Ronie Kendig: Thirst of Steel

By Kelly Bridgewater

Dismantled centuries ago, the sword of Goliath is still rumored to thirst for its enemies' blood. Cole "Tox" Russell only wants to begin his life with Haven Cortes, but he must first complete a final mission: retrieve that sword and destroy the deadly Arrow & Flame Order.

The AFO, however, is determined to claim the sword. Wielding their father's life over Tzivia and Ram Khalon, they threaten to expose Ram's long-held and dangerous secret while demanding Tzivia locate the sword. With the Wraith team slowly being torn apart, things only worsen when Mercy Maddox, a new operative, emerges with the stunning news that the sword is tied to both Ram's secret and a string of unsolved serial murders.

Tox, Ram, and the others are forced to set aside fear and anger to focus only on the enemy. No matter the cost, Wraith must stop or take the enemy down with them.

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

I have read both books in Ronie Kendig's The Tox Files series: Conspiracy of Silence and the Crown of Souls and loved them, so of course, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Thirst for Steel. I have heard about this book since I finished the Crown of Souls, and I have been patiently waiting for this book like a little kid trying to behave on the way to Disney World for the first time. Finally, I got the book in my hand, and Kendig did not disappoint.

As always, Kendig's writing is top notch. I love how she draws me into every little detail of the setting that I need to know. I love how she describes the fight scenes, which are more detailed in male writings in my opinion, but not for Kendig, she rivals any male writer. I love her attention to detail and her ability to bring me into unfamiliar settings and make them familiar for me.

The plot. Of course, my favorite thing about a book. Does it hold my attention? Does my mind wander? As a word of caution when Thirst for Steel starts, there are many different viewpoints. I think, and I could be wrong, there are five present day viewpoints and a past viewpoint. So some readers might find it confusing for a while and wonder how they all are connected. BUT . . .  if you have read Kendig before, then the miracle is how she does tie them all together in a pretty bow at the end of the novel. I knew she would, so I stuck though the novel trusting her to do what she promises. I really loved the action in this novel. It is fast paced, and I really had a hard time putting it down. I was running on the treadmill with the book in my hand. I didn't want to stop.

The characters. Kendig throws a couple of surprises toward the end of the novel. She made me gasp, but I understood and completely empathize with her reasonings for doing what she did. I loved seeing more of the lives of familiar characters as they struggle to achieve their desire for a normal life. I am sad to see the series end and say good-bye to these characters. But now that I have all three books, I think I will return to them and read them again in order, one right after another.

Overall, Thirst for Steel by Ronie Kendig is a wonderful ending to her Tox Files series. It is filled with surprises, actions, and characters I have grown to struggle and empathize with. I am sad to see the series end, but I can't wait to see what else Kendig has up her sleeve. Onto her next series.

I received a complimentary copy of Thirst of Steel by Ronie Kendig from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About the Author

 

 Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author of over twenty titles. She grew up an Army brat, and now she and her Army-veteran husband live a short train ride from New York City with their children and retired military working dog. Ronie's degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters. Visit Ronie online at:

From Amazon

ronie@roniekendig.com
www.roniekendig.com
FB: RapidFireFiction
Twitter: @RonieKendig
Instagram: @kendigronie

Since launching onto the publishing scene in 2010, Ronie and Rapid-Fire Fiction novels have hit bestseller lists and garnered awards and critical acclaim, including:

