tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-194903322024-03-07T13:24:38.636-08:00Craving the SupernaturalDo you desire more? Want to move beyond the hum-drum of every day living? <b>Me too!</b> That's why I'm <i>Craving the Supernatural</i>--more of God, less of me!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger265125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-9472990230302259912012-08-21T08:27:00.003-07:002012-08-21T08:27:30.588-07:00Perception FilterOver the last few months, as my family prepared for a move, then made the move, I used packing/unpacking/painting time to get caught up on episodes of Dr. Who. Then, this past weekend I started watching the spinoff, Torchwood.
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I have to admit, it’s a strange, twisted relationship, me and the Doctor. You see, he’s come to my “aide” during some very difficult times. He’s distracted me from the pain of trials and frustrations. In fact, the reason I watched the first few episodes of Torchwood this weekend was to give myself a break. Dealing with disappointment, disillusionment, and discouragement, (doncha love all those Ds?) I needed a time-out. Away from social media, away from—well, pretty much everything.<br />
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As I prayed, read by Bible, worshiped, I grew to understand that much of what I’ve been feeling is “friendly fire,” self-inflicted. Not intentionally. I mean, I’m not sadistic or anything. But I am a dreamer. I have a very good imagination and I had all these wild notions of what life would be like once we made it to Virginia and were no long living apart. And the writing endeavors—I believed they’d smooth out and calm down so that I could slip into an “normal” rhythm of writing and homeschooling.<br />
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Ha! So didn’t happen.<br />
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In fact, things seemed to have gotten worse. And as I looked around and saw that things were still not as I wanted them, I (am ashamed to say) grew discontent. Over time, that hurt because a “sore” and the sore festered (not intentionally). Until this weekend. I’d gotten to the point that I was “so over it.” I saw things in a grim light, and it seemed that everything that happened seemed to prove my thoughts.<br />
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Sitting here this morning, I realized I’ve been viewing things through the light of my perceptions. And that reminded me of Dr. Who—the perception filter: has the effect of directing attention away from the object or its bearer, rendering them unnoticeable. Where things/people exist just beyond the edge of our periphery that we often miss them. And even to the point that “we don’t want to know.” This creature below was one that used the telepathic perception filter to hide its presence.<br />
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And how often is that true of Truth--God’s truth--that we often miss it because we are so blinded by our own pursuits and dreams and goals?<br />
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I had expectations. I had hopes. I had dreams. Had it all planned out (well, mostly) how this thing called my ‘writing career’ would go. How our financial situation here in Virginia would go. How . . . just about everything would go. In my quiet time this morning, my devotional with Beth Moore said, “We see that God always fulfills His promises, just not always the way we imagine.”<br />
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And when they didn’t GO that way. . .I lost hope. Selfishly—(feeling very ashamed at this point)—I didn’t want to know that this wasn’t God’s way. Ouch! I wanted *my* way, because I had it all planned out. . . And honestly, I didn’t even realize that till I started writing this article. (Pardon me, while I stop and ask God’s forgiveness.)<br />
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Another great thing about the Dr. Who perception filter is this: Once a person became aware of a perception filter and the object it was disguising, they could no longer be affected.
So, that’s my goal. I don’t want to be affected by MY truth of what’s happening, MY idea of how things should go. Yes, I want to have dreams and goals, but I do not want to be so rigid in my thinking, so inflexible, that when God sends me down another path, I wallow and become discouraged/depressed. I want to be transformed by the Truth—God always fulfills His promises.<br />
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When things go awry—and again, that’s OUR perception of how they “should” go—I want to be flexible and faithful enough to recognize that God’s plan hasn’t changed, and as long as I know He is there, He is leading, I’m GTG (good to go).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-37183980605697887492012-07-18T17:09:00.001-07:002012-07-18T17:09:28.296-07:00WOLFSBANE WINS A CHRISTY!!<h2 style="text-align: left;">
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<b><i>WOLFSBANE</i> WINS A CHRISTY!!</b></h3>
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So, I decided to attend the Christy Award Banquet in Orlando. Not because I hoped to win, but because I wanted them to place that medal around my neck! I think that's one of the kewlest aspects of <a href="http://www.christyawards.com/ca_new/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=10&Itemid=56">The Christy Awards</a>!<br />
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Anyway...surprise of all surprises when the amazing Tyson Wynn started reading the first lines of the Contemporary Romance category winner:
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<b>Blood dripped into his eye. No, not blood. Sweat. Hands fisted tight against his sides, Captain Canyon Metcalfe blinked away the sting. Another salty drop slid down his temple.</b></blockquote>
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Annnnd...WOLFSBANE FINALS AGAIN!</h3>
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Monday morning at ICRS, the American Christian Fiction Writers announced the finalists in the <a href="http://www.acfw.com/carol/2012_carol_award_finalists">2012 Carol Awards</a>. WOLFSBANE FINALED!! Winners will be announced at ACFW in September!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-85072950009470329302012-04-06T15:00:00.001-07:002012-04-06T15:00:23.196-07:00Meet Aspen & Talon!I am so tickled!! Earlier this week I heard from the amazing Ashley Schrock, who has designed all my covers. She was asking about harnesses and patches for Talon's cover. I was so excited doing the research to help her figure out what was best to use.
Today, I got this email from her--along with photo:
<em><span style="color: #800000;">Hey Ronie,</span></em>
<em><span style="color: #800000;">Got some more cool stuff for you. :) The designer sent over an outtake from</span></em>
<em><span style="color: #800000;"> the photo shoot today for Talon. She said the dog was very friendly and</span></em>
<em><span style="color: #800000;"> liked to roll in the dirt, so they played together a bit in-between takes.</span></em>
<em><span style="color: #800000;">Happy Easter!</span></em>
<p style="text-align: left;"><em><span style="color: #800000;">Ashley</span></em></p>
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<a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/JWC9486.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1373 aligncenter" title="_JWC9486" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/JWC9486-681x1024.jpg" alt="" width="448" height="673" /></a>What do you think? Is this Lab happy or what? :-D</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And what a beautiful model! I can't wait to see this cover. OORAH!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-52388703457953366702012-04-01T19:21:00.000-07:002012-04-01T19:21:42.155-07:007 Hours & Whole PiecesCOMING MAY 2012!!It's hard to believe the release of the 7 Hours anthology from Tyndale House Publishers is only a month away. Later this month, I'll share the links for purchasing the novellas. Be ready! Each novella will be only $2.99!!
<a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/7-Hours-banner.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1249" title="7 Hours banner" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/7-Hours-banner-300x117.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="117" /></a>In each installment of <em>7 Hours</em>, a character is visited by the enigmatic Thomas Constant, who makes a heart-stopping statement: ”You are about to die. But you may choose from one of three options: Live seven more hours, travel back in time and relive seven hours, or accept the inevitable and die now.”
7 Hours anthology includes acclaimed authors <a href="http://www.mikedellosso.com/">Mike Dellosso</a>, <a href="http://www.renegutteridge.com/">Rene Gutteridge</a>, <a href="http://www.robinparrish.com/">Robin Parrish</a>, <a href="http://www.tompawlik.com/">Tom Pawlik</a>, <a href="http://www.travisthrasher.com/">Travis Thrasher</a>, and <a href="http://www.jamesandrewwilson.com/">James Andrew Wilson</a>!
<strong>Check out the 7Hours landing page</strong> <a href="http://www.7hoursbooks.com/">www.7hoursbooks.com</a>!
<a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/7HoursRK.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1368" title="7HoursRK" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/7HoursRK-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a><strong>WHOLE PIECES by RONIE KENDIG</strong>
After a brutal attack left him without a limb and his team dead, former Green Beret Haytham “Hawk” Wilson is angry at life and God. Bitter, he pushes everyone out of his life. Every day he relives his decision to send the Afghan boy home rather than following orders to kill any who came upon his hidden team. So when on his deathbed at age 36, eaten alive by grief and regret, he’s offered the chance to relive any seven hours, Hawk is determined to go back, kill the boy, and save his team. The decision is simple . . . until he gets there.
The clock is ticking. What will you do with the time you have left?
<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.tyndale.com/player.swf" style="width:320px;height:260px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.tyndale.com/player.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="file=http://www.tyndale.com/assets/flv/7-Hours-Trailer.flv" /><embed src="http://www.tyndale.com/player.swf?file=http://www.tyndale.com/assets/flv/7-Hours-Trailer.flv" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="240"></embed></object><div style="font-size:0.8em"><a href="http://www.tyndale.com/video/379">watch on tyndale.com</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-10846853133712583792012-02-08T11:57:00.000-08:002012-02-08T11:57:41.728-08:00Music To Write BySo, I know there are authors who need absolute silence to write. I think you'd have to straightjacket me and put me in a padded room if silence descended on my life. You see, with four kids and three dogs, life around here is anything but quiet. And if it *is* quiet--there's trouble. LOL
Let me also state there are some songs/artists that I cannot write to because the music pulls me out of the story. The bands I listen to while writing are ones that have a natural rhythm that somehow matches the pace of the story and lyrics/beats that aren't so distinct that don't create dissonance.
One of my favorite bands, Fireflight, is releasing a new album March 6, so I thought I'd share their debut single for that album...then share with you what songs/albums I listened to while writing various books. I wasn't sure I could remember, but as the albums played, pieces of story came to mind.
Without further ado, here is Fireflight's new single, STAY CLOSE, from their NOW album (releases 3/6/12):
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For Talon and Trinity, I've been using a playlist that included 12 Stones and The Letter Black.
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For Firethorn, I was able to find a groove with Kazi mostly when I listened to Fireflight's Unbreakable album.
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For a speculative story, Tej, I've been listening to the soundtrack for (get ready for this) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Don't laugh. The score is done by Hans Zimmer. Amazing music. Always puts me in the mood to write. Check it out:
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<h2>Do you listen to music while you write or read? If so, what's pumping through your speakers/headphones/earbuds?</h2>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/grief.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1243" title="grief" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/grief.jpg" alt="" width="226" height="181" /></a></p>
Today, I got some news that proved pretty devastating. It's not just bad news. It holds the potential to be career altering. Life changing. After the boom got lowered, I went through the stages of grief: denial, anger...but I never made it past bargaining.
Because who am I supposed to bargain with?
See, here's my "problem," (which really isn't a problem): I committed to the Lord that I would be surrendered to His will. I said, "Whatever you want Lord, that's what I want too." I've been around the block enough to know the "danger" of those words. I've seen and lived beneath God's sovereignty. I've been abused. I lost both of my parents by the age of 29. My husband and I lost the first home we ever owned to foreclosure when the technology bubble burst in 2001. All those things happened, despite me begging God to change/prevent them.
So, when today's news came, when the waves of this hurricane-strength storm crashed over me (how's that for drama), I cried. I ranted at God. And I told my husband I was having a hard time not being angry at. God. He said--it's okay, he can handle it.
Very true. But my good buddy <a href="http://www.jimrubart.com">Jim Rubart</a> called me. Talked to me. Encouraged me (check out <a href="http://www.novelrocket.com/2012/01/none-of-them-had-it-easy-none.html">his post on NovelRocket</a> from yesterday--intriguing, isn't it?). And over the course of our conversations, the anger bottomed out.
I told him--ya know, either I'm surrendered to God's will or I'm not.
And if I *am* surrendered, how can I be angry? Because this is God's will. As Jim said, "Gods in this somewhere."
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/attic.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1242" title="attic" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/attic.jpg" alt="" width="218" height="147" /></a>Think of an attic. Unfamiliar objects blocking your path. You stumble. You trip. You cut your hand on a loose nail. But just because you can't see where you are, or where you're going, doesn't mean it's worthless. You just have to find the treasure.</p>
Did this news today go the way I wanted? Nope. It sure didn't.
Yeah, I'm hurt. Yeah, I'm disappointed. Absolutely I want to stamp my foot and tell God it's not fair. But this is what I asked for--a shut door, if it wasn't right. For God to lead me, for HIS WILL to rule in my life.
So, how can I persist in anger? How can I be angry if I am surrendered?
