Surrender

Bitter Creek #11

by Joan Johnston

A sizzling contemporary Western romance, where power, money, and rivalries rule--and love is the best revenge.

Taylor Grayhawk and Brian Flynn are two old flames forced together under perilous circumstances. Taylor, a corporate pilot, has been burned by men - including Brian - in the past, and has given up on the possibility of any kind of happily-ever-after. Brian, a firefighter, is a recent divorcee, so heart sore and gun-shy that he is unlikely to ever fall in love again. But when this pilot and this smoke jumper are caught fighting a raging wildfire arm-in-arm, they're forced to leap headfirst into the flames, and hopefully make it out with their hearts still intact.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Westerns, Western Romance, Fiction, Survival

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 27, 2018

About the author

Joan Johnston (born Little Rock, Arkansas) is a best-selling American author of over forty contemporary and historical romance novels.

Johnston was the third of seven children born to an Air Force sergeant and his music-teacher wife. She received a B.A. in theatre arts from Jacksonville University in 1970, then earning an M.A. in theatre from the University of Illinois, Urbana in 1971. She received a law degree (with honors) at the University of Texas at Austin in 1980. For the next five years, Johnston worked as an attorney, serving with the Hunton & Williams firm in Richmond, Virginia, and with Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey in Miami. She has also worked as a newspaper editor and drama critic in San Antonio, Texas, and as a college professor at Southwest Texas Junior College, Barry University, and the University of Miami.

Johnston is a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America, and Florida Romance Writers. She has two children and one grandchild, and divides her time between two homes, in Colorado and Florida.

Awards

* Paperbook Book Club of America's Book Rak Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best Western Historical Series Award (twice)
* Romantic Times' Best New Western Writer
* Romantic Times' Best Historical Series Award (twice)
* The Maggie (twice)
* Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for The Disobedient Bride

Reviews

[Debbie Oliphant · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

I've read a few books from this author and looked forward to reading the ARC that I received, however, I was lost around a third of the story. I really wanted more of Taylor and Brian's story as the beginning started so intense but shifted to another storyline which was distracting. This was all over the place and I found myself losing interest.

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of injustice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged.” –Samuel Johnson

Firemen, smokejumpers, and bears… oh, my. Yep, we have fireman Brian Flynn, his pilot and ex-girlfriend, Taylor “Tag” Grayhawk, flying into the smoke and flames in order to deposit smokejumpers near a raging forest fire. After releasing their jumpers, they circle the drop zone, to ensure the firefighters landed safely. A sudden and freakish fire tornado snuffs out her twin engines and they have to jump in order to save their own lives. Now stranded on the ground, they find themselves surrounded by a blazing inferno. Utilizing all his firefighting knowledge and skills… Brian, along with Taylor, will have to depend on each other in order to survive.

This was a story about love, forgiveness, survival, and discovering what you truly want in life. However, what could have been a beautiful love story was completely overtaken and crushed into the ground by a strong thread of bitterness, hate, revenge and a longstanding family feud. There was also a congested list of additional characters, brothers, sisters, and cousins, that made up this series of Bitter Creek Novels. Two of the couples were featured in previous books in this Grayhawk vs Flynn feud series: Sinful: Delta sergeant Connor Flynn and Eva Grayhawk. Pub 4-28-15, and Shameless: Pippa Grayhawk and Devon Flynn. Pub 12-29-15

“My family has existed in eastern Kentucky for as long as there are records. If you’re familiar with the famous Hatfield-McCoy family feud back in the 1860’s, ‘70’s and ‘80’s in the United States, my family was an integral part of that.” –J.D. Vance

Although this can be read as a stand-a-lone, you will soon figure out that the story is a continuation and several of the characters have been featured in previous books. There are actually several books [different threads] in the Bitter Creek Novels and one thing stands out that is common to all of them. It seems that these people cannot get along with anyone, or themselves. There has to be something in the water. First, in this corner we have the Blackthorne vs Creed feud. Next… and in this corner, we have the Blackthorne vs the Grayhawk feud. And then we have the current Grayhawk vs Flynn feud. These guys are fighting over anything and everything. We are talking about century-old feuds… opposing dynasties and family rivals between scions. Dang, the books float back and forth between western, modern, and Regency time periods.

