A soldier, a Malinois, and a stuntwoman walk onto a TV set . . .
Former Special Forces operator Sergeant Crew Gatlin takes everything in stride, even the career-ending incident that separated him from the Army, half a leg, and his beloved working dog, Havoc K027. Putting his life back together and lying low, he takes a job with A Breed Apart and is unexpectedly reunited with Havoc. It’s too good to be true—and the proof is in their first assignment: to work as a K-9 team for a television drama in Los Angeles. Miffed at being relegated to TV fodder, he’s willing to pay the price when he sees the stuntwoman.
Being a stunt double allows Vienna Foxcroft to fulfill her acting dream—with a side of MMA—and stay out of the limelight. The same one that plagued her childhood and put her through a nightmare scenario. Now, her tight-knit stunt team are the only ones she trusts. Then in walks Mr. Mountain-of-Muscle and his tough-as-nails dog, and Vienna has a bad feeling her life is about to turn upside down.
Ticked as they head overseas for a location shoot in Turkey, Crew guts it up—after all, he has Havoc again. Okay, and yeah—Vienna is going, too. When an attack sends the cast fleeing into the streets of Turkey, Vienna must face the demons of her past or be devoured by them. And Crew and Havoc are tested like never before.
Ronie Kendig is a bestselling, award-winning author of over thirty books. She grew up an Army brat, and now she and her Army-veteran husband have returned to their beloved Texas after a nearly ten-year stint in the Northeast. They survive on Sonic runs, barbecue, and peach cobbler that they share--sometimes--with Benning the Stealth Golden and AAndromeda the #mwdwashout. 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, Carol Award, the RT Reviewers' Choice Award (twice), the HOLT Medallion, the IRCA, and FamilyFiction’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
There is nothing like a ROnie Kendig book. I haven't read one of her books in a while but from page one, I could hear her writer voice and I settled in for the ride. I was a huge fan of the original Breed Apart books and was so excited to see characters from previous books. Not to mention I think the hero, Crew, might rank high up there on my list of favorite Ronie Kendig heroes which is hard to do because I will love Candyman forever. This book has all the things you expect from a Kendig novel and made me want to reread some of her others. Readers will love this book.
I loved the Breed Apart Trilogy when I read it a few years ago and was excited to find out there was a spin off series.
Havoc was an adorable-can’t-help-to-love 4 legged hero and demonstrated his cute personality through out the story. But we also saw why he was called a military working dog in a few dangerous situations.
Creed and Vienna were characters who had physical and inner strength, but also their own insecurities and challenges to overcome. That is something I always appreciated about Ronie Kendig’s characters. They are strong and fierceful but also vulnerable and can be hurt.
I am looking forward to the rest of the series, all new published authors mentored by Ronie Kendig.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
Gave up. As if Hallmark remade a comic book. Fun, but lightweight romcom. Hormonally-driven supposed adults acting like junior high tweens. Cliché fest. Too many issues to detail. Not inclined to read farther. Don’t care who survives, so long as the dog doesn’t die ….
My goodness! This book was the perfect combination of action, danger, romance, and even some lighthearted moments. I absolutely adored the three main characters. Yes, three, because Vienna, Crew, and the MWD Havoc, were all equally important in this story.
I loved the connection that formed between Vienna and Crew. It was something neither of them expected or even wanted, at first. But it made their interactions very powerful and realistic. I especially appreciated the conversations they had when it was only the two of them and they would both let each other in a bit more, sharing moments that began to cement a bond between them.
There were some moments when I was holding my breath, wondering how things were going to work out and questioning how much these characters were going to have to try to survive through. It was intense! The connection between Havoc and Crew was wonderful to read about. I loved this story from start to finish and am excited to read more in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Wow wow wow!!! I couldn’t put this down. I’ve devoured quite a few of Ronie Kendig’s books, and this one is up there in competition for a new favourite! The banter, the romance, the action-packed pacing—I’m obsessed with every second of it.
