Book Review (and Giveaway!): Talon by Ronie Kendig

All Air Force veteran Aspen Courtland wants is her brother back. The US Marine Corps says he’s dead, but Aspen won’t believe it till she sees his body. Her only hope is her brother’s tracking dog, Talon, but a brutal attack has left the dog afraid of his own shadow.

The truth is something Military Intelligence Operative Dane Markoski has never faced. But now it’s the only thing that can save him—along with Talon’s help. But working with Talon means teaming up with Aspen as well, and Dane swore he’d never work with a woman.

Eventually they join forces to battle the elements and extremists. But if Talon can’t rise up to his former glory for one last mission, the only outcome for all three will be game over.
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Ronie Kendig consistently provides fast-paced plots, flawed-but-trying characters, and a bit of tortured romance in her military thriller books. Talon is no exception. From the very first page her expertly-trained characters engage, fighting the enemy as well as their demons. Kendig has a knack for including multiple points-of-view, so you have to pay attention while you're reading, but the different angles keep your attention and give a wider view of the unfamiliar landscape of special ops and military intrigue.

My only issue with the novel is the full-throttle intro, but this is a reflection of the industry, not Kendig. I understand that there's a push to start the story with a bang (literally in Kendig's work), but the immediate action with no character introduction always leaves me feeling lost and confused. Technically Kendig masterfully wrote the opening action, but it took me 40+ pages before the story really pulled me in because I felt like I was trying to keep up. Again, that's not a reflection of the author, but I wanted to mention it. If you're like me you may struggle through the first 40-50 pages, but stick with it. Kendig's stories are worth it.
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Leave a comment with your email address included for a chance to win a copy of Talon. The winner will be randomly selected on June 17 - good luck!

Book Review (and giveaway): Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig

In Venezuela, Danielle Roark and her Army Corps of Engineers team is captured. After six months of captivity, Dani escapes, only to end up charged with espionage and forced to return to the jungle to prove that a nuclear facility exists. On the mission, she is abandoned by God and country. Will she live long enough to make those responsible pay?

Haunted by memories of a mission gone bad, former Green Beret Canyon Metcalfe wrestles with his developing feelings for the feisty senator’s daughter. Setting aside his misgivings, he and Nightshade take the mission to help Dani unravel her lethal secrets. Separated from the team leaves Dani and Canyon vulnerable—and captured. After he is rescued, Canyon discovers Dani has been left behind. Livid, he sacrifices everything to save Dani—including his role with Nightshade.

Book Three of the Discarded Heroes series, Wolfsbane lives up to the excellent standard of the first two books. Wolfsbane, however, is a little bit different. First, Kendig shows the hero, Canyon Metcalfe, struggling to follow Christ, yet failing, committing sins that you don't usually read about in Christian novels. Secondly, the characters' faith seems to take a back seat, until the very end of the book.

While these qualities make for a non-traditional Christian novel, they make for a very realistic view of modern Christianity. They also make for a compelling, exciting book.

If you're looking for an great military adventure, then leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Wolfsbane (read once!). Leave me your email address so I can contact you, and I'll pick a winner on July 30. Good luck!

Book Review (and giveaway): In Stitches by Dr. Tony Youn

Tony Youn was too tall and too thin, wore thick Coke-bottle glasses, braces, Hannibal Lecter headgear, and had a protruding jaw that one day began to grow to an unthinkable, monstrous size.  After high school graduation, while other seniors partied at the shore or explored Europe, Youn lay strapped in an oral surgeon’s chair as he broke his jaw, then reset it and wired it shut for six weeks.

It was this brutal makeover that led him to his life's calling -- and the four years of angst, flubs, triumphs, non-stop studying and intermittant heavy drinking that eventually earned him an M.D. Thanks to a small circle of close friends and an obsessive drive to overachieve, Youn transformed from a shy, skinny, awkward nerd with no confidence and no clue into a renowned and successful plastic surgeon.

That's Amazon's description of Youn's memoir. It doesn't do the book justice.

I'm not usually a memoir reader. I've read exactly two - this was the second. The only reason I read it was so that I could write a story for the paper (you can read it here). When I picked up the book, I figured it couldn't be that bad - there's a Barbie carcass on the cover. I gave myself a few days to read it, but that wasn't necessary. I finished it in two days. 

Dr. Tony Youn

In Stitches is a candid look at life in a strict Korean home, the struggles of getting into and surviving med school, and Youn's determination to to succeed at it all while finding a girlfriend. At the risk of sounding like a cheesy 80s movie promo: you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wonder if Youn secretly analyzes everyone he meets and makes lists of things that need improvement.