I have decided… I am not even going to attempt to start at book one and make my way through this mess. I don’t know how many books there are for sure as they stopped numbering them at seven. However, I did find at least eight more books with the name Bitter Creek on them. As I read the book blurbs and the reviews… they all are full of bitterness, revenge, feuding and hate between which ever family is fighting at the time. There are bastard children coming out of the woodwork years later and causing all manner of mayhem. There are bitter divorces, Romeo and Juliet type of romances and marriages, and children of the yours, mine and ours type with no love for themselves, their parents, or anyone else.

I don’t want to read love stories where the lovers are twisted and hurtful to each other. That is just wrong. Why are these people in love with someone that hates their guts… only to fall into bed with them the next minute… and creating an unexpected pregnancy? The cognitive dissonance is maddening. I see one thing, I read another, and yet… the story suddenly turns and twists and everything becomes clear and they love each other and will have their HEA. Only after the author has wrung out every last emotion that the reader has left. Whew!

Rating: MA: Mature Audience: language, graphic sex. I volunteered to read this and the views expressed are my own. I thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this and write a review.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

King's Brats #3, Bitter Creek #11. Three years! That's how long I've been waiting for this book to come out; waiting to find out what happened up on that mountain between Taylor and Brian. Oh, but this book was so much more than I thought it would be, so worth the wait. This is probably one of the few drama based almost soap opera like Contemporary Romances I like. But unlike soap operas this series has HEAs it just has the endless drama with different people and not the same poor people over and over again, and if it does it doesn't completely ruin their HEA except for maybe Cricket and Jarrett, they were my favorite couple and that was just mean even if it did turn into some really good books down the line. Anyways I digress. I have missed maybe four books in the entire series and having read most of the books I don't know if this would be good for a stand alone, for this the first two books in the King's Brats part of the series should be read; they are all connected with an overall story arc.

The Greyhawks and the Flynn's and been feuding for years, but for a brief couple of months Taylor Greyhawk and Brain Flynn were happy. They were secretly dating until Taylor's insecurity broke them up after that it was prank war between the King's Brats and those Flynn Boys. Years have past Brian is a firefighter and smoke jumper and Taylor has become a pilot. In the latest wildfire Brain is filling in for Taylor's spotter before he jumped when the fire flares up and damages both engines on the plane. Brian and Taylor have no choice but to jump together. Only nothing goes right once they land Brain is attacked by a bear fleeing the fire and the cave the plan to seek refuge in gets closed off by a fallen tree before they can bring in all the smoke jumper equipment Brian pushed out the plane before they jumped. They are trapped in the cave for a few days, in that time Brian and Tag, as Brian calls her, have plenty of time to talk about the past and what happened and what went wrong.

In the meantime Aiden and Leah aren't giving up on their siblings and continue to search even after everyone else has given up. In their search you discover they have a secret of their own and since they are alone Aiden feels it's the right time to sort it all out, in other words apologize and beg forgiveness. Tag and Brian after the fire has finally passed discover another way out of the cave and start to walk, unfortunately the wound Brian got from the bear has become septic and they in a race against time to find help before he dies. While Brian is sick with fever he admits everything to Tag and she reciprocates. But getting out of the woods is only the start of their problems they have a whole new batch of different problems once they get rescued.

Overall, the first part of this book was so intense and edge of your seat. People who are about to die always find it easy to communicate and finally reveal feelings they couldn't otherwise express, that's exactly what Tag and Brian did only when they got rescued they became shut off again, one because of families and another because they're silly, well they have reasons and it does lead to some good drama, heartbreak and steamy make-up sex. I can't wait for the next one. I've been a fan of Joan Johnston for almost two decades and I never get tired of her writing.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story about two people who at one time many years ago were a couple only to break up. Brian Flynn went on to marry someone and divorce and Taylor Grayhawk wonders why they broke up. Today though as they are flying together and after the hot shots have jumped out. She is wondering why he is still in the plane. After a few awkward moments they have no time to hash out the past when the storm takes a sudden turn and the plane is going to crash. With the fire and the wind she is hoping she can just put it down somewhere. After the crash and Taylor taking care of Brain’s injuries they find a cave to spend the night in. From it is a matter of survival and also reliving the past and the why it ended between them years ago, and could they get back together again. While all of this is going on. The fire is still raging, then people realize that they are missing and start a search and rescue for them. Of course just when Taylor thinks everything is going good between them they are found and because of his injuries he is flown out. Now she is left with doubt and what might be, still she wants to see Brain but not knowing what is waiting for her at the hospital or if he will remember anything is scary. What will happen between them and will there be a them? Read this good book and see what happens. The author also does a good job in the writing about survival in the woods. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

