Action-packed from page one!! This novel picks up with Tox and his team a few months after the events in Conspiracy of Silence. Their time to rest comes quickly to an end when Tox is shot by a sniper. What is discovered is that shot was a message to Tox from Alec King, another Special Forces operator, that has gone rogue. This operator is on a mission of vengeance and Tox and team are tasked with tracking him down and stopping him!

As readers have come to expect in a Ronie Kendig novel, what begins is an adventure full of military action, Biblical history, mysterious artifacts, just the right amount of romance, and more. It is apparent that Ms. Kendig has done extensive research for this series. As a wife of a retired Marine, I appreciate how well she portrays Tox's internal struggles as well. In Crown of Souls, readers get a glimpse into the battles Tox fights in his mind because of the missions he has been involved in the past and the guilt that he feels from the things he has been asked to do. Tox is going after what others are calling a madman, but Tox sees a lot of Alec King in himself.

Although you could read this as a standalone novel, I would recommend reading Conspiracy of Silence first if you haven't already since this novel picks up where that one left off.

I was given a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. ( )

When I saw the cover for Crown of Souls, I was reminded of the Bourne series. This is a book (and series) my dad would enjoy, minus the romance here and there. I'm curious about book 1, a dormant, centuries-old disease is unleashed. Sounds interesting! Crown of Souls is book 2 in The Tox Files series and she's already got book 3 set to publish in July 2018. I'm already thinking Christmas gift (at least books 1 and 2) for my dad. Note: It is not like Jason Bourne, or Jack Ryan. This is a whole military unit the reader follows, though Tox is the main character.

Now, let's get down to brass tacks...

The details in this book make it believable, make Tox a believable character. And the fact that this is book 2, don't let that deter you. I haven't read the first book and, though I was a bit lost in the first few chapters, the author does a great job of bringing us up to speed. Yet, she doesn't do it to the point that the reader is skimming through parts or sections...that is, she doesn't overdo the explanations. It's just enough of a reminder for book 1.

Initially, I thought this was merely a fictional military novel. And that's fine. But when I reached maybe the middle of the novel, it occurred to me that these books may be more than just about fighting. This was really a pleasant surprise. It's a mixture of special forces meets Indiana Jones in a way. In a nutshell (without spoiling the book), there's a madman killing the top baddest of the bad (along with innocents), long delayed echos (aka "ghost skips"), a highly sought after artifact, ancient burial sites and lots and lots of action.

For those that love action, they'll enjoy this novel. For the individuals that prefer military books, they probably would enjoy this book. For anyone that likes a good mystery/thriller, I'd count Crown of Souls as the book for them. I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review, but I'm thinking of purchasing the Tox series so my dad has a chance to read them in order. ( )

Title: Crown of Souls (The Tox Files #2)
Author: Ronie Kendig
Pages: 480
Year: 2017
Publisher: BethanyHouse
My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Cole Russell commands a secret Special Forces unit that currently is on leave when Cole is shot by a sniper bullet. There is something unique about the bullet that leads to a familiar shooter. Cole and his unit are then hot on the trail of one of their own. Cole seems to be two steps behind his former friend, Alec King, and the bodies and violence are escalating. They discover that as Alec seems to be wearing an ancient crown, he becomes more and more deranged as well as more powerful. He wants Cole to joint his fight as he insists they are the same type of soldier. Cole recognizes feeling some of the same things Alec does and thinks about joining up with him. His girlfriend and deception expert, Haven, has other ideas and continues telling Cole what a different man he is than Alec. Cole still battles feeling guilty and unworthy of Haven’s love and respect. Can he save others from Alec’s evil climactic event as well as himself or will he live up to his nickname and prove toxic?
Wow! What a riveting story that captivated me from cover to cover. I love these types of stories that combine elements of danger, adventure, mystery, romance, faith, archeology and history. I also like the military aspect of the story where readers see soldiers willing to give the ultimate sacrifice of their lives to serve and protect our freedom and our country. Thank you to those who have in the past or are currently serving in the military! The writing is top notch and will draw readers in from page one. The search for truth and justice is one many can relate to and get involved with; I know I sure did and loved it! There were some questions left unanswered at the end of the story, so I’m anxiously awaiting book three in the series. Thank you, Ronie, for another great adventure!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )