Showing posts with label Dead Reckoning. Show all posts
It's been a crazy week. As y'all know, DEAD RECKONING was free on Kindle from the 22nd-29th, and with it came several 2-star reviews that broke the TWENTY-EIGHT 4- and 5-star review streak. These reviews were very harsh, angry that it was a Christian book and free, called the story a mess, said they don't have "interstates" in India (um, explain that to India's national transportation system with more than 900K miles of paved highways that stretch ACROSS India's states (INTER-STATE highways), with 8 lanes in some areas).
Anyway...it was tough to see those when I was sitting here in my cave trying to peck out the last 1/4 of WOLFSBANE, Discarded Heroes #3. But I kept giving the whole writing thing to God, praying and spending quiet time with Him, reminding myself that I write for Him and when I use the gift He gave me, that's all the approval I need. :-D God loved on me a lot this past week. It was so beautiful!
But this morning--a wonderful email arrived in my inbox.
DEAD RECKONING made the short list for the 2010 INSPY Awards in the Thriller/Suspense category!! In case you haven't heard, this is a contest run by bloggers. Their motto is: "The Bloggers' Award for Excellence in Faith-Driven Literature."
I have to say--I love this. It's organized by bloggers/readers and judged by bloggers/readers. How kewl is that?!? It's a brilliant idea, and I'm so glad to see this type of contest.
Here is the full list--amazing authors and reads!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE FINALISTS!!!!
Announcing the INSPY Shortlists
October 1, 2010
The INSPY Advisory Board is pleased to announce the shortlists for the 2010 INSPY Awards. We thank you for your enthusiastic nominations of books and acknowledge the difficulties in narrowing the field with so many quality nominations.
General & Literary Fiction
The Christmas Glass by Marci Alborghetti, Guideposts, 1st October, 2009
Life in Defiance by Mary DeMuth, Zondervan, 1st May, 2010
Lost Mission by Athol Dickson, Howard Books, 1st September, 2009
Lucky Baby by Meredith Efken, Howard Books, 13th April, 2010
Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes, Tyndale House, 1st May, 2010
Creative Non-Fiction
Evolving in Monkey Town by Rachel Held Evans, Zondervan, 15th June, 2010
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller, Thomas Nelson, 29th September, 2009
Halfway to Each Other by Susan Pohlman, Guideposts, 1st September, 2009
God Hides in Plain Sight by Dean Nelson, Brazos Press, 1st October, 2009
Hear No Evil by Matthew Paul Turner, Waterbrook Press, 16th February, 2010
Historical Fiction
The Frontiersman’s Daughter by Laura Frantz, Revell Books, 1st August, 2009
The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen, Bethany House, 1st January, 2010
The Fiddler’s Gun by AS Peterson, Rabbit Room Press, 1st December, 2009
She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell, Bethany House, 1st April, 2010
Her Mother’s Hope by Francine Rivers, Tyndale House, 1st March, 2010
Thriller/Suspense/Crime
Priceless by Tom Davis, David C Cook, 1st June, 2010
The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker, Hodder & Stoughton, 27th May, 2010
The Clouds Roll Away by Sibella Giorello, Thomas Nelson, 16th March, 2010
The Knight by Steven James, Revell Books, 1st August, 2009
Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig, Abingdon Press, 1st March, 2010
Speculative Fiction
Green by Ted Dekker, Thomas Nelson, 1st September, 2009
The Last Christian by David Gregory, Waterbrook Press, 4th May, 2010
A Star Curiously Singing by Kerry Nietz, Marcher Lord Press, 1st October, 2009
Eternity Falls by Kirk Outerbridge, Marcher Lord Press, 1st October, 2009
Rooms by James L. Rubart, B&H Publishing, 1st April, 2010
Amish Fiction
Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio by Annalisa Daughety, Summerside Press, 1st September, 2009
An Honest Love by Kathleen Fuller, Thomas Nelson, 16th March, 2010
Winter’s Awakening by Shelley Shepard Gray, Avon Inspire, 1st February, 2010
Anna’s Return by Marta Perry, Berkley, 1st June, 2010
Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman, Thomas Nelson, 30th March, 2010
Romance/Romantic Suspense
A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley, Thomas Nelson, 29th December, 2009
Blood Ransom by Lisa Harris, Zondervan, 1st April, 2010
Seaside Letters by Denise Hunter, Thomas Nelson, 6th October, 2009
Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart by Beth Patillo, Guideposts, 1st February, 2010
Sons of Thunder by Susan May Warren, Summerside Press, 1st February, 2010
Young Adult Fiction
A Little Help From My Friends by Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt, FaithWords, 15th October, 2009
This Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 25th May, 2010
So Over My Head by Jenny B Jones, Thomas Nelson, 4th May, 2010
Beautiful by Cindy Martinusen Coloma, Thomas Nelson, 3rd November, 2009
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr, Little Brown, 1st October, 2009
Note: Dates from the publishers’ sites were used to determine eligibility
EDITED [by INSPY] TO ADD:
Correction: We just became aware that one of the books initially listed on the INSPYs shortlists was ineligible because of the date it was published. We’ve updated the list above. The INSPY Advisory Board sincerely apologizes for this mistake.