[Veda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start, the excerpt for this book, tells us that Taylor is flying the plane, Brian Flynn is a smoke jumper, but on this day he is the spotter, when something goes very wrong. The plane is going down, now the question is what happened to Taylor and Brian? Did they get to the ground safety? Are they trapped by the fire? Who is going to look for them, family wise? Well yes they get out of the plane, that in itself is an adventure. Yes, trapped by fire, for the rest of the story you have to read the book.
This story is the continuing saga between two very rich powerful families. The father's hate each other, and the children are caught in the middle. The children are now adults, and love is in the air. The conflicts and the past rear their ugly head, but will love be enough to overcome the past. Lots of things in this story, I wasn't expecting. Good research on what a smoke jumper goes through. I love the story, was it kept up most of the night reading it.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surrender by Joan Johnston is book 11 in the "Bitter Creek" Series. This is the story of Taylor Grayhawk and Brian Flynn. I thought this was easily a stand alone book.
Taylor and Brian had been high school sweethearts but they ended up moving on to other things and people. Now time had brought them back together but each have changed and learned harsh lessons.
This was a really nice second change at love.

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs...

[Wendy Keel · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! SURRENDER is book 11 in the Bittercreek series from author Joan Johnston, however it can be read as a stand alone title. Just be warned that once you find this series you'll be eager to read the previous titles, I know I am. SURRENDER is the story of former lovers Taylor Grayhawk and Brian Flynn. Taylor and Brian are facing a challenge, surviving a wildfire with no idea if help is coming. Reading this book will tear at your emotions, there is hope, love, romance, steam, and danger. I found myself unsure just how things would turn out. It's one of those stories that is so very realistic you can feel yourself becoming part of the story. The characters are well written and believable, the story itself is engaging and so very realistic. Fans of smoke-jumpers or fire fighters are in for a roller-coaster ride. Both Taylor and Brian have been burned by love in the past and find it hard to trust but their life and death situation makes it clear that sometimes they have to trust in someone else. But once the danger is over will they be able to hang on to those feelings or will old doubts and questions about the future lead to more separation?
I found this story to be hard to put down and deeply engaging. The story is fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat. You will find yourself going from signing to tearing up to laughing out loud to feeling so glad you read the story. I'm eager to read previous titles in the series and to read the next story! Write faster Ms. Johnston! Highly Recommended!!!!

[Judyrudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surrender by Joan Johnston is the eleventh book in the Bitter Creek series and the third in her King’s Brats series. I’ve read Ms. Johnston for years and I don’t know how I missed the King’s Brats series. From the moment I opened the first pages I was gripped to the storyline. The first several chapters were so intense I couldn’t put the book down. I felt every struggle Brian and Taylor endured until they were rescued and then I felt the pain as Brian struggled to regain his life and the career he loved before taking that last jump out of the plane.

I’m a sucker for second chance stories and I absolutely loved watching these two characters reconnect. I also enjoyed reading about the interweaving of the family and how they dealt with their family feud.

I highly recommend reading Surrender. It is definitely a standalone read as I wasn’t confused by past storylines. Now, I need to go back and read the first two stories in the series. I received an advanced copy from Netgalley which I voluntarily chose to read. This is my true and honest opinion.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taylor Grayhawk and Brian Flynn has a past, and even though it was back in high school, they are both still harboring feelings for each other. Their chemistry roars back to life like the flames they escaped, not knowing if they will survive, they find comfort in each other arms. But, will facing a life or death situation bring them closer or tear them apart forever? Read and see!

