Firethorn

Astounding fiction at its finest!

Emotionally. Wrung. Out. That's how I feel. The high's and low's are extreme and adrenaline inducing. While my head is spinning from all the action and pounding from the tears, I'm telling myself this isn't real. It didn't happen. Really? It seemed real. Gut-wrenchingly so. I thought nothing could outdo Wolfsbane in this series. I was wrong. Firethorn, while not heavy on romance, brought together two people who seem so opposite but who have so many hidden similarities. Griffin is one tough dude. Kazi is one tough chick. Normally I would say it was a pleasure to watch their relationship unfold but pleasure is too tame a word. It was explosive. Literally :) The imagery is stunning! In between blistering dialog, the author uses short, bullet-like phrases spattered across the pages that kept me in an elevated state of expectation. Every step of the way I thought I was right there, witnessing the events as they unfolded. At just the right moment there would be a flash of humor to help release the tension before plunging me back into breathlessness. There are twists and turns that I couldn't have dreamed of. Just who is the bad guy? Let me tell you, there's more than one. In the words of MI: ¿Your mission, should you choose to accept it,¿ is to stay focused, don't let anyone interrupt your reading time, have some tissue nearby, maybe an MRE (just in case you can't put the book down) and enjoy this final thrill ride into the lives and loves of our Discarded Heroes! An astounding conclusion to a series that will live on forever in my memory. I was provided an advanced galley review copy through NetGalley months ago but had trouble reading it on my computer. No fault of NetGalley. They're great! When I saw that the author was having a contest on her website I entered to win a print copy and won. So, a big thank you to Ronie Kendig for my paperback copy. I was not required to write a positive review, just my opinion of the book. No other compensation was received.

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Having read Digitalis, Wolfsbane and Firethorn in one month, I b

Having read Digitalis, Wolfsbane and Firethorn in one month, I became very attached to the Nightshade team. I loved all the books in this series. Ronie Kendig's writing is full action. You can hardly find the right time to stop to go to bed. So be warned not to start reading any of her books shortly before bed time, or you will loose sleep!

The shack was attacked and the Nightshade team was captured and seperated. Kazi is hired by Lambert to get the team members back from all corners of the world. First she frees Griffin from the prison and together they are trying to retrieve the other men. They face many dangers. Griffin is surprised in Kazi--this small lady is capable of great things.

Griffin "Legend" Riddell is a big guy with secrets he didn't tell his team members. Kazi wants to keep her past and identity to herself, because she doesn't trust anyone. Both Griffin and Kazi are hurting, because of the things they keep hidden. When they get to work together they must learn to trust each other.

Unlike the other books in this series we also read a lot about the other team members--that's why it's best to read the other books in this series first. It's great to see all the men back with their families. A perfect ending to this great series!

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review.*

Heart-in-your-mouth action!

Once again, Ronie Kendig has written a fast-paced, action-packed adventure in the Discarded Heroes series. Volume #4, Firethorn, is the best one yet. That’s not to say the others weren’t excellent reads. I enjoyed every one of them. In Firethorn, Griffin Riddell, one of the Nightshade operatives, has been set up for a murder he didn’t commit, and lands in a maximum security prison, unable to prove his innocence. Covert operative, Kazi Faron, has been hired to reassemble Nightshade. Part of doing that is breaking Griffin out of prison. But as they race to rescue other members of Nightshade, and discover the traitor who wants the team dismantled, love begins to bloom. But distrust looms between them. Both harbor secrets from their pasts, but Kazi has one that could get them all killed. These two characters are so dimensional. I think they’re the best I’ve seen in some time. I really liked how Ronie showed us the pain each had experienced, but tamped down inside to avoid vulnerability. Yet, they did remain vulnerable, which kept them real. I applaud how the race issue was handled between the characters, which was treated as if it were no issue at all (not an issue with me, but society sometimes sees it that way). The story was written in such a way that demonstrated not only how much we need the Lord, but that, no matter what has happened in the past, we shouldn’t close ourselves off from other people, and distrust everyone we meet. If we trust Jesus, we’ll be able to discern who is trustworthy, and who is not. A fantastic read!

Most Certainly Recommended!

