Nightshade

Nightshade is a team of Discarded Heroes

I had the privilege of interviewing Ronie Kendig, on our radio show "Kingdom Highlights", for her new book, "Nightshade" Book One in the Discarded Heroes series published by Barbour Publishing.

My all time favorite TV show is Mission: Impossible. Every week this elite team of spies would go and do the impossible in insanely short periods of time. Well "Mission" is back, sorta, in this new series, Discarded Heroes, because they are an elite team, called "Nightshade" of 6 men all honorable discharged from various military services who are having a tough time readjusting to civilian life. Along comes a sponsor who wants to create a military team to go and rescue villages or situations that the government cannot handle. So this is "Mission" from a military point of view. This team is not sanctioned by the U.S. Government and if they are caught mo one will admit they know of their existence.

First up in the spotlight is the leader of "Nightshade" Max Jacobs, a former Navy SEAL. Max has his problems he has seen too much, done too much and now, as a civilian, he is one angry man who simply cannot control his temper. His wife is unhappy and files for divorce just at the time when he is approached to head the team. Does this sound like a soap opera? Trust me it is not. This is a page-turning, blood-rushing, adrenaline-pumping extremely clever thriller! There are exciting events happening on the home front and there are equally exciting events happening with their missions and everyone's life is in danger through the course of this book. It is how Max learns to deal with everything that gives it a human focus.

"Nightshade" is more than a thriller it is a story of relationships. The relationships are the most important things that a person ever has in this life and Ms. Kendig makes this very relevant in this book. The book begins with the death of a marriage and the birth of the team which is similar to a marriage and there is also the marriage of the group that the team has to extricate. How we deal with each other is the way we make our lives. We can be lonely and alone or we can be vulnerable and have deep relationships with lasting results. I was very pleased with Ms. Kendig's first book in this series; well done! I look forward to the next book, "Digitalis" with enthusiasm. I recommend it highly.

If you missed the interview for "Nightshade" and would like to listen to it please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where it is available On Demand.

To listen to 24 Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Barbour Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wow!

Wow! That about sums up my feelings for this book. Ronie just nailed it. I love reading military suspense, especially with a dash of romance, and Ronie is as good as any I've read. The dialogue and actions by the men ring very true, and that's something many female writers struggle with. She's done her homework and it shows.

I also appreciate that Ronie tackled some tough issues like PTSD and how that tears families apart. I hope her book will help others understand what a tough job those men and women have who put themselves in harm's way to protect our freedom.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

An Awesome read.

NIGHTSHADE by Ronie Kendig is an awesome Military Thriller. It is the first in the Discarded Hero's series set in today's world around the world. It is an elite Black Ops team that goes to hot spots around the world no one else will touch to rescue and neutralize. These six men have been wounded and discarded by the military, but one high ranking official puts them together as a team that makes up "NIGHTSHADE". It is well written with detail and depth. The characters are awesome and pull you into the story and keeps you there on the each of your sit. It has faith, action, violence, death, compassion and a team to reckon with. This is a gut wrenching action paced story. In this first story, the hero, Max, is finding it hard to adjust in the civilian world. He has lost the love of his life, his wife who is wanting a divorce, due to his anger issues. Then Nightshade invites him into their world, which is just starting the new team, makes him the team leader. We are introduced to the rest of the team in this first story. The heroine, Sydney, is Max's soon to be ex, is also trying to be a news reporter, stumbles onto information about Nightshade, which creates problems for her, she ends up in the area where Nightshade is a work. I would highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy action packed, fast paced, military Special Forces.This is a must read book. A keeper. This book was received for review from Net Galley and details can be found at My Book Addiction and More and Barbour Publishing.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I read this book when it just released in 2010, but I recently r

I read this book when it just released in 2010, but I recently reread it and I probably enjoyed it even more!
Having read all the books in the Discarded Heroes Series, I started to love all the guys. Max is one of my favorites, but all guys are easy to love and it was great to read each of their stories.

Max is a former Navy SEAL and has seen too many awful things in combat. Those things are haunting him and unleashes his anger. Now his wife Sydney is afraid of him and files a restriction order and divorce, because Max doesn't want to deal with his problems.
Max thinks he has nothing valuable to live for anymore, but then an old general is recruiting a black ops team and Max is asked to become the leader.

