Ronie Kendig, September Releases, and Free Books!

A former Green Beret and his military war dog, on the most dangerous mission of their lives—and it might be their last!

Before we revisit with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of Kathryn Cushman's novel, Almost Amish, is:

lgm52@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll email you today to get your mailing 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 with novelist Ronie Kendig, author of Trinity: Military War Dog (Barbour, September 2012).

Christy Award winning author Ronie Kendig grew up an Army brat, married a veteran, and they now have four children and a Golden Retriever. She has a BS in Psychology, speaks to various groups, volunteers with the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and mentors new writers.

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

-- I’m not a chocolate lover the way many people are. I do, however, like bits of chocolate in muffins, pastries, etc. But my real weakness comes in the form of pastries.

-- I am a huge Audrey Hepburn fan.

-- I think because of British-born Grandmother’s love for it, I absolutely love lavender—the plants, candles, oils, anything!

-- I have been married longer than I haven’t. ☺ I got married at 19 and never looked back!

-- I love carrots, but not if they’re cooked! Same with bell peppers.

I'm with you on the pastry weakness, Ronie! And how funny you would mention Audrey Hepburn. I'm styling my current heroine's looks very strongly on Audrey Hepburn. She was such a unique, strong, yet delicately beautiful woman. 

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Trinity: A Military War Dog.

Two years ago, an ambush high in the Afghan mountains shattered Green Beret Heath Daniels’s career and his faith. Saved by his military war dog—a beautiful Belgian Malinois named Trinity—Heath and the dog are forced into retirement. But suffering the side effects of traumatic brain injury, Heath feels lost without his military identity; now that he can no longer serve his country, he has no sense of self-worth. . .until he becomes involved with a facility to train and equip canines and their handlers for rigorous, dangerous service work.

Thousands of miles away in Afghanistan, military intelligence officer Darci Kintz is secretly tracking the Taliban in the beautiful but brutal Hindu Kush. A shocking discovery leaves her team dead and Darcy a captive. Now only a team with mountain-tracking experience—like Heath and Trinity—can save her. But can Heath overcome his disability in these treacherous wartime conditions? And is he really willing to risk the life of the loyal animal that saved his own?

Wow, that sounds so exciting, Ronie. I can't imagine taking on stories like that!

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

Heath “Ghost” Daniels is an ordinary guy in extraordinary circumstances. What resonates with me about him is that he wants to do right, he wants to serve God, but every attempt seems to be thwarted. Since I lived that and watched something very similar happen to my husband, it proved very cathartic to write Heath that way, and I believe every reader can relate to broken dreams in some way.

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

I would probably cast Josh Duhamel as Heath




and Maggie Q as Darci Kintz.




All of our heroes and heroines should have dramatic backlighting, don't you think?

Speaking of films, which novel would you like to see brought to film?

I would really like to see Trinity or any of the Discarded Heroes novels put to film because I think they have strong messages of support and awareness for our military heroes.

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

Last week, I finished Glenn Meade’s The Romanov Conspiracy and would absolutely recommend it. I fell in love with the characters because the Romanov tragedy is a story from history that enthralls me. Meade did a fantastic job incorporating both historical and contemporary elements, as well as a heaping dose of (realistic) conspiracy theory.

What are you working on now?

Right now, I’m finishing up the last A Breed Apart novel, Beowulf: Explosives Detection Dog, and I’m have a blast (pun completely intended!) with Beowulf and his handler, Timbrel Hogan.

Where else can readers find you online?

I love connecting with readers. Here’s where I can be found:

www.roniekendig.com
www.roniekendig.com/blog
www.twitter.com/roniekendig
www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction
www.goodreads.com/roniekendig

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?

Military working dogs (MWDs) have been in the news a lot lately. What is your favorite dog story (not necessarily a book, but a real story you have heard or experienced) or MWD tail, er, tale?

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, September 10. 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 interview with Mary Ellis, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a copy of the book.

And see my post about cell phones. Leave me a comment if you'd like me to email you an invitation to hear more about this exciting new opportunity.

Finally, 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.


Before you answer Ronie's question, readers, take a look at some of the other excellent Inspirational fiction releasing this month!

Love Reunited by Renee Andrews -- A soldier returns home to find the love of his life is single again, but he also learns that she's blind...and that his confession of love may have cost her a marriage and her sight. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired).

Avenir Eclectia, Volume 1 by Grace Bridges, Pauline Creeden, Kat Heckenbach, Keven Newsome, H.A. Titus, Fred Warren and more -- A human colony in the constellation of the Whale struggles to survive on an aging orbital station peopled with bureaucrats, wizards, beggars and cyborgs, and a violently unstable planet overrun with giant bugs and telepathic sea creatures. (Speculative Fiction from Splashdown Books).

Christmas Roses by Amanda Cabot -- Can an itinerant carpenter searching for his father and a young widow who seeks only her daughter's well-being find happiness in a small Wyoming mining town in the fall of 1882? (Historical Romance from Revell).

