May 2019 Reads

 1) Roar \\ Cora Carmack \\ 4 Stars
Torn between 3 & 4 stars, but because the plot was so intriguing, and the characters so colourful, we'll go with four--despite that weird wandering soul stuff at the end that felt pretty creepy and didn't fit the rest of the book. 
Firstly--this book reminds me a lot of Mary E. Pearson's series 'The Remnant Chronicles' so of course, I'm all into that. I mean, what's not to like about the plot--a "princess" of sorts who is supposed to be able to protect her kingdom with all her storm fighting abilities, has none, and to flee an arranged marriage to a potentially really bad prince---joins up with a band of storm hunters to GET SOME ABILITIES to save her kingdom, YO! 
I enjoyed Roar & Locke's (not the prince Locke, but the storm hunter named after the city) relationship, albeit a little high on the steam factor at times for especially a YA novel--but yes--they went well together and there was some pretty swoon-worthy moments to their relationship. They were just so dang cute. 

I don't know if I'll read the second book. I'm really interested to see what happens, but what with the weird soul wandering content that got thrown in at the end...it just felt weird. A bit outside of my jurisdiction, cause I'm not into the spirituality aspect of magic in books. If magic is in a book, fine, whatever. But I just don't like reading about the theory of it...or hearing 'bout them wandering souls--it's creepy & feels kinda dark for my tastes. But, maybe I'll start the second book & see if it continues on the wandering souls tangent or not. Who knows!

2) Cascade \\ Lisa T. Bergren \\ 3 Stars

After reading Cascade three or four times over the last few years, I've come to the conclusion--it's probably the slowest book of the series--though not bad by any stretch, despite the plot does seeming to take half the book to pick up and get going. But the adventure still is entertaining, and the characters sweet, crazy and intense.

3) Fallout \\ Ashley Nikole \\ 5 Stars
As this is my own book, of course I'm gonna rate it 5 stars. So, instead of gushing about my own work, I'll just give you the back cover blurb, cause, why not?

Four months of silence. 
Four months of praying she won’t lose her mind and give away secrets she’s fought so hard to keep. 

Avery Kent escapes with her life, but she is pursued deep into the heart of the British Columbia wilderness by the men who almost took her life—and shattered her mind. 
After wandering for two days in the mountains, she stumbles upon a cabin—but little does she know that the man inside is not the sheltering protector he claims to be. 

Haunted by his past, former CAF soldier Dakota Fontaine is trying to mind his business and keep his head down when a woman stumbles onto his property and collapses, wearing only a hospital gown and a tattered sweater. 
As he nurses the battered woman back to health, he wonders at the way she talks in her sleep but won’t say a word when she’s awake. But Dakota knows better than most that the art of coercion isn’t always violent. Torture isn’t the only way to ferret out a person’s secrets, and he is confident of one thing; Avery Kent will confide in him, one way or another. 

Just as Avery begins to trust Dakota, an unlikely encounter sends her fleeing back into the heart of the city where it all began. 
On the hunt to collect the stash of lethal evidence that will take down her attackers, once and for all, the flashbacks grow stronger, and her grip on reality continues to falter. 
Avery knows the chances of losing her mind before she can bring down her captors, are high—and deadly—and she’s not up to the challenge. 
But she’ll die trying.

4) Storm Rising \\ Ronie Kendig \\ 5 Stars

Okay, what can a girl say about this one? Firstly--it is one of my favourite books of Kendig's. Yes, she has OUTDONE herself--AGAIN. The atmosphere, plot and characters all worked together to create an effortless, but definitely FILLED WITH EFFORT thriller novel. I loved reading all about Midas in the Discarded Hero series, but now we get more of the Metcalfe family? I mean, what? Yes. It is goals. Quite simply, I wish the Metcalfe family had half a dozen more members and that Kendig would write a series about each one! The love runs that deep, if you can believe it. 

So, Iskra & Leif? That chemistry, though! Phew! I loved their interactions and how their relationship progressed. It was just so...dynamic and intense--which is obviously one of the draws with Kendig's work, how intense and raw her characters are. I love when everything is so close to the surface and undignified. But their relationship just kinda made me sing, and gasp, depending on which part of the book I was in--which is what I'm looking for when I read a suspense/thriller book. 

Although the plot did feel a bit slower in the middle of the book, it didn't cast a bad light on the rest of the book--I think I just got so attached to the crazy pace that when it slowed down a little I was like...wait, what? But all in all, what a delightful book. Really alive, punchy characters and a fully immersive atmosphere that takes you from one stretch of the globe to another, all while sitting in your favourite comfy chair. 

