Crown of Souls is a book that took me a long time to read. I think I started reading it in August of 2020 and finally finished it January of 2022. I had to take a break from reading it, as it was just not holding my interest.

I enjoyed the main characters and present day sections (for the most part), but the supernatural elements and sections of the story from the past were just not for me.

All in all, Crown of Souls was an okay read. Parts of the story were interesting, but mostly I had a difficult time following everything and there were some things I didn't like. I do plan on finishing the series, though, as I already have the third book in my TBR pile.

*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/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and 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.*

I absolutely loved this book. Can’t believe a review was never sent in, been too long for an in depth review but I definitely recommend it

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.

Ohmigosh!! This book! These characters! This author! I can't gush enough how much I loved this story. Ronie Kendig continues to exceed expectations with her storytelling talent. As other reviewers mention, if you're a fan of Indiana Jones type adventures and high action military thrillers, this series is for you, and I have to confess I loved book 2 far above book 1. I think you benefit in book 2 from being more familiar and invested in the characters, so it made it easier to jump in a devour the story.
Seeing Tox's inner dialogue and battles, Tox and Haven's relationship, and all the team - you want to know all their stories as well. I especially hope there is future plans to reveal more of Ram's story, perhaps maybe even in his own spinoff?? *Hint Hint*
Ronie delivers an intense and fast paced read that is incredibly well researched and includes everything from romance, to action, to historical artifacts. As in her past novels, she crafts a story and characters that you could swear is real life! Warning: Make sure you have time set aside when get to the last 70 pages or so because if you don't, you will be unable to think on anything else until you know how it ends! My only issue is the knowledge I now have to wait for book 3!

Have you ever read a book that - as much as you want to know what happens - you don't want to end, because that means the end of a massively good time? That book that you get sucked into the story, into the characters, into everything.

Allow me to introduce you to Tox, aka Cole Russell

Ok, if you read Ms. Kendig's books, you already know Tox. But she has pulled out all the stops with this installment in the Tox Files. To quote Cell, Ms. Kendig has 'totally Jonesed it!' Ie, it's the ultimate combination of good Christian fiction, military action, Indiana Jones adventure, with Robert Langdon scholasticism.

Oh, yeah, and let's not forget Tox and Haven. All through the last book, I was pulling for them something fierce, and this book only reinforces that....and then breaks it...and then pulls them together again...I love Haven's ability to observe and see what others miss. Ms. Kendig has a special propensity to write romance into her books without it being disgustingly sweet, with characters that balance each other out well, each playing to their respective strengths and differences.

Along those lines, the villain this time around, Alec King, is a wonderfully fleshed-out character, and I enjoyed reading about him. A former teammate of Tox's, Alec has really gone off the deep end, but believably so. He's not that cheesy bad guy who is just there to provide plot; his story is believable, and just as Cole wants him to be rescued, so do you as the reader.

All in all, another wonderfully crafted adventure from Ms. Kendig's writing desk, and one that leads you into the next story with anticipation.

Ronie Kendig has done it again! This is book 2 in the Tox Files series and it does not disappoint. The first line....WOW! The very first sentence of the book hooked me.
This book continues to follow Tox and his team as they pursue another historical artifact that is having a very dangerous impact on the world. And that means Tox and his team travel the world to uncover exactly what this artifact is and what it does. Amidst this hunt they discover it is in the hands of a former soldier that Tox worked with.
As always the book will keep you enticed and wanting to read more. It is a MUST read.....and re-read.

From the very first sentence this book grips the reader's attention as if in a vice. Ronie Kendig weaves plot, faith and emotion like the very master of her craft that she is. Every time I saw what was coming, it never did and a few times I gasped out loud at events. The characters jump of the page even as your mind spins with the implications of what is happening.

The final chapters left me a teary wreck and I can barely wait for the third installment. Bravo.

Ronie Kendig is one of my favorite authors and she hits a home run with Crown of Souls. It's fast paced action with some romantic tension (tastefully, of course) thrown in. I love the way the team works together in this story too! If you are a fan of action/military fiction and want it clean, this is a series and author for you! She is on my list of "must reads".

