Nightshade [Paperback]

After reading Ronie's first book Dead Reckoning (read my review here) I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of her next book. Nightshade is the first book in a series of four military/suspense books called Discarded Heroes.

In war, there are no unwounded soldiers. -Jose Narosky

Such a true statement and one posted on Ronie's website for those men and women who feel they fit into the category of "discarded heroes".

Prepare for your heart to leap into your throat as Navy Seal Max Jacobs seems to fly off the pages in a motorcycle race when you first start reading the book. This just sets the stage for page after page of heart pounding action as Max joins a group called Nightshade. This group accepts mysterious and dangerous missions that all seem to fly under the radar of official business. Max scares you with the risks he is willing to take until you realize that he has a "I have nothing to live for attitude." His wife has left him and has filed for divorce.

True to amazing Ronie Kendig writing, a series of events leads Max's wife, who is a writer, into danger which Max will be asked to help rescue her from. If that all sounds a little predictable. Don't be fooled. Nothing in Ronie's book is predictable which is why once you start you don't want to put the book down. It is also why I was the second person in my house to get to read the book. My husband grabbed it up as soon as it arrived and wouldn't let me have it until he finished. He loved this book as much as I did.

The only bad thing about this book? We have to wait until January for Digitalis to arrive in our mailbox.

I want to insert a personal thank you to Ronie for writing this series of books. I had a special uncle to was a discarded hero. What a tortured life he lived. It wasn't until just a year before his death he found peace through Christ. The things which Ronie addresses in her book as well as on her website means that this book series is so much more than a book, but a ministry.

If you're a fan of the former TV show "The Unit" then the Discarded Heroes series by Ronie Kendig is for you! "Nightshade" is the first novel in the series and it brings us into the life of former Navy SEAL Max Jacobs. We first meet Max as he nearly kills himself by racing his motorcycle around rain-soaked twisting and turning roads. He is rescued by a mysterious stranger and meets several other guys who are veterans like himself. As it turns out, the mysterious man is part of an undercover group called Nightshade and he wants Max to lead them as they take on dangerous missions around the world. Knowing that Max will never see his estranged wife again because of their separation and impending divorce, he decides to join the group to rescue and help others.

Meanwhile, Max's wife Sydney is following her journalistic dreams. Following up on a lead about men who help others flee their oppressed countries, Sydney gets herself caught up in an investigation that may cost her her life. Will Sydney escape the dangerous story? Will Max be able to rescue others without getting himself or his men killed? Will they ever be able to patch things up in their marriage? You'll have to read this fast-paced action thriller to find out!

When I first started reading this book I was hooked from the first page. I mean, why on earth would this awesome war hero be tempting danger? As I continued to read, I found out that the love of his life had filed for divorce and Max felt like it was all his fault. (Isn't that what we all think when love goes the wrong way?) I felt so much compassion for this man's plight. After all, I've been through a divorce too and I don't wish that on anyone. I was also drawn in to the intensity of his emotions--so much so that I was angry when he was angry and sad when he was sad. (Too bad I don't take out my frustrations by working out--I would look a whole lot better!) I'm glad that the author, Ronie Kendig, wrote about PTSD and showed how very real it is for those soldiers that are brought back home and left to acclimate themselves to "normality" again. I can't imagine how difficult it is for these men and women to go through the horrors and tragedies on a daily basis and then told to "forget about it" and "move on." I was also struck by Sydney's determination and bravery while tracking leads for her story. I thought her co-worker was a bit much, but isn't that the real-world? Don't we all need a shoulder to cry on every once in awhile?

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!