(Alaska Air One Rescue Book 3)
Moose (Arlo) Mulligan’s biggest grief propelled him into the world of Search and Rescue. After years as a former Navy Rescue Chopper pilot, he returned home to start Air One Rescue—and made a name for himself. He loves his job, his life, and his routines…which include breakfast at the Skyport, at the table of Tillie Young. She’s sweet, and pretty, but Moose has no room in his life for anything more.
And then, Tillie shows up, beaten and desperate…and needs his help.
Tillie Young never thought her ex would track her to Alaska—but somehow he’s found her, and when he kidnaps her daughter, she’ll do anything to get her back. Even enlist help from her favorite grumpy rescuer at table three, Moose Mulligan.
But Moose is no match for a former MMA boxer, and possible child trafficker, right?
Maybe, maybe not, but he’s not going to let another child go missing on his watch. Worse—when Moose finds himself accused as the kidnapper, there’s no way back. Now, he must find the girl, keep Tillie safe and outwit a man fueled by revenge. It will take all of Moose’s Alaskan savvy to protect them, and keep them alive…but who is going to protect him from the love he never saw coming?
Set in the treacherous Alaskan backwoods, it’s a heart-pounding tale of survival, love, and the family Moose never anticipated.
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense
Availability: Susan May Warren
Tilly is a wonderfully complex character with a completely hidden side that the reader never suspects after her introduction as a simple waitress serving Moose his milkshakes, and in this sweet, kind role throughout the first two books, it’s easy to grow comfortable with Tilly. Book three comes in swinging, when Tilly’s story shakes up with a bit of history and complexity. Not just once or twice, but almost three times Tilly’s character brings surprise and intrigue, never imagined. It was a beautiful illustration of how all people come with complex backgrounds and sets of skills that aren’t dead, but dormant within us. Things we’ve chosen to let go of while we pursue what God sets before us. Her character becomes one of the most beautiful, slow-blooming realistic character arcs I’ve read in a while.
In the first two books, Moose started off as this sage advisor with tons of wisdom to dole out to the other characters. Because of this, I thought he’d be a boring character with little growth because he had already gained so much wisdom. But oh, the handling of his character was so well done. Like many people who are wise, there are always areas where pride steps in, and for Moose, he developed a savior complex. He battled with God throughout the story, fighting to understand who really does the saving and learning how to let go and let God.
Action & Adventure: The book had adventure and action straight through. There wasn’t a moment I wanted to put it down. It started with a bang, with Tilly coming in—her daughter kidnapped. There were fights, gunshots, knife stabbings, and the mob!
Content: “B” for graphic fight scenes and thematically mature material, including kidnapping. For those sensitive to kidnapping stories or child loss, this might be hard to read, but it was worth the journey.
Romance: The romance was really well done. There were a lot of moments where you held your breath, hoped, prayed, and doubted that it would work out. Warren handled it wonderfully. Each moment was sweet, and when they finally connected, you treasured those moments even more because of the struggle.
Religion: As far as religion goes, this book, like the rest of the series, follows Christian beliefs straight through with biblical references, prayer, and commitment to godly values.
Final Thoughts: Overall, it was an excellent, beautiful story about being strong and how our strength will never be strong enough to fill God’s role. Someone who is talented will never out-talent or out-perform God. We will always need His strength and always be desperate for Him. That was such a powerful vision of even the older, mature Christians who have developed their faith.
It ends on a cliffhanger, and I finished reading this desperate for the next book. Consider grabbing the third and fourth books at the same time. I wouldn’t have taken a break if the series was complete. It was spectacular, and I am in love with these characters and how they’ve grown. Susan May Warren’s God given talent is awe-inspiring. She is a must read for me. If you haven’t picked up a Susan May Warren novel, you need to do it today.
Originally posted in Clean Fiction Magazine Winter 2024 Edition.