Ronie Kendig does such a great job developing her characters and including those extra details that really make the story great. Her latest series continues to showcase men and women who sacrifice to keep people safe.
This book and the main characters in it are well developed. I can't wait for the next book in this series.!

Well, that was a crazy-intense ride! Seriously, there were times that I had to put it down to absorb what was happening. This book is incredibly well-written and well-researched. I find the Biblical archaeology angle to be intriguing. This is such a unique story, and I highly recommend this book.

In my opinion, Crown of Souls is Ronie Kendig’s best novel so far. And I love all of her novels! But this book is just a cut above.

Crown of Souls is non-stop tension from every side – from relationships, high-stakes suspense, spiritual battles, and a race against madness. In addition to the spot-on tactical action, this series has a delightful Dan Brown/Indiana Jones feel that keeps you completely captivated. In fact, Kendig nods at everyone’s favorite archaeologist from time to time on the pages of Crown of Souls.

On top of all this greatness, there is even more to love. Like, the solidifying romance between Tox and Haven. Like, Tox’s continued spiritual journey. Like, the great banter between the teammates. Like, a surprise character that hearkens back to Kendig’s Nightshade/Discarded Heroes series. Like, a cameo appearance from my fave forensic artist. And other little touches spread throughout that elevate this novel from great to fabulous!

Bottom Line: Oh my goodness. Seriously you guys. I’m soo twitterpated over this book. It’s perfection. Every word, every scene, every character well placed and dimensional, hitting you in all the feels before all is said and done. It’s movie material. In fact, I could see it playing out in my head as I read, so caught up in it that I legitimately got teary at the epilogue because it was so poignantly written. But also because, even though the main plot ties up nicely during Crown of Souls, the epilogue sets up the next book Thirst of Steel to be epic! This is Ronie Kendig at her best!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Peaceful and tranquil lives elude Cole “Tox” Russell and his team. Six months after stopping a deadly plague, their much-deserved rest abruptly comes to an end when a sniper shot strikes Cole. The enemy turns out to be none other than a rogue Special Forces operator and possibly the only other person as skilled as Cole.

Alec King seeks to execute judgment on the people he deems responsible for the death of his men. To accomplish his mission, he gives Cole an ultimatum — join his ranks or pay the price. As Cole hunts his old friend, he must fight his own demons and the fear that he might be more like Alec than Cole cares to admit.

Ronie Kendig returns with another action-packed read as secrets are revealed and loyalties tested. In Crown of Souls, the team once again jets around the globe as it searches for ancient relics and a madman bent on inflicting pain and destruction. Indiana Jones with a military twist, the story delivers Kendig’s trademark high-octane suspense with a hint of romance and a supernatural element. Intriguing characters and vivid writing capture the reader’s attention.

The author seamlessly combines fact and fiction, making it hard to detect the line between them. Considering the havoc the Knights Templars wrecked in history, they were portrayed too kindly, making it a bit jarring when their historical footprints and purposes were compared with Cole’s modern-day role. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story and following the elite team across borders (including Israel!) as they strove to thwart evil.

Kendig leaks more hints into Ram’s past that have me salivating to learn what mysteries the Israeli American conceals. It goes without saying that I’m counting down the days for the release of Thirst of Steel, the conclusion in The Tox Files series. I recommend Crown of Souls to military suspense fans who enjoy tracking down ancient artifacts.

Riveting and thrilling, Ronie Kendig delivers a truly epic adventure with Crown of Souls.

***

I eagerly awaited this book after finishing Conspiracy of Silence and I was definitely not disappointed!

I really enjoyed this second installment of the Tox Files and getting to know more about Cole “Tox” Russell. I think one of my favorite things was the fact that we got to see a bit more of the depth of his character in this book. He was already a fully-fleshed character in Conspiracy of Silence but even more so in this book you could see sides of him that he’d kept hidden in book one.

