Nightshade (Discarded Heroes Series, Book 1) [Paperback]

Ronie Kendig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2010

Soldiers all across the globe are returning home to their families after brutal tours of duty. They are discharged from the service. . .and on their own. Meet Max Jacobs, one of these discarded heroes, as he faces a wall of failure—in his career, his friendships, and his marriage. Failing again—this time to end his life—he is offered a thread of hope. Are covert government operations the answer for him, or will they only bring more danger and dissension upon his broken family?

Editorial Reviews

Review

VALOR, ACTION, ROMANCE, HEART... Nightshade is the perfect blend of everything I like best in a story. I can’t recommend it enough!

(John B. Olson Author of Powers 20100302)

Nightshade kept me up all night!  A tight plot, heartthrob heroes, and description so rich I could hear the jungle noise, feel the heat slide down my back. I’ll be clearing out a shelf to make room for Ronie’s books!

(Susan May Warren Author of Nothing But Trouble 20100312)

Ronie Kendig has outdone her debute release, Dead Reckoning with Nightshade. This intense story full of action, is also full of emotion and life. Men dealing with issues they hadn’t planned on. Surprise after surprise and bomb after bomb set this adventurous trail with the reader racing to the end.  I found myself crying and smiling and hated it when it ended. But, I have it on good authority that that there are more Discarded Heroes stories coming.  Ronie, I can’t wait!

(Jan Crow Katy's Budget Books 20100524)

Kendig doesn't have to worry about a sophomore slump. Heart-pounding action, intrigue and handsome, fearless heroes combine as readers crisscross the globe following the exciting missions of the Nightshade team.

(Chandra McNeil RT Book Reviews 20100701)

Ronie Kendig delves into the hearts, minds, and souls of the characters to give the reader an exciting, emotional, evocative look at the resiliency of people and their capacity to love. 
 

Nightshade is timely in its depiction of the atrocities present in our world today, yet it is timeless in its revelation of love and faith that never gives up.  Tough fighters, true heroes that love without reservation and have deep abiding faith—men that show “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend” makes Nightshade memorable.

(Marianne Arkins Long and Short Reviews 20101026)

It was an enjoyable,emotional read from start to finish. Ms.Kendig drew characters I could relate to, people I wanted to get to know better. I cried several times, identified with their emotions throughout and did not want to stop reading. I was hard pressed to stop for anything, even when my eyes got so tired that the words blurred on the screen.

(Lili Booth Changeling Press and Whispers Publishing 20101105)

Nightshade is a fast paced military thriller.There were many complexities in this story that required solid plotting, and that was very well done.The author clearly understands the way men think and did a great job showing that. Same with the strained marriage relationship and the ex-military type teamwork. The Nightshade team acted like they were ex-special ops, which made the story that much more intriguing.

(Healing Hearts Michelle Sutton 20101130)

The characters in this book were extraordinary.  I immediately sympathized with Max. Reckless abandonment combined with internalized hurts where highly effective in creating a character the reader could love.  It was a little harder to sympathize with Sydney though.  Her actions were understandable and there’s no excusing Max’s behavior, but her decisions, especially late in the story made her more frustrating to follow.  Other members of the Nightshade team were wonderfully intriguing and presumably subsequent books will fill in some of their backgrounds.

(Unknown TheChristianManifesto.com 20101221)

Wow, wow, wow! This is one fascinating read and I recommend it to EVERYONE!

(Julie Johnson My Own Little Corner of the World 20100709)

Nightshade was not only excellent read for me but my husband intends to pick up the book and read it now too.  With the suspense and military action (along with questions I had for him), this book appeals to far more than just women.

(Rachael Coe Empowering Mommy 20110103)

Nightshade is the first book I have read for a review.  I am a fan of love stories and the military and this one did not disappoint.  Ronie Kendig really captured my heart with the military members and kept the story full of action and romance!  I always enjoy a book that has someone comes to Christ and learns to trust God, as it is such a victory for them!  I was constantly waiting to see what was going to happen next and really struggled to put the book down.  Following many characters at the same time can sometimes cause the reader to be confused, however Kendig did a good job separating the story lines, then merging them together.  She had great descriptions of the locations, pain, love, and fear that the characters were going through.  I even squirmed when the viper dropped down!  I was thankful for the Characters/Glossary and the Glossary of Terms, especially since the Nightshade team went by nicknames. 

(Molly Gandy The Gandy's Home Base 20110309)

Book Description

The war isn’t over for former Navy SEAL Max Jacobs when he returns home as a hero discarded from duty. The battle wages on in the form of nightmares and depression. And now his wife is gone. How can Max win back his life—his very soul?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc; Discarded Heroes edition (July 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160260777X
• ISBN-13: 978-1602607774
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,742 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. She married a veteran, and together their lives are never dull with four children and two dogs--a Golden Retriever and a Maltese Menace. Ronie's degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.

Since launching onto the publishing scene, Ronie's Rapid-Fire Fiction has hit the CBA Bestseller List, won the prestigious Christy Award, named to 2012 Bestselling Fiction by Christianbook.com, 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 Awards.

Ronie's titles include her debut title and spy thriller--DEAD RECKONING--the Discarded Heroes series (NIGHTSHADE, DIGITALIS, WOLFSBANE, FIRETHORN), the A Breed Apart series (TRINITY:MILITARY WAR DOG, TALON:COMBAT TRACKING TEAM, BEOWULF: EXPLOSIVES DETECTION DOG) and the upcoming (2014) The Quiet Professionals (RAPTOR 6, HAWK, FALCON). Ronie's writings are also in the 7 Hours direct-to-digital novella collection (WHOLE PIECES), Central Park Rendezvous novella collection (DREAM A LITTLE DREAM), and the Denali Dreams novella collection (DARING HEIGHTS, TAKING FLIGHT).

Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction), Twitter (@roniekendig), and GoodReads.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars More Than A Book...A Ministry July 27, 2010

By L. Germany

Format: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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Discarded Heroes #1: Nightshade July 17, 2010

By H. Thomas

Format:Paperback

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?

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome suspense! October 1, 2010

By Janna R. Ryan

Format:Paperback

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!