Description
The flight of freedom begins with letting go.
After years of disastrous choices, Addisyn Miles has a second chance with the person she once betrayed—her older sister, Avery. Moving from Whistler, Canada, to Avery’s home in the Colorado Rockies seems like the perfect opportunity to not only rebuild her fragile relationship with her sister but also distance herself from the past she can’t forget. But adjusting to Avery’s life is harder than she expected, especially with her heart drawing her back to the chance at love that she left behind in Canada. When she begins helping her sister care for an injured hawk, Addisyn is forced to confront the fears that have left her just as wounded—or to allow her darkest enemy to sabotage her future.
As Avery Miles tends to the hawk’s broken wing, she prays for her sister to find healing as well. Her goal has always been to keep Addisyn safe, but her every attempt to hang onto her sister only drives them farther apart. As the common ground between the sisters continues to shrink, they’re suddenly blindsided by a looming threat from Addisyn’s past. Now, they must discover what it would truly take to find healing—before the broken edges of their stories separate them for good.
The second book in the Climbing Higher series, Where the Wings Rise is a story of the scars that keep us earthbound, the choices that lead to healing, and most importantly, the faith that allows us to always fly free.
Nathan Parker (verified owner) –
I had the privilege of reading a pre-release copy of Ashlyn Ohm’s new novel, Where the Wings Rise. It is Book 2 in the Climbing Higher Series and the successor to her initial novel, When the Ice Melts. Ashlyn has also written a weekly devotional, A Year in the Woods, hosts a blog and podcast at Words from the Wilderness, and is a columnist for Ouachita Life magazine.
One necessarily would not need to read When the Ice Mets to enjoy reading Where the Wings Rise. Ashlyn’s structure for the series reminds me of the Secret in the Maple Tree series I read from the Abeka program in school. Just as with the Secret in the Maple Tree series, one can jump into Where the Wings Rise and enjoy the story “standalone” without reading When the Ice Melts. However, I highly encourage you to read both When the Ice Melts as well as Where the Wings rise. You will fall in love with the characters, and you will not want to miss all of the rich adventure that took place in When the Ice Melts.
While Where the Wings Rise is its own story, it also picks up the overall storyline of When the Ice Melts exceptionally well and continues the story. For those who already fell in love with the sisters Addisyn and Avery Miles and as well as Darius Payne and Laz from the “Live Bigger” store, they’re back with plenty of action. Addisyn moves to Estes Park with Avery and attempts to hear their fractured sister relationship. The healing proves to be tougher than expected and even is on the verge of being further fractured due to secrets that Addisyn keeps from Avery. We also saw in When the Ice Melts that a romance was beginning to spark between Addisyn and Darius. Will that romance blossom in Where the Wings Rise? Will there be any further road blocks between Addisyn and Darius on the way there? You will have to read the book to find out!
The book also introduces us to new characters you will quickly fall in love with as much as the regular characters. There’s the somewhat-mysterious Skyla whom Addisyn briefly works for during a temporary job and, she may also appear in the most unexpected of places when Addisyn is faced with a situation not knowing where or who to turn to. When Skyla’s husband brings in an injured hawk to Laz’s store for Avery to help heal, both Addisyn and Avery learn valuable lessons throughout the book while caring for the hawk and helping the hawk’s wings to rise again.
One of the biggest surprises of Where the Wings Rise is Brian Felding is not done attempting to bring harm in Addisyn’s life. He plots and attempts to execute his revenge against Addisyn for turning him down near the end of When the Ice Melts. Will Darius come to Addisyn’s rescue again this time? You will have to read the book to find out!
Where the Wings rise also does an excellent job introducing us to new characters as well as balancing the role of existing characters from When the Ice Melts. We are introduced to Brian’s new secretary who has a struggle with her conscience, but we also get to see Addisyn catch up with an old friend at the barista in Whistler while visiting Darius. Ashlyn has ensured that we get to enjoy scenes across her entire cast of characters from both books, no matter how major or minor of the roles they play in the storylines.
The work also is certainly detailed and vivid in its descriptions, and we get to spend plenty of time in the majestic scenic beauty Estes Park and Whistler again as we enjoyed in When the Ice Melts. Ashlyn also takes readers to Denver and back to bustling New York City for the climatic showdown between Addisyn and Brian. As in When the Ice Melts, Ashyln gives us a rich description of each scene in which you will feel as though you’re standing there next to the characters enjoying God’s creation alongside them.
Even though this is only her second novel and third publication, Ashlyn has written Where the Wings Rise with the excellence of a seasoned author. It is definitely as good as When the Ice Melts. I am trying not to show favoritism between both books since When the Ice Melts was exceptional for Book 1 in the series. I may have enjoyed Where the Wings Rise even a little more simply because I fell in love with the characters in When the Ice Melts, and the new characters introduced made for a fascinating read. I even ran the battery down on my eReader in less than a week (a battery that usually lasts for weeks on one charge) because I could not stop reading the book. That is a good problem to have!
