The Heart of a Hero by Susan May Warren
This book is so aptly named. Because if Jake Silver isn’t a hero than I have no idea who is, I mean he is almost a super hero. And boy does he have heart! And this is a story all about heart, physical and spiritual.
But maybe because of who he is, Jake Silver has trouble believing that after all the things he has done as a Navy Seal that he can be forgiven by God - because he can’t forgive himself.
Aria Sinclair is a top surgeon still struggling with the fact that her twin died and gave Aria her heart. She is also a hero as she constantly gives of herself and tries to be worthy of this gift.
I thought Susan May Warren couldn’t write a book with more action and adventure than the last one – but she definitely has in this one.
But the one thing I truly appreciate about her books is that the story of redemption and salvation are clearly communicated as God’s will for our lives. Her characters are deep and she writes so you feel their pain and see their path to wholeness and God’s love.
One truth that I loved from the book is this one. “Forgiveness is a moving target. You have to find it and tell yourself the truth every day, as declared in God’s word. You are forgiven. Nothing can separate you from God’s love.”
Well, and these too:
“You know what a hero is? It's someone who does the hard thing despite the costs.”
“If you’re looking for a hero, you don’t have to look farther than Jesus.”

Highly recommended!

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley but these opinions are all my own.

3.5 Stars
I wanted to like this one. I really did. It started off strong, then got a little blah, then strong again in Key West, then blah again. I’m very disappointed with this one. Not at all what I was expecting. Maybe just me though.

Susan May Warren has written another great, action packed, edge of your seat book that is hard to put down until you finish it! Heart of a Hero is the second book in the Global Search and Rescue Series.

Jake Silver, a formal navy seal is a great man that is always stepping into dangerous situations to rescue others He has some things from his past that haunt him and he has a hard time forgiving himself.

Dr. Aria Sinclair is a surgeon who struggles with the fact that her twin sister died, giving Aria her heart in order for her to live

We met and fell in love with Jake and Aria in book one when Jake rescued Aria from an Alaskan Mountaintop. I could not wait to hear their story and it does not disappoint. This time Jake chases after Aria when he hears a in CAT 5 hurricane is headed toward the island where Aria is at a conference.
This book is full of suspense, pain and healing as Jake and Aria and other stranded hurricane victims learn to lean on God and learn great lessons in forgiveness.

I highly recommend this book and look forward to Book 3!
I thank Revell Publishing and Net Galley for allowing me to read and review this book and give my own opinions.

A thrilling adventure romance which features a cardiac surgeon who encounters an ex Army SEAL when he rescues her from a mountainside. Their lives will never be the same again. Add into the mix mutual friends, a quest for a lost wife and a hurricane in Florida and you are in for a thrilling ride. The book has a good moral compass but is not too overtly religious. I really enjoyed this romantic tale.

'You know what a hero is? It's someone who does the hard thing despite the costs.'

Susan May Warren just cannot write a bad book. She can't even write a mediocre one. Her books move me more than I have words adequate to describe. They are powerful, moving and so spiritually nourishing.


'SEAL Jake was lethal, fierce, and willing to do whatever it took to protect her.'

This is the 2nd book in Warren's Global Search and Rescue series and it is Jake Silver and Aria's story. Two people w ho never feel they are enough, but must rely on God to get them through a Cat 5 hurricane and the dangers the aftermath brings.

'Panic comes when we stop believing God is good. Or that God is sovereign.'

Susan May Warren has the unique ability to create characters that just jump off the page in your heart and you soon find yourself forgetting that they are fictional people. They are just that real. And full of emotions that the reader can relate to. Not just a fantasy world populated by make believe characters. This is a story that proves to the believer that God's plan is for us to accept not only His forgiveness, but our own, to let Him wash us clean, chosen as beloved. I do love this oh so important aspect of a Warren book. She takes us to church and we find spiritual lessons that we can apply to our lives. Reading a Susan May Warren novel is not just a great way to entertain yourself for a few hours or however long it takes you to read the book. It is an experience that lives in your heart long after you close the book. Well done! Very highly recommended.

*My thanks to Revell Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley.

So before reading this book I had no idea that there was a subgenre of romance that was Christian-Romantic-Suspense. Who knew? I honestly wouldn't think that the two would work together - but this book made it work. As always, I will say that Christian Romance really isn't my thing - I didn't realize this book would have strong Christian themes when I picked it up.

