Ronie Kendig just released Stone, the first in her new Metcalfes series. Here’s what it’s all about:
Stone Metcalfe embodies the Metcalfe legacy—blue eyes, an unfair amount of good looks, and hardcore patriot-laced character. But a foolish lapse in judgment dismantles his name and career. Humiliated and furious, he retreats to his mountain lodge to hide from media hounds and eke out a new life. However, one phone call from an old Army buddy upends Stone’s best-laid plans.
Supermodel Brighton Buchanan had designers and men eating out of her hand until a terrible mistake trapped her in the soul-eating world of human trafficking. Years later, she is used by her captors to take down the best man she’s ever known. The man she loves. Hope lost, she’s unexpectedly freed—and thrown back into Stone’s life. Being forgiven is out of the question considering how much he hates her.
Believing danger and her trafficker are one wrong move away, Brighton will do anything to keep him from being ruined again—even if it means going back to that life. As everything is falling apart and threats mount against Brighton, Stone realizes forgiveness is the easy part. Protecting her—and his heart—is another story.
When human trafficking collides with lost love, scandal, and murderous thugs, what do you get? Stone by Ronie Kendig! This story is everything that is wonderful in the world of fiction: fast-paced action, crush-worthy characters, an exciting plot, a memorable lesson, and, most importantly, a theme that will spur you into action.
How so? This story is action-packed – not always of the shoot’em up kind, but sometimes. At other times it’s more of the dramatic, these-characters-are-in-intense-emotional-situations-and-I’m-biting-my-nails-right-with-them kind. Both will keep your pulse racing.
Kendig masterfully dribbles out the details in her plot until you’re begging for more. It takes quite a while before you can see the whole picture, and by then the main characters are firmly entrenched in your heart and you’re cheering them all on. The smallest details help set the scene to add tension and lightness by turn.
Stone seems almost too good to be true from the very beginning, but it’s clear that this hunky hero has a shady past. Brighton is just the opposite; is her intent to help or to harm? I love the way that Kendig pens their tale, filling in the gaps slowly while explaining just how easily someone can become entrenched in human trafficking.
Because ultimately, while there are clear lessons about love and forgiveness, Stone is really a story about seeing others. About doing whatever is necessary to help someone in need. About believing that people, no matter what their situation or job or skill set or past, are worthy of help and grace and redemption.
Isn’t that a theme that we can all champion?
Kendig even bases the rescue organization in Stone off of a real-life one – so if you read this story and you’re inspired to take action to help someone else, she provides the information you need to learn more. A similar organization just opened in our tiny town – proving that human trafficking really is a huge problem found everywhere.
So don’t take my word for it. Pick up this book for yourself and meet the awesomeness that is Stone. But be forwarned: clear your schedule before reading the first page, because you won’t be putting this baby down.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.