Well I thought I had it all figured out. I was wrong and that’s a huge compliment. This edge of your seat swoon-filled romance had the perfect combination of hunky hero and feisty FMC. I’m ready for the rest of this series!
I think this is my first paramilitary genre book that I have read and I must say it was very good. I really enjoyed the incorporation of a dog partner and seeing that relationship with his partner. This is also my first book by Ronie Kendig and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely filled with action throughout the whole book.
Immediately from the first page we meet Crew as he is on the field on a mission when things go completely wrong. After Crew's debilitating injury he starts working for a ranch in Texas procuring dogs to work with different agencies. He gets sent to California with Havoc to be part of a television show. I truly loved the close bond that Havoc and Crew have. It really showed how these dogs truly are connected to their partners. Vienna Foxcroft is the love interest in the story and immediately sparks fly.
I won't tell you too much but I promise there is plenty of romance and action in this story to keep you entertained. I will say that despite really enjoying the story it fell short for me in certain places. The relationship between Vienna and Crew moves very fast and at times it seems like there could've been a bit more development with them. He is constantly "checking" her out which got a little tiring. But this is a fast paced book so I totally understand just my personal preference. Another thing that fell short for me was the faith thread. I would consider this book more of a clean read which is totally fine. Crew does mention his faith and we see an inkling of this spreading to Vienna but I feel like if we wanted to have a stronger faith thread then this could have been a bit more developed as well. That being said I am not sure if these characters will be seen in the following book so perhaps we will see more growth there.
Overall I thought it was a good story. If you like fast paced, high octane, military type of books with romance in it then this might just be the book for you!
I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
I listened to the audiobook version of this and I can't recommend it enough! Ronie Kendig's writing and Adam Gold's narration are perfection! You can tell as you read this that Ronie is very knowledgeable about MWDs and loves them. I really enjoyed this one! I was kept on the edge of my seat from the action, but also was all but swooning from Crew.
Wow, tough characters. Amazing and so different from me. I liked the forward momentum and the anticipation I felt. The dog was scary but so impressive. Dogs are amazing animals. Loved this story!! I'm looking forward to the next one. Content: peril, violence. Death. Kissing. Talk of God.
Wow! Not what I expected but it was so much better. The romance was hot yet clean and the characters were broken but found healing through an edge of your seat ride.
Havoc by Ronie Kendig is one of the most entertaining novels I’ve read in a long time. Crew Gatlin is everything I’ve ever visualized a Special Forces operator would be like. The moment he stepped on the page, I was hooked. He isn’t the typical Christian fiction hero. He’s a work in progress. Stunt double Vienna Foxcroft is larger than life. When she and Crew are together, sparks fly. There’s lots of action and harrowing experiences that will keep you turning the pages. And if you love dogs, you’ll enjoy the scenes with Havoc. Kendig adds in just the right amount of humor to break the tension and I laughed out loud several times. Havoc is a book I’ll read again.
What a fantastic start to this new series! Ronie Kendig knows how to get the heart and mind pumping with adrenaline and she definitely captured both from page one of this book. I loved Havoc, Crew, and Vienna. They made an amazing team. I also loved catching up with Heath and Darci and the gang at A Breed Apart ranch - it was like visiting old friends whom I haven't seen in a while.
Crew's loyal and noble heart won me over immediately, despite his gruff and direct behavior. I learned a lot about the ins and outs of daily life as an amputee with a prosthesis through Crew. Vienna and her extremely capable and skilled self reminded me a little of Iskra from the author's Book of Wars series. And like Iskra, Vienna needed the right person to bring out her tender and compassionate side. Their banter was absolutely fabulous and their romance was breath taking. Action and suspense overflowed while running for their lives, which kept the adrenaline high and the plot moving at a fast pace. And Havoc! He was clearly the star of the show and I dare you to not fall in love with him.
