Alicia Ruggieri on A Holy Passion

Alicia, Welcome to Homeschooled Authors. Tell us a little about yourself.
Thanks for having me here! I grew up breathing in the salty air of coastal New England, but I now write grace-filled, Christ-centered fiction from my home in Wisconsin, where I live with my pastor-carpenter husband and sweet second-hand mutt. I love old graveyards, dusty libraries, and excellent cannolis ~ not necessarily in that order.

What draws you to historical fiction?
The people of the past pull me toward it. How God has worked His mysterious and good purposes throughout history intrigues me. I love tracing His good handiwork through the tapestry of the past.

What are some of the authors/books that have inspired you in your historical fiction writing? 
George MacDonald's work encourages me that we don't need to sacrifice an intensely spiritual message for the sake of well-written and engaging fiction; in fact, such a message can actually elevate fiction. I also look up to writers like Bodie and Brock Thoene, Francine Rivers, Michael Phillips, Beverly Lewis, Tolkien, Mesu Andrews, T.H. White, George Eliot, Robin Lee Hatcher, Catherine Marshall, and Angela Hunt. Not all of these write historical fiction, but each has taught me something about writing in general.

What do you find the most challenging part of writing historical fiction?
Specific to historical fiction, a difficulty I've come up against time-and-again rises from various interpretations of a historical person, event, or situation. I want to present people/events/etc. truthfully, without sugarcoating or tar-and-feathering. So these are times when I need to go before God in prayer and seek His direction.

What is the easiest part?
Dreaming up new story ideas!

Do you have a favorite book you've written?
Oh, no. I truly don't. Each one of them, from The House of Mercy (my first one) to Each Perfect Gift (my most recently published one), holds a special place in my heart for different reasons.

What has God been teaching you?
That He usually - always! - has a purpose for me in the writing of each book, usually something He is trying to teach me. He's good at teaching through stories, isn't He? :-)

Any final thoughts?
For fellow writers, don't be afraid to let a story "ferment" in your imagination, mind, and heart for a long time. The initial idea for the story I'm working on now - The Evolution of James Tilney - first tiptoed into my imagination more than a decade ago! I didn't start working on it in earnest until recently. Bring your ideas to the Lord and see where/when He leads you with them.

Readers can find me at:
www.aliciagruggieri.com
www.facebook.com/aliciagruggieri
www.amazon.com/author/aliciagruggieri
www.goodreads.com/aliciagruggieri

Alicia is giving away one paperback copy to one lucky USA reader. Enter to win below
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas Stories Day 7: Each Perfect Gift

What do you do when the sins of your past rise from the dead? 

Ben Picoletti’s conversion astounded the little town of Chetham, Rhode Island – and no one more than the pastor’s daughter, whose heart Ben seeks to win… despite his shameful history. After all, the cross of Christ has removed Ben’s sins as far as the east is from the west, hasn’t it? 

Yet, as Christmas 1937 draws near, Ben’s past returns to trouble him – and to force Ben to grapple with the practical meaning of forgiveness and grace in his own life… and in the lives of those around him. 

A story for anyone who has ever been haunted by the consequences of choices they once made, Each Perfect Gift brings a message of the true redemption that is found in Christ alone. 

House of Mercy

Description: A story of justice, love, and mercy in post-Roman Arthurian Britain. 
When a hailstorm ruins her father's crops, Bethan goes as a kitchen servant to Oxfield. There, she intends to work off her family's debt to Lord Drustan before returning to marry the fervent son of a local priest. Yet, in her first days at the old Roman fortress, Bethan meets two men who are very different from the priest's son, friends who have dark histories... and shrouded futures. 
In his twenty years, Deoradhan has swallowed much of sorrow’s cup and found it bitter. Haunted by his father’s murder at the hands of one he trusted, distanced from the Roman God who betrayed him, burning to obtain his rightful throne in the rugged north, the young exile returns to Logress, where High King Arthur holds together a frail confederacy. 
There at Oxfield, Deoradhan's friend Calum seeks absolution for a deed he committed many years ago... a deed that ended in the death of one dearest to him and drove him from his home. 
Will Deoradhan stop at nothing to gain his rightful position? Is atonement possible for Calum after so many years? And what of those - including Bethan - whose lives have become interwoven with theirs?

This book was emotion, heartbreaking, breathtaking, and encouraging. It reminded me of Christy or one of Tracy Higly’s books in that it dealt with very tough issues in such a way that didn’t glorify them, sugar-coat them, or feel crass. I was blessed by the powerful faith messages that were woven through the story by a master writer.

Bethan was my favorite character in the story. Her faith is strong, yet she has some genuine struggles when she is taken from her home. One of the things I loved…I had no idea who she was going to get with. She took an interest in one guy, but then found out he already loved and girl and so on. It was so true to life that I loved it.

