Ever since Ronie's first book released, her stories have blown me away and kept me turning pages as fast as I could. While reading Wolfsbane this month, my own book deadline only allowed me to read it in snatches of time. I loved, loved, loved each of her first three books. This one I loved even more. I can hardly wait for Firethorn in January. Welcome, Ronie. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?
I almost never go into a story with the intention of writing a “theme” into it. The theme, for me, always comes out of the story organically. But some common themes found throughout my books are about the strength of family, honor, forgiveness.
What other books of yours are coming out soon?
Firethorn will be out January 1st, 2012, and then the very first military war dog book—WOOT!—will come out August 1, 2012.
If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?
Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan because I am working on my military war dog series and also because I have a three month old puppy who is very skittish but also very “mouthy,” chewing/biting just about everything.
How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?
First—remember WHO you are writing for and that no matter what happens from here on out, if you are using your gift that He gave you, then you give Him pleasure. And that—giving Him pleasure—should be our focus. Beyond that, it’s all up to Him, so while it might be frustrating and part & parcel of the writing industry, remember that He’s in charge, none of this takes Him by surprise, and He still has a plan. Second, remember that getting published doesn’t mean rejections stop. And it doesn’t mean they are any less frequent. Today’s industry is T-O-U-G-H. Rejections continue regardless of who you are and what stage of the game you’re in.
That is so true. Tell us about the featured book.
A female demolitions who unwittingly holds a lethal secret. . .
A former Green Beret grappling with terrifying memories of a mission gone bad. . .
And the jungle that threatens to swallow them whole.
In Venezuela
Setting aside his misgivings, he and Nightshade take the mission to help Dani unravel her lethal secrets. Separated from the team leaves Dani and Canyon vulnerable—and captured. After he is rescued, Canyon discovers Dani has been left behind. Livid, he sacrifices everything—including his role with Nightshade—to find Dani.
Can Dani and Canyon fight the nightmare armed with only forgiveness and raw courage? Or will they lose their lives, minds, and each other?
Please give us the first page of the book.
The Invitation
Judicial Building, Virginia Beach
Blood dripped into his left eye.
No. Not blood. Sweat. Hands tight against his hips and fists balled, Captain Canyon Metcalfe blinked away the sting. Another salty drop slid down his temple. Eyes ahead, he focused on his reflection in the massive mirror. Between it and him sat an eight-foot table harboring a panel of three Army investigators from Criminal Investigation Command sent for his one-year evaluation. More like interrogation. And he knew they weren’t legit. Nobody got a review once they were out. This wasn’t about legitimacy. This was about them insuring he’d kept his mouth shut.
Canyon watched his reflection as a bead skidded over his forehead and nose. Felt warm and moderately sticky. So much like. . .
It’s not blood. Not blood.
“Captain, do you have anything to add?” Major Hartwicke lifted the inches-thick file in her manicured hands and stared at him.
“You understand, Captain, if you reveal anything about what has happened here, you will face a full court-martial and dishonorable discharge.”
The voice from twenty-one months ago forged his response. “No, sir.”
Behind the one-way mirror a ghost of a shape shifted. Or was that a shadow? No, he was pretty sure he’d seen the human outline. So, there were more eyes monitoring this so-called review. They’re testing me. No surprise. As a matter of fact, he’d expected them to drag him out of bed in the middle of the night, haul him into the woods, and try to beat a confession out of him.
Innocence didn’t matter. Justice didn’t matter.
Only one thing mattered: silence.
Hartwicke pushed her chair back from the table and stood. “Captain, I don’t understand.” She motioned to the two investigators with her. “We’ve told you the CID believes there is enough. . .ambiguity in the charges and proceedings from thirteen March of last year to question the guilty verdict.” She tilted her head. “In fact, this panel believes you may be innocent.”
“You are not innocent in this brutal crime, Captain Metcalfe. No matter your role, you are guilty. As the officer in charge, you bear that responsibility. Do you understand?”
The eyes of the government held no boundaries. They saw everything. Knew everything. One way or another. Always waiting to throw him away for good. Just as they’d done with the villagers.
Her shoes scritched against the cement floor as she stepped nearer. “Why are you doing this?” she whispered. “Why would you throw away your career?”
Throw away his career? Was she kidding? It’d been ripped from his bloodied hands in a colossal mistake twenty-four months ago. Canyon ground his teeth together. She didn’t deserve a response if she thought this was his choice.
A chair squawked, snapping his gaze to the second investigator who moved from behind the table, his gaze locked on Canyon. What did they want from him? He’d kept the dirty little secret. Lived with it. Relived it night after painful night. Living when she died.
Brown eyes cut off his visual escape. “Captain Metcalfe,” Major Rubart said in a low, controlled voice. “I don’t know what they”—he rolled his eyes to the side to indicate the one-way mirror—“told you or what they used against you as a threat in retaliation for talking, but I think you know something.”
Despite his every effort not to, Canyon looked at the mirror.
“You know the truth about that fateful night, don’t you?”
The words yanked his eyes to Rubart’s. Did this officer really want the truth? Or was this another test? What Canyon wouldn’t do to tell, to right the wrong, to relieve the burden. . . But that’s just what they wanted him to do—relieve his mind and prove they were right, that he could be coerced into talking. That he was weak.
How can readers find you on the Internet?
I love hearing from readers! I can be found at my website, www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (ronie.kendig) or on Twitter (roniekendig). Ronie, it's always a special pleasure to host you on my blog. See you again when Firethorn releases.
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