Ronie Kendig – Romantic Real Life Interview – Part 1 of 2

Shannon here: Military suspense author, Ronie Kendig shares insight into her real life romance plus a chance to win a copy of her latest release, Talon. Comment on any post dated May 8 – 10 to get your name in the drawing. U. S. entries only for this drawing. Deadline: May 18th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Ronie:

• What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for your spouse?

I have to say the most romantic thing was when I secretly bought plane tickets, reserved a hotel, and bought tour tickets for our 20^th anniversary to a place my hubby had longed to see since before we married—Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater in Pennsylvania. He was so stunned when I told him about the weekend I had planned. It was the most magical time, being there, watching him soak in the room, the architecture.

• Do you and your spouse have a favorite song?

I’ts an old song that was sun at our wedding, but yeah—Steven Curtis Chapman’s “I Will Be Here.” For a little less romantic song, I imagine Brian would tell you it’s Kenny Chesney’s “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy.” Brian’s a bit of a nerdy redneck, and I love every ounce!

• Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic vacation destination?

Brian and I don’t have a favorite destination, but we do have a dream-goal destination—Hawaii. I know everyone and their dog but me has been there, but that’s our goal. To some day get to Hawaii. We tried to make it there for our honeymoon, but so many events colluded against us.

• What simple gesture does your spouse do that melts you every time?

We have four kids and sometimes, getting in the car without an argument between them is something, so when Brian gets really flustered that he can’t get to my door to open for me, it’s just adorable. He growls at me when I open the car door for myself, and I think that’s beautiful. There are so few out there who show their wives that kind of respect. I truly married an amazing man!

• How soon after meeting your spouse did you know he/she was the one?

I knew Brian was the man I would marry the first time he kissed me—and he waited on that kiss for several months. I started wondering what was wrong with me, or if he didn’t really like me that way. I found out later that Brian didn’t want our relationship centered on the physical, so he made sure we were grounded spiritually, mentally and emotionally first. But I’ll never forget that first kiss outside my mother’s apartment. I went inside, closed the door, then slid down along it in tears because I knew I was going to marry him. I knew I would be leaving my mother, who had no family around. I was ecstatic, yet brokenhearted to leave my mom (we were very close).

• How soon after meeting you did your spouse know you were the one?

Brian said he knew fairly quickly that our relationship was different.

• Who said, “I love you” first, you or your spouse?

Does writing it count? Brian and I worked at the same Christian bookstore while we were dating. I’d fallen in love with this bunny hand puppet, and when the store clearanced one of them due a missing eye, Brian bought it for me. I was so touched  that I didn’t notice he’d written something on the back of the tag until after he left for his lunch break. I turned it over and found, “I LOVE YOU! – B”

• Where did you and your spouse go for your honeymoon?

Brian and I wanted to go to Hawaii. . .but we had a bombshell dropped on us the week before our wedding: since we worked at the same store, despite the manager reassuring us that we could both continue working after we married, we were informed that one of us had to quit. That cut all of our fun money down to minimal amounts, thus we honeymooned in Austin, TX. It was a wonderful time, and I was just so happy to be married to Brian and to start our lives together!
About Ronie: 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 Golden Retriever and a Maltese Menace. Ronie’s degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.
Since launching onto the publishing scene, Ronie’s Rapid-Fire Fiction has hit the CBA Bestseller List, won the prestigious Christy Award, named to 2012 Bestselling Fiction by Christianbook.com, finaled in numerous contests and reader awards, including ACFW Carol Awards, RWA’s Faith, Hope, & Love’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Awards, Christian Retailing’s Readers’ Choice Awards, INSPY Award, The Christian Manifesto Lime Awards, and FamilyFiction’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction), Twitter (@roniekendig), and GoodReads
About the book – Talon: This Time, Even the War Dog Is Scared
Her brother is missing. And her only chance of finding him lies with a combat dog that has lost his edge. All Air Force veteran Aspen Courtland wants is her brother back. The US Marine Corps says he’s dead, but Aspen won’t believe it till she sees his body. Her only hope is her brother’s tracking dog, Talon, but a brutal attack has left the dog afraid of his own shadow.
The truth is something Military Intelligence Operative Dane Markoski has never faced. But now it’s the only thing that can save him—along with Talon’s help. But working with Talon means teaming up with Aspen as well, and Dane swore he’d never work with a woman.
Eventually they join forces to battle the elements and extremists. But if Talon can’t rise up to his former glory for one last mission, the only outcome for all three will be game over.
“Talon is Kendig at her best!” –Tosca Lee, New York Times Best-selling author of Mortal (with Ted Dekker
Come back May 10th for part 2 with Ronie!