I also loved the blossoming and deepening of his relationship with Haven, whom I love. She's such a sweet and steady character and creates a perfect foil to Tox's internal turmoil. I loved that there was still a lot of tension present as well as a greater depth that can only be found in the midst of dire circumstances.

Ronie is so good at creating emotionally charged situations as well as increasing the intensity of any (and all) relationships whether that be romantic or those based on the brotherhood of the team. We see a lot of this in Crown of Souls, but in the context of an overarching plot that barely lets you breathe. It all makes for a wild and thrilling ride.

Speaking of wild and thrilling, the search for the Crown of Souls artifact is so fantastic. It was such a intriguing yet complex idea (very Indiana Jones) which made for a lot of questions asked and guesses made leading to a good bit of misdirection. I felt like I was on the edge of my seat through the whole book, just waiting for something else to happen – which it always did!

I highly recommend this book to any and all who love suspense, thrillers, military action, tension-filled romance, and excellent writing!

Crown of Souls is the second book I have received from author Ronie Kendig. In this installment Cole "Tox" Russell and his team are enjoying some rest, but it doesn’t last long because of an attack.

In a book full of suspense and adrenaline, Crown of Souls takes readers on a journey to different countries. I enjoyed the complexity of this story and I think Kendig did a great job. I particularly like the concept of a historic artifact. I’m not exactly sure why that concept fascinates me, but I’m thinking it may be that it reminds me of Indiana Jones and is different from a lot of the books I have read in this genre.

After reading this book I’m looking forward to the next one in this series, Thirst of Steel.

In looking back at my reviews of Ronie Kendig’s books, I’m pretty sure that with each release, I’ve called it her best yet.

I don’t lie. And I’m saying it again today. Crown of Souls is her best work yet.

Kendig not only brings her signature rapid-fire action, but ties it so intricately and brilliantly with intrigue, supernatural happenings, and a tender thread of romance. To do all this takes extreme talent.

Cole “Tox” Russell fights his own demons while tracking down and trying to stop a brother-in-arms from using an ancient artifact to…well, you can read the book. And while Tox is fighting for the world, his girlfriend, Haven, is fighting for him. In the midst of all this, the secondary characters absolutely shine with fantastic one-liners, fierce loyalty, and some mystery of their own.

Tight writing, stellar pacing, and great editing make this book a must-read (and must-own-for-your-bookshelf)! This is for sure a 5-star book. Please. I beg of you. If you’ve never read any of Ronie Kendig’s work, please, please, please start. I don’t believe, for one second, that you’d be sorry.

Crown of Souls is the second novel in The Tox Files, but there is a prequel novella that starts the series off with a bang, and it’s free!

Novella: The Warrior’s Seal
Book one: Conspiracy of Silence

One more thing: that solider on the cover? Yeah. He’s a legit Special Forces veteran. And the men on the front of Ronie’s Quiet Professionals series? You guessed it. #respect

*I was given this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own—I was not required to write a positive review.

Cole’s nickname is “Tox”, short for Toxic, because of his past. Even though he has proven himself in his successful service to his country, there are memories that he hasn’t let go. His name has been cleared of an accusation, but that doesn’t help a lot since the public, including his parents, believe he is dead. He continues to operate with a special ops team under instructions of selected superiors.

The team is enjoying some down time and Tox is spending time with Haven, a woman who loves him and brings light to his life. He doesn’t feel worthy of her and thinks she will hate him if she ever finds out about his past secrets. A sniper shot takes Tox in the shoulder and at first it isn’t clear if the shot was meant for him or Haven. The investigation reveals that the bullet was a message from an old friend and prior team member, Alec.

Soon they discover that Alec has gone rogue and is on a vendetta to destroy men who were enemies of the state and those who obstructed their capture in the past. Further investigation shows that it is not just Alec having gone off the deep end, but apparently he is using an ancient relic, a crown, that is corrupting his mind. The team must find a way to stop Alec before he kills those Tox loves, and many more. Just as importantly, they must get control of the crown so it doesn’t fall into the hands of anyone else.