Suspense lovers unite and GO READ STORM RISING!!!

*I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

5) Dance of Thieves \\ Mary E. Pearson \\ 3.5 Stars 

An enjoyable read with unique qualities--though, after the Remnant Chronicles, I'd definitely say I preferred those. But Dance of Thieves was interesting--if a bit slow at times. I enjoyed both Kazi & Jase's characters--their struggles and stories. I will be interested to see what Vow of Thieves is like, being written by Mary's editor, Kate Farrell, instead of Mary--but I'm always excited for a fresh angle. 

Also, I can't claim to be a teenager anymore and know what's in vogue in fiction or reality for this age category, but seriously, every single kiss involved tongues. Yuck. As a reader (an adult one at that) I was just kinda internally cringing that the tongue was brought into nine of the ten or so kisses in the book! It makes a kiss turn from attraction with a side of tasteful sensuality, to erotica in milliseconds. And do we seriously need that in YA fiction? I just don't think so.

6) Torrent \\ Lisa T. Bergren \\ 5 Stars

With this third book, the stakes are even higher. Wow. I loved every minute reading it. Somehow, the plot rarely lags, as there is always another intriguing & dangerous plot twist. A true page-turner filled with courage, sacrifice, true love, plenty of swordplay & adventure. 

And if you'd enjoy a book banter about the River of Time series, I just so happened to have done one of those a few years ago and will add it here for your viewing pleasure :) 

Favourite of the month: 

Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig. 

"Because of men like him, God made warriors like Leif. To do violence on behalf of the innocent." 

March 2019 Reads

Although March was a long month, I didn't get to read too many books. In fact, all I managed was three, lol. I'm not sure when the last month was that I read so few books! However, life happened, & I still emerged with three books at the end of the month! So here they are. 

1) Tennyson: Poems \\ Lord Alfred Tennyson \\ 5 Stars

'Twas my first real foray into poetry, and I have to admit, it was stunning. I found Tennyson's writing quite obtuse at times and had to read beyond slow and repeat certain phrases, but--that guy had some serious linguistic skills on him. My favourite piece was The Lady of Shallott. Such a whimsical but tragic poem. This definitely isn't a breeze-through book of poetry, on the contrary, it's quite intense--but there are some real gems to be found!

2) A Bound Heart \\ Laura Frantz \\ 3 Stars

I always love Frantz's writing style...it's so timeless and classic and heartwarming. Being that I read mostly suspense, I found it somewhat hard to get into the slower pace of things, but...once I got out of the suspense mindset and settled into it being a bit more of a progressive, meandering historical plot, I enjoyed it immensely. I felt like Lark's character was refreshingly unique, and her personality was so attractive. She wasn't brash and annoying and in your face, but she also wasn't the pendulum swing into the opposite court--of being so timid and shy that it got on my nerves. She was just right. Pure, bright, and sweet. I think I'd like a friend like her. 

I felt Magnus's character was a bit...not bland, but...there was something left wanting for me, in Magnus. And their relationship. I wanted more interactions between them that were sweet, but their relationship almost more mirrored that of siblings. 

However, I still enjoyed the book and learning a bit more of history!

3) Fierian \\ Ronie Kendig \\ 4 Stars

Fierian would've reached 5 stars for me because it is complexly written, thought up and beautiful, with unique and compelling characters. Everything Kendig writes is just mind-bogglingly creative and epic. Only reason it didn't is because...I WAS CONFUSED. So confused, for such a great portion of the book/series that I got frustrated that characters were being plopped in, left, right and centre, and they had no backstory. 

Seeing as that the names are all quite different, I couldn't keep track of 50 plus characters and remember their backstories from books 1 & 2. I kept going back to the Character Glossary at the beginning of the book with the main characters, but most of the people I was wondering about weren't in there.
Same thing happened with locations. I was so stumped, and I kept looking back at the map in the beginning of the book and thinking, "Seriously, where is this location that's being mentioned?" 
Another confusing part was the history aspect. Now, I don't want a huge download, but with the Fantasy genre especially I feel like it's somewhat important to give your reader's a history of the planet. Like, what IS the planet? WHO are the people groups and their histories? I was so confused when a people group would be mentioned with no accompanying "this is who this people group is" and a sentence or two explanation of their culture/history. 
I'm not sure if it's because I read the third book about three months after I read the first two, or because I don't read much in the Fantasy genre, or because it was actually confusing...I can't say. 

