Book Review: Digitalis by Ronie Kendig and book giveaway

Digitalis (Barbour, January 2011) is Book 2 in Ronie Kendig’s Discarded Heroes series. A fast paced romantic thriller set in the US and Israel that will keep you turning the page until the very end.

Colton “Cowboy” Neely is a former marine who joins the elite black ops Nightshade team. He is tormented by horrific flashbacks that have put loved ones in danger, and his parents look after his young daughter when he’s away on overseas missions.

Piper Blum is hiding out in the US, and living in fear that the assassins searching for her father will find her. She meets Colton whilst working as a sales assistant.

Colton is drawn to Piper, and for eight months he regularly purchases towels at Piper’s counter. When Piper finds his lost daughter in the store, he finally has an opportunity to get to know her better.

Both Piper and Colton have secrets they can’t risk exposing to each other. The stakes are raised when the men looking for Piper’s father close in on her and Colton’s team are called in to protect Piper.

There is strong emotional conflict in the story, and the secrets between Colton and Piper cause massive complications in their romantic relationship. The characters are engaging and the faith element is intrinsic to the plot as the characters struggle to trust God in a world where bad things keep happening and they don’t know who they can trust. I recommend Digitalis to those looking for an action packed and compelling romantic thriller.

I really enjoyed reading Digitalis and Ronie has kindly offered to give away a copy of Digitalis (US residents only). By commenting on today’s post you can enter the drawing to win a copy of Digitalis. The drawing will take place on Wednesday, February 2 and the winner announced on Sunday, February 6. Please leave an email address [ ] at [ ] dot [ ] where you can be reached.

"Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws."

Ronie Kendig grew up an Army brat, married a veteran, and they now have four children, a Golden Retriever, and a Maltese Menace. She has a BS in Psychology, speaks to various groups, and mentors new writers. Her debut novel, a spy thriller, Dead Reckoning, was nominated for an INSPY Award, and the first book in the military thriller series, the Discarded Heroes, Nightshade, received a Lime Award from The Christian Manifesto. Her third novel, Digitalis, released January 2011 and will be followed by Wolfsbane (July 2011) and Firethorn (January 2012). Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com or www.discardedheroes.com

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Narelle Atkins writes contemporary inspirational romance. She resides in Canberra, Australia with her husband and children. To learn more about Narelle, please visit her website.

Interview and book giveaway with Ronie Kendig!

LISA: Today, I’d like to welcome my long-time friend Ronie Kendig to celebrate the release of her debut novel! Thanks for stopping by, Ronie! What was your initial reaction in finding out you sold your first book?

RONIE: Thrilled . . . elation . . . fear (oh man, it’s really going to happen), relief (my agent won’t think he’s made a mistake representing me!), pure joy (God promised to see this work through to completion!).

LISA: Definitely a wonderful and surreal feeling! Tell us some of the background behind the idea for this book.

RONIE: Honestly, the reason Dead Reckoning came to life was because the story of Shiloh’s parents never found a publishing home. In looking at the arsenal of story ideas I had to work on next, Shiloh’s story appealed to me the most. I loved the idea of a girl, almost completely shattered by her father’s espionage career, finding her footing in life and through a career eerily similar to what her father did. Yet it wasn’t a repeating cycle, but the way she found wholeness and healing.

LISA: I find in my own writing that I often grow alongside my characters. Is there a character who you relate to from the book and who made an impact on your life?

RONIE: I’m not certain that I necessarily grow alongside them, but I have noticed that while writing each book, God tends to be working on me with a particular theme. During Dead Reckoning, I was immersed in learning to really trust God—in everything and despite everything that I saw and heard.

LISA: That’s such an important place to be. Tell us a bit about the research you had to do for this story?

RONIE: There was a TON, and it evolved and grew over the course of time from when I first wrote the rough draft to when it was going through final edits with the amazing Barbara Scott, my editor. Since I have yet to experience the beauty of India first-hand, I did extensive research. Videos, books, internet research, Google Earth, and even went so far as to contact some people who had visited India and others who lived there.

LISA: It will always amaze me just how much research we can do thanks to today’s technology. What is the number one thing you’ve learned from your writing journey?

RONIE: That while I am writing for God so He can use these stories to break down barriers between Him and His children, the main reason I’m writing is because He gave me this gift. My use of this gift he gave me brings joy to Him—and that is my number one goal in life—to bring glory to my Father.

LISA: Tell us a little bit about your upcoming series with Barbour.

RONIE: I am delighted to share that. It’s called the Discarded Heroes, and the main theme is about soldiers who return from tours of duty, weighted with the traumas of combat and trying to re-assimilate into society. This is the blurb on Amazon for Nightshade, Book #1, releases July 1: Soldiers all across the globe are returning home to their families after brutal tours of duty. They are discharged from the service. . .and on their own. Meet Max Jacobs, one of these discarded heroes, as he faces a wall of failure—in his career, his friendships, and his marriage. Failing again—this time to end his life—he is offered a thread of hope. Are covert government operations the answer for him, or will they only bring more danger and dissension upon his broken family?

LISA: I can’t wait to read these as well! Because I know there are many aspiring writers out there, can you share any tidbits of wisdom on getting published?

RONIE: Right now, I’m seeing some of my new writer friends really getting tangled up in “rule legalism.” ☺ It’s vital to know the rules and to abide by them, but when they strangle and suffocate you so you can’t breathe in your writing, something’s gotta give. Definitely know the rules, know what’s right and wrong. But don’t obey the rules to the detriment of the story. And second, remember that you ARE called to writing—give it to God, trust His timing, and decimate the doubts! Find your footing as a writer and it will take you a very long way!

LISA: Great advice. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing with us, Ronie! If you would like a chance to win a copy of Ronie’s debut novel, please leave a comment below with a way to be reached. The winner will be announced on Sunday, March 21st. To find out more about Ronie and her books, please visit her website!

This contest is limited to USA/Canada only. Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal laws.

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Award-winning author of twenty novels and novellas, Lisa Harris lives with her husband and their three children in Mozambique, Africa, where they work as missionaries. When she’s not busy writing or home schooling, she loves traveling, cooking different ethnic foods, and going on game drives through the African bush. Visit her website or her blog for information on her latest release.