Another breathtaking romantic suspense novel from Susan May Warren. If the first book in this series took readers to Alaska, Sunburst is a celebration of Nigeria. From escaping terrorists to outrunning men intent on revenge, Nigerian weddings, secrets and a romance revived, Sunburst is the perfect mix of romance and action.

Ranger Kingston, former Navy SEAL, is on a mission in Africa to rescue his brother Colt. It’s the very last place he expects to find the woman who ran away with his heart. In the group of hostages is none other than Noemi Sutton. As they work together to escape capture and journey home, Noemi and Ranger have the time to work through what kept them apart all those years ago.

Warren pens such a captivating and engaging story. You won’t want to miss a moment of this thrilling book - neither the romance or the action.

We have some awesome romance tropes in this book - like a pretend marriage that quickly turns into a wedding. When Noemi poses as Ranger’s wife to keep him safe, she doesn’t realise her uncle will arrive on the scene and decide to throw them a proper Nigerian wedding. Ranger and Noemi go along with it. They say it’s to keep up their ruse and keep each other safe, but it is clear to the reader just how much they love each other and how scared they both are to share this love. Of course, the wedding is just the first step and by no means the end of the story. There are bombs to survive, terrorists to outrun, deadly plagues to decode and secrets that still sit between them. And chemistry. There is loads and loads of chemistry to wade through. A few kisses as well.

As book two in this series, the ending gives us a nice hook for book three, which will continue the overarching story thread that started in book one, and this delightful series about the Kingston men and the women they fall in love with.

I loved that this book gave us some character diversity (a black female main character!!!) which is so often missing in Christian fiction.

I can’t wait to continue this series with book three releasing later this year.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

What a pleasant surprise to see this book start with a bang thanks to the delightful heroine who caught not only our attention but also that of the military man determined not to pay attention to women. I loved the premise of this story and Susan May Warren kept rewarding me all the way through with her beautiful portrayal of Noemi and the people of Nigeria. This was suspense with romance but written with a deeper layer exploring real-world issues on a faraway continent, which was a much-appreciated change from the many great stories set Stateside.

Noemi and a girl she is trying to help are kidnapped in Nigeria, and Ranger may be able to save them--but only if he and Noemi pose as a married couple. This charade becomes real when the situation grows more complicated, and the reader will want to stay up way too late to find out if this marriage of convenience can become deep, sincere love.

I did a review on Amazon and Goodreads as I had ordered this book. One author that is automatically ordered. From Nigeria to Alaska the action and romance kept me up too late and the tension high.
I look forward to the next one in this series. I love the brothers and the tangles of their lives. Highly recommended.

Susan May Warren has a knack for drawing me into her stories, and holding me there, well past the last page, always eagerly awaing the next book.
This was no different. I loved this book so much, and I cannot wait for the next one.

I highly recommend this book to anyone.

Ranger met the woman of his dreams four years ago, but declared their relationship a mistake. When he forms part of a team to rescue his brother Colt and those with him, the last thing he expected was to find Noemi among the group being rescued. But when the escape goes wrong, they're left to fend for themselves - and when Noemi goes to her relatives to ask for help, the pair end up going through a Nigerian marriage ceremony. There are moments when each wants to make their marriage real, but is it too much of a risk? And Noemi's captors seem determined to come after them - will the pair escape alive anyway? And why do they want her so much?

This was more of a cliffhanger than book 1, which was a bit disappointing - there were various questions about Noemi that haven't yet been answered, and we also see more of 'Jane Doe' from book 1, which is left very much up in the air at the end. So be aware that you'll need to also buy book 3 to get the full story (book 1 is good for background but more of a standalone - of course, it's definitely worth a read in its own right). However, despite the loose threads, this is a great story, with characters to care about, an unusual and fascinating setting for the part of the book set in Nigeria, and well-managed suspense. I was hooked from the start and found the book hard to put down. Looking forward to seeing more of the Kingstons in future, especially Colt. Recommended.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

So, I devoured this story.
Like, my fork was half way to my mouth before I realized my plate was empty.