<a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/surrender.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1241" title="surrender" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/surrender.jpg" alt="" width="203" height="203" /></a>The truth is, I can't. If I am angry still, if I rail at Him, then I am not surrendered. I'm fighting. Check out <strong>Romans 8:7-8</strong> "For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">hostile</span> to God; it does not submit to God's law; indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
I don't know about you, but I don't want to be *hostile* to God. Therefore, I surrender that anger borne out of heartache. Pick up the dregs of my courage and keep going.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-29720830450442401322012-01-29T11:06:00.001-08:002012-01-29T11:06:49.602-08:00Hafta Have Fiction Reads of 2012Wow! It appears 2012 is shaping up to be an awesome year for fiction!! One of my favorite things to do is browse sites like Christianbook.com and Amazon to see what books are coming up. And let me tell you--2012 has some awesome looking reads. Or in the words of my daughter, "schmexy" books.<br /><br /><strong>Here's what I'm looking forward to:</strong><br /><br /><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>The 13th Tribe by Robert Liparulo - </strong></span> April 2012<br /><em>Robert Liparulo sits firmly at the top of my favorite/auto-buy author's list. 13th Tribe looks absolutely stunning in its concept and exhilarating as Liparulo layers in some of the supernatural that I have grown to love in fiction. Simply said: I'm champing at the proverbial bit to read this one!</em><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595541691/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1595541691"><img src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=1595541691&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=roniekecom-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" alt="" border="0" /></a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1595541691" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" /></p><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Their story didn't start this year…or even this millennium.</strong></p><br />It began when Moses was on Mt. Sinai. Tired of waiting on the One True God, the twelve tribes of Israel began worshiping a golden calf through pagan revelry. Many received immediate death for their idolatry, but 40 were handed a far worse punishment-endless life on earth with no chance to see the face of God.<br /><br />This group of immortals became the 13<sup>th</sup> Tribe, and they've been trying to earn their way into heaven ever since-by killing sinners. Though their logic is twisted, their brilliance is undeniable. Their wrath is unstoppable. And the technology they possess is beyond anything mere humans have ever seen.<br /><br />Jagger Baird knows nothing about the Tribe when he's hired as head of security for an archaeological dig on Mt. Sinai. The former Army Ranger is still reeling from an accident that claimed the life of his best friend, his arm, and his faith in God.<br /><br />The Tribe is poised to execute their most ambitious attack ever and the lives of millions hang in the balance. When Jagger's wife and son are caught in the crossfire, he'll stop at nothing to save them. But how can one man stand against an entire tribe of immortals?<br /><br /><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>Illusion by Frank Peretti - </strong></span> March 2012<br /><em>Woot! Peretti's back! Need I say more? *grins*</em><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439192677/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1439192677"><img src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=1439192677&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=roniekecom-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" alt="" border="0" /></a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1439192677" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" /></p><br />Dane and Mandy, a popular magic act for forty years, are tragically separated by a car wreck that claims Mandy’s life—or so everyone thinks. Even as Dane mourns and tries to rebuild his life without her, Mandy, supposedly dead, awakes in the present as the nineteen-year-old she was in 1970. Distraught and disoriented in what to her is the future, she is confined to a mental ward until she discovers a magical ability to pass invisibly through time and space to escape. Alone in a strange world, she uses her mysterious powers to eke out a living, performing magic on the streets and in a quaint coffee shop.<br /><br />Hoping to discover an exciting new talent, Dane ventures into the coffee shop and is transfixed by the magic he sees, illusions that even he, a seasoned professional, cannot explain. But more than anything, he is emotionally devastated by this teenager who has never met him, doesn’t know him, is certainly not in love with him, but is in every respect identical to the young beauty he first met and married some forty years earlier.<br /><br />They begin a furtive relationship as mentor and protégée, but even as Dane tries to sort out who she really is and she tries to understand why she is drawn to him, they are watched by secretive interests who not only possess the answers to Mandy’s powers and misplacement in time but also the roguish ability to decide what will become of her.<br /><br /><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>Insurgent by Veronica Roth</strong> -</span> May 2012<br /><em>Roth's DIVERGENT stunned me with it's clean storyline and compelling characters. One of my favorite reads from 2011, Divergent made me long for the next book. May can't come soon enough!</em><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062024043/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0062024043"><img src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=0062024043&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=roniekecom-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" alt="" border="0" /></a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0062024043" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" /></p><br />One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.<br /><br />Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.<br /><br /><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>Mortal by Ted Dekker & Tosca Lee</strong></span> - June 2012<br /><em>When Forbidden released last year, I felt like someone had realigned a portion of the universe. Dekker returned to his fantasy roots and brought the stunning new voice and style of the inimitable Tosca Lee. This is probably my #1 "look forward to" read of 2012!!</em><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599953587/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1599953587">Mortal (The Books of Mortals)</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1599953587" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1222" title="Mortal Dekker Lee" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Mortal-Dekker-Lee-193x300.jpg" alt="" width="95" height="147" /></a></p><br />Nine years have gone by since an unlikely hero named Rom Sebastian first discovered a secret and consumed an ancient potion of blood to bring himself back to life in <em>Forbidden</em>. Surviving against impossible odds, Rom has gathered a secret faction of followers who have also taken the blood-the first Mortals in a world that is dead.<br /><br />But The Order has raised an elite army to hunt and crush the living. Division and betrayal threaten to destroy the Mortals from within. The final surviving hope for humanity teeters on the brink of annihilation and no one knows the path to survival.<br /><br /><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>Eyes of Justice by Lis Wiehl</strong> -</span> April 2012<br /><em>There is an authenticity behind Wiehl's stories and characters that have kept me reading. I love that the stories tend to be "ripped from the headlines." Really looking forward to next installment!</em><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595547088/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1595547088"><img src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=1595547088&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=roniekecom-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" alt="" border="0" /></a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1595547088" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" /></p><br />The Triple Threat Club has solved intense mysteries before . . . but this time it's personal.<br /><br />Cassidy, Allison, and Nicole fight for justice every day-Cassidy as a crime reporter, Nicole with the FBI, and Allison as a federal prosecutor. Together they're a Triple Threat to be reckoned with.<br /><br />But never have they faced a case so full of blind alleys-or so painfully close to home.<br /><br />When a devastating turn of events upsets the balance of the Triple Threat team, they discover an ally in a quirky Private Investigator named Olivia. The women vow not to stop until the case is solved and justice is served.<br /><br />Yet just when it appears the police have the killer in custody, he somehow strikes again. Not knowing who to trust, the Triple Threat women go undercover for an intricate and deadly cat-and-mouse game where nothing can be taken at face value . . . and nothing will ever be the same.<br /><br /><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>Prophet by R.J. Larson</strong> -</span> April 2012<br /><em>Love it when a new SFF author splashes onto the scene. I am looking forward to reading this!</em><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/076420971X/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=076420971X"><img src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=076420971X&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=roniekecom-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" alt="" border="0" /></a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=076420971X" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" /></p><br />Ela Roeh of Parne doesn't understand why her beloved Creator, the Infinite, wants her to become His prophet. She's undignified and bad-tempered, and at age seventeen she's much too young. In addition, no prophet of Parne has ever been a girl. Worst of all, as Parne's elders often warn, if she agrees to become the Infinite's prophet, Ela knows she will die young.<br /><br />Yet she can't imagine living without Him. Determined to hear the Infinite's voice, Ela accepts the sacred vinewood branch and is sent to bring the Infinite's word to a nation torn apart by war. There she meets a young ambassador determined to bring his own justice for his oppressed people. As they form an unlikely partnership, Ela battles how to balance the leading of her heart with the leading of the Infinite.<br /><br /><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>Beckon by Tom Pawlik</strong></span> - April 2012<br /><em>Tom is amazing with the whole chilling and haunting thing. Looking forward to his newest chillfest!</em><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414338732/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1414338732"><img src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=1414338732&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=roniekecom-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" alt="" border="0" /></a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1414338732" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" /></p><br />Some things weren’t meant to be discovered. Three people are each drawn to the small town of Beckon, Wyoming. A young anthropologist researches a Native American legend and makes a terrifying discovery. An ex-cop investigating her cousin’s disappearance finds herself in grave peril. And an aging businessman is lured by the promise of a miracle. One by one they discover the town’s ghastly secret. The only question is . . . will any of them make it out alive?<br /><br /><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>The Soul Saver by Dineen Miller</strong></span> - May 2012<br /><em>Dineen in my "twin"--and I adore her amazing way with words. I'm sure you'll love her debut title as much as I do!</em><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616265825/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1616265825"><img src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=1616265825&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=roniekecom-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" alt="" border="0" /></a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1616265825" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" /></p><br />Lexie Baltimore is in the supernatural battle of her life. In obedience to God’s calling, Lexie uses her art and dreams to help others. But will she have enough courage to help herself when she becomes torn between her atheist husband and a godly man? A widower and a father, Pastor Nate Winslow is drowning in darkness. Will he resist his treacherous assignment to win Lexie’s heart or give in to the attraction between them? As events unfold, Lexie becomes entangled in a twisted plot. Will she overcome the evil assailing her or yield to the dark side?<br /><br /> <br /><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>Nothing to Hide by J. Mark Betrand</strong></span> - July 2012<br /><em>Yes, I'm behind. I still have to read Mark's Pattern of Wounds, but I absolutely his voice and style! </em><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764206397/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0764206397"><img src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=0764206397&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=roniekecom-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" alt="" border="0" /></a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0764206397" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" /></p><br />The body was an undercover agent working to bring down Mexican cartels. The feds want the case closed rather than risk exposing other agents in the field, but March can't abide letting a murder go unsolved. And he doesn't have to dig long to figure out something isn't right. Someone is covering something up, and it seems that everyone has something to hide. Maybe even March, as the case soon intersects, unexpectedly, with the murder that led him to become a homicide cop, all those years ago.<br /><br />So. There you have it. I'm sure there will be more titles that come to mind, or ones that haven't been posted yet, in which case, I'll post another list later in the year.<br /><blockquote><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;">Tell me what books you are looking forward to. Why? What makes you want to read it?</h2><br /> <br /><br /> </blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-76911225342006765662012-01-27T03:56:00.000-08:002012-01-27T03:56:00.828-08:00Alienation, A CHAOS Novel by Jon S. Lewis<blockquote><span style="color:#993300;">High-tech gear, shape-shifting aliens, simulated reality, and hoverboards...</span><span style="color:#993300;">Colt must step into his true destiny before our world falls in chaos! </span></blockquote><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/alienation-sm.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1214 aligncenter" title="alienation sm" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/alienation-sm.jpg" alt="" height="236" width="150" /></a><br /></div><br />Today I'm featuring a fun YA novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595547541/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1595547541">Alienation (A C.H.A.O.S. Novel)</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1595547541" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> by Jon S. Lewis. This is the second CHAOS novel, and I found it to be a fun read. I am sure my 12.5 year old twin boys will love it. I found it to be adventurous! If you have a pre-teen or teen who loves novels with supernatural elements, action, adventure and heroes--this is the book for them!<br /><br style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><strong style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">ABOUT THE BOOK:</strong><br /><br /><strong>Earth's last line of defense against the coming alien invasion is 16-year-old surfer Colt McAlister.</strong><br /><br /><strong>But before he can save the world, he has to survive the day.</strong><br /><br />All Colt wants to do is return to his old life . . . where aliens don't exist . . . where mankind hasn't been targeted for destruction . . . and where his parents are still alive. Unfortunately life doesn't work that way.<br /><br />The United States government believes Colt holds the key to our survival, so they're sending him to the CHAOS Military Academy along with his best friends Oz and Danielle. There they'll be trained to defend Earth against a swarm of alien shapeshifters known as the Thule. But someone is trying to eliminate Colt before he can lead that charge. Shocked to learn about key events in his past and unsure who he can trust, Colt is alienated and on the run.<br /><br />You can check out more about the CHAOS novels at <a href="http://www.chaosnovels.com/">http://www.chaosnovels.com/</a><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zd5YBzmloXg?rel=0" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" ><strong>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</strong></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lewis-Jon-S.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1215" title="Lewis Jon S" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Lewis-Jon-S.jpg" alt="" height="144" width="150" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Jon S. Lewis is the coauthor of the Grey Griffins trilogy and the upcoming Grey Griffins Clockwork Chronicles. He also writes for the DC COMICS family of publishers. He resides with his family in Arizona.<br /></div></div><p style="text-align: center;">* * *</p><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">THE FUN BEGINS:</span><br /><br />Win an iPad from @JonSLewis and @NelsonFiction in the Alienation iPad2 Giveaway!<br /><br /><strong><em>The invasion was only the beginning!</em></strong> Jon Lewis is celebrating the next adventure in his fast-paced C.H.A.O.S. series with an explosive giveaway!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/187420" target="_blank"><img src="http://g.virbcdn.com/_f/files/resize_1024x1365/22/FileItem-189758-ALIEN_300x250.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a></div><br /><strong>One thrill-seeker will receive:</strong><br /><ul><br /> <li>iPad2 with Wi-Fi</li><br /> <li>Copies of the C.H.A.O.S. novels, <em>Invasion</em> and <em>Alienation</em></li><br /></ul><br /><strong>Enter today by clicking one of the icons below.