Nightshade is born--a group elite soldiers. Officially they don't exist and their work is top secret. But Sydney hears a rumour about a group of 6 American soldiers that destroyed a whole hostile village. As a reporter she wants to know who this group is. She starts asking questions and soon someone is trying to silence her.

Nightshade's next mission is in the Philippines. Max leads his team through the dangers of the jungle and threats of the hostile Higanti. Their mission is to free hostages.

Sydney continues her search for the secret elite soldiers. Will she find them? And is there a chance to restore her marriage with Max?

This book is full excitement and adventure. When I read it the first time I devoured the book in one day. This second time around I took it slow and I savored every detail.
This series is a keeper and I hope to reread it again and again. It's FABULOUS!

EXCELLENT

Kendig's latest novel doesn't hold back anything! With a fast pace, unexpected suspense, emotional depth of characters, and a plot that will make you hold your breath, Nightshade is THE book for summer reading pleasure. This is one not-to-be-missed!

If you like Dee Henderson, you'll love this book

The first book in Ronie Kendig's "Discarded Heroes" series, I struggled to put this book down. I love Kendig's blend of action and story. She keeps it moving without getting too bogged down in the details of black ops or the relationships - everything works together to keep you interested and move the story forward. If you enjoy Dee Henderson's books, then this is a must-read.

Exciting from Beginning to End

Outstanding, superb. A masterpiece of romantic fiction.

Amazing and captivating!

Ronie is an amazing writer and has captured the dangerous yet heroic lives of people in the military. She has managed to put it in book form in such a way that demands you keep reading to find out more about the characters and what happens to them. You just can't help but care about them.


Nightshade introduces you to the team but focuses on the leader or "Alpha", Max. It also takes you to an island in the Philippines where missionaries are being held captive. It was a twist that I didn't expect when I picked up the book but it was a great addition. As the team learns to work together and become one on each new mission you begin to understand how they depend on each other to do the very best job they can and how they give their lives for what they have been called to do.

Great read!

A group of discarded heroes. A marriage on the rocks. A journalist trying to get her first break. Missionaries under attack. Max Jacobs struggles to make sense of all of this as he decides to lead a special group of men on missions that no one will ever know exist. He hopes that somehow these missions, helping someone else, doing what he'd been trained to do, will help him atone for all the times he failed his own wife.

Sydney Jacobs is hurting. Not from the bruise on her face, but from the emotional bruises on her heart. How had she gotten here? Her husband gone? Feeling ill? Determined to push through, she is on the hunt for the story of a lifetime. Who is this group of soldiers traveling the world saving lives?

Will God get through to Max and Sydney? Will a failing marriage be saved with Lane waiting in the wings? Will the missionaries make it out of the jungle alive? Will the solider's identities be revealed and Project Nightshade be terminated?

Awesome suspense!

Edge of your seat thrill ride... here it comes - Nightshade by Ronie Kendig is amazing and a book that you won't be able to put down until its all over and then you're just gonna wish that the second book was already out so you could jump right into it!
Max and Sydney are about to go through a divorce. Max just isn't the same since his time in the service, he saw stuff he just can't forget and knows Sydney would never understand. Sydney is scared of his nightmares and temper and after catching his fist to her face by accident she took the necessary precaution of getting a restraining order. What has happened to the two of them?
Max joins up with a rogue government unit that travels into dangerous places and does what the government can't do to take care of the bad guys. Max is in charge of the team and his goal is just to keep them safe, but it gets harder with each mission.
Sydney is a reporter that starts to get wind of a band of heroes that is saving those who can't save themselves. She is determined to find out who they are so they can be properly recognized. The problem is that some people don't want anyone to find out who these guys are and Sydney finds herself in danger...

This book is like watching a high speed chase on tv, you don't dare look away or change the channel because you'll miss something! It's one flaw is that it is highly coincidental, the one reporter that is looking for this band of heroes just happens to be the estranged wife of the leader of the heroes... don't let that hold you back, just embrace the possibility and run with it. Really liked this book - a lot!

Gripping Action Adventure!

