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Acts of Valor #4

Rising From Ashes

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Navy SEAL Commander Overcomes Injuries And Survivors Guilt In Search Of Love and Redemption In Rising From Ashes, A Christian Romantic Suspense Novel From Rebecca Hartt

--Present Day, Virginia Beach, Virginia--

Lt. Commander “Monty” Monteague hasn’t needed God since he was a boy. But now the accomplished, handsome SEAL is the only survivor of a rescue mission gone wrong. His men are dead; his face is badly scarred. Wounded and hurting, Monty seeks solace in all the wrong places, until his do-gooder neighbor intrudes on his isolation, heals him, and teaches him to reach for God, not a bottle.

Opal Bonheur isn’t just Monty’s neighbor; she’s his physical therapist. Having loved him from afar for years, Opal is determined to heal the warrior, physically and emotionally. What Monty needs is the faith that has sustained her through many a tragedy―and they aren’t over yet. As the past comes back to haunt Opal, Monty’s prayers for her protection might be the only thing to keep her alive.

Publisher’s Fans of Ronie Kendig, Lynnette Eason, Dee Henderson as well as Marliss Melton, Susan May Warren , and Colleen Coble, will enjoy this engrossing and heart-stirring series of redemption and rebirth.

The Acts of Valor Series Returning to Eden
Every Secret Thing
Cry in the Wilderness
Rising From Ashes
Braving the Valley

Rebecca Hartt is the nom de plume for an award-winning, best-selling author of a different name who, compelled by her faith, decided to spin suspenseful military romance where God plays a vital role in character motivation and plot.
As a child, Rebecca lived in countries all over the world. She has been a military dependent for most of her life and knows first-hand the dedication and sacrifice required by those who serve.
Living near the military community of Virginia Beach, Rebecca is constantly reminded of the peril and uncertainty faced by U.S. Navy SEALs, many of whom testify to a personal and profound connection with their Creator.
Their loved ones, too, rely on God for strength and comfort. These men of courage and women of faith are the subjects of Rebecca Hartt’s enthusiastically received Acts of Valor romantic suspense series.

268 pages, Paperback

Published September 6, 2022

79 people are currently reading
28 people want to read

About the author

Rebecca Hartt

17 books43 followers
Rebecca Hartt is the nom de plume for Marliss Melton, an award-winning, best-selling author who, following her conversion, decided to spin suspenseful military romance in which God plays a key role in both character motivation and plot.

As a child, Rebecca lived in countries all over the world. She has been a military dependent for most of her life and knows first-hand the dedication and sacrifice required by those who serve.

Living near the military community of Virginia Beach, Rebecca is constantly reminded of the peril and uncertainty faced by US. Navy SEALs, many of whom testify to a personal and profound connection with their Creator.

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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Margaret Watkins.
3,574 reviews89 followers
July 19, 2022
Following on from previous books in the Acts of Valor series, this military romance is suspenseful and fast-paced. Dealing with problems that most civilians have little occasion to experience, Lieutenant Commander James Monteague experiences failure for the first time in his life. However, as many before him have discovered, calling on God when in dire straights brings answers from unexpected sources. Monty's next-door neighbor, physical therapist Opal Bonheur has had a crush on Monty for some time, but he hardly acknowledges her existence until he returns from his tour of duty and she returns his roving cat to him. Given Monty's good looks and the women falling over themselves to attract his attention, Opal keeps her distance from him, until he walks into her therapy room in need of treatment. Unfortunately, having discovered the truth about their father's death, Opal and her sister Ruby find themselves in the cross-hairs of a killer. The suspense in this novel kept me riveted throughout as the perpetrators of the crime that was committed search for Opal's sister, and they in turn search for the man who is suspected of having murdered their father. Even though Monty would have preferred to avoid complicated relationships, he quickly finds himself becoming involved in Opal and Ruby's lives, thereby upending his own convictions about relationships. Although it is a close call, the novel comes to an exciting close bringing all the characters together in a grand finale. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
460 reviews7 followers
October 14, 2025
Rising From Ashes is a powerful testament to love, faith, and the strength of the human spirit in the aftermath of devastation. Rebecca Hartt delivers a gripping Christian romantic suspense novel that balances emotional depth with pulse quickening tension, reaffirming the redemptive power of grace.

Lieutenant Commander “Monty” Monteague’s story is one of profound transformation from a broken Navy SEAL haunted by loss and guilt to a man learning to let faith mend what even courage could not. His scarred face and spirit mirror the cost of survival, while Opal Bonheur’s steadfast compassion reveals that healing often begins where self reliance ends.