For much of the book, I was so confused/stumped on who a character was, what their people group was, what history I was supposed to view them through, etc. Imagine my surprise when I get to the end of the book and I discover an alphabetical character list and list of locations/creatures. Because there was already a glossary in the front, I never thought, even once to look in the back! I was so annoyed, because I went for so much of the book being confused, and the glossary was lurking in the backmatter and I didn't even know it! 

The first half of the book felt (to me) quite disjointed and slow. Because of the aforementioned confusion regarding the characters, I found it hard to track when the POV jumped around so sporadically. I feel like the length could've been halved, considering how the first half of the book seemed like you were turning around and around and not actually moving forward. The stuff with Haegan and the Infantessa felt long and drawn out, like the same scene was taking place over and over again. 

The second half of the book, however, I LOVED. All the characters developments were amazing. Astadia and Tili's relationship--YES. I was just doing such a happy dance seeing it unfold. They had amazing chemestry. I'd love to see more relationships come together like theirs. Haegan's continued growth--yes. Draccian--what up dude but--YIKES!! I wished we had've gotten more Thiel & Haegan time, but alas, such was what the plot allowed. Oddly enough, Tili & Asadia were my favourite characters. 

Apart from the aforementioned confusion, of which there as A LOT (and that is the ONLY reason this book got 4 stars instead of 5)--Fierian was so complexly written. What an array of brainstorming genius! As usual, Kendig has done an excellent job in creating a world and making it epic and glorious. Giving us swoon-worthy characters and many gut-wrenching moments. 

In the end, if it weren't for the slower pace in the first half and my inordinate confusion, this book might've had me doing a serious joy dance. Even so, the second half had me pretty hooked, so I still consider this book a win in its own right.

And there you have March in books! Only three, but on the flip side--still three! 

What was your favourite book read in March? 

2018 \\ Favourites

Well, hasn't it been a hot minute? 

2016 was the last time I posted a review on this blog! Yikes. I haven't stopped writing reviews--I write a review 99% of the time when I finish reading a book, I just don't do content-breakdown reviews, and I post them on Goodreads. However, I like the idea of being able to catalogue by month (and year) what I read, and not have to go to a seperate page to see what my review was and all that rot. So...here's me, attempting to be at least semi-consistent on this blog. Forgive me if I'm not. So, without furthur ado, let's kick off my thirteen favourite reads of 2018! 

1) The Progeny \\ Tosca Lee \\ 5 Stars

What a ride! What a plot! Can't wait for the second book!! I loved the tone of the book, the way the author described settings and people, and the varied characters. I love how emotion packed The Progency was--that is totally up my alley. And Luka? Yes. Go Luka go. 
Now onto book two!

2) My Promise \\ Noah Bolinder \\ 5 Stars

A beautiful tale of epistemology, set in a scenic college campus. What a mysterious read! There's the writing that fills 99% of the market, and then there's that 1% that is just different. Just weird (in a good way) that makes you think and want to (metaphorically) go out to sea to fish for mysteries. 

My Promise was spellbinding, entertaining and thought-provoking. Definitely not a fly-through-the-pages type of book, because of all the intense thought behind it, though I still managed to finish it in just over a day! I was really hoping an ACTUAL romance romance, though...considering how the plot all worked out, I understand why it all happened as it did. 

And now I'm going to go back through the chapters and listen to the soundtrack pieces picked for each chapter--I didn't get to on my first read through because I wasn't around my computer, but...now I have my second batch of work cut out for me, and I'm excited to see how they pair!

3) Whisper \\ Lynette Noni \\ 5 Stars

How much power do our words hold? A lot more than you realize. 

Whoa. What a book. I'm only slightly groaning over here because book 2 is not out yet, and I need it, like--yesterday! 
When I started Whisper I didn't know it was going to turn into mutants or people with special powers, but hey, I didn't mind it when it happened. I was like--hey, cool. I'm digging this. 
I loved the plot--I was surprised by all the twists and turns and gaping like a codfish for others. The characters--check. Loved them and their different relationships with J.D. 

I very much enjoyed the foray into showing just how much power our words truly have. When I started reading I was thinking to myself "wouldn't it be interesting if someone wrote a book showcasing how powerful our words are?" and then bam. That's what the book is about. I loved how it was written and executed and how it played out. Now I really need to get my hands on book 2!

