Celebrating Release Day!
Storm Front: Montana Rescue #5
With every novel Susan May Warren has ever written read and on my shelves, I’m thrilled to be celebrating the release of her fifth Montana Rescue novel, Storm Front. Ty and Brette’s story is exciting, moving, and tender, as are the continuing stories of beloved characters from Peak Rescue.
Enjoy as Susan shares about this fabulous story and be sure to enter the giveaway below!
Over to you, Susie May!
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What was the working title?
Can’t Take My Eyes off You
Describe your book in 5 adjectives.
Suspenseful, Compelling, Romantic, Moving, a Page-Turner. 😊
Which character did you enjoy writing most?
I love Ty. He’s the hero, sure, but I didn’t know much about him when I started, just that he had been in a chopper crash, barely survived and carried deep guilt. He is stuck on the sidelines of the SAR team, unable to trust himself, and wondering how God can still use him. He turned out to be the character I would most want to ride off into the sunset with.
Which character gave you the most grief?
Brette! My heroine! She was soooo stubborn, bitter, hurt, and defensive! I had to really work to make her accept Ty’s love for her. But she is also probably one of the most real characters I’ve ever written, so…
Readers have been raving over your Montana Rescue series. What makes book five different and exciting?
I am loving writing this series, so I’m delighted that fans are also enjoying it! The series as a whole is based on the themes of “Amazing Grace,” with the rescuers of the PEAK team each dealing with their own jaded, painful pasts, trying to break free and find a new start. Against a backdrop of adrenaline-laced rescues, each team member has to grapple with their frailties and fears. It’s been a fun series to write—think Chicago Fire goes to Montana! We started with a chopper pilot with PTSD and a country music star, went to a type A deputy sheriff, then an epic snowboarding champion. In book four we got to know billionaire Ian Shaw, and in this book we hang out with Ty Remington, a wealthy cowboy/rancher who has secrets that are revealed. Ty is the most mysterious of the team, and I think readers will love discovering this amazing hero, as I did. I think he might be my favorite!
Tell us what sparked the idea for Storm Front.
I live in Minnesota, and for years wanted to write a story about a tornado that devastated a tiny town south of the twin cities. We helped with cleanup, and I remember thinking, How do people survive devastating moments in their lives? I had also recently lost my mother to cancer and had observed her experiences as a brave victim of this disease. Finally, I had a couple friends who recently survived breast cancer and I wanted to bring in a point of view of a survivor who lives not knowing the future. The theme of devastation, of trying to hold out hope and the fear of letting people we love be our support team, fit well with searching for a lost loved one in the midst of tragedy. I think this has ended up being one of my favorite books in the series.
While many of the books in the Montana Rescue series are set in Glacier National Park, Storm Front has a different location altogether. Why did you decide to pick a new setting for this book?
I wanted to widen the stories a little, bring readers to new parts of the world (we visited the Caribbean in Troubled Waters). I also wanted to bring the rescuers of PEAK out of their element, make them have to rely on locals and other resources for their search. But the biggest inspiration was attending a country music festival in Minnesota and asking myself, as the clouds rolled in and a storm threatened, What if a tornado happened here? This book is an attempt at an answer.
What type of research was required to write about the destruction of a tornado?
I read a lot of books about tornados including What Stands in a Storm by Kim Cross, Into the Storm by Reed Timmer, and The Storm Chasers by Jenna Blum. I also watched every episode of Storm Chasers on the Discovery Channel to get a better understanding of tornados. In addition, I read firsthand accounts and watched YouTube videos. I even chased a storm (but not quite as crazily as they do on television) one hot Minnesota evening.
What emotions do you think your story will generate in readers?
Frustration, fear, dread, hope, joy, love.
What emotions did you experience while writing this story?
All of the above. But I was also deeply moved by the picture of unconditional love that Ty shows.
How do you choose your characters names?
Brette was the name of a realtor I met while searching for a house. I just had to steal it. Ty was from the original cast. I know, a little boring, but in the end, they turned to be exactly the right names!
The most recent novel you have read…
I’m currently re-reading Dani Pettrey’s Submerged, book 1 of her Alaska Courage series.
What’s your current book recommendation?
Things I Never Told You by Beth Vogt
Name a book character you can’t forget?
I recently read The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell. I am a little in love with Uhtred of Bebbanburg.
Thanks Susie!
Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifty novels with more than one million books sold, including Wild Montana Skies, Rescue Me, A Matter of Trust, and Troubled Waters. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT and numerous Readers’ Choice Awards, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic suspense, thrillers, romantic comedy, and novellas. She makes her home in Minnesota and can be found online at www.susanmaywarren.com, on Facebook at Susan May Warren Fiction, and on Twitter @susanmaywarren.
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Buy from Amazon: Storm Front or Koorong
May 2, 2018 at 12:00 am
No, I can’t swim.
May 2, 2018 at 12:06 am
Yes, I’ve been snorkeling in Hawaii, Grand Cayman, and Mahogany Bay, Roatan. It’s fascinating to see God’s amazingly beautiful creation that very few get to view.
