Since launching onto the publishing scene, Ronie’s Rapid-Fire Fiction has hit the CBA Bestseller List, won the prestigious Christy Award, finaled in numerous contests and reader awards.
Ronie loves people and helping other writers through speaking, workshops, and/or mentoring.
The following is an October 2014 interview with Ronie.
AT THE END OF
THE INTERVIEW
Be in to win a copy of
Hawk
by Ronie Kendig
Two copies to be won
Contest open to entrants Worldwide.
(One copy USA only -
One digital copy elsewhere)
Contest runs from
31 October - 14 November NZDT
I’m a mother of four kiddos (21, 18, and 15 year old twins) and two canines (a Maltese Menace and a retired military working dog). I grew up an Army brat and married my own hunky hero. After four years of being published, I’m also now bestselling, award-winning, author. After twenty-plus years of marriage, me and my hunky hero husband have a full life homeschooling and adventuring through life in Northern Virginia.
How did you become a novelist, and did you always want to write?
I’m not really sure how one “becomes” a novelist, but I can say that I had no aspirations to get published—mostly because I didn’t think I could do it. I was too afraid of failure. But my husband challenged me to try and to pursue the thing I loved so much, so on his encouragement and with his belief in me, I joined the chase for the pursuit of a publishing contract. I may not have always been writing, but I’ve always been telling stories—with my dolls and in my reading class where we had to write monthly projects.
What do you think is significant about Christian fiction?
For me, the most significant thing about Christian fiction is the hope of Christ. Sometimes that comes in full-on faith threads, sometimes it’s allegorical or subtle. But as a Christian, I have a means to share the hope of Christ, and that’s my mission.
It’s my hope that anyone reading a Rapid-Fire Fiction novel will come away, first of all, glad they bought the book—but I also sincerely hope that the content of the story and the change in the character’s lives challenge readers to look a little closer at the theme of the book, or even at their relationship with God, whatever it may be at the moment.
What responses to your novels have affected you the most and why?
Probably the most significant response came from my father-in-law, even before my series on PTSD and our wounded heroes published. He engaged me in conversation about the research, and through that, he came to share stories he’d had bottled up for decades. In the end, he realized he wanted to deal with those things and sought counseling. To me, that was enough. If God never let my books succeed or touch other lives, seeing my father-in-law gain some healing was enough for me; mission accomplished.
How has being a novelist impacted your relationship with Christ?
This might sound a bit trite or cliché, but it really has radicalized my relationship with Jesus! I’ve had to learn to lean on Him more than ever for my confidence, my affirmation—my very identity. This industry is a brutal one with critiques, reviews, and everyone having an opinion on something you’ve poured your heart and life into. When you receive a ton of praise—it’s easy to get a big head. It’s also easy to get rattled when someone slams your book, so having a firm, solid foundation in Jesus keeps me on track. Reminds me of Who I am writing for, and Who gave me this gift in the first place. I have learned—and am still learning every day—that He will fight for me (Exodus 14:14).
There are a lot of things I’d like to do someday—learn other languages, go back to school to get my master’s degree. But I’d also like to visit some other
countries—Israel, Greece, Australia, Rome. . .
What do you like to do in your spare time?
My spare time is mostly filled with family-related things like Taekwondo, but I also like to crochet, do modest redecorating/painting.
What can you tell us about your latest novels?
My latest series is the Quiet Professionals, books about Special Forces (Green Berets) operators who are battling a war against a cyber terrorist bent on destroying the American military secure network. This series spring-boarded from the A Breed Apart series that featured ODA-452, the team that is renamed Raptor for the Quiet Pros series.
Next year—2015—will bring the release of the final Quiet Pros book in May, but in the Fall (projected for September), Embers, my first fantasy novel (well, the first to get published) will launch the Abiassa’s Fire trilogy. I’m delighted to see this long-time dream come true!
What would you like to say to your fans in New Zealand, and others worldwide?
I love that the internet allows us to connect and get to know one another! Many readers from other countries have been ardent in their support of Rapid-Fire Fiction, and it blesses me so much, since I adore learning about people and cultures! Thank you for taking the time to venture out and “visit” this American author!
