SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH RUTH CASIE
Ruth Casie is a NJRW Golden Leaf Award Finalist. She has been described as a "fresh, exciting new voice," and I agree! She writes historical and paranormal romance -my favorites! I especially enjoy how she explores historical eras that other authors fear to tread. But what gives Ruth Casie inspiration for her imaginative stories? And what new books does she have in store for romance fans?
I was pleased to have the opportunity to interview the author and find out!
1) Can you tell us how you got the writing bug? What makes being a romance author so appealing to you?
Ruth Casie:
Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog, Steph.
Before I retired I was an international product manager for a large US bank. One of my responsibilities was giving product seminars for clients. I know I will be dating myself here but this was in the days before webinars. I traveled overseas conducted the seminar and afterwards met with clients to close deals. To optimize on my airfare, my trips were a minimum of two weeks. I usually traveled alone and met with my bank’s in-country officer at their location.
I read on the long plane rides and found it much more tolerable to read a book when I dined alone. I would stuff my suitcase with 6-8 romance novels. They were quick reads and I would give them away when I finished them. That’s how I got hooked on romance stories.
Fast forward to 2009. A good friend told me she was going to write a romance novel and I volunteered to brainstorm, beta read, do anything to help her. Once we started I realized I had my own story to write. So we decided we would each write our books and try to sell them together. She had several other priorities. She was busy with training for the NY marathon and looking at colleges with her daughter. So while she put her writing on hold I continued to write and in four months I had 104 thousand words and my first book completed.
2) What is your favorite romance genre to read and why?
Ruth Casie:
I love historicals—medieval and renaissance. Some women are turned on by a uniform. I love knights in kilts and armor. I enjoy the conflict between strong men and empowered women and how they must work together to reach their goal and their happily ever after.
3) Why do you feel romance books are important? Do you have any tips for aspiring authors? What do you think of e-books for new and established authors?
Ruth Casie:
After food, shelter and safety, love and belonging are a basic human need. I think the curiosity of how others fulfill that need resonate with us. I enjoy the emotional ride. I root for the hero and heroine and boo the villain. For me, romance books with a happily ever after make me feel good and I am not alone. Many readers feel the same way.
As for tips for aspiring writers, write a love story that moves you and it will resonate with your readers.
My traditionally published books were published by Carina Press and are ebooks. I have to admit that I thought long and hard before signing with Carina Press because it would be an ebook. I’ve never regretted my decision. eBook royalties are larger and the time to market is much shorter. I think ebooks work for both new and established authors. For the established author, ebooks coming to market quicker keep their inventory churning which is what an author needs to do.
4) How do you find time to write? Do you have a writing ritual? How much do you usually write a day?
Ruth Casie:
It is just my husband and I. Our three children are all grown and on their own. I wrote my first book while I was working full time and president of a moderate size not-for-profit. I found time at night and on weekends.
I retired last June and now I have made writing my job. I sit down at my desk after my morning routine, breakfast and the gym. I take a break around lunchtime and run errands or visit with friends. I write some more before my husband comes home from work.
I’ve gotten in the habit of writing after dinner but now that I am retired I am making an effort to not write at night but spend more time with my live in knight in shining armor. Weekends depend on our plans and on my deadlines. My knight is very understanding.
I usually write about 1,500-3,000 words a day. It really depends on how diligent I’ve been with my character study. For me that’s the secret. The better I know my characters the better (and faster) I can write. I can put them into situations and know how they will react.
5) Time travel books always fascinate me. I always wonder what it would be travel back in time and find a 'hunky' man from the past. I especially like that you have a time travel book about the druids. What inspired you to write about that time? What makes your druid men especially sexy?!
Ruth Casie:
Strong. Silent. Command and control. Dedicated. Protective. Loving. Magnificent eyes. Wide shoulders. Trim waist. Six pack abs. Soft touch. Adventurous. The usual stuff heroes are made of. But my hero must partner with the heroine to succeed. That takes a different kind of man, one with all of the above and who has an inner strength and is willing share with an equal partner. That’s what makes him sexy to me. For me there is magic in that relationship.
6) I realize you have another book coming out called Knight of Rapture. Will this be a trilogy? Can you tell us more about the heroine and the druid hero? Did you base the modern day heroine, Rebeka at bit on yourself?
Ruth Casie:
Knight of Rapture is the sequel to Knight of Runes. It’s currently with my publisher for consideration. I’m not certain the story will evolve into a trilogy although if readers are interested I could easily be convinced.
Rebeka Tyler never thought herself a warrior, renowned authority on medieval and renaissance studies, yes, a martial arts amateur, absolutely, a warrior, definitely not, but one miss-step at the standing stones sends her on an adventure of a lifetime. Faced with the loss of her parents and family connectedness, she matures into a competitive, ‘take control’ woman. Not wanting to face the pain of additional losses, she trust no one with her heart that is until she meets Lord Arik. She learns that only through trust and love will she find her way.
Did I base Rebeka on me? That’s an interesting question. In some ways yes, but only the good parts. I left my foibles out of the story. I will tell you that she has taught me a lot about myself. Sometimes I hear her words coming out of my mouth.
Lord Arik, the true druid knight, has the total trust of his King and people as he fights to protect them against Bran, the dark druid knight. Many have demanded much from Arik. He is steadfast and trustworthy and will never give up. He willingly puts his own wants and desires on hold believing his duty to his people comes first and only he can protect them. He has never met a woman as strong as he is until he met Rebeka. Once he gives his heart to her… well, it’s a forever love.
7) I’ve heard that some publishers won’t print books of certain genre/time period, have you had this difficulty writing your books?
