Ronie Kendig and Free Books!

Blown and dismantled, Nightshade is ready to repay the favor.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Death in Dahlonega, by Deborah Malone, is:

kalea_kane@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways!

Now let's revisit novelist Ronie Kendig, author of Firethorn (Barbour, January 2012). Please tell us five random things we might not know about you, Ronie.


--I am an extremely non-confrontational person, but if I see someone getting bullied or made fun of, the stops come out!

--I love Audrey Hepburn and collected memorabilia with her likeness.

--In middle school, I wanted to be a pastry chef when I grew up—and now, I’m taking cake decorating classes.

--I prefer cats over dogs, yet I have three dogs and no cats.

--Though I love new things and inventions, I am a traditionalist in just about every sense of the word.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Firethorn.

Former Marine and current Nightshade team member Griffin Riddell is comfortable. So comfortable he never sees the set up that lands him in a maximum security prison, charged with murder. How will he ever prove his innocence stuck behind iron bars?

Covert operative Kazi Faron is tasked with reassembling Nightshade—the black ops team someone dissected. Breaking Griffin out of a federal penitentiary amid explosive confusion may turn out to be her last assignment. What will it take to convince the fugitive that whoever set him up has also dissected the Nightshade team?

As Kazi and Griffin race to rescue the others and discover the traitor, love begins to awaken in their hearts. Can a covert operative and the felon she’s freed overcome their mutual distrust long enough to save Nightshade? Will anything prepare them for who—or what is coming?

I’d like to share Don Brown’s endorsement of Firethorn: With a masterful literary ouch, Ronie Kendig has penned my kind of novel, a sweeping black-ops thriller with edge-of-your-seat action from all over the globe! I just love this book, featuring multiple global settings swirling around a common, exciting storyline. I don’t want to give away too much, but Ronie does a great job of offering flawless, action-packed scene changes, from a federal penitentiary in America, to the West Bank of the Jordan, to Cyprus, and from there Uganda, and from there London, Paris, Virginia, Venezuela, Grenwich Village, or on a Coast Guard Cutter near Puerto Rico, all of which makes a master-novel with superb and flawless integration of global scenery, nonstop action, and fascinating characters.

This type of thriller is hard to write, but if you can pull it off, you’ve got a potential blockbuster on your hands! Ronie Kendig had done just that. FIRETHORN has many moving parts that synchronize together with the beautiful precision of an expensive Rolex watch!

It’s my honor to endorse Ronie Kendig’s riveting novel, FIRETHORN, with my highest recommendation.

Wow! Quite an endorsement! What is it about your lead characters that will make your readers care about them?

Griffin is a “silent giant” through much of the Discarded Heroes. He has a strength about him that is undeniable, and he’s so compelled by his sense of honor and doing what is right, that he has trouble being spontaneous.

Then there’s his polar opposite, Kazi/Kacie, who is spontaneous and spunky. The two really have sparks flying from the minute she drags him into an escape from a federal penitentiary.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

While writing Firethorn, I used the image of Terry Crews for most of the story—that is, until my publisher’s design house chose a man named “Kunta” for the model. That man is so perfectly representative of Legend, who is quiet but firm, mysterious, and enigmatic.

For Kazi, Elisha Cuthbert.


Complete this sentence: If I had known 20 years ago what I know today, I would have…

...treasured each day a little more, especially the time with my mother who died in 1996.

Oh, that's heartbreaking, Ronie. I would imagine one would always feel she could have spent more time with her mom.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak because it’s a brilliant rendering of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, written in such an original and masterful way that it both inspired me to write better and more beautifully, but it poked my conscience about how easily tragedies like that are forgotten. Despite the sometimes-rough language and the raw nature of the story, I intend to have my children read the book as well.

I loved that book. A beautiful story, and so creatively done. What are you working on now?

