Operation Zulu Redemption: Act of Treason by Ronie Kendig

The final book in Season 1! We get some answers to what happened to the Zulu team in Misrata and who set them up. But before that there is a lot of misguidance and the team seems to be falling apart from within. The ending brings some closure, but also leads into hopefully the next season where we can find out more about what happened during the 2 hours that T'eya disappeared with The Turk. What happens with Annie and her relationship with Trace and Sam. And how the new Zulu team will work together. I'm looking forward to it!

My overall opinion of this series of course is 5 hearts. I enjoyed every heart-stopping moment. I can't decide though if I am a fan of the serial or if I would prefer it all in one or more books. Thankfully this serial came out every Friday for 4 weeks so there wasn't a lot of waiting around for the next installment, which is a major plus when you are left hanging! There is a lot of action in this serial, a lot of emotions, and a lot of kick-butt females! There is deception and betrayal and romance as well. If you like suspense, romance and military-type stories then definitely pick this serial up, after all, it is all out now so no waiting for you!

Check out my reviews of the whole serial:

Overkill: The Beginning 

Part 1: Collateral Damage

Part 2: Out of Nowhere

Part 3: Hazardous Duty

Operation Zulu Redemption: Collateral Damage

Part I of this new serial has the women of Zulu team in hiding. But hiding doesn't set well with them, especially when those they love are in danger. The women are determined to find out exactly what happened in Misrata 5 years before. Who is their enemy and why are they being silenced one by one?

Yes, I am hooked! I went and bought the next episode in the Zulu Redemption series today so I can find out what happens next. If you like edge of your seat excitement and action then this is definitely a serial for you! I'm behind by a couple of weeks, but here is the release date schedule:

Overkill: Available Now
Collateral Damage: Available Now
Out of Nowhere: Available Now
Hazardous Duty: Available Now
Act of Treason: August 8, 2014

Each episode is $3.99 for Amazon Kindle. Overkill is available for FREE. It is a 70-something page teaser introducing the characters. By the time you have all 4 books and the teaser you will have the equivalent of 2 full-length novels. Not a bad deal!

I'm a definite fan of kick-butt female characters and am enjoying getting to know the women of Operation Zulu Redemption. Each woman brings different abilities and characteristics to the team and I am looking forward to seeing how everything turns out.

United We Spy by Ally Carter

This is Cammie and her friends last semester at The Gallagher Academy. Cammie is determined to take down The Circle. Zach's mom is just as determined to take Cammie out. Not knowing who they can trust the girls and Zach go out on their own and off the grid to rescue a friend.

I'm sad to say this is the last Gallagher Girl book in the series! But I'm happy to say it is one of my favorites and kept me on the edge of my seat and biting my nails every step of the way. I'm also happy to say that I managed not to read the end of the book before I got there! Yes, when the tension is running high in a book I am one of "those" people who has to make sure everything turns out alright! But I didn't, and YES, it was very tempting, but YES again it was worth the suspense to wait for the very end. A great ending to the series for sure. If you are a fan of spy novels, strong girl characters, a bit of romance, young adult literature and lots of action then I highly recommend The Gallagher Girl series for you. Looking forward to seeing what's next from this author.

I purchased my copy from Amazon and was not required to give a review. 

Sneak by Evan Angler

It has been a month since Logan has escaped his marking. DOME has been clearing out all of the Markless in an attempt to find Logan. He's managed to stay one step ahead of them so far. Logan is making his way to Beacon where he hopes to find Acheron, a prison that may not exist, and to find his sister who may not even be alive.

Mr. Arbitor is being demoted because of the antics of his daughter Erin. Breaking into DOME, stealing equipment and maybe helping a Markless escape causes Mr. Arbitor's boss to send him back to Beacon. Exactly what Erin wanted to happen. Reunited with her mom, Erin was hoping that they could be a family once again. Also realizing that she can once again help Logan, Erin sets out to find him and Acheron in Beacon.

Using an Underground Network to help get them to Beacon, The Dust also make their way there to help Logan. Finding Acheron is not an easy task and breaking someone out of it could prove even more difficult.