4) Daddy-Long-Legs \\ Jean Webster \\ 5 Stars

A true classic! What a heartwarming, beautiful little book! I love the twists and turns and how the ending came to be. And the writing was so clever and witty--like I said--TOTAL CLASSIC STATUS. Everyone should read this book in their childhood/teen years.

5) Secrets \\ Kristen Heitzmann \\ 4 Stars

I enjoyed how many strains this story held. Very complex, with a good mystery, some romance and a fabulous setting.

6) The Remnant Chronicles \\ Mary E. Pearson 

Book 1 \\ Kiss of Deception: I enjoyed how many strains this story held. Very complex, with a good mystery, some romance and a fabulous setting.

5 Stars

Book 2 \\ The Heart of Betrayal: Book 2 in 'The Remnant Chronicles', The Heart Of Betrayal, picks up right where Kiss Of Deception left off. The intricately woven suspense, ample danger and sparks of romance, had me devouring this book in no time flat. 

PLOT: 
As I mentioned above, it began where book 1 left off, and it never lagged for a moment. There were always nuggets of information being shared, little by little, or dangerous suspenseful moments where it was near impossible to put this one down once I began. The plot was masterminded, and while I knew it was complex in book 1, I was able to more fully comprehend and appreciate how intricate it really was. As the dots were connecting, there were so many "aha!" lightbulb moments. I personally love those. 

CHARACTERS: 
In book 2, they become more vibrant and complex than in book 1. These characters really did jump off the page, and didn't feel even for a moment like they were any less real than if they were standing in the room with me. 
I have come by few authors who create such lifelike paper people, and Pearson did so, quite superbly in this series.

5 Stars

Book 3 \\ The Beauty of Darkness : 

WAHHHHHH!!!!! Second time reading The Beauty of Darkness and all the feels hath gripped me!!

What a sad book! It just rips your heart out and stomps on it again and again and again! But oh so good. What an epic conclusion to an epic saga. Wow. So many weepy feels, cause the heartrending just...never...ends.
Although tragic, the character arcs and growth were so real. Broke my little reader heart.
I wish Kaden had have tried more with Lia in a romantic capacity, especially considering how he felt about her in book 2...but alas. I wasn't so much a fan of the abrupt ending, but...that's that.

All in all, a marvellous book. Pearson's world-creating skills gobbled me whole, and I loved being able to spend...what is it, like 1,600 pages in total, in the Remnant universe and with SUCH A STUNNING LINEUP OF CHARACTERS! Now I'll just go cry in a corner because the feels were just...so...real. **if you want to watch a little chatty video, I did a booktube of the series, which you can watch right here**








7) Price of Priviledge \\ Jessica Dotta \\ 4 Stars


What an intricately woven tale. I am somewhat gobsmacked, to be honest. The way Dotta writes is...unlike any author I've read before. The way she creates her characters and reveals a story, piece by piece--it's an art form. While I wasn't so much a fan of the pervasive sensuality creep factor that came with Mr. Macy, he was a well-done villian-sociopath-psychopath-narcissist character, lol. A veritable head-trip, that one is, as the scariest villains always seem to be. 

I wouldn't recommend this book to younger readers or readers who want to steer clear of more sensual characters who go around seducing young innocent women, but the writing was phenomenal. I can totally see why readers draw the correlation between Austin and the Bronte sisters in Dotta's writing. 

While I rather squirmed my way through much of this book, it was written superbly--hence the three stars. I'm not so much a fan in general of gothic, darker tales, but this one is quite brilliantly written, if not a tad creepy and tragic.



8) If I Run series \\ Terri Blackstock \\ 5 Stars

What a series. I. Tell. You.
If you like a series similar to Harrison Ford's movie 'The Fugative' & really any movies/books with plots involving someone who has been framed and is fleeing from the law while they try to prove their innocence. What an amazing series!





9) Six Months Later \\ Natalie Richards \\ 4 Stars

Apart from the rather (excessive) language, Six Months Later gobbled this reader right up. I didn't know if Six Months Later was a suspense book or not, but whoa--hello suspense!! It kinda reminded me of the Bourne series, but with a YA twist to it. 
It was annoying that Chloe started almost every thought with "God, XYZ this" or "God, XYZ that" or "Hell, XYZ this or that". I know that high school kids swear and I can slog through a great deal of language in my reading, but honestly, 99% of the swearing felt like sloppy filler words that didn't even fit. They felt lazy and ill-placed. The sheer amount--and distinctly lazy use of profanity irked me. That, and I had a bit of a hard time getting through the first few chapters because of the tone of narration--but I eventually got the swing of things. Apart from those two details--great book. Read it in two sittings. 