Overall, I enjoyed it even though it wasn't 100% my cup of tea. Jake is a former Navy Seal who is now working with a global search and rescue team. He is definitely a good guy and, even with his baggage, a true hero. Aria is a periatric cardiothoracic surgeon who is at the top of her field. She has a complicated history as well and really needs to plan less exciting vacations!

A lot of stuff happens in this book - and it very much keeps you on the edge of your seat. There are some aspects that challenged my ability to suspend disbelief - but I still liked it. I would be interested in seeing where the series goes and what happens with a lot of the characters.

For example, I don't think we've seen the last of Angel and I definitely am interested to see what happens with Jake's other sisters.

Overall a solid book that I wasn't expecting!

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley but these opinions are all my own.

The Heart of a Hero was a book I wanted to enjoy but it was so far fetched. Living in the South, there’s no way a person would not know a hurricane was headed straight toward their location within 24 hours of the storm. Then the ending for the novel, at the mall, (which I won’t spoil) seemed a little out there as well. Susan May Warren is, no doubt, a great author. But this book just wasn’t one I enjoyed.

I couldn't put this book down. It was the right blend of poignancy and action. The Ham subplot was a great addition and it really made Jake shine--it revealed the kind of man he truly is. I love stories with military heroes-- in real life, so much is expected of them. These fictional versions reflect some of their real-life struggles. How does one cope with killing? What happens when the rules of engagement are utilized and still result in tragedy? How does one settle back into "normal" life after the experiences of war? What about doctors, who similarly are put into untenable situations sometimes? When it feels like the power of life and death is in the hands of humans, we must fall back on the sovereignty of the Lord. Susan May Warren is a master at pulling the reader into her novels and "The Heart of a Hero" is no different. I loved every minute of, from the first page to the last.

This is the second book in the new Global Search and Rescue series and this story follows Jake Silver. Jake is a former Navy Seal and sniper that has joined Jones’ Inc rescue team. He was on the rescue team from the Denali team in book one and met Dr. Aria Sinclair and can’t get her out of his mind. Once he hears she is on a medical conference down in Key West and there is a hurricane heading her way, he jumps on a plane to rescue her again.

This is another great story from Warren in regards to an intense and suspenseful event where Jake and Aria have to survive from a hurricane, but also help those around them. This was another fantastic story and I’m glad I had a free afternoon where I could read this whole book since it was hard to put down!


**I have received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review**

I love how every book I've read by Susan May Warren, has drawn me in so completely. I actually gasped a few times because something took me by surprise.
I find it ironic that Aria thinks that Jake has a hero complex. That he'll put his life in danger to save others. That's exactly what she did. She risked her life to save a life of someone that she didn't even know. She puts everything she has into saving her patients every time. That is just one of the many reasons why they are so perfect for each other.

Had I have taken the time to read the book description for this book, there's a chance that I might have passed it over. To be honest, I have a pretty major phobia of storms and tend to avoid books/movies/TV shows in which that is a focus for that reason. And this story? It centers around a hurricane. Still, if Susan May Warren's name is on it, it immediately goes on my TBR, without ever reading the description at all! And I have no regrets... storm and all, I loved this book!

The Heart of a Hero is the second book in the Global Search and Rescue series. I would say that you probably COULD read this as a standalone, however, it really does pick up where the first book left off. I think readers will get the most out of the story if they read them in order and know the full backstory of the characters, and the events leading up to this book.

While we catch up a bit with all the characters from the previous book, this one focuses primarily on Aria and Jake. I absolutely loved their chemistry in the first book, and was excited to pick it back up in this one. If you read that one, you'll remember that they ended on rather rocky ground... and nothing has changed at the start of this one. Still, when Aria ends up in Key West, ill as a hurricane approaches, Jake jumps on a plane and goes to her aid...whether she wants it or not. This book was packed with so much action and adventure that it was tough to put down. I had to know what would happen next. While I enjoyed the first book in the series, for me, this one was even better! Susan May Warren is definitely in her sweet spot with the epic romance adventure!

The only bad thing about this book was the ending... and not because it ended badly, but because the story line that had been set up for book #3 (Ham's story) ended in a cliff hanger that left me wanting MORE. I cannot wait to read what happens next...

If you are already a Susan May Warren fan, this is certainly one you are going to want to check out ASAP. If not, I'm certain you will be after this one. It might just be the biggest adventure yet!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.