fiction fridays: interview with ruth reid

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!