2017 RT Reviewers' Choice Award Finalist - Crown of Souls (Inspirational Suspense)
2016 RT Reviewers' Choice Award Winner - Conspiracy of Silence (Inspirational Suspense)
2016 Carol Award Finalist - The Warrior's Seal (Novella)
2016 INSPY Shortlist - Falcon (Suspense/Mystery/Thriller)
2016 INSPY Shortlist - Embers (Speculative Fiction)
2015 RT Reviewer's Choice Award Finalist - Falcon
2015 FamilyFiction 15 Top Books of 2015 - Falcon
2015 Lime Award Winner - Falcon (Suspense)
2014 INSPY Award Finalist - Talon: Combat Tracking Team Dog
2013 HOLT Medallion Winner - Trinity: Military War Dog (Best Book by a Virginia Author)
2013 Selah Award Winner - Firethorn (Fiction - Suspense)
2013 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award Winner - Trinity: Military War Dog (Romantic Suspense)
2012 Christy Award Winner - Wolfsbane (Contemporary Romance)
2012 Lime Award Winner - Firethorn (Suspense)
2012 Carol Award Finalist - Wolfsbane (Romantic Suspense)
Christian Retailing's 2011 Readers' Choice Awards Finalist - Nightshade
2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award Finalist - Nightshade (Romantic Suspense)
Named one of the Top 25 Christian Fiction Suspense, Mystery, and Thriller Writers by FamilyFiction (Sept 2011)
2011 FamilyFiction Readers' Choice Awards - 3rd place as New Favorite Author, 8th place with Nightshade for Novel of the Year.
INSPY Award Shortlist final in Mystery/Thriller (Dead Reckoning)
The Christian Manifesto's 2010 Lime Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction (Nightshade)


Ronie's titles include:
-->THE TOX FILES series: The Warrior's Seal (novella), Conspiracy of Silence, Crown of Souls, & Thirst of Steel
-->DEAD RECKONING
-->DISCARDED HEROES series: Nightshade, Digitalis, Wolfsbane, Firethorn, & Lygos (novella)
-->A BREED APART series: Trinity, Talon, Beowulf
-->THE QUIET PROFESSIONALS series: Raptor 6, Hawk, Falcon, Titanis (novella)
-->Operation Zulu: Redemption
--> Additional novellas in the Central Park Rendezvous and Denali Dreams anthologies

Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction), Twitter (@roniekendig), Instagram (@kendigronie) and GoodReads.(Taken from Amazon.com)

Ronie Kendig: Crown of Souls

By Kelly Bridgewater

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.

From Amazon

My Thoughts:

Oh my goodness! I love Tox and his fellow team members. I would love to hear a story about Ram and his background. He intrigues me with his character and his dependability. Maybe someday. As for now, I will stick to Tox who shines in the Tox Files by Ronie Kendig. When I read a Kendig novel, I know that I'm getting a novel with tons of military personnel in a war ravage war area. Kendig does a good job at creating characters who shine on the page and jump right into my heart. With her latest addition to the Tox Files, Crown of Souls, I can't say enough good things about the plot and character.

First, with her writing, Kendig draws me into the story with the first chapter and doesn't let go. The story begs to be read and enjoyed in one setting. I feel the sand under my feet. I can see the mud built homes in the Middle East. I can feel the weight of the military equipment on Tox and his teammates as they trudge through the desert.

The characters of Haven and Tox were mentioned in the first story, Conspiracy of Silence. If you jumped into Crown of Souls before reading that book, you might want to pick up Conspiracy of Silence to understand the backstory on Haven and Tox. I really enjoyed getting to know Haven more in this book. She became more than a jittled sister of a friend. She had more depth this time around. Kendig does a great job at bringing her to life with her feelings and emotions. The only downside I had against Haven that she appeared to be the damsel-in-distress at moments in this book. The bad guy would capture her and wait for Tox to rescue her, so he could explore his growing feelings for her. As for Tox, I watched seeing his transformation from the first book. In Crown of Souls, Tox has soften a lot since the first book. He is willing to allow love into his heart and works hard at trying to protect his interest. I enjoyed him a lot more in this novel. (Not that I didn't enjoy him in the first one!)

There is romance in this one. The couple has to work at their choices and see if it what they really want. Kendig does not write a romance novel type of romance, so if you're like me and don't really like to watch a predictable romance, than this might be the romance for you. It is on the surface of Tox's mind, but it isn't the controlling force, and I don't see all this internal dialogue about Tox's emotions.