I have read all of the Ronie Kendig "Discarded Heroes" series and each one is good reading....execllent take on personalities and military ops.

Repaying the Favor!

BLOWN AND DISMANTLED! NIGHTSHADE IS READY TO REPAY THE FAVOR!

The Nightshade group are recouping in The Shack when they find themselves infiltrated and fired upon. No matter where they hid, they were found out except for Max and Dighton. Not only are they infiltrated, their complex is imploded. The men are then scattered all over the world. Who? How? The Shack was secure!

Nightshade team member, Griffin Riddell (aka “Legend”), finds himself in a maximum security prison, charged with the murder of a Senator. He never saw it coming. And he didn’t do it.

Kazi Faron, a covert operative, is brought in to break Griffin out of the penitentiary–and she’s successful! Though she tends to be a loner, she’s a fireball that gets the work done despite the odds and dangers.

From this point on, Ronie Kendig, in Firethorn, has us traveling all over the world with Legend and Kazi, tracking down the Nightshade team. All have their own dilemmas to escape. It’s a fast-paced, quick-changing twist of events. Just like Ronie’s first three novels, this one does not let up on the action. You can’t let yourself lull over a particular rescue, as she jumps to another. The scenarios are interspersed, which demand that you stay just as alert as her characters. Though interspersed, they all intertwine in a fashion only Ronie can pull off.

The touchy romance between Griffin and Kazi is threatened by their distrust, events and her past. But you’ll find yourself loving every minute, wondering if they will make a couple or not. Nothing is guaranteed.

Though faith is interwoven into Ronie’s books, and it’s relevant and important to each member, it’s not an ‘in your face’ message. It’s the daily living out of their faith.

You can read these books out of order, but it’s more interesting reading from beginning to end. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. I am disappointed the series has ended with Firethorn, however. I could see another book at the end of this one!

Ronie considers herself an Army brat, but it’s those experiences that bring depth, accuracy and meaning to each of her books.

Special thanks to Ronie Kendig for sending me a review copy. No monetary compensation was exchanged.

Exciting, Dramatic, Intense

I read the entire discarded hero series, yet this book, although entertaining & gripping, it was a jumble of activity. The action changed from place to place so often, between many of the characters that is was a ball of confusion and interfered with the true enjoyment of an excellent story.

She saved the best for last!

The Discarded Heroes series has been one WILD ride! And I, for one, am sad to see it end. I fell in love with all the macho heroes who made up the covert Nightshade team. I cheered for them when they rescued victims and fought for justice, I trembled for them when their lives hung in the balance, I laughed at their boyish antics, cried at their pain and internal struggles, and smiled as each one fell madly in love! Each man waged his own battle with himself and with God. But what a joy it was to see God's love bring them out the other side stronger and wiser. Ms Kendig knows her stuff. Her tag line is rapid-fire fiction and don't kid yourself, that's just what you get. I felt like I was a special-ops agent myself! Thankfully, thanks to Ms. Kendig, I could capture bad guys from the warmth of my own house. LOL. I'm looking forward to whatever this fabulous author writes next!

Action

Bombs explode. Glass breaks. People are shot, kidnapped, and drugged. From the beginning of this book, I could envision it being made into my husband's favorite type of film--an action film. However, I did not like it.

I have not read the earlier books in the series, and perhaps this is why this novel was difficult for me to understand. I felt lost until the sixth chapter. There are many characters and many settings which got confusing to this reader. For example, "... the sniffling of Melanie Vaughn Sands, grieving the loss of her brother as well as the father of her children" (334). Did two men die or did Melanie bear her brother's children?

I appreciate the author writing without resorting to profanity, but why substitute with "Son of a batch of cookies"(320)? Wouldn't it have been better to state, "he swore" or "he cursed"?

Those who enjoyed the earlier titles in this series will no doubt appreciate this concluding novel. Discussion questions are included.

Thank you to FirstWildCard and Ronie Kendig for my copy.