To Write a Wrong by Robin Caroll -- In Angola State Penitentiary, a man is serving time for a crime he didn't commit. Riley Baxter is an eager reporter desperate for a story to make a name for herself. When she stumbles upon the daughter of the incarcerated man, Riley sees a little too much of herself in the teen, and vows to help prove her father's innocence. At the same time, Hayden Simpson has his hands full with keeping his little sister in line, worrying about his job as Police Commissioner, and dealing with his past emotional baggage. The last thing he needs is someone blowing the lid off his emotional bucket. (Romantic Suspense from B & H Publishing).

Material Witness (A Shipshewana Amish Mystery) by Vannetta Chapman -- Masked identities, antique quilts with hidden messages, an Amish boy whose handicap makes him stronger, one brave dog, and a possible hidden treasure. This time it's nonstop action, danger, and a dash of romance. (Cozy Mystery from Zondervan).

A Mom's New Start by Margaret Daley -- Single mom, Maggie Sommerfield, is having trouble with her son and turns to Cody Weston, a counselor, but although he brings comfort and support to her, he has a few secrets of his own. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired).

A Cascade Christmas by Mary Davis, Mildred Colvin, Debby Lee, and Gina Welborn -- While Artisan Sela Fox runs her gift shop, she creates rare and beautiful guitars from redwood burl just as her husband had until his death. When land developer Evan Black shows up on her doorstep, using his humor and good looks to try and persuade her to sell the small slice of heaven she owns, she refuses to give up the only reminder she has left of her husband. But Evan is even more stubborn than the lovely Sela, and he has plans of his own. When he shares his talent for classical guitar using one of Sela's creations, he'd not intended to woo her, but she responds to his serenade. (Romance Novella from Barbour).

Mother of Pearl by Kellie Coates Gilbert -- The football coach went too far with her daughter . . . now this mother will risk everything she holds dear to bring him to justice. (General Contemporary from Abingdon Press).

The Road to Mercy by Kathy Harris -- Josh Harrison, a contemporary Christian singer, and his wife Bethany face a difficult decision that also tests their faith. A rupture in Beth's carotid artery leaves her on the brink of death even as she's pregnant with their first child. While Dr. Ben Abrams urges her to terminate the pregnancy to save her own life, she and Josh step out on faith and decide to carry the baby to full term. During the next few months, Josh struggles with his faith, Beth hides a secret that may destroy their marriage. She also discovers a decades-old connection to Dr. Abrams that could change his life forever. (General Contemporary from Abingdon Press).

Seeking Unseen by Kat Heckenbach -- It may be Angel's wish...but it's Melinda's journey. Angel's foster brother Zack needs help, but on the way she runs into her old friend Melinda, who demands to go along for the return to Toch Island. Melinda is more of an outsider than ever. A secret world surrounds her where even the bugs have magic. So when ex-con Doran Ashe offers her powers of her own, Melinda follows him despite - or maybe because of - everyone's warnings. (Speculative Contemporary Fantasy from Splashdown Books).

Healing Love by Laura V. Hilton -- What happens when an Amish midwife falls in love with an Englisch vet? (Contemporary Romance from Whitaker House).

Survive the Night by Vicki Hinze -- Veteran and now Private Investigator Della Jackson is mourning the loss of her child and subsequent breakup of her marriage and now a stalker is determined to kill her, but she teams up with Paul Mason, the head of Florida Vet Net, to reclaim her life and discovers redemption and forgiveness and finally love. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired).

Cedar Creek Seasons by Eileen Key, Becky Melby, Rachael Phillips, and Cynthia Ruchti -- Romantic in every season of the calendar, charming, touristy Cedarburg, Wisconsin, with its last standing original Wisconsin covered bridge, works its magic on everyone. . .From a driven young twenty-something to a recently retired woman, each finds love when she least expects it. (Romance Novella from Barbour).

Sandwich, with a Side of Romance by Krista Phillips -- She moved to Sandwich, Illinois, in search of a new life, but ended up in a giant pickle. (General Contemporary from Abingdon Press).

Stealing Hearts by Amber Stockton -- Grace Baxton struggles to forgive a thief who took precious family heirlooms, yet threatens to steal her heart. (Contemporary Romance from Barbour).

With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin -- World War II flight nurse Lt. Mellie Blake begins an anonymous correspondence with Army engineer Lt. Tom MacGilliver - when they're both transferred to North Africa, will their future be held hostage by the past, or will they reveal their identities? (Historical Romance from Revell).

The Reunion by Dan Walsh -- The Reunion is an emotionally charged story about a forgotten war hero who discovers that the love he lost can be restored. (General Contemporary from Revell).

The Shadow on the Quilt by Stephanie Grace Whitson -- Juliana Sutton's life looks perfect-from the outside. Until her husband's untimely death reveals a devastating truth. (Contemporary Romance from Barbour).

Happy reading!