If you’ve been following SGL for any decent length of time, you’re aware of what a BIG fan of Dee Henderson I am. I don’t read a whole lot of books set in modern times, honestly. But the way she writes intrigue, suspense and clean, intentional romance just grabs my attention and doesn’t let it go. I’ll share links to my other book reviews at the bottom of this post. I’m currently in the middle of a Henderson kick, aka, reading every Henderson book that I can get my hands on. And yes, I’m heading to the library asap to pick up more.
But today, I want to share with you a simply lovely three book series, Uncommon Heroes.
“The only easy day was yesterday.” -Navy Seal Motto
True Devotion – Lifeguard Kelly Jacobs was pulled by the waves of the sea, the cold and exhaustion making it hard to stay awake. She knew time for a rescue was running out as the sun set. But just as sure as she was about that, she also knew her best friend would come and find her. Navy Seal Lieutenant Joe ‘Bear’ Baker pulled Kelly from the sea and in those moments of being held safely in his arms, she said the wrong thing. Their friendship on uncertain terms, both Joe and Kelly have some decisions to make. For Kelly, can she risk loving another active military man? She did that once and has the folded flag to prove it. For Joe, can he learn to balance a relationship as well as his career? What they don’t know is that the man who killed Kelly’s husband is closer than either of them know and danger is just around the corner.
~ I’ll start out by saying that I love the fact that God is our refuge is such a part of this book. Both characters learn and lean on that. I just adore Bear and his struggles and wanting to do what’s right. I really enjoy the Seal aspect of the story. Of course, I can’t attest to just how accurate that part of it is but it’s interesting and done well, in my opinion.
“These things we do, that others may live.” – Air Force PJ Motto
True Valor – While Lieutenant Grace ‘Gracie’ Yates is flying an F/A-I8 Hornet and trying to keep the peace while readying for war, Major Bruce ‘Striker’ Stanton, an Air Force Pararescue Jumper, is on the ground pulling pilots and Special Forces soldiers from behind enemy lines. Bruce knows that Grace is too good of a pilot to not pull the tough assignments, and if trouble comes, his unit will be the one to get the call. They keep a relationship alive through love letters while they are both deployed, leaning on God’s assurance that He is sufficient no matter what. That faith will be tested when a dogfight erupts and Grace’s plane is damaged. Determined not to be the first woman pilot shot down behind enemy lines, Grace babies her plane and fights the need to eject. But her fighter jet goes down. And Bruce now has only one mission: get Grace out alive.
~I probably can’t say enough good about this one, you guys. This is one of my favorites of all time of hers. I just love who Bruce is – his intentional seeking out of Grace, how he keeps tabs on his sister, his friends, etc. Grace is a confident pilot who is still reeling from a loss and learning how to get back to living a full life. I really appreciate how Henderson weaves that through. And of course, the military aspect just sucks me in.
True Honor- When the cold war was over, Darcy St. James retired from the CIA with an Intelligence Star for Valor. For the last two years, she’s been enjoying civilian life. But then September 11 happened and she was called back for her knowledge and experience. The nation needs her street smarts and network of contacts. She’s on the trail of a man who knew what was going to happen on September 11 and chose to profit from it. Darcy meets Chief Petty Officer Sam ‘Cougar’ Houston during the first days of the war. He is busy following the intelligence that Darcy is finding. His role as a sniper has him taking out one enemy at a time. Their romance is one they didn’t expect but it flourishes despite the distance and stresses of their jobs. And then they find out that Darcy is high on the terrorists list of targets.
~This is my favorite of the series. Even over the second book. I just adore Darcy (I’m sure part of that is her name, tbh) and her longing to be out of the spy game while knowing that she can’t sit on the sidelines of this war. She struggles with good vs evil and finds an unexpected blessing in Sam. Sam is a solid believer, who knows what he’s fighting for and that good will win in the end. He realizes the treasure that he’s found in Darcy. I found it interesting, their dynamic of her finding information and his unit being the one to carry out the missions. I liked that overlap. It was interesting, it being based on the war that I actually lived through, and brought to home the sadness and terror a bit more than reading about other wars do. I really like the twists and turns for the search for the man that Darcy is hunting.
I think that’s all I can say about each of the books. I genuinely enjoy all three of them, although as you can tell, as the series continues I love the books more. The romances are all clean, intentional and based on faith. I so appreciate that in novels.
This series was printed back in 2002 and yet, I feel like it’s still one of my favorites of hers. I’d love to hear if you’ve read this series?
Other Dee Henderson reviews on SGL:
the start of a good life 