Sky King Ranch #1
“There’s no sunrise of hope here.”
Dodge Kingston
Disclaimer: Susan May Warren is my sister-in-law. She did not request that I review this book. All opinions are my own.
Ahh, Alaska, the big, cold wilderness where danger lurks around every bend. Dodge and Echo have their work cut out for them, fighting the elements, the wildlife, and their history with each other. But they rise to the challenge, with some bumps, bruises, and heartache along the way.
Former childhood sweethearts Dodge and Echo haven’t seen each other in ten years. But, when an accident draws him home again, events don’t let them ignore each other. The biggest drag in this book is the emotional baggage that Dodge and Echo refuse to let go of. Dodge has been carrying a chip on his shoulder for ten years that causes him to lash out at those around him. Unfortunately, as he gets better, Echo gets worse. She is appropriately named because her childhood hurts keep reverberating through her actions throughout the book. But, to her credit, she recognizes that she can be her own worst enemy later on. This is after she refuses to ask Dodge about part of a conversation that she overheard, then resentfully pouts about it; a huge pet peeve for me. Thankfully, an emotional clearing of the air later lifts things back up.
The action takes them all around Mt. Denali by air, dogsled, and snowmobile sled, which makes sense given that Dodge delivers goods to bush homesteads and Echo is a guide. The weather is as much an enemy as anything else, with late-season storms wreaking havoc. The beauty and the danger are showcased well as the tension ratchets up. There are heart-stopping moments alongside the hot and cold renewal of relationships.
This is the first book in a trilogy, so it is not surprising that questions were left unanswered, and there was a cliffhanger for an ending. Fortunately, the other two books are out, so I could keep reading to find out what happens next.
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