This is the first book I have read from this author and I really enjoyed it. There is a lot of action and adventure with some steamy chemistry to make it that much more enjoyable. There is also another love story going on between one of Taylor's sisters Leah, and one of Brian's brothers, Aiden that adds another element to the story. There is a kind of Hatfield and McCoy thing gong on between the families that complicates things considerably. All in all it's a good read and I will definitely be reading more from this author.

[Tonya Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a book!!!! When I think Joan Johnston couldn’t deliver more in a series, she reaches in and pulls out more storylines than I could have ever imagined.
Taylor Ann Grayhawk (TAG, as Brian calls her) and Brian Flynn’s story was outstanding, I’ve waited an entire year for this book.
Will they emerge from the fiery inferno that crashed their twin otter plane over Yellowstone. It’s just beyond your wildest dreams what actually happened to Tag and Brian. Harrowing-heart stopping disaster.
Ms. Johnston continues to deliver the deception, revenge, and spiteful twists, as one would expect in her BitterCreek novels.
Can these “King’s Brats” and those “Awful Flynn Boy’s” find common ground from two revengeful father’s still feuding over the past?
Angus has finally found a way to take King down for good, but will his revenge also take down their children’s legacy and destroy their future happiness?
The best King’s Brat book yet!!!
Phenomenal!!!

[Kim Vanravenswaay · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Brian and Taylor have to survive before they can surrender. The obstacles that they have to go through were horrible. And written so well that I could feel their despair. So I gotta tell you, I wanted to shake Brian a time or two after they were rescued. Maybe he would have came to his senses sooner.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was steamy with tons of adventure. It's in the Bitter Creek Series but you can read it alone.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joan Johnston has always been a go-to author for me when I need a solid, dependable read. She knows how to tell a good story with characters that seem very real. I was very intrigued by this book based on the description, even though I'm not usually a fan of reunited lovers storylines. I was not disappointed.

I almost felt like I was reading two different books. The first half of the book was a gripping, tension-filled adventure of survival. Taylor Grayhawk and Brian Flynn have a history. The Grayhawk and Flynn families have been fueding for decades, stemming from a long ago argument between the two family patriarchs. Neighboring ranches meant that Taylor and Brian had plenty of exposure to each other over the years, including an ill-fated teenage romance. They are thrust back together when the plane Taylor is piloting goes down in the middle of a forest fire.

Their situation is beyond dire and Taylor is forced to rely on Brian's firefighter experience to help them survive. The near-death experience forces them to put their past aside and work together to find a way out. I absolutely loved this part of the book. The way the author described everything about the crash, the way they fought for survival, and their subsequent rescue was exhilarating. I loved the way they worked their way through their issues, both past and present, and allowed their feelings to be rekindled.

The second half of the book chronicled Brian's recovery from the injury he sustained during their ordeal. There was a lot of push and pull between Brian and Taylor.... one minute they are feasting on each other with their eyes, the next they are pushing each other away. There were also a lot of side stories having to do with their respective families. I liked how Ms Johnston incorporated Aidan & Leah's story into this book, but I felt a lot of the other issues could have been left out or not taken up so much space .

I haven't read any of the other books in this series, so I feel like I might have missed out on some of the back story. I feel like I might have had a better grasp of the Grayhawk and Flynn family dynamics if I hadn't started with this one, and I would have been able to appreciate more the way the two families resolved their differences.

Overall this was a great read.... I just wish the story had kept up the same level of intensity and emotion throughout the entire book.

[Loraine Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surrender by Joan Johnston was a great read, it had everything! The Greyhawks and the Finns are known enemies that have neighboring ranches, the two owners have been enemies for years. This caused the 3 Greyhawk girls and the three Finns to take up the war and trick and tease each other, pull pranks and just be ornery-all six of them. This is the story of Taylor Greyhawk and Brian Finn.

After spending a brief time as boyfriend and girlfriend in high school, Taylor stays away from Brian Finn. She has gotten engaged 3 times and broke the engagements all three of them. Brian Finn got married, but has been divorced for a year, when this book takes place.

Brian is a smokejumper firefighter, it is his life. In the last year Taylor has flown a twin otter plane and has dropped smoke jumpers over many forest fires. They both have seen each other for the last year but neither one has made any overtures to talk to each other.

