About the Book

She’s on a mission to find her missing brother. Only his combat tracking dog knows where to look. . . .

Air Force veteran Aspen Courtland just wants her brother back—dead or alive. The US Marine Corps declared him dead, but Aspen is unwilling to let him die without a fight. Aspen adopts her brother’s combat tracking team dog, Talon, hoping to come closer to finding peace about Austin. But after the brutal attack that separated dog and handler, Talon is afraid of his own shadow.

Military Intelligence Operative Dane Markoski has run from the truth most of his life. Now, it’s the only thing that can save him—and his mission—if he dares to face the past. Talon is the key to achieving his objective…but the only way to Talon is through his new owner. But Dane swore he’d never work a woman.

Teamed up in Djibouti, Dane and Aspen battle the elements and extremists. Survival depends on his skills, her optimism, and the courage of a traumatized combat tracking dog. Can Talon muster the valor for one last mission?

Genre

Chritian Fiction/ Thriller Romance

My Rating

4 out of 5 (stars)

My Review

This book turned out to be so much better than I expected. Honestly, far better!

It took me a while to get into it, but once I did, I had a blast.

This story has got it all—action, suspense, thriller with a good mix of romance to spice it up. And don’t forget the comedy from the relief characters. I found myself laughing whenever Candyman managed to stew up something. Be warned though, you might get lost in the jargon, but don’t worry. It’s not so hard to follow the story afterwards.

Characterization on a general level was okay. Some characters were built really strong, and others, not so much. Still, there were those that I didn’t quite get their role in the story—with/out them the story would have remained undisturbed.

Although this book was named after the dog, I feel this story was much more about Dane/Nikol, and not even Aspen, Dane’s love interest and Talon’s handler. His life, struggles and pain were opened up far more than any other character’s. And where the healing of God needed to be shown, it was through Dane’s story. I was more entertained and intrigued by how his story/monologue unfolded. He was a very striking character.

I enjoyed following how Dane and Aspen fell for each other, and noting the struggles that came with it. Ronie did a wonderful of weaving their personal lives, romance and the chaos in the environment into a memorable plot.

I wasn’t too pleased with the way Khatarina’s character was wrapped up at the end of the story. I’d hoped for something better with her brother. The feeling is also the same with Austin. Only his left a bad taste in my mouth. I’m hoping perhaps the books down the series will take care of these issues? We’ll see.

Overall, it was a very fun, wonderful and engaging read. Certainly one of the best I’ve read this year. The message hammered on the truth that we should never let the demons of our past stop us from living the best of our lives now. Who knows the wonderful things you would throw by letting them haunt you?

*Although I offer this review to the public, it is my opinion and simply that. My thanks to Barbour Publishing and Net Galley for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the Author

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. She married her own hunky hero, who’s an Army veteran. After twenty-plus years of marriage, she and her husband have a full life with four children and two dogs. Ronie’s degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of raw, broken characters. Since launching onto the publishing scene, Ronie’s Rapid-Fire Fiction has hit the CBA Bestseller List, won the prestigious Christy Award, finaled in numerous contests and reader awards, including ACFW Carol Awards, RWA’s Faith, Hope, & Love’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Awards, Christian Retailing’s Readers’ Choice Awards, INSPY Award, The Christian Manifesto Lime Awards, and FamilyFiction’s Readers’ Choice Choice Awards. Ronie loves people and helping other writers through speaking, workshops, and/or mentoring. Find Ronie at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction) , Twitter (@roniekendig), and GoodReads.