I am working on the two suspense novellas for the Denali Dreams anthology that I’m doing with Kimberley Woodhouse. They are lighthearted fun with a dash of suspense. In addition to that, I’m researching to write Talon: Combat Tracking Team, the second book in my military war dog series

Where else can readers find you online?

Readers can find me online at my website (www.roniekendig.com), Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction), Twitter (@roniekendig), and GoodReads.

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase through these buttons:




CBD.com





Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

I love hearing about heroes, both military and nonmilitary, but this time, I’d like to know which military hero from history is your favorite (George Washington, Patton, etc.).

Thank you, Ronie, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Ronie has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, January 30. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Ronie's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my post about current free Christian novel downloads, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

And I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.

Free Christian Novels for Kindle Readers!

Today, readers, I wanted to bring to your attention a few fine inspirational novels that are currently free on Kindle.

But first, I need to announce that the winner of the drawing for the signed copy of Winter Promise, by Martha Rogers, is:

wrensthoughts@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you for your snail mail address, and we'll get your books to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways!

Now let's take a look at a few novels that you should rush to download right away. I've learned that these free downloads are often available for a very short time, so if you're interested in any of these Christian novels, click on the pink links to go directly to the appropriate Amazon page. (Even if you don't have a Kindle, Amazon provides a free download of the Kindle reader for your computer, smart phone, or iPad.)

While I've read and can recommend Fools Rush In and Stuck in the Middle, I haven't read any of the others. But these writers are confident you'll like their writing enough that these free books will spur you on to buying other books they've written. You have nothing to lose, do you?!


Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson,









Daughter of Joy by Kathleen Morgan,









Love Me If You Must by Nicole Young,









Stuck in the Middle by Virginia Smith,








Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart,









Hide in Plain Sight by Marta Perry,









Relentless by Robin Parrish,









A Very Special Delivery by Linda Goodnight,








Invisible by Lorena McCourtney,









and Ruby by Lauraine Snelling.






Happy reading!

Be sure to check out my interview with Deborah Malone, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

And I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.

Deborah Malone and Free Books!

An adventure with your friend should never include – murder and mayhem.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Replication, by Jill Williamson, is:

tiff@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your books to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways!

Now let's meet novelist Deborah Malone, author of Death in Dahlonega (Lamp Post Publishing, October 2011).

Deborah Malone has worked as a freelance writer and photographer, since 2001, for the historic magazine, Georgia Backroads. She has had many articles and photographs published during this time. Her writing is featured in Tales of the Rails, edited by Olin Jackson. She has also had a showing of her photographs at Floyd Medical Center Art Gallery as well as winning several awards.

As current member of American Christian Fiction Writers she has established a blog where she reviews Christian Fiction. She is also a member of Georgia Writers Association. Death in Dahlonega is Deborah’s debut novel.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I am over 50.

--I have two daughters.

--I am an amateur photographer.

--I have Fibromyalgia.

--I am a Southerner.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Death in Dahlonega.

Trixie Montgomery has gone through a rough divorce. She has moved back to her home town of Vans Valley, Georgia where she lives next door to her mother and great-aunt Nana. Trixie has to go to work to supplement her income. She writes for “Georgia by the Way” a historical magazine. Her best friend Dee Dee accompanies her on a trip to Dahlonega, Georgia where Trixie is writing an article about Gold Rush Days – an arts and crafts festival.

They are watching a film on the actual gold rush days when Dee Dee excuses herself to go tinkle. While she’s gone she decides to snoop around and she stumbles upon a dead body.

Not thinking she automatically pulls out the pickaxe and is found holding the bloody murder weapon. The victim, John Tatum, happens to be a man that Dee Dee had a run in with earlier that day. She rises to the top of the suspects list and when the town sheriff doesn’t seem to be looking for anyone else, Trixie decides to help her best friend.

Together they must find the real killer to keep Dee Dee out of the slammer!

What is it about Trixie that will make your readers care about her?

