We had a wonderful time talking with award-winning author Kendy Ward about her literary works, including her new novel, Reign Storm, Book 3, Knight in Damaged Armor Series, which was released on September 24, 2021.
“In every true romance you'll find God. For God is Love,” says Kendy. "I wrote this story to of course tell an amazing love story, but also to show that everyone’s walk with Christ is different, everyone’s relationship with God is different, and as we walk with Him on whichever road He is leading us, if we allow Him, He will heal our brokenness."
Today, Monday, 12/13/2021, author Kendy Ward is in the spotlight on our blog and in Ann Marie Bryan's Facebook Readers' Cafe. Join her event on Facebook: Ann Marie Bryan's Readers' Cafe.
Back Cover Description
As a young girl, she was deemed trash, and no one wanted anything to do with her. Now all grown up, as the brash owner of the Bahamas’ number one magazine and a fledgling clothing boutique, Reign Bryant has made good on her promise to silence her bullies with success. Although the painful remnants from her past lurk in her spirit, the swanky condo, luxury car and glamorous life she dreamed of through the tears keeps a smile plastered to her face. Still, a reckless mistake from her past haunts her every day, and quick-tempered Reign must make it right before it’s too late.
Handsome detective Storm Knight is Reign’s teenage crush. After 16 years of being absent from her life, Storm is the only person who can lead Reign to the redemption she so desperately craves. Despite his arrogance, self-righteous attitude and polarizing opinions completely opposite of her own, Reign finds herself still attracted to the man who was her first love. Will Reign and Storm be able to put their differences aside, or will her last shot at redemption be her undoing and tear them apart forever?
Amazon: Reign Storm
Character Interview - Reign Storm
How did you come up with the title?
The idea for the title was easy because the main characters names are Reign and Storm.
Tell us about your main characters.
Reign Bryant is a writer, journalist, who owns the #1 magazine in the Bahamas. She prides herself giving the Bahamian public the real news they deserve and loves being the first to break the most sensational stories on the island. She is also a fashionista and socialite who also owns a boutique in downtown Nassau.
She was raised by her brother Clem, who is 8 years older than she is. Their mom died when she was a pre-teen. Her dad stopped taking care of her when her mom died. She came up poor. Got teased because she of it and because she was bigger and taller than the other girls. She vowed that when she grew up she would always have the best.
She creates the life she dreamed of having, but on the inside still felt unwanted and like she didn’t measure up. She loved God but it was like the Apostle Paul wrote every time she did good evil was present. Well, it was really her fast mouth and quick temper that was present.
Storm Knight is a inspector detective for the Royal Bahamas Police Force. He is also a preacher’s kid who at one time thought he would be a preacher also. He stepped away from ministry because he felt like he wasn’t good enough. He fell into temptation too many times. Instead of taking over his father’s church he threw himself into his career in law enforcement where he handled the most high profile cases in the country along with his partner, Clem Johnson, Reign’s brother. He constantly struggles with what being a good Christian looks like and has hard time forgiving himself for the times he has stumbled in his walk, including the time he stumbled with Reign.
Is there conflict in the story?
There internal and external conflicts in the story. External conflict between Reign and Storm because Reign keeps interfering in Storms cases. Storm’s internal conflict is that he promised himself never to mess with Reign again, but he can’t seem to help himself where she is concerned.
Which character in your book are you most like?
I’m not like either of the main characters. I loved creating Reign because she is nothing like me. It was fun to give voice to her. Priscilla is the heroine in book two in the Knight in Damaged Armor series. She’s one of Reign’s best friend and is in this book. I’m most like her.
What are two major events that are taking place in your book?
Two major events taking place in the book is the reveal of the real reason Storm isn’t allowing himself to fall for Reign, and the other is when Reign removes her mask and gets real with herself.
Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
No
Describe some of your characters in three words?
Real, intense, honest
What would be the Bible verse that fits your story, and why?
I know this is kind of typical but I Corinthians 13:1 is it. Love is patient. Love is patient with us, which in turn helps our love to be patient with others. God patiently loves both Reign and Storm through faults and failures and once they both allow Love to heal them, they are free to love each other.
What do you want your readers to take away with them after finishing this book?
The only way to deal with the broken parts of our hearts is to be honest with ourselves about what’s broken, take it to God and ask Him to heal it. Forgive yourself is a big take away too.
What characters in your book did you like the most? Why?
I’m most like one of Reign’s best friends, Priscilla, who is the heroine in Only One Knight. I am most like Priscilla because like her I’m the listener and advice giver in friendships.
Which character or part of the book was the most fun to write?
All of Reign’s dialogue was fun to write. Every time she opened her mouth was fun because she doesn’t think because she speaks and I almost always think before I speak. So, writing in Reign’s voice in first person was really fun.