Lygos (Ronie Kendig) – Review

~ About the Book ~

Once nicknamed “Aladdin” by the Nightshade team, Azzan Yasir has found camaraderie–and a new callsign: LYGOS–in his six years with the Nightshade team. When Canyon Metcalfe recruits him to run security for his brother’s gubernatorial campaign, Azzan discovers how quickly long-buried secrets can devastate the best-laid plans.

Campaign manager Everly Sinclair has hidden from the limelight since her grandfather’s death. Assuming a nom de plume, she is out to prove her mettle in the contentious word of politics by launching her first candidate during a pre-Christmas event at an exclusive lodge in the mountains.

When Everly receives a mysterious envelope, she’s convinced the person who killed her grandfather now has her in his sights. But Azzan is convinced the killer is after him to settle an old score. Shedding their masks may be the deadliest move Azzan and Everly make this Christmas.

Series:  Discarded Heroes Novella
Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Release date:  22 November 2017
Publisher:  Task Force Press

Amazon US  //  Amazon AU  //  Goodreads

~ Excerpt ~

“Okay,” Stone said. “Why don’t we head to the Brazos and talk about this over steak.”
“See?” Canyon slapped his arm. “Promised you a steak.”
Azzan snorted. “So why is your brother paying?”
“Think we give security assessments free?” Canyon teased.
They turned, and whether Canyon caught it or not, Azzan sure didn’t miss the powerhouse glower from Everly. And a narrowed gaze which seemed to demand who he thought he was to be giving assessments and deciding her candidate’s venue. In other words, she threw down the gauntlet. Set a challenge before his feet. Would he pick up the glove, respond to her silent command? Or would he walk away?
And that decided it for him.
He loved her.
Confident. Owned the room. Controlled the men. But easily—so very easily—riled. This could be fun.

~ Review ~

For fans of Kendig’s Discarded Heroes series, this novella is a dream come true. I don’t mind telling you I was giddy excited when I found out this one was coming. I also don’t mind telling you that this novella lived up to every one of my expectations and then some. Not only do we get the Nightshade team, but we get several cameos from wives and children, not to mention the majority of Canyon Metcalfe’s (Midas/Wolfbane’s) family.

Azzan joined the Nightshade team at the end of Digitalis—a move that caused more than a little unrest within the team. Assassins aren’t exactly known for being team players. Judging by the banter between the Nightshade ‘ladies’ (as Griff often refers to them—and no, he doesn’t mean the wives!), six years has given Azzan plenty of time to settle into the team. But while the rest of the guys have established families, Azzan is still a loner. After all, what woman would stick by him once they found out he was an assassin?

Everly is a great match for Azzan—intelligent and focused. Well, usually. Azzan’s making that last part a little difficult! And so are the mysterious petals turning up, reminding her of the night her grandfather was killed by an assassin in his own home. I loved the back and forth in her developing relationship with Azzan—the obvious attraction that laces their interactions, only to be stifled by Azzan’s certainty she won’t want anything to do with him once she knows what he was, and then his certainty that he has put her life in danger by being at the campaign launch. Talk about a heart in a vice!

As always, the action was stellar (including some awesome parkour scenes with Azzan), the adrenaline was pumping, and the banter was perfectly placed to balance it all out. And yes, the romance was very satisfying too! Merry Christmas to me—and you!

~ Previous Books in the Series ~

*NOTE: The Discarded Heroes series is currently undergoing revision. Nightshade and Digitalis have been revised and re-released and are available in paperback and on Kindle. Wolfsbane and Firethorn will be re-released in the future and are currently only available in paperback.

~ About the Author ~

An Army brat, Ronie Kendig grew up in the classic military family, with her father often TDY and her mother holding down the proverbial fort. Their family moved often, which left Ronie attending six schools by the time she’d entered fourth grade. Her only respite and “friends” during this time were the characters she created.

It was no surprise when she married a military veteran—her real-life hero—in June 1990.  Married more than twenty years, Ronie and her husband  have homeschooled for the last eighteen years.

Despite the craziness of life, Ronie finds balance and peace with her faith, family, and retired military working dog in Northern Virginia.

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