May 4, 2018 at 8:22 am
Amy » Hey my fabulous friend! So good to ‘see’ you here. You have the best trips. Hugs xo
May 2, 2018 at 2:16 am
I took a course to get scuba certified, but quit before finishing. When it came time to do the actual diving, I got freaked out about being underwater for longer periods of time.
May 4, 2018 at 8:21 am
Brittaney B » It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure! My dad had to stop diving because it affected his ears.
May 2, 2018 at 4:45 am
No, I have not.
May 2, 2018 at 5:16 am
Yes, I went snorkeling in the Red Sea in Eilat, Israel last summer. It was SO beautiful!
May 4, 2018 at 8:20 am
Jessica » Wonderful!
May 2, 2018 at 11:07 am
Having recently read THE MASTERPIECE by Francine Rivers, I’m finding Roman Velasco to be a character who is hard to forget.
May 4, 2018 at 8:20 am
Pam K. » Yes! I thought Roman was a terrific character, Pam.
May 2, 2018 at 12:39 pm
When I was a teenager, there wasn’t many Christian books to choose from. But I read Linda Chaikin’s Heart of India’s Series & Jace is still hard to beat 😊💜
May 4, 2018 at 8:20 am
Mandi » I remember Jace – great hero!
May 2, 2018 at 1:19 pm
A book character I can’t forget is Michael Sullivan from Coldwater by Samuel Parker — not because he was appealing, but because I felt so sorry for him!
May 4, 2018 at 8:20 am
Dianna » My husband is reading Coldwater at the moment!
May 2, 2018 at 9:04 pm
I’m reading Julie by Catherine Marshall and I find Julie to be an unforgettable character!
May 2, 2018 at 9:35 pm
I read so many books that I have not found one character that sticks out for me yet.
May 2, 2018 at 9:47 pm
A book character that I can’t forget is Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich’s series.
May 3, 2018 at 1:42 am
Aslan from The Chronicles of Narnia.
May 3, 2018 at 2:12 am
I cannot wait for this book!! Yes, I’m just a little excited. ^.^
Haha, we’ve recently watched a ton of Storm Chasers, so it’s perfect timing to read this book. 😀
There are a lot of characters, for me, that I can’t forget because I love them so much….Walter from “A Distant Melody” is one, Josey from Mrs.Warren’s “Everything’s Coming Up, Josey!” is another, and the list goes on!
Loved reading this interview! And thank you for the giveaway <3
May 4, 2018 at 8:19 am
Raechel L. » So glad you enjoyed this, Raechel! Great characters there, too!
May 3, 2018 at 2:48 am
A book character I can’t forget is Will from Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds.
May 3, 2018 at 4:18 am
Father Tim from the Mitford Series by Jan Karon.
May 3, 2018 at 5:51 am
Laura Ingalls Wilder is unforgettable for me, and she’s a real person 🙂
May 3, 2018 at 6:44 am
These two characters come as a set or not at all, Cheney Duvall and Shiloh Irons from “Cheney Duvall M.D.” series by Gilbert Morris and Lynn Morris and I love them so much. 🙂
May 4, 2018 at 8:18 am
Amanda T. » Cheney!!! It’s been many, many years since I read that series, Amanda!!
May 3, 2018 at 8:08 am
A character I will never forget in a story is Tatianna in the book WINTER PASSING by Cindy McCormick Martinusen. Amazing book!!!
May 4, 2018 at 8:17 am
Alison Boss » Love Cindy’s writing, too.
May 3, 2018 at 8:42 am
Love Susie’s books and excited to read Ty’s story! The most memorable book character is Elizabeth Bennett in P & P. Also love the character of Ursula in the book Uncle Max by Rosa Nouchette Carey, which is an old Victorian novel.
May 3, 2018 at 1:19 pm
Hadassah from A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers.
May 4, 2018 at 8:17 am
Staci » Yes! Love her.
May 4, 2018 at 5:54 am
I’m with Heidi: Laura Ingalls Wilder is unforgettable to me. I loved the show and the books
May 4, 2018 at 6:05 am
There are many characters I can’t forget, but probably my most favorite are Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy in Little Women. One of my favorite books of all time!
May 4, 2018 at 8:52 am
The main character in one of my favorite children’s books is named Salamanca Tree Hiddle. Both her name and her personality are very unique!
May 4, 2018 at 12:43 pm
I’m not entering the giveaway because I just bought my copy but I wanted to say THANK YOU for having this interview with Susan May Warren!!! It was a pleasure to see your questions and read her answers!!
May 7, 2018 at 5:16 pm
Irene » Thank you, Irene – that’s so encouraging!
May 6, 2018 at 4:41 pm
I think Jo from Little Women (and the followinf books) is a character that is hard to forget. I have loved Louisa May Alcott’s books since I was young, and have a set my Great Grandmother gave mt Grandmother as a young girl that I treasure.
May 7, 2018 at 2:04 am
So many good books and characters overall through my years of reading but I suppose one of the tried and true characters is Christy. I am really enjoying Susan’s series set around the beautiful Glacier area.
May 9, 2018 at 2:00 am
Charley from Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series