Hartt’s writing shines through its authenticity. The military realism feels lived in, and the spiritual undertones emerge naturally from the characters’ journeys rather than being imposed upon them. The love story between Monty and Opal is tender, redemptive, and deeply human rooted not just in attraction, but in shared vulnerability and divine grace.

Rising From Ashes isn’t merely a romance it’s a story about restoration: of faith, of purpose, and of love after unbearable loss. Through heartbreak, suspense, and renewal, Rebecca Hartt reminds readers that even the deepest wounds can become the soil from which new hope grows.
Profile Image for Andrea Payne.
709 reviews6 followers
June 11, 2023
Rising From Ashes

Rebecca Hartt's series Acts of Valor has continuously and immensely impressed me. According to her foreword, this series was previously published under a different name and did not contain an element of Christ. As I read each one, I often asked myself how in the world she managed to get the characters through whichever trial they were experiencing without their knowing God. The development, growth and true healing they have all exhibited could only come from Him.

To all our service members and first responders, THANK YOU for your service and sacrifice. My prayers are with you and yours.
Profile Image for Nancyduso.
71 reviews3 followers
February 18, 2024
Wow! I so enjoyed this whole series Acts of Valor - good men fighting evil and struggling to realize that God has their back even when bad seems like it is winning.
Great story line always full of action and bringing in other men in the past books (love that) It makes you feel like you know the characters - they stuggle and do stupid stuff just like we do.
God brings us/them through the fire.
Great read - yes I stayed up to finish it!! :) Will definetly be reading all of Rebecca Hartt's books !!
Profile Image for Robin.
Author 3 books30 followers
January 19, 2023
Kept Me Reading

I loved how the story just kept me wanting to know more. I didn't want to put it down. This whole series has been interesting enough to keep me buying the next one. In this book, the hero and heroine both take a major hit and have to overcome. There's a bit of the inspirational element, but it's light. The book is clean, too. If you enjoy this type of suspense romance, I'd recommend giving this one a try.
1 review
August 2, 2022
This entire series is really a good read. I can read them over and over again (with less nail biting on repeated readings). I never expected to see "Fitz" become a protagonist. Looking forward to book #5 next year. Have read each of the books in this series in less than three days. They are hard to put down.
61 reviews1 follower
August 14, 2024
The Best of Them All!

I have enjoyed all of the Valor books, but this was the best. It shows you God being my at work no matter how bad the circumstances someone finds them self in.

The characters continue throughout all the books, so don't miss reading any of them.

Thank You
Profile Image for Bruce Dinsman.
1,609 reviews3 followers
August 11, 2022
A very heartfelt AWWW!

Lovely ending for the book and the series. Many of the journeys were helped by faith in God. Both main characters needed to renew their walk with God to be all they could be to their partners,
Profile Image for Sarah.
575 reviews8 followers
October 19, 2022
NOT TO BE MISSED!

Rising from Ashes is another awesome not-to-be-missed addition to the Acts of Valor, which is TOTALLY a not-to-be-missed series! There are awesome characters and storylines in these wonderful Christian romantic suspense books.
Profile Image for DIANA L BARRISS.
26 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2023
Excellent read!!

I couldn’t put down this book until I had read it all. There’s the right amount of adventure, drama, and romance to keep your attention. I highly recommend reading this book.
12 reviews2 followers
February 14, 2026
Enjoy this book from beginning to end

I enjoyed the story of Monty and opal. From Monty's sad story to opal's sweet caring personality. Also another bonus love story featuring opal's sister.
1 review
July 21, 2022
loved this whole series

Please write more like this series !!!!!! I love the suspense and romance and most of all the faith and love of Christ
8 reviews
January 4, 2023
Well done

The characters felt like family. Great job of making me invest in them. 1st one of this series that I have read but I will definitely read the others.
Profile Image for Pages_With_Me | Génesis  .
210 reviews1 follower
April 6, 2023
I had trouble dealing with how their relationship started, but I huess it brings awareness to veterans and all the struggles they may face. Also, thought it was a little predictable.
201 reviews2 followers
February 19, 2024
great book

I so enjoyed reading this book by this author. She is a wonderful writer and knows how to keep my attention.
14 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2025
awesome read

Ms. Hartt does a great job of weaving stories together like a finely woven quilt, and keeping the reader engaged and cheering for her characters.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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