Although it says this book is for 13+, it just seems a bit too mature for most thirteen-year-olds? I'd probably recommend it for 16 minimum--but then again, it changes from reader to reader.

10) Life After \\ Katie Ganshert \\ 5 Stars

I LOVED Life After. The first paragraph's diatribe about death had me cringing and I was like, um...maybe not this book, but wow--this novel just blessed my heart. It was oddly cathartic to read. 
I loved Katie's writing style. It felt quite unique compared to most author's I've read and I really enjoyed it. The characters were top-notch, seriously. I loved Paul & Autumn's relationship. What a pairing they made. 
I felt the healing journey depicted for all the characters was honouring and beautiful--refreshingly not all about that platitude life like most stories that involve loss and grief. I was impressed. Am impressed. 

The unravelling mysteries kept me turning the pages, waiting to get around the bend and discover "the thing" and I was shocked and surprised and I loved every minute of it. While a heavier read because it focuses so much on grief following a traumatic event and loss, it was refreshing to read a book on the subject, when so many--even inspirational fiction books just don't "go there".


11) The Secret History of Us \\ Jessica Kirby \\ 3 Stars

Kinda reminded me of a Nancy Drew type mystery set in a small harbour town. It was a slower read, but I enjoyed it. My only problem, which is a rather huge problem, lol, is that Walker got five scenes in this entire book. Or six, if you count when he saved Olivia and did CPR and stuff. Two of those five scenes were only a glance shared from a distance (like one sentence long), and then a brief synopsis type scene. So really, he got three talking scenes. THREE. And we didn't even "meet" his character until around the 75% mark. Like what even is that? 
So yes, things felt woefully cut short. Walker's character got almost NO airtime, and for this book being called "The Secret History of US" not "ME", I was hoping for a bit more US, cause as I said, we got three very short "US" related scenes. 
Personally, I'd be into a book written from Walker's perspective and then how they pieced together their relationship after the accident or some such--but without a follow-up book, or some extra content between Walker & Olivia--things felt stunted and cut short. And not tastefully. To me, it felt like a gaping void that wasn't done right.

12) Wolfsbane \\ Ronie Kendig \\ 5 Stars

One of my FAVOURITE suspense books of all time. Geez. So jam-packed with gritty emotions and circumstances and characters that feel so real and relatable. Every minute I was on the edge of my seat--cheering, then wailing "noo!" from scene to scene. 
What a feast for the reading senses. 
The romance--what even. 
The characters--yes, please. Canyon & Dani--like opposites attract in THE BEST WAY. Their relationship. SWOON. I feel like I could read five books all about them and never get bored.
The plot--it's basically the perfect storm. 

IT WILL HAVE YOU ON TENTERHOOKS THE WHOLE TIME, YO. Just do yourself a favour and if you even remotely like romantic suspense or military fiction--go buy and read this book. Do it. Do it now. Righttt nowwwww. Gooooooooooooo!!! #FragOut

I wouldn't recommend this one for younger readers as it has some pretty intense mature themes, including rape, suicide, sex and some other things--it's just better for adult readers, methinks.


13) Operation Zulu \\ Ronie Kendig \\ 5 Stars

An amazing, pulse-pounding series with a plethora of beautiful, strong, lady soldiers. And I'm not a feminist, and to be honest, the way most people describe "strong women" or women in combat roles--it just drives me nuts. However...I felt like Kendig really depicted women in combat beautifully. Not trying to be men. Not trying to be brash and hulking and something they're not. Not wearing an ill-fitting jacket, but something glorious, fiercely unique and incredibly strong.
This is also a whopper of a book, coming in at almost 600 pages. So...you gotta be in for the long haul, but it is SO worth it. So much action and intensity. So many character interactions that were just so...yummy--that sounds weird, but it's true, haha.

All of Ronie Kendig's work is steller, top notch spec-ops stuff, so, in all seriousness, if you like suspense, or military fiction, go check out her stuff. I don't know how my reading life survived before I discovered her work half a decade ago!

That is all for now! 

I cannot promise I will be regular in posting blog posts, but...I do want to attempt doing a monthly roundup of the books I've read, and bring my Goodreads reviews and combine them all on here. Savvy? Alright then! 

