of others) in peril to climb mountains, and this is exactly what happens in this story.

The tension was thick the whole time, wondering how the characters will be able to get through it safely.

Orion and Jenny/Jacie met in Afghanistan three years ago when they were both serving there, he in the military and she as an undercover CIA agent. Even though they never even kissed, there was something between them, but after a mission goes horribly wrong, Jacie leaves and doesn't contact Orion again. But she never forgot his words about Denali and Alaska.

Now they meet again as she's taking two friends to climb Denali. Orion recognizes her but she says she's someone else, and he can't understand why she does it.

When things go wrong with her and the friends, Orion and his friends go in search for them.

The climbing thing got too technical and I skipped over some parts. I liked the flashbacks and the way they allowed me to see the reasons for the characters' drama and the way their relationships started.

Looking forward for the next book.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I have procrastinated about reviewing this book for awhile. I hate to leave a less than enthusiastic review for an author who I absolutely love. However, this book just did not work for me. I tried and tried to get into it, but I just never got there.

The first part of the book jumps right in and is very heavy on all aspects of climbing. It felt like a little too much for me. Climbing info dump. I'm not super interested in climbing. I actually cannot fathom why anyone would want to risk life and limb just to get to the top of a mountain and say you'd been there. THEN climb all the way back down again. I just don't get it. I'm not saying there's never a good reason to climb. But for these characters it didn't really seem like a reasonable thing to do in my opinion.

The main thing that killed the story for me was the lack of character development initially and the lack of a strong group dynamic. I wanted to know the characters more BEFORE crazy stuff started happening. In this book people were falling off cliffs before I even remembered who they were in the story. And consequently, I ended up not really caring.

I listened to part of this on audiobook, and I don't know if that impacted my experience, but I felt like it was overall slightly overwrought. It felt like all serious life discussions and heightened emotions between the characters or in their internal monologue. Nothing lighthearted or funny to ease the tension.

I wish I could have enjoyed this one more. I don't know if I'll read the next one in this series, but I'll always be on the lookout for more by Susan May Warren. She's still one of my favorite authors.

I just couldn't stop until I finished this book last night! It was an action packed plot, especially in the last half of the book. Rescues, mountain climbing, danger, terrorism, romance...all on a mountain peak in Alaska. Even though these were fictional characters, I loved the way their courage was portrayed in the book. Not just courage to face huge physical challenges, but also mental and emotional challenges. Susan May Warren doesn't shy away from letting her characters have real-life issues: mental breakdowns, depression, insecurity, and trauma, to name a few. I appreciated that. I also appreciated the details related to the mountain climbing aspect of the novel. I honestly got a little lost in keeping up with all of the equipment and technique; I have no previous knowledge of any of it with the exception of the caribiner clip I used as a keychain in college. As someone who likes to form mental pictures of what's happening as I'm reading, I struggled to do that with the influx of so many things I didn't know. However, I can completely recognize the author's knowledge and research that must've went into writing it. That is to be commended. On a different note, the romantic tension provided a reprieve from all of the mountain climbing intensity. There was some backstory with each character that affected the romance, but it was given in bits and pieces. I'm not sure if some of the characters had parts in other books, or if we'll just learn more as we go through the series. I'm really looking forward to the next book!

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in order to give my honest opinion, which I did.**

What a read! I could almost see my breath in front of my face, when I remembered to breathe.

We spend much of this book stranded on an icy mountain, and I could feel the cold. Such great descriptions. Susie took us into the minds of both rescuers and climbers. I learned some of their jargon. The story was well researched. I also felt the fear of the stranded climbers.

As usual, we got more than one love story, and I enjoyed that. One of the themes was bravery, of course. Other themes included having a new heart, finding grace, finally being free, and discovering God’s goodness. These were relatable, and as the characters reached toward them, I both rooted for them and sympathized with them.

The romantic, why-not issue seemed insurmountable between the primary MCs (main characters), which kept me hooked. The female characters were doctors or psychologists—great careers. And this led to strong conflict when their training alone couldn’t save them, nor leave them exempt from physical or mental health problems.

I enjoy Susie’s writing, book after book. I would like to see a variety of character voices. Most of the time, they each have the same voice, even in their introspection—both genders. But that element doesn’t keep me from reading her novels as soon as they come out.