Trixie is a woman that many can relate to. She’s been through some tough times and now she is starting over in her 40’s. She sees that her best friend has a faith that she longs to have and strives to reach that goal. We all go trough hard times, but we keep going knowing better days are ahead.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

This is a hard one! Maybe Sandra Bullock for Trixie.



And Michael Westen from Burn Notice to play Beau, Trixie’s friend/boyfriend.



Complete this sentence: If I had known 20 years ago what I know today, I would have …

I could probably think of a lot of things, but life doesn’t work that way. So I’m going to choose something that pertains to my writing. I would have studied English/Writing in college. I graduated with a degree in Human Services.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?

I could recommend a lot of good books that I’ve read, but the last one I’ve read would be The Oak Leaves, by Maureen Lang. I loved the way it was written. It is contemporary but is mixed with historical. As a writer I know this can be difficult to do and Maureen pulls it off beautifully.

What are you working on now?

I’ve finished the second book (Murder in Marietta) in the Trixie Montgomery series and I’m working on the third one (Terror on Tybee Island).

Where else can readers find you online?

www.deborah-malone.com
www.deborahsbutterflyjourney.blogspot.com

The book is available at fine bookstores and for online purchase via the following buttons:



Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Do you know what a cozy mystery is and have you read any?

Thank you, Deborah, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Deborah has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, January 23. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Deborah's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Martha Rogers, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

And I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.

Martha Rogers and Free Books!

Abigail Monroe arrives in town and the only thing on her mind is opening a library, but a moody young doctor and a heroic deputy sheriff have other ideas.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of any four of my novels is:

igottawrite@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your books to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways!

Now let's revisit novelist Martha Rogers, author of Winter Promise.

Martha Rogers is a free-lance writer and the author of the Winds Across the Prairie series as well as the novella, Key to Her Heart in River Walk Christmas. Summer Dream and Autumn Song, the first two books in her new series, Seasons of the Heart are now available. She was named Writer of the Year at the Texas Christian Writers Conference in 2009 and writes a weekly devotional for ACFW.

Martha and her husband live in Houston. In addition to her works of fiction, Martha has stories in a number of compilations as well as devotional contributions to several anthologies and writes the weekly Verse of the Week for the ACFW Loop. She is a retired teacher and lives in Houston with her husband, Rex where they enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and attending football, baseball, and basketball games when one of them is playing

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--Well, I was quite the prankster my first two years of college at Baylor University, and that followed me into adult life in working with the youth of our church and the Student Council in high schools where I taught.

--I was a Home Economics teacher of Home and Family Living, Child Development and Home Management before I began teaching English.

--After I earned my MEd, I began teaching English at a private Christian high school and then at the college level.

--I’m still a kid at heart and love going to Disney World and circuses and carnivals.

--I’ve lived in the same house for 36 years and have attended the same church for 53 years.

Tell us more about Winter Promise, Martha.

Single, educated, and looking for a new start, Abigail Monroe decides to join her brother and his wife in Porterfield, Texas. Near her twenty-fifth birthday and without a suitor, she fears she will become a spinster if she stays in Briar Ridge, Connecticut.

A sprained ankle sends Abigail to the new doctor in town, Elliot Jensen. He is smitten, but tragedy in his past has left him bitter, guilt ridden, and afraid to fall in love again.

When the town’s deputy sheriff rescues Abigail after a robbery, Elliot’s feelings for her grow stronger. He is jealous of the attention Abigail is getting, but he fears he can’t compete with the handsome deputy sheriff and his heroic deeds.

Has he waited too long to share his feelings for her? Or will Christmas bring them both the gift they seek?

Set in the late 1800s, the Seasons of the Heart series follows the lives of four women and their families, weaving together their stories of faith, life, and love as they bond in friendship only God could orchestrate.

What is it about your lead character that will make your readers care about him?

As the readers come to know the young doctor and the tragic event in his past, they empathize with him and want him to come to terms with it and believe God has greater plans for him.