The plot has a Indiana Jones with a mystery thrown in. I really got lost in the story and had a hard time putting it down. I finished it in one day and can't wait for the next installment. There are many twists and turns that kept me glued to the page. I love the close nature of the plot to Tox and how much it could affect him if he goes toward the darkness or against it.

Overall, Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig is an amazing feat of historical research mixed in a thrill ride of a novel. With a hero like Tox, it is hard to find another character who would go to the depths of the world to rescue someone he loves. Kendig really has outdone herself with her second installment, and I anxiously await book three.

I received a complimentary copy of Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Have you ever had a book that you couldn't stop gushing about? List some! I would LOVE to find some new books to read!

Ronie Kendig: Conspiracy of Silence

By Kelly Bridgewater

Four years after a tragic mission decimated his career and his team, Cole "Tox" Russell is persona non grata to the United States. And that's fine--he just wants to be left alone. But when a dormant, centuries-old disease is unleashed, Tox is lured back into action.

Partnered with FBI agent Kasey Cortes, Tox has to pull together a team to begin a globe-spanning search for answers--and a cure. As their quest leads them from continent to continent, it slowly becomes clear they're not just fighting a plague--but battling against an ancient secret society whose true goals remain hidden.

With time running out and opposition growing on every side, the key to everything may rest in an antique codex, the Crown of Jerusalem--but will Tox and his team be able to trust each other enough to break this century-spanning conspiracy of silence?

From Amazon

My Review:

I have read majority of Ronie Kendig's books, so I had a pretty good idea what I was in for when I picked up Conspiracy of Silence. I expected a strong hero who has a job or background in the military, strong heroine's, a setting that takes place in other countries, and a plot that moves at all times. With Conspiracy of Silence, I read all of these things and was pleasantly surprised with how much I really enjoyed this book.

First, the writing is strong and concise. Kendig does a great job at inviting me into the setting in a foreign country and allows me to experience a different culture than I have ever visited. I really enjoyed how she stays in one character's perspective at one time. She doesn't confuse me at all. I feel like I am invited into their internal struggles and allowed to empathize with each individual characters.

As for the characters, I really enjoyed getting to know and understand Tox. He is a strong hero who has military skills that make him shine on the page. He gripped me from the first moment I met him. Tox cares about family and would do anything to protect his niece. Even though he can kill a person with his physical skills, he is still a deeply caring person. First, with the hint of romance with Tzivia, than with a blast from the past romance with Haven. Don't worry! The romance is not the overarching story or takes away from the fast pace novel. It is a side note that deepens the characters.

The plot reminds me a lot of the Indiana Jones movies. It features a hunt for a Biblical artifact that has gone missing that could release a deadly plague on the world. It is fast pace, and Kendig does allow the characters and the readers alike to take breathers once in a while. Kendig's ability to incorporate her research about the Aleppo Code into the story without boring me was an amazing feet.

While the story is original, it isn't completely predictable, and I really can't wait to see what the next book in the series holds. There really isn't anything that I would shy away from. I believe teenagers would enjoy this book as much as any adult who loves adventures in their novels. Since the novel is a hunt for a Biblical artifact, there is a lot of mention of God, not preaching at the reader, but clues from the Bible to help Tox and his crew to solve the mystery. I believe fans of Kendig and Indiana Jones will devour this novel. I know I did.

With the hunt for a Biblical mystery, Ronie Kendig's Conspiracy of Silence invited me into a new world of intrigue with relatable characters to experience a world I have never encountered. I really can't wait for the next installment. Write faster, Ronie!

I received a complimentary copy of Conspiracy of Silence from Bethany House Publishers and Ronie Kendig, and the opinions stated are all my own. 

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

This book reminded me a lot of Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code. Do you agree? Why or Why not?