Operation Zulu Redemption - Complete Season 1

Operation Zulu Redemption #0-4

by Ronie Kendig

They never should’ve existed. Now they don’t.

 

Zulu, the first all-female special ops team was set up to take a devastating fall. Fearing for their lives, Zulu members vanished with new identities. Isolated and haunted by their past, they are terrified of being discovered.

 

Over the years, the brave women of Zulu have begun to hope they might be safe and the terrible tragedy forgotten.

 

Until two of them are murdered.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Christian Fiction, Adult, Thriller

633 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2014

About the author

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.

Since launching onto the publishing scene, Ronie’s Rapid-Fire Fiction has hit the CBA Bestseller List, won the prestigious Christy Award, Carol Award, the RT Reviewers' Choice Award (twice), the HOLT Medallion, the IRCA, and FamilyFiction’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

Ronie loves people and helping other writers through speaking, workshops, and/or mentoring. Find Ronie at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction) , Twitter (@roniekendig), GoodReads, and Instagram (www.instagram.com/kendigronie ).

Reviews

[Abbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh where to begin describing the amazing-ness that was this book?! Even though this is a hefty book (it was originally released in 5 installments) it had me hooked from page one and I hated putting it down. There are quite a few characters but I didn't really have any trouble keeping them straight and the narrative slipped seamlessly through their various points of view. I loved all the members of Zulu though they could be frustrating at times for various reasons. I admired how much they all cared for each other despite the years apart and how they always had each other's backs. As for the secondary characters there were some that I liked and others that drove me a bit crazy but they all were exactly what they needed to be for the story. The action was fast paced throughout and there were many twists that I never saw coming. I'm sorry for the vagueness and brevity of this review but I really don't want to give anything away so that you can enjoy the story with all the mystery intact! In short this book was brilliantly fantastic and I highly recommend it!
I received this book free from the author in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published serially, Operation Zulu Redemption is a 5-part mini-series that would really make a great TV show. Full of action and danger, it's really hard to put down! I really enjoyed the TV-series-like concept of "episodes" and putting them together into a "season." As with TV shows, there's significant potential for a second season, with many relationships and mysteries that could be explored further.

The women all had believable side effects from the trauma of their sabotaged Op, as well as five years of building a new life. Some ready to embrace their new lives, only to have it ripped from them again; others unable to cope with the trauma and new identity, and happy to be back on the team where they feel they belong. Of the women, I had the hardest time reconciling the Teya of Zulu with her Amish alternate identity; she's just so very effective at her job, with being probably the best hand-to-hand combatant of the bunch. Nuala I would love to know more about--it felt like she took a bit of a backseat to the others, but I really liked her quiet observation, her constant belief in the best of others, and her more introverted personality.

With so any characters and points of view, I really appreciated that it's long enough to flesh out the characters and plot (over 500 pages! I love long books!), and yet somehow there's the sense that we've still only scratched the surface . . . I hope the author has more plans for Zulu!

[Natalie Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooah!! Get ready for an intense thrilling ride through the characters of Zulu. Ms. Kendig has a way of bringing characters to life in all of her novels but this one had me emotionally attached from page one. I couldn't stop turning the pages as I live vicariously through the women of Zulu. There are plenty of military themed books out there but none with women leading the charge!

The plot is intricate and deep revealing plot twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very last page. Relevent in its theme, topic, and the new role women have in combat-Ms. Kendig does an excellent job of depicting honest characters who are courageous and steadfast while also revealing the emotional side of their humanity.

Operation Zulu Redemption is a gripping novel that will have you wanting more--no, seriously. This is one of those stories that ends and you verbally lash out, "NOOOOO!" Immediately upon finishing Zulu I begged asked Ms. Kendig to tell me there's more. More of Trace, Teya, Nuala, Boone, Annie and Sam-I just need MORE! Edit: As of publishing this blog Ms. Kendig's response has been classified above my pay grade. Hmphh.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a read. An all woman special forces team making military history. On their first mission out they are set up to take the fall for killing innocent women and children. Trace Weston has kept them safe for 5 years by keeping them hidden with new identities. Now they are being targeted again. Who is responsible? The nosy Army Intelligence analyst bent on revenge and a love-struck ex Navy SEAL may get them all killed before they can find out. They must come together to try to solve the original mystery of who set them up to be able to stop the murders going on now. Can Trace continue to keep the team safe and solve the mystery before it's too late? That's the million dollar question! Ronie Kendig has done it again - combined romance, mystery, intrigue, assassins and gunfire into one explosive story. I can't wait for more from Team Zulu.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zulu is the first all-female special forces covert operations team. Five years ago, they were tapped for a mission to prevent villains from receiving a shipment of weapons that were to be destroyed. Even though the warehouse the arms were in was empty an hour before it was to blow, when it exploded, it was holding 22 women and orphans. Their handler was put through formal inquiries, but made sure the women were safe and had all-new identities. So, why are they now being hunted and assassinated?

