Contest Alert!! Ruth is giving away a copy of her debut novel: The Promise of an Angel (A Heaven On Earth Novel)

Leave a comment in this blog post with your email in this format: yourname(at)youremail(dot)com for a chance to win! Winner announced on June 30th.

Welcome to The Literary Mama, Ruth. Tell us a little about yourself.

I live in Florida with my husband and our three children. We have two dogs, Zyvox, a silver Weimaranier, and Lady Bird, a Jack Russell who adopted us. We also have four water turtles who hang out in a 128 gal fish tank.

**Tell us about your journey to publication.

After entering a young authors writing contest in grade school, I was hooked on storytelling. However, I pushed those dreams aside to pursue a degree in Pharmacy. Several years later, I took the Jerry B. Jenkins writing course and rediscovered my dream of writing a novel. Meanwhile, I completed my first manuscript. But, then I read the book, The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes by Jack M. Bickham, and I realized my book had 35 of those mistakes.

I tossed the manuscript in the bottom of my closet (still there) and I enrolled in a Master’s of Theology program, assuming God wanted me to write non-fiction, and I needed a firmer foundation. (Looking back, I was running away from writing another novel.) Four months from completing the Master’s degree, and after writing twelve-page research papers for each class, I felt God calling me to write another book. Eight weeks later, at graduation time, I had another novel written and this one passed the Bickham rules for avoiding fiction mistakes. Next, I found an agent who represented Christian romance authors, sent her a query letter and the manuscript, and later signed a contract. 

In developing the story, The Promise of an Angel (A Heaven On Earth Novel), I wanted to start the book with what had sparked my interest with the Amish, a barn raising. While I attended Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, I met several Amish families in the nearby settlement. I’ll never forget the day I skipped classes to watch a barn raising.

**What is The Promise of an Angel (A Heaven On Earth Novel) about?

Interrupting the ordered routine of the Mecosta County Amish settlement, an angelic visitor awakens Judith to a new faith.

All Judith Fischer has ever wanted is to marry within her community and raise a family of her own. She longs for the day when her parents will allow Levi Plank to officially court her.

But on the day Judith suspects Levi will ask her parent’s permission, her younger brother Samuel has an accident under her charge. Rushing to Samuel’s aid, Judith spies a strange man helping him; a man she later believes was an angel.

When she shares her conviction with her family and close friends, she is shocked to find that no one believes her, including Levi. In the days following the accident, the angel visits Judith with information that may guide her down the path of faith, should she choose to follow. 

As her community slowly distances themselves, only one person is willing to stand up for her – the bishop’s son, Andrew Lapp. But can he convince the settlement to listen to her? With a show of faith that flies in the face of her conservative upbringing, can Judith hold strong to the promise that there are even greater things in store for those who believe?

 **Who are your favorite characters in The Promise of an Angel (A Heaven On Earth Novel) and why?

My favorite characters are Judith for her unwavering faith, and Andrew for his devotion to God and to Judith.  

*What do you hope readers walk away with knowing from The Promise of an Angel (A Heaven On Earth Novel)?

As people read The Promise of an Angel (A Heaven On Earth Novel), I pray their faith is inspired and they are determined to stand even if it means standing alone.

*What other new projects do you have in the future?*

Currently, I’m working on the second book in the Heaven on Earth series, Brush by Angels Wings, which will be out April 2012.   

*What is one thing people may be surprised to know about you?

I work full time as a pharmacist and I answer as many pharmacy/drug related questions as I do writing questions. Often, I get questions from writers who need help creating a medical scene or who ask for assistance with developing treatments for adverse drug reactions. 

*How can readers get in touch with you?*

I love interacting with readers through my website www.ruthreid.com or on face book at Author Ruth Reid.

*Thanks for stopping by today!*

I had a great time talking with you, thanks for inviting me!

I’m excited about our interview today with novelist Lorna Seilstad. Lorna writes historical romance and her latest novel, A Great Catch, the second in the Lake Manawa Summers series, releases this month.

Welcome to The Literary Mama, Lorna. Tell us a little about yourself.

I’ve called Iowa home her whole life. I received her B.S. in education from Lubbock Christian University. After my first child was born, I quit teaching and became a professional wiper. I wiped noses, tears, skinned knees, baby’s bottoms, and countertops every day. But at naptime, I wrote. Today, I write historical fiction with a generous dash of humor, and lives in Iowa with her husband and three children–ages 19, 17, and 12.

I grew up attending antique auctions with her parents, and from that, grew a love for history. The love of Oreos is all my own.

When I’m not writing or chauffeuring her kids around, I teach Bible classes, working with my 4-H club, or bake cookies.

*Tell us about your writing journey.

In 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade, I had the same teacher for English. Every Friday, we had a creative writing assignment. For example, we might come to school and find footprints taped to the walls and ceiling and we were supposed to write about how they got there. I loved it.

After my first child was born, I decided I wanted to stop teaching and stay home. I did daycare for teachers, but I needed something. I went back to my first writing love of fiction

In 2000, I started writing fan fiction online. I wrote at a site called romancefanfiction.net. There were a lot of wonderful writers there, and it was a wonderful place to learn and find my voice. I started working toward publication in 2007.

I went to my first ACFW conference in 2008. There, I met Andrea Doering from Revell in one of editor interviews. My first contract, for the three books in the Lake Manawa Summers Series, came from that interview.

*What is A Great Catch about?

She wants to change the world.

He wants to change her mind.

It’s the beginning of a new century at Lake Manawa resort in Iowa, but some things never change. When Emily Graham’s meddlesome aunts and grandmother take it upon themselves to find her a husband among the resort guests, the spunky suffragist is determined to politely decline each and every suitor. She has neither the time nor the need for a man in her busy life.

Carter Stockton, a recent college graduate and a pitcher for the Manawa Owls baseball team, intends to enjoy every minute of the summer before he is forced into the straitlaced business world of his father.

When their worlds collide, neither Emily nor Carter could have guessed what would come next. Will Carter strike out? Or will Emily cast her vote for a love that might cost her dreams?

 *How did you come up with the concept for A Great Catch and the Lake Manawa Summers series?

When the resort park at Lake Manawa closed, my grandfather purchased one of the bath houses there for $300. He moved it to a lot on what had once been the Midway and made it into a house. That is the home where my dad lived as a boy. He told me stories about the area, and after I did a some research, I knew I had to write a story there.

*How much research do you undertake while writing historical fiction?

It takes a lot of research. I don’t just want to get the facts right, I want to get the feel of the times right. I read a lot of newspapers of that day besides doing the other research. I love research, though. It’s like a treasure hunt.

*Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hmmm. I see myself still writing, but I hope I have my office fixed up by then. My office is in the basement and it’s really cold in the winter. I have to wear gloves without fingertips.

*What other new projects do you have in the future?

Right now, I’m finishing up the third book in the series. It’s about Lilly and a roller coaster designer. I have another book series in the proposal stage.

*What is one thing people may be surprised to know about you?

I can tell time without wearing a watch. It’s a strange ability, but I never wear a watch and I almost always know the time within about five minutes. I didn’t tell my kids that I could do this for a long time, but they know now, so they like to test me at random times.

*How can readers get in touch with you?

I love to hear from readers. I can be contacted through my website www.lornaseilstad.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Thanks for stopping by today!