I was reading Sunburst on a Kindle and was so immersed in the story that I didn't even realize that I had reached the end! I mean, usually I can tell by how many pages I have left what might happen. But really, Susan! You had me engrossed in this story so much and you left me wanting more. I am SO thankful that Baker is releasing your next series later this year and not 12 months from now.

Type of Book: Contemporary military(ish) Christian fiction

Overall: I really liked this story. It's my favorite so far in the series. I had a couple questions when reading the final, climactic scene in the book but it wasn't so much that it took away from the whole story--obviously, as my previous statements say. I was completely enraptured and only thought about these questions after I'd finished and was processing the read.

Theme: The theme I caught: working out the believable lie that "God isn't with me, he's with the good people around me."

Favorite quotes: "The answer is because every time my world gets darker, I see God more."
"'Noemi Emuvoke Sutton. You drive me crazy.' ...'You do know that the only easy day was yesterday, right?' 'I have that sense, yes.'" (Love this scene--but you'll have to read the book to find it the entire interaction in this scene.)

Overall: Great characters. A fast-paced storyline. Interesting plot line. The benefit of having a story the arcs over three novels is that you get one great story with three sub-stories which enables the author to go a little deeper into character's lives without it seeming unrealistic that "all this stuff keeps happening to these people?" This is a series I will have on my bookshelf.

Bookshelf worthy? For sure.

Teenability: I'd give this a 3.8 of 5.0 for romance. I think there are a couple scenes my younger teen girl would skip over but there isn't an overwhelming amount of it. It reads just right for the characters in context and reads fine for older teens. I think it gives the feel for what it's like to want someone but have the strength and honor to not follow through with physical longings just because it feels good. I really appreciated the strength of character Ranger has and pray my sons respect the same way. We need good examples, even in fiction, of what to do in the battle of what feels good/what we want vs what the right move is.

Book: Sunburst
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Series: Sky King Ranch book 2
Author: Susan May Warren
Publisher: Revell
Pub date: June 07, 2022
Thank you Revell and Netgalley for the advance copy read. The opinions here are my honest thoughts.

Wow, what a suspenseful and wild ride! This is book 2 in the Sky King Ranch series and it was full of suspense, action, adventure, and romance all tied into one great read! 4.5 stars! This was SO close to 5 for me!

This is the second Susan May Warren novel I have read, with book 1 in this series being the 1st. She is a new favorite author, and I can’t wait for the next book in the Series, Sundown, to release in November this year!

Sunburst is the story of former Navy SEAL (and bachelor) Ranger Kingston and Noemi Sutton. While their relationship was short lived for 2 weeks in Florida and they didn’t expect to see each other again, what they go through in Nigeria brings them closer than close and realizing this is a relationship for the long haul. Ranger goes to Nigeria trying to save his brother Colt from terrorists, but quickly realizes Noemi was also taken hostage and everything takes off from there – trying to escape Nigeria alive.

This book is so engaging for readers – it keeps you on the edge of your seat from the very beginning with the hostage situation all the way through trying to escape and even in the aftermath. The romance was very complex – we see glimpses of their 2 week relationship together and why they were no longer together.

The only reasons I gave this 4.5 instead of 5: I was frustrated at times with the “will they” or “won’t they” thing. Additionally, I am not always a fan of the "just met, dated a couple weeks, falling in love" thing, but honestly, I forgave it because they literally went through SO much in Nigeria and afterwards that I see why they fell in love so fast. They are so protective and strong with each other - it's amazing.

I also can’t leave out how amazing the setting and culture was in this story. The wedding, food, scenery and characters were all beautiful and full of depth.

As far as Faith content, this has some great points. Both main characters struggle with their faith journey in a very realistic way and God continued to be with them throughout it all. I also LOVE the faith discussions at the end.