Complete this sentence: If I had known 20 years ago what I know today, I would have …

I would not have been so discouraged and disappointed when my contract was not renewed at the private school where I taught. I wasted a year on resentment, anger, frustration, and grief.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?

The last four or five books were Christmas ones. My favorite of them was Love Finds You on Christmas Morning. Yes, you are one of the authors, but I loved the two stories because they took me back to a time of good memories and reminded me why I loved my grandparents so much.

Aw, that's very sweet of you, Martha. I'm so glad the book impacted you that way. What are you working on now?

I’m working on a Christmas book for next year, Christmas at Holly Hill.

Exciting! Where else can readers find you online?

www.marthawrogers.com

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:




CBD.com


Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

In my book, Elliot has trouble dealing with a tragedy in his past and it pulls him away from God and his faith. He has trouble now trusting God and fears caring for Abigail because she too may be taken from him. As a Christian, how would you help someone cope with a tragedy in their lives and help them maintain their faith in God?

Thank you, Martha, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Martha has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, January 16. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Martha's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Jill Williamson, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

And I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.

Jill Williamson and Free Books!

A girl discovers her biologist father is covering up multiple secrets—all of which are named Jason.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of any four of my novels is:

margie@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address and to find out which four books you want. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways!

Now let's revisit novelist Jill Williamson, author of Replication: The Jason Experiment (Zondervan, December 2011).

Jill Williamson is a novelist, dreamer, and believer. Growing up in Alaska led to a love of books, and in 2010 her first novel, By Darkness Hid, won the Christy Award. She loves working with teenagers and gives writing workshops at libraries, schools, camps, and churches.

Jill lives in Oregon with her husband and two children.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I love those chocolate oranges they sell at Christmastime.

--I have three wedding dresses in my closet and made all three.

--I found one of my Christmas presents hidden behind the toolbox.

--The Christmas present was a box of chocolates—score!

--And my superhero identity is the Randomizer.

Oh, my goodness, those chocolate oranges are the best. I made my sister's wedding gown. And I spilled spaghetti sauce on it while I was making it. Yes, I was that stupid.

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Replication.

Abby Goyer is forced to move to rural Alaska when her father unexpectedly takes a job in a remote laboratory called Jason Farms. Suspicious of her father’s decisions, she investigates and finds more than what she was looking for when a strange boy shows up at her door.

Martyr, one of fifty-five identical clones, escaped from the underground lab at the farm with one wish: to see the sky before he fulfills his purpose and “expires” on his eighteenth birthday.

Abby tries to help Martyr see that God has a purpose for his life, one that is different from the one the scientists originally planned for him.

What a fantastic premise, Jill. I love it!

What is it about Martyr that will make your readers care about him?

Martyr is unique. His questions about basic things... the sky, colors... and the deeper things... God, love, and marriage... It will make you think about how many of us take such blessings for granted. Martyr’s selflessness is also quite endearing.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

Well, I know it isn’t likely, but I’d vote for my book trailer actors. They did a great job helping me out. So if I had my way, Ashton Stark



and Gillian Adams could get their shot at an acting career.



Complete this sentence: If I had known 20 years ago what I know today, I would have …

Found a way to attend a youth group regularly.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?

Melanie Dickerson’s The Merchant's Daughter. It’s a fun, clean fairytale romance for teens that adult readers will also enjoy.

What are you working on now?

Right now I’m working on a two-book series that’s scheduled to release in 2013. The first, tentatively called Thirst, is an apocalyptic story, and the sequel is called Captives, and it’s the dystopian future result of that first book.

Where else can readers find you online?

www.jillwilliamson.com

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:




CBD.com


Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

What is one of your dreams or life goals? Have you achieved it? If so, when? If not, are you still working on it?

Thank you, Jill, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Jill has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Monday, January 16. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Jill's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Be sure to check out my interview with Cara Putman, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

And I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.