Deoradhan was a complex character and was well written. I was pulled along by his story and struggle. My heart pounded at times, I wanted to cry out in rage, or sob with sorry. He had so much emotion behind his character it truly pulled me in.

The setting was so amazing. Set in Arthur’s England, I was pulled into the place and didn’t want to leave. It felt so real. Ruggieri did an amazing job of capturing the land, structures, people, and atmosphere of the time.

This book deals with some very hard topics. Several side characters are very immoral people. One scene takes place at a druid festival, and the tone is very dark. However, sin is shown for what it is; sin. While a couple characters enjoy the momentary pleasures, the consequences for such actions are clearly shown.

I highly recommend this if you like grittier fiction, historical fiction, and vivid characters.

Want more reviews? Check out Rebekah Morris' review of Bound

Book Review: The Fragrance of Geraniums by Alicia G. Ruggieri

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Description: Told from multiple perspectives, this is a powerful story of three women – of the threads of mercy that connect them – and of heart-wrenching sorrows alchemized by the Heavenly Father’s overwhelming redeeming grace. Rhode Island - 1934

A GIRL: Grace Picoletti has nothing going for her – but she’s determined to succeed in life, nonetheless. Born to severe destitution, she claws her way up from the pit of family shame and secrets. She avoids close friendships – even with the likable, persistent Paulie Giorgi...

A WOMAN: Despite her own agonizing emotional pain, childless Emmeline Kinner reaches out to a young woman so far beneath her. She could never have known whom else God would set in her path through her friendship with Grace...

A MOTHER: Long ago, Sarah Picoletti resigned herself to a loveless, abusive life – and she believes that her daughter Grace must inherit the same fate. Yet Sarah’s own soul cries out for the blessed peace and hope of which the radio minister speaks.

I bought this book because I had been following the author for a bit and liked what I saw, but I really didn’t know what to expect from the book. The story it contained was nothing like what I expected, and at first I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, but I ended up really loving it.

The story really gripped me from the opening. Grace’s poverty was heart-wrenching, yet you could see that she was striving to higher and better things. Grace was a character you could root for and also travel the ups and downs with. She tugs at your heartstrings as well as becomes an inspiring person.

The big thing that I was not prepared for was the fact that Grace’s father is having an affair that he is very unashamed about. The affair is the center of the story for much of the book, which makes it a bit uncomfortable at times. However, even though Ruggieri never sugar-coats the situation, but she also never becomes crude. My only other complaint is that some of the medical terms and information felt very modern.

The setting of the great depression helped paint a vivid landscape for this story. It was as if I had been transported back in time. The research that went into this story really showed. Small details like using rubber bands to make shoes stay together, made the story seem so real.

As I am a lover of redemption stories and stories where Christians reach out to the hurting, this book was right up my alley. Ruggieri made the struggle as well as the redemption feel very real, and very powerful. Because she didn’t sugar-coat things or make it easy, the ending was all the sweeter.

I highly recommend this book for older readers who enjoy historical fiction and fiction with a deeper message.

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Book Review: The Mystery of the Missing Cufflinks by Alicia G. Ruggieri

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Description: An eleven-year-old in Regency England, Jemima can hardly contain her excitement when she learns that Cousin Aimée is coming for an extended visit.

However, Aimée turns out to be a different sort of girl than Jemima expected. Disdainful and rude but oh-so-accomplished, Aimée certainly doesn’t want Jemima to be her friend… and Jemima doesn’t want to spend any more time with Aimée than she must! Yet when household items start to go missing, including Reverend Sudbury’s heirloom cufflinks, Aimée accuses the Sudburies’ faithful servant Robert of theft.

Secret searches, overheard conversations, and night adventures lead to a solution to this mystery story in which Jemima learns that Jesus can give her the power to love her enemies.

I bought this book when it was on sale, because I thought my youngest sister would like it. I decided to read it one day when I wanted something a bit lighter, and I have to say I was very impressed.

Most stories that are written for children are sub-par writing and written with easy words that often sound like they are talking down to them. You will not find either in this book. The Mystery of the Missing Cufflinks is written as well as any book for adults, with a well sized vocabulary, while still having content that is age appropriate and engaging.

Jemima is a girl with many admirable qualities, with many lessons she needs to learn, but a teachable heart. I think that young girls will find they can relate to her as well as learn lessons along with her. I know I really enjoyed her, as she reminded me much of my younger self.

The setting in Regency, England (think Jane Austen) was delightful and unique for children’s fiction. I think those who grow up with Jane Austen or will grow into it eventually will enjoy it.

While this book obviously has a moral point to make, it didn’t preach. The moral was woven skillfully into the story, so that young readers will learn without realizing that they are being taught. Parents and kids will love this story. I know I am looking forward to the next book.

I highly recommend this book for young readers who like mystery, good moral lessons, and strong writing.

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