Ronie Kendig is here with a giveaway!
10 January 2011
Invaluable skills came with bloody faces and dead objectives that left Colton Neeley wishing he could rub his eyes raw.
That’s the opening line to Ronie Kendig’s latest release, Digitalis.
Step into the boots of a former Marine in this heart-pounding adventure in life and love. Colton “Cowboy” Neeley is a Marine trying to find his footing as he battles flashbacks now that he’s back home. Piper Blum is a woman in hiding—from life and the assassins bent on destroying her family. When their hearts collide, more than their lives is at stake. Will Colton find a way to forgive Piper’s lies? Can Piper find a way to rescue her father, trapped in Israel? Is there any way their love, founded on her lies, can survive?
I’m so excited about featuring Ronie! Ronie and I both belong to ACFW, and it’s been amazing to watch her career blossom. Digitalis is her third release, and the second book in her Discarded Heroes series.
Ronie Kendig grew up an Army brat, married a veteran, and they now have four children, a Golden Retriever, and a Maltese Menace. She uses her degree in psychology to deepen her characters and talk herself out of writing blues. Besides her twenty-year marriage and four kids, one of her greatest accomplishments is the publication of her books: Dead Reckoning, a spy thriller, and the Discarded Heroes 4-book series, which include Nightshade and Digitalis. When she’s not deep in her writer’s cave or lost in her character’s adventures, Ronie can be found at her webiste (www.roniekendig.com, www.discardedheroes.com) or on many social media outlets like Twitter (roniekendig) and Facebook (ronie.kendig)
And Ronie didn’t mention this to me, but I saw on her site that the TV/movie rights to NIGHTSHADE have been optioned. Super exciting stuff.
So obviously Ronie is an excellent author to answer our question for January, which is What’s one goal you would suggest for someone who’s hoping to get published? Ronie says: To me, the most valuable goal is to be consistent in writing. Write every day—whether it’s 100 words, 1,000,or 10,000. Be consistent to exercise your gift every day, to honor the God who gave you that gift.
Ronie is offering a copy of Digitalis to one lucky commenter. To be entered, you may either ask Ronie a question or answer one yourself: Who is a military hero of yours? (US residents only. Contest closes Sunday, January 16th at 11:59pm)
I have four cousins who serve in the military, one of whom was shot in the leg in Iraq. Also one of my writing friends, Ralene, is a military wife. Knowing her has opened my eyes to the sacrifices of the spouses. I’m thankful for the way she serves our country, as well as her husband.
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Comments
Ronie, I was very moved about the missionary story in the book “Nightshade”. Do you have any plans to create an “after” story about this character? I don’t want to say too much in case others haven’t read the first book.
Posted by Sylvia M. on 10 January 2011
Please enter me! :) I have a question for Ronnie. Ronnie, who is your favorite author?
Posted by Emily on 10 January 2011
Thanks for entering y’all! I love hearing your stories of heroes.
Sylvia — At this time, no there isn’t a plan to explore that, but you’re absolutely right—he’d be a great hero for a new story. Thanks for that nugget of an idea! :-D
My favorite author…hoo-boy. Is this a trick question? I think it depends on genre if you’re looking for something contemporary. Jim Rubart writes AMAZING supernatural suspense. Robert Liparulo is an awesome thriller writer. Susan May Warren does fantastic romantic suspense. Kathy Tyers & Karen Hancock write amazing speculative. Overall, all-time favorite author is a tie between CS Lewis or JRR Tolkien. :-D
Posted by RonieK on 10 January 2011
My favorite military hero is my husband. Then would come our fathers- then our grandfathers. We have a long history of military service in both our families. I was even in the Army – though not for long. I served for six years before I decided to dedicate my time to raising a family instead.
Posted by Lee Smith on 10 January 2011
I’ve read great things about this author and then Carman sent me here from her book giveaway site. Fun! Please enter me in this giveaway . . . reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com
I have several military heroes. Richard Winters, the quintessential leader from Band of Brothers fame, who lived such an understated, clean-cut life that his men thought he was a Quaker. And my former students who now live out the bravery and courage they once only read about in our English class. May God bless and keep them!
Posted by Renee Ann on 10 January 2011
Thanks for the opportunity to enter. I found you through Carman’s site. Since you are asking us about our military heroes (does Lincoln count as he was Comm in Chief? He inspires me), I’d like to ask Ronie the question.
Ronie, it is obvious that your family ties to the military inspire you, but is there a military hero from history that you also find yourself reflecting upon as you create your protagonists?
