I would have said this even if front page endorser Eric Wilson hadn't - that Ronie Kendig's first novel, DEAD RECKONING, published by Abingdon Press, does NOT seem like a debut novel! Ronie's years invested in developing her craft, studying the industry, and attending workshops and conferences has paid off in a big way - she already sounds like a master storyteller! Let this be an inspiration to all aspiring authors - these steps really do matter!
DEAD RECKONING is a thrill ride from page one to the last. Ronie expertly keeps us turning pages and trying to stay a step ahead of the dangerous game being played out on her characters, who just happen to be super relatable and three dimensional.
I really loved this story. The heroine grabs your sympathy from the beginning, and the hero is super sizzling ;) The romantic tension in this book is really great and realistic. Ronie nailed this, as well as many other aspects of her story, especially setting. I've never been to India but I feel now like I have! There were several hours where I simply could not put this novel down.
I will say that because of my ability to relate a little too closely to characters I love, that it was a slightly difficult for me as a young mom to read one particular scene about halfway through the story. But that is just a tribute to Ronie's ability to suck the reader in and not let them go! This tale is one of intrique, danger, suspense, and super-bad bad guys. Definitely not a sweet-read, but realistic, often gritty and even brutal at times, but very real. This tale is entertainment, to be sure, but it also makes you think about how small our world shrinks to our daily environment. Its easy to forget there is so much going on in the world, so many issues and organizations that need our prayers and support - including our government!
It's somewhat tricky to review suspenses/thrillers because you want to rave about the story, but can't run the risk of giving anything away! So here's the back cover, which will have to do until you buy this book for yourself! (you are going to buy it, right?) ::grin::
About the book:
Underwater archeologist Shiloh Blake is consumed with passion for the water and inflamed at the injustices of life. When her first large-scale dig traps her in the middle of an international nuclear arms clash, she flees for her life. When she spots a man trailing her, the questions are, Who is he? And how is he always one step ahead? Is the man trailing her an enemy or a protector sent by her CIA father?Reece Jaxon is a former Navy SEAL and now serves his country as a spy. His life is entangled by the beguiling Shiloh Blake as he hunts down the sources to a nuclear dead drop in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai, India. The only way to end this nightmare and prevent a nuclear meltdown is to join forces with Reece. Will Shiloh violate her vow to never become involved in her father's web of intrigue and mystery? Will she reconcile with her past and with him? Will she allow God to help her throught this ordeal of danger, mistrust and uncertainty?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Dead Reckoning, go HERE. And don't forget to buy this great suspense for yourself HERE!
Here's a few facts about my friend Ronie:
Ronie has been married since 1990 to a man who can easily be defined in classic terms as a hero. She has four beautiful children. Her eldest daughter is 16 this year, her second daughter will be 13, and her twin boys are 10. After having four children, she finally finished her degree in December 2006. She now has a B.S. in Psychology through Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Getting her degree is a huge triumph for both her and her family--they survived!This degree has also given her a fabulous perspective on her charactersand how to not only make them deeper, stronger, but to make them realistic and know how they'll respond to each situation. Her debut novel, Dead Reckoning released March 2010 from Abingdon Press. And her Discarded Heroes series begins in July from Barbour with the first book entitled Nightshade.
Find out more about Ronie at her website: www.roniekendig.com
(I received this book free to review from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance)
2 comments:
I really loved it too! My post will be up tomorrow.
Amazing review, Betsy. Thank you so much for your honesty. Glad you still loved the book even though one part might've made you wince. Thank you for reviewing Dead Reckoning and posting such encouraging thoughts.
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