Wednesday, August 13, 2014

My review: Operation Zulu Redemption - Collateral Damage, part 1


I have been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to read the next (or first, I guess) part of the series - though I was waiting for them to all release, so I wouldn't have much of a wait in between parts.  May I just say that it was great?!


Description:
They want answers. They want redemption. And they want to live. Five years ago, six soldiers made American military history as the first all-female Special Forces team, named Zulu. A tragic mistake in Misrata, Libya, leaves twenty-two innocents dead and Zulu fleeing for their lives. Now Jessica Herring and Candice Reyna are dead at the hand of an assassin, and Keeley Shay clings to life in a hospital. The last three Zulu members are forced into a fight for answers, for redemption, and for their very lives. Annie Palermo and Téya Reiker had settled into their hidden identities when their lives are upended and their loved ones attacked. Annie’s flame, Samuel Caliguari, is a former Navy SEAL who can hold his own, but the attack leaves Annie livid—and fleeing once again. When Téya’s Amish loved ones are threatened, she must also hide. But how can she not go back and protect these peace-loving people, no matter the risk? Nuala King never really settled after Misrata, and she can’t shake the horror of the disastrous mission, the lives lost, or the terrible nightmares that still haunt her. Lieutenant Colonel Trace Weston and his right-hand man, Chief Warrant Officer Boone Ramage, struggle to hold the Zulu remnant together. They must track down who hit the team and deliver justice to the enemy—if Sam Caliguari and relentless Army intelligence analyst Lieutenant Francesca Solomon don’t get them all killed first. . . .

About the author:
Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. After twenty-plus years of marriage, she and her hunky hero husband have a full life with their four children, a Maltese Menace, and a retired military working dog in Northern Virginia. Author and speaker, Ronie loves engaging readers through her Rapid-Fire Fiction. Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction), Twitter (@roniekendig), and Goodreads (www.goodreads.com/RonieK).
(Book description, about the author, and cover photo from Christian Book - no infringement intended.)

My review: 5 stars
 
Heart-pounding suspense that will keep you guessing! Operation Zulu Redemption started with a prequel: Overkill. It began with a bang that had me on the edge of my seat and Ronie keeps the non-stop action going in this episode! I’ve heard a serial novelization compared to a television mini-series: a new “episode” each week and cliffhangers to keep you wanting more. Ronie definitely has the cliffhanger thing down! I was so engrossed in the story that when it ended I was going, “what?! No!” and berating myself for not already having the next part downloaded. The story pulled me in so completely that it took me a moment to get my bearings and remember where I was.
The writing was wonderful, as always! I have no idea how Ronie kept up with everything and was able to switch view points so seamlessly, but I applaud her efforts nonetheless! The suspense was great, as previously noted, and kept me constantly guessing (which I loved)! Reading any of Ronie’s books is not for the faint of heart, though. They are real and raw in a way I’ve rarely seen. She crafts her words in such a way that draws you in and makes it seem as though you are actually there with them.  
I was under the apparent misconception that each part of the serial novel would focus on one of the remaining ladies, instead of following the whole team. I was very happy to find out that I was wrong! Even though I was confused a little at the beginning, trying to remember who was who (thank you, Ronie, for the character list), it would have been even harder had it just been one person. That would have made each installment seem tedious and difficult to follow, I think. 
In part one we get to know the members of team Zulu a bit better and watch them work together as a team, again. We also find out more about what happened to sideline them to begin with. Ronie has a knack for creating realistic characters that get into your heart and refuse to let you go! I loved getting to know each person, figuring out what makes them stand apart from the others, discovering loyalties, and learning their strengths and weaknesses. There are so many view points that I finally grabbed a notepad and wrote down who everyone was so I wouldn’t have to keep flipping back to the character list. Once I got caught up, I came to really appreciate having all those different opinions and views, as it gave a more complete picture of what was going on.
I can totally understand why there are 4 parts and a prequel to this series - the story is so complex, I’m sure the author needed all of them to bring everything back around! I really enjoyed this episode and will hopefully be reading the rest of them very soon!

I received a free download of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
 

Have you read any of Ronie Kendig's novels? If so, which one is your favorite? Why? What is something you have taken away from one of her books?

Thank you for coming by my blog!  I will also be reviewing the rest of the series, so I hope you will come by and check those out, too! 

If you're interested in purchasing this "episode" or perhaps downloading the prequel, Overkill, for free, here are some links to help you out. 

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Christian book



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