</strong> But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on February 7th. Winner will be announced at the <strong><a href="http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13451655" target="_blank">Alienation Facebook Party on 2/7</a></strong>. Jon will be hosting an Author Chat, giving away copies of the books and gift certificates to iTunes and Amazon.com! Don't miss a second of the intrigue!<br /><br /><em>Grab your copy of <a href="http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595547541&title=A_C.H.A.O.S._Novel_#2__:_Alienation" target="_blank">Alienation</a> and join Jon on the evening of February 7th for an author chat, spy training (How much do you know about alien invaders?) and lots of giveaways. </em><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/187420" target="_blank"><img title="Enter via E-mail" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlori34lLCZjJih5wLsVpbctkF6U0sbK-HY-9QJDXSybYluFlbEbiqWm4PAsJcEeI6TdfW5eIfgygJMDbXIJDBJKTfPkzfDr0Uj806xx-xEUn2WbPmGJJV-08eAyZ-plDGK5YCg/s1600/email_icon.png" alt="Enter via E-mail" height="48" width="48" /></a> <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/187420" target="_blank"><img title="Enter via Facebook" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxBaqwzPwFCWo3WgvvXMkGWbbztohQFL6udaJv1EbeVIX61qO7-XHSfW6CQYX5QRvu1Fgt2EB4CLzJG1vF-K-gFtu0sH1UN7oFrNbkkBcftehUbXAbxu2dm-M4Z2IFheALkuM0Q/s1600/Facebook_icon-300x300.png" alt="Enter via Facebook" height="48" width="48" /></a><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/187420/entries/new" target="_blank"><img title="Enter via Twitter" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhue-YB7SylQ_sS9U_jZryQBnGdRO2UKUbRMnUKTM6jozv0W53psuPCeBmq8I3zOoij4mcRd58z9FKO_JAG7KaL1iCsK98Pm3tyfcVJbCRIlbabBcRCMOcAERcjvNK5TTxf2Ysc7A/s1600/Twitter_button.png" alt="Enter via Twitter" height="48" width="48" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /><strong>Don't miss a moment of the fun. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/329957073704556" target="_blank">RSVP</a> today and tell your friends via <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/187420/invites/new" target="_blank">FACEBOOK</a> or <a href="http://wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/187420" target="_blank">TWITTER</a> and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!</strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-62488180360344027742012-01-15T19:31:00.000-08:002012-01-15T19:34:16.454-08:00Firethorn Giveaways!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkQ2mvXcE0CUIUgs4KH65k2yPxk-cv_CxxXVPa4B5M0vukgY7PdrdCIy3A17rK_Y-lSW7pKfpNh9bZsojgFcCjZnS7a1MWDIviEa9BsPL-QtL3CXZBSqVNQwezag50hNMAIKY/s1600/Firethorn+cover_FINAL_color+shift.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkQ2mvXcE0CUIUgs4KH65k2yPxk-cv_CxxXVPa4B5M0vukgY7PdrdCIy3A17rK_Y-lSW7pKfpNh9bZsojgFcCjZnS7a1MWDIviEa9BsPL-QtL3CXZBSqVNQwezag50hNMAIKY/s200/Firethorn+cover_FINAL_color+shift.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698067556468592898" border="0" /></a> Hey, y'all! This is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1602607850/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1602607850">Firethorn</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1602607850" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" />'s launch month, so I wanted to share a few giveaway opportunities with you!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Edgy Inspirational Author Michelle Sutton is offering a copy on her blog: </span><br /><a href="http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com/2012/01/now-im-giving-away-firethorn-by-ronie.html">http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com/2012/01/now-im-giving-away-firethorn-by-ronie.html</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Friend and Reviewer Anne Payne is offering a copy on her blog: </span><br /><a href="http://duhpaynes.com/2012/01/11/firethorn-giveaway/">http://duhpaynes.com/2012/01/11/firethorn-giveaway/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Reviewer and friend, Katie McCurdy loved Wolfsbane so much, she's hosting Dani and Canyon (the hero/heroine from the story) and doing a giveaway--this one, you can win Wolfsbane, or your choice of the Discarded Heroes books! WOW!! </span><br /><a href="http://katie-mccurdy.blogspot.com/2012/01/whats-party-without-nightshade-team-day.html">http://katie-mccurdy.blogspot.com/2012/01/whats-party-without-nightshade-team-day.html</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-75376221609197174522012-01-04T10:08:00.001-08:002012-01-04T10:10:07.309-08:00Ronie's Top Ten Fiction Picks for 2011<p style="text-align: left;">Okay, so I hesitate to do this because some of the best books I read last year did not hold 2011 copyrights, like Markus Zusak's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375842209/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0375842209">The Book Thief</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0375842209" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" />--which now sits comfy-cozy at the top of my favorites pile--and Steven James' THE ROOK and THE KNIGHT, or Laura Hillenbrand's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400064163/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400064163">Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1400064163" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" />, or Orson Scott Card's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416991794/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1416991794">Pathfinder</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1416991794" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" />.</p>Then there are books I wanted to read, but didn't get to or didn't finish reading that would probably end up on my favorites list like J. Mark Bertrand's PATTERN OF WOUNDS, or Camy Tang's PROTECTION FOR HIRE, or Lis Wiehl's HEART OF ICE, or Sandra Byrd's TO DIE FOR, or Jeanette Windle's FREEDOM'S STAND.<br /><br />And of course, I never want to hurt anyone by NOT mentioning their book. Anywhoooo...without further ado, here are my 2011 Favorites (NOT in any particular order!):<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ws.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1181 aligncenter" style="margin-left: 75px; margin-right: 75px;" title="ws" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ws-199x300.jpg" alt="" height="216" width="143" /></a><strong></strong></p><strong>Kathy Tyers's</strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935929364/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1935929364">Wind and Shadow</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1935929364" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> - The desolate world of Mikuhr is home to a proud people now on the verge of distinction. Conflict explodes when apprentice priest Kiel Caldwell arrives to investigate rumors of new spiritual revelation, but he is kidnapped by a demon-possessed telepath who thinks he might be a predicted messiah. And when Kiel's loose-cannon military brother Kinnor arrives to investigate, a local leader with revenge on her mind threatens to bring ruin on them all. It's up to returning Mikuhran diplomat Wind Haworth to head off a confl ict that could have spiritual, political, and military repercussions-but no one has foreseen the consequences of introducing the Mikuhran Wind Haworth to the Federate military Sentinel Kinnor Caldwell.<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/TargetsDownBHamer.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1178 aligncenter" style="margin-left: 75px; margin-right: 75px;" title="TargetsDownBHamer" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/TargetsDownBHamer-200x300.jpg" alt="" height="210" width="140" /></a><strong></strong></p><br /><strong>Bob Hamer's</strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1433672774/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1433672774">Targets Down: A Novel</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1433672774" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> - <em>Targets Down</em> is the follow-up to retired FBI agent Bob Hamer's <em>Enemies Among Us</em>, which <em>Publishers Weekly</em> hailed as "a page-turning roller coaster that feels like Jack Bauer’s <em>24</em> without sailing over the top."<br /><br />When an FBI wife is critically wounded and two people are found dead on a mountain pass, special agent Matt Hogan is tasked with identifying those responsible. The undercover assignment takes him into the shadow world of Russian organized crime, neo-Nazis, and the sex-slave industry. Matt's cover is almost blown twice—once by accident, once by incompetence within the FBI ranks—making violence appear to be his only solution. As he confronts evil, Hogan relies not only on the strength of his wife's faith but his own quest to find God. He also finds terror and terrorism on this heart-pounding journey.<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/KilotonThreatBoykinMorrisey.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1176 aligncenter" style="margin-left: 75px; margin-right: 75px;" title="KilotonThreatBoykinMorrisey" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/KilotonThreatBoykinMorrisey-201x300.jpg" alt="" height="210" width="141" /></a><strong></strong></p><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><strong>William Boykin & Tom Morrissey's</strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/080544954X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=080544954X">Kiloton Threat: A Novel</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=080544954X" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> - Taken from what could be tomorrow's headlines, <em>Kiloton Threat</em> is a novel that explores the frightening potential of nuclear weapons in the Middle East today. Out of the house churches of rural Iran, a Christian masquerading as a Muslim gains the confidence of a high-ranking leader in the Iranian nuclear program and opens his eyes to Christianity. The man’s newfound faith stirs his desire to flee to the West, taking with him intelligence that would allow Coalition forces to neutralize his nation's devastating capabilities. But no one in such a position could ever escape unnoticed.</p><br />Enter Blake Kershaw, a highly trained U.S. Special Forces officer who has already made extraordinary sacrifices for his country that include faking death and losing his true identity. His mission to infiltrate Iran and extract the high-value defector strains the relationship with the woman he loves— one of the few people on earth who knows his real story. With even more intensity, it shows the price that must sometimes be paid when political correctness fails and a man has to stand up for what is right.<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/thechair.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1185 aligncenter" title="thechair" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/thechair-197x300.jpg" alt="" height="219" width="143" /></a><strong></strong></p><br /><strong>James L. Rubart</strong>'s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1433671522/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1433671522">The Chair: A Novel</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1433671522" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> - If you were given an ancient-looking chair and told Jesus Christ made it, would you believe it?<br /><br />When an elderly lady shows up in Corin Roscoe’s antiques store and gives him a chair she claims was built by Christ he scoffs. But when a young boy is miraculously healed after sitting in the chair, he stops laughing and starts to wonder: Could this chair heal the person whose life I destroyed twelve years ago?<br /><br />As word spreads of the boy’s healing, a mega-church pastor is determined to manipulate Corin into turning over the chair. But the mysterious woman who gave him the piece insinuates it is Corin’s destiny to guard the chair above everything else. But why? Desperate, he turns to the one person he can trust, a college history professor who knows more about the legend of the chair than he reveals.<br /><p style="text-align: left;">Searching for truth about the artifact and the unexplained phenomena surrounding it, Corin soon realizes he isn’t the only one willing to do almost anything to possess the power that seems to surround to the chair.</p><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Forbidden.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1175 aligncenter" style="margin-left: 75px; margin-right: 75px;" title="Forbidden" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Forbidden-197x300.jpg" alt="" height="210" width="138" /></a><strong></strong></p><strong>Ted Dekker & Tosca Lee's</strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599953544/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1599953544">Forbidden (The Books of Mortals)</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1599953544" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" />(Yay! Ted went back to his fantasy roots!) - New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker teams with Tosca Lee to create this gripping thriller set in a desolate future.<br /><br />Many years have passed since civilization's brush with apocalypse. The world's greatest threats have all been silenced. There is no anger, no hatred, no war. There is only perfect peace... and fear. But a terrible secret has been closely guarded for centuries: Every single soul walking the earth, though in appearance totally normal, is actually dead, long ago genetically stripped of true humanity.<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Pompeii.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1184 aligncenter" style="margin-left: 75px; margin-right: 75px;" title="Pompeii" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Pompeii-196x300.jpg" alt="" height="185" width="121" /></a><strong></strong></p><br /><strong>Tracy Higley's</strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1433668572/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1433668572">Pompeii: City on Fire: A Novel</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1433668572" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" />-<br /><br />Pompeii, a city that's many things to many people. For Cato, it's the perfect escape from a failed political career in Rome. A place to start again, become a winemaker. But when a corrupt politician wrongfully jails Cato's sister, he must oust the man from power to save her.<br /><br />For Ariella, Pompeii is a means to an end. As a young Jew, she escaped the fall of Jerusalem only to endure slavery to a cruel Roman general. She ends up in Pompeii, disguised as a young man and sold into a gladiator troupe. Her anger fuels her to fight well, hoping to win the arena crowds and reveal her gender at the perfect time. Perhaps then she will win true freedom.<br /><br />But evil creeps through the streets of Pompeii. Political corruption, religious persecution, and family peril threaten to destroy Ariella and Cato, who are thrown together in the battle to survive. As Vesuvius churns with deadly intent, the two must bridge their differences to save the lives of those they love, before the fiery ash buries Pompeii, leaving the city lost to the world.<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong><br /><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/legend.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1183 aligncenter" style="margin-left: 75px; margin-right: 75px;" title="legend" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/legend-200x300.jpg" alt="" height="210" width="140" /></a><strong></strong></p><br /><strong>Marie Lu's</strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/039925675X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=039925675X">Legend</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=039925675X" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> - What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.<br /><br />From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/TehranInitiativeJRosenberg.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1179 aligncenter" style="margin-left: 75px; margin-right: 75px;" title="TehranInitiativeJRosenberg" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/TehranInitiativeJRosenberg-201x300.jpg" alt="" height="210" width="141" /></a><strong></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><strong>Joel Rosenberg's</strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414319355/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1414319355">The Tehran Initiative</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1414319355" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> - The world is on the brink of disaster and the clock is ticking. Iran has just conducted its first atomic weapons test. Millions of Muslims around the world are convinced their messiah—known as “the Twelfth Imam”—has just arrived on earth. Israeli leaders fear Tehran, under the Twelfth Imam’s spell, will soon launch a nuclear attack that could bring about a second holocaust and the annihilation of Israel. The White House fears Jerusalem will strike first, launching a preemptive attack against Iran’s nuclear facilities that could cause the entire Middle East to go up in flames, oil prices to skyrocket, and the global economy to collapse. With the stakes high and few viable options left, the president of the United States orders CIA operative David Shirazi and his team to track down and sabotage Iran’s nuclear warheads before Iran or Israel can launch a devastating first strike.<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/TorrentLTB.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1182 aligncenter" style="margin-left: 75px; margin-right: 75px;" title="TorrentLTB" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/TorrentLTB-198x300.jpg" alt="" height="210" width="139" /></a><strong></strong></p><strong>Lisa T. Bergren's</strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/143476429X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=143476429X">Torrent: A Novel (River of Time Series)</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=143476429X" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" />-<br /><div><strong>When Gabi and Lia finally learn to surf the river of time, they realize they must make hard choices about life and love in <em>Torrent</em>, the third and final book in the River of Time series. </strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death.</div><br /><div></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/WakingHoursLisWiehl.