An amazing book for all those who love romantic suspense and military working dogs! I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Sunrise Publishing via JustRead Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
This story is so interesting and captivating. I’ve always loved watching videos of Military Dogs and Security Dogs in action. They are so powerful and have this graceful way of doing a job that can be very deadly. In this book, Ronie Kendig presents an amazing picture of the dedication of these dogs. I enjoyed reading this story and feeling like I was right there with the action. I loved how the author shared so much information with the reader about these dogs. You can tell she truly loves and respects these creatures. I believe she has personal experience with these kinds of dogs, it comes out in the way she writes about them. There are also lots of other two-legged characters in this story. The author has the main characters go through quite a lot of action and struggles. So many that it seems they will never get out of it! There’s suspense and mystery, action and drama, plus some sweet romance. The author also pulls in some past characters some from her “A Breed Apart�� series. I think I’m going to have to go back and read that series again. Ronie Kendig knows how to twist and turn the story in such a way you don’t see what’s right in front of you and when you see it, you can’t believe it! Many times I thought I knew who the actual bad guy was and then I was proven wrong! If you want to read a book full of intrigue, suspense, action (LOTS OF ACTION!), drama, military struggles, and a bit (well maybe more than a bit)of romance, this book is for you! You might need a day or two to process all that happens in this book. Believe me, you won't be able to breathe deeply until the end, but it will be worth it. There were a few nights when I looked up from reading and it wasn’t as early as I thought. Meals were missed or casually thrown together because I just couldn’t put it down! I highly recommend reading this book. Pick it up, it will take you on the adventure of your life. I was given this book by the publisher which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
DNF @26% Wow I’m really struggling to find books I wanna read. This one just wasn’t it for me. It felt choked up with military words and acronyms that I just couldn’t find the soul of the characters and story. Also we spent this 26% on a movie set, doing stunts—to what end? I also wanted to like the MMCs but there was no heart to their interactions.
For a so-called Christian book, this book had way too much sexual insinuation. Absolutely unnecessary too. There are lots of ways to write great romance without al the sexual talk. I don’t know, feels like the author was trying to compromise a little. Make it appeal to more people. But again, that can be achieved without too much raunchy humor.
As always, there’s nothing better than a Kendig book! Hands down, one of my favorite authors for a reason. Havoc was everything I hoped for, and more!
Highlights: -Hollywood, Film Making Theme -Fearless Stunt Woman With a Dark Past -MWD and Hunky Hero; A Deeply Moving Bond -Globe Trotting Locations from Texas to L.A. to Turkey -Heart-Stopping, Pulse-Pounding High Octane Race Against Time
Having read, and loved, the Breed Apart series, I simply couldn’t dive into this newest release fast enough. And oh, what perfection it was!
With heart-pounding action, sizzling romance, snarky banter and fearless hero and heroine, Kendig kept me wholly and fully entertained. Not only did I love the return and cameo appearances of the Breed Apart characters in the beginning, but I enjoyed getting to know Sgt. Crew Gatlin and his MWD, Havoc. Crew, a former SF soldier with a prosthesis and a slight chip on his shoulder meets and instantly falls for the woman of his dreams, only to find new surprises at every turn.
The romantic pairing between Crew and Vienna held so much fantastic chemistry. I loved the tension between these two highly-skilled people. The push-and-pull of their feelings and inner struggles when it came to their romance and the slow unfolding of each of their background stories created multilayered characters who were not only thrilling, but also heartwarming. Kendig is a master of a fight scene and it is always exciting to read the authenticity, skill and insight she offers into those who work in military and private security settings. In this story, she not only showcases those roles but also beautifully portrays the inseparable, interwoven bond between a handler and a military working dog, as well as the driven determination of a MWD. It was incredibly inspirational and deeply moving.
I laughed, I nearly cried, and I felt every single emotion throughout this story! My only complaint? It ended too soon! The high-octane rush of the story ended abruptly and I was ever so grateful for the epilogue that satisfied my need for just a little bit more of Crew, Havoc and Vienna. 100% A Must Read! Can’t wait for the next book in this series!