With two of the characters, especially, Susie set us up for her the second in this series. We’ll be off on another suspenseful, adventurous rescue. Can't wait!

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, edge-of-your-icy-seat read—this is it.

Highly recommended!

The Way of the Brave was written by Susan May Warren, and is book one in the Global Search and Rescue series.
Summary: Jenny Calhoun needs a win. She struggles every day with guilt over a military mission gone wrong, and the lives that were destroyed as a result.
The only thing that truly makes her feel free from her past mistakes is climbing mountains. But when her girls’ trip to Denali goes wrong, she might have finally made a decision she can’t live with.
Orion Starr is through with rescuing people. He did his duty as a military pararescue jumper, and now he just wants to hunker down in his Alaskan home, climb mountains, and keep to himself.
But, when he hears three women are lost on the mountain with little chance of survival, he knows he has to step in and help.
Will he and his team get there in time?
My Thoughts: I really liked this book. It is actually more like three books in one with the military backstory, the attempted rescue, and the ensuing results. The action is non-stop, with some romance thrown in-which is one of my favorite types of books.
There are very interesting characters, and a great sub-plot about learning how to rely on God when dealing with your past.
I also like how this story has tons of potential for additional story lines with each of the individual characters.
I am definitely looking forward to reading more in this series.
This is a great beginning to a fun new action/adventure/military series, and is definitely worth the read-I recommend it.
I would like to thank Revell for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

I am a Susan May Warren FAN! I just plowed through another series of hers and couldn’t wait to pick this up. Now I can’t decide if I’m mad at myself for not waiting for all of the books to be out or thrilled that this first book in the series is as equally captivating as my first reading experience with Warren’s stories.

Orion Starr is a hero in hiding, plagued by a mission gone terribly wrong. Jenny Calhoun is the CIA profiler that put the mission into motion, and the guilt has kept her running to the next highest mountain, literally. When she and her friends climb a dangerous mountain, just to prove they can, everything goes wrong. They are soon in a race for their lives. Starr, the forever hero at heart, comes in to save them, but can Jenny carry the guilt of letting him rescue her, when she almost killed him? They both wrestle their painful pasts to help everyone get down the mountain, hopefully alive.

Way of the Brave is one of those books that will keep you hooked until the very end. Warren has masterfully and in great detail described a world that I know nothing about without making it tedious. The research and care she put into describing the life of a climber really added to the intensity of the story. You hang on every word through the intensity of each new challenge the teams face. You won’t know how this one will play out until the very end. The end closed a chapter and left me feeling satisfied, but also desperately craving the next book for more adventures from these characters.

Overall, this was a pretty good book. It was kind of dragging in places when it seemed like they were on the mountain forever and nothing was happening and there seemed to be no relief in sight. The message of the book of not letting your past define you and allowing God to define your future was great!

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it.

Susan May Warren's latest series, Global Search and Rescue, starts off with a bang. The Way of the Brave will introduce you to Orion Starr and Jenny Calhoun. Orion, a pararescue jumper, amd Jenny, a CIA profiler and a psychiatrist, initially meet through their work with the US military overseas. Once back in the states, Orion and Jenny surprisingly run into each other again. Jenny and her girlfriends have decided to attempt climbing Mt. Denali, in Orion's backyard, Alaska. Unfortunately for Jenny and Orion, they are both carrying deep hurts from the last time they meet!

This tale is full of action, page after page. I could not put the book down until I learned what happened to these women. The situations that arise will make you think twice about ever attempting such a feat. In typical Susan May Warren style, she leaves a tip about the next books in this series that will have you hooked to keep reading!

I received this e-book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Story Line: 5 Stars
Depth: 5 Stars
Faith: 5 Stars
Love Story: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars


Can you keep a secret? We confess Susan May Warren is one of our favorite authors; in fact, we refer to her as the master! We highly anticipate each new release of her books and are rarely disappointed. She captures our attention from the first page, her stories sweep us away, and her writing is flawless. Susan's newest book, The Way of the Brave, was no exception. We thoroughly enjoyed it and eagerly anticipate book 2 already!

