Discover Scent of Hope by USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren in this heartfelt Christian romance spotlight. Packed with second-chance love, romantic suspense, faith-filled redemption, and rugged Alaskan wilderness, this story delivers the perfect mix of emotional depth, danger, and hope that Christian fiction fans crave. Whether you’re searching for Christian romance books with K9 heroes, childhood sweethearts reunited, or powerful messages of new beginnings in Christ, Susan May Warren’s latest is a must-read.
Meet Susan May Warren
I’m Susan May Warren, a USA Today bestselling author who splits my time between the snowy winters of Minnesota and the sunny beaches of Florida with my amazing hubby, four adult children, five grandchildren, and two wild and crazy labradoodles who think they run the show. I’ve written over 100 romantic suspense novels and founded both Novel.Academy and Sunrise Publishing because apparently I can’t sit still! When I’m not crafting stories of second chances and adventures in Alaska and Montana, you’ll find me with a good glass of wine, hosting friends, traveling to new places with a book in hand, and worshipping the Lord who makes all things possible!
Fun Fact: I’m adopted (just like my heroine in Track of Courage), which deeply influences the themes of belonging, identity, and chosen family that run through my stories. This personal connection to adoption and the search for home shows up in many of my characters’ journeys—it’s not just about finding where you fit, but discovering that sometimes the family you choose loves you exactly as you are.
About the Book: Scent of Hope (Call of the Wild Book 2)
Two broken hearts. One deadly mission. And just one avalanche dog standing between them and a killer.
Harley Tatum made a vow to never return to Copper Mountain, Alaska, where a drug dealer destroyed her family and the man she loved walked away. But when that same criminal escapes and justice calls her name, she has no choice but to face everything she buried.
Jericho Bowie remembers things differently. She left him. And he’s spent years wondering why. Now Harley needs his search-and-rescue dog, Orlando, to track a fugitive through treacherous mountain terrain–and Jericho refuses to let her go alone. Not again.
But as they push deep into the frozen wilderness, the hunter becomes the hunted. Old feelings resurface at the worst possible time, and survival depends on two people who don’t know if they can trust each other–or their own hearts.
Susan May Warren packs action and heart-pounding suspense from the rugged wilderness of Alaska into a nonstop adventure where the greatest danger might be opening your heart again.
This gripping suspense is filled with pulse-pounding action, second-chance romance, and a heroic K9 rescue dog from Alaska, sure to thrill fans of Lynette Eason, Dani Pettrey, and Natalie Walters.
Tropes & Themes
Childhood friends-to-lovers
Second-chance romance
Forced proximity
Romantic suspense with K9 hero
Themes of redemption, new hearts in Christ, surrender vs. control, belonging, and chosen family
Alaskan wilderness adventure
Release Details
Release Date: June 2, 2026
Series: Call of the Wild (Book 2)
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense / Christian Romance
Why Scent of Hope is Must-Read Christian Romantic Suspense
Susan May Warren delivers another gripping tale of faith, courage, and second chances that will keep Christian romance readers turning pages late into the night. With authentic emotional wounds, a heroic avalanche dog, and breathtaking Alaskan settings, Scent of Hope blends high-stakes romantic suspense with deep spiritual truth. Fans of Christian fiction, clean romance with heart, and stories of redemption will find encouragement that God truly gives us new hearts and restores what was lost. Perfect for readers seeking hope-filled Christian romance books that point back to God’s faithfulness.
Author Interview: Behind the Scenes
What inner struggle drives your main character(s)?
Susie: Harley Tatum returns to her small Alaskan hometown haunted by failure—she blames herself for not saving her brother from addiction before his death three years ago, and she carries the weight of her parents’ tragic plane crash. She’s driven by a desperate need to pursue justice and protect others, believing that if she can just catch the bad guys, she can somehow redeem her past failures. But when her presumed-dead brother Gabe reappears alive, having faked his death to work undercover, everything Harley believed about herself shatters. Her journey shifts from pursuing justice through her own strength to learning that true freedom comes from trusting God’s plan and accepting that she doesn’t have to carry the weight of the world alone—that surrender, not control, is the path to the life she’s been seeking.
Jericho Bowie, Harley’s childhood sweetheart, left town years ago, leaving behind Harley and his family, convinced he couldn’t protect the people he loved. He returns home believing he’s just helping his brother temporarily, but Harley’s reappearance forces him to face what he really ran from—the fear that he’s not enough to save anyone, especially the woman who has always owned his heart. His transformation comes through surrendering his need to control outcomes and accepting that God calls him to partnership, not solo heroism.