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1180 aligncenter" style="margin-left: 75px; margin-right: 75px;" title="WakingHoursLisWiehl" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/WakingHoursLisWiehl-199x300.jpg" alt="" height="194" width="129" /></a><strong></strong></p><br /><strong>Lis Wiehl's</strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595549404/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1595549404">Waking Hours (The East Salem Trilogy)</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1595549404" alt="" border="0" height="1" width="1" />(*with a side note...if I didn't know this was the first on a series, it probably would not make my top ten list...the ending felt lacking and did not tie up much) -<br /><div id="outer_postBodyPS"><br /><div id="postBodyPS"><strong>All towns have secrets. Some have demons.</strong><br /><br />Welcome to East Salem. A deceptively sleepy town where ancient supernatural forces are being awakened.<br /><br />A local high-school girl is found murdered in a park amid horse farms and wealthy homes of northern Westchester County, New York. The shocking manner of her death confounds the town and intrigues forensic psychiatrist Dani Harris, who is determined to unravel the mystery. All the suspects are teenagers who were at a party with the girl-yet none remembers what happened. Could one of them be a vicious killer? Or is something more sinister afoot-something tied to an ancient evil?<br /><br /></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-51248359660427119222011-10-13T07:55:00.000-07:002011-10-13T07:56:33.545-07:00Virtual Care PackageHey, y'all! I just had to share this "Virtual Care Package" that the amazing <a href="http://erynnnewman.blogspot.com/">Erynn Newman </a>sent me while I was buried getting <a href="http://roniekendig.com/trinity/">TRINITY: Military War Dog</a> finished and writing one proposal and cleaning up another to send to my agent.<br /><br />I was so touched by Erynn's thoughtfulness and was laughing so hard, that I actually burst into tears. Check this out. I think Erynn is brilliant!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/1.-Assorted-Coffees.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-978" title="1. Assorted Coffees" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/1.-Assorted-Coffees-150x150.jpg" alt="" height="150" width="150" /></a><br /></div><br />First, a basket of assorted coffees for that extra caffeine boost when you're burning the midnight oil. This should be enough to keep your cup full at all times.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2.-Unlimted-toonz.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-979" title="2. Unlimted toonz" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/2.-Unlimted-toonz-150x150.jpg" alt="" height="150" width="150" /></a><br /></div><br />Second, unlimited iTunes downloads so you can keep your inspiration flowing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/3.-Personal-Cleaning-team.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-980" title="3. Personal Cleaning team" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/3.-Personal-Cleaning-team-150x150.jpg" alt="" height="150" width="150" /></a><br /></div><br />Third, a team of people to cook and clean for you so you don't have to worry about that.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/4.-Dark-Chocolate.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-981" title="4. Dark Chocolate" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/4.-Dark-Chocolate-150x150.jpg" alt="" height="150" width="150" /></a><br /></div><br />Fourth, a never ending stash of chocolate to get you through the bleak moments. Can be substituted for the junk food of your choice.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/5.-tropical-deliciousness.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-982" title="5. tropical deliciousness" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/5.-tropical-deliciousness-150x150.jpg" alt="" height="150" width="150" /></a><br /></div><br />Fifth, a fruity tropical drink to enjoy when you finally get to take that much needed break.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/6.-nap.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-983" title="6. nap" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/6.-nap-150x150.jpg" alt="" height="150" width="150" /></a><br /></div><br />Sixth, an AMAZING place to CRASSSSSSHHHHH! With the waves lulling you to sleep.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/7.-Chris-Evans-PA.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-984" title="7. Chris Evans PA" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/7.-Chris-Evans-PA-150x150.jpg" alt="" height="150" width="150" /></a><br /></div><br />Seventh, Chris Evans as your personal assistant to bring you whatever else you need and look good while doing it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/8.-Congratulatory-bouquet.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-985" title="8. Congratulatory bouquet" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/8.-Congratulatory-bouquet-150x150.jpg" alt="" height="150" width="150" /></a><br /></div><br />And eighth, the YOU DID IT! IT'S DONE! IT'S DONE! Congratulatory bouquet. You can have Chris present it to you while singing a handwritten song about how amazing you are.<br /><br />When I thanked Erynn for her genius and thoughtfulness, she told that she wanted to send the real stuff, but Chris's assistant fees were crazy expensive. Then when I mentioned I cried, she told me, "Don't cry! I forgot the virtual tissues!"<br /><p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><strong>THANK YOU, ERYNN, FOR BEING SO AMAZING! </strong></p><br /><p style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><strong>I'm glad God brought you into my life!</strong></p><br />Sigh. What an amazing young woman. Watch for her--I know it won't be long before you can find her books on the shelves in your nearest bookstores!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-50593718035567709962011-10-01T10:05:00.001-07:002011-10-01T10:11:53.674-07:00DIGITALIS - 2011 INSPYs Short List Finalist!<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/DiscardedHeroes_Banner1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-974" title="DiscardedHeroes_Banner" src="http://roniekendig.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/DiscardedHeroes_Banner1.jpg" alt="" width="582" height="72" /></a></p><br />I am so tickled to see <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1602607834/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=1602607834">Digitalis, Discarded Heroes #2</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1602607834&camp=217145&creative=399369" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" />, make the <a href="http://inspys.com">2011 INSPY Short List</a> in Suspense/Thriller!!! OORAH!! Thank you to all readers who nominated Digitalis, and to the judges who have done an incredible amount of reading to determine the short list. WOOT!!<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1602607834/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=1602607834"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=1602607834&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=roniekecom-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" alt="" border="0" /></a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=roniekecom-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1602607834&camp=217145&creative=399369" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" /></p><br />Here is the full 2011 INSPY Short List straight from INSPYs.com:<br /><br /><strong>The INSPY Advisory Board is pleased to announce the shortlists for the 2011 INSPY Awards. We thank you for your enthusiastic nominations of books and again acknowledge the difficulties in narrowing the field with so many quality nominations.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Creative Nonfiction </strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8564644-little-princes">Little Princes</a> by Conor Grennan, (William Morrow, Jan 2011)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8592946-one-thousand-gifts">One Thousand Gifts</a> by Ann Voskamp, (Zondervan, Jan 2011)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8853980-passport-through-darkness">Passport Through Darkness</a> by Kimberly L. Smith (David C Cook, Jan 2011)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10748614-the-waiting-place">The Waiting Place</a> by Eileen Button (Thomas Nelson, June 2011)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7997110-the-world-is-bigger-now">The World is Bigger Now</a> by Euna Lee & Lisa Dickey (Broadway, Sept 2010)<br /><br /><strong>General</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8152618-city-of-tranquil-light">City of Tranquil Light</a> by Bo Caldwell, (Henry Holt & Co, Sept 2010)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10584221-the-blackberry-bush">The Blackberry Bush</a> by David Housholder (Summerside Press, June 2011)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7680765-the-reluctant-prophet">The Reluctant Prophet</a> by Nancy Rue (David C Cook, Oct 2010)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8501353-wolves-among-us">Wolves Among Us</a> by Ginger Garrett (David C Cook, April 2011)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9476132-words">Words</a> by Ginny Yttrup (B&H Publishing, Feb 2011)<br /><br /><strong>Mystery/Thriller</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7036992-back-on-murder">Back on Murder</a> by J. Mark Bertrand (Bethany House, July 2010)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9883489-darkness-follows">Darkness Follows</a> by Mark Dellosso (Realms, May 2011)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8485374-digitalis">Digitalis</a> by Ronie Kendig (Barbour, Jan 2011)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9790115-over-the-edge">Over the Edge</a> by Brandilyn Collins (B&H Publishing, May 2011)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6973755-the-bishop">The Bishop</a> by Steven James, (Revell, Aug 2010)<br /><br /><strong>Romance</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8125723-a-heart-most-worthy">A Heart Most Worthy</a> by Siri Mitchell (Bethany House, March 2011)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7506363-a-hope-undaunted">A Hope Undaunted</a> by Julie Lessman (Revell, Sept 2010)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7685228-the-preacher-s-bride">The Preacher’s Bride</a> by Jody Hedlund (Bethany House, Oct 2010)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6335685-within-my-heart">Within My Heart</a> by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House, Sept 2010)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10783349-yesterday-s-tomorrow">Yesterday’s Tomorrow</a> by Catherine West (Oak Tara, March 2011)<br /><br /><strong>Speculative Fiction</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7069751-heartless">Heartless</a> by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, (Bethany House, July 2010)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7832957-the-charlatan-s-boy">The Charlatan’s Boy</a> by Jonathan Rogers (Waterbrook Press, Oct 2010)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8519706-the-falling-away">The Falling Away</a> by T. L. Hines (Thomas Nelson, Sept 2010)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9064128-the-resurrection">The Resurrection</a> by Mike Duran (Realms, Feb 2011)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9523275-the-skin-map">The Skin Map</a> by Stephen Lawhead, (Thomas Nelson, Aug 2010)<br /><br /><strong>Young Adult</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8266889-a-girl-named-mister">A Girl Named Mister</a> by Nikki Grimes (Zondervan, Aug 2010)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6440071-losing-faith">Losing Faith</a> by Denise Jaden (Simon Pulse, Sept 2010)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8067113-saint-training">Saint Training</a> by Elizabeth Fixmer (Zondervan, Aug 2010)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7886561-the-fences-between-us">The Fences Between Us</a> by Kirby Larson (Scholastic, Sept 2010)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7823974-the-truth-of-the-matter">The Truth of the Matter</a> by Andrew Klavan (Thomas Nelson, Sept 2010)<br /><br /> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-3907871827986169742011-06-20T16:15:00.000-07:002011-06-20T16:17:49.945-07:00Hosting SUSAN SLEEMAN & Behind the Badge!<p><strong><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Enter to win a copy of Susan Sleeman's Behind the Badge and a $50 Amazon gift card!</span></strong></p><p>Susan Sleeman here.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Behind the Badge</span>, my second romantic suspense book for Love Inspired Suspense will release on June 6th and in honor of all of you, the readers, I am hosting a special contest on my website for the month of June.</p><p><img src="http://www.susansleeman.com/images/amazoncardsmaller.jpg" alt="" align="right" hspace="10" />Let’s face it. Without you, the wonderful readers, books would not exist and I wouldn’t be able to wake up looking forward to a job that is fresh and exciting each and every day. Praise God for this incredible opportunity!</p><p>Now back to the contest. All you have to do is read the excerpt below then go to my <a href="http://www.susansleeman.com/contests/june/"><strong><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >WEBSITE</span></strong></a><strong></strong> and answer the following question. That's it. You're entered to win.</p><p>If you'd like to sign up for my mailing list to learn of other contests in the future you can do that at the same time, too. Full contest rules are on the entry page. Remember only one entry per person.</p><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">QUESTION: What item let Russ know the bike was street legal? </span></span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> </span> </span></strong></p><p><img src="http://www.susansleeman.com/images/Susan%20Sleeman.jpg" alt="" align="right" hspace="10" />SUSAN SLEEMAN is a best-selling author of romantic suspense and mystery novels. She grew up in a small Wisconsin town where she spent her summers reading Nancy Drew and developing a love of mystery and suspense books. Today, she channels this enthusiasm into writing romantic suspense and mystery novels and hosting the popular internet website TheSuspenseZone.com.</p><p>Her books include <a href="http://www.susansleeman.com/books/nipped-in-the-bud/">Nipped in the Bud</a>, <a href="http://www.susansleeman.com/books/high-stakes-inheritance/">High-Stakes Inheritance</a>, <a href="http://www.susansleeman.com/books/behind-the-badge/">Behind the Badge</a>, and <a href="http://www.susansleeman.com/books/the-christmas-witness/">The Christmas Witness</a>. Also watch for the first two romantic suspense books in her Justice Agency series coming from Love Inspired Suspense in 2012 and featuring a private investigations firm specializing in helping those who traditional law enforcement has failed.</p><p>Susan currently lives in Florida, but has had the pleasure of living in nine states. Her husband is a church music director and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law and an adorable grandson.</p><p>To learn more about Susan visit her <a href="http://www.susansleeman.com/">website</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SusanSleemanBooks/">Facebook </a>, or <a href="http://www.twitter.com/susansleeman/">Twitter</a>.</p><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.susansleeman.com/images/covers/behindthebadge_225.jpg" alt="Behind the Badge" width="225" align="left" height="355" hspace="5" /><br /><p><strong>"YOUR SISTER IS NEXT!"</strong></p><p>A killer is threatening the life of rookie cop Sydney Tucker's sister-unless Sydney turns over evidence from a drug bust. But she doesn't have the evidence. Not that the thug believes her. Now she and the sibling in her care are under the watchful eye of Logan Lake police chief Russ Morgan…but will his protection be enough?</p><p>The killer is closing in, picking off the people and places that mean the most to Sydney. A list that now includes Russ. To protect her loved ones, will she pay the ultimate price-her life?<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">The Morgan Brothers - Bk 2</p></div><p style="text-align: center;">Love Inspired Suspense June 6, 2011<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">ISBN-10: 0373444478<br /></p><p>ISBN-13: 978-0373444472</p><br /><hr /><br /><p><strong><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">READ AN EXCERPT:</span> </span></strong></p><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Chapter One</div><br /><div style="overflow: auto; height: 307px;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><p>Gunshots split the inky darkness.</p><p>Deputy Sydney Tucker hit the cold ground, a jagged rock slashing into her forehead on the way down. She reached for her service weapon. Came up empty handed. She'd stopped after work to check on the construction of her townhouse and left her gun and cell phone in the car.</p><p><em>Dumb, Sydney. Really dumb. Now what're you gonna do?</em></p><p>Inching her head above knee-high grass, she listened. The keening whistle of the wind died, leaving the air damp and heavy with tension but silence reigned.</p><p>Had she overreacted? Could be target practice. But at night? Maybe. Hunters did crazy things sometimes.</p><p>Footfalls pounded from below like someone charging through the brush. No. Two people. Maybe a chase. One person after another. A loud crash, branches snapping.</p><p>"What're you doin', man," a panicked male voice traveled through the night. "No! Don't shoot! We can work this out."</p><p>Three more gunshots rang out. A moan drifted up the hill.</p><p>Not target practice. Someone had been shot.</p><p>Sydney lurched to her feet, dizziness swirling around her. Blood dripped into her eyes. She wiped it away, blinked hard and steadied herself on a large rock while peering into the wall of darkness for the best escape route.</p><p>Heavy footfalls crunched up the gravel path.</p><p>"I know you're here, Deputy Tucker," a male voice, disguised with a high nasally pitch, called out. "We need to talk about this. C'mon out."</p><p><em>Yeah, right. Come out and die. Not hardly.</em></p><p>Praying, pleading for safety, she scrambled deeper into the scrub. Over rocks. Through grass tangling her feet. Her heart pounded in her head, drowning the prayers with fear.</p><p>"I'm losing patience, Deputy," he called again in that strange voice. "You're not like Dixon. He had it coming. You don't."</p><p>Dixon? Did he mean the man she arrested for providing alcohol to her teenage sister and for selling drugs? Was that what this was about?</p><p>Rocks skittered down the incline. The shooter was on the move again. No time to think. She had to go. Now!</p><p>Blindly she felt her way past shrubs, over uneven ground. Dried leaves crunched underfoot. Branches slapped her face and clawed at her arms, but she stifled her cries of pain.</p><p>"I hear you, Deputy."