Special Forces operator Salvatore “Falcon” Russo vowed to never again speak to or trust Lieutenant Cassandra Walker after a tragedy four years ago. But as Raptor closes in on the cyber terrorists responsible for killing two of their own, Sal must put his life—and the lives of his teammates—in her hands. Despite his anger, Cassie is ill-prepared for his resistance and the fallout when she must protect the one asset who can end the attacks. As allies become enemies and hostiles become unlikely partners, Raptor fights for its very existence.

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author of a dozen novels. She grew up an Army brat. Now, she and her husband, an Army veteran, have an adventurous life in Northern Virginia with their children and two dogs — a Maltese Menace and a retired military working dog, VVolt N629. Ronie’s degree in Psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.

Ronie can be found at http://www.roniekendig.com.

My Impressions:

Action-packed suspense is the hallmark of Falcon by Ronie Kendig, book 3 in her Quiet Professionals series. With explosions, sniper fire and ambushes, this book is a good choice for those who love military-based fiction. It also has a romance thread to keep fans happy. The novel continues the stories of several characters, so I would recommend that you read the previous books first.

Warrant officer Salvatore Falcon Russo is a member of an elite special forces team based in Afghanistan. As the team comes under attack from enemies on several fronts, he is thrown together with the last person he would choose to join in investigating. Lt. Cassandra Walker proved untrustworthy in the past, and he wants no part of her in his future. But events conspire to bring them together one more time. And this time their hearts may be changed.

Falcon plunges the reader right in the middle of military action. Characters are tough and determined. And while there hardness keeps them on task in their missions, they do have a soft side for those who are vulnerable. Main characters Falcon and Cassandra battle grief, guilt and feelings of betrayal. They have to overcome many obstacles before they can trust each other again. The novel is fast-paced and Ronie keeps you guessing as the investigation into the traitor progresses. I never saw the ending coming. I was a bit lost for the first half of the book — I didn’t have enough back story to understand the dynamics of the team and the context of the story. This series definitely needs to be read in order.

If you like romantic suspense with a military focus and non-stop action, then check out Falcon.

Audience: adults.

To purchase this book, click HERE.

(Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Giveaway!

Falcon is part of my Freedom to Read Giveaway. Click HERE for more details and to enter the giveaway.

Tags: romantic suspense fiction, Ronie Kendig

A year ago in Afghanistan, Green Beret Heath Daniel’s career was destroyed. Along with his faith. Now he and his military war dog, Trinity, train other dogs and their handlers. Though his passion is to be back in action, the medical discharge has forced Heath-and Trinity-to the sidelines. Military intelligence officer Darci Kintz is captured while secretly tracking the Taliban. Only one dog can handle the extreme conditions to save her. Trinity. Only one man can handle Trinity. Time is running out on the greatest-and most dangerous-mission of their lives.

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An Army brat, Ronie Kendig grew up in the classic military family, with her father often TDY and her mother holding down the proverbial fort. Their family moved often, which left Ronie attending six schools by the time she’d entered fourth grade. Her only respite and “friends” during this time were the characters she created.

It was no surprise when she married a military veteran—her real-life hero—in June 1990.  Married more than twenty years, Ronie and her husband, Brian, homeschool their children, the first of whom graduated in 2011. Despite the craziness of life, Ronie finds balance and peace with her faith, family and their two dogs in Northern Virginia.

Ronie has a deep love and passion for people, especially hurting people, which is why she pursued and obtained a B.S. in Psychology from Liberty University. Ronie speaks nationally, volunteers with writer’s organizations, including American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and My Book Therapy, and mentors other writers.

Since launching onto the publishing scene in 2010, Ronie and her books have hit bestseller lists and garnered awards and critical acclaim, including:

• 2012 Christy Award Winner – Wolfsbane (Contemporary Romance)
• 2013 Selah Award Winner  – Firethorn (Fiction – Suspense)
• 2013 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award Finalist– Trinity: Military War Dog (Romantic Suspense)
• 2012 Lime Award Winner – Firethorn (Suspense)
• 2012 Carol Award Finalist – Wolfsbane (Romantic Suspense)
• Christian Retailing’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards Finalist – Nightshade
• RWA’s Faith, Hope, & Love’s 2011 IRCA 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 – 3^rd place as New Favorite Author, 8^th 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)

My Impressions:

Trinity: Military War Dog is the first book in Ronie Kendig’s new series, A Breed Apart. Featured are former U.S. military working dogs that have been declared excess. Unfortunately, Trinity’s handler has had his own excess designation following a traumatic brain injury in Afghanistan. Trinity was unable to work with any other handler, so Heath Daniels now has her full time. They come to a ranch in Texas to find healing and maybe a new purpose in their lives with the A Breed Apart program. On a PR tour back in Afghanistan, Heath meets Jia aka Darci an intriguing geologist, or is she?

Trinity was on the shortlist of books nominated for the mystery/thriller category of the Inspy Awards. I had the great privilege  to read and judge this book. A romantic suspense novel, Trinity combines military maneuvers, international intrigue, espionage and a love story or two. Yes, Heath and Jia fall in love despite great odds, but it is also the love story between Heath and the dog that has become much more of a partner through tough field experiences and the threat of death. It is this bond between handler and dog that makes this book special.

If you like romantic suspense with lots of action and danger you will like Trinity: Military War Dog. But if you love animals and are a believer in the bonds between them and humans, you will love this one.

Recommended.

(I received this novel from the publisher for judging purposes. The opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Tags: romantic suspense fiction, Ronie Kendig