During rush hour one cold November night, a jumbo jet crashes on a busy highway…most of it, anyway. Honor Mackenzie and Rowdy, her trusty Search and Rescue dog, join the SAR team to search for the tail section, reported by witnesses to have landed in the dark and rainy woods along Baltimore’s Patapsco River.
Pulitzer prize-winning columnist Matt Phillips, forced to leave his SAR work behind to ensure his motherless twins would always have a dad, leaves the boys with a neighbor and heads to the woods, intent on getting another breaking story. It takes weeks to figure out why she’d given him such an icy reception: Another headline-hungry reporter–whose less-than-accurate story–ended her career with the fire department. In his effort to prove that not every reporter sacrifices “truth” for “story,” Matt finds himself attracted to the beautiful sad-eyed redhead.
As weeks pass, they discover that SAR missions aren’t the only things they have in common. Haunting attachments to 9/11 and the loss of a spouse have kept them lonely and alone…until they find comfort with one another. Much as he and his boys have come to care for her, Matt isn’t convinced that Honor will ever fully commit to him or the twins…especially after she takes a job in New York without even discussing it with him.
During his annual ski weekend with the boys, the heartbroken Matt gets word that Honor has gone missing during a search for a lost girl. He leads the search team, desperate to find her before a blizzard moves in. But even if he does, will they find their way back to one another . . .
. . . or back to living life alone?
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With more than 3,000,000 copies of her books in circulation, best-selling author Loree Lough’s titles earn 4- and 5-star reviews and industry/reader’s choice awards. She has received nearly 10,000 letters from fans who write to say she’s “a gifted writer whose stories touch hearts and change lives.” Her 9/11 series, First Responders (From Ashes to Honor, Honor Redeemed, A Man of Honor) is no exception, and it’s raising awareness and funds for organizations that assist soldiers and first responders, and their families. (For more information about these worthy groups, visit http://www.loreelough.com)
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My Impressions:
The First Responders Series by Loree Lough is a look into the lives of first responders — EMTs, Search and Rescue (SAR) professionals and firefighters — what motivates them and how their job choices affect their lives and relationships. In Honor Redeemed, readers meet Honor MacKenzie, a devoted SAR trainer and dog handler. Her life has pretty much become hopeless due to a scandal revolving around her and her former bosses with the Baltimore Fire Department. Forced out of the job she loved, she now clerks at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, but in her off hours she spends her time training people and dogs for SAR work. Matt Phillips, a star reporter, enters her life when she least expects or wants it. Yet his determination to get to know Honor forces her defenses down, at least for a time.
Honor Redeemed is the second in the series, and there is a lot of backstory in the first book, From Ashes To Honor. I did not read the first book and that was a mistake. I had a lot of questions that left me feeling that I was missing something. That is not a criticism of the book, just a recommendation that you start with the first book to understand all that is going on. One of the things I liked about Honor Redeemed was the very real struggle Matt and Honor have in their burgeoning relationship. They are definitely attracted to each other and it would have been easy to rush things along. But Lough has them both take a step back — Honor because of a past filled with abuse and Matt because of his twin boys that he has been raising alone from birth. I first thought this would be a love at first sight/love will conquer all kind of story, but Lough brings a very realistic turn and tone to the novel.
As said before, this is a look at the lives of first responders. There are some SAR scenes, but by and large it is a book about relationships. I would recommend you read From Ashes To Honor first. But don’t worry about the time involved, Honor Redeemed was a quick read. Your only worry is the waiting time for the next installment, A Man Of Honor.
Recommended.
(I received Honor Redeemed from Pump Up Your Book in return for an honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Monday, February 6
Book giveaway at I Am A Reader, Not a Writer
Tuesday, February 7
Book reviewed at Christian Bookshelf Reviews
Wednesday, February 8
Book reviewed at WV Stitcher
Thursday, February 9
Book reviewed at By the Book
Friday, February 10
Book reviewed at Legacy of a Writer
Monday, February 13
Book reviewed at Ashley’s Bookshelf
Tuesday, February 14
Book review & book giveaway at Jersey Girl Book Reviews
Wednesday, February 15
Book reviewed at Splashes of Joy
Thursday, February 16
Book reviewed at Escape with Dollycas Into a Good Book
Friday, February 17
Book reviewed at Reviews by Molly
Monday, February 20
Guest blogging at Colloquium
Tuesday, February 21
Book review & book giveaway at Colloquium
Wednesday, February 22
Book reviewed at Peeking Between the Pages
Thursday, February 23
Book reviewed at Life in Review
Friday, February 24
Book reviewed at Mad Moose Mama
Monday, February 27
Book reviewed at Reviews From the Heart
Tuesday, February 28
Book reviewed at A Room Without Books is Empty
Wednesday, February 29
Chat with Loree at Pump Up Your Book Live! Chat/Book Giveaway
Good morning!
First, thanks for hosting me, m’dear…yer truly a peach!
Second, I know how crazy life is for all of you these days, so I appreciate that you’ve chosen to share a few minutes here with me!
Finally, I’m enjoying the comments! This just adds to my ovewhelming feelings of “being blessed,” because 1.) From Ashes to Honor has a movie option and 2.) the prestigious Library Review gave Honor Redeemed a starred review…and that only happens in a small percentage of their reviews! Talk about “pump you up” moments, huh!
Last, but certainly not least, here’s hoping your weekend is happy and safe!
Blessings ’til next time,
Loree
What wonderful news. Thanks for taking time from your busy schedule to stop by here.