Content Warnings + Trigger Warnings: Clean (without explicit content). PG to PG-13. Some mentions of swearing (nothing expressly written) or words changed to make it a non-swear. Detailed fighting, self-defense murder, mentions of military weapons, IEDs, and gun related warfare. Mention of rape, abortion and abuse.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC e-copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.
I loved the action and of course the dog was awesome. I enjoyed the way Foxtrot and Crew tried to deny their growing romance. This was my first book by Ronie Kendig, but it won't be the last. Highly satisfying read!
So grab your favorite treats and settle in for a great adventure.
I borrowed this book with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.
Havoc, by Ronie Kendig is the first book in the A Breed Apart: Legacy Series. Crew has recovered from the injuries sustained in the line of duty and is now working on a ranch in Texas. His boss gives him a new assignment. What he is led to believe is a job in California for a TV set, turns out to be in Turkey where they find themselves in danger.
Crew is a confirmed bachelor who has no interest in connecting with women again after a terrible situation. But find himself attracted to beautiful stunt woman Vienna. Vienna’s father is wealthy and powerful. She had a relationship that went very badly and she is now cautious of having another.
This is a well written, fast paced, action filled story that contains suspense, mystery and romance. This story is filled with enjoyable characters. This story kept me reading just see to what was happening next. The story is of life after being in the military and shows how the experiences in the military carry forward. I just love the parts of the story that are about Havoc. How he has been taught, his past experience and how he needs to be treated. I also enjoyed the parts of the stunt people in the show. I appreciate the way the author describes the care Crew needs to take of himself and his limitations.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story. This is my honest review.
I haven’t read many military books so this was fun and educational for me. I loved learning about MWD (military working dogs) specifically about the Belgian Malinois breed. They are powerful and actually ranked higher than their handlers. I learned a lot about the life of someone with a prosthetic leg too. This book made me grateful for our soldiers that serve. I thought it was also unique to get the perspective of a Hollywood stunt double. It made me google all the famous ones in real life. The book was fast pace with lots of action. I loved the romance. I thought they were soul mates. They are both very unique people that have guarded hearts. But they just fit together so perfectly. I was surprised how much I loved the banter and laughed several times. There was a lot of flirty fighting going on too haha. This was my very first book from this author and I feel like I wasn’t missing out on anything even though previous characters made cameos. I liked the Christian elements that were included. Trusting and believing in God. There was no swearing and the romance was clean which I was grateful for.
SPOILERS and book notes: Bagram, Afghanistan This is the type of dog they use in special force a Belgian Malinois.: “While the dog at his feet was pure violence and raw power, she’d been bred for that. Malinois were little more than psycho and all business.” ideal for the military because of their high energy, strong sniffers, trainability, agility, speed, drive, work ethic, loyalty and, when needed, fierceness. They look like a German shepherd but aren’t!! MWD is Military working dog. Marvel is the dog assigned to him but he calls her “psycho” lol. But Havoc is the super loyal dog he found as a stray that was shot. He fed and trained him but couldn’t get him certified. But the dog is crazy loyal to him. Crew got his leg blown off in a mine field. Bc of an idiot corperol that didn’t follow orders. But after it blew it off he tied his own ternaquit on it!!! Texas Hill Country He is reunited with Havoc! He is the dog who saved Crews life and dragged him to safety! V is a stunt double and knows so many MMA. LA California Crew had ladies throwing themselves at him but was NECER interested. Then he watched Vienna fight acting and he was a goner. ““And her?” He watched the woman do an aerial. Fire a weapon. And while it