Happy Friday, my fellow readers! I’m so excited about the book I’m featuring for today’s edition of First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books! The Heart of a Hero, the second book in Susan May Warren’s Global Search and Rescue series, is coming out this Tuesday, June 2. This book is a great summer read – the perfect blend of high-stakes action and suspense with engaging characters. In other words, it’s quintessential Susan May Warren!

“In the daylight, Jake Silver wasn’t the devil.”

The Heart of a Hero by Susan May Warren

The Basics

Title: The Heart of a Hero

Author: Susan May Warren

Series: Global Search and Rescue (Book 2)

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance/Adventure

Publication Date: June 2, 2020

My Rating: 5/5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Jake Silver may not be able to put the memories of his time as a sniper and Navy SEAL behind him, but at least he can put his skills to use as a part of the Jones Inc. rescue team. Saving the life of pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Aria Sinclair on Denali helped too. But now he can’t get her out of his head.

Aria has dedicated her life to helping children born with defective hearts. After all, she was one of those children. Driven to succeed, she lives a lonely, stressful life. One she would have lost on Denali if it hadn’t been for Jake. Jake is exciting and handsome, but he’s also dangerous, and she’s already lost one person she loves. She can’t bear it again.

It’s not until she finds herself trapped in the middle of a Category 4 hurricane that she can admit she needs Jake desperately. With their very survival in the balance, can they hope for a second chance at life . . . and love?

My Thoughts

I know I say this every time I read a new Susan May Warren book, but I can’t believe how her stories keep getting better and better! This book continues Jake and Aria’s story that began in The Way of the Brave, so we were able to jump right into the story. And of course, the action starts right from the beginning and doesn’t let up!

Jake and Aria are thrust into yet another life-threatening situation, only weeks after they escaped an avalanche on Denali. Jake truly has the heart of a hero, as he rushes to find Aria the moment he thinks she’s in danger. The twists and turns keep coming, with danger lurking around every corner. Jake and Aria are both forced to come to terms with some hard truths about themselves and their pasts, as they work together to ride out the storm.

The internal challenges Jake and Aria face are just as intense as their external circumstances, as Warren blends her signature character development with heart-stopping action. I feel just as much like I’m inside Jake and Aria’s minds, feeling their pain and their joy, as I am in the middle of that hurricane in Key West. I also loved reading more about Jake’s family, especially Ellie – no one writes about family dynamics better! And after learning more of Ham’s story, and after that cliffhanger at the end…let’s just say October (and the release of The Price of Valor) can’t get here soon enough! This book (and series) is not to be missed!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.