Firethorn (Discarded Heroes, Book 4) by Ronie Kendig

Book Description:
Don your tactical gear and enter the world of black ops and espionage within the pages of Ronie Kendig’s thriller Firethorn. Former Marine Griffin “Legend” Riddell, a fugitive from injustice, finds it difficult to trust anyone. Covert operative Kazi Faron, the woman sent to free him, has a dangerous secret that may jeopardize her life, mission, and the only man she respects. As Griffin and Kazi race around the globe to save Nightshade, the danger mounts. Will they find the culprit sabotaging their black ops team? Can their newfound feelings and trust survive when Griffin and Kazi face truth and terror?

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Wow, what a fantastic series! Firethorn, Book 4 and the grand finale of the series is another sure fire winner! This novel brings all our characters back for one page gripping  read. We enter Book 4, with Legend falsely accused and imprisoned, and the rest of the team and their families under attack! If you have been a fan of the first 3 books in this series then this is a must read for you.

Kendig superbly writes strong characters, their angst, their valor, heart, struggles; and wraps you up in nonstop suspense, action and life lessons all the way until the end. Lessons on fear, forgiveness, pride, struggling to be in control and learning to trust - others and God. There is so much to give nod to, I feel as if I could go on and on. The interactions and relationships are so real, so well fleshed out that they live and breath off the pages. There were a few chuckles during the reading of this novel, but also some tears shed. Man, I hate to say goodbye to this group of characters! Any chance they can make a come back in another series!?! 

One thing I can say for sure, Kendig has found a fan in me! A superb series and finale!

Wolfsbane (Discarded Heroes, Book 3) by Ronie Kendig

Book Description:
A 2012 Christy Award Winner.  Embark upon a danger-laden mission within the pages of Ronie Kendig’s riveting Wolfsbane. Demolitions expert Danielle Roark thought escaping from a brutal Venezuelan general was a challenge. Now she’s charged with espionage and returned to the jungle where a new nightmare begins. Will Dani survive or become just another political pawn destined to be lost forever? Former Green Beret Canyon Metcalfe is disgusted with the suits on Capitol Hill. Still wrestling with the memories of a mission gone bad, he and Nightshade launch a mission to find Dani. Can Canyon rescue Dani, armed with nothing but raw courage?

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Wow, what an intense, action packed ride! I had to stay up way too late last night to finish, what I believe to be Kendig's best novel yet! Man are her characters believable! Reading this novel, felt like sitting through a movie on the edge of my seat most of the time. 

Let's go beyond the well fleshed out characters, the suspenseful plot; this story had heart to it. Kendig shows us pieces of ourselves and of life, and they are not all puppies and roses. There are hard things we face in this life, at times evil seems to have the upper hand but we must remember God is with us, God is for us. Do we trust Him? Are we willing to surrender all to Him and let Him work things out? Many times, if we are honest, we fail;  we try to do things in our own strength and in our way. We are prideful. We are sinful. 

This book is not your typical Christian fiction, there are some surprises packed in here. There is a message beneath all the suspense, the pain, the betrayals and sin. A message that is not preachy but real, honest and so well crafted that it grabs you. Yes, we live in a fallen world, and yes, all of us have sinned. The question is what do we do in response? Hopefully, there is repentance of our sin, a turning to God. Still, sin has consequences, some reaching beyond us and touching the lives of others. Do we also, take responsibility for our mistakes, do we try to make amends?

I applaud Kendig on a superbly written novel. I loved the realness of her characters. I loved the Metcalfe family... You could do a whole series on this family alone! (And I wish she would). Kendig hits all the bases with this one - mystery, suspense, action, romance, drama, faith and more; and she brings it all in for a home run! Fantastic!

Digitalis (Discarded Heroes, Book 2) by Ronie Kendig

Book Description:
Step into the boots of a former Marine in this heart-pounding adventure in life and love. Colton “Cowboy” Neeley is a Marine trying to find his footing as he battles flashbacks now that he’s back home. Piper Blum is a woman in hiding—from life and the assassins bent on destroying her family. When their hearts collide, more than their lives are at stake. Will Colton find a way to forgive Piper’s lies? Can Piper find a way to rescue her father, trapped in Israel? Is there any way their love, founded on her lies, can survive?

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While Digitalis is the 2nd book in a series, you could read it as a stand alone. Like Book 1, this is a fast paced, action packed ride! Kendig really helped you to feel for Colton and his struggles, they seemed very real and added depth to the story. I enjoyed the suspense, the action, and characters.

However, this one just didn't sync with me like Book1 did for a few reasons. The romance between the two main characters didn't feel as flushed out and seemed too rushed. And there were editing errors (ebook) that bothered me.

Overall, still a bang up good read!

When I Fall in Love (Christiansen Family, Book 3) by Susan May Warren

Book Description:
Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she’d vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled—or maybe yanked—away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.

