For those following me on Facebook and Instagram, you will remember that last summer, I signed another contract with Bethany House Publishers for a new series . . . and I cruelly withheld the details. But guess what? The wait is over (well, mostly . . . somewhat). I can promise one thing: no more wandering despair because the Tox Files only has one more book coming out (okay, there are those who, like me, will mourn the end of The Tox Files in a profound way, but we’re all adults here and can work through our grief and move on, because–as they say–there are good things ahead).

Here are the details:

It’s a three-book contract for a series titled the Book of the Wars. The headlining hero is none other than Leif Metcalfe (hooah!), whom you’ve met in Crown of Souls and he’ll show up again (teaser!) in Thirst of Steel this summer (7/31–You have preordered, right?). And if you need some . . . um, inspiration about Leif, just look up Jessie Pavelka. (Helloooo, handsome!) Y’all know whose little brother Leif is, right? The same guy who cornered a Christy Award for the novel that featured his his epic adventure and romance. (That’s a lot to live up to, Leif. Just sayin’…)

As for the books themselves–which are currently untitled. Here’s what you’ll find in all three Book of the Wars titles:

1. A hunky alpha hero (c’mon–you knew that would happen; I mean, I’m a hopeless romantic, so there HAS to be *some romance (at least a smidgen but not enough to scare off the dudes, both fictional and real) named Leif Metcalfe.
2. A paramilitary team replete with the camaraderie you’ve come to expect from a Rapid-Fire Fiction novel. And suspense. We’re talking the similar vein of The Tox Files, but edging back toward the classic paramilitary stories before that amazing series.
3. Bible Archaeology – yep, we’re continuing that from the Tox Files, but maybe not as heavily.
4. Wars/Combat/Action – um, hello? Soldiers. and hello? Book of the Wars. No-brainer, right? Or is it . . .
5. Rapid-Fire Fiction. Yep. You saw that coming, too, didn’t you?

First book will release Summer 2019.

AT STAKE:

• Lapis Lazuli bronze cuff
• Jasper Ring
• Onyx keychain
• Carnelian amulet

FOUR WINNERS will be randomly chosen to receive a legacy and a signed copy of CROWN OF SOULS. (U.S. Addresses Only) YOU MUST comment to enter the legacy giveaway, but you can earn extra entries by completing the Rafflecopter tasks.

Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig

CROWN OF SOULS Excerpt:

Qal’at Sherqat, Iraq

      “You call this a fail?” Tzivia spun. “It’s not like in the movies. Archaeology takes time, Tox. We can’t just randomly find a script then—ta-da!—we magically discover the hiding place or location of the artifact referenced.”

      “Worked for Indiana Jones,” Thor muttered.

      Tox eyed the text. Scanned the room. Noted Haven. “How long?”

      Irritation bled from Tzivia. “As long as it takes.”

      Getting mad wouldn’t help. And there was no point. Anger didn’t net results. It just meant more frustration. They needed a game plan. If they got organized, they could get out quicker. “How do we help?”

     “Unless you can reach ancient Akkadian or Sumerian or Assyrian . . .”

     “I took two semesters of Spanish,” Thor offered.

     “French, Spanish, and German,” Maangi said.

     “Overachiever,” Thor threw back.

     “It’s called intelligence.”

    “Keep telling yourself that.” Thor shook his head.

    Tox noticed Haven had stopped moving. She stared at the giant winged bulls with human heads. He made his way over. “You okay?”

     She nodded but didn’t say anything. Didn’t move.

     Tzivia called form the corner, “They’re lamassu, protective celestial beings placed at the entrances to palaces.”

Notable: Lamassu – This past September, Ronie and her husband visited The Met in New York City. In there Assyrian museum, there are many artifacts from the time periods focused on in CROWN OF SOULS, including the incredible lamassu, which were excavated from Nimrud (ancient Kalhu).

Legacy: black onyx

NEXT BLOG STOP CLUE:

When you’re in the CROSSFIRE, it’s just A MATTER OF TRUST that I’LL BE THERE.

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What’s that you say? Most of the image below is blacked out? Well, Wraith would never expose their location before the time was right. So stay tuned…this block will fill over the day as the cover is revealed on INSTAGRAM.

And guess what? You can PRE-ORDER THIRST OF STEEL right now, so you don’t  miss this explosive conclusion to The Tox Files!

THIRST OF STEEL BLURB:

Dismantled centuries ago, the sword of Goliath is still rumored to thirst for its enemies’ blood. Cole “Tox” Russell only wants to begin his life with Haven Cortes, but he must first complete a final mission: retrieve that sword and destroy the deadly Arrow & Flame Order.

The AFO, however, is determined to claim the sword. Wielding their father’s life over Tzivia and Ram Khalon, the AFO threatens to expose Ram’s long-held and dangerous secret while demanding Tzivia locate the sword. With the Wraith team slowly being torn apart, things only worsen when Mercy Maddox, a new operative, emerges with the stunning news that the sword is tied to both Ram’s secret and a string of unsolved serial murders.

Tox, Ram, and the others are forced to set aside fear and anger to focus on the enemy. No matter the cost, Wraith must stop the enemy down or go down with them.

And don’t forget this giveaway!! A patriotic cozy (book sleeve) by the crazy-talented STEFFANI WEBB, but also a CROWN OF SOULS bookmark and bangle.
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   Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig on Audible

Are you an audiobook listener/reader? I am! We live in the country, so I manage to squeeze in 20-30 minutes of listening time driving out and then another batch on teh way back. And doing dishes. Cooking. I’m so grateful for audiobooks as it’s helping me increase the books I’m able to enjoy!

To save the world, he has to watch it burn.

Fierian, Abiassa’s Fire #3 – Coming March 6th!

BUY CROWN NOW!!!

ABOUT CROWN OF SOULS

When You Stare Into the Abyss It Also Stares Into You

The bullet that rips into Cole “Tox” Russell was never meant to kill. It was meant to send a message. Only one man is skilled enough to have taken the shot, a rogue Special Forces operator who vanished months ago.

Alec King is perhaps the only person as skilled as Tox, and he’s out for justice. Furious with orders that got his men killed, he intends to make those responsible pay. And he insists Tox join him, believing they are the same breed of soldier.

Afraid his old friend could be right, Tox battles a growing darkness within himself as he and his team are forced into another deadly encounter with antiquity. It appears Alec is harnessing the power of a mysterious artifact, a crown that history has linked to some of the worst slaughters in humanity. Racing to stop Alec before his vengeance is unleashed, Tox must fight the monster without becoming one.

HOOAH! It’s back! Better than ever!!

This is one pulse-pounding adventure you don’t want to miss.

~Robert Liparulo, author of Comes a Horseman, Germ, and The Dreamhouse Kings

Buy DIGITALIS Now!!

Colton Neeley left the Marines to take care of his four-year old daughter. Although he’s firm in his faith now, the repercussions of his former life are still evident—namely debilitating flashbacks from combat-related trauma. But his position with the Nightshade team give him a new lease on life.

Piper Blum is hiding—from life and the assassins bent on destroying her family. Although smitten by Colton, she fears the day he discovers her secrets. Because those secrets could very well put his life and family in danger, too. And no relationship has a chance when it’s built on lies.

Colton must find a way to forgive Piper’s lies, even when her justifications catapult the team into another near-death mission. They’ll find out the hard way if love covers a multitude of sins.