</p><p>She wrenched around to determine his location. A protruding rock caught her foot, catapulting her forward. She somersaulted through the air. Her knee slammed into the packed earth and she crashed down the hill. Wrapping arms around her head for protection, she came to a stop, breath knocked out of her chest, lying flat on her back in a thick stand of weeds.</p><p>"So you want to play it that way, do you Deputy? Fine. Just remember, you can run, but you can't hide. I will find you. This will be resolved one way or another." His disembodied laugh swirled into the night.</p><p>The darkness pressed closer. Blinding. Overwhelming. Terrifying.</p><p>She was easy prey. Even with her bulletproof vest, a few rounds fired in her direction would take her out. She had to get up.</p><p>She rose to her knees, but pain knifed into her knee, keeping her anchored to the ground.</p><p><em>Lord, please don't let me die like this. Give me the strength to move. I need to live for Nikki. She's only seventeen. She has no one. </em></p><p>Sydney uncurled and came to a standing position. Taking a few halting steps, she tested the pain. Nearly unbearable. But she could-no she<em> had</em> to do this for her sister.</p><p>Thinking of Nikki, she gritted her teeth and set off, moving slowly, taking care not to make a sound.</p><p>Out of the darkness, a hand shot out. Clamped over her mouth.</p><p>Screams tore from her throat, but died behind fingers pressed hard against her lips.</p><p>A muscled arm jerked her against a solid chest and dragged her deep into the brush.</p><p><em>God, please, no.</em></p><p>She twisted, arched her back, pushing against arms like iron bands.</p><p>She dug her heels into the ground, but he was too strong. He kept going deeper into the brush before settling them both on the ground behind a large boulder.</p><p>"Relax Sydney, it's Russ Morgan," Logan Lake's Police Chief whispered, his lips close to her ear.</p><p>Russ Morgan? What was he doing here?</p><p>"Sorry about the hand." His tone said she was nothing more than a stranger instead of someone she'd known for years. "I didn't want you to alert the shooter with a scream. I'm gonna remove my hand now. Nod if you understand me."</p><p>She let all of her relief escape in a sharp jerk of her head. His fingers dropped away.</p><p>"Once the shooter rounded that curve, you would've been a goner," he whispered while still firmly holding her. "Good thing a neighbor reported gunshots."</p><p>Sydney started to shiver and breathed deep to steady her galloping pulse. Air rushed into her lungs. She was alive, but barely. No thanks to her own skills.</p><p>"You okay?" he asked, his breath stirring her hair.</p><p>"Yes." She willed her body to stop shaking and eased out a hiss of disappointment in her performance as a deputy. "How long have you been here?"</p><p>"Long enough to hear the shooter claim he's hit Dixon and is coming after you next," he whispered again, but urgency lit his voice and rekindled her fear. "This have to do with your arrest of Carl Dixon the other day?"</p><p>"I don't know," she whispered back. "I just stopped to check on the construction of my townhouse on my way home from work."</p><p>"Off duty, huh? Explains why you don't have your weapon drawn."</p><p>"I left my duty belt in my car." She waited for his reaction to not carrying, but he simply gave a quick nod as footfalls grated against gravel.</p><p>"Shh, he's about to pass us." Russ leaned forward and drew his gun with his free hand, but didn't release his hold on her.</p><p>Crunching steps came within a few feet of their location. Halted.</p><p>"Can you feel me breathing down your neck, Deputy? I'm inches from finding you." He didn't know the accuracy of his words.</p><p>She felt Russ's breathing speed up, upping her concern and washing away the brief blanket of security his arms provided. Adrenaline urged her to move. To keep from panicking, she focused on Russ's unwavering weapon.</p><p>The shooter took a few steps closer. Her heart thumped, threatening to leave her chest. Russ tightened his hold as if he knew she wanted to bolt.</p><p>The shooter spun sending gravel flying then headed up the path.</p><p>As his footsteps receded, she tried to relax taut muscles. The warmth from Russ's body helped chase out her fear and the chill of the night. Thank God Russ was here. If he hadn't come.</p><p>She refused to go there. God had watched over her. Provided rescue, just not in the form she'd have chosen.</p><p>Not only was Russ an officer from the city police force-a team often in competition with the county sheriff's department where she worked-but a man she'd had a crazy crush on in high school. A man whose rugged good looks still turned women's heads.</p><p>She let out a long sigh.</p><p>"I know this's awkward," he whispered, "but hang tight for a few more minutes. We need to wait for him to head back down the hill."</p><p>She wanted to protest and suggest they flee now, but not Russ. He thought clearly. Taking off now gave the killer the advantage of higher ground, making them moving targets. They'd have to sit like this until he passed them again.</p><p>If they made it out of here, which the approaching footfalls told her wasn't at all certain.</p><p>They pounded closer. The shooter moved at a quick clip this time as if he thought she'd gotten away and he was fleeing. Or maybe he was heading to her car to lay in wait for her.</p><p>As the footsteps receded again, she felt Russ's arm slacken.</p><p>"Time to roll," he whispered. "Stay here."</p><p>"But I-"</p><p>"You have a backup?" He referred to a back up gun officers often carry.</p><p>She shook her head.</p><p>"Then wait here." He gave her the hard stare that'd made him famous around town and crept toward the path.</p><p>She leaned against the boulder and wrapped her arms around the warm circle on her waist where he'd held her. Without his warmth, she couldn't quit shaking. The reality of the night froze her inner core.</p><p>She should listen to Russ. Lay low. Wait until he apprehended the killer.</p><p>That was the safe thing to do.</p><p>The easy thing to do.</p><p>The wrong thing to do.</p><p>Not for everyone, but for an officer of the law, letting a shooter escape without trying to stop him wasn't an option. Even if that shooter had her in his sights, she'd make her way to her car for her gun and help Russ stop this maniac before he hurt anyone else.</p><p>*****</p><p>Near the ditch, Russ came to a stop and fought to catch his breath. Taillights on a mud splattered dirt bike roared up the trail. He'd warned the suspect to stop, but short of shooting him in the back, Russ couldn't stop him from fleeing into the dark.</p><p>At least he'd accomplished his primary objective. To protect Sydney and keep her alive. Now he needed to alert his men and the sheriff's office to the suspect's whereabouts.</p><p>He lifted his shoulder mic and ordered a unit from his office to stake out the end of the trail for the motorcycle and an ambulance in case Dixon survived. Then he asked dispatch to patch him through to the county sheriff's department to make sure they knew he'd taken charge of the scene so none of their hotshot deputies arrived with the hope of usurping control.</p><p>He turned on his Maglight and headed up the hill. The beam of light skipped over gravel and lush plants lining the winding path. Midway up, rustling brush stopped him cold. He'd left Sydney higher up. Nearer the lake.</p><p>Was a second shooter hoping to ambush him?</p><p>He flipped off his light and sought protection behind a tree. His breath came in little pulses in the unusually cold air for a typical Oregon fall. Adrenaline with little time to ebb away came roaring back, but even as the noise grew louder, he resisted the urge to take action.</p><p>Maybe it was Sydney. The Sydney he used to know wouldn't have listened to his directive and stayed put. She'd trounce down the hill, her chin tilted at the same insolent angle as when he told her he didn't return her crazy crush her freshman year of high school. Not that he'd wanted to send a beautiful, lively girl like her away. He could easily have dated her, but he was four years older, in college. With their age difference, it wouldn't have been right.</p><p>Bushes at the path's edge shook then parted. Slowly, like a sleek panther, Sydney slipped out. He watched until she stood tall on those incredibly long legs he'd admired since she was sixteen before lowering his gun and aiming his flashlight at her.</p><p>She jumped. Peered up at him, an impudent look planted on her face. This was the Sydney he'd known as a teen and heaven help him, in less than thirty minutes, she'd sparked his interest again.</p><p>"Care to shine that somewhere other than my face." She perched her hand over her eyes, warding off the glare.</p><p>He moved the light but not before he caught a good look at a gaping wound running from her hairline to eyebrow, covered in congealed blood. He lifted his hand to check out her injury, but stopped. He wouldn't probe a wound on one of his men's faces. As a fellow LEO-law enforcement officer-he wouldn't treat Sydney any differently.</p><p>"I told you to stay put." He infused his words with authority.</p><p>"I wanted to help. Wish I'd listened. I tripped over the body." She held out blood-covered hands. Her eyes watered as if she might cry.</p><p>Man. Don't do that. Don't fall apart. He couldn't remain detached if she started crying. He'd have to empathize, maybe give her a reassuring pat on the arm. Maybe feel her pain and resurrect all the reasons he'd left his homicide job in Portland.</p><p>He changed his focus. Nodded at the brush. "Show me the body."</p><p>As a faint whine of sirens spiraled in the distance, she limped into tall grass, a grimace of pain marring her beautiful face. He followed, illuminating the area ahead of her. About ten feet in, she suddenly stopped. He shone his light a few feet ahead of her.</p><p>Diffused rays slid over a young male lying on his back. Russ swung the beam to the man's face landing on open eyes staring into the blackness above.</p><p>Sydney gasped and swung around him. She rushed toward the main path. Even though Russ knew it was a lost cause, he bent down to check for a pulse. No question, this man hadn't made it and no question about his identity. Carl Dixon, a man every LEO in the area knew from his frequent blips onto the police radar and the most recent arrest for selling drugs.</p><p>All that ended with three gunshots to the chest at close range from what Russ could see with his flashlight. Once they thoroughly processed the scene, he'd know better. But first, they needed to vacate the area before further contaminating the scene.</p><p>He found Sydney near the path, gaze fixed in the distance, hands clasped on her hips and exhaling long breaths as if trying to expel what she'd just seen.</p><p>Haunted eyes peered at him. "He's dead, right?"</p><p>"Yeah."</p><p>"And what about the killer?"</p><p>"Couldn't catch him. He took off on a dirt bike."</p><p>Disappointment crowded out the fear on her face. "Did you at least see him?"</p><p>"From the back. He was my height or a little taller, but lean. Wore a black stocking cap. The bike has a plate so it must be street legal. I caught the first few digits."</p><p>"That's something, then."</p><p>Russ didn't want to tell her it would do little for them in terms of searching DMV records as three digits would return thousands of bikes, but he didn't think she could take any more bad news so he kept quiet. "Let's head down to the parking lot."</p><p>He gave her the flashlight and urged her to take the lead down the steep hill. Once on solid concrete, she handed it back to him. Holding it overhead, he watched her closely for dizziness or other impairments from her fall. He saw nothing out of the ordinary, but a head injury could mean a concussion. He'd have the EMT's check her out when they got here.</p><p>He pointed at a rough-hewn bench. "Maybe you should sit down."</p><p>"I'm fine " Her voice cracked and she seemed embarrassed over reacting to the murder.</p><p>"It's okay to be upset, Syd. A horrible thing happened tonight."</p><p>"I'm fine really. I'll be back to a hundred percent by morning."</p><p> </p><br /><p>Text copyright © by Susan Sleeman</p><p>Permission to reproduce text granted by Harlequin Books S.A.</p><br /><p> </p><br /></span></div><br /><p><a> </a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-51529041644764358712011-06-13T05:08:00.000-07:002011-06-13T05:08:00.190-07:00Win a Romantic Night on the Town from Miss Foolish Heart!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4NySk0NZhgVPwv5VJy0DcFd3qv8paF19O4v-PaboSaKCAkHIA_g_6hfiH2DkJhxnV7_1CA3Yylo49aazKFqp8Cul7s915gEq8MVK4QJVkOqSYaLrvYD_6Xf6-Ctu08tytga_/s1600/SMWmyfoolishheart+cover+sm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4NySk0NZhgVPwv5VJy0DcFd3qv8paF19O4v-PaboSaKCAkHIA_g_6hfiH2DkJhxnV7_1CA3Yylo49aazKFqp8Cul7s915gEq8MVK4QJVkOqSYaLrvYD_6Xf6-Ctu08tytga_/s200/SMWmyfoolishheart+cover+sm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613241204201499842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://susanmaywarren.com/">Susan May Warren</a> is thrilled to announce the release of her latest Deep Haven book, <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Foolish-Heart-Deep-Haven/dp/1414334826?ie=UTF8&tag=sprightly-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">My Foolish Heart</a><img alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sprightly-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1414334826" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" border="0" height="1" /></i></b>!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="Corbel","sans-serif"; background:silverfont-family:";" >About the book:</span></b></span><span style=" Corbel","sans-serif"font-family:";font-size:130%;" > <b><i>My Foolish heart</i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="Corbel","sans-serif"font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="Corbel","sans-serif"font-size:100%;" ></span></p>Unknown to her tiny town of Deep Haven, Isadora Presley spends her nights as Miss Foolish Heart, the star host of a syndicated talk radio show. Millions tune in to hear her advice on dating and falling in love, unaware that she’s never really done either. Issy’s ratings soar when it seems she’s falling in love on-air with a caller. A caller she doesn’t realize lives right next door. <br /><br />Caleb Knight served a tour of duty in Iraq and paid a steep price. The last thing he wants is pity, so he hides his disability and moves to Deep Haven to land his dream job as the high school football coach. When his beautiful neighbor catches his eye, in a moment of desperation he seeks advice from My Foolish Heart, the show that airs before his favorite sports broadcast. <br /><br />Before he knows it, Caleb finds himself drawn to the host—and more confused than ever. Is his perfect love the woman on the radio . . . or the one next door?<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="Corbel","sans-serif"font-size:100%;" ></span></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ybgzuKEBRqIqdmUfVefIYYaQBT8ZFH_sPYudMeWnjh1FY8CR-qkab-fL23lHIcxFGJhKfraQdGJhb5R5z2oltPAW1RzPZe0Bl-Ij3OB1XmgIlBGrmYIeJDLOHCaIJSR-PmWx/s1600/SMW2010+headshot.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ybgzuKEBRqIqdmUfVefIYYaQBT8ZFH_sPYudMeWnjh1FY8CR-qkab-fL23lHIcxFGJhKfraQdGJhb5R5z2oltPAW1RzPZe0Bl-Ij3OB1XmgIlBGrmYIeJDLOHCaIJSR-PmWx/s200/SMW2010+headshot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613241198163322162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="Corbel","sans-serif"; background:silver">About Susan<span style="font-size:130%;">:</span></span></b></span> Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.<br /><br />Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of <a href="http://www.mybooktherapy.com/" target="_blank">www.MyBookTherapy.com</a>, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.<br /><br />Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)<br /><br />A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at:<span style=";font-size:100%;" > <a href="http://www.susanmaywarren.com/" target="_blank">www.susanmaywarren.com</a>.</span><p></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">RONIE HERE:</span><br /></span>I can say three things about SMW without compunction: 1.) She's simply brilliant when it comes to writing. 2.) She's an amazing teacher--she can bring it down to simple elements that makes the most complicated element easy to understand, and 3.) she's a really beautiful person, inside and out. So, it was with GREAT PLEASURE that I jumped into this blog tour when given the chance.<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />Ronie's review of <span style="font-style:italic;">MY FOOLISH HEART</span>: </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />There’s nothing foolish about <span style="font-style: italic;">My Foolish Hear</span>t! Susan May Warren is a masterful storyteller, and <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>her skill with words and characters shines in her latest release. As a writer of military-theme fiction, I greatly appreciated the compelling story of her hero, <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Caleb Knight.<br /><br />The plight and struggles of Isadora Presley really tugged at my heart but also made me cheer for her. I absolutely loved the thread about Issy’s father, but that’s all I’ll say about that (no spoilers here!). There was also a familiar flavor in this story that reminded me of the Noble Legacy series. Maybe it was the to-die for heroes (because, yes, there are two heroes in this story…and ya know…I sort of wish the “other guy” had his own story because he had some mettle!). <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Or the strong-hearted heroines. Or maybe it’s just that Susie knows how to tell a doggone good story. Yeah, that’s true regardless. Quite simply, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">My Foolish Heart </i>is a lovely story of courage and healing. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><br /><b><a href="http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13297362">Read what the reviewers are saying here.</a></b><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span>To celebrate this charming novel about a dating expert who's never had a date, Susan has put together a romantic night on the town for one lucky couple. One grand prize winner will receive a Miss Foolish Heart prize package worth over $200!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/126623"><img src="http://edge.virbcdn.com/_f/files/resize_1024x1365/87/FileItem-75682-foolish_300x250.