Kendig does an excellent job of weaving clues and red herrings throughout the story. I did not guess who was truly behind everything until it was revealed at the end. Unfortunately, the relationships between the men and women were not always clearly defined and some events were hinted out, but never spelled out, so the reader doesn't know all the detail of past relationships. The reader gets to decide some of the ending as it is left at a closing point, but not with everything fully resolved. Kendig could write more in the future if she chose, but readers aren't left with a cliffhanger ending either.

Some of the female operatives do get beat up a good bit though. Overall, a good read and I'm glad I got this version to read instead of the mini-series. I also noticed other titles listed in Goodreads that appear to be related to this series. I would want to read those for more information on the final relationship details.

[Inspirationalfictionreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I finished Operation Zulu Redemption by Ronie Kendig, I couldn’t stop asking myself, “Why in the world did I wait so long to read this incredible story?” I loved the serialization and how we got to read from everyone’s point of view. I loved how it started with a bang and didn’t let up - ever. The only complaint I have is that it ended.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Ronie Kendig writes the best male characters! They are seriously amazing. In fact, this story has one of my favorite characters ever. The interesting thing is that he might be considered somewhat of a villain. I won’t say much more about him because of spoilers, but I would really love to see him get his own story! As for the non-villains in this story, I loved each and every one of them because they were all perfectly imperfect. And bonus! I was totally shocked at who the true villain was. As in I never saw it coming!

This story is not to be missed! The writing is stellar, the characters are memorable, and the storyline is original. Don’t miss this one! All the stars!!!

[Pianosue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Five years ago six soldiers made history as the first all female special forces team names Zulu. Due to a tragic mistake the soldiers have been in hiding while their team leader tries to investigate and figure out what happened and why. Now someone is trageting the team. Who is killing off the girls and why? Will Trace & Boone be able to protect the other women? Will they be able to find what happened five years ago and who is behind it all?
There is alot of action in this book. Hang on to your seat.

[Dianne Sidebottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the series in 2014 when a section came out each week.
6 years later it was still worth the read combined. We won't ask why no more has been written? I just hope hard.
Most of the story came back to me. It is amazing when your circumstances change over time that reading again can have a different feel. I guess that is when we work out if we are stuck in a season too long. I have read Ronie's military books and like them and put them in the local library. Waiting for November for her next release "Soul Raging"!!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

INSANITY!!! I am at a loss for words, in a good way of course! I absolutely loved this series. I love all of the books I have read by Kendig. But I do have to admit I felt like there were a few things that were left hanging. It really left me wanting for more and I wish she had continued this with at least another series. It is just so freaking good! Ugh!

[Caryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHOA! I was immersed in the story from the opening sentence! The danger and intrigue kept me turning the pages. This story is filled with heart pounding excitement! I highly recommend this book.

[C.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Ronie Kendig has written a great tale with powerful, hard-to-forget characters. I so badly hope we see a season 2 somewhere down the line. I need more!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down!

This book was amazing! Loved the characters, plot, and action! I didn’t want it to end. I highly recommend it

[Jan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh. So much excitement Ready for the continuation!!

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, intense, didn’t-see-that-coming ending, and I need more. xD

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, this one of my favorite books. I long to read more of their story. I was drawn in from the first pages!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no one better than Ronie Kendig in writing military suspense! Even though this book has some thickness to it, it ended all too soon for me. There is action galore that will keep your heart elevated enough you can skip the gym while reading. There's also nice doses of romance and a gamut of other emotions that will leave you gasping for breath by the time you finish it. Of course, now that I have finished it, I want to go back and start all over again. All story lines are not wrapped up, so I'm really hoping there is more Zulu in Mrs. Kendig's future.

[Jessica Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Operation Zulu is a fast paced, military thriller with so many twists and turns you might not see them all till the very end!

It is a historic day when the first all-female special ops team gets their initial assignment. The only problem is they are set up to fail from the very beginning. After the horrible incident that leaves them all fearing for their lives, they vanish with new identities. However, they are not the only ones haunted by their past. Their leader and handlers have to deal with the repercussions as well. After five years of living safely with their new identities, everything starts to unravel. They are being hunted and taken out one by one. They must band together once more to sort out who is trying to kill them and what really happened to make their one and only mission go horribly wrong.

For a long time now, any Ronie Kendig book I have seen has resulted in me telling myself I should try it, I just never have. I’m kicking myself for that now. I have been missing out on some great stories. Operation Zulu starts off with a bang and never lets up. At times, it can get a little confusing because there are so many characters to follow. Each chapter is broken down into different parts going back and forth between the different characters. The Zulu team is comprised of six women, plus their handlers and their leader. Throw in a few extra characters here and there and that is a lot to keep up with. All that being said, Kendig did an excellent job differentiating between characters and what was going on with each individual. Since this book started as a kindle special broken into parts, it might have been a little easier to follow. However, I prefer the full thing all at once. Kind of like getting a full television season in one sitting. There are lots of military thrillers out there, but what sets this apart is the female leads. Kendig does an outstanding job of showcasing each operative’s talent and giving her a unique place in the group. I don’t know if there is more planned for Zulu, but I sure hope so. I highly recommend this book for all ages YA and up.

I received a complimentary copy of this of book from the author in exchange for a complete and honest review. The opinions and views expressed in this review are my own.