This weekend, I team up with Dr. Richard L. Mabry, author of CODE BLUE, for a signing at Katy Budget Books in Houston from 1:30-3:30pm. I'll be signing my espionage thirller Dead Reckoning and Doc will be signing his medical suspense, CODE BLUE.
We hope you'll stop by, buy an autographed copy, and save us from the homeless shelters of our careers. LOL
2450 Fry Road
Houston, TX 77084-5831
(281) 578-7770
Today through Wednesday, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, founded by the amazingly brilliant Bonnie Calhoun, will be featuring Dead Reckoning for a blog tour. Take a minute to read a chapter, watch a video, and on a site or two, they're giving away a copy of Dead Reckoning!
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
This trailer was made for Dead Reckoning. What do you think?
BTW: If you've read Dead Reckoning, would you be willing to post a review at Amazon, B&N.com or Christianbook.com? I would appreciate it.
Hey, y’all. Okay, I didn’t figure Shiloh would give you a full explanation. She rarely does. Reece is even worse. (If you haven't visited NovelJourney, then click on over there and find out what all the hub-bub is about--it's life or death!) Here's the rundown:
Reece's older sister is missing. Something I mentioned in my book must've exposed her (which is interesting--do you know what her career is *supposed* do to be?). Anyway. We have to find her.
Since time’s of the essence, let me give you some help in finding the clues. Use the blogs below--they're proven to be safe havens for characters, so I believe that's where we'll find the path that leads to Julia.
Ane Mulligan Southern-Fried Fiction – http://anemulligan.blogspot.com
Beth Goddard – http://bethgoddard.blogspot.com/
Camy Tang/Story Sensei - http://camys-loft.blogspot.com/
Cara Putman http://carasmusings.blogspot.com
Cindy Woodsmall – www.cindywoodsmall.com
Dineen Miller – www.dineenmiller.blogspot.com
Kim Woodhouse – http://kimberleywrites.blogspot.com
Lynette Sowell – http://myslicesoflife.blogspot.com/
Mindy Obenhaus – http://www.mindyobenhaus.blogspot.com/
Robin Caroll – www.robincaroll.com
A few tips I’ve learned in research. Okay, first—clues can be hidden in the forms of pictures, messages hidden within text. Once, I even saw white-on-white messages--easy to find when you use SELECT-ALL on a page. Wicked kewl. Clues can be videos with clues or links. Keep your eyes open. If you need help deciphering a clue, contact me at ronie [at] roniekendig dot com and I’ll do my best to help.
Reece insists that all the clues are out there; we just have to figure out how to put them together. Below are a half-dozen websites/blogs. Some have information; some don’t. Find the clue. Return to base (this blog). Comment in the comment section (all posts are moderated and will be held till we are certain Julia is still safe (IOW: so one person doesn’t do all the work)). Due to the severity of the situation, I will post each day to update everyone—and to let you know I’m still alive . . . hopefully.
To all who participate in the mission to save Julia, Here are the rewards:
- WINNER WHO SAVES JULIA first: An iPod Nano, 2 autographed copies of Dead Reckoning (one for you, one to share, and so you can read all about Shiloh and Reece and see that I did my best to do them justice), a sari from India, an assortment of treats from India.