One of the complaints I had about SWIPE(the first book in the series) was that we didn't really get the background of how this dystopian world came about. In SNEAK there is a note from the author filling in some background which was very helpful. While the SWIPE series is marketed as a Christian series I found very little evidence of that in either book. Logan does get his hands on a Bible in SNEAK, but really there is very little said about it. I think that the series becomes more "preachy" about the government role in our lives rather than a religious role. That is very understandable considering that the series takes place in an apocalyptic world that has become "all inclusive." Which really means that the government wants total control.  I really enjoyed SNEAK, and look forward to the next installment of the SWIPE series.

Out of Sight Out of Time by Ally Carter

Cammie wakes up in a convent with no idea of how she got there. She is bruised and beat up. She believes that she is still on summer break but soon finds out that it is October. She has lost several months and has no idea of where those months were spent.

Upon returning to Gallagher School for Girls Cammie finds that her friends are angry at her. Cammie had left to protect them from The Circle that is after her. She also went to find out answers about her father. Her friends are angry that she left them behind and that she was caught and obviously tortured.

Cammie no longer feels like herself. She disappears in her thoughts for long periods of time. Desperate to remember what happened, but also afraid to find out, Cammie and her friends attempt to retrace her steps over the summer.

I love the Gallagher Girl books! It doesn't get much better than girl-kick-butt spies! This installment didn't leave me disappointed. More of the history between the Gallagher Girls School and The Circle is revealed. The friendship between Cammie and her friends is like a family. The suspense and action are worth the read! I'm disappointed that there will probably be a long wait for the next book in the series!

Accused by Janice Cantore

Carly Edwards is a police officer sworn to protect the community she serves in. While out on patrol with a substitute partner she was involved in a shooting. Now she is working juvenile until the investigation is over.

Carly's personal life is also in a shambles. She has just recently divorced her husband Nick for being unfaithful. She can't get away from him though since he too works for the police force.

Carly wants nothing more than to be back out on the streets. She thinks she is being given the chance when she is called to the scene of where the missing mayor's body is found. In reality she was called because the juvenile in the car asked for her. He is the son of Carly's mom's friend. Carly is to question him and get him to confess to the mayor's murder. The only problem is that after talking to him she doesn't believe that he was involved.

When Carly is told to back off of the investigation she begins to think that something isn't right in the department. At first she can't believe that there is corruption among her brothers in law enforcement. Carly soon comes to believe though that there are few people she can trust in the department.

Bitter against God and angry at her ex husband, Carly struggles with whom she can trust. She doesn't want to believe her mother when she tells her of the peace that God has given her after her father died. Carly has to take notice though when Nick too becomes a believer. Regardless of what he did, she still has respect for him as a cop. She soon finds that Nick is the only one she can trust as a cop, even though he failed her trust as a husband.

I really enjoyed this book! The story was quick-paced and action packed while also filled with suspense. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series! Also I found that the faith woven into the story was real and not distracting or preachy.

Thanks to Tyndale House and NetGalley for my review copy.

Protection For Hire by Camy Tang

Tessa has just been released from prison for a murder she never committed. She refuses to go back to work for her uncle the head of the Japanese mafia(Yakuza). Tessa was changed while in prison. Finding the peace and acceptance she never had while working for her uncle Tessa has committed her life to Jesus.

Forced to live with her mother and sister(who is going through a divorce), Tessa tries to find a job to support herself. While volunteering at a shelter for abused women Tessa meets Elizabeth. Elizabeth has left her husband because he was hitting her and her 3 year old son. Elizabeth asks Tessa to become her body guard. Elizabeth is convinced that her husband wants to kill her so she turns to Tessa for protection and friendship.

Charles is looking to become partner in his law firm. His mother asks him to take Elizabeth's case pro bono. When he hears about the abuse it brings up memories of his father abusing his mother. He is determined to help Elizabeth and keep her husband from harming her. Unfortunately at the time of Tessa's trial Charles was a law clerk. He is the one that recommended a longer sentence for her. Neither trust each other, but yet there is an attraction between them that is hard to deny. 

Set in San Francisco Protection for Hire is full of action packed pages. The book captured my interest from the very first page to the very last. Tessa is full of spunk. She has great martial art skills that she uses frequently to protect Elizabeth. She struggles with who she used to be and who she has become in Christ. With the help of Charles' mother hopefully she will see the new creature she has become.  I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment to the series!