[AlegnaB † · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, even though thoughout the "season" it had the ridiculous scenario of tough women often triumphing over muscular men trained in fighting and even though I don't believe that women should be in combat. Women being as tough and as strong as a man is typical of romantic suspense, though, and I just reminded myself that since it's fiction, it can include that fantasy in order to have a suspenseful, action-packed story. This story was full of action and was very suspenseful, and there were lots of twists and turns. There were far too many sentence fragments. It reminded me of Lynette Eason's books, although the grammar wasn't quite as bad. As to the way the story wrapped up, I was disappointed in the choice that Annie made since I was rooting for the other man, although I liked the other man a lot, too.. If the author writes a second season, I'll probably get it if I can get it at a good price.

This series is categorized as Christian fiction, but there was hardly a word about God and only one mention of Jesus (and not in a salvation context). None of the characters were Christlike. I didn't like the incomplete curses that were included. There were a lot of mentions of characters cursing (not dialogue), which I was okay with since it made it more realistic. However, I didn't like the incomplete curses in dialogue, because my mind finished them since I was familiar with them, as I'm sure would happen with almost everyone who reads the stories. Books classified as Christian fiction should not include that.

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An INCREDIBLE series!! OPERATION ZULU REDEMPTION was fast-paced, seat-of-you-pants fiction at its best. I read the 5 installment series (I didn’t realize I could buy it as one book) in a week’s time. Granted, I had the time on my hands because my family and I had been evacuated due to the Rough Fire in California, but it served as a great distraction while my everyday life was put on hold.

Zulu is an all-female special ops team that was set up for failure. The entire series/book is the women of Zulu and their handlers trying to set the record straight. To the world and their family they are dead, but in fact, they have been given new identities and have tried to live simple lives while struggling with the memories of the tragedy that befell them. Though incredibly strong women, they struggle emotionally at the devastation that happened at their hands. Unfortunately, assassins have found out their current identities and are trying to pick them off one-by-one. The clock is running, and there are only so many people the team can turn to for help.

I can’t use enough adjectives to describe this series. Ms. Kendig is exceptional at penning intricate stories full of intrigue, with threads of romance. Her characters are so well fleshed out, you feel their emotional struggle, and want to take up their fight for them.

AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!!!

I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT!!

[David Zimmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Operation Zulu starts with a roar, bogs down in the middle, and ends with a flourish that is more style than substance. I had to push myself to finish it, which is disappointing, because I have found most Kendig novels better written.

I think the original release format may be partly to blame - issuing the story in short novellas instead of as a single volume. I suspect if the author had stuck to the traditional format, the book would have been significantly shorter, less susceptible to meaningless rabbit trails. Another shortcoming in the story is an apparent attempt to make the lead female characters - all of them trained to be an elite special ops team - appear more feminine, which often meant just making them out to be weaker than their male counterparts. They were prone to "whimpering" (an overworked term) and the struggle to hold back tears. I am not addressing the moral or biblical concept of women in this kind of role, just the manner in which the author portrayed her characters.

This is definitely a one-time read for me, and one I could easily have skipped, although there are a couple of this author's books that I may read again at some point in the future.

[Lis K · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an action-packed read! The story had a lot of twists, turns, and unknowns. It’s one of those books where you just have to know what happens next. I had bought all of the Kindle serial ebooks when they came out but I love this paperback version. Initially, there are a lot of names to remember (the team members as well as their aliases) so I liked that I could flip back and forth to the character list. There was a love triangle--which I am not a fan of---but I thought it was done well. Even though I didn’t like the couple that ended up together, I could see the reasons for it. Although the major storyline is resolved, I felt that minor storylines weren’t so I wonder whether there will be a season 2 for this series? I hope so. I would have liked some more spiritual content in the story but otherwise, I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend this book for readers who love military thrillers.

[Kimmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take a deep breath because this serial novel is adrenaline on paper sure to leave you holding it until the very last page! Its non-stop action will have readers riveted and craving the next twist, turn, or fight. Prepare for an all-nighter because this all-consuming thrill ride will command your undivided attention to the end!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so action packed. I enjoyed this series. There were a few small things that I wasn't sure added up for me but otherwise this was the usual great story that I count on from her. Also know that this is the complete set of novellas and you don't have to buy the others.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read portions of this before, but it was great to finally get it all together and read the entire thing. It is a great treatment of an all-female group of military specialists. They face difficult challenges in various countries. Great story!

[Necee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action-packed, riveting military suspense with an amazing team of female operatives. Romance kicks in with some leading males roles, too. Travel around the world makes it a great adventure mystery. I LOVED THIS SEASON and hope for more to the story! 5 stars...Ronie always delivers!

[Amanda Geaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when it came out in serialized form the summer of 2014. I'm very excited that readers can now order it in paperback. Ronie Kendig writes awesome action packed novels.

Review at ChristianShelfEsteem.wordpress.com

[Alethea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it!

[Becki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but it left me wondering if there will be a " Season 2" since I feel like some of the story lines were left hanging. I also wish each character had their own story. You were inside the mind of about 6 different people but it was well done. I never once was confused as to who was speaking but I don't think it allowed as much depth to the characters as you would like.