- FIRST RUNNER UP: A sari, an autographed copy of Dead Reckoning, tastes of India and a trinket.
- 5 Second-place runners up: A copy of Dead Reckoning, a trinket from India.
The winner will be determined by overall participation (that the person has gathered all the clues and returned to base with proof) and the earliest time-stamp on the comment placed at SupernaturalCraving that provides the final clue.
I am waiting for Reece to share the email with me. I'm sure he's going to do everything he can before he sends us something for help. Until we get that clue (he promises me it will be later today), please be sure to login (leave your name in the comments) and let us know you're joining Mission:Julia to help find and save his sister. I'm sure that will go a long way in helping us gain his trust.
please note: this MISSION: JULIA (M:J) is entirely based upon a work of fiction, a novel entitled Dead Reckoning written by Ronie Kendig; no lives are in jeopardy, but if you thought so—imagine how awesome Dead Reckoning will read!
DEAD RECKONING RELEASED TODAY!!! BUY YOUR COPY NOW!!!
Can you believe it? I can't. There are only five days left before the release of my debut title, DEAD RECKONING!! It's been a long, crazy ride to this point. Above, you can see the print sample Abingdon Fed-Exed to me this week. What a thrill sliding this copy out of the envelope. ZOWIE! Nothing like that.
It also made me acutely aware of what--and who--it took to get Dead Reckoning published and in my hot little (okay, maybe not so little) hand. Encouragement from my husband to seek publication, my awesome agent Steve Laube, my friends and critique partners, an editor--the incredible Barbara Scott--who caught the vision for Dead Reckoning, believed in me and the story, and was willing to take a risk on a new/unpublished author, then the copyeditor, the marketing, publicity, the ... so many others. WOW!
THANK YOU to all who've had a part in bringing this book to life. Monday, I'm doing an online launch party. Check back for a chance to win a prize package!! YAY!!!
Here's an image of the cover flat. Gorgeous, isn't it?? They did an absolutely fabulous job. I love it!!
Okay, I had to share this review with y'all--it's the first that's come since the ARCs went out. Revel in the moment with me, please! :-D
I just had to write to tell you what a FANTASTIC book you've written. I lov
ed how it held my interest from beginning to end. I told myself one chapter a night, and it was so hard to stop reading at just one chapter. I was impressed with how you kept the story moving, as the romance began to unfold. Most books of this nature tend to forget to keep the story going once the romance hits and focuses solely on the romance, I find that annoying. I loved the spy aspect and found myself visualizing every scene as though I was watching an action-packed movie. Such a great read!
~Alyice Edrich
Freelance Writer & Artist
Aha!! I just got an update from this fabulous writer/artist (I'm biased now, I know...) but she has put up a "teaser review" on her site. Check it out: http://thedabblingmum.blogspot.com/2009/11/dead-reckoning.html
Okay, yep, I'm jumping up and down, and dancing! My book, DEAD RECKONING, is up on Amazon now. I'm soooo excited. This really made it feel real (wonder how many "this made it feel real" it will take to make this REAL to me LOL).
So...you can PRE-order it now at Cokesbury (40% off!), Amazon, and CBD.com!! Of course, we'll have a big push on the March 1, 2010 release date to see if we can't skyrocket through the ranks.
BookPreview is doing my trailer, and I am anxiously awaiting that. Stay tuned so I can share it with you when they're finished. You *have* seen some of their trailers, right? I think they're top-notch.
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In other writing business, I'm working steadily on my new military series, since DR is heading toward the ARC (yay!). Book 1, NIGHTSHADE, is written and I have an awesome guy combing through it for military-related errors (yeah...it's painful, but good. Anything that makes the story stronger/better, ya know?). Interspersed with the editing, I'm working on book 2, DIGITALIS. That book...it's daunting. Of course, so was book 1 since Max was so intense.
Oh, oh, oh! I want to share with y'all the awesome Nightshade emblem my husband's best friend designed for us. He did such an awesome job that Barbour is going to use the emblem on the cover. YAY!!! Here it is.
What do you think? I am so impressed!!