Rarely does a book grab me and draw me in with such a firm grip as Nightshade! The story of Max and his highly trained group of special forces ex-soldiers is not only realistic, they practically walked off the page and took control of my house! I heard the noises in the jungle, the crack of gunfire, the cries of the victims who needed to be rescued, felt the hair on the back of my neck rise. There's something for everyone in this book - tons of action, gripping conflict, realistic romance that never resorts to being sappy, a spiritual element that is seamlessly woven into the story. Kendig's writing is powerful enough to bring off such an agressive and intricate plot, and her dialogue is so realistic I'm wondering if she has special forces training herself. An excellent book, highly recommended to anyone who likes gripping suspense, combat action, with a little bit of realistic romance thrown in the mix.

If you like Dee Henderson, you'll love this book

The first book in Ronie Kendig's "Discarded Heroes" series, I struggled to put this book down. I love Kendig's blend of action and story. She keeps it moving without getting too bogged down in the details of black ops or the relationships - everything works together to keep you interested and move the story forward. If you enjoy Dee Henderson's books, then this is a must-read.

A Love That Will Not Die

I like to look deep into the family relationships displayed in a romance story. For me, a good romance, or romantic suspense has more, much more than just a romance. Our relationship with others does make a difference in how we relate to a significant other.

An interesting aspect of this story is how Sydney's family tries to protect her from her husband. While they have good motives, they don't know the whole story. They don't believe her bruises came from trying to break up a fight and getting her face in the wrong place at the wrong time. They don't believe her husband's anger was never directed at his wife.

In Nightshade, Ronie has written a fast paced story with strong characters that I came to care about.

The New "A" Team

Nightshade is an elite commando unit who perform black op missions. Each man was handpicked for their experience. I'm so thankful for the review copy of this novel. This story reminded me of the "A-team", with its larger-than-life characters, who individually bring something special and unique to the group. They aren't always a happy family, but 'when the chips are down', they get along to accomplish the mission.

Max, "Frogman", a former U.S. Navy Seal, Colton, "Cowboy", former U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations, Griffin, "Legend", former U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations, Marshall, "The Kid", a former U.S. Army Ranger, Oscar, "Fix", former U.S. Air Force Pararescue, and General Olin, "The Old Man", Army Chief, all of these men are in this special undercover unit.

The General confronts these men," You spent time in Afghanistan.You've all been trained to kill; then you come back, and what do you do with those skills, but go out of your mind...we're here to establish a team that can penetrate hostile situations without any entanglements, without any blame on the good ol' US-of-A.You are the best, a natural.that's why you are here."

I loved the interplay between the men in this military elite commandos unit. I learned about the real struggle war veterans have with postwar disorders. These former military men could relate to each other's nightmares, no explanation needed. I also enjoyed the believable spiritual struggle of Max and Sydney. Ronie doesn't sugar coat anything and I liked that.

I found myself checking the back of the book to read Ronie's bio. Was this author really a woman? If so, how could she write about all these macho men and war stuff? This author does an amazing job of creating believable, flawed and broken characters, who function at their best together in this commando unit doing extraordinary life saving missions. I was astounded that a woman could write such a believable action packed adventure with these macho men-it was done so smoothly. Ronie is an "army brat" and is married to an Army Veteran, it says on the back of the book. Ok, this explains a lot. This is the first book in the "Discarded Hero's" series. The main focus of this book is on Max and his news reporter wife, Sydney. My guess is that each book will highlight one or two of these men and their personal lives, and how they deal with the missions. Digitalis is the next book to be released. I can't wait to read where their missions take them next. Just like the "A" team, I'm sure they'll be facing incredible circumstances in each book. I can't wait to join them in their next adventure.

Nora St. Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
Finding Hope Through Fiction www.psalm516.blogspot.com

