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Okay, so I have been browsing book covers on Amazon relating to dogs because I know that my publisher will soon send me the art fact sheet to fill out for the military war dog series. I've got a few that I like, that have dogs on them but aren't cutesy (can't go "cute" because my books are still military thrillers with intense action to fit my RAPID-FIRE FICTION brand.
What is your favorite dog book cover? Please help me prepare my list!
So, the cover for FREEDOM IN THE AIR is by far my favorite. I'm still not a fan of having a person's face so prominent on the cover, but this shows you that this isn't just a fun romp through life with a dog. The military element is clearly portrayed.
Okay, so I'm cheating with this one. It's not a cover, but I absolutely love how the dog is sniffing the camera. But...this has a bit of a "goofy" feel to it, so I'm not sure it'd be a good and accurate reflection.
And this one is another picture found on a military site. I love this image because the dog is the primary focus of the image, and while there is someone in ACUs, their face is not easily focused on. I also love this because the dog is wearing his vest, which portrays his role as a military war dog rather than a pet.
And this final one I like because it's not your normal dog book cover. It shows a companionship between the dog and his owner. Regardless of how much I like this, I don't think it's a good fit for a war dog series.
So, tell me: do you have a favorite dog book cover? If so, please provide the title of the book and the author's name--and tell me why you like it.
It is my extreme pleasure to announce that my agent Steve Laube has negotiated and I have signed a 3-book contract with my publisher, BARBOUR PUBLISHING, for a series about retired military war dogs and their handlers entitled A Breed Apart. I have been very pleased working with the Barbour Fiction team, and I'm so grateful to my editor, Rebecca Germany, for believing in me and these stories enough to let them see the ink of publication!
Without further ado, here is a bit more about the stories:
Trinity: Military War Dog (June 2012)- After Green Beret Heath Daniels survives an IED attack—thanks to his military war dog, Trinity, a Belgian Malinois—he battles blackouts from traumatic brain injury (TBI) 
and is discharged. Feeling weak and lost, he finds hope through A Breed Apart, an organization training dogs like Trinity to aid independent contractors. Military Intelligence officer Darci Kintz is secretly embedded with a geological survey team in Afghanistan. A deadly discovery leaves her team dead and her a captive. Heath and Trinity join the search for the military intelligence officer.
Talon: Combat Tracking Team (November 2012)– Former Marine Aspen Courtland adopts Talon, a Combat Tracking Team German Shepherd declared “excess.” But Talon is afraid of his own shadow after an attack that left his second handler—and Aspen’s brother—missing. Former Marine Special Operations commander Dane Markoski is tasked with tracking down a rogue Marine selling military secrets in Africa—and he needs Talon to do it because the rogue was Talon’s first handler. But Talon won’t cooperate without Aspen, who has rehabilitated the canine. In Africa, the team quickly realizes they’ve been set up. But can they untangle the maze of lies? Can Talon overcome his fear, or will he shut down and put everyone in danger?
Beowulf: Specialized Search Dog (June 2013)– Handler Timbrel Hogan and her highly trained specialized search dog, Beowulf, a Mastiff mix who is as ugly as he is smart, must enter a roiling war zone to retrieve a high-value target from a prison. But once on their own with the spy who provided the Intel, Timbrel is no longer certain the story is legit. In fact, she suspects they’ve been set up. Nikol Tselekova has more to hide that his nationality but he can’t let Timbrel Hogan, whose bite is worse than her dog’s, interfere with his mission to save his own sister from a deadly alliance.
So, there you have it. Celebrate with me!! I am really excited to begin the A Breed Apart series with Barbour!! I hope you'll enjoy these books when they hit the shelves next year.
(images found/property of DVIDS)
I am so excited to announce that I signed a contract with Barbour Publishing to write one of four novellas in a collection entitled CENTRAL PARK RENDEZVOUS and will be set in (as if you couldn't figure this out already) Central Park, NY. I will be writing with some very amazing ladies: Dineen Miller, MaryLu Tyndall, and Kim Vogel Sawyer! The collection is set to release April 2012.
Here is the blurb for the collection:
Through the timelessness of the love never fails verses from I Corinthians 13, characters from four generations of one family endure hard and cruel circumstances in life, yet bring love full circle to its completion. In Ronie Kendig’s Dream A Little Dream the characters learn “love always perseveres,” even when combat-related repercussions block the path to dreams and love. Dineen Miller explores “love always hopes” in her story, A Love Meant to Be, in which a lingering hope leads to a love fulfilled after Vietnam. In To Sing Another Day, Kim Vogel Sawyer reveals that “love is kind. . .not self-seeking” against a backdrop of poverty in a era of severe economic depression and World War II. With an expert touch MaryLu Tyndall shows how “Love Never Fails,” despite unimaginable odds and disfiguring pride connected with the Civil War.
Hey, Everyone. I left out a hugely important giveaway by my beautiful and amazing friend, Rel Mollet at Relz Reviewz!! She is doing an "open" giveaway on her fabulous blog. Please, please, take a moment to stop by her blog and visit. Also, she has interviews with the Nightshade team members.
http://relzreviewz.blogspot.
Hey, everyone!! With this being the release month for DIGITALIS, things are a-flurry! :-D 
I'm working on edits for Wolfsbane--WOOFTA (as the beautiful & amazing Kim Vogel Sawyer says), they're kicking my BEE-HIND! But we're almost done, and I am going to owe a ton to the fabulous Julee Schwarzburg for making Wolfsbane RAWK!!
