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About the Book

Title: Willow
Series: The Metcalfes #2
Author: Ronie Kendig
Genre: Clean with faith elements, Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Task Force Press
Release Date: April 22, 2022

To save her, he must become the evil he fights.

Aftercare specialist Willow Metcalfe joined Mission: Liberate Everyone to help trafficking survivors navigate the healing process. When MiLE’s Obioma Compound is attacked by the Nigerian mafia, she’s taken hostage. Against nightmarish odds, she and the victims attempt an escape—and are thwarted.

A decade after leaving his beloved homeland, Chijioke “Chiji” Okorie returns to find his sister and fight for his own country. Believing a global trafficking ring behind her abduction and a string of kidnappings across Nigeria, he goes undercover to find the head of the serpent and his sister. Chiji is stunned to discover among the hostages a familiar face—a friend’s sister, Willow. The woman he vowed years ago to marry.

The man who has interfered with her escape attempts seems … familiar, kind—but Willow knows better. He reeks of the warrior ethos that has devoured many a good man. Engaged in an impossible battle and losing at every turn, Chiji is determined to complete his missions—all of them. Even if it kills him.

Grab your copy here!

About the Author

Ronie Kendig is an 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. Ronie’s degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.

My Review

Willow
by Ronie Kendig
Book 2 in the Metcalfes series
Rating: 4.5/5

I was so excited to read what came next in this series, that I devoured the story. It jumps right in and hooks you from the start. I absolutely loved the story and its adrenaline-filled suspense. As someone who is passionate about social justice especially when it comes to human trafficking, I have loved how the author wasn’t afraid to go where she needed to go to express the horrors and psychological trauma that occurs. She even gives a warning in the beginning of the book regarding what she felt she needed to include in the story. The author also took strides to keep the Nigerian characters as authentic as possible with the help of some of her readers. Ronie Kendig delivers another thriller that you won’t be able to put down. I believe you can still read this story as a standalone but I highly recommend reading Stone first because it will help give a little bit more background and you won’t be disappointed with the story.

First, the cover is gorgeous. However, as the story is set in Nigeria and on the water, I don’t think her clothing is quite right and not sure the background really fits but that might just be me being nit-picky lol.
Second, the story is really good and keeps you engaged. The suspense is real and the stakes seem higher than normal. The changes in POV help drive the story forward.
Third, the main characters are endearing and undergo powerful character development. Some faith elements come into play but they help move the story forward and bring more character development. The chemistry between the two characters was great. Chiji’s character could have come off in a negative way but the author does a good job of making him more sympathetic and sweet. I also loved Willow’s relationship with Ife.

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian romantic suspense that isn’t afraid to address the horrors of human trafficking and spotlight those that are fighting against the darkness. The author includes some different organizations that you can donate to at the end of the story.

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.

Bookstagram Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a copy of Stone and Willow, O.U.R. Freedom Flag tee, and O.U.R. drawstring backpack. (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics. Instagram is not affiliated with nor responsible for this giveaway. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on May 11, 2022.)