Max Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away.

Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace’s faith will face its toughest test yet.

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Susan May Warren, I fell in love... all over again with your wonderful, rich, lively cast of characters & with this novel! It was beautiful, sweet, honest and so real I felt as if I was living in it! Your novels are absolutely wonderful & inspiring! And this is one of those novels you absolutely hate to set down & even when you do you can't stop thinking about it. I loved it!

ABSOLUTELY  WONDERFUL!!! Let me try to count the ways... Engaging, well fleshed out characters you love - check; a plot that keeps the pages turning - check; things that pull at your heart and that minister to you - check; truths to ponder and apply - check; I could go on and on and on... Agh, the wait for the next book is going to drive me crazy! Warren already laid the ground work in this novel and trust me, it hooks you!

I don't like to give too much of the story away... but I just want to say WOW, kudos to Warren for writing Max and Grace's story, it is different, touching and will give you some thing to think on. Be brave, live life fully! Sure, life can be messy and things don't always go the way we planned but there is something about being open and willing to risk, to put ourselves out there and try, that can birth some of the most beautiful and memorable times of our lives! Fall in love, first of all with Christ - Who is the One, the something more you are searching for. Be inspired by His love and let it flow through you and your life!

Again, an awesome novel!

Nightshade (Discarded Heroes, Book 1) by Ronie Kendig

Book Description:
Soldiers all across the globe are returning home to their families after brutal tours of duty. They are discharged from the service. . .and on their own. Meet Max Jacobs, one of these discarded heroes, as he faces a wall of failure—in his career, his friendships, and his marriage. Failing again—this time to end his life—he is offered a thread of hope. Are covert government operations the answer for him, or will they only bring more danger and dissension upon his broken family?

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Danger, torn relationships, secrets, murder, hostages... this book has enough stuff to keep you glued to your seat & the pages rapidly turning! I wasn't sure if this novel would be up my alley, but from the beginning Kendig grabbed me & held me captive through a wild and fast paced read. It was awesome! In fact, it was so good I had to stay up late to finish it! The suspense, interesting plot & characters all made for a great read. A nice touch of mystery at the end leads you to know there is danger ahead for this team in future books.

The one thing that I think readers may take issue with is how from time to time parts of the story are paced in the future & other parts the past... Then there is the present goings on. It wasn't clearly labeled as such but you figure it out as you read it. As people are discussed being saved that are at other parts of the novel still in captivity. Things at the end did wrap up a little too quickly for me but then again I wasn't ready for the story to be over.

Kendig was insightful & heartfelt as she wrote about PTSD & how what the soldiers go through & what they see affects them & their families. The elements of faith & struggle seemed both real & not pushy. This was a great faith based suspense/action novel with a touch of romance added in. All around a good read.

There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

Book Description:

Grief brought Finley to Ireland. Love will lead her home.

Finley Sinclair is not your typical eighteen-year-old. She’s witty, tough, and driven. With an upcoming interview at the Manhattan music conservatory, Finley needs to compose her audition piece. But her creativity disappeared with the death of her older brother, Will.

She decides to study abroad in Ireland so she can follow Will’s travel journal. It’s the place he felt closest to God, and she’s hopeful being there will help her make peace over losing him. So she agrees to an exchange program and boards the plane.

Beckett Rush, teen heartthrob and Hollywood bad boy, is flying to Ireland to finish filming his latest vampire movie. On the flight, he meets Finley. She’s the one girl who seems immune to his charm. Undeterred, Beckett convinces her to be his assistant in exchange for his help as a tour guide.

Once in Ireland, Finley starts to break down. The loss of her brother and the pressure of school, her audition, and whatever it is that is happening between her and Beckett, leads her to a new and dangerous vice. When is God going to show up for her in this emerald paradise?

Then she experiences something that radically changes her perspective on life. Could it be God convincing her that everything she’s been looking for has been with her all along?

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Absolutely wonderful!!! This novel was hard to put down, the pages just kept turning... Jones beautiful portrays a powerful and moving tale of a young lady dealing with loss and questioning where is God, is He listening, does He care? In fact she does such a good job of portraying all of this, and so much more that our heroine seems to live and breath off the pages. Her life and struggles seem all too real, and there is a message that ministers to us at any age, and at any stage we find ourselves in. So, although this may be labeled YA, this novel will have no trouble reaching out to a more mature audience. I believe any reader would come away just as impressed and touched as I am.

The romance was sweet and appropriate for a YA novel (some mild kisses). And for those who fear it might be too heavy or depressing, let me assure you that Jones tosses some humor into her tale as well. This is a well rounded novel, with nicely developed characters and relationships. Seriously, beautifully written!

Just Between You and Me: A Novel of Losing Fear and Finding God (Women of Faith) by Jenny Jones

Book Description:

The only thing scarier than living on the edge is stepping off it.