Thanks to Zondervan publishers through NetGalley for my review copy.

The Forgiven Duke by Jamie Carie

Beginning where The Guardian Duke left off The Forgiven Duke begins with Alexandria sailing for Iceland with her now fiance' John. Alexandria is still following the trail of her parents. She is convinced that they are still alive and in need of her help.

Gabriel watched her sail away just moments too late to catch her. He is devastated to have missed her and is determined to get the next ship to Iceland to follow her. The crown regent has other ideas for him though and has soldiers bring Gabriel back to England. It is revealed to him what treasure the Featherstones are after. It is now a race to see which country can find the missing manuscript first. Gabriel is kidnapped by the same Spaniards that are after Alexandria. He is forced into service for them in order to save Alexandria.

Alex is having second thoughts about marrying John. She knows that she is in love with Gabriel. Unfortunately John has fallen in love with Alex, plus he needs her money to get himself out of debt. Determined to keep her for himself John resorts to underhanded deeds that compromise Alex's innocence.

Once Alex is returned to England and under Gabriel's guardianship she finds herself confused. Why won't Gabriel talk with her? Why does he avoid her at all costs. Gabriel too is frustrated. He fears that if he reveals his affliction to her that she will never be able to care for him.

The Forgiven Duke takes us on a fast-paced treasure hunt, full of adventure and romance. There were a few things that had me cringing but will probably not bother most people.  I can't wait for the last book in the series A Duke's Promise. Just like in  The Guardian Duke, The Forgiven Duke has a terrific cliff-hanger that had me screaming for the next one NOW!

This is an Advanced Copy that I read on my Kindle from NetGalley. B&H Publishing Group are the publishers. 

Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig(Kindle)

Shiloh's world is shattered when she is on a dive in India. Her best friend is shot and men are trying to kill her.

Reece is amazed at Shiloh's ability to get away from the men sent to kill her. He is trying to gain her trust and protect her while also protecting his heart from ever again falling in love with a strong-headed woman.

Shiloh doesn't know who to trust. Her best friend Khalid has just proposed marriage to her but she is unable to return his feelings. Shiloh has been estranged from her father for 15 years. She has no intentions of ever trusting a man in her life again. Why then, when she doesn't even know him, does Reece garner such trust from her?

Forced to be a player in a game she never wanted to be put in again, Shiloh must learn to forgive and open her heart once more to a faith that she abandoned many years before.

Ronie Kendig knows how to write a fast-paced, action-packed novel! I enjoyed this one from the very beginning.

Last Breath by Rachel Caine

Once again something bad is happening in Morganville. Vampires are disappearing. Nobody knows where they are going once they disappear.

Michael and Eve are determined that they will be married even though Amelie refuses them permission to marry. Both human and vampires alike are against the union.

Amelie obviously knows what is happening in Morganville, but she refuses to share with Claire and her friends what is going on. Amelie is determined to get all of the vampires out of Morganville.

Unfortunately an evil more powerful than Claire and her friends have ever faced before has arrived in Morganville. When tragedy strikes none of them are prepared for what happens next.

At first I thought oh no, here we go again. Claire and her friends are once again fighting for their lives. But Rachel Caine has managed to bring a new twist to their fight for survival that has me once again sitting on the edge of my seat waiting breathlessly for the next book!

Kiss of Night by Debbie Viguie-Blog Tour

Susan is in Prague for her grandmother’s funeral. Susan’s cousin Wendy just arrived also and has met up with a guy and wants to go clubbing with him. The minute Susan meets him she feels evilness surrounding him. She tries to persuade Wendy to not go with him. Wendy is determined to leave with him so Susan decides to go with them. Returning from getting a sweater Susan finds that they have left her behind.

Raphael appears and insists that he knows where Wendy and her companion have gone. He too scares Susan but she must find Wendy. Raphael takes Susan to a place where evil reigns. She finds Wendy but Wendy seems to be under a spell. This is all too true. Susan finds that Wendy is under the spell of an evil vampire. Raphael helps the girls escape. He too is a vampire. Changed many centuries before, Raphael has returned to Prague to fight a war between good and evil.

David is a hotel guest in the room next to Susan and Wendy’s. When other vampires come to kill Raphael and the girls he jumps into the fray not knowing what he is getting into.

Raphael needs both Susan and David to help in the war. Susan’s grandmother has left her property in France along with a mystery to unravel. Raphael and Susan travel to France and are followed by the evil vampires and their slave humans. 

Can Raphael and Susan learn to trust each other? Susan is attracted to Raphael, but she wonders if his kisses are as knee-weakening as they seem or is he mesmerizing her in order to gain her compliance with his schemes?  

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was interesting to see the way the author made some of the vampires redeemable instead of damned. I liked how each chapter began with a verse of scripture about blood.  Even though this is advertised as a Christian novel the book does not get overly preachy. It is more about good vs. evil and the question of whether vampires can be redeemed from their past evil. There was lots of action that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I did think that the romance between Raphael and Susan could have been developed more. A few steamy kisses do not a romance make (at least for this reader). My understanding is that this is to be a trilogy, so I am looking forward to seeing what happens next!

I give Kiss of Night: 

Come back tomorrow for a Guest Post by the author of Kiss of Night, Debbie Viguie and a GIVEAWAY of the book!

Follow today's tour stops:

http://www.a-fair-substitute-for-heaven.blogspot.com

http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com

http://www.kittycrochettwo.blogspot.com

http://www.heartofabookworm.blogspot.com

http://practicalfrugality.blogspot.com/

http://www.electrifyingreviews.com/
http://www.myonlyvice.blogspot.com/

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren-KINDLE #4

Gabriella and her sister Evangelia are in Italy with their mother an Etruscan artifacts archeologist. Both of their parents were archeologists, but now that their father has passed away their mother is on her own in her search for Etruscan treasures. While at their mother's latest discovery the girls decide to do some exploring on their own.

Gabi and Lia find themselves in one of the Etruscan tombs that their mother has been excavating. Knowing that they should never touch anything, Gabi is tempted by hand prints on one of the walls. When she places her hand print in one it fits perfectly. Instead of cold stone there is a warmth emanating from it. She has Lia put her hand into the smaller print which fits perfectly. Movement starts happening and even though Gabi tries to hold onto Lia, the girls are separated.

Coming out of the tomb Gabi finds herself in the middle of a battle between 2 families. She soon realizes that she has been transported to the 14th century where there are lords and ladies and where loyalties can be bought for a price.

Marcello, in the heat of battle, is startled to see Gabi appear. He cannot figure out why a girl would be wearing such clothing and also be in the middle of a battle. He offers Gabi shelter in his castello. He feeds her and clothes her as a proper lady. Marcello is not the lord of the manor. His father is still alive(but has suffered a stroke), and his older brother is still alive although very sickly. Marcello has command of his knights though and they are loyal to him. Marcello is also betrothed to lady Rossi. A union between her family and Marcello's will prove very advantageous.

Obsessed with finding her sister, Gabi insists on being allowed to return to the tombs. With unrest all around and battles at every turn Gaby feels the restriction of being a woman in the 1300's. Also with her growing attraction for Marcello and his for her, Gabi knows she must find her sister quickly and return to the 21st century before it is too late.

WOW WOW WOW! I loved this story! I read it on my Kindle, but I think I may have to go buy the trilogy(Cascade is already out and Torrent is coming out soon), just for the covers of the books! They are gorgeous! There was suspense(biting my nails) and toe-curling kisses(sigh) that kept me turning the pages late into the night.

Race Against Time by Kimberley and Kayla R. Woodhouse

While out exercising her sprint dog team Zoya witnesses a murder. Not only does she see the man being shot, but then the murderer turns and shoots at her as well. From that moment on Zoya's life is changed. She is plunged into an abyss of shaken faith that she doesn't know if she can ever climb out of.

Anesia is Zoya's mother. She owns a thriving business of raising prize sprint dog teams. Anesia and Zoya have always been close. They have always been able to share everything with each other. After all it is just the two of them. Zoya's father died before she was ever born. Anesia has had to be strong to face the stigma of never having been married to Zoya's father. Anesia would do anything to protect her daughter, but is at a loss as to how to help her out of the abyss that Zoya has plunged into.

Sean has trekked across the country trying to escape from his father's tyrannical rule over his life. When he arrives in North Pole, Alaska he senses it is time to stop traveling and settle down. He applies for a job in Anesia's kennels. Anesia hires him to care for the kennels, but also to protect her and Zoya from the men that are still out to kill her. 