Posted by dunlizzie on 11 January 2011
I already have a copy of this book, but would like to win Digitalis for my sister. Ronie is a great author and I loved both of her books!
I do not have a favorite military hero, but one of mine is Oliver North. I have read many good books on him. Another would be Jeff Strueker. Thanks!
Posted by Charity L. on 11 January 2011
I love the titles in this series! I can’t wait to read them! :) Please enter me.
Ronie, what made you decide to write in this genre rather than another?
Posted by Carman Boley on 11 January 2011
i tip my hat to all who serve in the milatary.
thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel.
Posted by karenk on 11 January 2011
How do you feel when someone you grew up with decides to join the army?
Does it make you proud, or scared?
Posted by Ariana Root on 11 January 2011
Yes, God bless our heroes!! AMEN!!!
Dunlizzie—I don’t really think I reflect on other heroes very often while I’m writing, but there are times a character might have a hero in say, Patton. That’s when those real-life military heroes infect my thoughts. And I am constantly reading—one of my favorite series is Oliver North’s American Heroes. Those heroes inspire me, because they are there, living & breathing it right now.
Carman, this genre came naturally to me. I love action, and I’m a military brat. I feel a little constrained when I can’t write the action/adventure and heroic stuff.
Posted by RonieK on 11 January 2011
Btw on the blog I posted, on growing up with someone and then they join the army,(actually the marines, which is even more scarier to me.) I wanted to be entered. :) thanks.
Posted by Ariana Root on 11 January 2011
My military hero is General Robinson Risner. He was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam war and was the one responsible for creating a code for our POWs to communicate while in solitary confinement. The terrible things he went through is absolutely unbearable. I wore his POW bracelet all during the war and was able to communicate with him about eleven years ago. He sent me an autographed copy of his book. He was a Lt. Colonel during the war but earned the rank of General by the time he retired.
I would love to win a copy of Digitalis. Thank you for the chance.
Blessings,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
Posted by Cindy Woolard on 11 January 2011
My military heores are those who lost their lives protecting our country.
Posted by Karen on 11 January 2011
Would love to read this book, thanks for the giveaway offer! I am thankful to every soldier and person serving… I think it is such a huge sacrifice. I think very highly of those who serve and the families that support them. Thank you for what you do to protect America!
Posted by Kelli on 11 January 2011
My first favorite military hero is my Dad, who served throughout World War II. I am so proud of him for that. My third son is my next hero. He stayed in the military and went to Iraq for a year even though he knew that he had kidney failure. My second son served a year in Kuwait at great personal cost to himself, and of course there is my husband, who was in the Navy for 22 years.
Posted by Susan Manchester on 12 January 2011
My military hero? That would be my Dad! He’s been in since he was 18 – that’s 16 years of service. He has been through so much selflessly worked hard. Now doing his dream – flying helicopters – my dad has inspired me and proven that with hard work and an acceptance of God’s will that one can reach their dreams. :-)
This book looks amazing! Please enter me!
Kait
momiswayweird(at)gmail(dot)com
Posted by Kait on 13 January 2011
Here’s my question: How did you make your characters so real and lovable? When I read Nightshade, it had been a long time since I so badly wanted the hero to win. I loved Max! And Colton. Which places Digitalis toward the top of my “to be read” list.
Posted by Rebekah on 14 January 2011
Ariana – I believe those who enlist have a warrior’s heart, a calling, so to speak. So, I do not “fear” for them, but rather pray for them, and yes, I’m very proud of them knowing the risk and dangers they may face.
Rebekah – Thanks for the compliment! I think the key to making characters real is to show them broken. After all, most people aren’t perfect (ahem), so we can’t relate to perfect characters. Those are broken and flawed are those we can identify with. And I think writing both frailities and strengths in our characters, showing their anger but their pains, helps us root for them. Just like we root for those we love who are still growing/maturing in the Lord and in life.
Posted by RonieK on 15 January 2011
My military hero is my grandpa. He served in the Army and the Navy during WWII.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Carman sent me.
meredithfl at gmail dot com
Posted by Meredith Miller on 16 January 2011
Our winner is Sylvia. Congratulations!
Posted by Stephanie Morrill on 18 January 2011
My military hero? He’s been dead for years, but it would have to be Thomas Jackson – or better known as, Stonewall Jackson!! :-)
Thanks for the chance to win!
Katy
Posted by Katie M on 10 January 2011