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Congratulations Phyllis Wheeler on winning The Annotated Firebird!
If I do not hear from Phyllis within one week, I will choose another winner.
WOLFSBANE
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Inspirational
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.
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)
Reviewed By: Chandra McNeil
Publisher: BARBOUR
Published: July 2011
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!
NIGHTSHADE is a finalist in the Faith, Hope, & Love 2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards in the Romantic Suspense category!!
Also, congrats to my beautiful friend GINA HOLMES and CROSSING OCEANS for finaling in the Long Contemporary category!! YAY!!!
Winners will be announced at RWA National in New York. Here is the full list:
2011 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award Finalists
Women’s Fiction
The House on Sugar Plum Lane by Judy Duarte (Kensington)
Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart (FaithWords)
Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)
Long Contemporary
Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes (Tyndale)
The Six-Liter Club by Harry Kraus (Howard)
Long Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio by Serena Miller (Summerside)
Short Contemporary
Tender Mercies by Mary Manners (White Rose)
White Roses by Shannon Taylor Vannatter (Barbour)
Rodeo Redemption by Teri Wilson (White Rose)
Long Historical
The Preacher’s Bride by Jody Hedlund (Bethany House)
Abbie Ann by Sharlene MacLaren (Whitaker House)
A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin (Revell)
Short Historical
Walker’s Wedding by Lori Copeland (Harvest)
The Substitute Bride by Janet Dean (Steeple Hill)
A Matter of Character by Robin Lee Hatcher (Zondervan)
Romantic Suspense
Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason (Revell)
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze (Waterbrook)
Nightshade by Ronie Kendig (Barbour)
Novella
The Snowflake by Jamie Carrie (Broadman and Holman)
Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Anita Higman (Summerside)
A Bodine Family Christmas by Marta Perry (Steeple Hill)
This is a very special giveaway for me. Due to a mix-up, I ended up with two copies of The Annotated Firebird
Just leave a comment and tell me why you want this book, what makes it special to you?
For me, I first heard about Firebird on my first-ever encounter with new agent STEVE LAUBE 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 Firebird. So, I did...and it absolutely revolutionized my thinking and writing.
When Marcher Lord Press announced they had secured the rights to re-publish this amazing series and would actually print the remaining books, buying The Annotated Firebird
In a war she doesn't believe in, she must forge a bold new destiny.So, there you go! AMAZING!!! Leave a comment WITH A CONTACT ADDRESS to enter to win!
Firebird: Lady Firebird Angelo departs her home worldexpecting 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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Don't forget--Wolfsbane (Discarded Heroes #3)
I hope you'll snatch up these great titles and help save an author (hehe).
Hamer's Enemies Among Us, which Publishers Weekly hailed as "a page-turning roller coaster that feels like Jack Bauer’s 24 without sailing over the top."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.
TARGETS DOWN IS ALREADY IN STOCK AT CBD.COM!! BUY IT NOW!!!
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.PATTERN OF WOUNDS by J. Mark Bertrand - For Detective Roland March, his latest case
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.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!).
INSIDE THREAT (A Riley Covington Thriller #4) by Jason Elam and Steve Yohn - Military and NFL veteran Riley Covington can't sit on the sidelines when d
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.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
KILOTON THREAT by William Boykin and Tom Morrisey - When a high-ranking
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?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!
FORBIDDEN by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee - New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker teams with Tosca Lee to create this gripping
thriller set in a desolate future.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.
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.
He is undone, terrified, and alone in the desolate world
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.WAKING HOURS by Lis Wiehl (with Pete Nelson) - All towns have secrets. Some have demons. Welcome to East Salem, a sleepy town with 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.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!
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.
Shocking, huh? Well, I got to meet Karen Witemeyer at a writer's retreat and I was so touched by her gentle nature and smile, that when she asked for influencers for To Win Her Heart
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.
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.And the ending was perfect! Really made the entire story complete. And can I just say—way to go Ornery!
You'll have to read the novel to get the last line, but hey--I'm just trying too hook you, right?
WOLFSBANE - Betrayal Begins With Trust
CONTACT: Elizabeth Shrider
eshrider@barbourbooks.com
Find this title on Netgalley.com
Author Available for Interview
Ronie Kendig Delivers Action-Packed Drama
In Book 3 of the Discarded Heroes Series
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.
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?
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?
Find Wolfsbane and its press materials online at www.netgalley.com or follow this
link: http://bit.ly/kICq9e.
Publication Data:
Wolfsbane by Ronie Kendig / July 2011 / $12.99 / 352 Pages / Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-60260-784-2
Also Available in Series:
Nightshade - 978-1-60260-777-4
Digitalis - 978-1-60260-783-5
Praise for the Book:
“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!”
