by Ben Rhodes
First published 2018
Mark has left the Marines behind and now spends his days pulling people from dangerous situations in the mountains. He prefers solitude at his remote cabin, venturing out only for rescues, training, or supplies. His plan for isolation works until he saves a woman and her two children from a car sliding toward deep, frigid water. The smart move would be driving away immediately after the rescue. Instead, Mark stays. His compassionate nature draws him into their lives and their problems. What begins as a straightforward mountain rescue spirals into serious complications that threaten Mark both internally and externally. The very connections he sought to avoid now surround him. The author warns readers about deceptive storytelling, and Mark's situation proves equally complex. His soft heart becomes his vulnerability as one decision leads to another, each choice pulling him deeper into the exact troubles he hoped his isolated lifestyle would prevent. This emotional story balances fun with genuine stakes as Mark discovers that some rescues extend far beyond the initial emergency.
Genres: fiction, adventure, contemporary, action
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: compassionate-hero, found-family, isolation
Setting: Marines
173 pages · Paperback · Independently published