Check it out, y'all! My spy thriller DEAD RECKONING (March 2010) is now available for Pre-Order from Cokesbury, a partner with Abingdon Press. Below is the text of the back cover copy:
Dead Reckoning is the story of a young woman anxious to abandon the crushing effects of her father’s espionage career only to find herself tangled in the very web of mystery and intrigue that consumed his life.
Who is he? How is he always one step ahead?
Reece Jaxon is a former Navy SEAL, who now serves his country as a spy. His mission is threatened by the beguiling Shiloh Blake as he hunts down the sources to a nuclear dead drop in the Arabian Sea. The only way to end this nightmare and prevent a nuclear meltdown is for Shiloh to join forces with Reece. Will Shiloh violate her vow to never become a spy like her father?
Will she reconcile with her father? Will her trust issues destroy her chance for love? And will she allow God to help her through this ordeal?
First...I'm just stoked that the book is showing up on sites. HOW KEWL!!
But to realize you can actually get in line to order it right now makes me giddy.
By pre-ordering, you save FORTY percent off the cover price. That's just $8.49!!! How awesome! (okay, why did that sound like a cheesy late-night infomercial--my book is way kewler than that! LOL)
PREORDER DEAD RECKONING HERE!!
Yea!! I'm so thrilled to share with everyone the cover for my spy thriller Dead Reckoning to be released March 2010 from Abingdon Press. I'm so pleased with how the design team captured the heart of my story and translated that into the cover, but of course, they couldn't have done that without the lead of the fabulous Barbara Scott, acquiring editor for Abingdon Press. (THANK YOU, BARBARA!!! YOU'RE AWESOME!!)
in the middle of an international nuclear arms clash, she is forced to flee for her life
into the streets of Mumbai, India. Is the man trailing her an enemy,
or is he sent by her CIA father to protect her? Whoever he is, the only way
to end this nightmare and prevent a nuclear meltdown is to
join forces with former US Navy SEAL Reece Jaxon.
Leave a comment and tell me what you think! I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Howdy, y'all! Wow, it's been a while. Oopsie. Sorry for the delay, but I am the coordinator for the American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year contest. The deadline just came/went, so that completely devoured the last couple/few weeks of my life. Whew! But the books are out to the judges, and I'm getting my life back slowly.
Soooo...a few months back, I tried creating a trailer for my new spy thriller, Dead Reckoning. The only thing I got out of the thing was a lot of frustration. Once Book of the Year was done (as far as sending out books), I tackled it again. Tell me what you think:
This is so cool! Camy Tang gave me this award. She’s so sweet!
It is presented "to awesome BLOG owners who keep their readers excited about their posts. Their blog posts are interesting (NOT spammy) and worth reading and keep their subscribers looking forward to each and every post."
Camy said that she awarded my blog because: "she is always so transparent on her blog posts."
THANKS, CAMY! I try to be transparent. it's all part of that whole "more of God, less of me" thing I'm doing here. :-D
I'm awarding (and I'm trying to be diverse this time LOL):
Lisa Harris - I love reading her posts about missionary life in South Africa. Although, right now, she and her family are packign up and moving to Brazil for a year's worth of language school. Praying for you, girl!
Um, that's it for now...I can't think at this early hour and I have to get to work. :-D Maybe I'll come back and add more later. hehe
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Writing...I am very excited! Last night, I wrote the final chapters on Dead Reckoning, my newest spy thriller. I'm not 100% satisfied with my epilogue, so I'm going to go back and probably rewrite that. And there's one aspect of the final climax that I want to tighten, but overall, I'm very pleased. Shiloh (my heroine) comes across strong. Reece (the hero) is just as I expected him to be. And of course, they save the day (though not everyone comes out of this alive...LOL). I think it came out surprisingly well. My toughest critic will be my agent, Steve Laube. I'd rewritten my ending on my other thriller, Midnight Zone, and then rewrote it for an editor, and Steve busted me on it. He knew it wasn't the right ending.
I've discovered, however, that there is a new word in my writing dictionary. It's conclusophobia: the fear of writing climatic endings. It's not so much about having a climatic ending, but more the fear that the ending won't be...well, climatic. :-D How's that for insanity. Conclusophobia hits me every time I start to write the final three chapters on a new book. And this has happened dozens of times, so you'd think I'd have faced this fear and beaten it by now. Nope! LOL