Exciting thriller

Great thriller. Although this is the final book in a series that I haven't read, I was pleased to find that it stood on it's own. I will definitely be purchasing the preceding books. The story was seen through the eyes of one of the members of a black ops solder and through the eyes of a woman who broke him out of prison. Ronnie has based all the previous books on an aspect of PTS and this time it was on the fact that it's not only those who serve in wars but also those who suffer in abusive homes who have PTS. The story flowed with lots of involvement from all members of the team and their families across several nations. Excitement reigned supreme with some surprising and not surprising results. All in all an excellent book to read.

Good clean fun

Review: Firethorn by Ronie Kendig
5 STARS
Firethorn is the last book of the Discarded Heroes series. I have now read only 2 of the 4 but they don't disapoint at all. I liked the book except the part that brought me to tears.
Discarded Heroes is about a special black ops team. They are loyal but have some problems and thier families don't all know they are serving are country still.
This last book opens with their team under attack at their secret base and some are taken two get out of building before its bombed.
Max Jacobs was Navy Seal, Canyon Metcalf was Army Special Forces, Colton
Neeley was Marine, Griffen Riddell was Marne, Marshall Vaughn was Army Ranger, John Dighton Navy Seal, Azzan Yasr and General Olin Lambert member of Joint Chiefs of Staff
For the past 6 months Griffen Riddell has been locked up prison for killing a U.S. Senator. He has been in isolation because he is very dangerous with his training he is also innocent.
The General does not know who took his team but he sent someone to break Griffen out of prison so he can help rescue his team. Kazi who goes by lots of different alias. She does not trust Griffen and he does not know her and hates working in the dark.
His team has spread out around the world. They only have a week before Azzan his killed in the middle east. Their is a lot intrique and you don't know who to trust and why the team was taken out. Could not put the book down. I would love to read the first two books of the series. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest reviews from Netgalley.
01/01/2012 PUB Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Love it!

I was thrilled the opportunity to read and review Digitalis, the second in the Discarded Heroes series, and was really looking forward to reading her latest book. It did not disappoint. From the very beginning to the very end, this book is chock-full of adventure and adrenalin.

The members of Team Nightshade have been framed and split up and this book details how one little blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl, Kazi Faron, with the help of a battered Griffin Riddell, helps bring them all back together. And Griffin, code name Firethorn, is not the only one who's injured. She's battling her own demons and trust issues. But she and Firethorn have help from above and it's this faith-inspiring quality of Ronie's writing that really makes this novel a great read.

I love the action in this book, but my favorite part is the complexity of all the characters. Each member of Nightshade, and their families, are recalled in this last book of the series. And each member adds so much to the story. From the light-hearted Kid to the serious Max, each one of these characters are true-to-life. And the most inspiring changes are in the main characters, Kazi and Griffin, as they learn to rely on God and each other. Loved it!

Intense

If you like action then this book is for you. Firethorn is intense from beginning to end with exceptional fight scenes and superb drama.
The writing is exceptional and quite amazing considering how many things were going on. If you're looking for a light read then this book is not for you. Be prepared for a wild ride in this conclusion to the Discarded Heroes series.

Rollercoaster Ride!

Ever been on Rockin’ Rollercoaster at Disney’s MGM park? If you have, you’ll know what to expect from Firethorn. If you haven’t, you’ll feel like it once you’ve finished this book.

Out of the chute at sixty mph, twists and turns in the dark, Firethorn begins with a bang and doesn’t let up. Nothing is off limits in this book. Not the men we’ve gotten to know, their families, or the people they meet along the way. Firethorn takes you across the globe and into multiple character’s minds, never releasing the adrenaline rush that starts at the beginning, wrapping it all with suspense, thrills and romance—yep, this book’s got heart. And it’s why I loved it. Why I love Ronie Kendig’s books.

Firethorn is the last in the Discarded Heroes series, and while I am immensely sad to see these guys go, all good things must come to an end. It’s always hard to let go of a series that pulls you in as deeply as this one did, but Ronie has done it well. A tear, a smile, a satisfied sigh as I closed the last page, this series will remain on my bookshelf for years to come.

If you haven’t read Discarded Heroes, you definitely don’t have to start at book one, but you’ll be cheating yourself out of one giant ride if you don’t. Nightshade is where it all began, Firethorn is where it ends, and don’t miss the action in the middle. Enjoy!

No text was provided for this review.