There is a bad fire raging over the mountains and forests and Taylor has to fly a bunch of smokejumpers over the fire and get them low enough to jump. They all make it out except Brian, and he refuses to jump and leave Taylor as both her engines have caught fire from a huge fire gust that hits her plane, and the plane is going to go down. Taylor has no parachute and does not want to risk Brian, she flies over the fire but he will not jump until she jumps with him with him using one parachute-his! As Taylor gets more freaked out, Brian grabs her and jumps out of the plane with her.

What follows is a absolutely grueling time for both of them, and they have so many things happen to them, have to ward off an animal attack and go underground to survive the fire, and they do not believe they will survive. They have hardly any food and water.

They finally make it back home after Brian's brother and Taylor's sister find them with no time to spare! They are both in bad shape, and neither knows if they will ever get back the love they lost.

Read this book and find out what happens, and see if there will be a second chance for love! I gave this book 5*****stars. I loved all the angst, the danger, the never ending plot twists and most of all the love these two characters have for each other.

[Viper Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strap on your parachute, because your heart will be free-falling in this action-packed romance. Part second-chance, part feuding families, part survivalist - this book has it all, right down to surprises, family drama, and secrets unveiled at exactly the most inappropriate time. Taylor - Tag to Brian - is flying the smoke jumpers into a dangerous fire, with Brian staying on board as her last-minute spotter. The fire is out of control, forcing an emergency evacuation that nearly kills them before they even get close to the fire. The first part of the book, how they survive the fire, how they readjust their relationship during this intense time, and how they are rescued, is simply amazing to read, gut-wrenching in its honesty and realism. But after the rescue, just when you'd think things would get easier, the real drama begins and their hearts are tested almost to their limits.

These two really have all the cards stacked against them, so much that even they start to believe there's no chance it could work out. Everything seems to be trying to keep them apart - their family, their recovery, their own insecurities - throughout their roller-coaster relationship.

We also get a few side stories about the romances and marriages of other members of the Flynn and Grayhawk families, which only add to the overall story without making the reader feel like they've missed anything by not reading other books in the series.

Tag and Brian are soulmates in the truest sense, and their HEA is hard-won and heartwarming. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this captivating book. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book through NetGalley.

[No Apology Book Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was frustrating, because it started out okay. The tension and unresolved emotions between Taylor and Brian were intriguing and tragic in that missed-opportunity kind of way, and the plot promised to be exciting and action-packed. But partway through chapter six, I had to stop the audiobook, because it was pissing me off. I couldn’t spend another minute listening to Taylor whine about wanting to have sex. She and Brian had just jumped out of a plane that was about to crash—her first jump out of a plane—barely managed to drop onto the tiny spit of land that hadn’t yet been engulfed in flames, survived a bear attack, and gotten trapped in a cave without a way to contact anyone. All in quick succession. And all she wanted to do was have sex. That first life-affirming encounter I’ll buy—grudgingly—but did she really have nothing more pressing on her mind than sex? Like, I don’t know, maybe survival? But that’s not what really bothered me. If she was that horny and that unconcerned about their survival, then fine. What sickened me was that she practically begged Brian to screw her, while he’s trying to make responsible decisions. Where was her dignity? I don’t think birth control was even mentioned. And their backstory was so cliche. I don’t have time to read books that fail to earn my respect by chapter six.

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[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this copy from NetGalley for my feed back. First of all, I have read quite a few of Joan Johnson's books. As I was reading the beginning of this book I though oh, no, this is going to be the first Bitter Creek I don't care for...WRONG. I really enjoyed this. Pilot Taylor Grayhawk and smoke jumper Brian Flynn had a 'thing' when they were teens. Taylor is flying Brian when they have to jump from the plane due to a huge fire that takes out the engines. They have to rely on each other to survive. When they get home is when things heat up (not always in a good way). Oh but wait Joan fans...there is so much else going on between these pages...my my. Romance is in the air . Joan always gives more than one romance....this is two for one!! Thank you Joan Johnson.

