#NetGalley Book Review: Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig

I totally enjoyed this intense, complex suspense.
Storm Rising
by Ronie Kendig

Series: Book of the Wars (Book 1)
Hardcover: 386 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (July 2, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764234072
Genre: Christian, Mystery, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Mentioned in the pages of the Septuagint but lost to history, the Book of the Wars has resurfaced, and its pages hold secrets--and dangers--never before seen on earth.
Tasked with capturing the ancient text, former Navy SEAL Leif Metcalfe is finally given command of his own team. But their best efforts are ruined when a notorious Bulgarian operative known as "Viorica" snatches the volume right out from under them.
Iskra "Viorica" Todorova is determined to use the book to secure the thing that matters most--freedom. But a series of strange storms erupts around the globe and the coming dangers foretold in the text threaten crops, lives--entire nations. Though both are haunted by secrets of the past and neither trusts the other, Leif and Iskra must form an uneasy alliance to thwart impending disaster. However, the truth hidden in two-
thousand-year-old words could unleash the storm of their own destruction.

Review:
Navy SEAL Leif is trying to recoup from team losses and memory losses when he is put in charge of a new team, full of old friends. Each team member brings the best of covert skills to the mission which is to locate and retrieve the mysterious Book of Wars. The team isn’t the only one after the book as at least two other players are a step ahead.

Just as Leif closes in on the book it is snatched from his hands by a notorious female operative, known as Viorica. Viorica, who is Iskra, has been directed by her ‘master/handler’ to bring the book to him. She is determined to get the book to trade for her freedom and something more.

Leif knows he shouldn’t trust this ruthless woman, but he sees something deep in her eyes that draws out a protective streak. Iskra doesn’t trust anyone but herself. But as Leif and Iskra face off several times, she begins to wonder if she can trust him and his team to win her freedom. Neither is quite sure of their footing when they are forced together by outside circumstances.

There are strange storms interfering in the team’s actions and Iskra can shed some light on that. She also has more information about the book which she is reluctant to share. It is clear they have some joint enemies to face if they want to protect many from a devious attempt to control nations.

I really enjoy the complex characters and situations that Kendig creates. The characters are deep, intense and flawed. The other team members have relationship dynamics going on which are probably part of future stories. The situations are fast-paced and tense. I like that the intense action doesn't require any bad language. The plot has a Christian foundation involved with the Book of Wars and is gently reflected in comments of faith from some of the characters. The plot may include fictional missions, but it reveals interesting covert tools that make me wonder what tools are real and in use by governments and individuals (very wealthy individuals).

My only (repeated) complaint with Ms. Kendig’s work is she tends to use multiple names for her characters: first name, last name, and a nickname or code name. I haven’t figured out the pattern for use if there is one. Sometimes it causes me to pause to make sure I have the right person in the right situation. Other than that, I enjoy the suspense ride even when the story finishes at a point that leaves issues open for the next book. I recommend this to readers who like intense romantic suspense.

Source: 2019 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2019NetGalley goal.

Book Review: Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig

I did enjoy this complex, Christian military suspense

Crown of Souls
by Ronie Kendig

File Size: 8885 KB
Print Length: 482 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 5, 2017)
ASIN: B071NJBKFZ
Genre: Christian, Military, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

"Kendig has out done herself."--RT Book Reviews on Conspiracy of Silence
Six months after stopping a deadly plague, Cole "Tox" Russell and his team are enjoying a little rest. That peace is short-lived when a sniper shot hits Tox. The enemy is discovered to be one of their own, a rogue Special Forces team operator.
Alec King is perhaps the only person as skilled as Tox, and he's out for justice. Furious with orders that got his men killed, he intends to make those responsible pay. And he insists Tox join him, believing they are the same breed of soldier.
Afraid his old friend is right, Tox battles a growing darkness within himself as he and his team engage in another deadly encounter with antiquity. It appears Alec is cheating--he's using a mysterious artifact, a crown that history has linked to some of the worst slaughters in humanity. Racing to stop Alec before his vengeance is unleashed, Tox must fight the monster without becoming one.

Review:
Cole’s nickname is “Tox”, short for Toxic, because of his past. Even though he has proven himself in his successful service to his country, there are memories that he hasn’t let go. His name has been cleared of an accusation, but that doesn’t help a lot since the public, including his parents, believe he is dead. He continues to operate with a special ops team under instructions of selected superiors.

The team is enjoying some down time and Tox is spending time with Haven, a woman who loves him and brings light to his life. He doesn’t feel worthy of her and thinks she will hate him if she ever finds out about his past secrets. A sniper shot takes Tox in the shoulder and at first it isn’t clear if the shot was meant for him or Haven. The investigation reveals that the bullet was a message from an old friend and prior team member, Alec.

Soon they discover that Alec has gone rogue and is on a vendetta to destroy men who were enemies of the state and those who obstructed their capture in the past. Further investigation shows that it is not just Alec having gone off the deep end, but apparently he is using an ancient relic, a crown, that is corrupting his mind. The team must find a way to stop Alec before he kills those Tox loves, and many more. Just as importantly, they must get control of the crown so it doesn’t fall into the hands of anyone else.