– Kimberley and Kayla R. Woodhouse, authors of No Safe Haven and Race Against Time
“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 Too Close to Home and Don’t Look Back
“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
“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!”
– Rick Acker, author of When the Devil Whistles and Dead Man’s Rule
Meet The Author:
Ronie Kendig grew up an Army brat, married a veteran, and they now have four children and a golden retriever. She has a BS in Psychology, speaks to various groups, volunteers with the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and mentors new writers. Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com.
Author Q & A
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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).
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.
Q: The Discarded Heroes series contains several elements: romance, suspense, and action. Which element of the plot do you enjoy creating the most?
Action. Action. We want Action!
A-C-T! I-O-N!
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.
Q: What sort of research did you do in order to keep your Discarded Heroes series militarily accurate?
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.
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 ACFW FictionFinder website.Personally, I am looking forward to reading Lynette Eason's books--and there are two this month!! Annnnd...I am reading Karen Witemeyer's TO WIN HER HEART right now--it's a delightful read. Make sure you grab a copy!
A Great Catch by Lorna Seilstad -- General Fiction from Revell. She wants to change the world. He wants to change her mind.
A Killer Among Us by Lynette Eason -- 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.
Deep Trouble by Mary Connealy -- 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.
Died in the Wool by Elizabeth Ludwig -- A Mystery from Barbour. Can Monah and proven sleuth Casey Alexander find the real killer before this librarian is booked for murder?
Fade to Blue by Julie Carobini -- 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?
Journey's End by Dora Hiers -- 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?
Montana Marriages Trilogy by Mary Connealy -- Romance from Barbour. The complete Montana Marriages series all under one cover. One volume encases three acclaimed novels by Mary Connealy.
Over The Edge by Brandilyn Collins -- 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.
Promise of Time by S. Dionne Moore -- 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?
Revealing Fire by Connie Stevens -- 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.
Secrets of the Heart; Ravensmoore Chronicles, Book One by Jillian Kent -- A Romance from Rhelms. When Lady Madeline Whittington rescues a runaway from a nearby lunatic asylum her life will
be forever changed.
The Art of Romance by Kaye Dacus -- A Romance from Barbour. Two artists are drawn together by matchmaking matriarchs.
The Unexpected Bride by Debra Ullrick -- 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.
Threat of Exposure by Lynette Eason -- 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.
To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer -- 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?
Undercurrent by Michelle Griep -- 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?
When Sparrows Fall by Meg Moseley -- 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.
Wyoming Weddings by Vickie McDonough, Susan Page Davis, and Diana Brandmeyer -- Romance from Barbour. Three modern Wyoming women face mountains on the road to love.
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 Wolfsbane
While I have you here, I thought I'd share some more endorsements that have come in for Wolfsbane. Here they are:
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! --Rick Acker, author of When the Devil Whistles and Dead Man’s Rule
Wolfsbane 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!~Robin Caroll, author of Deliver Us From Evil and In The Shadow of Evil
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 Body of Evidence
Just in case you haven't seen it, here's the blurb for this third installment in the Discarded Heroes series:
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?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!
PRE-ORDER Wolfsbane
NOW!!!And without further ado, here's the trailer. Give a peek and tell me what you think!
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.
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.
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):
- AMANDA -- Thank you for posting about the giveaway on Twitter!
- SARA B. - Thank you for posting about the giveaway on Twitter!
- Kimberlyj503
- Deb Piccurelli - Thank you for posting about the giveaway on Twitter!
YOU WERE AMAZING!!!
In this post: cover reveal and a GIVEAWAY!! Covert operative Kazi Faron is tasked with reassembling Nightshade—the black ops team someone dissected. Breaking Griffin out of a federal penitentiary amid explosive confusion may turn out to be her last assignment. What will it take to convince the fugitive that whoever set him up has also dissected the Nightshade team?
I am super excited to share this cover with you for FIRETHORN, Discarded Heroes #4! The design team really captured Griffin and even Kazi on this one. They are the closest to the actual characters in the book of all the covers. I will be sending Firethorn in to my editor soon, and it's been one of the hardest stories I've ever written. And I'm a little blown away that this is the fifth book that I've written for a publisher (my twenty-somethingth all together).
So, there's a giveaway...but ya gotta read all the "fine print" first--that is, read the full post! :-D
ISBN: 978-1-60260-785-9
Dismantled and blown,
Nightshade is ready to repay the favor.