[Donise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. After reading, Brian and Tag's story and learning about some of the other characters in the King Brats series, I am ashamed to say that I have not read the other books before this one, BUT I plan to rectify that error ASAP. I want to learn more about the two fathers and why they are enemies; more about the pranks between their offspring when they were teenagers; and especially more about the romances that have and are blossoming between said offspring now that they are adults.

Take Tag and Brian, who were young lovers and adversaries 15 years ago, and now find themselves thrown together in a dangerous situation from which they must survive. Brian, a smoke jumper, and Tag, the plane pilot, are first thrown into and must survive a wildfire and then the "sparks" that have been revived between them. They must not only overcome their own obstacles, but those of their families, especially the ongoing feud between their fathers.

Ms. Johnston has done a wonderful job of developing these characters and I am grateful for this opportunity to be introduced to them and find an new series to fall in love to. I look forward to the next book and Vic's story.

[Patty Nobles · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does love survive 15 years, a massive wildfire, personal tragedy, and an ongoing family feud? In Joan Johnson’s latest novel “Surrender” she explores just how complex love is between two imperfect humans. Taylor Grayhawk is a professional pilot who has made her living transporting business executives around the country, but when she has the opportunity to fly smokejumpers into the middle of an inferno that is consuming the countryside around her home, Taylor jumps first with both feet. Brian Flynn has spent his whole life as a firefighter and has jumped into more than his fair share of dicey situations, but when he finds himself on a plane with his high school girlfriend as a spotter he begins to feel the heat in more ways than one. Ms. Johnson is a consummate storyteller who spins a heartfelt tale of love and perseverance that leaves the readers rooting for Brian and Taylor, and a love to last a lifetime. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

This was not a novel I would call entertaining or even say I enjoyed it. The word I would use instead would be riveting. I could not put it down. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Would these two courageous people actually survive? And, if so, would they surrender to their need to love or revert to enemies, as dictated by family tradition?

What I liked:
- Overcoming adversity (at every turn)
- Their determination, courage and support of each other under adverse conditions
- Their extra-steamy love story, duh
- I can still remember what I learned about the survival tips shared, Rule of Three for example

What I didn’t care for:
- The Grayhawk sisters didn’t seem to support each other or share confidences, but the Flynn brothers appeared to have each other’s backs
- Took too long for their rescue for my liking

Nevertheless, I found I couldn’t put it down until I had finished, so I’ll be back for more.

My copy was provided by the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kasey Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book opened with high suspense that keeps you turning the pages. I liked the way some of the chapters jumped to those searching for the lost couple and covered some dramatic issues they were experiencing. This expanded the story beyond Taylor and Brian from there onward. To those who experience family dramas, this book will ring true. To those who know anything about the wilderness and survival, it will feel a little extreme, but also ring true. I enjoyed the extremes simply because I couldn't wait to see how the author would resolve them. The characters came alive and you could picture them. More importantly, none acted "out of character", keeping the reader entertained throughout the entire story.
The family drama was well handled, but a little "overdone" for my tastes. The book flowed well and the editing felt inspired. I appreciate the skill that went into both the writing and devising of the plot and the wonderful lack of obvious mistakes in editing and proofing. Well done to all involved.

[Pennie Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This starts out exciting from the beginning with a raging fire and a disabled plane going down and nothing to do but jump...into the fire. Taylor Grayhawk is flying the smokejumpers when her plane engines catch fire and she is going down. Brian Flynn jumped on board to help spot for her at the last minute when her spotter didn't show up and now he is demanding she jump with him. They jump together using one it is a wonder they land in an area still not on fire. Minutes later Brian is attacked by a bear and injured but the bear runs off and they find the den but are trapped by a falling tree. After a week trapped they finally find a way out and nearly starved and with Brian injured they are able to travel a ways trying to survive. This time together brings them closer and reinforces their feelings they thought were forgotten over the years. Close to death, they are rescued but will they survive once home? Will the love they found in the wilderness survive?