The ending to this was also so STRONG! So much happened! I was turning pages so fast and on the edge of my seat and it ending on another cliffhanger -- dying for the next book!

Thank you to Revell and NetGalley for providing a free advanced reader copy for me to honestly read and review. I am so grateful to have read this book and can't wait for the next one. I have discussed this book in a recent reading vlog on my YouTube channel BookLoverAmanda and will be discussing more in my June 2022 Reading Wrap Up video when I post in early July. I will also post a review to Amazon and Goodreads.

Romantic suspense anyone? It's one of my favorite genres and this author does it really well. Sunburst is book two in this series that really needs to be read in order. Each book builds on the storyline with the main focus shifting to different characters. Just trust me and read this series in order. 😉

Right out of the gate we are thrust right into a dangerous hostage situation. Well, first the prologue, which was very sweet and set things up romantically between Ranger and Noemi. Then the dangerous situation. It started in Africa and ended in Alaska, if you can imagine that. The danger is pretty much a constant in this book as you start to feel the plot and the "bad guys" converging. I love that we still have the whole Kingston family starring in this even as Ranger is in the spotlight. Ranger. So tough. So tortured by things past and present. So honorable. I loved him. Of course I did.

Noemi? Probably equally as tough as Ranger. She's definitely no stranger to loss and hurt yet she doesn't give up. I loved the glimpse into the heritage and tradition of Nigerians. It was so interesting.

I loved the momentum of this book because it just didn't let up. It was either run for you life or emotional connections and that kept me invested the whole way through. This book ends in an emotionally satisfying way for Ranger and Noemi but in a plot hanger, if you know what I mean. The plot is still ongoing and I can only hope that these Kingston brothers can stay alive to see it all to the end! They are smack dab in the middle of a very dangerous game. I'm SO looking forward to the next book!! Now to bring my heartrate back to normal. . .

Content: peril, violence, death. Christian elements. Kissing.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I am always so excited when I see Susan May Warren has a new book out and I can start reading it. I shouldn't be surprised I enjoyed it so much . But seriously this one just has to be her best yet!
Once I start reading a book by her everything else just disappears and it's total concentration on the book.
This is the second book in the Sky King Ranch series and I already feel as though I know all the personalities of the characters . This one is former Navy Seal Ranger Kingston,who is a lifelong bachelor and Nigerian woman Noemi Sutton's story.
Terrorist in Nigeria have Ranger's brother Colt hostage and as he attempts to rescue him he lays eyes on another hostage a beautiful woman from his past that he could never get out of his mind,Noemi.
Escaping from Nigeria with their lives intact will take every possible move this former Seal has learned. This book provides nonstop exciting action to get out of many perilous situations.
I really enjoyed learning about the Nigerian culture,foods,customs,languages and descriptions of the area .
So many , how can they get out of that situation moments.
With the danger Noemi has following her is it possible for their marriage of convenience to actually turn into the real thing before one of them gets hurt? Contains faith based messages that she weaves into all of her books.
Excellent! Highly Recommended!

Pub Date 07 Jun 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Sunburst is a contemporary novel written by Susan May Warren. It is book two in the Sky King Ranch series. It is not necessary to have read book one in order to read this one.

Summary: Noemi Sutton and her colleagues are going to die. Kidnapped by African mercenaries, Noemi is desperate to escape, but any attempt would have deadly consequences for those she leaves behind.

Ranger Kingston is on a rescue mission to save his brother. But the mission takes an unexpected turn when one of the hostages turns out to be the woman who broke his heart so long ago.

When the rescue doesn’t go quite as planned, Ranger and Noemi find themselves on the run together. Can they escape Nigeria- all while dodging mercenaries, crooks, wild animals, and the feelings they still have for each other?