Nightshade

Nightshade


Max Jacobs, has issues! Anger issues. To the point that all he truly cares about is now in jeopardy. What has the war done to Max? Why can he not vocalize what he feels to his wife Syd? Instead he just closes her out, and turns that anger inwards. Which causes himto be very voilatile. Explosive anger is what finally drives Syd away, now what will he do?
Syd Jacobs loves her husband so much, she just hates that she is afraid of his explosive anger. He keeps telling her this is just the way that he is and she needs to accept that, but she cannot believe that. She remembers that she married someone totally different. What is hauntingher husband and will they ever get to root of his troubles?
Max is recruited by very high ups to lead a secret team called Nightshade, that goes in to solve issues where the normal military cannot go. He throws himself into his work as he comes to terms with the fact that his wife has filed for seperation and divorce. Syd, has been given a new assignment at her newspaper, she is now on
human interest stories, instead of just editing. Excited to finally have a chance to write a story instead of editing one, she throws herself into her work. Unaware that she is stirring up a problem that will nearly cost her, her life, she investigates a story about a women saved by a special ops team, who now wants to thank them in person.
This story is amazing!! I sat all afternoon and read it in one sitting. It would get very intense and I would put it down, but I could not keep from going back to it over and over until I finished it. We have all been in places where we just don't understand what moves and motivates our loved ones and you feel the pain that Syd is facing as she feels there is nothing more to do to save her marriage. Your heart breaks as you realize that Max is only one of many many soldiers who return from the war dealing with PTSD. This book is a must read for action adventure lovers, for anyone actually. I cannot say enough about how much I loved this book. Definitely a book you do NOT want to miss this summer! 368 pages 5 stars

Make Room on Your Shelf for a Keeper!

Attention readers of romance, suspense and military fiction, you will LOVE this book! Not only is it a love story but it's full of intrigue and heroism that will stop your heart! I was riveted to the pages of this book and finished it in a matter of hours. It's not a lovey dovey, goo goo eyes romance but the story of two hurting people in a marriage that is falling apart. Sydney Jacobs doesn't know how to deal with a husband who she still loves but suffers with PTSD. Max Jacobs doesn't want to risk hurting the one he loves the most.

From the very first chapter you want to know what happens next. Not only are Max and Sydney wonderful characters but the team members of the black ops group, Nightshade are awesome! Fearless, handsome and yet troubled I'm sure they will all have some interesting stories and I can't wait to read how everything plays out for them, especially Colton "Cowboy" Neeley (hubba hubba). :-P The secondary story of the Harris family, missionaries in the Philippines, is extremely heartrending as well and if their story doesn't put a tear in your eye nothing will.

This book has earned a spot on my keeper shelf and Ronie Kendig is now a "must-read" author. Digitalis, Wolfsbane, and Firethorn can't come out fast enough!

Action-film pacing, on the page!

Gripping, fast-paced, incredible writing and incredible story. Other reviews have said it already-this is like the most amazing action film you've ever seen, in novel form. Tension and intensity, love and disappointment, faith and redemption. Who could ask for more-except more Discarded Heroes titles? And yes, they are coming!

Despite her newness to Christian publishing, Ronie Kendig is a strong writer whose work far outstrips that of many multi-published authors, in my opinion. I'm so excited to see these books come to print!

Nightshade

A touching tale of redemption just about sums this story up. We have Max, the ex Navy SEAL who has returned from duty scarred. Trying to be a "real man" he hides his hurts from his wife, Sydney, and they continue to eat him up inside until one night he snaps. It tears their marriage apart, and even though they love each other deeply, it seems that they will never be able to find their way back to each other.

Max was just the right mix of macho tough guy and a scarred and injured warrior. I enjoyed his character from the get go and his fragile relationship with Sydney was portrayed in a way that I could see the thin threads that just barely held them to each other. Both strong people, fighting for what they think is best.

Max's special ops team is full of personality. It was a wonderful group of characters that allowed the author to pull things into the story in ways that just seemed natural. Each and every person introduced plays a very special and important role in Max and Sydney's journey. It is a dark and very dangerous one, but one they must face if they ever hope to save their marriage.

The rating on this book could be split into two sections for me. The story of Max and Sydney gets 4-5 stars all the way. However, there is a parallel story line of Jon and Kimber that we follow as well (don't want to say too much more and give anything away). I found their story to be a bit over done and syrupy, predictable and a little preachy, and would only give it 1 or 2 stars. While their role was very important in the overall plot, I just didn't enjoy them much at all.

Overall a good book, one that doesn't show military as all glamorous, but how it can leave the mind as well as the body scarred, making it difficult to return to a "normal" life.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

AWESOME read!

Kendig's latest novel doesn't hold back anything! With a fast pace, unexpected suspense, emotional depth of characters, and a plot that will make you hold your breath, Nightshade is THE book for summer reading pleasure. This is one not-to-be-missed!

No text was provided for this review.