Ruth Casie:
My publisher, Carina Press – the digital press for Harlequin, is a digital first press. When I contracted with them I knew it was unlikely that my books would go to print. That said, my first book, Knight of Runes, was selected by Harlequin for their Direct to Consumer program and was printed. It is available only through the Harlequin store.
When I was looking for a publisher I was told that no one was buying time travel or historicals. It’s strange that the very editors that told me that two years ago are the same that have put out a call for them. Go figure!
8) Was it especially fun writing a Christmas anthology in your upcoming release, Timeless Keepsakes - A Collection of Christmas Stories? What makes holiday romances special for you?
Ruth Casie:
This was a project of my heart. There are four of us in my critique group. I was the only one published. I wanted them to work with an editor, feel the excitement of seeing their name on a book cover, and of course the excitement of a book launch. In May I spoke to them about each of us writing a short story and self-publishing an anthology at the end of the year. They loved the idea.
Short story writing is different than writing a novel. A good friend and multi-published author, Julie Rowe, teaches short story writing at her local community college. She taught us how to write a short story and joined our critique group.
We had a great time working on the project with each other, our editor (we hired a professional), picking out our cover and creating both an ebook and print copy. We loved it so much we decided to publish two anthologies a year, a summer escape and a winter keepsake. We formed our own publishing company, Timeless Scribes, and we’re having a blast.
As far as what makes holiday romances special, holidays are special in themselves. For me, our children, spouses and grandchildren all move in for a long weekend. It is noisy and wonderful. So holidays are happy times for me. Romance stories just fit right in.
9) What new and exciting books do you have planned for the horizon?
Ruth Casie:
I’m working on a new time travel series that combines my love of art with other time periods. It’s still in the development stage but I’ll keep you posted.
10) Thank you fitting us in your busy schedule, it has been such a pleasure having you on our website! :)
Ruth Casie:
Steph, Thank you so much for inviting me. It was wonderful to chat with you and your readers.
Interviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
For Additional Information about Ruth Casie check her out at:
www.RuthACasie.com
Recent and Upcoming Romances by Ruth Casie
Coming Soon
Knight of Rapture
Arik will move heaven and hell, and break every druidic rule to rescue his sorceress wife who has been sent 400 years into the future, to a time she once knew well. But this druid master will discover that finding her was the easy part of his quest. Rebeka, his heart, has no recollection of him.
Bran, the dark druid, is tired of being on the losing side. He has Arik now. Bran knows Arik needs the witch in order to succeed. He’s tricked both of them into the 21st century. Without them in the 17th century he can destroy the manor and set off the magic that will erase Rebeka as if she never existed. Then he will annihilate Arik.
Arik must rekindle Rebeka’s love and help her remember their past. Only their combined magic can save them and all they hold dear. But he will be tested again. If he brings her back through the portal she will die. If he stays with her in the 21st century the manor will fall and it will be as if she never existed. The only way to save her is to leave her and go back. Or does our sorceress see things from a different perspective?
Timeless Keepsakes - A Collection of Christmas Stories - Timeless Scribes -Nov. 11th, 2013
The magic of Christmas is in the memories we hold dear and those precious treasures that remind us of the past. Join us as our Timeless Keepsakes take us on five remarkable journeys that heal old wounds, remind us of days gone by, play matchmaker, sweep us back in time and prove that love can conquer all.
Introduction ~ Sharon Sala
Mistletoe and Magick ~ Ruth A. Casie
She would give her last breath for him. He would give up everything to guard her well and love her more.
Christmas Spirits ~ Lita Harris
A widow's everlasting love is renewed by the memories of the holiday season.
Granting Her Wish ~ Emma Kaye
She doesn't belong in his time and he doesn't belong back home. Could they belong to each other?
Letter from St. Nick ~ Nicole S. Patrick
She’s trying to save her home and he’s never had one until now. Can an unexpected gift lead their hearts to the same place?
Secret Santa ~ Julie Rowe
A nurse grieving the death of her twin brother receives an unusual gift at the staff Secret Santa party: the bullet that killed him along with a message of hope and love.
The Guardian's Witch -Carina Press -July 1st, 2013
England, 1290
Lord Alex Stelton can’t resist a challenge, especially one with a prize like this: protect a castle on the Scottish border for a year, and it’s his. Desperate for land of his own, he’ll do anything to win the estate—even enter a proxy marriage to Lady Lisbeth Reynolds, the rumored witch who lives there.
Feared and scorned for her second sight, Lisbeth swore she’d never marry, but she is drawn to the handsome, confident Alex. She sees great love with him but fears what he would think of her gift and her visions of a traitor in their midst.
Despite his own vow never to fall in love, Alex can’t get the alluring Lisbeth out of his mind and is driven to protect her when attacks begin on the border. But as her visions of danger intensify, Lisbeth knows it is she who must protect him. Realizing they’ll secure their future only by facing the threat together, she must choose between keeping her magic a secret and losing the man she loves.
Knight of Runes -Nov. 14th, 2011
England, 1605
When Lord Arik, a druid knight, finds Rebeka Tyler wandering his lands without protection, he swears to keep her safe. But Rebeka can take care of herself. When Arik sees her clash with a group of attackers using a strange fighting style, he’s intrigued.
Rebeka is no ordinary seventeenth-century woman—she’s travelled back from the year 2011, and she desperately wants to return home. She poses as a scholar sent by the king to find out what’s killing Arik’s land. But as she works to decode the ancient runes that are the key to solving this mystery and sending her home, she finds herself drawn to the charismatic and powerful Arik.
As Arik and Rebeka fall in love, someone in Arik’s household schemes to keep them apart and a dark druid with a grudge prepares his revenge. To defeat him, Arik and Rebeka must combine their skills. Soon Rebeka will have to decide whether to return to the future or trust Arik with the secret of her time travel and her heart.