The Bridge of Silver Wings (More Heat than the Sun Book 3) John Wiltshire 2021 (2nd edition) 513 pages Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ MM Thriller/Suspense Romance Plot: Ben & Nik's Rules of Engagement: Rule #1: The past always comes knocking. Benjamin Rider and Nikolas Mikkelson have gotten themselves into plenty of scrapes since they started working together 6 years ago, and their struggles have gone a long way in forging the nearly unbreakable bonds between them. Yet one can never be fully present in the now so long as the past continues to linger, and when Nik asks Ben to help him fully exorcize his demons by accompanying him to Russia one last time, Ben doesn’t hesitate to say yes. He understands the significance of even being invited on this deeply personal mission. And Russia doesn’t disappoint—it’s breathtakingly beautiful.  Beautiful and dangerous. When that danger finally rears its ugly head, both men realize how much they need each other. Except—  Rule #2: Sometimes to love someone means letting them go. Nik isn’t the only one with a complicated past. Believing himself to be an orphan with no family for the last twenty years, Ben discovers some long lost relatives that put certain aspects of his life into perspective. Suddenly, Nik is no longer his only family– and who is Ben without Nik? He needs to find out, and the only way to do this is to ask Nik to take a step back and give him the opportunity to be his own man.  First Take: John Wiltshire delivers another excellent page-turner with The Bridge of Silver Wings. Just when you think it’s impossible to dream up more shenanigans for our two heroes, Wiltshire manages to put them in an entirely new situation that allows them to evolve and reveal more complicated layers and keep things really interesting. I love them more and more with each book. I am digging this series for sure. This time around, Ben and Nik face a different kind of test altogether: how far are they willing to go to protect each other? And what happens if one of them no longer needs protection?  Characters: Ben Rider knows who holds the power, and it’s not him. This doesn’t bother him as long as he doesn’t have to think about it– he is easygoing by nature and relies on his smarts and his martial arts to survive. But Ben is beginning to realize that Nik casts an extremely large shadow, and his tendency to merge into the older, wiser, more experienced man might not be the best choice in this situation– he needs to be able to stand on his own two feet (I’m beginning to wonder if Ben is an Enneagram 9). Nikolas Mikkelson is forced to do some introspection this time around, and he’s not sure he likes what he sees when he looks in the mirror. He’s never thought much about his motivations before— other than what it takes to survive– but Ben’s presence is forcing him to realize that he does, in fact, have choices– and those choices have consequences. The fact that he’s finally willing to be a little vulnerable is making him feel things that make him uncomfortable, but probably necessary. Adulting is hard. Breakout character award goes to fiery little Emilia, who erupts onto the scene with poise, grace, and good sense.  Praises: This book felt different– like we’ve moved into a new phase in this adventure. And I loved it. Ben and Nik are more secure in their partnership, and some of the angst we see in Love is a Stranger and Conscious Decisions of the Heart is less abundant, as these two seem to have moved beyond superficial bonds and want to forge a stronger commitment to do right by each other– though how adept they are at actually doing this remains to be seen. It’s the thought that counts, right? And I gotta say it is something else to see Ben and Nik in survival mode. They reek of confidence and competence and it’s very fun. John Wiltshire is a master at peeling back layers and fleshing out characters and revealing just enough new information to keep a reader hooked.  Critiques: Again, consider trigger warnings with this series, every book seems to contain plenty of violence, manipulation, and angst (though a bit less with this one), as well as some words Amazon probably won't allow me to publish (like one that starts with T and ends with -orture). Also, this is not the kind of series for readers who get annoyed when things get a little too wild for real life. If you can stand a little OTT action/adventure, though, read on! Themes: Faith v Doubt, Family, Fate v Free Will, Good v Evil, Hubris, Identity, Justice, Man v Nature, Man v Self, Power & Corruption, Sacrificial Love, Survival Overall Tone: Ben and Nik gain a new understanding of the cost of love through sacrifice. Prose: Dual 3rd person POV (plus the occasional interjection of a special guest): I never get sick of listening– reading?-- as Ben and Nik talk to each other. The dialogue is so great– witty and snarky and achingly lovely all at the same time. Steam: 💜💜💜💜💜 Something Ben and Nik have plenty of is passion.  Trigger Warnings: There is a scene of pretty intense claustrophobia. As well as the usual: power, violence, and worse, etc.  Swear Jar: 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 Nikolas does have to keep reminding Ben to quit swearing, so… Cliffhanger: HFN and yes to cliffhangers!! Get the next book pronto! Memorable quotes:  And he was happy, very happy. He and Nik were traveling together, and Nikolas had pretty much admitted, mixed in with all his usual BS, that he adored him. In the early hours of the morning, propped on one elbow, watching his demon sleep, Ben wondered if there was any sacrifice he wouldn’t make to the Nikolas Mikkelson altar.  He wasn’t averse to exercise in the mornings, he just preferred it to be horizontal.  Worthy of a reread? 100% yes, the first ½ of this book is my favorite part of the series so far.  Stand-Alones, Prequels, Sequels, & Tangents: Book three in the More Heat than the Sun series. All 9 books follow Ben and Nik on their adventures and need to be read in order. Start with Love is a Stranger. Next up on the list: This Other Country.