Here's a short blurb for this final installment:Former Marine and current Nightshade team member Griffin Riddell is comfortable. So comfortable he never sees the set up that lands him in a maximum security prison, charged with murder. How will he ever prove his innocence stuck behind iron bars?
A drawing will be held next Friday (4/22) and one lucky winner will receive: Nightshade 
Grab your gear and join the mission to save Nightshade.
Will anyone make it out alive?
So, I thought that before I do the reveal on Firethorn's cover, I'd "introduce" you to the model Mullerhaus used for Griffin. I am really happy with this guy; he really fits the persona/character of Griffin "Legend" Riddell.
Another interesting thing is that the sister-in-law of this model contacted me a while back--she's a homeschooling mom as well. She also has a writing blog for her homeschoolers and wanted to interview me. That really was one of the coolest emails I have ever received!
What do you think? Does he fit what you imagined as Griffin? He's perfect to me!
And be sure to stay in touch--I'll be doing a giveaway when I debut the cover for Firethorn!!
I am absolutely delighted to share that NIGHTSHADE, Discarded Heroes #1, has been nominated for Christian Retailing's 2011 Retailer's Choice Award!! I am really tickled that someone in the retailing field--the men/women on the "front lines" of bookstores (online and brick-and-mortar stores) thought of my book when it came to this contest. It's a real honor.
Here is a full list of fiction titles that were nominated:
Fiction: Contemporary Romance
Lydia's Charm, Wanda E. Brunstetter (Barbour Publishing)
Nightshade, Ronie Kendig (Barbour Publishing)
Seek Me With All Your Heart, Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)
Tender Vow, Sharlene MacLaren (Whitaker House)
The Bridge of Peace, Cindy Woodsmall (WaterBrook Multnomah)
They Almost Always Come Home, Cynthia Ruchti (Abingdon Press)
Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball, Donita K. Paul (WaterBrook Multnomah)
Fiction: General
Greater Love, Robert Whitlow (Thomas Nelson)
Her Mother's Hope, Francine Rivers (Tyndale House Publishers)
Unlocked, Karen Kingsbury (Zondervan)
Fiction: Historical Romance
Embers of Love, Tracie Peterson (Baker Publishing Group)
Here Burns My Candle, Liz Curtis Higgs (WaterBrook Multnomah)
The Gathering Storm, Bodie & Brock Thoene (Summerside Press)
Fiction: Mystery and Suspense
Immanuel's Veins, Ted Dekker (Thomas Nelson)
The Bishop, Steven James (Baker Publishing Group)
The Twelfth Imam, Joel C. Rosenberg (Tyndale House Publishers)
Fir
st-Time Authors
Crossing Oceans, Gina Holmes (Tyndale House Publishers)
Life Without Limits, Nick Vujicic (Doubleday Religion)
The Devil in Pew Number 7, Rebecca Alonzo (Tyndale House Publishers)
Here's a bit from the RCA website about this contest and how the finalists were chosen:
Products nominated in the competition were judged on the impact they have had on staff and customers, including their ability to speak to hearts and evoke emotion, open minds to new ways of thinking and encourage and affirm Christlike living.
Winners will be announced later this month. Congratulations to all the finalists!
My amazing friend Rel Mollet from DownUnder has an interview up at her blog with Kazi FAron, the heroine of Firethorn, Discarded Heroes #4.
Here's the image of Kazi that I used while writing the story. I'm giving you a sneak peek because--soon, I hope--I'll let you see who ended up on the cover. Oh how I wish the designers could've used this image. I think Elisha Cuthbert just glows!! What do you think?
Don't forget to stop by check out Kazi's interview at RelzReviewz!!
Well, I'm under a pretty heavy deadline at the moment and working to get Firethorn, Discarded Heroes #4 finished (hope to share the cover with y'all very soon--waiting to hear from the art director!), so I've been snowed under with that and sickness (three weeks now--oy!).
I wanted to share some photos with you. As some of you may (or may not) know, my mom was from Ireland (actually born in Sussex, England, but was raised in Dublin Ireland (her father who was born/raised in Ireland)). She died 15 years ago March 12, and this year my cousin Graham Keane got married, so my entire family traveled to Ireland for his wedding.
It really was a fantastic trip, despite some really awful things happening--like my jewelry getting stolen (including a beloved 
10-year anniversary ring). I was able to get to know my side of the family and see where I belong, identify with them. One glorious moment for me was when Graham mentioned he and his father having the "stubborn, emotional Keane" trait. I laughed--nooooo, I didn't know anything about that trait. Just massively infected with it. :-D
On another note, I will be participating in a multi-author event on April 23 with three fabulous fiction authors: Elizabeth Goddard, Lena Nelson Dooley, and Dr. Richard Mabry. It's in Frisco at the Mardel on Preston Road. Come out, buy a book, save an author!!