Orion Starr, former pararescue jumper is living - or should we say hiding? - in Alaska after a rescue gone terribly wrong in Afghanistan. As he lives with the pain of the past he can't help but wonder what went wrong, and why it ended with not only losing friends but also a woman he was falling hard for. Will he ever get answers?

When a former Navy Seal, Hamilton Jones, asks Orion to join his elite global rescue team, Orion claims his rescue days are over. But when a group of mountain climbers - including the girl from his past - becomes stranded on Denali, Orion can't help himself.

Former CIA profiler and psychiatrist Jenny Calhoun lives each day trying to push the past away, and can't seem to escape the guilt of what went wrong in Afghanistan. As she decides to climb Denali with two friends on their annual adventure together, little does she know her past is about to catch up with her.

Susan does a phenomenal job capturing our hearts with these new characters. The amount of depth and "realness" she adds to her stories always leave us impressed. Get ready for a fast paced, adventure filled, redemptive story on the highest mountain in America. Why not 5 stars? Susan adds in a lot of climbing lingo, leaving us a bit lost at times - but still an excellent story and a joy getting to know the people filling the pages.

this book was hard to follow. All of the climbing rig references and bouncing back and forth to the past and present made if hard for me to keep track. Jacie was CIA and something happened in Afghanistan will a group of seals and parajumpers. Orion's unit lost two men because of something Jacie did and now she has tried to forget him. As circumstances happen they end up at the same place climbing different parts of a mountain and another tragedy has happened.

Danger abounds in this new Global Search and Rescue series by Susan May Warren! Three women set out to climb Denali in an effort to prove they are stronger than they know! They have not planned on a white out or other dangers they end up facing! These women learn to face their pasts when they are lost and injured on the side of Denali! Orion Starr is a former pararescue jumper with the SEALS and is determined to rescue the woman he fell in love with 3 years ago but he ends up injured himself! You'll learn much about ice climbing! The Way of the Brave kept me on edge from beginning to end! If you like reading about outdoor danger, this is the book for you! I received a complimentary e-book through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

I'm a huge fan of Susan May Warren's novels, so it's no surprise that this book automatically made it on to my want-to-read shelf. ;) I enjoyed this introduction to a new series and the characters were great.

It took me a little bit to get into the story, but towards the end I had a difficult time putting it down and am SO eager to read the next one. I can't wait to see what happens with THOSE characters. Lol!

The Way of the Brave had so many intense moments. I found the pacing to be fast from the middle point of the story on. The romance was pretty good, although I wasn't a huge fan of it for some reason. Also, I did have a little difficultly keeping the characters straight at first.

All in all, though, the ending was fantastic and I really liked the story. As I said, I'm looking forward to the next book.


*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Orion Starr never thought he would see Jacie again after a disaster that happened to them in Afghanistan. Nor did he think he would be back rescuing people, but when he learns that Jacie and a group friends, who are climbing Mount Denali, get caught in a big storm and off trail, he doesn’t hesitate to go after them. Will him and his rescue team find them and bring them back to safety? Will he learn that God has not abandon him in his darkest times?
Susan May Warren writes a suspenseful, romantic page turner that will leave you wanting more.
I graciously received an advance e-copy from netgalley for review. All opinions are my own.

A gripping adventure that reels you in from the start.
It's been a while since I read a book by Susan May Warren but she's an auto buy author because I know once I get to read her books I'd enjoy every minute of it and this was no exception.
The thrills, the dangers involved in mountain climbing, the details, the romance. It all blended together beautifully.
Orion and Jenny are bound by a past in Afghanistan and the memories from that period haunt them dearly. They struggle through all these trying to understand why certain things have happened but also running away from the memories that seem to hold them bound. I loved their journeys of faith. They questioned everything and especially why if God is there why should bad things happen to good people. But we remember that God is sovereign and we live in a fallen world where unfortunately these things cannot be prevented. It doesn't make God less of who He is. I love how they finally learned to surrender and let Him take control.
It was also exciting to see the way the characters blended together from different stories without any confusion.
This was an exciting start to a new series and I'd definitely be looking forward to the next one.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are solely mine

The story is filled with adventure as the author takes us into a world of danger and intrigue. I loved getting to know Orion. He had the characteristics of a moody, unhappy yet brave personality. He can’t forgive himself for something that happened in the past.