Maggie Montgomery lives a life of adventure. Her job as a cinematographer takes her from one exotic locale to the next. When Maggie's not working, she loves to rappel off cliffs or go skydiving. Nothing frightens her.

Nothing, that is, except Ivy, Texas, where a family emergency pulls her back home to a town full of bad memories, painful secrets, and people Maggie left far behind . . . for a reason.

Forced to stay longer than she intended, Maggie finds her family a complete mess, including the niece her sister has abandoned. Ten-year-old Riley is struggling in school and out of control at home. The only person who can really handle the pint-sized troublemaker is Conner, the local vet and Ivy's most eligible bachelor. But Conner and Maggie keep butting heads--he's suspicious of her and, well, she doesn't rely on anyone but herself.

As Maggie humorously fumbles her way from one mishap to another, she realizes she's going to need to ask for help from the one person who scares her the most.

To save one little girl--and herself--can Maggie let go of her fears and just trust God?

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Absolutely wonderful! I zipped through this novel today and enjoyed every moment! I sit here now after finishing the last page, with a grin on my face and a smile in my heart. This novel was drenched lovingly in truth, grace, hope and love - all without being preachy!

Looking for some encouragement, it's wrapped up in this tale. I loved the characters, the romance, the struggle our heroine faced. I would gladly again devour this novel! Add this to your must read list this year... it will be worth it!


***There were a few typos, but overall very well written.

The Seahorse Legacy (Eyes of E'veria, Book 3) by Serena Chase

Book Description:
a Pirate, bound by a centuries-old oath -- a Knight, determined to prove her calling -- a Legacy, demanding surrender 

As Keeper of the Seahorse Legacy, Cazien de Pollis is a King among pirates, divinely appointed to dispense justice on the seas. Bound by the sacred oath of a long-dead ancestor, he must fulfill a contract to wed the green-eyed Oracle’s Daughter named therein—or risk losing everything he and his people hold dear. But at nineteen, with the identity of his betrothed only recently revealed, Cazien resents the contract—and the urgency within him to see it satisfied. 

Erielle de Gladiel returned from the quest for the Remedy, changed. Not only are her formerly-blue eyes now a brilliant shade of green, but she must don gloves to hide inky evidence that her prophetically-bestowed title, the Oracle’s Daughter, demands more from her than the task already completed. Erielle’s dearest-held dream is realized when she is knighted by her King, but unbeknownst to her, that very honor jeopardizes the prophesied purpose to which she and Cazien have been called. 

Just as Cazien summons the courage to collect his bride, dark rumors and darker deeds crawl up the coasts, calling its guardians, the Seahorse Pirates, into action—and Cazien away from Erielle. But even though the Oracle’s Daughter knows nothing of the contract to which she has been consigned, Cazien’s enemies have somehow learned of his interest in Erielle. And if they reach her before his ancestor’s weighty oath is executed, the Seahorse Legacy will be forfeited . . . and darkness will be given reign. 

The third book in this series-within-a series, The Seahorse Legacy begins an epic re-imagining of the classic Grimm fairy tale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses which will conclude in Eyes of E’veria, Book 4: The Sunken Realm, coming in 2015. 

Want to dive deeper into the world of E'veria? Look for the first two-book set in the Eyes of E'veria series by Serena Chase! The Ryn (book 1) and The Remedy (book 2) retell the classic Grimm fairy tale Snow White & Rose Red on an inspirational and epic scale. 

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I have been really looking forward to the release of this book! Cazien is one of those characters that both charms you and sticks with you! I was so excited to read his story and I was not disappointed, well except that I have to wait till 2015 to see it fully played out in Book 4! Anticipation, anticipation, anticipation!!!

This book picks up speed right from the beginning and continues to have you racing through it all the way to the last page! In fact there were some places that Chase reiterated things, maybe for readers who didn't read Books 1& 2, or she just went on again about something that I felt was established or really not important to the story. In those areas, I will admit I skim read, the anticipation to see our hero and heroine get to where they needed to be or to do what need to be done, was just too great. I will reread this story prior to reading Book 4 and I am sure at that point (hopefully) I will be able take it all in at a more leisurely pace! (Wink!)

I do so enjoy Chase's writing style and her characters. Her story is well written and you get swept up in it. Even the grand and magical, seem realistic and the story easily comes to life in your mind. So much so, that you feel as if you are a part of it.

Both our hero and heroine, have their own obstacles and issues to be fleshed out. Pride and longing for control of things are something that both will have to battle. Erielle has some other character flaws that can make you want to shake her but at the same time help make her character very believable.

What more can I say... If you are up for a grand, fanciful adventure, then this one will not disappoint! It really sets the stage for Book 4, where we will get to see more of our hero and heroine together! Which I have to say was something that didn't happen as often in Book 3, but when it did their interactions were so well written and definitely high points of the story! Absolutely enjoyed this tale!