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Friday, May 8, 2015

INTERVIEW WITH RONIE KENDIG

An Army brat, Ronie Kendig grew up in the classic military family, with her father often TDY and her mother holding down the proverbial fort. Their family moved often, which left Ronie attending six schools by the time she’d entered fourth grade. Her only respite and “friends” during this time were the characters she created.

It was no surprise when she married a military veteran—her real-life hero—in June 1990. Married more than twenty years, Ronie and her husband, Brian, homeschool their children, the first of whom graduated in 2011. Despite the craziness of life, Ronie finds balance and peace with her faith, family and their Maltese Menace in Northern Virginia.

Ronie has a deep love and passion for people, especially hurting people, which is why she pursued and obtained a B.S. in Psychology from Liberty University. Ronie speaks nationally, volunteers with writer’s organizations, including American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and My Book Therapy, and mentors other writers. You can find out more about Ronie from her website.


INTERVIEW

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?


I’m the daughter of an Canadian-American (my dad’s father was born in Vermont, his mother in Canada, and he as well) and an Irish immigrant (my mother immigrated to America at 19 from Dublin, Ireland). I’ve been married for nearly 25 years to the most amazing man I’ve ever known, and we have four children, a Maltese Menace and a retired military working dog. All my life, I wanted to be a secretary (check!), teacher (check!), and a pastry chef (my waistline would say I accomplished that!). Becoming a writer was one of the most beautiful, unexpected, and “riskiest” careers I’ve ever pursued and held. 


What do you do when you are not writing?
When I’m not writing (or homeschooling), I will normally do something like gardening, home decorating (love DIY stuff), or working out at our Tae Kwon Do school. 


How did you choose the genre you write in?

It was a progression of interests, I think. Believe it or not, three of the first ten books I wrote (which shall remain lost to the annals of history, thankyouverymuch) were all historical. I loved the propreity of older times and customs. And while all my books have a thread of romance (I’m a hopeless romantic and proud of it!), I realized that every one of my stories had a military character. But it wasn’t until my life intersected (marginally) the family of a Navy SEAL, so riddled with anger and post-traumatic stress, that it shattered them. Watching that tragic, real-life story unfold set in me a deep conviction to never again pen a military story unless I showed the toll these heroic men and women in uniform deal with everyday. Through that, my entire course for writing was set with military/paramilitary fiction. 


What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

At the time, the toughest cut me deeply, but I can now recognize that as something said in ignorance. Over the last few years, I had author friends inform me that my writing was “too violent,” that I needed to scale it back. Those words crushed me at the time. But it did not deter me from writing the kind of stories I felt God has called me to write. I now recognnize that those “friends,” though they thought they were doing me a favor, did it in ignroance. Their mission in writing was not the same as mine. One is writing romantic comedies. We should learn, as authors, how brutal this industry is without scolding one author. We should be each other’s champions to reach a lost, hurting, dying world.


If you could go back in time and do something differently in your writing career, what would it be?

Years ago, a situation came up in a small writing group that I was a part of. I was taken back by it, and wasn’t sure what to do or how to respond, so I asked some close friends how I should handle it. I followed their advice—but in the end, it caused a deep wound in another writer, and if I could, I would go back and change that. 


What do you see happening in your career ten years from now?

I hope that ten years from now will see me firmly established in my genres (suspense and speculative). Since I started, I held the dream to write one suspense novel and one speculative novel a year, and God has made a way for that to happen. It is my prayer that I could continue to write to the wounded out there, help them see the hope of Christ. Also, I would hope that I am able to continue to give back to the writing community as a teacher and mentor. 





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.

YOU CAN WIN A COPY OF FALCON! JUST LEAVE A COMMENT, ALONG WITH YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION. WE'LL PICK A WINNER NEXT WEDNESDAY! 

37 comments:

  1. I love your books Ronie. And I love getting to know you a little better through this interview. Count me in on the drawing. lill dot kohler at gmail dot com

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  2. I am sooo looking forward to reading this one. I loved Ronie's "Discarded Heroes" series. Speaking as the wife of a retired military man, I can say that I love the realism that she brings to these men and women who valiantly serve our country. Thank you so much for the interview and giveaway!

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  3. Thank you, Suspense Sisters & Nancy, for inviting me over and featuring FALCON!

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  4. HOORAH! Great seeing Ronie here! I am excited to read this FANTASTIC series. Thank you for the giveaway. :)

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  5. Oh this sounds like such an amazing series!!!