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>The winner of the Romantic Night on the Town Prize Pack will receive:</b><br /><br />* A $100 Visa Gift Card (For Dinner)<br /><br />* A $100 Gift Certificate to a Hyatt/Marriott Hotel<br /><br />* The entire Deep Haven series<br /><br />To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on June 16th. The <b>winner will be announced that evening during <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=101983386561082">Susan’s Miss Foolish Heart Party on Facebook</a></b>! Susan will be chatting with guests, hosting a book club chat about <i>My Foolish Heart</i>, testing your Deep Haven trivia skills, and giving away tons of great stuff! (Gift certificates, books, donuts, and more!) <b>Don't miss the fun and BRING YOUR FRIENDS! </b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/126623" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via E-mail" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlori34lLCZjJih5wLsVpbctkF6U0sbK-HY-9QJDXSybYluFlbEbiqWm4PAsJcEeI6TdfW5eIfgygJMDbXIJDBJKTfPkzfDr0Uj806xx-xEUn2WbPmGJJV-08eAyZ-plDGK5YCg/s1600/email_icon.png" title="Enter via E-mail" width="48" height="48" /></a> <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/126623" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Facebook" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxBaqwzPwFCWo3WgvvXMkGWbbztohQFL6udaJv1EbeVIX61qO7-XHSfW6CQYX5QRvu1Fgt2EB4CLzJG1vF-K-gFtu0sH1UN7oFrNbkkBcftehUbXAbxu2dm-M4Z2IFheALkuM0Q/s1600/Facebook_icon-300x300.png" title="Enter via Facebook" width="48" height="48" /></a><a href="http://wildfireapp.com/twitter/233/contests/126623" target="_blank"><img alt="Enter via Twitter" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhue-YB7SylQ_sS9U_jZryQBnGdRO2UKUbRMnUKTM6jozv0W53psuPCeBmq8I3zOoij4mcRd58z9FKO_JAG7KaL1iCsK98Pm3tyfcVJbCRIlbabBcRCMOcAERcjvNK5TTxf2Ysc7A/s1600/Twitter_button.png" title="Enter via Twitter" width="48" height="48" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-16758819702049884382011-06-06T08:21:00.000-07:002011-06-09T14:15:09.507-07:00Meet "Kazi" from Firethorn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPB64ylWjiTMio2k8iPoexrM7X3TN511_amAC1eL6eq2Sv_h4xGMeaNf3b6BZzo967bpL2Wn0ilu5kB3Fwqk1nOY3h6W9GYPKOLbBb23-luLV_e5_PetuhFM1u8M1G-KgsZ2M/s1600/Firethorn+cover_FINAL_color+shift.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPB64ylWjiTMio2k8iPoexrM7X3TN511_amAC1eL6eq2Sv_h4xGMeaNf3b6BZzo967bpL2Wn0ilu5kB3Fwqk1nOY3h6W9GYPKOLbBb23-luLV_e5_PetuhFM1u8M1G-KgsZ2M/s200/Firethorn+cover_FINAL_color+shift.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615128012956842946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Today at NovelJourney, you can meet "Kazi" from Firethorn. Or literally, the model who posed as Kazi. Recently, I got to meet her in person, and I think you'll love her story. <a href="http://noveljourney.blogspot.com/2011/06/model-story.html">Check it out! </a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-76574207860158689012011-05-27T16:17:00.000-07:002011-05-27T16:20:33.021-07:00The Annotated Firebird Giveaway-WINNER!<span style="font-size:130%;">Congratulations Phyllis Wheeler on winning <span style="font-style: italic;">The Annotated Firebird</span>!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6c3xn9KfC6FeS0wxADhc3TlVtMf-P9ltpRFA_MTzMSi3uAkdG5XNR5xHbumVpeQh-Z0N4iASXgnKclgy-iPdnECfP41vMY8JZLnKaCh4F8vDA6sp-kkwC2a13cLT_LYd6kUt/s1600/Firebird.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6c3xn9KfC6FeS0wxADhc3TlVtMf-P9ltpRFA_MTzMSi3uAkdG5XNR5xHbumVpeQh-Z0N4iASXgnKclgy-iPdnECfP41vMY8JZLnKaCh4F8vDA6sp-kkwC2a13cLT_LYd6kUt/s200/Firebird.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611539720077877282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If I do not hear from Phyllis within one week, I will choose another winner.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-44366102451554962472011-05-25T05:15:00.000-07:002011-05-25T05:15:00.217-07:00Wolfsbane - 4 stars from Romantic Times<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYQKq0LD3qtm7gUFhYW1DP8ZrpGrMOhkErWpVIMI0LJ-5jQ4dm3VHcUfhqgdCKkZvrVnxjnoMXk_nKHCRtE2WCFhPuRh_N-8_9RozlyqTdXmSWFfJm6NcVz7tHy-PR7wMqxA6/s1600/Wolfsbane+cover+Hi+res.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 131px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYQKq0LD3qtm7gUFhYW1DP8ZrpGrMOhkErWpVIMI0LJ-5jQ4dm3VHcUfhqgdCKkZvrVnxjnoMXk_nKHCRtE2WCFhPuRh_N-8_9RozlyqTdXmSWFfJm6NcVz7tHy-PR7wMqxA6/s200/Wolfsbane+cover+Hi+res.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610410105382095154" border="0" /></a><span class="title"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>WOLFSBANE</span><br /><p><span class="author">by <a href="http://www.rtbookreviews.com/author/ronie-kendig">Ronie Kendig</a> </span></p> <p><span class="bold">Genre:</span> <span class="tax-term">Romantic Suspense</span>, <span class="tax-term">Inspirational</span></p> <p class="rt-rating"><img id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://www.rtbookreviews.com/images/star-4.png" class="rating" border="0" />RT Rating</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";" >The author’s military background shines through in vivid detail, but the rugged first names (Canyon, Stone, Range) are distracting at first. Then Kendig pulls out all the stops with page-turning action, adventure and danger. Book three in the Discarded Heroes series can pretty much stand alone. </span></p> <p>Having escaped a brutal Venezuelan general, demolitions expert Danielle Roark fights her way back to the States, only to be charged with espionage. When she’s forced to return to the jungle to prove her innocence, she is intentionally left behind. What secret does she have that’s worth fighting for? Haunted, former Green Beret Canyon Metcalf is fighting off nightmares of an operation gone bad. When he’s thrown back into the jungle on a Nightshade mission, he must push the memories aside to rescue Dani. Will he lose another woman to the cruelty of war? (BARBOUR, Jul., 320 pp., $12.99)</p> <p><em>Reviewed By: Chandra McNeil</em></p> <p><span class="bold">Publisher:</span> BARBOUR </p> <span class="bold" style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-ansi-language: EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:Calibri;" >Published:</span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;" > July 2011 </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-25970037061662113812011-05-24T09:15:00.000-07:002011-05-24T09:15:00.280-07:00NIGHTSHADE FINALS AGAIN!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuWhReJoI8vmIMDfC26s05Vs6wGuPBQyjWpIIBs9Gia5Xp-k6zS-KkU534LuSfs3vR4aiw2ho61Z5jfXFRNOdKXgPtcDesZfwy692-eyH2lZPjesyNMlhbhve_5sfKxhSzrw0/s1600/Nightshade+HR.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFuWhReJoI8vmIMDfC26s05Vs6wGuPBQyjWpIIBs9Gia5Xp-k6zS-KkU534LuSfs3vR4aiw2ho61Z5jfXFRNOdKXgPtcDesZfwy692-eyH2lZPjesyNMlhbhve_5sfKxhSzrw0/s200/Nightshade+HR.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610079745467292466" border="0" /></a>I am so stoked to share with you--last night, I got a call from the coordinator for the Faith, Hope, & Love chapter of RWA. Admittedly, I missed the chance to scream in her ear because I didn't recognize the number, so I let it go to voice mail. O.ops!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">NIGHTSHADE </span>is a finalist in the </span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Faith, Hope, & Love 2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards in the R</span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >omantic Suspense category!!</span><br /><br />Also, congrats to my beautiful friend GINA HOLMES and CROSSING OCEANS for finaling in the Long Contemporary category!! YAY!!!<br /><br />Winners will be announced at RWA National in New York. 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style="text-align:center" align="center"><b>2011 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award Finalists</b></p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal"><b><u>Women’s Fiction</u></b></p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">The House on <span class="yshortcuts">Sugar Plum</span> Lane by Judy Duarte (Kensington)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart (FaithWords)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman (<span class="yshortcuts">Thomas Nelson</span>)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal"><b><u>Long Contemporary</u></b></p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes (Tyndale)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">The Six-Liter Club by Harry Kraus (Howard)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">Long Finds You in <span class="yshortcuts">Sugarcreek, Ohio</span> by Serena Miller (Summerside)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal"><b><u>Short Contemporary</u></b></p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal"><span class="yshortcuts">Tender Mercies</span> by Mary Manners (<span class="yshortcuts">White Rose</span>)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal"><span class="yshortcuts">White Roses</span> by Shannon Taylor Vannatter (Barbour)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">Rodeo Redemption by Teri Wilson (White Rose)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal"> <b><u>Long Historical</u></b></p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">The Preacher’s Bride by Jody Hedlund (<span class="yshortcuts">Bethany House</span>)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">Abbie Ann by Sharlene MacLaren (Whitaker House)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin (Revell)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal"> </p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal"><b><u>Short Historical</u></b></p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">Walker’s Wedding by <span class="yshortcuts">Lori Copeland</span> (Harvest)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal"><span class="yshortcuts">The Substitute</span> Bride by <span class="yshortcuts">Janet Dean</span> (<span class="yshortcuts">Steeple Hill</span>)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">A Matter of Character by <span class="yshortcuts">Robin Lee Hatcher</span> (Zondervan)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal"><b><u>Romantic Suspense</u></b></p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason (Revell)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze (Waterbrook)</p> <p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="yiv1383184938msonormal"><span class="yshortcuts">Nightshade</span> by Ronie Kendig (Barbour)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal"> </p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal"><b><u>Novella</u></b></p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">The Snowflake by Jamie Carrie (Broadman and Holman)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal"><span class="yshortcuts">Once Upon a Christmas Eve</span> by Anita Higman (Summerside)</p> <p class="yiv1383184938msonormal">A Bodine Family Christmas by Marta Perry (<span class="yshortcuts">Steeple Hill</span>)</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-37335240984435117392011-05-21T18:12:00.000-07:002011-05-21T18:23:43.569-07:00The Annotated Firebird Giveaway!This is a very special giveaway for me. Due to a mix-up, I ended up with two copies of <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982598769/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=0982598769">The Annotated Firebird</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=0982598769&camp=217145&creative=399349" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" width="1" border="0" height="1" /> by Kathy Tyers (Marcher Lord Press, $26.99) that just released. So, I am giving away one of the copies, completely free!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Just leave a comment and tell me why you want this book, what makes it special to you?</span><br /><br />For me, I first heard about <span style="font-style: italic;">Firebird </span>on my first-ever encounter with new agent <a href="http://www.stevelaube.com/">STEVE LAUBE</a> when I pitched my near-futuristic story, LIBERTY'S SON, to him in 2004. I hadn't read much speculative fiction beyond Stephen Lawhead, due to some well-intentioned restrictions by my mother, who wanted to be sure we were honoring God in our lives. Steve told me to read <span style="font-style: italic;">Firebird</span>. So, I did...and it absolutely revolutionized my thinking and writing.<br /><br />When Marcher Lord Press announced they had secured the rights to re-publish this amazing series and would actually print the remaining books, buying <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982598769/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=0982598769">The Annotated Firebird</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=0982598769&camp=217145&creative=399349" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" width="1" border="0" height="1" /> was a no-brainer.<br /><br /><blockquote>In a war she doesn't believe in, she must forge a bold new destiny. <br /><br />Firebird: Lady Firebird Angelo departs her home world <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XU3P6TaTB6k06AOgivwZpjY4SbWT4OdzsVH4tYsYQDr3emiTm41IPMOq6z2w2f5N_A9-N06u1qYeMj1u3MRKG_mhTtIDzZXHMHAmJodaFa9GHI8VGNtNWB90IuvcmqRzGjjS/s1600/Firebird.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XU3P6TaTB6k06AOgivwZpjY4SbWT4OdzsVH4tYsYQDr3emiTm41IPMOq6z2w2f5N_A9-N06u1qYeMj1u3MRKG_mhTtIDzZXHMHAmJodaFa9GHI8VGNtNWB90IuvcmqRzGjjS/s200/Firebird.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609344164289354498" border="0" /></a>expecting death in space combat. Captured instead, she finds a startling destiny among an ancient telepathic family-and a new kind of battle against implacable enemies. <br /><br />Fusion Fire: Firebird discovers both evil and uncontrollable power at the depths of her own spirit, and when her sister commits unspeakable treachery, she must draw on that power to save the man she loves from certain death. <br /><br />Crown of Fire: Firebird returns to her home world, where some consider her a hero-but those in power have labeled her a traitor. Facing death once again, she discovers the cost of pride and the true meaning of sacrifice. <br /><br />In a single volume with newly created maps and annotations, here are the first three volumes of the beloved Firebird series, freshly edited for Marcher Lord Press by bestselling author Kathy Tyers.</blockquote>So, there you go! AMAZING!!! <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Leave a comment WITH A CONTACT ADDRESS</span> to enter to win!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-14224525245589988982011-05-12T09:28:00.000-07:002011-05-13T18:35:49.121-07:00Sizzling Summer Reading<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.discardedheroes.com/"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBO3lAPktuc-c0TrZohh2dBGSWciDPd2W56goABl2DRbADTqQ79CMhsIGGf2kVJqnqI7UnSr3f_VdgZ3zJLNpyCu54Z5rQtWHasweAR65INio3LgSSydh4-Sk5F9HgIl2j5IHN/s200/Wolfsbane+cover+V2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605881328623653826" border="0" /></a>Hey, y'all. I just wanted to take a minute to share some thriller titles with you that I'm really looking froward to over the next four months or so. I've read a couple of them already, but I haven't read them all so I have no idea if they will uphold my expectations (hehe).<br /><br />Don't forget--<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1602607842/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=1602607842">Wolfsbane (Discarded Heroes #3)</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=1602607842&camp=217145&creative=399349" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" width="1" border="0" height="1" />releases July 1st. So...after you've bought that, feel free to buy any of these other novels. ::grins::<br /><br />I hope you'll snatch up these great titles and help save an author (hehe).<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >JUNE</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">TARGETS DOWN</span> by <a href="http://www.bobhamer.net/">Bob Hamer</a> </span>- <i>Targets Down</i> is the follow-up to retired FBI agent Bob <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKknVEMR-FAaRrPPHgy3ZGdpoihxyihhicIlmTRXccbWi4l7JamKFSs2utu-8rvvLEtrSGBE5vXt6PJeCK54YPKIc8EkbT-yUMGqUl3xHEQKgQ5Fui90w7mTmes864FbO18VuQ/s1600/TargetsDownBHamer.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKknVEMR-FAaRrPPHgy3ZGdpoihxyihhicIlmTRXccbWi4l7JamKFSs2utu-8rvvLEtrSGBE5vXt6PJeCK54YPKIc8EkbT-yUMGqUl3xHEQKgQ5Fui90w7mTmes864FbO18VuQ/s200/TargetsDownBHamer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605879349196327394" border="0" /></a>Hamer's <i>Enemies Among Us</i>, which <i>Publishers Weekly</i> hailed as "a page-turning roller coaster that feels like Jack Bauer’s <i>24</i> without sailing over the top."<br /><br />When an FBI wife is critically wounded and two people are found dead on a mountain pass, special agent Matt Hogan is tasked with identifying those responsible. The undercover assignment takes him into the shadow world of Russian organized crime, neo-Nazis, and the sex-slave industry. Matt's cover is almost blown twice—once by accident, once by incompetence within the FBI ranks—making violence appear to be his only solution. As he confronts evil, Hogan relies not only on the strength of his wife's faith but his own quest to find God. He also finds terror and terrorism on this heart-pounding journey.<br /><br />TARGETS DOWN IS ALREADY IN STOCK AT <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/targets-down-bob-hamer/9781433672774/pd/672770?item_code=WW&netp_id=864411&event=ESRCN&view=details#curr">CBD.COM!! BUY IT NOW!!!</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">JULY<br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">THUNDER IN THE MORNING CALM</span> (Pacific Rim Series) by <a href="http://www.donbrownbooks.com/">Don Brown</a></span> - Lieutenant <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZw3QJ0HQUmr9F5Lv37eA2mtHYZmIad0inRkflMD8q8BHl1rtEC9VisKjd_54PM_EOmy1eTVgP29T6_OvtUaEi7FNQZV_HVTPszR_m4bZ9EJBGs5xfwjnHsmrDxGs99qdPdkZ-/s1600/ThunderInMorningDonBrown.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 128px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZw3QJ0HQUmr9F5Lv37eA2mtHYZmIad0inRkflMD8q8BHl1rtEC9VisKjd_54PM_EOmy1eTVgP29T6_OvtUaEi7FNQZV_HVTPszR_m4bZ9EJBGs5xfwjnHsmrDxGs99qdPdkZ-/s200/ThunderInMorningDonBrown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605876915197165538" border="0" /></a>Commander 'Gunner' McCormick is assigned as an intelligence officer to Carrier Strike Force 10, being deployed to the Yellow Sea at the invitation of South Korea for joint exercises with the US Navy. During his pre-deployment briefing, he discovers a TOP-SECRET MEMO revealing rumors that the North Koreans may still be holding a handful of elderly Americans from the Korean War in secret prison camps. As it happens, Gunner's grandfather, who was a young marine officer in the Korean War, disappeared at Chosin Reservoir over 60 years ago and is still listed as MIA in North Korea. Sworn to silence about what he has read, the top-secret memo eats at him. Gunner decides to spend all his inheritance and break every military regulation in the book to finance his own three-man commando squad on a suicide mission north of the DMZ to search for clues about the fate of his grandfather. Risking his career, his fortune, and his life, Gunner will get his answers, or he will die trying. Don Brown is building a loyal fan base by writing what he knows best: thrillers with heart. A former Navy JAG officer and action officer in the Pentagon, Brown pens action-packed plots and finely-drawn characters that are credible and compelling. Thunder in the Morning Calm is a novel of bravery, duty, and family love that will keep readers of all ages reading straight through to the last page.