might not be realistic, it sure was hot.” And this: “A detonation happened somewhere in his gut because this woman had all the moves, the sultriness, and the tough-as-nails expertise that made him want to reconsider his vow to stay single.” And then he didn’t even know the name of the REAL Hollywood star Felicity and treated her like this lol: ““Slow your roll, lady.” He held up a hand. “He’s not as friendly as I am.” She huffed, leaning away from him. “You call this friendly?” “Not really, but I figure you wanted to keep that hand, not feed it to Havoc.” “Havoc?” she balked. “Why would you name a dog that?” “Fluffy was taken.” This is so interesting about the dog: ““I mean, I know everyone wants to hug him—he’s got those soulful brown eyes.” That earned a few laughs. “But this guy’s trained to give some violent affection without a word from me. He reads body language better than I do and will respond if he perceives a threat. Don’t be afraid of him—but respect the dog. Work is play to him, so he’s eager to do it.” Crew calls Vienna “Poetry-in-Motion" in his head bc he doesn’t know her name yet. ““She has multiple black belts—Krav Maga, Jiu Jitsu, and did MMA fighting for a while.” Crew let out a quiet whistle. “You got a preacher on set?” Greene frowned. “I . . . I don’t think so. Why?” “Cuz I’m going to marry her.” The PA twitched. Scoffed. “Well, good luck. She hates men.” Undeterred, Crew smirked and indicated to Havoc. “Why do you think I brought him?” V’s impression on Crew: “The man was a mountain of tatted muscles. Had to be six-two, six-three and built like a tank. No matter how cliché that sounded, the guy was anything but. The way he stood in a relaxed-but-ready stance with all the assuredness of a man who owned his existence.” And she calls him “soldier boy” in her head! “The dog moved closer with raw intensity, making Vienna go still. Sniffing loudly around the toy, the dog trailed his snout up her pant leg, across, then down the other. Soldier-boy jutted his jaw. “Just checking you out. It’s okay.” Laughing as the Malinois pushed his shoulder into Vienna’s thigh, she wondered if the sergeant meant him or his dog. “Gorgeous animal.” “He is that. Thanks.” Love this: “she had a feeling when Soldier-boy here put on his tactical gear, he wore it with the blood, sweat, and death that came with it. Owned it. She looked forward to seeing that. And on that note, she realized she’d been staring. And he’d returned that favor.” Bahaha who knew crew could be so funny?? ““So,” he said as he turned to her, “Vienna. You named that because that’s where your parents conceived you?” Taken aback, she gaped at the indecency of that question. “Are you always this inappropriate?” He looked chagrined—for two seconds before a grin split his fierce visage. “I excel at it, I’m told.” Disbelief snatched her breath, then a laugh escaped.” And Havoc looooves V!! Crew calls him a traitor hehe. ““Am I doing something wrong? Is he going to attack me?” “With his tongue, maybe. The freakin’ traitor.” There was no condemnation in his tone. Only amusement. And a hefty dose of shock. “He usually just snarls at everyone.” And V loves Havoc so much too!! Crew is not happy about havocs new love hahahaha: “I should’ve stated that there are clear lines of demarcation: girls are the enemy. Plain & simple. They chew you up and spit you out. You know that we don’t cooperate with the enemy.” Inhaling his kibble, Havoc didn’t look up. “You’re a piece of work, you know that? Snarl at every Tom, Dick, and Baako, but Wonder Woman you cozy up to while my back is turned.” Hehehehe: ““But no, you had to get up in her face and lick her. Act like you aren’t the killing machine I made you into.” He snorted, still thinking about how she’d nailed the acting and stunts. So fluid and confident. “Flippin’ traitor. But let’s get this clear: I saw her first.”” I like that she isn’t afraid of calling him out on his language. Just like his momma. Her last name is Foxcroft but he calls her Foxtrot hahaha. I love that they both think the other the enemy but they are both just so darn attracted to each other. And intrigued. They work out at the gym at the same time! I love it!! Bc I love working out myself. now they are going to spare in the gym! “Now she felt challenged. “I promise not to hurt you . . . much.” He wheeled around with a broad smile. “Baby, I’d welcome any pain you’d bring.” Wow MMA fighting can be quite intimate…. And sexy haha. He won but