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  6. Oh, I cannot wait to read this series!! My sister-in-law says it's great and, having read several of Ronie's other books, I'm sure she's right. :)
    I really enjoyed the interview. Learning more about the author behind the books I love is always fun! Thanks for the giveaway! :)

    crazybooklover7 [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  7. Great interview!! Love her books!

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  8. Love Ronie!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kim Potter mksmcpotter@msn.com

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  9. Can't wait to read this one. I love all of Ronie's books. She has it all = mystery, suspense, romance. She keeps me on the edge of my seat. Thanks for a chance to win this book. I have the other 2 in the series but have not read them yet. They are on my list to read next.

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  10. This review was so interesting, I enjoyed meeting Ronie...I have read Hawk & loved it! Thanks for a chance to win a copy of Falcon :)
    dkstevensneAToutlookD OTcoM

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  11. Just start reading Trinity from A Breed Apart series and really enjoying it! I'm kind of surprised that her writing was criticized for being too violent. I think she shows what happens without the action being gratuitous. If it was downplayed, it wouldn't seem realistic in my opinion. Anyway, I'm working through this series and will continue into the Quiet Professionals series next!
    garfsgirl AT hotmail DOT com

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  12. Would love to win a copy of Falcon! Finished reading Hawk this past week.
    Renthom477@gmail.com

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  13. I am so looking forward to reading this book - really liked Hawk! Great interview, by th way, and thank you for the chance to win! jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

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  14. This is a new to me author that I am excited at the thought of having a chance to read her books. I enjoy these types of books and they have been recommended by different review sites. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity !
    Deanne
    Cnnamongirl(at)aol(dot)com

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  15. I love her books! It's hard to choose, but I think the Discarded Heroes series is my favorite! Thanks for the interview and giveaway!

    mo1202007ATyahooDOTcom

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  17. I love your books and I loved getting to know you better through this interview. Thank you for sharing. Count me in the drawing. lill dot kohler at gmail dot com.

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  18. Would love to win this book! jarning67athotmaildotcom

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  19. I have already read Raptor 6. I have Hawk on my Kindle waiting for me to finish some read-to-review books. I would love to win a copy of Falcon. This is a great series and I love your books Ronie. debbiewilder (at) comcast (dot) net

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  20. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Ronie's books and I'm sure Falcon will be no exception! Thanks for the giveaway!
    cyndilou83(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. Looks exciting! Thanks, Kristie

    tklovenest {at} (aol) [.] com

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  22. i have just started reading your books and i already love them and your writing style please put me in the drawing for falcon thanks brianrobinette2002@yahoo.com

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  23. I love learning about my favorite author's lives! Looking forward to reading Falcon!
    mary-hart@att.net

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  24. love a good suspense! have never read one by Ronie, but it looks like one I'd like to try!

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  25. I really enjoyed this interview. I have never read any of Ronie's books, but after this article, look forward to it! adult4becky (at) aol (dot) com

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  26. Thank you for introducing me, and others, to life in the military, along with Christian ways to handle any kind of life. Thanks for the mystery and romance evidently included!
    Janice
    pjrcmoore@windstream.net

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  27. I would love to win a copy of this book! Thank you for this opportunity!
    Cagoar (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  28. I haven't read any of your books, Ronie, but I love this genre! Looks like I found a new series to read....Thanks for the interview and giveaway! svenable@westmont.edu

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  29. Ohh, this sounds interesting! butterflii410 at yahoo dot com

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  30. would love to win a print copy. I promise to review and tell all my friends about the book. wolf2644@hotmail.com

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  31. How many countries have you lived in?
    Nancydarby2007@yahoo.com

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  32. I have four kids as well! We have several friends in the Navy and Marines. I pray for them daily and I'm so grateful for all they do! Thank you as well! Jenny
    jennydtipton at gmail dot com

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  33. I would be honored to have one of your books. I love action packed books and your books are perfect for that genre. Jhdwayne@peoplepc.com
    Deana

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  34. What a great interview - very insightful! I can't wait to read this book - thank you for the opportunity to win it! And thank you for the previous books in this series... jeaniedannheim (at) ymail (dot) com

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  35. I liked Raptor 6 and Hawk and would like to read Falcon also. Not my typical genre but very well written books. Thanks, steveandellengray@yahoo.com

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  36. Looks like a must read. Bonnie Traher momtr3@yahoo.com If you need regular address let me know.

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