Ms. Kendig creates a rather involved, complex plot that moves from present day danger to the legend of the crown in ancient, 1170AD Syria. The first jump back in time was a bit confusing but then it became apparent that the author was establishing the history of the crown and the Christian Knight whose mission was to retrieve it. I enjoyed the history and it added to the mystery to be unraveled by Tox and his team.

One problem I had was the author’s inconsistency in us of character names. In one paragraph Tox might be referred to as Tox, Cole and/or Russell. There were other characters where this occurred too and it was confusing to follow especially since I was letting Kindle read to me.

I found the mystical legend to be an interesting vehicle from a Christian author. I am not totally settled on how I feel about the supernatural elements in the story. I have the sense that reading the earlier book in the series may have made this a little easier to follow. Still, I like Ms. Kendig’s strong, intense writing style. I enjoyed the comradery and loyalty of the team, the tension in the romance and the danger and suspense of the plot. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy military suspense with romantic and supernatural elements.

Roller coaster ride of suspense, action and mystery...
It took one ten thousandth of a second—exactly 0.000169 seconds—for the bullet to rip through his shoulder." Cole "Tox" Russell is in a sniper's fire right from the start...

This series starts with a bang (literally) and keeps you on a roller coaster ride of action and suspense through the past and present. If you love Jason Bourne and Indiana Jones, well this series is for you! Military action and suspense meets an archaeological mystery in the search for the "Crown of Souls." Danger at every turn, a romance with a man fighting his own war, and a team you just want as your big brothers...this book is so good! I had to stop and just breathe at times to take it all in! Tox and Haven...be still my heart!

This series really should be read in order for the full effect of Tox and Wraith team missions in The Tox Files....

Prequel: The Warriors Seal
Book One: Conspiracy of Silence
Book Two: Crown of Souls
Book Three: Thirst of Steel. (Not yet released)

The ending is stunning and yet had me hoping the next book would be out like tomorrow! I was given an ARC copy for my honest opinion and I honestly love and recommend this novel. Kendig brings a powerhouse of history, modern day mystery, thriller, romance, intrigue, adventure, and action in this book. She has so much woven in this series, it will leave you wanting more!

The second in Kendig's Tox Files Series, Crown of Souls combines suspense with mystery and romance. Tox Russell, sniper extraordinaire, and his team take a break, but end up on another case. This time, because Tox himself becomes the target of a sniper.

The team races around the Middle East, searching for a mysterious crown that Tox's assailant, Alec King, appears to use in his hits against those responsible for the deaths of his special forces unit. Alec wants Tox to join him in bringing justice to the world, and claims that Tox is just as lost as he is. Tox struggles to overcome the darkness of his past and solve another antiquities mystery before people he loves suffer.

This book is probably best read after reading the first book in the series. I found myself a little lost at times with the characters and back story. If you're a fan of Indiana Jones, you'll love this book.

Tox is back and in the book, more amazing than before. Haunted pasts, good and evil, action, love, and so much more is packed into this second book in this series. Tox has so much to work through to overcome in this book. I have read a good many of this author's books. I think this series, and this book, is my top favorite of Kendig's books. A extremely recommend read.

My copy came from Bethany House. This review is my own, left of my own choosing.

This series just gets better and better! I love the action in this book as well as the characters. I love the development of Tox as a person and in his relationship with Haven. There is an excellent dynamic between them.

The story is action-packed pretty much beginning to end. At times the action is intense and it's not always happily ever after for some of the characters. The historical timeline is a little odd for me, but the writing and the modern day timeline is so good, I can overlook that piece.

I'm looking forward to what will happen next in this series. The author dropped an interesting bombshell at the end of the book that has me anxious to see what's next.

If you like military stories you'll definitely like this one. I do recommend reading this series in order, otherwise, you may feel a little lost.

Disclaimer:  I did receive a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, I was not required to give a review and the opinions here are my own.