Zoya has allowed her anger at God to fester in her soul. A question that she asks Sean at one point is, "Why does God allow the bad junk to happen?" She no longer feels that God is there with her. She resents that He allowed her to see the murder. She resents that He has allowed the killers to still be out there threatening her. She pulls away from her family and her best friend Andie. She doesn't want them to know how much she is struggling with her anger towards God. She feels that they would never understand. The only voice she seems to hear is the one telling her never to trust Him again.

Race Against Time is the sequel to the book No Safe Haven by the mother/daughter authors Kimberley and Kayla Woodhouse. Race Against Time starts out heart pounding and ends just as strong! I was on the edge of my seat several times. I have to admit too that I had to put the book down a couple of times because the action was so intense I had to get up and walk around before I continued! The action wasn't the only thing that held my interest though. Zoya's struggle with her anger towards God was heart-breaking. The relationship growing between Sean and Anesia was special. I loved that the characters from No Safe Haven (Jenna, Andie and Cole) were also part of Race Against Time. And I'm hoping that Kimberley and Kayla are working on a 3rd book to the series because I think there is still lots more of the story to be told!

CHRISTIAN FICTION BOOK CLUB-Digitalis by Ronie Kendig

This month's Christian Fiction Book Club is hosted by Jules at My Own Little Corner of the World. If you read Digitalis by Ronie Kendig and would like to discuss it with us, choose a question from HERE and link up your post. No blog? You're welcome to hop around and join our discussions in the comments.  

(Thanks to Joy at Edgy Inspirational Romance for posting this blurb, I stole it from her! Below is my review and opinions)

Colton (Cowboy) is part of the Nightshade team. He is a sniper for the team. He battles the memories of being held captive and tortured, of his sister being killed, and of his wife leaving him. The only good thing to come of that relationship was his daughter Mickey.

Piper works at a department store. She is in hiding. Her true identity can never be revealed or her father will be in deadly danger. She cannot afford to be careless and she cannot afford to enter into any relationships that may endanger her life and the lives of those she loves.

From the moment Colton and Piper see each other in the department store there is an attraction. Goaded by his team, Colton finally works up the courage to ask Piper out. It seems that they are meant for each other. After all, Mickey has dreamed for a mother and brother and sister, she thinks Piper is perfect.

Evil catches up with Piper quickly. Unable to tell Colton her secrets soon puts a strain on their relationship. Especially once that evil visits Colton’s home and leaves tragedy behind.

The story was definitely action-packed. Unfortunately for me the relationship between Colton and Piper just didn’t work. Frankly I got irritated with both of them too often. Both of them kept secrets from each other. Colton was unable to tell Piper what his true job was. Piper was unable to tell him about the danger that she was in. Yet when Colton finds out about Piper he is unable to forgive her for holding the secret and drawing him and his family into her danger.  I thought their declarations for love to one another started way too fast before they ever had a chance to really KNOW each other.  Also, a pet-peeve that I have is the editing of the story. I read my copy on my Kindle and it was full of typos, to the point of distraction.  I think that Digitalis can be a standalone story, but the first in the series is Nightshade, and coming out soon is Wolfsbane.  Nightshade may have explained the reason the group was formed, but I caught up pretty quickly with the characters in Digitalis. 

MY RATING: 

Discussion Questions:

 6. Have you or a loved one ever endured something painful (an illness, injury, broken relationship) and you wondered why God didn’t supernaturally intervene? Why do you think He does not eradicate our problems or pains?
While this in not an illness, injury or broken relationship story it is one that at the time was a struggle for me to get through. In 1997 the base that my husband worked at was closed down. We had to make the decision of being relocated or find another job. My husband had almost 20 years of service in though so we didn’t think we wanted to lose his retirement. We opted to be relocated. While I was grateful for my husband being offered a job at another base it was hard for me because I had never been away from my family before. Now I was faced with being half the country away from my parents, sisters and friends. It is not easy for me to make friends, and my family was my support system. I have to say though that even though the first year was a struggle with many tears and rants to the Lord, after being here for 14 years the Lord has provided so much for us that looking back I am amazed at my immaturity in thinking that I knew what was best instead of resting in God’s promise that HE knows what is best for us always. As far as why He doesn’t eradicate our problems and pains I believe those trials and tribulations are to help us grow in maturity to our Lord and Savior.  Through that time even though I was asking Him WHY I was still calling to Him for help. He provided a wonderful church family for us. He has provided friends that have become our surrogate family. I still miss being physically close to family, but with internet, phone calls and visits we stay intimately close.