Conspiracy Of Silence by Ronie Kendig | Tox Files #1

First book in Ronie Kendig's new Spec Ops, Globe Trotting, Dive Into History series, called the Tox Files, aptly named after our MC, Cole "Tox" Russell, a former Green Beret who- after a gone rogue mission, is persona non grata to the United States...so basically he doesn't exist. 

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
"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 at an archaeological dig where three Bronze-era censers are found, Tox is lured back into action. Partnered with an archaeologist and an FBI agent who’s an expert in deception, Tox and his team are pitted against a secret society, a plague dubbed the New Black Death, and a revered codex—which may hold the key to stopping the deadly outbreak."


CONCLUSION:

Pulse-pounding, adrenaline pumping, history digging, globe trotting GLORY- Conspiracy Of Silence has officially won "Book Of The Year" for me. 
The action scenes were fresh and gripping, the characters unique and compelling, and I can say I most certainly fell in love with the Wraith-squad. 
Their foray into history was dizzyingly intricate- I think I may have to give it another read to fully comprehend all that was going on, but it was amazing. Also- Cole Russell gets the BAE award of the year. The writing style is fresh, gripping and powerful. So- READ THIS BOOK. THE end. Boom.

BeoWulf by Ronie Kendig | Books She Loves

Book 3 in the Breed Apart 

series by Ronie Kendig, doesn't disappoint!!

VIOLENCE: 

Military suspense type stuff. Hand to hand combat. People get beat up, shot down, blown up, and there's blood. Nothing terribly up-close gory. There is one scene where an explosion rocks a team, and a soldier's leg is almost blown off. He nearly bleeds out, there's a lot of blood and he's pretty traumatized when he comes to in the middle of it- clearly in a lot of pain.  

SEXUAL CONTENT: 

Timbrel has a few painful flashbacks from being raped- not really descriptive, more just the pain that she felt in the moment, or the breath of her abuser etc. 

Our two MC's fall in love. There's attraction between the two (duh, lol) several kisses, some more passionate than others. Nothing very steamy. 

CONCLUSION: 

Adrenaline, suspense, romance, conflict, cat and mouse, solving the mystery- this book has it all.
I loved Candyman & Timbrel as characters. They were relatable, lovable, colourful and unique. I found myself laughing over their blunders, and my heart cried when they weren't doing so hot. These characters are keepers that I will never forget, and will come back to re-read again and again! 

5 Stars, and I'd recommend it for readers 18+ 

Talon by Ronie Kendig

Book 2 in the Breed Apart series (read review for book one- Trinity, here) follows Aspen Courtland, reeling from the loss of her twin brother, who went MIA overseas. The Marine Corps says he's dead, but Aspen can't accept it as fact. With her brother's traumatized war dog, and a more than mysterious soldier who says he was with her brother the day he 'died', they set out for answers....answers people will kill for. 

PLOT:

Brilliant. Fresh. Action packed. Complex. Everything that should be in an action, suspense, romance book. 

SEXUAL CONTENT: 

Characters fall in love. There's more of an underlying sensual pull between Dane & Aspen, moreso than with most of Ronie's other books, but that suited me fine. Their romance was tastefully written, sweet, kinda tragic and passionate. They kiss a few times. For a cover during an opp, they are married in name only, but nothing happens in regards to bedroom scenes or anything of that nature. A few soldiers make reference to their having made the marriage legitimate, but it's a case of hearsay. 

A soldier's gaze rakes over Aspen, and the context says that he "raped her with his gaze" or something like that. 

Mention is made to someone's father having a mistress (said character is a result of their father having the mistress), and him calling her a whore. 

There may be more references, but as I always say- my point isn't to catch every single one and list it here, it's just to give you a feel as to how each type of content is in the book- and if that is or isn't your jam. 

VIOLENCE:

Typical military/spy/suspense book type stuff. Hand to hand combat, blood, people getting shot- some at close range- people dying etc. There's mention to a character getting beaten as a child, being starved, having no heat or blankets in their room to serve as punishment. Another sub-character is pushed out of a window and falls to their death. 

CONCLUSION:

This book has everything that makes a book a goodie, in my mind. Action, emotion, romance, mystery, emotionally deep characters, a gripping plot- gah! It has it all, people. 

This book would give the Bourne movies a run for their money- but seriously, it would make a fantastic film. 

If you like suspense fiction, or spy type stories...pick this book up and READ IT. NOW. Today! 