The only feedback I would have for Ashlyn that could be better is, I am ready for more! I am ready for a Book 3! I want to spend more time in Skyla’s store. I want to see how well the relationship continues between Addisyn and Avery and how well Avery does when visiting Whistler (maybe she needs to stop by the barista and learn how to make Cuban Lattes!). I would love to read how Laz would attempt to handle the store while Avery is visiting Whistler. Maybe Skyla to the rescue again? I want to hear if Ashlyn and Darius fulfill an opportunity to skate together and what it could mean for their careers. Is there a wedding in their future as well? I am curious if Brian is done trying to bring any harm into Addisyn’s life or if we will see another round with him. With Addisyn and Avery escaping a dark past, what if just when they are at their happiest, if that dark past were to resurface and give their sisterly relationship the ultimate test? Book 2 was a fantastic continuance to the story, but there are still plenty of unanswered questions and plots that could be explored in a Book 3! I am looking forward to the day Ashlyn announces it!
Where the Wings Rise, as its predecessor When the Ice Melts and her devotional A Year in the Woods, is an excellent work from a gifted author who is able to draw readers closer to God’s creation and experience solid Scriptural truth in a richly enjoying way. I am thankful to the Lord for allowing Ashlyn to bless all of us with such fascinating literary masterpieces. If you have not read this book, order it today! You will be glad you read it.
Emily Hoisington –
“But I believe that any wound can be healed if we are willing to allow ourselves to be held. If we allow Someone higher to lift us and bind the wounds”
One of my favorite reads last year was When the Ice Melts by Ashlyn McKayla Ohm so when she announced she was writing a sequel to be released in 2023 I couldn’t wait to read it!
Let me tell you, Ashlyn DID NOT disappoint!!
When the Wings Rise picks up after estranged sisters Addisyn and Avery Miles joyful reunion, following the at times messy and complicated journey of healing and mending their relationships with each other- and with God. The story is set in the Colorado Rockies- complete with elk bugles, winter storms, high mountains and a hawk. His journey of flying again after an injury highlights the overall theme of the book.
I can’t recommend this story enough, with its lovable and dynamic cast of characters, and beautiful, immersive setting that will get you lost in the Rocky Mountains. 🏔️🦌🌄
Ashlyn’s love for creation and her creator is evident in her storytelling. I’m so proud of her for producing another great release and can’t wait to read what comes from her next! Thank you Ashlyn for sending me a copy of your book in exchange for an honest review!
Ailsa –
I received an advance copy of this book as part of the Launch Team in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. ‘Where the Wings Rise’ by Ashlyn McKayla Ohm is Book 2 in the Christian inspirational series, ‘Climbing Higher’. It continues the story of Addisyn Miles, who has turned her back on her dreams of being an Olympic figure skater, and is now attempting to build a new identity for herself in the Colorado Rockies and rehabilitate her relationship with her once-estranged sister. But both tasks prove harder than Addisyn thought as her past mistakes follow hard at her heels.
I really enjoyed this book. Although slower-paced than the first book, I soon settled into the story. Ashlyn McKayla Ohm’s writing style has matured since Book 1, making for easy, comfortable reading overall. My favourite part of the story was watching the development of Addisyn and Avery’s explosive relationship as they navigated their new sibling dynamic. The scenes of struggle between them were very well written – there was a palpable current of frustration running through these interactions, including the scenes where each sister was alone and experiencing the conflict only inside her own head. I was surprised to realise that my favourite character was the villain. We got a good look into his reasoning through scenes written in his point of view, and he felt very believable and human, even though we never learn how he became so ruthless. I can imagine him being interesting enough to be the main character in his own book.
One thing I would have liked to see was for the villain to get his comeuppance more. After his plan failed, the action shifted back to Addisyn and Avery and we saw no more of him. I was also intrigued about what the fallout would be for one particular side character who took very brave actions to bring him down – I would have liked for this potential plotline to be explored more.
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a sensitive and cathartic story with strong family themes. The book is, in my view, appropriate for teenagers and adults. I will be keeping an eye out for future books by this author and will look forward to the final book in the Climbing Higher series. I would like to thank Ashlyn McKayla Ohm for allowing me to read this advanced copy.
JackieT –
A beautifully written book. Addisyn wants a chance to reconnect with her sister. She tries hard to make this work, but it’s not so easy. Loved everything about the sisters and their emotions, so realistic.
Carie –
Loved this book! It keeps you in suspense the whole time! It has a great theme and a powerful message. When the Ice Melts was great, Where the Wings Rise was even better, and I can’t wait to see what is in store for the third book! I would definitely recommend the Climbing Higher series!