Lots of things are happening behind the scenes, and I will be bringing some really great news your way very soon. How's that for a teaser? ::grins::
Below you'll find links to this weeks' sites that have interviews and are doing giveaways. Be sure to stop by and say howdy, let the folks know we appreciate their help!
THE CHRISTIAN MANIFESTO and Barbour are giving away FIVE COPIES of DIGITALIS!! Check it out!! They also did an incredible and fair review of DIGITALIS previously. Thanks, Melissa!
STEPHANIE MORRILL posted a review and is also giving away a copy of DIGITALIS! Enter right here!
And finally...I'll take a moment to share some reviews that have really touched me. Pardon me while I toot my own horn here, but praise can be so sparse that I want to savor each one. LOL
Deena Ward Peterson said: I'm giving "Digitalis" the Golden Bookmark for Excellence in Writing and in Purpose, as well as voting it "Best Military Suspense of 2011." Considering we are still in JANUARY of 2011, I am sooo humbled and honored by this!! THANK YOU, Deena!
Fiction Addict Reviewer Elizabeth Olmedo said, "Kendig is the Karen Kingsbury of Christian Suspense!" WHOA. That's one I'm still digesting. :-D
So...there ya have the news for now. But be sure to stop by later as I am anxiously awaiting the signal from Agent-Man Steve Laube that allows me to share some very exciting news!
There is a fantastic line-up of books available this month. Please take a moment to browse and select one that piques your interest! More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW FictionFinder website.
1. Alaska Weddings by Susan Page Davis -- A Romance from Barbour. In this three-novel collection, love has come looking for the Holland family of Alaska. But new challenges to their faith lie around every bend.
2. Banda Mission: Kidnapped in Ghana by Ruben Schwieger -- A Thriller from Warner Press. Coup leaders unexpectedly kidnap a missionary who, like the Apostle Paul, is able to share his faith with his jailors and others in unusual and dangerous situations.
3. Book of Days: A Novel
4. Caroline's Choice; Haynes Famiiy Series, Book 3 by Martha Rogers -- A Historical from Realms (Strang Book Group). When God sends forgiveness to the hearts of His children, they learn the true meaning of love.
5. Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer -- A Historical from Bethany House. Edythe Amsel is ready for her first teaching assignment, but is Walnut Hill ready for her?
6. Digitalis (Discarded Heroes #2)
7. Faith's Reward by Tammy Barley -- A Historical from Whitaker House. The year 1865 starts out as a nightmare come true for Jessica Bennett. The cattle she and her husband, Jake, fought to save from drought the summer before now face the threat of freezing to death. Her fears worsen when Jake contracts pneumonia.
8. Found in Translation by Roger Bruner and Kristi Rae Bruner -- A Young Adult from Barbour. God can do the humanly impossible through a thoughtless teen once she learns to be faithful, obedient, and forgiving.
9. Jewel of Persia by Roseanna White -- A Historical from White Fire Publishing. How can she love the king of kings without forsaking her Lord of lords?
10. Lily of the Field by Rose Zediker -- A Romance from Barbour Heartsong Presents. Marriage isn't on Caroline’s or Rodney’s minds...but their minds are not God's and He is busy taking care of the lilies of the field-and His children.
11. Missing by Lynette Eason -- A Suspense from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Her daughter is the most important person in Lacey Gibson's world. So when the girl disappears, Lacey will do anything to find her. Even track down a man she hasn't seen in sixteen years.
12. Night Prey by Sharon Dunn -- A Romance from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Romantic Suspense. Injured birds of prey, late night trespassers, and threatening note lead Jenna and her childhood friend Keith into more danger than could have imagined in the ranch country of Montana.
13. Rocky Mountain Hero by Audra Harders -- A Romance from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Can a single mother desperate to make ends meet find love with a rancher too busy to fall in love?
14. Sharp Shooters in Petticoats by Mary Connealy -- A Romance from Barbour. You didn't think Sophie McClellen's daughter would grow up to be a quiet little thing, did you?
15. Softly and Tenderly; Songbird Series by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck -- A Romance 
from Thomas Nelson. Emily and David each come to terms with a past that follows them, testing their faith and resolve.
16. Tennessee Brides by Diane Ashley & Aaron McCarver -- A Romance from Barbour. Romance, adventures, and dangers--including the war with Britain, discrimination against the Cherokee, and organization of the Underground Railroad--lurk at the fringes of three Tennessee women's lives.
17. The Baby Promise by Carolyn Aarsen -- A Romance from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. A soldier determined to fulfill a promise and a woman determined to forget.
18. The Rhythm of Secrets by Patti Lacy -- General Fiction from Kregel. Inspired by a true story, The Rhythm of Secrets intermingles jazz, classical, and sacred music in a symphony trumpeting God’s grace.
19. Touched by Mercy by Tina Pinson -- A Historical from Desert Breeze. The west seems to hold all the answers to Samantha Northam's dreams, but is it far enough away to protect her from her nightmares?
20. Unexpected Love; Seasons of Redemption, Book 3 by Andrea Boeshaar -- A Historical from Realms (Strang Book Group). Nurse Lorenna Fields is drawn to a blind patient searching for his past. But as his memories return, will there be a place for her in his future?