5 Stars & I'd recommend it for ages 18+ 

Like watching reviews in video format? You're in luck, I filmed a video review of Talon!

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Booktube Book Review | Trinity by Ronie Kendig

Hey guys! Here's a book review in video format, if that's your jam! It's not a book banter like the previous video's I've done- this one is review only and no spoilers :) 

Enjoy! 

If you're looking for the full review for Trinity, click here.
Review for book 2 in the series, Talon, click here.

Trinity by Ronie Kendig

Book 1 in the A Breed Apart series (read review for book 2 - Talon, here), Trinity follows the story of Heath Daniels, a once Green Beret, and Darci Kintz, a Military Intelligence Officer. Taking place mostly in Afghanistan- things get  all kinds of crazy when Darci is abducted by some super baddies in the Chinese Military, while Heath and his war dog are sent to find Darci and bring her home alive.

PLOT:

Fast paced. Complex. Just when you think you know what is going on- boom! Plot twist. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, even reading it through a second time.

SEXUAL CONTENT:

Falling in love- attraction type whatnot. While trying to escape a rogue Chinese Military camp, Darci knows if she doesn't escape, they'd kill her, after a brutal gang rape. Thankfully, that doesn't take place, but it's a reality present. It's implied that on a mission, Darci slept with the enemy- both literally and figuratively, to gain information. 

VIOLENCE:

Military combat stuff. People get beaten, shot- some at close range- their guts, brains or blood splattering the people around them, killed, tortured. With the torture, it's mostly electroshock, some roughhousing, nail removal (although the character only finds their nails are gone when they come to, they don't remember it happening). Not low on the violence content. It's a military book. But it's not over the top, make your stomach revolt on you type of explicit grossness. 

CONCLUSION:

Plot, romance, danger, characters, suspense, ON FLEEK! All of it. I loved this book, even reading it the second time through, I was glued to the pages. It has all the needed elements to be fabulous, high gear, intense military suspense read. 

5 Stars

Age Recommendation: 18-19+
If you're looking for the video review, here it is. 

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Digitalis by Ronie Kendig

Book 2 in the Discarded Heroes series, following the stories of different men who have left the broader military group and joined a black ops type group called Nightshade.
Read review for Wolfsbane - Book 3 

PLOT:

It builds up until about chapter 7, where things ramp up and get more intense. While this book wasn't non-stop action, it was full of suspense and didn't drag one bit. It flowed well- and the plot was intriueging for many reasons. Piper and Colton's relationship. The identity that Piper is trying to hide from Colton. Colton's flashbacks. Then there's the subplot with Azzan, the assassin in Israel. It was a full plot and I loved EVERY minute of it. 

SEXUAL CONTENT:

As the two MC's, as you can imagine, Piper and Colton are the love interests. Falling in love, attraction type stuff. A kiss here and there. Nothing super passionate or steamy. 

VIOLENCE:

Lot's of hand-to-hand combat. People get shot, killed, that kind of stuff. None of it is super graphic or really detailed, to my remembrance. 

CONCLUSION:

Hands down, I loved every minute of this book. It was terrible, wonderful, gut-wrenching, powerful and intense. My only complaint is that I wish there had have been an extra 25 pages interspersed throughout the book, dedicated to more interactions between Piper and Colton, because I loved them so dang much! I love the plot, loved the characters- all of it was fabulous and made for a perfect read. 

5 Stars & I'd recommend it for 17+ ish- again, it's all quite dependent on each reader. 

Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig (Review by Ashley Nikole)

Wolfsbane falls in line as book #3 in the 'Discarded Heroes' series, following a Black Ops type of team called 'Nightshade'.

Each book follows a member of the team, with this one following former Green Beret medic, Canyon Metcalfe. The lady MC is Danielle (Dani) Roark, a demolitions expert that, at the start of the book, is escaping a brutal captivity in Venezuela.

Review for book 2 in the series, Digitalis.

PLOT:

Moved pretty fast & well paced throughout. The first...about half I'd say, is set in the United States and isn't focusing on suspense, but more on the relationship/romance side of things, with plenty of involvement with the Metcalfe family & sibling dynamics, which I enjoyed.

Just before the halfway mark, the story moves over to Venezuela, and that's when the action/danger & suspense really works itself up into its full potential.