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">PATTERN OF WOUNDS</span> by <a href="http://www.jmarkbertrand.com/">J. Mark Bertrand</a> </span>- For Detective Roland March, his latest case <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ilBewD9TqIgXCZzWapXgLQOAxuJZJre1dw_VrNnoaGRZDGfGFY9ThVdHU2jQeSdy4p-yfx2_yUQE28-U1GHFM_-LhyBqRvS3IQTeOMfnsPKWJSUPVvdvgkJn7x5Z0aDc8BLF/s1600/PtrnofWoundsJMB.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 129px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ilBewD9TqIgXCZzWapXgLQOAxuJZJre1dw_VrNnoaGRZDGfGFY9ThVdHU2jQeSdy4p-yfx2_yUQE28-U1GHFM_-LhyBqRvS3IQTeOMfnsPKWJSUPVvdvgkJn7x5Z0aDc8BLF/s200/PtrnofWoundsJMB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605876432899679922" border="0" /></a>has become personal. March doesn't know the young female who was stabbed to death, but he thinks he recognizes the crime scene. Nearly ten years ago, March gained national fame as the subject of a true-crime book. But now this crime scene bears eerie similarities to that one. And whispers begin to emerge that March may have put the wrong man behind bars. Worse, Houston may now have a serial killer on the loose. As more cases emerge that seem connected, and threats against March and those closest to him build, he must solve the case--rescuing not only the city but his own reputation as a homicide cop.<br /><br />Ronie here - I love J Mark Bertrand's writing--it has a very classic noir feel to it that is both charming and riveting (if it's possible to combine those in a murder mystery!).<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">INSIDE THREAT </span>(A Riley Covington Thriller #4) by <a href="http://www.mondaynightjihad.com/">Jason Elam </a></span><a href="http://www.mondaynightjihad.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">and Steve Yohn</span></a> - Military and NFL veteran Riley Covington can't sit on the sidelines when d<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWZMp55Y3v365qcAB04Mra9YIikyvwO13FQB9bqGJ41ycfecSAm44tSHuvyG07hIc0lpFQVU1WtUqJZild-WDlOSUKNaFhDKakeuc6-ZNihjeZRe2k3twXGPv2FLp-z03-ROP/s1600/InsideThreatJElamSYohn.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWZMp55Y3v365qcAB04Mra9YIikyvwO13FQB9bqGJ41ycfecSAm44tSHuvyG07hIc0lpFQVU1WtUqJZild-WDlOSUKNaFhDKakeuc6-ZNihjeZRe2k3twXGPv2FLp-z03-ROP/s200/InsideThreatJElamSYohn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605879350352661666" border="0" /></a>anger looms! When homegrown terrorists overrun the National Cathedral, taking senators, congressmen, and their aides---including Khadi Faroughi---hostage, Riley races to the rescue. Can he secure the captives' freedom before the beheading begins? 384 pages, softcover from Tyndale.<br /><br />Ronie here - I confess that I have not read any of the Riley Covington novels, but this cover grabbed my attention. I guess I need to check out this series. :-D<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">AUGUST</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">KILOTON THREAT </span>by <a href="http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/fidelis/books.asp?p=9780805449556">William Boykin</a> and <a href="http://www.tommorrisey.com/">Tom Morrisey</a></span><a href="http://www.tommorrisey.com/"> </a>- When a high-ranking <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIDOjiFVBUTeetdWLDkZT_UTMROlBFvK2-vk1a6Yd_KTBH-5pImg4VcqTQ5lzz45Vex-rUB4E33BaI4snf5YJU07YnK3hA5tSa4h5ClEA9hEHEmr1G2I_jSA_6wSWKHhPdtLX/s1600/KilotonThreatBoykinMorrisey.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIDOjiFVBUTeetdWLDkZT_UTMROlBFvK2-vk1a6Yd_KTBH-5pImg4VcqTQ5lzz45Vex-rUB4E33BaI4snf5YJU07YnK3hA5tSa4h5ClEA9hEHEmr1G2I_jSA_6wSWKHhPdtLX/s200/KilotonThreatBoykinMorrisey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605876429729647234" border="0" /></a>leader in the Iranian nuclear program converts to Christianity, he seeks refuge in the West---but escape is impossible. Even so, U.S. Special Forces officer Blake Kershaw is assigned to infiltrate Iran and extract the high-value defector. Will he risk his life---and love---to save the world from war?<br /><br />Ronie here: This book continues Blake Kershaw's adventures, and I have to say--I thought this one was better than the first. It's a definite must read!! And can I just say--I am so glad to see Tom Morrisey's name taking equal billing in this novel. I have massive respect for General Wm. Boykin, but it's a combined effort--and Tom deserves that!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">SEPTEMBER</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">FORBIDDEN </span>by <a href="http://www.teddekker.com/">Ted Dekker</a> and <a href="http://www.toscalee.com/">Tosca Lee</a></span> - New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker teams with Tosca Lee to create this gripping <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_VP6qlXLwKW-j6hIdCgW5XBLhj9E_ZBUrwTQn5t1CLTSJ72Ope3SW0r-F4FgTbETM20wB5qqH3PpzdtsywBdPBELVE7BLvcBI_tw5RxGJblxHThUjlrWaakuj8nLyRLzJrBN/s1600/Forbidden.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_VP6qlXLwKW-j6hIdCgW5XBLhj9E_ZBUrwTQn5t1CLTSJ72Ope3SW0r-F4FgTbETM20wB5qqH3PpzdtsywBdPBELVE7BLvcBI_tw5RxGJblxHThUjlrWaakuj8nLyRLzJrBN/s200/Forbidden.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605876424978366770" border="0" /></a>thriller set in a desolate future.<br /><br />A terrible truth has been revealed to one man: the entire human race has been drained of every emotion except one-- fear. To bring life back to the world, Rom must embark on a journey that will end either in his own demise or a reawkening of humanity. But to bring love and passion back into existence will also threaten the powers of the world with the revolution and anarchy that had nearly destroyed them previously.<br /><br />After happening upon a journal through strange circumstance, Rom's world is shattered. He learns that humanity long ago ceased to "live," that it exists today in a living death of emotions. In a terrible risk, Rom exposes himself to the vial of blood folded into the old leather of the journal. His change is fearful and fraught with mind-bending emotion. A once-pious observer of the Order's passionless statues, he is filled with uncontrollable impulses. He is filled with love.<br /><br />He is undone, terrified, and alone in the desolate world<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">OCTOBER</span></span><br /><br /></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">TEHRAN INITIATIVE</span> by <a href="http://www.joelrosenberg.com/">Joel Rosenberg</a></span> - The world is on the brink of disaster and th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoG_Gi5-55AW5QuGmfVj9cNU_DqtW71UsOI9OiYz99mXkwsCIhyphenhyphenwq2k4HZuk4auh4nhvMYeoTVZv7vrp8I6eIF0PwXCnpX0tkLTycN_YegrbTDgXpWhoIBcmSLZSEraGF3KMl/s1600/TehranInitiativeJRosenberg.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoG_Gi5-55AW5QuGmfVj9cNU_DqtW71UsOI9OiYz99mXkwsCIhyphenhyphenwq2k4HZuk4auh4nhvMYeoTVZv7vrp8I6eIF0PwXCnpX0tkLTycN_YegrbTDgXpWhoIBcmSLZSEraGF3KMl/s200/TehranInitiativeJRosenberg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605876437164592882" border="0" /></a>e clock is ticking. Iran has just conducted its first atomic weapons test. Millions of Muslims around the world are convinced their messiah-known as "the Twelfth Imam"-has just arrived on earth. Israeli leaders fear Tehran, under the Twelfth Imam's spell, will soon launch a nuclear attack that could bring about a second holocaust and the annihilation of Israel. The White House fears Jerusalem will strike first, launching a preemptive attack against Iran's nuclear facilities that could cause the entire Middle East to go up in flames, oil prices to skyrocket, and the global economy to collapse. With the stakes high and few viable options left, the president of the United States orders CIA operative David Shirazi and his team to track down and sabotage Iran's nuclear warheads before Iran or Israel can launch a devastating first strike.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">WAKING HOURS</span> by <a href="http://www.liswiehlbooks.com/">Lis Wiehl</a> (with Pete Nelson)</span> - All towns have secrets. Some have demons. Welcome to East Salem, a sleepy town with a <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQXvagiQVEJh5j4SK1beCFIU6-zHC0cXxhzc5pbEt-cUmPdyFvwcQw-l5Wqqq5gSW4CHiVJWVNX83VWbcmhG8xEklBm6rFlv1eqrNLavZAsD-rsEzGxyHCHp_irublQqr0KnG/s1600/WakingHoursLisWiehl.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQXvagiQVEJh5j4SK1beCFIU6-zHC0cXxhzc5pbEt-cUmPdyFvwcQw-l5Wqqq5gSW4CHiVJWVNX83VWbcmhG8xEklBm6rFlv1eqrNLavZAsD-rsEzGxyHCHp_irublQqr0KnG/s200/WakingHoursLisWiehl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605876444189320578" border="0" /></a>history older than America where things are just a bit off; where the supernatural bleeds into the everyday. And where a tragic murder mystery is underway. A high school girl is found dead in the town park; and where forensic psychiatrist Dani Harris wants answers. All the suspects were teenagers who were at the party with her the night before--who he last spoke with on their last high school date forever ago. Yet his celebrity status opens doors barred to Dani--so they form an awkward alliance. They soon realize that there's more to the mystery than murder. And more to the evil they are facing than a mere human killer.<br /><br />Ronie here: Well, it appears Lis has teamed up with another writer, this time for a speculative series. You might remember Lis's name from the Triple Threat Novels (Face of Deceit, Hand of Fate, and Heart of Ice). I really enjoyed the stories ("ripped from the headlines" type of novels), but I am a sucker for a really well-done supernatural (since I'm writing that in my closet, so to speak). It will be interesting to see if Pete keeps our interest with his writing/style. I'm curious and anxious for this release!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-3328112481977924882011-05-12T09:19:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:44:34.864-07:00To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQ8pJQCLZgIEiYl5QCyMD3Cb1t82Sei_4s5xg7vr7moSXimaqo6oSVA0HzBDP_W38hX1pTQhTeX4xpfbym2DiobBsT3X1_lNVkdbdDFB0j-FdfqRLLnasKr_qM3qCVIHxdD5B/s1600/ToWinHerHeart.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 128px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQ8pJQCLZgIEiYl5QCyMD3Cb1t82Sei_4s5xg7vr7moSXimaqo6oSVA0HzBDP_W38hX1pTQhTeX4xpfbym2DiobBsT3X1_lNVkdbdDFB0j-FdfqRLLnasKr_qM3qCVIHxdD5B/s200/ToWinHerHeart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605866449645737890" border="0" /></a>Hey, folks. Well, I thought we'd take a brief diversion from the intensity you're used to finding here at Supernatural Craving so you can have a chance to breathe (we all need to that at least once in our lives, right?), and share a historical novel with you.<br /><br />Shocking, huh? Well, I got to meet <a href="http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/">Karen Witemeyer</a> at a writer's retreat and I was so touched by her gentle nature and smile, that when she asked for influencers for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764207571/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=0764207571">To Win Her Heart</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=0764207571&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />, I jumped at the chance. (A small confession-normally, when I'm not reading thrillers or spec fic, I'm reading historicals--go figure!). So, here is my official review of Karen's newest release.<br /><br /><div class="BVRRReviewDisplayStyle5Text"><div class="BVRRReviewTextContainer"><div class="BVRRReviewTextParagraph BVRRReviewTextFirstParagraph"><span class="BVRRReviewText"></span></div><blockquote><div class="BVRRReviewTextParagraph BVRRReviewTextFirstParagraph"><span class="BVRRReviewText">Charming and delightful! Karen Witemeyer’s TO WIN HER HEART will steal yours! The characters are unique and so very endearing. I found the backstory of hero Levi Grant to be original and compelling. Truly a great plot concept. The heroine was a bit more typical, but also unique in her own right.<br /><br />The spiritual elements were done well, and I was pleased to see even the less-than-holy characters in the story turning the upright characters toward the Lord with a few well-placed chides about character and Scripture.<br /><br /></span></div><div class="BVRRReviewTextParagraph BVRRReviewTextLastParagraph"><span class="BVRRReviewText">And the ending was perfect! Really made the entire story complete. And can I just say—way to go Ornery!</span></div></blockquote><div class="BVRRReviewTextParagraph BVRRReviewTextLastParagraph"><span class="BVRRReviewText"><br /><br />You'll have to read the novel to get the last line, but hey--I'm just trying too hook you, right?<br /><br /></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-54027385272592931532011-05-04T06:34:00.000-07:002011-05-04T06:34:00.479-07:00Wolfsbane Press Release<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGMNb4ifjdHwW0R4N_2Tm1XwOCsIKlSXFz_yg4pTJxGeHujlG5afbDQjR2_jHGGyGvfV1THp2Da2d7ERj_5Brmf9ICnN-VX3LOOeWqkqbaALTTi7GcRtFN0R1YPwbqKOYLLTJ/s1600/Wolfsbane+cover+V2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGMNb4ifjdHwW0R4N_2Tm1XwOCsIKlSXFz_yg4pTJxGeHujlG5afbDQjR2_jHGGyGvfV1THp2Da2d7ERj_5Brmf9ICnN-VX3LOOeWqkqbaALTTi7GcRtFN0R1YPwbqKOYLLTJ/s200/Wolfsbane+cover+V2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602298675258664434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >WOLFSBANE - Betrayal Begins With Trust</span><br /><br />CONTACT: Elizabeth Shrider<br />eshrider@barbourbooks.com<br /><br />Find this title on Netgalley.com<br /><br />Author Available for Interview<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Ronie Kendig Delivers Action-Packed Drama</span></span><br />In Book 3 of the Discarded Heroes Series<br /><br />Uhrichsville, OH – From up-and-coming suspense writer Ronie Kendig is the latest in her four-part Discarded Heroes series. Wolfsbane is scheduled for release in July 2011. The third novel embarks upon a perilous mission with demolitions expert Danielle Roark and ex-Green Beret Canyon Metcalfe. Holding a secret worth killing for, the two are trapped in the jungle and forced to fight their way out of the nightmare of captivity.<br /><br />Dani Roark thought escaping from a brutal Venezuelan general was a challenge. Now she’s charged with espionage and returned to the jungle where a new nightmare begins. Will Dani survive or become just another political pawn destined to be lost forever?<br />Canyon is disgusted with the suits on Capitol Hill. Still wrestling with the memories of a mission gone bad, he and Nightshade launch a mission to find Dani. Can Canyon rescue Dani, armed with nothing but raw courage?<br /><br />Find Wolfsbane and its press materials online at www.netgalley.com or follow this<br />link: http://bit.ly/kICq9e.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Publication Data:</span></span><br /><br />Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig / July 2011 / $12.99 / 352 Pages / Paperback<br />ISBN: 978-1-60260-784-2<br /><br />Also Available in Series:<br />Nightshade - 978-1-60260-777-4 <br />Digitalis - 978-1-60260-783-5<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Praise for the Book:</span></span><br /><br />“Wolfsbane is rapid-fire fast-paced and will leave you breathless. An incredible story with intense characters who face timeless struggles. Another favorite for our shelf from Kendig!”<br />– Kimberley and Kayla R. Woodhouse, authors of No Safe Haven and Race Against Time<br /><br />“Non-stop, fast-paced, machinegun-type action that will leave you exhausted—and yearning for more. . .A definite keeper for your read-again shelf.” – Lynette Eason –bestselling author of <span style="font-style: italic;">Too Close to Home</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Don’t Look Back</span><br /><br />“Ronie Kendig’s smooth writing style, realistic scenes, and vivid characters blend beautifully for a must-read experience. A definite keeper!” – Robin Caroll, author of Deliver Us From Evil and In The Shadow of Evil<br /><br />“Ronie Kendig serves up a mix of machinegun-fast action, touching romance, and more twists than a coil of detonator wire. Get a good grip on the edge of your seat before you start reading!”<br />– Rick Acker, author of When the Devil Whistles and Dead Man’s Rule<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEncUvXIgchGcqGJL_LXsUh8iwp0aPyywFA6a7L82YU-JymT_6vpCyDCOq4qx8o0Ft3H741gigu-mEcmlUVvdXEsSQOOhhhAXyk_h4S6P5FFHJePsPtLq4J_DH5lK-X8J7tn8Q/s1600/Ronie+graffiti.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEncUvXIgchGcqGJL_LXsUh8iwp0aPyywFA6a7L82YU-JymT_6vpCyDCOq4qx8o0Ft3H741gigu-mEcmlUVvdXEsSQOOhhhAXyk_h4S6P5FFHJePsPtLq4J_DH5lK-X8J7tn8Q/s200/Ronie+graffiti.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602298678161656274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Meet The Author:</span></span><br /><br />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. Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Author Q & A</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Q: Each book in your Discarded Heroes series takes a very real look into the lives of former military men. Where did the idea for this series come from?</span><br /><br />The series came out of a brainstorming session with my mentor, John Olson. We had a great bare bones structure, but we were searching for the “heart” of that story, which came to me via a real-life story of a young woman in a Sunday school class. Hearing her testimony, her request for prayer (her husband was spec ops), revolutionized my thinking and heart. I knew I could not pen another military-based story without showing the ramifications of what these heroes do and the toll it takes on them and their families.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Q: Throughout the Discarded Heroes series, readers get to know the members of the Nightshade team. How did you develop the entire team, creating each character independently yet keeping them fluid as a unit?</span><br /><br />The members of the Nightshade team just sort of came alive on their own. Max burst onto the page with fire and vengeance. He was very hard to write because of his intensity, but if it weren’t for the calming influence of Cowboy, I think Max and I might have parted ways.<br /><br />Then there was the silent giant, Griffin “Legend” Riddell, who was like steel poured over the backbone of Nightshade. His dedication to the team, to the mission, helped me stay focused.