Willow by Ronie Kendig [Review]
With her indie published Metcalfes series, Ronie Kendig exposes a small glimpse into the horrors of human trafficking and the brave heroes who combat it.
Author: Ronie Kendig
Published: 2022 by Task Force Press
About the Book:
"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 Obiora 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."
The Artist Librarian Review:
For over a decade, Ronie Kendig has been one of the leading Romantic Suspense authors in Christian Fiction and especially well known for her portrayal of multi-dimensional military protagonists. With her indie published Metcalfes series, she exposes a small glimpse into the horrors of human trafficking and the brave heroes who combat it.
While Willow is what I would consider "edgy Christian fiction" compared to what is generally seen in the mainstream Christian fiction market, I felt that Willow balances treating the human trafficking thread with the respect and gravitas it deserves without being gratuitously graphic. However, not to say that this book isn't intense. Definitely take note of the author note at the beginning of this novel, which reveals Kendig's heart and inspiration in tackling this heavy subject. While I reviewed an eARC, I hope that future editions may consider trigger/content warnings for some of the more heavier content like murder, rape, attempted sexual assault, etc. I would carefully consider who I recommended this novel to because some exclusively Christian fiction readers may be taken aback with the intensity, though I feel that readers need that to begin to understand a bit of this sobering situation that similarly occurs far to often in our world.
While I didn't really connect with the titular female lead at first, I could understand her
stubbornness and tenacity. Chiji on the other hand, I was always a big fan of,
and am interested to see how their stories continue in future
installments. Though ideally read in order, I read Willow as a stand
alone since I hadn't gotten to Stone, book one, and was able to follow
along fine. I look forward to catching up with and following along with future installments of The Metcalfes. Fans of Kendig's previous series like The Tox Files and Discarded Heroes Series will also enjoy seeing familiar characters reappear.
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. Ronie's degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters. Visit Ronie online at www.roniekendig.com
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