What Does Your Hero Wear?

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, volunteers with the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and mentors new writers. Her novels include Dead Reckoning, a spy thriller and a 2010 INSPY Award Finalist, Nightshade (Discarded Heroes Series, Book 1), which received a Lime Award from The Christian Manifesto, and Digitalis, Discarded Heroes #2!

Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com or www.discardedheroes.com


Heroes are all around us, everywhere and operating in every-day occurrences, but there are also our heroes who are sacrificing life and limb to provide freedoms so many take for granted. I write about these types of heroes in the Discarded Heroes, a series of books about our military heroes who have endured combat and come home, changed. Sometimes, that change is so significant, they feel discarded. Meet Colton “Cowboy” Neeley:

Digitalis (Discarded Heroes #2) Step into the boots of a former Marine in this heart-pounding adventure in life and love. Colton “Cowboy” Neeley is a Marine trying to find his footing as he battles flashbacks now that he’s back home. Piper Blum is a woman in hiding—from life and the assassins bent on destroying her family. When their hearts collide, more than their lives are at stake. Will Colton find a way to forgive Piper’s lies? Can Piper find a way to rescue her father, trapped in Israel? Is there any way their love, founded on her lies, can survive?

Though I thrive on writing action and adventure, not all heroes wear kevlar and tactical gear. Some wear pearls and skirts. Some wear slacks and a button-down. Regardless of what they’re wearing, it’s the heart that snags our attention, their character. Someone willing to stand up for another when it’s not easy or the “acceptable” thing to do. Today, that’s who I want to honor—heroes—as a celebration of the release of DIGITALIS, Discarded Heroes #2.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer.” I believe we all want heroes in our lives, people we can look up to and admire. Perhaps, we even need them, need them to challenge us to be better. And please don’t take me wrong—I believe the heroes placing their lives on the line in combat are a special breed of people, of warriors, but there are heroic acts in our every-day lives too. Like the person who pays your utility bill when you can’t. The woman who takes care of many children with special needs.

One of the great things I love about writing is embodying these heroes in living ink. What a blast—and what a prime opportunity to share with others the higher road! While we might not have the courage to face some of our demons at times, reading about how a hero overcomes his personal challenges can inspire and influence others to make similar changes in their own lives. What beauty! Naturally, it’s vital to make heroes both heroic and “tragic,” complete with their flaws. This makes them relatable and helps readers feel that maybe they, too, can overcome their addictions, fears, or failings.

Is there someone in your life, whether military or not, who is a hero to you, someone who challenges you to be better or stronger?