My Thoughts: I did enjoy this book. I liked the characters, and the book is filled with chase scenes, narrow escapes, gun fights, and more-which I do really like.

However, I will say this book has a pretty unbelievable premise, and quite a few coincidences are involved to make the story work.

If you can get past all of that, and just want to enjoy it for the action-packed thrill ride that it is, it will still be a good read for you.

I am planning to read more from this series, but I might not look too closely at the plot line, and just enjoy the books for what they are.

I would like to thank Revell for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you.

Review posted via. GoodReads
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4805024293
Another Well Written Book From Susan May Warren!
Noemi Sutton is in Nigeria when she comes across a young girl alone. Noemi and the group she is with try to help the girl locate her family but are taken, hostage. Ranger Kingston is a former Navy Seal. When he comes to save his brother who has been taken hostage, he finds the woman who broke his heart in that group. Noemi and Ranger escape, but with enemies on their trail, the two must work together and also fake a marriage to survive.

What a great read! I quickly found myself holding my breath along with the characters. This book is a part of a series but can be read as a standalone. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and eagerly await the next in the series! I would absolutely recommend this book to family and friends.

A fantastic page-turner of a story! These characters are likeable and relatable. The story takes off from page one and keeps you hooked until the end...if fact, there's a bit of a cliff hanger, so you'll want to pick up book #3 as soon as it's available! Ranger is a fantastic hero! He's strong but vulnerable, hunky but sensitive, capable but humble. One of my favorite parts of the story is the banter between the hero and heroine. They have a really sweet relationship that I enjoyed following! A great read for any romance/romantic suspense lover!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I couldn’t put this book down. The layers of action, suspense, humor and chemistry between the main characters made for a highly engaging book. Susan has an amazing way of weaving back story in and out of the book, giving the reader an acute sense of the deep hurts driving the characters. And I love how she allows their faith to grow authentically in the middle of their struggle.

Lastly, as a Nigerian-American, I appreciate the beautiful and honoring way she wrote the scenes and family members in Nigeria. It made me nostalgic for some of my childhood memories and the food I grew up with! Looking forward to the next book in this series!

This was a great Christian story. From a hostage story to a love story. Noemi was taken hostage with this other girl named blessing. Noemi stayed with Ranger who took her hostage at first to protect blessing to get them. Both out of harms ways. Noemi eventually fell in love with Ranger as they got closer this story shows if you really worrk.at getting along everything will work out right.

What a story and in two of my absolutely favorite settings—the lush, deep forests of Africa, with its tall locust bean trees and replete with all manner of wild baboons, monkeys, jaguars, and the lethal black mamba (EEK!)—to beautiful Alaska with its beautiful wildflowers and snow-capped mountains!

I absolutely adored these heroic Kingstons...there's just something special about a series that's comprised of brothers—their camaraderie, amusing back and forth quips, arguments, and love—always that first and foremost. The relationship between tough as nails, beautiful Noemi Sutton and former Navy Seal, Ranger Kingston is well...let's just say complicated. When the two are forced into a traditional Nigerian wedding the big question of the day is "Do Nigerian weddings count?"

A beautifully written novel filled with danger, excitement, romance, and humor...be sure to find out for yourself why everyone is buzzing with excitement about Susan May Warren's 'Sunburst'!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book via NetGalley from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.*

I loved the first book in this series, and now, I also love this one.
Susan May Warren writes action and adventure as few other writers out there can do, and this one is no exception!
This is Ranger's story. This one takes us across the globe, to Nigeria. I just love the fact that the author made it authentic to Nigeria, and those details are part of what really makes this story shine.
Navy SEAL action. Intensity. Danger. And so much more. I do recommend that you go read the first book in this series before reading this one, I think everything makes more sense that way. But I think it could also stand on its own.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves SMW novels, and especially to those who like her suspense.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

What a fun way for the author to give her new daughter-in-law the wedding she dreamed of as she couldn't have it because of the pandemic--awesome intoduction to a great novel filled with fast paced suspense. This is another wonderful story from a master's mind. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

“I will find you.”