2. Colton is a Marine, he has seen combat, and as a sniper, he has killed enemy combatants.  Yet without his precise skill, innocent lives would have been lost. Our troops often face horrible accusations by those who have never weathered combat. What are your thoughts about Colton’s profession?

Unfortunately war is a result of sin in the world. I admire our military for the sacrifices that they give every day for our safety. Colton was a sniper, he took out bad guys. Bad guys need to be taken out, that’s just a fact. 

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

Sam no longer turns into a wolf, but now Grace does. While Sam waits for warmer weather and Grace's return a girls body is found in the woods. This sets in motion Isabel's father's attempts to get the ban on hunting wolves lifted.

Since the girl was found near the Boundary Woods and close to Sam's house he is instantly a suspect. Especially since Grace too has seemed to have disappeared.

With the looming threat of the wolves being hunted and Grace being out there with them Sam and Cole must find a place to move the wolves.

In order to save the lives of the wolves and Grace Sam must do something he hoped he would never have to do again.

Although Forever is not always filled with action the ability of Maggie Stiefvater to keep a person engaged in the characters provides a fascinating page-turner. She has a way of explaining the thoughts and actions of the characters that makes you feel their emotional trauma right along with them. The love between Sam and Grace tugs at your heart. When you read about Sam's struggle to get his thoughts out into words you feel empathy for him. The relationship between Cole and Isabel was filled with tension. And the drama of the wolves' peril kept me holding my breath wondering which ones would survive. Great job Maggie Stiefvater! I will miss Sam and Grace, but I do have one complaint: I wish there were a different ending!

WORD DEFINITION: I have looked this word up and cannot find it in the dictionary. I am wondering if it is a typo, or if it is actually a word.
"I saw now that the kitchen floor was covered with dirt, the dull yellow lights illuminating where Cole's pacing had painted an OUROBOROS  of filthy footprints in front of the cabinets." pg. 32 of Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

I love to read and find new words and their definitions. But this one is not find-able. If you know what it means let me know!

The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group by Catherine Jinks

Toby is found in a dingo pen at the local zoo. He's naked and has no memory of how he got there. Shortly after he returns home a priest and Reuben show up claiming that Toby is a werewolf and for his own good needs to be locked up the next full moon.

Toby and his mother do not believe that he is a werewolf. Unfortunately reality sets in when Toby is kidnapped in order to participate in werewolf fights. When Toby attempts a daring escape with another werewolf prisoner things seem to go from bad to worse.

If it weren't for all of the language in this book I would have enjoyed it a lot more. While I do not appreciate foul language in a book I can usually overlook it. But as I have said before I do not appreciate Jesus Christ and God(being paired with d--n) being used as curse words. This book is peppered with both throughout the entire book.  If it weren't for that this would have been an exciting and fun read.

An Eye For An Eye by Irene Hannon

Mark and Emily haven't seen each other for 20 years. They fell in love the summer they both spent at Wren Lake. They lost touch with each other after that summer, but never seemed to forget their first love.

A chance meeting in the park brings them together again. While making arrangements to get together someone shoots at them. The shooter injures Emily.

The question is who was the shooter's actual target. Was it Mark who is on the Hostage Rescue Team? Could it be a criminal that he had put behind bars, or someone's family member out for revenge? Or could it be Emily who's job as a psychologist brings many troubled souls to her office?

Mark and Emily seem to fall right back into the chemistry they had as teens. Emily is afraid to open her heart though to another man in a high-risk job. Her fire-fighter husband died while saving a baby from a burning building. Mark too is tentative about a relationship with Emily. After all his job is miles away from her at Quantico.

While Mark and Emily explore their new relationship a killer is plotting revenge. Will the FBI be able to track him down before he makes his next move?

I enjoy a good suspense/romance novel and An Eye For An Eye did not disappoint!