MFRW Author Ruth A. Casie talks about her writing.
Ruth A. Casie writes contemporary and historical fantasy romance for Carina Press, Harlequin and Timeless Scribes Publishing. Formerly from Brooklyn, New York, she lives in New Jersey with her very supportive husband Paul. When not writing you can find Ruth reading, cooking, doing Sudoku, or counted cross stitch. Ruth and Paul have three grown children and two grandchildren. They all thrive on spending time together. It’s certainly a lively dinner table and they wouldn’t change it for the world. She loves to hear from readers, so drop her a line at Ruth@RuthACasie.com.
Why did you decide to write romance novels?
I love reading romance novels and when a friend said she was going to write one I thought I would too.
How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
I write historical fantasy so not much of my life experiences although being able to zap some people would be really great. I think there’s a bit of me and my daughters in my heroines and my husband and son in my heroes.
What kind of research do you do for a book?
My research is mostly on-line or in the library. Although, I got so into old manuscripts with these characters that I took a manuscript course at Stanford University.
When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
A good friend decided to write a romance story. I wanted to help as a critique partner or beta reader. After a few hours of talking about her book she convinced me to write my own story and we would possibly sell hers and mine as a series. Life got in her way with looking at colleges for her daughter and training for the NY Marathon. I, on the other hand, kept on writing. When I was done I really didn’t know what to do with ms. I found RWA. I spent a year editing and learning what to do with the story then submitted it to agents and editors. It was picked up by Carina Press.
Tell us about your latest book. What motivated the story?
I have two books coming out in March, The Druid Knight Tales and Knight of Rapture. They are both part of my Druid Knight series and continue the story of Arik and Rebeka. Their story wasn’t over and many fans asked for more.
Knight of Rapture, a Historical PNR Fantasy, with Timeless Scribes Publishing
For months Lord Arik has been trying to find the precise spell to rescue his wife, Rebeka, but the druid knight will soon discover that reaching her four hundred years in the future is the easiest part of his quest.
Bran, the dark druid, follows Arik across the centuries, tireless in his quest for revenge. He’ll force Arik to make a choice, return to save his beloved family and home or stay in the 21st century and save Rebeka. He can’t save them both.
Rebeka Tyler has no recollection of where she’s been the past five months. On top of that, ownership of her home, Fayne Manor, is called into question. When accidents begin to happen it looks more and more like she is the target. Further complicating things is the strange man who conveniently appears wherever trouble brews—watching her, perhaps even….protecting her? Or is he a deliberate attempt to distract her? Rebeka can only be sure of one thing—her family name and manor have survived for over eleven centuries. She won’t let them fall… in any century.
Where did the idea come from?
The Druid Knight stories are historical fantasy time travel stories. You may see a little Knight in Shining Armor (Jude Deveraux) and Outlander (Diana Gabaldon) influences in the stories. But what really inspired me was the Lisa Kudrow program, Who Do You Think You Are?, the Ancestry.com program. I kept thinking what would it be like for a 21st century alpha-woman to confront a 17th century man of her dreams? And how would he handle the situation?
What is your writing routine once you start a book?
I write an outline to keep me on track then begin to write. My goal is a chapter ever two days. Each day I re-read what I wrote, make some edits and go on from there. The re-read helps me get back into the story and edits help to contain all the rewrite at the end. At least, that’s my plan!
What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?
We’re empty nesters and I retired from my job eighteen months ago. Other than the community work I do for several organizations, my time is my own. In addition, my husband, Paul, is very supportive. While he is a brainiac and not necessarily into the historical fantasy time travel stuff, it’s great to overhear him tell others what I do.
What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
Paul and I love to go to the movies and we take ballroom dancing lessons. He says that’s one way to get is arms around me.
Who are some of your other favorite authors to read?
The list of my favorite authors are a mix of genres: Jude Deveraux, Diana Gabaldon, Eliza Knight, Terry Brisbane, Diana Cosby, Margaret Mallory, Jennifer Probst, Roxanne St.Claire, Eloisa James, Julie Rowe, DC Stone, Jaci Burton
How can readers connect with you?
Website: www.ruthacasie.com
Personal Blog: www.ruthacasie.blogspot.com
Google+: google.com/+RuthSeitelman
FB Author Page: www.facebook.com/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/13GwuQ1
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4792909.Ruth_A_Casie
You can also preview her book here:
EXCERPT from Ruth's latest book, Knight of Rapture
She took another step and past the stone marker.The air chilled and the sky turned an array of colors. Everything around her began to swirl. She realized her mistake too late. The portal, she was in the portal.Arik. Close to him now, she reached for him but her hand passed through the form. She examined her hand turning it over then spotted the shadow of the man. An illusion? The shadow turned towards her. She watched as the wind washed over his face and it changed. “Bran,” she whispered in disbelief. Her head swiveled while she searched for something, anything to grab on to. The portal had one use and she had no intention of leaving.Get out, her brain shouted.His lips twisted into a cynical sneer. He tilted his head in jaunty satisfaction, snapped his fingers and vanished.“No,” she yelled. “Arik,” she closed her eyes and screamed in her head trying to mind touch him while the wind tore at her.“Beka,” he boomed.Her eyes snapped open. She shielded them from the dust and debris and stared at Arik on the other side of the opening. He stood at the high plateau, miles away. His hands were braced on the opening’s edges, which were nothing more than solid streams of whirling wind. He struggled to keep the portal from closing.“Come.” His voice didn’t allow for any argument.The wind whipped at her, pushed her back. She tried again. “I can’t. The wind. Keeps. Pushing. Me. Away.” She shoved her staff in front of her and anchored it in the ground. Against the gusting wind, pulled herself towards him.“A little more, Beka.” He gripped the edge of the portal with one hand and stretched the other out to her. She shoved her hand towards him as far as she could. The tips of their fingers brushed. In a burst of effort he caught the top of her hand, a precarious hold. With a tight grasp she wrapped her fingers around his thumb.Safe, she wasn’t far now.She concentrated on his face. The corners of his mouth turned up as he pulled her towards safety. The wind grew stronger buffeting around them then changed its path. Before she could brace herself for the new direction, the gust blasted them. Without a firm grip, her hand began to slip. She pushed through the building panic. His smile slipped. The expression on his face turned to determination. Again her hand slipped until he held her by her fingertips.He held them fast—crushing them but that didn’t matter. He had to hold on to her. Every muscle strained. Inch by inch he brought her closer to him. She tried to help him the best way she could. Anchored to the edge of the portal, Arik encouraged her on. But his alternatives were limited. The closer she got to him, the stronger the gale blew. Just a little closer, that’s all she needed for Arik to grab her and get her out of the portal.The wind exploded from another direction.The blasting gale pushed her staff away from the opening, across the dirt, cutting an ugly scar in the ground and dragging her away with her staff.Away from Arik.
Divine intervention. That’s all Penny asks. Freedom from overwork and mountainous debt. She sings songs of praise, chants like a yogi, and rubs her belly like Buddha until the crystal charm on her navel shimmers, all hoping to draw the attention of someone—anyone—“up there.” 