she is the one that ended up strsttling him but both loved doing it haha. But she’s a sore loser let’s be honest. She had a scar on her hand from her loser boyfriend and the reason she got into MMA. And crews response: ““I don’t need to know the story to know I’d kill the guy if I met him.” Istanbul Turkey to film Ooo that party and when. He saw her in that dress!! And then the place was attacked and they had to fight and protect each other. But V had her very first kill. And she is sobbing and grieving. That would be so hard. ��She touched his shoulder, pulling his attention to her. Was something wr— Foxtrot pushed into his arms. Surprise lit through him, but he let her in, coiled his arms around her. Cradled her head against his chest. She curled into his hold and shuddered a few times. “It’s okay,” he murmured, hoping he was right but knowing she needed to hear it.” And then they shared their first kiss! An adrenaline fueled passionate kiss lol. “She also didn’t miss the smirks and fist-bumps the guys had given Crew at first. Clearly about her. About them kissing.” Ugh so much misunderstanding!!! But this…“Baako gave her grief about staying, but then the coward rushed onto the bus.” Glace huffed. “What man leaves a woman behind after what just happened?” “Someone who trusts she has the skills to take care of herself.” Glace tucked her chin and glowered. “Would you leave her behind?” “Not as long as I had breath in my lungs.” I love that she says relying on someone’s strength doesn’t mean you are weak: “The instinct to take his hand, siphon off some of his tanker-deep strength, feel grounded, safe . . . not this swirling vortex of darkness and fear, was huge. Which was insane—since when had she ever sought a man for strength? But . . . why would that be bad? Hadn’t Dad always said he was stronger with Mom than without? Couldn’t it work the other way? It wasn’t one person’s strength superseding another’s, but rather a buffeting, a strengthening . . . iron sharpening iron.” So both Crew and Havoc grab her hand and lay a paw on her leg: “A vow of commitment, loyalty. Just like his handler’s. “Whatever you choose,” Crew said, his voice deep, low, “Havoc and I have your six.”” I love that he loves her toughness: ““I’m not a spy or an operator. I’m . . . fake.” “You pinned me on the mat and stole my manhood. That’s not fake. That’s hot.”” And he distracted her from her worries with their second kiss and then this happened: “She took a step, then glanced over her shoulder and gave Crew a rueful smile. “You can distract me any time.” “Hold up—what?” He drew her back to him. “Let’s practice.” She extricated herself. “Later, Soldier-boy.” He made her a rope ring! So cool!! He would kill to save his woman. HECK YES!! ““Hold up.” She swiveled around in front of him and planted her hands on his abdomen. “You would really kill him.” Crew’s gaze lasered in on her and any of that lightheartedness that she’d come to love and expect from him vanished. His hands were on her hips. “I’d do whatever it took to protect you, Foxtrot.” Was this real? How could he feel that way? She nudged his ballcap back a little to see his eyes better. “You’re serious . . . But I don’t have four legs.” He smirked. “But the two you have are very se—” I love that she can rely on him! ““I’m scared.” It was mostly true. Crew cocked his head. “About what?” Being in a situation where he wasn’t there to fight with her. “I don’t like this any more than you do.” Her gaze flicked to his, surprised. They started watering. “What if they find me?” His nostrils flared. “You’re strong.” “Yeah . . .” She traced his beard, heart hammering. “But I’m stronger with you.” “Holy Moses, Foxtrot.” He pulled her closer. Crushed her to himself and held her tight.” And then look what he says about the rope ring that he gave her on her finger! ““I like which finger you put this on . . .” “It fit perfectly.” “Kind of like us.” Stunned that he’d say that, that he’d voice what she’d been harboring beneath uncertainty and fears, she nodded. “Well, when this is over . . . maybe we could make this . . . nicer.” And then they were under attack and had to just out of a moving on the ground jet!! The bad guys took her and buried her alive!! But havoc and crew found her! So crazy! “Vienna petted him, but then looked at Crew. “My heroes.” Crew gave her a cockeyed grin, his expression going crazy soft. “I like the sound of that. A role we’re proud to fill.” They have to sneak onto