Shuttled between foster homes, Roxi Gold will do anything to fit in. Soon she’s traveling the country stealing rare books from unsuspecting bookstores. Police officer Abby Dawson has seen the worst of society—and not just at work. One fateful night, both their lives are changed forever. One searches for justice, the other finds herself on the run. Will the power of forgiveness set them free?
***INSERT YOUR REVIEW HERE?***
Great job! You kept me turning the pages.
--Francine Rivers, Internationally best selling author
C.J. is a wonderful, talented writer . . . extraordinary . . .
--Bodie Thoene, best-selling author of the A.D. Chronicles
This one engages your senses and reaches your heart.
--Jerry B. Jenkins, NY Times best-selling author & owner of The Christian Writers Guild
About the Author:C. J. Darlington won the 2008 Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest with her first novel, Thicker Than Blood. She has been in the antiquarian bookselling business for over twelve years, scouting for stores similar to the ones described in her novels before cofounding her own online bookstore. In 2006 C. J. started the Christian entertainment Web site www.TitleTrakk.com with her sister, Tracy, and has been actively promoting Christian fiction through book reviews and author interviews. A homeschool graduate, she makes her home in Pennsylvania with her family and their menagerie of dogs and cats. Visit her website www.cjdarlington.com
QUICK LINKS:
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Week after week, they sit in church . . . alone. They are the spiritually mismatched, those who are committed to a spouse who does not share their faith. Feeling abandoned by their spouse and forgotten by their church, they live out their faith in survival mode, guarding the spiritual flame yet never feeling free to share it. But God wants them to thrive—not just survive.
Winning Him Without Words by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller presents 10 Christ-centered keys to thriving in a spiritual mismatch. Readers are encouraged to commit to Christian community, to release their spouse to God’s capable hands, to believe their marriage is blessed, to pick and choose their battles, and to continue their pursuit of a growing faith and to love their spouse with fresh enthusiasm.
“It matters not how we came to be in our crazy, mixed-up and unexpected marriage situations. What matters is that God desires that we honor our marriage commitment and fulfill our marriage vows through His power and His strength,” says Miller. “There were many years of confusion, sadness and unfulfilled expectations, but I discovered it’s possible to love, live and thrive in an unequally yoked marriage.”
Both Lynn and Dineen are Christian women in spiritually unequally yoked marriages, but believe that God wants every marriage to exude peace and love. Chapters include:
• Know You’re Not Alone: (Lynn) Recognizing that we aren’t the only person living in an unequally yoked marriage is a key aspect to restoring hope. Having Christ in our lives enables us to view our husbands as the wonderful man God created, regardless of your different beliefs.
• Don’t Save Your Husband – Save Yourself: (Lynn) The best thing I ever did was to get out of the way so that Jesus could be Jesus. I relinquished control and turned my man completely over to Christ and an unexpected, peaceful freedom emerged in our marriage.
• Trade Perfection for Authenticity: (Dineen) I came to understand that many of my disappointments had come from expectations I’d placed upon him to fulfill needs he wasn’t even aware of. In the end, all I really accomplished was a heart full of resentment.
• Keep Your Armor On-You’re at War! (Dineen) Instead of putting on the label of martyr in a spiritually mismatched marriage, we need to put on the label of missionaries. We need to think of ourselves as soldiers on the front lines of our marriages.
Other chapters include parenting children in an unequally yoked marriage, praying into the life of your spouse and scriptures to encourage and strengthen you. Winning Him Without Words empowers readers to create that environment in their homes and thrive as God works. The official website is www.winninghimwithoutwords.com
About Winning Him Without Words:
Winning Him Without Words: 10 Keys to Thriving in Your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage by Lynn Donovan and Dineen Miller. Published by Regal Books. February 2011. Trade Paper, 224 pages. $14.99. ISBN: 978-08307-5605
LYNN DONOVAN writes for the online ministry she founded in 2006, Spiritually Unequal Marriage. Lynn is a popular Bible study leader and national speaker who dispels the myths women believe about love and marriage and points them to the freedom that is theirs through a living relationship with Christ. She lives in Temecula, California, with her husband, Mike.
DINEEN MILLER has won several prestigious awards for her fiction, and her devotional writing has been featured in Our Journey and Christian Women Online Magazine. In addition to writing for Spiritually Unequal Marriage, Dineen writes for Laced with Grace and various other fiction online magazines and newsletters. Married for more than 23 years, she shares her life with a great guy who adores disc golf and their two daughters, who never stops surprising her with their own creativity.
