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: Hazardous Duty by Ronie Kendig

So much going on in this installment! Still trying to figure out what happened in Misrata five years before, the women of the Zulu team are still in danger. Twists and turns around every corner have them confused about who to trust. Then there is Sam Caliguari. Determined to find out what happened to Ashland(Annie), Sam has plastered her picture all over the networks putting her in serious danger. Trace is ready to kill Sam for that stunt so he brings Sam in. Annie is not happy with either man because she can't figure out what her feelings are for either one of them. The Turk makes contact again with T'eya and I seriously can't figure out if he is friend or foe. Nuala "Noodle" is the quiet one of the group with the most insight. Something is bothering her about the couple they have brought in claiming to have information about Misrata, but it seems nobody is listening to her.

Hazardous Duty had me on the edge of my seat and I am definitely going to be starting the last book in this serial tonight so I can see what happens. I am absolutely loving the suspense of this serial even though it causes me stress! I can't wait to find out how it all wraps up. I'm feeling a bit sorry for Sam and Trace who both have a "thing" for Annie and it seems that she has a "thing" for them as well. If you like military type stories along with some romance and a lot of suspense, oh and strong kick-butt women, then this is the serial for you!

Check out my reviews of the other books in the serial:

Overkill

Collateral Damage

Out of Nowhere

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.

Beowulf by Ronie Kendig

 Tony(Candyman) has been trying to get Timbrel's attention for a while. Timbrel's prickly personality keeps everyone at arms length. Tony can't help himself. Timbrel is beautiful and he is attracted to her, but the only one Timbrel seems to have eyes for is her bull mastiff dog Beowulf. And Beo doesn't like Tony. At all!

Timbrel has secrets in her life that she would rather not share with anyone but Beo. Beo is an explosives detection dog. Timbrel's secrets keep her personality prickly and afraid to allow anyone close in her life. Tony is about to change all of that!

Tony can't figure Timbrel out, but he is relentless in his pursuit of her. Even if her beast of a dog insists on growling and snapping at him every time they are near each other. Just when Tony thinks they may be making some headway in a relationship Timbrel bolts. Running scared Timbrel must learn to break down the walls she has built up around her heart and learn to trust. But it may be too late. When disaster strikes their team while on a mission everything that Tony and Timbrel have fought for in their relationship comes crashing down. Will they be able to pick up the pieces of their lives?

My Thoughts:

First, I love the dog! Beowulf's personality is hysterical! From his drool to his snapping at Tony to his ability to sense Timbrel's moods, Beo makes the story entertaining to read. Through each of the A Breed Apart books you can see the research that went into the story.  I love the way that the dogs are treated just like another soldier. Each dog and their handler have a special bond that keeps them in tuned to each other. I found in Beowulf that I liked the characters, but did get a bit irritated at Timbrel and wanted to reach into the pages of the book and shake the bullheadedness out of her! If you like military books then the A Breed Apart series is a definite must read. Add in some romance and tense combat situations and Ronie Kendig's books keep the reader on the edge of their seats.

I received my copy of Beowulf from the publisher Barbour Publishing Inc. through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

Talon by Ronie Kendig

Aspen Courtland’s twin brother Austin has been declared MIA and now considered dead. Aspen is determined to find any way possible to go search for her brother. She has been training with Austin’s dog Talon in order to take him with her to track Austin’s whereabouts. Talon is unpredictable because of the PTSD that coming back from combat and losing his partner has created. Aspen knows though that if she takes Talon she will have a greater chance of finding Austin.

Dane Markoski is the best undercover operative that America has. His superior thinks it best that he team up with Aspen to go find her brother. When Dane discovers that she is a woman he refuses to go on the mission. What Dane doesn’t count on is the lengths that his superior will go in order to achieve the purpose of the mission.

Dane is determined to not let Aspen under his skin. She is beautiful and too trusting for her own good. Warned by her friend Timbrel that Dane is playing her, Aspen still gives Dane the benefit of the doubt even when he tells her not to trust him. 

As Talon gets more and more hits on Austin the enemy moves closer and closer. With each clue to her brother’s disappearance Aspen discovers that she doesn’t know either Dane or Austin like she thought. Who can she trust? Her twin whom she feels a part of or the man that she has come to love? Both have secrets they are keeping and both are playing a deadly game.

Talon is the second book in the A Breed Apart series. I found the story gripping and moving. The descriptions of combat were exciting and nail-biting. Reading about Talon’s loyalty to his partner was especially moving. Not only were the combat scenes tense, but the relationships between the characters were also tense. I’m looking forward to reading more about Timbrel and her relationship with Candyman. I haven’t read the first book in the series, but I intend to go back and read Trinity and I can’t wait for the third book in the series Beowulf coming out in January 2014. 

Whole Pieces(7 Hours) by Ronie Kendig

From Goodreads:

In each installment of 7 Hours, a character is visited by the enigmatic Thomas Constant, who makes a heart-stopping statement: "You are about to die. But you may choose from one of three options: Live seven more hours, travel back in time and relive seven hours, or accept the inevitable and die now."

My Description:

In Whole Pieces Haytham Kelley "Hawk" is part of a special op group in Afghanistan. When a young boy happens upon their group there is argument over whether to kill him or send him on his way. Their decision leaves all but Hawk dead. Fast-forward 32 years into the future as Hawk lays dying a broken and bitter man Thomas Constant shows up. When offered the opportunity Hawk chooses to go back in time to relive the seven hours before his unit was killed. Hoping to change the outcome of that fateful night is not even a question for him. Also hoping to gain even more time, as Hawk is spiraling back in time he manages to grab Constant's watch. Will Hawk be able to take the action needed to kill the boy this time around or will once again his unit fall to their deaths? 