a ferry to get away and there is a zodiac coming for them. A Zodiac is a small, inflatable boat that is known for its stability, durability, and maneuverability. When they finally get some downtime: “And I just somehow knew that God was with me, but also that you and He were a package deal.” He smirked. “Absolutely. We both love you as you are and will never leave you.” “Love me?” “Want me to say it again?” Her vision blurred. “I do.” “Getting ahead of the game, aren’t we?” THE EPILOGUE and ENGAGEMENT. Everything about it was hilarious and sooo them. She kept the rope ring on and wore it with her diamond one. “Crew hooked his arm around her and presented the ring. “Will this do?” Foxtrot sat up and whipped around onto her knees, facing him. Face alight. “Seriously?” She cupped her hands over her mouth and laughed, then dropped them to her lap. The look on her face . . . was that anger? “Did I screw this up?” “You haven’t asked . . .” Man, he loved this firestorm. “Vienna Foxtrot—” “Foxcroft.” “I’ll propose how I want to propose.” “Get on with it.” And then later the dad shows up and he is so intimidated and it’s hilarious.
I love the way that Ronie Kendig crafts a military story like a movie. With precise language and crafted movement, I can see the fight scenes as the characters engage in warfare dance across my imagination. Havoc starts a little odd, I thought, as I was reading the beginning of the story. Why are we on a movie set? It really made no sense to me. But as the story progressed, Kendig showed readers why this was important to set up the rest of the story. Using Crew’s military background with Havoc, he does a wonderful job at protecting Vienna from the people who want to cause her harm. As for the romance, the story takes place in roughly three weeks, and Crew and Vienna fall pretty hard and pretty fast. With the backgrounds with romantic relationships that they both have been in; I had a hard time believing that they would allow their walls to fall that fast. Maybe have them interested, then in the next book or two, they can make a reappearance, and readers can re-familiarize themselves with their growing relationship. As for the characterization of Crew, he is a strong, determined, and brave soldier. Once a soldier, always a soldier. Vienna, on the other hand, is roughly his equal with determination and trying to make a name for herself away from her parents’ shadow. Overall, Havoc by Ronie Kendig is a thrilling adventure with an adorable military dog and some high-octane romance to round out the plotline. Definitely a book that will be added to my personal library.
I received a complimentary copy of Havoc by Ronie Kendig from Sunrise Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
In 2012, Ronie Kendig released Trinity, the first novel in her A Breed Apart Trilogy and began her reign as the paramilitary romantic suspense genre queen of Christian Fiction. Her latest novel, Havoc, is a spin off of that beloved series.
Though I haven't gotten around to reading Ronie Kendig's A Breed Apart Trilogy yet, I had no trouble following along since other than some possible cameos, the characters in Havoc seem to be all new. Kendig's experience and extensive research into the lives of "MWDs" (military working dogs) and their handlers shines through from every page. From the first prologue with Crew to descriptions of Vienna's life as a stunt double, there is a grounded authenticity in the worldbuilding and portrayals that kept me reading until the end! One thing I've always enjoyed in Kendig's novels is that she seems to have found the delicate balance of intense-yet-not-gratuitously-graphic in regards to action, romance, and language. Whether readers have been following Ronie Kendig from the very start or are just discovering her books for the first time, both will enjoy Havoc's journey and the humans by his side.
[Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes via JustRead Tours.]
I enjoyed this story and the fast pace of it! Ronnie Kendig does a wonderful job of writing military stories with layers of intrigue and action. The characters are well written, making one feel like they are friends with them. I enjoyed how unique this story and setting was. My family lived in Turkey when I was pretty young, so it was interesting for me to return there through this story. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series. I received this book from JustRead. This is my honest review.