Since I don't usually read memoirs, I don't have any history with which to compare this book. I can, however, vouch for its extreme entertainment value. I would give this book a PG-13 rating (R, if you're more conservative), so keep that in mind when you pick it up (because you really should pick it up).

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In fact, I'd like to help you pick it up, so I'm going to give away a free copy (isn't that just like me?). You know the drill - leave me your email addy in a comment and I'll put you in the running. A winner will be picked on July 30, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, you can learn more about Dr. Youn at www.dryoun.com.

Book Review: A Great Catch by Lorna Seilstad

It is the beginning of a new century at Lake Manawa Resort in Iowa, but some things never change. When 22-year-old Emily Graham's meddlesome aunts and grandmother take it upon themselves to find her a husband among the resort guests, the spunky suffragist is determined to politely decline each and every suitor. She has neither the time nor the need for a man in her busy life.

Carter Stockton, a recent college graduate and pitcher for the Manawa Owls baseball team, intends to enjoy every minute of the summer at Lake Manawa, Iowa, before he is forced into the straitlaced business world of his father. 

When Emily crashes into Carter at a roller skating rink, neither could guess what would come next. Will Carter strike out? Or will Emily cast her vote for a love that might cost her dreams?


This is the second of Seilstad's Lake Manawa series and it's absolutely delightful. Emily and Carter's struggles (an over-worked, over-committed woman and a man torn between his heart and his responsibilities), though rooted in the early 1900s, translate well into today's society. It's very easy to relate with both of them.


Add to that an almost dreamlike setting, some interfering (yet lovable) aunts, and a little bit of love and A Great Catch is a great read. If you like Karen Witemeyer, I think you'll enjoy Lorna Seilstad.


*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

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WIN THIS BOOK!

Leave your name and email address to get entered to win a copy of this book!! I have a few other books to review this month, and I'll be giving them all away on June 28. Leave a comment on each post and you'll be entered each time.

Good luck!

Book Review: Tea for Two by Trish Perry

Counselor Tina Milano has been visiting Milly’s Tea Shop regularly for the past several months. She has many friends but no steady man in her life. Zack Cooper is a local farmer who provides Milly with fresh fruit and vegetables. As a single parent, Zack is doing his best to raise his teenage son and daughter on his own.

When the kids get in minor scrapes with the law, Milly gently encourages Zack and Tina to work together to draw the teens back before their rebellious natures land them in even hotter water. At first Tina sees the relationship in only a professional capacity, but soon her friends notice the luscious scent of romance in the air and decide to help things along.

Tea for Two is a faith-filled novel that explores the delight of second chances, warm friendship, and unexpected romantic encounters.

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This book delivers exactly what it promises - a faith-filled novel of second chances, friendships, romance. It's a fun, light-hearted love story full of miscommunications and reconciliations.

As engaging as this story is, however, if you've read any of Perry's other books, as I have, this might disappoint a bit. Something was missing - it didn't pull me in the way her other books did. I felt more like an observer, whereas her other books made me a participant.

My pickiness aside, "Tea for Two" truly is an enjoyable book...but all of the talk of shortcakes and finger sandwiches will definitely give you the munchies!

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

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Now it's YOUR chance to read "Tea for Two"! Leave me your name and email address. On May 1 I'll pick a winner!!

Book Review: Tomorrow's Garden by Amanda Cabot

Harriet Kirk is certain that becoming Ladreville's schoolteacher is just what she needs--a chance to put the past behind her and give her younger siblings a brighter tomorrow. What she didn't count on was the presence of handsome former Texas Ranger Lawrence Wood--or the way he slowly but surely claims her fragile heart. But can Harriet and Lawrence ever truly put the past behind them in order to find happiness?

This is book three of the Cabot's Texas Dreams trilogy. I have not read the first two books, but that didn't matter. This story picks up with a different character while giving a glimpse as to what happened in the first two books.

I admit that it took me a few chapters to really get into the story, but once I was hooked I had to know what would happen next. Cabot spares no detail in describing the characters, town, and situations that draw Harriet and Lawrence together. "Tomorrow's Garden" is a heart-warming historical romance, full of intriguing characters and intricate detail. If you enjoy Lori Wick's western romances, I think you'll enjoy "Tomorrow's Garden".

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In an effort to share the experience, I'm going to give away my copy of "Tomorrow's Garden". Just leave a comment and an email address. KEEP READING!!

I noticed that I still have two other historicals that I reviewed but did not give away, so I will actually be picking THREE winners this time! The first person gets "Tomorrow's Garden", the second get "Kaydie", and the third will receive "Love on Assignment". I've linked the reviews so you can see what I'm giving away. 

I'll pick winners on May 1 - good luck!!