Book Review: Brand of Light by Ronie Kendig Celebrate Lit Tour & Giveaway

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About the Book

Book:  Brand of Light

Author: Ronie Kendig

Genre: Christian Fiction, futuristic, space opera,

Release Date: December 3, 2019

There’s a price on her head, and it has everything to do with the brand on her arm.

Brand of Light

After a catastrophic explosion, Kersei Dragoumis awakens in a derelict shuttle, alone, injured, and ignorant of the forbidden technology that has swept her into a nightmare. The brand she’s borne since childhood burns mysteriously, but the pain is nothing to that when she learns her family is dead and she is accused of their murders.

Across the quadrants, Marco Dusan responds to the call of a holy order—not to join them, but to seek a bounty. Gifted—or cursed—with abilities that mark him a Kynigos, a tracker sworn to bring interplanetary fugitives to justice, Marco discovers this particular bounty has nothing to do with justice and everything to do with prophecy. One that involves the hunter as much as the hunted.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Ronie Kendig

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author of over twenty titles. An Army brat, Ronie lives a shot train ride from New York City with her husband, twin sons, and two fur-sons, VVolt N629, a retired military working dog, and Benning the Stealth Golden. Described as an empath by her literary agent, Ronie has used her degree in psychology to write books that have won the coveted Christy Award, Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, HOLT Medallion Award, and more. Her books have also hit the CBA Bestseller List multiple times.

My Review

Brand of Light
by Ronie Kendig
Book 1 of the Droseran Saga series
Rating: 4/5

Wow. I have never read anything like this before and I definitely need to keep reading more. Took one star away because it began a bit slowly for me and was a little bit confusing. The author has created this entirely new world (or worlds) and it took me a bit to figure out what was happening to who. I grew to love the characters and was fascinated by their adventures and motivations.

Kersei Dragoumis’ technology-free world has fallen apart and she doesn’t know what to do. She has been framed for something she did not do and has lost everything. She used to live a simple and peaceful life but now all hell has broken loose and she is in a battle for survival in space. Kersei has hidden her brand from everyone just as her mother told her to, but now the brand has started hurting her and she doesn’t know what to do. How will she survive this crazy journey?

In another part of space, Marco Dusan is a skilled and gifted hunter – a Kynigos – who has must track down Kersei for her crimes. However, there’s something about Kersei that doesn’t make sense. Marco must uncover the mystery surrounding Kersei and bring about justice.

If you love sci-fi with mystery and adventure, I would highly recommend this book for you. I’m eager to read on in the series. There is also some romance in this story but I wouldn’t necessarily call this a romance by itself. There’s much more action and mystery in this brilliant story. 

Like some other books I’ve read, I thought there would be a glossary or something in the beginning to help the reader sort through some of the language differences and mythology but as far as I could tell, there was not. Definitely has some impressive world-building and I appreciate Kendig’s imagination.

My thanks to the publisher and CelebrateLit for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

More from Ronnie

In November 2005, I lurched into a story that started with one small element—what if a hero could literally smell fear? And so I delved into the story with the characters, and felt like I’d fallen into the vortex. I wrote over 90,000 words in one month, this story just gushing out of me.

But I was a very new writer. And if you saw the first draft that gushed out of me, you’d snicker. I sure have. It’s appallingly bad writing, yet the story’s bones are healthy and intact. So, I teased the story into shape over the last fourteen years. In 2012, I took a hard look at it and tried to shape up the writing. I’d even gotten to know Kathy Tyers, who wrote for the Star Wars franchise as well as the much-beloved Firebird series (*insert reverent pause here*), and I bravely asked if she would take a peek at the first fifty pages or so. Being gracious as Kathy is, she agreed to take a look.

Um, yikes. Haha. Make no mistake—Kathy is a brilliant writer, and I will never write like her, but I learned so much her feedback and took it to heart. Clearly, I still had a long way to go before that story was ready for the world, so I delved into honing my craft and deepening this story. Honestly, I was afraid show Brand of Light to anyone again, because I love this story so much and did not want to see “her” fail. Nore correctly—I did not want to fail this story.

About three years ago, I sensed a deep conviction that it was time to stop hiding and, as an act of faith and obedience to what God had given me, to send Brand of Light out into the world. As I write this, she is still 1.5 months out from the release, and I’m scared. I want this beauty to be loved, but even if it’s not, *I love this story and know I honored God with my writing and sending her out. I can rest here for a long while, reveling in the gift God gave me with this storyworld and its characters. I’m excited to see her launch out into the deep now. As Marco and the hunters always say, For Honor.