Ms. Kendig creates a rather involved, complex plot that moves from present day danger to the legend of the crown in ancient, 1170AD Syria. The first jump back in time was a bit confusing but then it became apparent that the author was establishing the history of the crown and the Christian Knight whose mission was to retrieve it. I enjoyed the history and it added to the mystery to be unraveled by Tox and his team.

One problem I had was the author’s inconsistency in us of character names. In one paragraph Tox might be referred to as Tox, Cole and/or Russell. There were other characters where this occurred too and it was confusing to follow especially since I was letting Kindle read to me.

I found the mystical legend to be an interesting vehicle from a Christian author. I am not totally settled on how I feel about the supernatural elements in the story. I have the sense that reading the earlier book in the series may have made this a little easier to follow. Still, I like Ms. Kendig’s strong, intense writing style. I enjoyed the comradery and loyalty of the team, the tension in the romance and the danger and suspense of the plot. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy military suspense with romantic and supernatural elements.

I received this through NetGalley and it qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge.

Book Review and Giveaway: Talon: Combat Tracking Team (A Breed Apart Book 2) by Ronie Kendig

This has good characters and engaging action and suspense…plus a dog. :-)

Talon: Combat Tracking Team (A Breed Apart Book 2)

by Ronie Kendig


File Size: 1045 KB
Print Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Shiloh Run Press (May 1, 2013)
Publication Date: May 1, 2013
ASIN: B00C1T441O
Genre: Mystery Suspense, Military, Christian
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Aspen Courtland is out to find her missing brother. Only his combat tracking dog, Talon, knows where to look. Problem is, after a brutal attack that separated dog and handler, Talon’s afraid of his own shadow. The search is on, but when one mistake means disaster, can Talon muster the courage for one last mission?

Review:
Aspen Courtland was in the military service, but not in combat. She manages her own activities to keep fit, including boxing. She is working with her missing brother’s combat tracking dog, Talon. Aspen is half preparing for the chance to go abroad to look for her brother. If only she had a hint that he was alive and where to look.

Cardinal was raised in a very difficult situation. Now he is a government “asset” staying low and waiting for the chance to find his missing protégé, Austin Courtland. He finally gets the “go ahead” and reaches for another resource that he needs to locate Austin: Talon. Cardinal doesn’t tell his secrets – to anyone. He won’t be telling Aspen his connection to her brother but he needs the dog. What Cardinal didn’t plan on was Aspen as the handler who has to come along with the dog to find Austin.

Aspen, Talon and Cardinal, and a few friends, go to Africa to try to pick up the trail where Cardinal thinks he last saw Austin. Talon has bonded with Aspen but it isn’t clear if he is totally ready as he is still suffering from PSTD. Things become very tense and the team comes under fire. Aspen grows closer to Cardinal and tries to make him break from his secrets. Then a threat comes to challenge Cardinal with Aspen and Talon witnessing.

Cardinal is a dark loner and wonderfully conflicted character. His darkness is balanced – and challenged -- by Aspen’s sweet nativity and trust. I enjoyed the conflicted romance, the action, the dog element and the faith references, even though I thought there could have been some capitalizing on God’s control.

I (and the other book club ladies) really enjoyed the story as a whole. However, there are issues. The story bounces between characters but this is a style that Ms. Kendig uses. I have read some of her other military books and she jumps between scenes and characters as the story builds so that was okay for me. A couple of the characters have multiple aliases so you have to figure out who is who. I recognized several of the characters from the Quiet Professionals series by Ms. Kendig. The underlying conspiracy of corruption involves some of those characters without having filled in backstory. It would have been nice to provide that connection although it isn’t totally necessary to enjoy this story. There were also unexplained or loose ends: how was some of the intelligence of the enemy obtained? How did everyone get time off at the end?

So it wasn’t perfectly executed but it was still engaging. I recommend it to those who enjoy military action, military dogs and of course a romance with a rogue hero.

I picked this title up at a good price last November for our Ladies Book Club. I count it for TBR Triple Dare, March 2016 TBR Challenge and "T" in Alphabet Soup.

GIVEAWAY: Two Winners:

One (gently read) PRINT COPY

US Only for Print; Worldwide for eBook

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries

(a) comment on the review, OR

(b) Visit the Author's website and tell me something you learned or like there.

* This contest is open to US only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) March 14 , 2016.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after March 14, 2016.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Book Review: Hawk (The Quiet Professionals, Book 2) by Ronie Kendig

This has a good relation conflict supported by a background full action and danger.
Hawk (The Quiet Professionals, Book 2)
by Ronie Kendig

• File Size: 1054 KB
• Print Length: 371 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1624163181
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press; Gld edition (November 1, 2014)
• ASIN: B00LQ26B7C
• Genre: Military Romance, Christian
• My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: November 1, 2014
Raptor’s communications expert, Staff Sergeant Brian “Hawk” Bledsoe is struggling with his inner demons, leaving him on the verge of an “other than honorable” discharge. Plagued with corrupted intel, Raptor team continues to track down the terrorist playing chess with their lives. Afghan pilot Fekiria Haidary is devastated when a systems glitch on her aircraft forces a weapons launch on a safe target. And when the deadly bombing separates Brian from the team, he must make an impossible choice: save his brothers-in-arms, or save the woman and children depending on him to survive a brutal snowstorm.