What is the heart of the romance?
Susie: The heart of this romance is the collision between two protectors who’ve spent years running from their pasts and each other. Harley and Jericho were childhood sweethearts, their love story written in secret signals—lights turned on in bedroom windows across the lake—until tragedy tore them apart. What brings them together now is a dangerous search for justice against the crime family that destroyed both their families, forcing them into proximity despite their unresolved hurt.
What stands in their way isn’t the external danger, but their shared wound: both believe they’re not enough to save the people they love. Harley fights to prove her worth through performance, while Jericho’s protective instincts push him to control every outcome. Their journey is learning to trust—not just each other, but God—and discovering that real love isn’t about being strong enough to protect someone, but vulnerable enough to need them.
This is a childhood friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance with forced proximity. It’s the story of two people who were “spark and fire” from the beginning, learning that coming home means accepting who God made them to be—together.
What do you hope readers carry with them?
Susie: I hope readers carry the truth that God offers us new hearts—not repaired versions of our broken ones, but completely new. When we’ve hardened ourselves through hurt, grief, and the weight of trying to save everyone in our own strength, God’s love can transform us. The longer we hold onto old wounds and try to earn our worth through performance, the harder our hearts become. But when we surrender and accept God’s mercy, He removes those hearts of stone and gives us hearts capable of trust, hope, and the freedom to finally come home—both to the places we’ve fled and to the people we were always meant to love.
What Bible verse encouraged you during this story?
Susie: Ezekiel 36:26 has been central to this story: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
This verse captures the entire journey of both Harley and Jericho—two people whose hearts have turned to stone through grief, guilt, and self-protection. During a challenging season when I was wrestling with my own need to control outcomes and prove my worth, God gently reminded me through this passage that He doesn’t ask us to fix our broken hearts ourselves. He offers us something completely new.
I also leaned heavily on the reminder that the Bible says “do not fear” 365 times—once for every day of the year. God knows fear is our default, but His perfect love drives it out. When I felt afraid I couldn’t tell this story well enough, or worried about disappointing readers, I returned to this truth: God is big enough to protect us, and we don’t have to fight for ourselves. That freedom transformed not just my writing, but my faith.
About the Author
Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of over 100 novels with more than 1.5 million books sold. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, she’s the founder of Novel.Academy and Sunrise Publishing, where she coaches writers to craft stories that matter. When she’s not creating adventures in Alaska and Montana, she’s splitting her time between Minnesota and Florida with her hubby, four kids, five grandchildren, and two labradoodles who are convinced they’re the real stars of the show.
Hosted by Kelly Jo Wilson, the Christian Romance Book Nook is your cozy, faith-filled corner of the internet for Christian romance. Kelly connects readers with uplifting stories, honest author interviews, exclusive giveaways, and the joy of knowing you’re never alone in your love for clean romance focused on Jesus.
Come join our growing community, new friends, new books, and plenty of bookish encouragement are always waiting for you!
Join the Christian Romance Book Nook Community
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In Becca Kinzer’s laugh-out-loud Christian romantic comedy Not What We Pictured, a perfectly planned proposal goes hilariously wrong and strands a determined photographer at a charming Tennessee bed and breakfast, where unexpected romance, family healing, and a reminder of God’s treasured identity await.
Meet Becca Kinzer
Becca Kinzer lives in Springfield, Illinois, where she’s worked as an ICU nurse for over twenty years. After handling plenty of real-life stress and drama on the job, she pours her energy into writing lighthearted romantic comedies that bring laughter and heart to readers. A classic-movie lover, she weaves in subtle nods to old films and actors throughout her stories.
Fun Fact: I used to be a runner and completed a couple of marathons back in my twenties. Even though I don’t run anymore, the lessons in perseverance I learned on those long miles still shape and inspire my creative life every day.
About the Book: Not What We Pictured by Becca Kinzer
What happens when a well-meaning sister tries to create the perfect marriage proposal… and everything goes hilariously wrong?
McKenna Boston is feeling stuck. She’s spent years growing her photography skills only for her career to hit a wall. She’s ready to move on, and she will, just as soon as she helps her sister’s boyfriend stage the perfect proposal. But when her best-laid plans go awry and a handsome stranger accidentally ends up with the heirloom ring, McKenna hops on a flight to retrieve it. Piece of cake, right?
Nate Lambert was hoping to enjoy a relaxing summer before starting his new job as a literature professor, but he arrives in Tennessee to discover his mom’s bed and breakfast is struggling and there’s a long list of repairs to be tackled. The last thing he needs is a gorgeous, determined photographer searching for a ring he doesn’t have since the airline lost his luggage somewhere on his route from Nebraska.