Jenny reminds me of a daredevil who holds a secret that is controlling her life. When the pair team up, the action starts and emotions flow into an explosive journey. I absolutely loved reading about Alaska. It was easy to visualize the area with details the author provides. The author never disappoints with stories that weave faith throughout as we sit on the edge of our seat as daring rescues keep the characters busy.

I liked reading about mountain climbing and appreciated how people put their lives on the line to save others. I can’t imagine dangling from a rope as they use their skills to rescue others. Get ready for a super charged action filled story that will make you want to read as fast as you can to see what happens.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing Blogger Program. The review is my own opinion.

This is a wonderful suspenseful story that takes place on the mountains of Alaska. I definitely do not wish to ever go mountain climbing. This has great descriptions of the mountains and I am really afraid of heights. I would not like the cold either. The characters in this story are fantastic and I look forward to learning more about them in the next books in the series. Orion and Jenny learn many lessons while living through many trials. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

The Way of the Brave has quite possibly been my favorite book I have read so far in 2020. Susan May Warren packs such intensity, suspense, action, and mystery into her writing, making it impossible for the reader to put down her books for long.  I have read other of Ms. Warren's works, but I definitely enjoyed The Way of the Brave the most of her writings so far. This book is entertaining, with the comedic personalities, the tragic backstories, the fight of man versus nature, as well as the great characters and conflicts faced by the characters.
I absolutely love this book and especially connected to the main characters: Orion Starr and Jenny Calhoun.  Orion Starr is a "retired" pararescue jumper with a deep sense of pain, a physical, mental, and emotional result of his past failures in a failed rescue attempt. Orion is a rescuer at heart, but has become something of a recluse, hiding away in Alaska and refusing the call to duty. Even his friend's begging him to join the elite rescue team in the rugged mountains of Alaska does not sway Orion. The deserts of Afghanistan haunt Orion for more than one reason. Jacie, the one woman Orion truly loved and opened his heart to disappeared at the same time as his injury and the tragic situation his team was involved in.

Jenny Calhoun has a very interesting past as a CIA profiler, yet because of the guilt and terror of her past, she pushes herself to greater extreme physical challenges.  This year Jenny and her two closest friends are tackling the extremely technical challenge of ascending Mount Denali in Alaska.  In her day to day work as a psychologist Jenny helps others face their struggles, especially PTSD, yet she has her own struggle with her PTSD, panic attacks, and past actions.  When she and her friends get to Alaska to start their journey, she is shocked to see a very familiar face...Orion Starr.

When Orion joins his friends for a climb on Mount Denali and attends a local party, he comes face to face with his past in the familiar face of Jacie. He is shocked when she seems not to remember him, but is even more disoriented to overhear others call her by the name of Jenny.  How could the fun-loving, beautiful, blonde reporter he once called Jacie be the same person before him?  He overhears from his friends that Jacie or Jenny and her friends are climbing Mount Denali.
After a strong storm and avalanche which Orion and his friends survive, they get the call that there are several lost climbers, including Jenny and her group. Not knowing where the lost climbers are or even if they are alive. Orion and his friends decide to do what they were born to---rescue.  Deadly situations follow them in their journey, leading to great harm, precarious situations, extreme cold, dangerous weather, falls, and so much more suspenseful plot twists. Will Orion and his friends be able to save Jenny and her friends? Will Jenny and Orion be able to clear their past issues and work together to survive? Will the whole group make it out alive? I guess you will just have to read it to find out! ;) 

This book was full of stunning descriptions, both of beautiful and breathtaking scenes in nature as well as of the dangers faced in the frigid and wild mountains of Alaska. I was captivated by The Way of the Brave  by Susan May Warren and I hope that you have the opportunity to read it as well. Happy reading!

Disclaimer: Revell  graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.

I like the action in this author's books. The main character use to be first on the scene helping others until sidelined with an injury. He wants to withdraw from everyone but finds his skills necessary. I liked how he was finally able to overcome his needs for the needs of others. He is working with Jenny who has more of a connections to him that he first knows. This story really showcases forgiveness and the willingness to put others above yourself to do what has to be done for the greater good.
I received a copy of the book to read, the review is mine.