The first time I read this book, the subplot in italics (of a native Venezualan mystery woman telling a story of a soldier named Bayani & her daughter, Chesa) confused me. I didn't really get where it was going or what the significance was to the story, until about 3/4 of the way through. But have no fear, it IS significant, & at the end, you have a big "Aha!" moment. Second time reading through this novel, I understood the significance of this plotline & really felt it added a good angle to the story. 

VIOLENCE:

With Nightshade being a black ops & covert operation team, they end up being in hostile territory where plenty of military/guerrilla violence/killing/shooting/fighting etc. takes place. People get shot, stabbed (blood gurgling, & pouring out of wounds, etc) fistfights etc.
Mention is made that Dani was tortured, but not much is mentioned of it in hindsight. A Nightshade member is tortured when captured by the enemy.

Cutting (explained down below)

SPOILERS:

Not too far into the book Dani attempts suicide via

cutting herself (we don't see her doing it). Someone

interrupts her while she's doing it, and she hides 

her arm behind herself, but the blood splattering 

onto the bathroom floor gives her away. 

At another point, when she has been captured,

she attempts slitting her wrists again, to 

escape the brutal treatment she knows she 

will receive. She is interrupted again. 

SEXUAL CONTENT:

Dani has several memories of being raped. While they are not prolonged or usually overtly explicit in  their remembrance, they aren't nondescript.

--------SPOILERS----------

Dani & Canyon have sex once after an innocent

play-fight-tickle match turns into kissing,

passion & getting physically intimate.

The scene ends with, "Canyon kissed her again,

deeper, more passionately. He traced her leg and drew

the hem of the tunic upward." So it is cut off before anything

happens, but we get the idea what is about to take

place. Following, Canyon knows what he did was

wrong, & they have a talk at the end of the book about

having extramarital sex, & why they (if they could have

changed things) would have waited until marriage.

----still spoilers----

With Dani, I can understand her reason in giving herself to Canyon before marrying him...before being raped multiple times in captivity, she'd been a virgin. The first time she'd kissed Canyon (post captivity) it was her first kiss.

Not having a strong or active spiritual conviction to back up saving sex for marriage, she felt safe & loved with Canyon, & was probably more than ready to have a loving sexual encounter, after having her virginity stolen, & her sexuality only being used in the context of rape. Not that it makes what they did, right, but I can certainly empathize.
P.S. Canyon won no brownie points after that scene...I was like, "Dude! You had one job." #fail #justno what happened to all that self- imposed soldier self-control? Treat the girl right & put a ring on it, ahem, before sleeping with her. But he owns up to his mistakes, & that is what matters. People mess up at times, but how they handle their mistakes is key. 

Drug Content: 

Canyon is addicted to some high powered pain meds, he initially was taking for a back injury. He kept taking them even after the pain abated, to numb his emotionally pain regarding his past. He hid his addiction from his family & Nightshade team. Eventually he is found out, and gets off the meds (detoxes). 

CHARACTERS: 

I loved these guys, mainly because they were broken & imperfect. While I couldn't circumstantially relate with them, their emotional trauma & struggles made me emphasize, big time. I didn't feel distanced from Dani & Canyon, as though I were merely reading about two fake people. I felt as though I was Dani, or Canyon in a scene, heart being torn apart, bereft at loss, or elated at a triumph. That is what I am looking for in a book- to be transported into another world, another character. Their imperfect state, how they messed up at times- but just kept going, spoke to me so much. 

While I don't want to read about a person who goes doing bad things (on purpose) left, right & centre, I also cannot connect with a character who is total perfection. Dani & Canyon were imperfect, made mistakes, got super messy, but they owned their mistakes. They kept moving forward, & that is what made me love them! 

They were walking out of brokenness & into being whole & well. That process seldom looks cute, and that's what I loved so much about this book. These people being in the trenches of the 'process', and moving into their destiny...sometimes taking two steps back, then one forward. 

CONCLUSION: 

This book, content wise is a pretty heavy book. Dani was in captivity for six months, during which she was repeatedly violated through rape and torture. It deals with a character who attempts suicide multiple times to escape horrors no one should endure. Another has a drug addiction. It's a heavy book, but it is filled with redemption, hope & perseverance. Canyon's upbeat & humorous personality kept it from staying too heavy the whole way through.
Generally, I'm not a huge fan of the more content heavy books, but I loved this one. Second time through I fell in love even more.

The heart I have for abused & battered women, was spoken to deeply by this book. Novel's that are fiction, but speak to & nudge your convictions...those are the keepers.

5 Stars for this one, & I'd recommend it for readers 18-19+