Havoc By Ronie Kendig Book 1 in A Breed Apart: Legacy series Rating: 4.5/5
What a ride! This nonstop story will keep you on your toes rooting for the main characters. I haven’t actually read the previous A Breed Apart series but still felt like the story could be read and understood as a standalone. Such an incredibly inspirational story of loyalty coupled with a fun and flirty romance. The faith aspect is there too. I could not get enough of Havoc! I cannot wait for the next books in this new series.
Highly recommend if you enjoy military dog stories full of action, romance and suspense!
My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
I couldn't put this book down! Havoc is a fast-paced, gripping novel, full of action, mystery, peril and a good dose of romance. The characters are believable and fascinating, but for me, it was Havoc, the Belgian Malinois ex-MWD, who stole the show (and my heart), and gave me an even greater appreciation and affection for this amazing breed of dog.
Although the plot was detailed and captivating, with many unexpected twists and turns, I found the ending quite abrupt and was surprised to turn the page and find the epilogue. Also, while the author probably intended to add a flavour of authenticity to the story, I didn't enjoy the use of the swear word substitutes.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can recommend it to those who love fast-paced novels with a canine hero. I'm certain my first Ronie Kendig book won't be my last.
I received a complimentary digital ARC from the publisher to review.
Action packed and riveting. This book is a fun suspense novel that follows the journey of Crew and his miltary working dog Havoc. After Crew's debilitating injury, it takes him two years to recover. Then he reenters the work force to procure dogs for a ranch in Texas. When he gets sent to California to handle Havoc, the best dog he ever trained for a television show, the action really begins. There he meets Vienna Foxcroft, a stunt double for the show. From the first moment he sees her, she has him reconsidering his vow of swearing off dating. When the television show travels to Turkey, the action really begins.
This is a fast read that will keep you turning/scrolling through to the next page. I consider it one of those books that read like a movie. I would have enjoyed a little more development of the characters and their relationship, but it is a love at first sight type of romance set in a high octane sitatuion. (So just a personal preference) Great choice for anytime you want to sit and read a book cover to cover. I guarentee you won't fall asleep, and the characters of Crew and his dog Havoc's bond are inspiring.
*I was given an advanced copy by Sunrise Publishing for review.
I had the privilege of reading an ARC of Havoc by Ronie Kendig. Havoc is the first book by Ronie Kendig that I have had the privilege of reading. I now wonder what took me so long to read one of her books. After all, Christian romantic suspense is my favorite genre, and Havoc proves that Ronie Kendig is a master.
Havoc has it all - strong, relatable characters, including a furry four-legged friend or two, and a storyline that keeps you guessing until the very end. In this book, we meet veteran dog handler Crew and Hollywood stunt double “Foxtrot”. After their unexpected meeting, Crew and Foxtrot suddenly find themselves overseas and caught in the crosshairs of a kidnapping plot.
At first, I had a little difficulty getting into the story. Ms. Kendig’s writing tended to be very crisp. However, I soon discovered that her writing style was perfect for this book; advancing the storyline quickly while reflecting the strong personalities of each character. The depth of character development has kept me thinking about these characters long after I finished reading the book.
Once I started reading, I couldn’t put this book down. The suspense just kept building. Everytime I thought that I knew what was going to happen next, I discovered I was wrong. I was kept guessing until the final sentence.
5 stars for Kendig and Havoc! Havoc is fast-paced, nonstop action, and pure greatness. Following Crew, Vienna, and most importantly, the hero, Havoc, we are taken on a ride of thrills, danger, romance, and faith. Ronie Kendig is a master at combining all of these pieces to make an epic story. Make sure Havoc and the rest of the A Breed Apart: Legacy is on your TBR.
The story line is exactly what you should expect in a military romance. Having said that, I found it was a little difficult to read because the author used a lot of military abbreviations which she didn't explain or include a glossary. HVT, RTB???????
I wish I could give more than 5 stars!!! I loved everything about this story! Non-stop action and the sparks between Crew and Vienna were sizzling. I couldn't put it down!