<br /><br />Then there’s Marshall “the Kid” Vaughn. . .and I have to say, I’ve gotten some e-mails lately telling me they love the Kid, and that’s been really nice because he provides some much-needed comic relief, especially when paired with Canyon “Midas” Metcalfe, the brooding medic. Azzan “Aladdin” Yasir has brought in some more strength to the team, and John “Squirt” Dighton brought some adventure—and both of these men brought some foreign flavor (Aladdin is half Palestinian, half Jewish, and Dighton is Australian-American).<br /><br />I made each man independent with their own strengths and flaws, but also made them each absolutely invaluable to the team. Colton, the sniper. Midas, the medic. Max the leader. Griffin, the “sergeant” that keeps everyone in line. The Kid with his wit and humor eases tension. And so on. They are all unique yet a single unit. It’s been amazing even for me to watch how it all came together. I just wrote Firethorn and bawled my eyes out realizing it was the last book. These men are almost as real to me as you are.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Q: The Discarded Heroes series contains several elements: romance, suspense, and action. Which element of the plot do you enjoy creating the most?</span><br /><br />Action. Action. We want Action!<br />A-C-T! I-O-N!<br /><br />Sorry, the cheer just sort of leapt out of me. Yes, absolutely the action is what I love writing and will probably always write. Although I love suspense and romance (what’s a hero without his heroine and a bit of suspense to keep them apart?), the action is where I seem to hit my stride in each story.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Q: What sort of research did you do in order to keep your Discarded Heroes series militarily accurate?<br /></span><br />My “research” started by being a military brat, I suppose. I grew up in a military family, so I had an almost innate respect for our heroes in uniform—in fact, I even married a soldier. He was medically discharged right before our wedding, but his father remained enlisted at the time and retired about 12 years ago. I spoke with Chaplain Carlton D. Hall, who served as a great resource. He works at a VA hospital in central Texas, counseling veterans with post-traumatic disorder (PTSD). He was a great help. I was also was put in touch with a former Army Ranger, who helped me maintain accuracy (as much as possible in a secret black ops group like Nightshade that isn’t technically connected to our military). And last but not least, I spent countless hours poring over articles and books; thesis; independent studies; and medical journal articles about PTSD, combat-related PTSD, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). I also interviewed several veterans and talked with countless others who have a relative with PTSD or TBI. Since research in our country is really just taking off now, I am continuously reading/researching.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fLfY3QZIpt4" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-11411653391156776792011-05-01T16:26:00.000-07:002011-05-01T16:52:22.865-07:00New Fiction Releases for May!Woot! Here are new fiction releases for the month of May, as posted on the ACFW e-loop. There are many books I'm looking forward to reading! More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the <a href="http://www.fictionfinder.com/">ACFW FictionFinder website</a>.Personally, I am looking forward to reading <a href="http://www.lynetteeason.com">Lynette Eason</a>'s books--and there are two this month!! Annnnd...I am reading <a href="http://www.karenwitemeyer.com">Karen Witemeyer</a>'s TO WIN HER HEART right now--it's a delightful read. Make sure you grab a copy!<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold;">A Great Catch</i> by <a href="http://www.lornaseilstad.com/">Lorna Seilstad</a> -- General Fiction from Revell. She wants to change the world. He wants to change her mind.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacd6S5FXkKNAN5Ek7rZeRxkdalZe0mZ4WaU3TgZUNTBfr2Op6B1RmjliNQQyUn0q9aQ8idiRqSV9WrGpHMxdigHEhAvcSCfmlJcT_bwvhYncgmCgJ_jepGU00Q7Eq9ZLoUja2/s1600/LEason+Killer+Among+Us.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 127px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacd6S5FXkKNAN5Ek7rZeRxkdalZe0mZ4WaU3TgZUNTBfr2Op6B1RmjliNQQyUn0q9aQ8idiRqSV9WrGpHMxdigHEhAvcSCfmlJcT_bwvhYncgmCgJ_jepGU00Q7Eq9ZLoUja2/s200/LEason+Killer+Among+Us.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601895442687971282" border="0" /></a><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">A Killer Amo</i><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">ng Us</i> by <a href="http://www.lynetteeason.com/">Lynette Eason</a> -- A Thriller/Suspense from Revell. Kit Kenyon is a first-rate hostage negotiator. Noah Lambert is a good detective with excellent instincts. The new partners have hardly had time to get used to each other when they are thrown into a grisly murder case.<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Deep Trouble</i> by <a href="http://maryconnealy.com/deep-trouble.html#books">Mary Connealy</a> -- A Romance from Barbour. Gabe Lasley finds Shannon Dysart stranded in a mountaintop cave and saves her. She is on a quest to prove her father’s research isn’t the work of a madman, that he really did find a treasure in the wild west.<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Died in the Wool</i><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> </span>by <a href="http://www.elizabethludwig.com/">Elizabeth Ludwig</a> -- A Mystery from Barbour. Can Monah and proven sleuth Casey Alexander find the real killer before this librarian is booked for murder?<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Fade to Blue</i> by <a href="http://juliecarobini.com/books/">Julie Ca</a><a href="http://juliecarobini.com/books/">robini</a> -- A Romance from B&H Publishing. When confronted with her most painful, past decisions, will Suz Mitchell second guess herself? Or will she learn to let God restore all that once seemed lost?<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Journey's End</i> by <a href="http://www.dorahiers.com/">Dora Hiers</a> -- A Romance from White Rose. When Chelsea Hammond is snatched from her home, can she put aside her fear, and trust Trey Colten with her life? Can she forgive him for destroying her past and let him help to rebuild her future?<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Montana Marriages Trilogy</i><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> </span>by <a href="http://maryconnealy.com/montana-trilogy.html#books">Mary Connealy</a> -- Romance from Barbour. The complete Montana Marriages series all under one cover. One volume encases three acclaimed novels by Mary Connealy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCUUGnhpLx4R9Z1afWI4BLLFIXKqiQrN73ct27zK0q4pv_UVbOqJBtzraoyHthL0oFn6Hd47fPstg89fJBZWpFegNeNWVG8BbT0-lAlWYZEvZ87a7sBZt0_6AjYT7q2BfzMqj/s1600/BCollinsOverTheEdge.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 131px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCUUGnhpLx4R9Z1afWI4BLLFIXKqiQrN73ct27zK0q4pv_UVbOqJBtzraoyHthL0oFn6Hd47fPstg89fJBZWpFegNeNWVG8BbT0-lAlWYZEvZ87a7sBZt0_6AjYT7q2BfzMqj/s200/BCollinsOverTheEdge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601896346403495506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Over The Edge</i> by <a href="http://brandilyncollins.com/books/ote.html">Brandilyn Collins</a> -- Thriller/Suspense from B&H Publishing. Torn from the front lines of medical debate and the author's own experience with Lyme Disease, Over the Edge is riveting fiction, full of twists and turns—and powerful truths about today's medical field.<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Promise of Time</i> by <a href="http://www.sdionnemoore.com/">S. Dionne Moore</a> -- A Romance from Barbour/Heartsong. Time promises to heal all wounds, but will Ellie and Theo allow God to work His timing in their lives and bring a new promise of love?<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Revealing Fire</i> by <a href="http://www.conniestevenswrites.com/">Connie Stevens</a> -- A Romance from Barbour/Heartsong. Two people in their September years are blessed with a second chance at happiness, but unexpected arrivals of a long-estranged son and a long-forgotten former admirer threaten to unravel the cords that bind two hearts.<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Secrets of the Heart</span>; Ravensmoore Chronicles, Book One</i> by <a href="http://jilliankent.com/books.html">Jillian Kent</a> -- A Romance from Rhelms. When Lady Madeline Whittington rescues a runaway from a nearby lunatic asylum her life will<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxo-0dex-CuGVcxkSrzhxK0qVVp6F9sjW04NFrxnr28EWye_q3Pe5hOVETWi-JMg3UcfvzBe2jNCvrgXf9emuNyZIpL62fR4ki9KkAVdDb2rsVEbEdUqqdi1CYY__rxNkqQD9f/s1600/KDacusArtOfRomance.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxo-0dex-CuGVcxkSrzhxK0qVVp6F9sjW04NFrxnr28EWye_q3Pe5hOVETWi-JMg3UcfvzBe2jNCvrgXf9emuNyZIpL62fR4ki9KkAVdDb2rsVEbEdUqqdi1CYY__rxNkqQD9f/s200/KDacusArtOfRomance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601897890631624082" border="0" /></a> be forever changed.<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Art of Romance</i> by <a href="http://kayedacus.com/books/books-the-matchmakers/the-art-of-romance/">Kaye Dacus</a> -- A Romance from Barbour. Two artists are drawn together by matchmaking matriarchs.<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Unexpected Bride</i><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> </span>by <a href="http://www.debraullrick.com/">Debra Ullrick</a> -- A Romance from Love Inspired. Haydon Bowen has no intention of marrying. Unfortunately, his brother has other plans. Even when beautiful, cultured Rainelle Devonwood learns she's a mistakenly ordered bride, she won't let Haydon drive her away.<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Threat of </i><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Exposure</i><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> </span>by <a href="http://www.lynetteeason.com/">Lynette Eason</a> -- A Thriller/Suspense from Love Inspired. In book 5 of the Texas Ranger Justice series, DEA Brock Martin and Texas Ranger Gisella Hernandez must work together to decipher codes, uncover clues and protect themselves from a killer who doesn't want his secrets known.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LaOaTsHM5GwfS_qAKn3Pds8AJQozkuhcsnAxhvs_A-103D6niVSikFghtQZE4UyxLYqj_aFceY2r9vgDvBZ0GiT466-nVPPcJxEkHA1HdIucSR-K3ra6Xiccu_duVUQM2zXu/s1600/KWitemeyerToWinHerHeart.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 129px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LaOaTsHM5GwfS_qAKn3Pds8AJQozkuhcsnAxhvs_A-103D6niVSikFghtQZE4UyxLYqj_aFceY2r9vgDvBZ0GiT466-nVPPcJxEkHA1HdIucSR-K3ra6Xiccu_duVUQM2zXu/s200/KWitemeyerToWinHerHeart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601895844044587906" border="0" /></a><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">To Win Her Heart</i><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"> </span>by <a href="http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/books.html">Karen Witemeyer</a> -- A Romance from Bethany House. A blacksmith with a criminal past. A librarian with pacifist ideals. Do they have a fighting chance at finding love?<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Undercurrent</i> by <a href="http://www.mmgriep.com/">Michelle Griep</a> -- A Science Fiction/Time Travel from Risen Books. People go missing every day--many meet with foul play, some leave the social grid by choice, but others are never accounted for...where do they go?<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">When Sparrows Fall</i> by <a href="http://www.megmoseley.com/writing.html">Meg Moseley</a> -- A Romance from Waterbrook/Multnomah. When an isolated home-schooling widow makes a stealthy bid to escape a cultic group, an outspoken professor encourages her to stand up to her abuser but brings his own set of complications.<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Wyoming Weddings</i> by <a href="http://www.vickiemcdonough.com/">Vickie McDonough</a>, <a href="http://susanpagedavis.com/"> Susan Page Davis</a>, and <a href="http://www.dianabrandmeyer.com/"> Diana Brandmeyer </a> -- Romance from Barbour. Three modern Wyoming women face mountains on the road to love.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-86661412184345774012011-04-26T08:38:00.000-07:002011-04-26T09:00:38.398-07:00Wolfsbane Trailer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflKGWLTiBt6kRfs1yBxNjo1t8CR-M055lrlFuyuLyTHMr_88BsG_2T10uQ8Lg71DBPdEzMKCa-d5zi6EwdG1Gsu4GgZyCjkzyIjARtD_7f6L0mQJacclBcWL4UJrV5dwFqr3I/s1600/Wolfsbane+cover+V2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflKGWLTiBt6kRfs1yBxNjo1t8CR-M055lrlFuyuLyTHMr_88BsG_2T10uQ8Lg71DBPdEzMKCa-d5zi6EwdG1Gsu4GgZyCjkzyIjARtD_7f6L0mQJacclBcWL4UJrV5dwFqr3I/s200/Wolfsbane+cover+V2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599919213809259522" border="0" /></a>This is one of my all-time favorite parts of the writing process--the trailer. It's so amazing to see a book brought to life through media like this. It's also hard to believe that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1602607842/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=1602607842">Wolfsbane</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=1602607842&camp=217145&creative=399349" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" border="0" height="1" /> releases in a mere two months! WOW!! Time sure does fly when you're having fun, eh?<br /><br />While I have you here, I thought I'd share some more endorsements that have come in for Wolfsbane. Here they are:<br /><br /><blockquote> <p style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" class="yiv1209934344MsoNormal">Ronie Kendig serves up a mix of machinegun-fast action, touching romance, and more twists than a coil of detonator wire. Get a good grip on the edge of your seat before you start reading! --<span style="font-weight: bold;">Rick Acker</span>, author of <i>When the Devil Whistles</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> and </span><i>Dead Man’s Rule</i><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></p> <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"></span><em style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Wolfsbane</em><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> is a fast-paced, military suspense with just the right amount of romance to keep readers flipping pages. Ronie Kendig's smooth writing style, realistic scenes, and vivid characters blend beautifully for a must-read experience. A definite keeper!~<span style="font-weight: bold;">Robin Caroll</span>, author of </span><em style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Deliver Us From Evil</em><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"> and </span><em style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">In The Shadow of Evil</em><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Gripping. Compelling. Gritty. Intense. And that's just the first few pages. You're in for a wild but fulfilling ride. ~Lenora Worth, author of </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Body of Evidence</span><br /></blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Just in case you haven't seen it, here's the blurb for this third installment in the Discarded Heroes series:</span><br /><br /><blockquote>Demolitions expert Danielle Roark has been left behind in hostile territory during a mission with Nightshade. Former Green Beret and medic Canyon Metcalfe, beset with memories of another mission gone bad, vows to rescue her, sacrificing everything. As secrets unravel, will Canyon and Dani find healing, closure, and each other? Or will rescue come too late?<br /></blockquote><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Also, Amazon now has a sample preview of the first chapters available. If you haven't already, rush on over there and drop into the chaos that is Canyon "Midas" Metcalfe's life! </span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><br />PRE-ORDER</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1602607842/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=roniekecom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=1602607842">Wolfsbane</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=1602607842&camp=217145&creative=399349" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" border="0" height="1" /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">NOW!!!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And without further ado, here's the trailer. Give a peek and tell me what you think!</span><br /><br /><object width="560" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fLfY3QZIpt4?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fLfY3QZIpt4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="349"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19490332.post-77033048861228688992011-04-22T21:03:00.000-07:002011-04-22T21:13:29.385-07:00FOUR-BOOK WINNER!Okay, I waited as long as I could today to give y'all extra time to enter--and thank goodness, since two more participants joined today.<br /><br />Annnnnd because there was such a great response and your enthusiasm touched me so much, I made the choice to pick TWO grand prize winners, as well as two winners who will receive a copy of either Nightshade or Digitalis.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpbnUyL-IfDLrL6LZxysHz0DUH5YCAvwRnCAwL-9pkvZJ3c3ypaMRDvbxstakv7hTTDjVmtFQFCv9DkgdyC1H-ZGAPJDVHzQaHMPF4yWG622aoBmN7Z7GeaIGCZj_itPSieG9/s1600/DiscardedHeroesAllInARow.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpbnUyL-IfDLrL6LZxysHz0DUH5YCAvwRnCAwL-9pkvZJ3c3ypaMRDvbxstakv7hTTDjVmtFQFCv9DkgdyC1H-ZGAPJDVHzQaHMPF4yWG622aoBmN7Z7GeaIGCZj_itPSieG9/s320/DiscardedHeroesAllInARow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598626854143406002" border="0" /></a><br />So, without further ado, the TWO GRAND PRIZE WINNERS--who will receive ALL FOUR NIGHTSHADE BOOKS (Nightshade & Digitalis will be mailed this week, then the winners will be placed on my priority list as soon as I get my copies):<br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">AMANDA </span>-- Thank you for posting about the giveaway on Twitter!<br /></li><li><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">SARA B.</span> - Thank you for posting about the giveaway on Twitter! </li></ul>And the two winners who will receive their choice of NIGHTSHADE <span style="font-weight: bold;">or </span>DIGITALIS:<br /><br /><ul><li style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Kimberlyj503</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Deb Piccurelli</span> - Thank you for posting about the giveaway on Twitter!<br /></li></ul>So, ladies...please take a moment and send me your snail mail address. Since it's Easter weekend, I will give you until Monday to claim your prize. If any winner does not respond by that time, I will draw new winners!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">THANK YOU FOR RECRUITING MORE BOOTS ON THE GROUND!<br />YOU WERE AMAZING!!!</span></span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2