Do you have any parting words?
If by some amazing feat, we meet in person, I will count that a huge blessing. Until then—come visit me online so we can get to know one another! Find me at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest!
(The Complete First Season)
by Ronie Kendig
- Barbour Publishing
- Contemporary
- December 2014
- ISBN: B00OL7UUTO
Purchase:
[Kindle]
They never should’ve existed. Now they don’t.
Zulu, the first all-female special ops team was set up to take a devastating fall. Fearing for their lives, Zulu members vanished with new identities. Isolated and haunted by their past, they are terrified of being discovered.
Over the years, the brave women of Zulu have begun to hope they might be safe and the terrible tragedy forgotten.
Until two of them are murdered.
(Omnibus Edition)
by Ronie Kendig
- Barbour Publishing
- Contemporary
- January 2015
- ISBN: 9781630585020
Purchase:
[Amazon | The Book Depository]
Hold on for a fast-paced, adrenaline-packed ride as A Breed Apart Trilogy takes you into three action-packed stories starring military war dogs and their human handlers.
A wounded ex-Green Beret and his war dog, Trinity, work together to rescue a military intelligence officer. A veteran teams with a traumatized combat tracking dog, Talon, to find her brother. A fiery handler and her tough bullmastiff, Beowulf, are on a mission in Afghanistan.
Relying on faith and training, these teams navigate the dangers of war, even as romance comes to the frontline for the handlers.
(Quiet Professionals #1)
by Ronie Kendig
- Barbour Publishing
- Contemporary
- May 2014
- ISBN: 9781616260408
[Kindle | Amazon | The Book Depository]
Captain Dean Watters keeps his mission and his team in the forefront of his laser-like focus. So when Dean’s mission and team are threatened, his Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Failing to stop hackers from stealing national security secrets from the military’s secure computers and networks isn’t an option.
Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. And a target. When Zahrah is captured because of her expertise in quantum cryptology, compromising the US military, Dean is forced to crack the lockbox around his heart—a move that might come at the highest cost.
(Quiet Professionals #2)
by Ronie Kendig
- Barbour Publishing
- Contemporary
- November 2014
- ISBN: 9781624163180
Purchase:
[Kindle | Amazon | The Book Depository]
Raptor’s communications expert, Staff Sergeant Brian “Hawk” Bledsoe is struggling with his inner demons, leaving him on the verge of an “other than honorable” discharge. Plagued with corrupted intel, Raptor team continues to track down the terrorist playing chess with their lives.
Afghan pilot Fekiria Haidary is devastated when a systems glitch on her aircraft forces a weapons launch on a safe target. And when the deadly bombing separates Brian from the team, he must make an impossible choice: save his brothers-in-arms, or save the woman and children depending on him to survive a brutal snowstorm.
(Quiet Professionals #3)
by Ronie Kendig
- Barbour Publishing
- Contemporary
- May 2015
- ISBN: 9781624163197
Purchase:
[Amazon | The Book Depository]
Special Forces operator Salvatore “Falcon” Russo vowed to never again speak to or trust Lieutenant Cassandra Walker after a tragedy four years ago. But as Raptor closes in on the cyber terrorists responsible for killing two of their own, Sal must put his life—and the lives of his teammates—in her hands.
Despite his anger, Cassie is ill-prepared for his resistance and the fallout when she must protect the one asset who can end the attacks. As allies become enemies and hostiles become unlikely partners, Raptor fights for its very existence.
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
Be in to win a copy of Hawk by Ronie Kendig Two copies to be won Contest open to entrants Worldwide. (One copy USA only - One digital copy elsewhere) Contest runs from 31 October - 14 November NZDT How to Enter: Please comment on the interview and/or leave a message for Ronie Kendig in the blog comments below, then enter the Rafflecopter draw. Only entries made using the Rafflecopter contest will be eligible for drawing. Winning entries drawn will have their entry options validated before being accepted - if incomplete another entry will be drawn. |