With the ring nowhere to be found, all McKenna can do is wait and use the time to build her portfolio and plan her next career move. But she also can’t help getting swept up in Nate’s bed and breakfast renovations and in planning a community concert with the townsfolk. As both await news of Nate’s suitcase, it begins to seem their serendipitous meeting, and the proposal gone wrong, could actually be everything going right . . . and that this may be their chance at a love neither could have pictured.
If you’re craving Christian fiction that delivers big laughs alongside genuine heart, Not What We Pictured is pure delight. Becca Kinzer’s warm, witty voice makes you feel right at home in a story that celebrates God’s treasure in every person—no matter their background or past mistakes. This Christian romance blends lighthearted fun with deeper themes of forgiveness, identity in Christ, and second chances, making it perfect for fans of clean, feel-good contemporary romance. You’ll laugh, root for McKenna and Nate, and walk away reminded that God sees us as His beloved—no performance required.
Author Interview: Behind the Scenes
What inner struggle drives your main character(s)?
Becca: At the beginning of the story McKenna is simply trying to help her younger sister have a perfect marriage proposal experience. But like a lot of my stories, that simple endeavor soon turns into a comedy of errors. Interwoven in the chaos, however, are themes of forgiveness and learning where our true sense of identity comes from, especially when complicated family dynamics are involved.
What is the heart of the romance?
Becca: I’d say the heart of this romance is how a false first impression can still eventually lead to true love. McKenna and Nate’s personalities initially clash at the beginning, but as they’re thrown together in forced proximity and soon find themselves working together to repair a bed and breakfast, they discover they have a lot more in common than they originally thought.
What do you hope readers carry with them?
Becca: I hope readers have a blast reading this story and are reminded that God absolutely treasures them no matter what their background or upbringing looks like.
What Bible verse encouraged you during this story?
Becca: All of Psalm 139 comes to mind, but especially verse 13 when I think about my character McKenna in this story. Since she was adopted, she questions whether she’s as valued as her sister, who was their parents’ biological daughter. I love how this verse reminds us that we are all cherished and special to God. As a writer I can sometimes be tempted to base my worth and value on sales, reviews, contest wins, and so forth. But this chapter and verse is such a great way to ground myself back in God’s love.
About the Author Becca Kinzer lives in Springfield, Illinois, where she works as a critical care nurse. When she’s not busy taking care of sick patients or using up all the storage on her phone with pictures of her dog, she enjoys making up lighthearted stories with serious laughs. She is the author of multiple titles including Dear Henry, Love Edith, which won the 2024 Carol Award for debut novel. Not What We Pictured is her fourth novel.
Hosted by Kelly Jo Wilson, the Christian Romance Book Nook is your cozy, faith-filled corner of the internet for Christian romance. Kelly connects readers with uplifting stories and honest author interviews. She shares exclusive giveaways and celebrates the joy of knowing you’re never alone in your love for clean romance focused on Jesus.
Come join our growing community, new friends, new books, and plenty of bookish encouragement are always waiting for you!
Join the Christian Romance Book Nook Community
Want early access to Christian fiction author interviews, new releases, and exclusive book giveaways?
Discover a gripping second-chance romance wrapped in heart-pounding danger in Flare Up by Lily J. Hann, the exciting Book #2 in the New Freedom Fire and Rescue Series. When high school sweethearts Tylan and Madyson reunite years later—one a protective single dad and volunteer firefighter, the other a courageous journalist back from the brink of death—their long-buried feelings ignite just as deadly enemies close in. This clean Christian romantic suspense delivers friends-to-more chemistry, faith-filled redemption, and a tender little girl who steals every heart. Perfect for readers who love edge-of-your-seat inspirational romance with real emotional depth, powerful messages of trust in God’s gentle whisper, and the hope that second chances can shine even brighter the second time around.
Meet Lily J. Hann
Lily Hann is a Christian romantic suspense writer, teacher, boy mom, and pastor’s wife. Writing is her fun job, and she loves telling stories where danger is real, love is hard-won, and God’s redemption always has the final word.
Fun Fact: Lily teaches forensic science to high school juniors and seniors. She went to training from her local police department and learned all she could about police procedures and collecting, processing, and reporting evidence. It was a great experience that she also gets to use in her writing.
About the Book: Flare Up(Book #2 New Freedom Fire and Rescue Series)
What happens when a second chance at love collides with life-threatening danger?