Ranger has this “I will always find you” love for Noemi that will capture your heart!

Adventure and romance in a story with so much heart you’ll be begging for the next book, Warren delivers a beautiful story with international flavor. From the African plains to the wilds of Alaska, she delivers nonstop intrigue in a multilayered story that I am thoroughly enjoying. Warren’s love for other cultures really shines in this novel. I love the focus on Nigerian food, family and traditions. I bet you’re wondering how that relates to Alaska, but you’ll just have to read it to see. You won’t be disappointed!

“Oh boy. Clearly, the only thing he was here to protect was his heart.”

Then there is the slow burn romance that was just so beautiful! Range and Noemi are perfectly paired, but neither can quite grasp a long term relationship due to their own reasons that are well developed throughout the book. I really loved both their personalities and look forward to reading more about them in the next part of the series. Warren draws them out with a light spiritual thread that was inspiring, too.

“But will we trust God only when things go the way we want? The verse says to fear no evil for God is with you.”

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and have been given honestly.

I was excited to jump into another thrilling adventure I’ve come to expect and love by this author. This second installment of the Sky King Ranch series focuses on Ranger Kingston, a Navy SEAL and Noemi Sutton, a Navy SEAL’s daughter. Action explodes from the start, with flashbacks of when Ranger and Noemi first met on vacation in Key West. Noemi tells a friend they had a…“Fast and Furious vacation relationship.”

I loved how the author weaves in well-timed humor amongst the high-stakes situation; for example, when Colt asks his fellow prisoner, “What’s on the dinner menu? Answer, “A nice T-bone, and she then held up a spoonful of rice. He opened his mouth and let her feed him. He says, “Needs salt.” She replies, “I’ll tell the chef.”

I liked the authors’ note to the reader as it gives a peek into her son Peter and his new bride. The author says, …“Because of the pandemic, we weren’t able to attend their wedding In Italy…This story is my way of giving her the wedding she always dreamed of and to honor the culture we are so blessed to be invited into via her family.”

Noemi is a strong, determined young lady with a target on her back. Why were they after her. Ranger was a man determined to accomplish his goal. He was taught to stuff his feelings, they only got in the way of the mission. But Noemi got under his skin, and he didn’t know what to do about it. He thought he’d never see her again after Key West. But here they were running for their lives, again.

I enjoyed the family drama, and the comradery of the father, the three brothers, and their spouses. This is a nail-biting adventure that takes you to surprising places and keeps you on the edge of your seat as the author whisks readers from Key West, Nigeria, and to Alaska. It’s a wonderful escapade filled with family drama and complicated situations. Loved it. Oh, and if you were looking forward to finding out about the mystery woman, Jane Doe, not in this story. Readers get a peek just like they did in book one. I look forward to knowing more of who she is and what she is running from. This is a great escape and one that will create quite a stir as your book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher/. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

BookReview: SUNBURST by Susan May Warren

Have you read Sunrise, the first book in the Sky King Ranch series? I suggest you read it but I think that Sunburst can still be read as a stand alone. It’s a five star read for me with all the suspense, action, romance and family dynamics in one amazing book. I enjoyed the Kingston brothers together. I love the faith filled conversations with their father. I wanted their talks to go on and on. It was enlightening.

Noemi was a brave woman. She was too impulsive at times but it brings up more suspense in the story. Ranger and Noemi's romance was sweet even when they were hanging on for dear life.

The African setting was neat. I had to pull up the map to imagine where they were. The Nigerian wedding preparations and actual wedding were a nice touch. It was different and interesting at the the same time.

There’s a mystery that connects the two books and I can’t wait for book three. I highly recommend this series.

Rating: 5 stars
Series: Sky King Ranch #2
Pub Date: June 7, 2022

Thank you Revell for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.