Interview with Ronie Kendig and EMBERS GIVEAWAY!!!

Suspense Sisters is pleased to have the incredible, prolific Ronie Kendig with us today! Ronie is giving away one copy of her new book, EMBERS. Please comment and leave your contact information to be entered in the drawing. 

I first met Ronie approximately ten years ago when I was fortunate to be able to read a space opera she'd written. I fell in love with her writing then! I'm so excited that in addition to her high-octane suspense novels, she is writing in the speculative genre. And now, without further ado. . .let's find out more about Ronie. 

Ronie's Bio: 

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. She married a veteran, and together their lives are never dull with four children and two dogs--a a Maltese Menace and a retired military working dog, VVolt N629. Ronie's degree in Psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.

Since launching onto the publishing scene in 2010, Ronie and her books have hit bestseller lists and garnered awards and critical acclaim.

EG: Tell us about the genres you write in.

For the last five years, I’ve been known for Rapid-FireFiction, my suspense/romantic suspense novels, but this year, I’m delighted to share my speculative novel with readers.

EG: Tell us about your venture into speculative fiction.

I’ve been writing speculative since I first started the journey toward publication. Back in those days, because the speculative market was so tough to break into, we speculative authors were told to break in via a more “accepted” genre. Since my stories almost always had suspense and action, that’s where I focused my efforts. I’ve told my publisher that even if sales don’t support my speculative novels, I will always be writing them because they flow out of me as if I’ve plugged straight into the heart of our very creative God.

EG: What inspired the concept for EMBERS?

Television. I am almost loathe to admit that, but I was watching the BBC’s Merlin show, and I’d grown so fed-up with the character, Morgana, who was the “adopted” sister to Arthur in the series. In one particular episode, Morgana appeared to be dong something very noble, very tragic all in the name of saving her “brother,” Arthur, and the kingdom. But I got to thinking…what if? What if a sister truly did something devastating (for herself) to save her brother and the kingdom. That’s the gist of Embers.

EG: How long did it take you to complete EMBERS?

Initially, I’d started working on it more than two years ago. I managed to get about one hundred pages written, but then had to shift my focus to my suspense. When I came back to Embers, it took me about three months to get Embers finished up.

EG: What was the most interesting thing you learned while writing EMBERS?

I really felt like God challenged me to let go of plotting, to let go of trying to figure it all out as I went, and to completely trust Him with the story. That was terrifying, because even though I’m not a full plotter, I generally like to have a skeletal outline in mind.

EG: What are some of the challenges you face as an author?

Time!! Finding time to write can be challenging when you have edits, interviews, booksignings, social media, and planning launches for books. An author’s work is never done.

EG: What is your writing style? (Do you outline? Write “by-the-seat-of-your-pants? Or somewhere in-between?)

For the most part, I’m in the middle. I like to have my big plot points figured out, but then I like to let the characters run the show. However, with my speculative novels, I lean more heavily toward seat-of-the-pants writing. With suspense, I tend to plot more.

EG: What other projects do you have on the horizon?

In 2016, readers will see the launch of my new series with Bethany House Publishers, The Tox Files. The series will launch with a novella, Warrior’s Seal, in August, then the full-length novel, Conspiracy of Silence, is currently slated for September. And right now, I’m working on Accelerant, book 2 in the Abiassa’s Fire series with Enclave.

EG: What message would you like your readers to take from EMBERS?

I think the most significant thing I’d like readers to take away is that love sacrifices, it does not seek its own, even when it’s painful.

EG: Tell us about the story.

Since I am so terrible at giving an elevator pitch for my story, I’ll let the back-cover blurb speak for itself:

HE'S COMING FOR THEM. AND THE KINGDOM.


Haegan and Kaelyria Celahar are royal heirs of the Nine Kingdoms, but Haegan is phy

sically crippled. What chance does he have against Poired Dyrth, the greatest enemy the kingdom has ever faced, who wields fire with a power none can match?


Their only hope is forbidden: Kaelyria must transfer her fire-harnessing abilities to Haegan. When she does it comes with a terrible price: Haegan's disability is healed, but only by being transferred to Kaelyria. This act unleashes their father-king's wrath.


Haegan must flee the kingdom alone with two impossible tasks: Find a cure for Kaelyria and stop the coming war with the omnipotent Poired Dyrth.

Don't forget that Ronie is giving away one copy of her new book, EMBERS. Please comment and leave your contact information to be entered in the drawing.

Thank you so much for taking the time to interview with us, Ronie! 

Readers, Ronie is one of the most incredibly talented writers, and she's prolific too, which means more books for us! Make sure you check out her books and many awards at her website. You can find Ronie at:  www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction), Twitter (@roniekendig), and GoodReads.