Some fires never go out—they just wait for the right moment to reignite.
Private investigator and volunteer firefighter Tylan Jamison knows evil when he sees it—and he feels it closing in on New Freedom. After losing his wife, Tylan vowed to protect their daughter, Sari, from the ghosts determined to finish what they started. Every case he takes, every fire he runs toward, is driven by that promise.
Madyson Viruel has spent the last eight years fighting for the innocent in some of the world’s most dangerous places. Nearly killed while exposing those who exploit children, she returns to New Freedom to recover and disappear. The last thing she expects is to come face-to-face with the boy who once held her heart—and the man she never truly stopped loving. When Madyson’s enemies track her to New Freedom, the danger becomes impossible to ignore.
As threats escalate and secrets unravel, Tylan is forced to confront a terrifying truth: the evil hunting Madyson may be the same darkness that destroyed his wife. Drawn together by danger and a love they never acted on, Tylan and Madyson must face the past head-on. Because this time, protecting the innocent—and their second chance at love—means standing in the fire together.
Tropes & Themes
Friends to more
Second chance romance
Protector hero / PI & volunteer firefighter
Single dad (protective father)
Romantic suspense with real danger and faith elements
Found family through a little girl who steals hearts
God’s gentle whisper and better plans
Release Details
Release Date:
Publisher:
Genre: Christian romantic suspense
Series name: New Freedom Fire and Rescue Series (Book #2)
If you crave clean Christian romance packed with heart-pounding suspense, tender second chances, and powerful messages of redemption, Flare Up delivers. Lily J. Hann weaves thrilling danger with the beauty of rekindled love and a child who captures everyone’s heart. Readers will be reminded that God’s plans are always better than our own and that even in the middle of the fire, His gentle whisper leads us home. Perfect for fans of faith-filled romantic suspense who want hope, healing, and a story that lingers long after the last page.
Author Interview: Behind the Scenes
What inner struggle drives your main character(s)?
Lily: Tylan gave up on ever loving anyone other than Madyson and his sole focus is keeping his daughter, Sari, safe. Madyson came back to New Freedom to hide from the evil men she had been fighting against and from the man she never stopped loving. When the two reconnect, trouble follows Madyson and evil lurks in the shadows waiting to swallow Tylan’s daughter in it. Tylan and Madyson rekindle their shared love while also stopping the men chasing after Madyson and Sari.
What is the heart of the romance?
Lily: Tylan and Madyson were best friends in high school and promised each other that if neither of them found someone they’d find each other again when they turned 30. They both went their separate ways—Tylan into the Marines, FBI and finally as a PI and Madyson got her degree in journalism and traveled the globe bringing to light the horrors of trafficking. Sparks fly from the moment the two reconnect, but will Madyson stay this time or will she take Tylan’s heart with her again when she leaves? It is a friends to more and second chance romance woven with danger and a little girl that steals Madyson’s heart too.
What do you hope readers carry with them?
Lily: Sometimes we lose sight of where God wants us to be and we cling to what we think life should be. It can happen to the best of us. I hope that Madyson and Tylan’s story helps readers realize that God’s plans for us are better than we could have ever imagined and when He gives us a second chance to do something the right way, we should take those opportunities and cherish them. No matter what we thought about what was best for us, God’s way is always better.
What Bible verse encouraged you during this story?
Lily: After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:11b-12) When Madyson felt God calling her to bring such evil to light so that she could be a part of the people who stopped such evil, she thought that was what she was supposed to always do.
When she almost dies and is sent home, she is drowning in knowing whether or not to go back into the field. I chose this verse because sometimes we want God to speak to us in grand ways or we are holding onto what we thought was best when in reality God is whispering to us to change course. This is a lesson that Madyson learns in the story and one that resonates with me.
About the Author
Lily J. Hann writes Christian romantic suspense novels that intertwine thrilling mysteries with messages of faith and love. A devoted wife and mom, she cherishes time spent exploring life’s adventures with her husband and two sons. When she’s not writing or adventuring, you’ll likely find her curled up with a good book or enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of coffee.
Hosted by Kelly Jo Wilson, the Christian Romance Book Nook is your cozy, faith-filled corner of the internet for Christian romance. Kelly connects readers with uplifting stories, honest author interviews, exclusive giveaways, and the joy of knowing you’re never alone in your love for clean romance focused on Jesus.
Come join our growing community, new friends, new books, and plenty of bookish encouragement are always waiting for you!
Join the Christian Romance Book Nook Community
Want early access to Christian fiction author interviews, new releases, and exclusive book giveaways?
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