Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

romantic suspense

Two kinds of heart-pumping action: Review of Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig

From page one, Ronie Kendig’s latest story takes off and doesn’t look back. In Raptor 6, the first in her new Quiet Professionals series about the Special Forces, we’re immediately thrust into the volatile world of  international conflict. (Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of the book from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my review.)

Raptor-6-252x384Kendig drops us into the action, then takes us back a few months to where the story begins. I like this method of storytelling because it gives me a hint of where we’re going. Although after a few chapters, I forgot what I’d read in the beginning because I was so caught up in the plot.

Here’s a summary:

His mission.

His team.

Captain Dean Watters keeps these parts of his life in laser-like focus. So when hackers threaten both his mission and his team, Dean’s Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Ten military super-secure computers are missing-which if opened, would give America’s enemies a blueprint of US military intelligence. Failing to stop the hackers isn’t an option.

Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. She’s also a target. Her expertise in quantum cryptology makes her an unwitting pawn in the hackers’ deadly game. They’re coming for her, and Dean and his team must stop them.

Before the team can get to Zahrah, she disappears. Now Dean must race to rescue her and stop the hackers from unleashing terror on millions across the globe. But to do so, Dean will be forced to crack open the steel box around his heart-a move that might come at the highest cost.

I’m a newish fan of Kendig’s writing. She’s well-versed in military acronyms and jargon, which can take some time getting used to but which move the story along at her trademark rapid-fire pace. The action never lets up, and as the stakes increase, so do the feelings Watters and Zarrick have for each other. It’s not your typical inspirational romance, but for that, I’m glad. I enjoy a change of pace, and Raptor 6 delivers. I look forward to more in this series.

And to celebrate the book’s release, check out the giveaway taking place! You have a few more days to enter!

Don’t miss the first book, Raptor 6, in Ronie Kendig‘s new Quiet Professionals series. Ronie combines a dangerous romance and explosive action for a thrilling and satisfying ride. “Lock and load for this Spec Op, fighting under God’s ‘rules of engagement.'” —Bob Hamer, veteran FBI undercover agent and award-winning author



Ronie is celebrating with a Kindle HDX Giveaway!

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One winner will receive:

  • A Kindle Fire HDX
  • Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 15th. Winner will be announced June 16th on Ronie’s blog.

Don’t miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Ronie’s blog on June 16th to see if you won.

 

A cliffhanger of a story: Review of Silenced by Dani Pettrey {plus a giveaway!}

If you’re a reader and happen to think inspirational fiction is limited to cozy, feel-good G-rated romance, can I introduce you to Dani Pettrey and her Alaskan Courage series?

I will confess that until I read Pettrey’s books and fell in love with the McKenna family, I hadn’t a clue about inspirational romantic suspense novels. Hers are among the best! Each novel focuses on one of the five siblings, a relationship and a criminal investigation. (To read my reviews of two of her previous novels, click here and here.)

silenced3dThe fourth book in the series (there are five total), Silenced, releases this month and follows rock-climber Kayden and Jake, whose past, until recently, was a mystery to the McKenna family. (Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for my review.) When Kayden discovers a body while rock-climbing, she and Jake set out to investigate while uncovering a new side to their relationship. Kayden has always held Jake at arm’s length, suspicious of his motives and his virtual anonymity. She’s also closed herself off to any possibility of love. Jake has harbored feelings for Kayden but knows she’ll run if he makes a move. As the search for a killer intensifies, Jake’s past collides with the future he hopes to have with Kayden.

Pettrey never fails to keep me reading. The mystery and suspense hold up throughout the novel, and I’m never quite sure how it’s all going to end. While not much of an extreme sports/risk-taker type myself, it’s fun to live vicariously through the McKenna family’s hobbies, professions and rescue efforts. If you’re new to this author and series, I think you’ll appreciate it more if you start at the beginning with Submerged. The story continues with Shattered, Stranded and Silenced. (Care to take a guess at book five’s title? It follows the pattern of the others! The title and cover for that one will be revealed on May 23 during a Facebook party on the Bethany House Publishers events page.)

Although it wasn’t my favorite of the four books thus far, I enjoyed Silenced for its plot twists and themes, one of which is about letting our past experiences and hurts control and limit our futures. Not just fun, suspenseful reads, Pettrey’s books are stuffed with spiritual truths that encourage readers to live an adventurous spiritual life and fiercely love those around us.

And if reading her books wasn’t enough of a treat, Pettrey’s also hosting a fun giveaway in honor of Silenced! Between now and May 21, head over to Pettrey’s website and enter to win one of three great prize packages, including an air travel gift certificate, Alaskan art and a romantic picnic pack.

 

Enter the RUGGED ROMANCE Sweepstakes from Author Dani Pettrey!

 

I can’t wait for book five and just might go back and re-read the other books to immerse myself in the McKenna family’s world. (It’s not healthy, but I want to hang out with them!)

Here’s more about the author:

Dani PettreyDani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the romantic suspense series Alaskan Courage, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, and her latest release, Silenced. She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their daughters, son-in-law, and super adorable grandson.

Connect with her on her website, through Facebook, on Twitter and Pinterest. (Warning: her stories and pictures will make you want to travel!)