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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

CFBA Blog Tour -- Ronie Kendig and Dead Reckoning

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Dead Reckoning
Abingdon Press - (March 1, 2010)
by Ronie Kendig


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

RONIE KENDIG has been married since 1990 to a man who can easily be defined in classic terms as a hero. She has four beautiful children. Her eldest daughter is 16 this year, her second daughter will be 13, and her twin boys are 10. After having four children, she finally finished her degree in December 2006. She now has a B.S. in Psychology through Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Getting her degree is a huge triumph for both her and her family--they survived!

This degree has also given her a fabulous perspective on her characters
and how to not only make them deeper, stronger, but to make them realistic and know how they'll respond to each situation. Her debut novel, Dead Reckoning released March 2010 from Abingdon Press. And her Discarded Heroes series begins in July from Barbour with the first book entitled Nightshade.

DEAD RECKONING
by Ronie Kendig
Published by Abingdon Press

ABOUT THE BOOK

Underwater archeologist Shiloh Blake is consumed with passion for the water and inflamed at the injustices of life. When her first large-scale dig traps her in the middle of an international nuclear arms clash, she flees for her life.

When she spots a man trailing her, the questions are, Who is he? And how is he always one step ahead? Is the man trailing her an enemy or a protector sent by her CIA father?

Reece Jaxon is a former Navy SEAL and now serves his country as a spy. His life is entangled by the beguiling Shiloh Blake as he hunts down the sources to a nuclear dead drop in the Arabian Sea near Mumbai, India. The only way to end this nightmare and prevent a nuclear meltdown is to join forces with Reece. Will Shiloh violate her vow to never become involved in her father's web of intrigue and mystery? Will she reconcile with her past and with him? Will she allow God to help her throught this ordeal of danger, mistrust and uncertainty?

If you would like to read the prologue and first chapter of Dead Reckoning, go HERE. You can also sign up as a Follower when you get to that page, and get announcements of the first chapters for all the great books we tour!

Readers, buy your copy of Dead Reckoning today!

MY REVIEW

I must admit, I have never been a big fan of reading international espionage and intrigue type books. However, I adore them in TV and movies. Scarecrow and Mrs. King ranks at the top of my favorite TV shows for the spy world.

That being said, this debut novel from Ronie kept me captivated. And as a historical fiction reader and author, that's saying a LOT! She writes as if she's been a published author for years instead of this being her first published novel. Not only does the intrigue story keep you turning the pages, but the deep delving into the wounds and hurts of the characters helps you connect and relate to both Shiloh and Reece on so many levels.

Kendig does an awesome job at portraying the realistic emotions associated with common wounds we all face. With an international setting, she
writes a novel with just the right amount of twists and turns, and a perfect pacing as the international terror plot unfolds. Readers of this genre should add Ronie Kendig to their list. No doubt about it!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW


1. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

The inspiration came from a book I'd written called Midnight Zone that did not find a home. MZ was the story of Shiloh's parents, and I was reallly excited to explore what their child--Shiloh--was like as an adult.

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

Not much since the story is a spy thriller and set in India. I think there's some of my strength and resiliency in Shiloh, but other than that, her fierce determination, her raw courage are hers alone.

3. If your hero/heroine were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

I imagine Shiloh would be something simple like vanilla--she's just not a complicated person and likes things simple. Reece, the hero, wouldn't eat ice cream.

4. Are there any themes in Dead Reckoning that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

That no matter what course our life takes...no matter how messed up things may seem, God does have a plan. He didn't just drop us on this earth and forget about us. He will use all the pains, all the heartache and make something great and beautiful out of those experiences.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

I'm not sure "difficult" is the right word, but the most draining scene to write was a torture scene because it demanded a slower pace and a much closer attention to detail and a high emotional content for it to be succesful.

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

My next release will be Nightshade, Book #1 of the Discarded Heroes series with Barbour Publishing. "They've championed freedom and risked their lives---but too often, America's veterans are forgotten and discarded. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, former Navy SEAL Max finds himself engaged in a new battle---to save his family. How can he protect his wife from a dangerous enemy when she wants him out of the house?"

* * * * *

Thank you, Ronie, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Dead Reckoning.

Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). You won't be entered in the drawing without it. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post.

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when the winners are announced each time.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

9 comments:

runner10 said...

Interesting interview. I would love to have your book.

csdsksds[at]gmail[dot]com

Casey said...

Would love the chance to read this book. :) Thanks!

caseymh18(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I don't know where to begin. I was knocked out by your site. I've recently published my first book, non-fiction, and need all kinds of help. I have a blog Scripturestudent.wordpress.com and a website Godscomebackkids.com. At this point I don't know what to ask. If you have time to take a look, perhaps you could make some suggestions. The website is under construction and nowhere near the kind of professionalism yours displays. The interview was very nice, and I'm sure it will be a great encouragement to Ms. Kendig. You display great kindness in helping her get her work before a larger audience. Keep up your good work! Both of you. ~donkimrey

Ronie Kendig said...

Thanks for having me and Dead Reckoning here, Tiff--it was so kind of your to participate in the tour and to interview me!

Rosalie Patience said...

Please enter me in the drawing. It sounds amazing!! I've heard a lot about Dead Reckoning and now I really want to read it. Many thanks,

~Abby

abster . rose @ yahoo . com

Cherie J said...

Been hearing good things about this one. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Carolynn said...

Please enter me, I would love to read it, thanks!
carolynnwald[at]hotmail[dot]com

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

We have a winner from this drawing and that is:

ABBY (Rosalie Patience)

Congratulations! I have sent your mailing address to Ronie so she can send out your book.

As always, thanks to everyone for your continued support.

Ronie Kendig said...

Tiff - Since we talked via email last week, I still have not received the address. Do you have it yet? Thanks!