My Thoughts:

This is the second book I have read in the 7 Hours series and I have to say I am hooked! I love the fact that each author brings their specific genre to this idea. Ronie Kendig writes military-type books and I loved her installment to the series. Throughout the story you could feel Hawk's emotions. From the bitterness he felt at being the only one left alive but yet body broken, to the desperation to go back and hopefully change the outcome of the night. I definitely am a fan of this series and of Ronie Kendig's writing.

 

Firethorn by Ronie Kendig

 

Things start to go terribly wrong for the Nightshade team. Griffin(Legend) is wrongly accused of murdering a high up official. He is in prison, depressed, wondering where he went wrong in life. He doesn't know how he will survive the rest of his life in prison, but he is determined to do it with honor and pride like the Marine that he is.

The Nightshade team are just back from a mission when their headquarters are attacked. They are separated and taken to different locations around the world. Two manage to escape before the others are whisked away. Their families are taken to a hidden location and given no information about where their men are.

Kazi has been hired to find the Nightshade team and get them back together. Nobody knows who is behind the setup to break up the team. Kazi's first mission is to break Legend out of prison. Kazi has hardened her heart to everyone around her because life has not been kind to her. She is afraid to allow her heart to care for anyone because that would make her weak in her goal. She is determined to earn enough money to allow her to buy herself back from the man that her brother sold her too years before. An attraction between Legend and Kazi could be dangerous to both their hearts.

One thing I like about the Nightshade books is that from the beginning of each book a person is in for a roller coaster ride of excitement! And then of course there is the romance in each one, I don't know that I could read a military style book if there wasn't a bit of attraction between the main characters! Firethorn is the last book in the Nightshade series. I don't know that a person has to read the books in order, but I think that it would definitely help if you did. I unfortunately have read them all out of order. I read Digitalis first, then Firethorn and I have Nightshade waiting for me to read and then I have to get Wolfsbane. While each book is about a different man on the Nightshade team I think it would have helped me to connect with the characters more if I would have started at the beginning. But still, I have enjoyed the ones that I have read!

Thanks to Barbour Publishing and NetGalley for my review copy.

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. 

Kiloton Threat by William G. Boykin and Tom Morrisey

Blake Kershaw is a U.S. Special Forces Officer sent into Iran to help a nuclear scientist escape. This scientist has information to help the U.S. stop a nuclear attack that would most assuredly start World War III.

There were many exciting/suspenseful elements of this book and even a love interest for Blake. The story was well-written and detailed. While I do have a pretty eclectic preference in reading material, military/war books are not at the top of my reading list. But if you are a fan of Tom Clancy or any other military writer out there then this will be a book for you!

My rating is:

Fallen Angel by Major Jeff Struecker and Alton Gansky

Angel 12 is an American satellite that has been knocked out of space by the Chinese to gain the information that it carries. To their dismay the Americans were able to prevent the satellite from landing on Chinese soil. They were only able to divert it though to crash in Siberia.

The American's have already sent in a Special Ops team to destroy the satellite but they are feared captured or dead. Sgt. Major Eric Moyer is the head of a Special Ops team that is sent to not only destroy the satellite, but to also rescue the other soldiers that are hopefully still alive. His leadership is tested when he is told that his daughter has been kidnapped and the demands are that the Special Ops team pull out of Siberia and abandon their mission.

With 3 countries racing to reach the downed satellite will Moyer be able to lead his team with clear determination or is the mission already compromised with the crippling news of his daughters kidnapping?

I have to be honest I really didn't look forward to reading this book! I thought for sure it was going to be some hokey "guy" book. Which it truly is a "guy" book, and I can't wait to pass it on to my husband to read, but I enjoyed it very much! It was fast-paced yet detailed, there was humor and heart-break. I was actually biting my nails during the final pages! A great military read!

The Cool Woman by John Aubrey Anderson

Bill Mann seemed to be leading the charmed life. After a year of pilot training he earned his wings. He was the best in his class. He was married to the woman of his dreams. Then he was shipped to Viet Nam.

He was the best fighter pilot in his unit. He could even fly better than most while suffering a hangover or being drunk. Ten months after his marriage his wife sends him a "Dear John" letter. She tells him that she is filing for divorce. It seems like his charmed life is over.

Bill is fighting his demons. He has been running away from God for all of his life. God didn't help when men attacked and killed his mother. It seems that God has let him down every step of his life and he is wanting nothing to do with Him.

Even while rescuing himself and 2 of his friends, he calls on God but realizes that he is being a hypocrite by doing so. Through that heroic rescue he almost loses a leg. He does lose the ability to go back and finish out his tour of duty.

Once home he determines to find his ex-wife. Throughout the whole book God is placing people in Bill's life to show him the way to God. Each step of the way he rejects Him.

When I first picked up this book I really thought I would hate it! I am not a big fan of war stories and it seemed more of a "male" book to me. BUT, I was hooked very early in the story. I couldn't put it down. Being a lover of "The Happily Ever After" club I was disappointed at the ending of the story. Also, the Epilogue seemed a bit random. Those aside, it was an EXCELLENT story and I am happy I didn't put it down after reading the back of the book. It is not just a "guy" book.