**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

[Chris Linhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in Love with Tag (Taylor) and Brian. They have to jump out of the plane. I think that Tag was a little bit scared to jump out of the plane and Brian forced the issue. There is a lot of stuff that they have to go thru until they are found. When Brian tangles with a bear and gets swiped from it. He got a bad infection and Tag treated the best she could with what they had with them. They found a cave and stayed there several days until they found the other way out. They both knew that their family's would be searching for them so it would be just a matter of time before they got found. I don't want to give everything away. You will find this book a fast read and a page turner. Joan has knocked it out of the park again with this book. I found that Tag and Brian have a pull to them and fell in love One of my favorite books you cant go wrong with this book or any other that Joan writes.

[Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve followed this family all the way back from Captive so when a new story comes out I almost feel like I’m catching up with family. The stories are so emotional and this one ranks right up at the top. Taylor and Brian have been in other books but finally reading their story is heartbreaking and heartwarming. I smiled and cried reading this. Taylor has inferior feelings and such a poor ego that I just wanted to know she would find someone for her. Brian is a caring, softhearted guy and I just had to pull for him. The author did a great job of making me feel good about their story and held me captive following their journey. I also anticipate getting Leah and Aiden’s outcome. They have been spread across a number of books and I need their lives settled since I feel their relationship has been more down than up. I would recommend anything by this author. I have never been disappointed by her books and look forward to the next.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the synopsis of Surrender by Joan Johnston, it states the book to be “a sizzling contemporary Western romance,” it most certainly is both sizzling and fiery. This is not just in the romance aspects of the story but also in the action. Survival against the acts of nature make this an exciting read.

I have only recently discovered Joan Johnson’s book, so I am not familiar with all the rivalries between the Grayhawk and the Flynn families, but the animosity seems to be longstanding. Taylor Grayhawk and Brian Flynn find that a struggle as well as the massive wildfie that they find themselves battling.

Surrender has all the ingredients for an instant success: amazing writing, engrossing scenes, genuine characters involved in a complicated relationship, and a story that is emotionally charged. Joan Johnson has given the reader an amazing story in Surrender.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series regarding the feuding Grayhawk and Flynn families.
Tag Grayhawk and Brian Flynn had dated briefly in high school, until Tag broke it off after pressure from her twin. Since then, Tag had broken 3 engagements, since she has never loved another as she did Brian and Brian had been married and divorced. Brian is a fire fighter and Tag a pilot.
The book begins with Tag piloting a a plane over a fire and Brian on board as the spotter, when both engines flared out and they had to parachute in tandem, trying to land in a tiny meadow that was still not on fire. They get trapped in a cave and must work together to survive, while both families work together to find them. They will either die together or work to build a new life as one. As always, very well developed characters, engaging plot and rewarding resolution.

[Anna Swedenmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful heartrending thought provoking romance! I really did not expect to relax and enjoy this book. The enjoyment was different from other reads. The characters the plot the way the writing touches the heart and all your emotions. It was almost a little too real at times. I must say this author is so very gifted in the way of putting photos in your mind while you are reading. I became completely engrossed in the book and did not like it when I had to stop reading to take care of other things. A warning for this book should be , while it is definitely a GREAT READ, it is also one that will touch your heart and even maybe make you cry a little for the realistic happenings. I can only say I cannot wait to read more from the author. I was given this arc in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed reading it. It’s also the first book in A Bitter Creek Novel series. The Flynn’s and the Grayhawk’s have feuded for years. As we start the book, Taylor Grayhawk is flying a plane that is carrying smoke jumpers. Brian Flynn is the spotter for the smoke jumpers. Now the plane is in trouble and these two have to rely on each other to survive. There are secrets between the two families. And there is so much chemistry and exciting things happening with Brian and Taylor. You won’t be bored reading this book. This is a really interesting book with everything that happens in their fight to survive a plane crash and a fire. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and find out what else happens with the families. I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Deb Diem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surrender by Joan Johnston is a nail-biter. Ms. Johnston has delivered a book that is well-written and packed with suspense. Taylor is a pilot that takes on the job of dropping smokejumpers when they need her. Brian is a smoke jumper. Their families have been feuding for years. Brian and Taylor escape her plane together when her engines go out. Their story is full of drama, action, humor, sizzle and did I mention suspense. This is definitely one of those books you can't put down once you start it. I loved this book from the first page to the last and look forward to my next book by Joan Johnston. Surrender is part of the Bitter Creek Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.