Review:
Brian, “Hawk”, is an intense special forces soldier. Although his father belittled him and made him feel stupid, Hawk has always been smart and is a whiz at electronics and computers. Hawk is part of the Raptor team that is in Afghanistan trying to track down terrorists that have breached American communications systems.

Fekiria is a young Afghan woman who has resisted her father’s attempts to marry her to his choice of suitable husbands. She has secretly become an Afghan Air Force pilot. Fekiria has been taught all her life to hate the Americans and her home experience has made her distrustful of any man since the ones she knows only seek to control and limit her.

Fekiria’s duties as a pilot place her in a situation where she is threatened with exposure of her secret and with harm to her Christian friend who secretly operates a home school teaching young girls. Fekiria is horrified when her aircraft controls are manipulated to target the secret school. At the last moment a nearby building is attacked and Fekiria is equally horrified to learn it was a safe house for her cousin’s fiance and the men of his unit, the Raptor Team.

Hawk and Fekiria had met once before and the sparks had flown. He is arrogant and flirty and she is haughty and resistant. Now Hawk discovers she was the pilot that bombed his team but she is in the midst of trying to protect her friend and the children. Before Hawk can get back to his team and learn what is going on with Fekiria he must help her get the children to a safe place. Even when they get caught in a blizzard he assures Fekiria that he will stay with them until he gets them to safety.

I enjoyed these troubled and vulnerable characters who have past indoctrinations and prejudices to overcome. Can they risk allowing feelings to penetrate their carefully shielded hearts? There is plenty of action and danger to add to the emotional tension of the story. I also like the quiet and consistent Christian message that is shared through several important secondary characters.

There are  mysteries that remain at the end of this story. The underlying thread of a mole and hacker infiltrating the American system is carried forward from the first book and continues to the next. I highly recommend this series to those who enjoy military action as a background to personal relationship conflict. I look forward to the next book.

I received this ebook through NetGalley for an honest review. It qualifies for my NetGalley Challenge, the TBR Dare and as H for the Alphabet Soup Challenge.

Book Review: Raptor 6 (The Quiet Professionals) by Ronie Kendig

Great read - this is a wonderful story with good action and intrigue, strong characters and a clean romance.
Raptor 6 (The Quiet Professionals)
by Ronie Kendig

• File Size: 986 KB
• Print Length: 354 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1616260408
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press (May 1, 2014)
• ASIN: B00HX7CTDO

Genre: Military Romance, Christian Fiction
My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: May 1, 2014
Captain Dean Watters keeps his mission and his team in the forefront of his laser-like focus. So when Dean’s mission and team are threatened, his Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Failing to stop hackers from stealing national security secrets from the military’s secure computers and networks isn’t an option. Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. And a target. When Zahrah is captured because of her expertise in quantum cryptology, compromising the US military, Dean is forced to crack the lockbox around his heart—a move that might come at the highest cost.

Review:
Dean Watters is a special forces Captain who is focused, dedicated and ‘married’ to his Raptor team. They are stationed in Afghan where they try to help the local people when able and address military issues when needed. His team is quick to move in when they see smoke down the road. They arrive to discover that a missionary school has been attacked by terrorists. Dean meets Zahrah Zarrick, a beautiful American who is a missionary teacher to the children.

Zahrah’s father is a well known General who would prefer she be safe in America. But Zahrah feels compelled to teach the children, particularly the girls, of her mother’s home country so they will not be restricted as her mother was. Although teaching is Zahrah’s vocation, her studied expertise from college is in quantum cryptology or data encoding in computers. This makes Zahrah a target for cyber terrorists who want her skills to hack into a stolen military computer to gain national security secrets.

Dean becomes Zahrah’s protector, unofficially appointed by her father, and by his own nature. Dean tries to convince Zahrah to return to America but Zahrah knows her true protector is God.  She believes He has a plan that involves her staying where she is. Will Zahrah’s faith sustain her when she is kidnapped, tortured and threatened to use her skills? Can Dean go in to rescue Zahrah knowing he will face his worst fears of being tortured and watching an innocent woman be tortured, as he did ten years before?

Somewhere in the mountains there is a man who has hacked into the military base and is watching every move Raptor team makes. Dean is frustrated as it becomes clear that someone knows their plans and is always one step ahead of the team. This created tension and interest but I was frustrated that it took quite some time to even realize there was a ‘mole’. This enemy remains an unknown even at the end of the book.

I really enjoyed the fast paced action of the story and the camaraderie of the team members. I appreciated that there was no foul language and I loved the strong faith portrayed in Zahrah. The torture scenes are realistically harsh. I recommend this to readers who love action, danger and a clean romance of integrity and spirit with no need for overt sex. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received this title through NetGalley.