Blog Stops

Through the Fire Blogs, December 14

April Hayman, Author, December 14

Hallie Reads, December 14

amandainpa , December 15

Inside the Wong Mind, December 15

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, December 16

Wishful Endings, December 16

Pause for Tales, December 16

A Reader’s Brain, December 17

Faery Tales Are Real, December 17

Simple Harvest Reads, December 18 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 18

Where Faith and Books Meet, December 18

Texas Book-aholic, December 19

Mia Reads Blog, December 19

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, December 20

Betti Mace, December 20

Books, Life, and Christ, December 20

Just the Write Escape, December 21

Britt Reads Fiction, December 21

Blogging With Carol , December 22

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, December 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 23

All-of-a-kind Mom, December 23

The Artist Librarian, December 23

Emily Yager, December 24

mypreciousbitsandmusings, December 24

Bakerkella, December 25

Worthy2Read, December 25

janicesbookreviews, December 26

Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 26

Just Your Average reviews, December 26

Inklings and notions, December 27

Splashes of Joy, December 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Ronie is giving away the grand prize package of a Tinted Prose edition of Brand of Light, Galaxy Tumbler, “Kersei” Dio Adorable Candle, 3 Character Cards (to include Marco, Kersei, Tigo), and 2 Maps (to include Drosero and the planetary map)!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

***Giveaway is now closed!

Book Review: The Piper’s Pursuit by Melanie Dickerson

The Piper’s Pursuit
by Melanie Dickerson
Book 10 of the Hagenheim series
Rating: 4/5

Warning: you may lose sleep if you start reading this book. Also, this book can be read as a standalone novel. It’s more fun if you read the previous books, but it is not necessary for understanding.

Melanie Dickerson has some of the best retellings out right now with a Christian perspective. The writing is well done and the characters are authentic. I am such a huge fan and was impatiently waiting for this book to be released. When I saw a chance to review an ARC, I knew I had to take it. You will not regret picking up this book (or buying it online) because it’s that good.

A reimagined fairytale of the Pied Piper, this book is full of action, love and adventure. Our heroine, Kat, is on a mission to take down the Beast of Hamlin and will do whatever it takes to save the children that have been disappearing from their village. Steffan arrives in Hamlin looking to make a difference so he can return home to Hagenheim and his family without disgrace. He is obviously fascinated by Kat and must join her on this quest to figure out what is happening in Hamlin.

Kat is a strong female lead who knows how to use her crossbow and is extremely intelligent. She has her own problems and issues to deal with like you and me. She struggles with trusting others due to past hurts. Sound like anyone you know?

Steffan is the black sheep of his family and so remorseful over his past deeds. Can he learn to forgive himself and trust in God’s forgiveness? How often do we struggle with forgiving ourselves when God has already extended his grace and forgiveness? 

I loved the main characters and the growth they show throughout the story. I took one star away because the ending seemed a bit short to me. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and cannot wait for the next one!

I highly recommend this book for those that enjoy fairytale retellings with a strong female lead and clean romance incorporating faith.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Book Review: The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear

The Rebel Bride
By Shannon McNear
Book 10 of the Daughters of the Mayflower series
Release date: 12/1/19
Rating: 4/5

I love learning new things and this wonderful story is full of perspectives I never considered or wasn’t taught when learning about the Civil War and its effect on everyone involved. The author shares even more about her research at the end of the book and I really appreciated the extra history lesson. 

When a young woman is beside herself with loss and overwhelmed with her responsibilities, can she pull herself together and treat wounded soldiers of the enemy? Pearl’s father constantly reminds her of what the Bible says regarding enemies and she can’t deny one particular soldier has caught her eye. Will Josh be able to thank Pearl for all has done to care him and fellow soldiers? 

This story was fascinating and researched beautifully. The descriptions and the characters seemed very realistic and painted quite the picture. The writing was well done and the reader can’t help but want to keep reading to figure out what happens next. I loved how the author used the Psalms throughout the story as encouragement and hope for the weary souls of war. 

Highly recommend for those interested in the Civil War. 

My thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of the book. All opinions are my own. No positive review was expected.