Monday, April 16, 2018

Ruby Mae on Seeking Refuge


Ruby Mae, welcome to Homeschool Authors! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Thanks so much! I'm feel so excited and blessed to be here! Okay, well, I was born into the kingdom of God when I was eighteen, in the year of 2012. I have a wonderful dad and momma. I'm the eldest of eight children in my family. Besides writing, I love to sing, read, draw, paint, craft, fish, hike, camp, etc. . . Just about anything really. Let's see, oh, and I also write romance while never being on a date before in my life.

Everyone's homeschooling experience is different. What do you think made yours unique?
Oh wow, tough question. Like most homeschool families, I'm sure it's hard to compare because everyone has their school, their way, in their homes. But my journey as a homeschool student was an amazing blessing that I wouldn't trade for anything. I traveled to many different states while homeschooling; seeing a lot of God's magnificent creation. The flexibility while doing homeschool allowed me and my family to go on many fun adventures, abundant with unique experiences I wouldn't have experienced otherwise. Including: singing southern gospel at the Great Smoky Mountains Welcome Center, Singing to and visiting folks in the nursing homes, helping the poor and homeless, doing a traveling children's entertainment business, and many more. Of course, many of those scenarios end up in my stories in some way or another and those that haven't, will probably sneak into my future novels. Homeschooling with a large family for me has also allowed me to teach my younger siblings so I continue to learn and prepare for my future family.

How did being homeschooled prepare you to write?
Oh, it has prepared me for this in many ways! By being homeschooled, I experienced so many more adventures than I could ever imagine, which has inspired many scenes in my novels. I always had plenty of time for my favorite hobby—reading,  which every writer knows is crucial to being a good writer. I was always encouraged to be creative in my studies and it passed into my love for arts and crafts, which helps me to pay attention to the details. Most importantly, if I hadn't been homeschooled, I may not have received Christ as my Lord and Savior and without Him, I couldn't write any of the novels I write. I'm merely the pen in God's hand.

What caused you to start writing?
The simplest answer is: God. Shortly after I got saved in 2012, I felt called to teach others teens and young adults the importance of purity—a vow I've made myself. So while studying on the subject, I found myself writing the study notes in sort of a story form so-to-speak. I've always loved to read for as long as I can remember and I found myself thinking, it would be so cool to write and publish a book. So, I wrote the opening of what would come to be my debut novel, Hidden Treasures. After the first couple pages though, doubt that it would ever be good enough crept in, so I hid those pages. Two years later, I was working in Tennessee, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge to be exact, when I stumbled upon those hidden pages. I tweaked them a bit and wrote a couple more, then I let a friend read them. She said they were a bit cheesy for her taste(she didn't like romance, but I still felt discouraged and not good enough), then shortly after, my papaw passed away and my seedling of a dream was put on hold once again. Two more years passed before the desire to write came back full force after coming across those pages again. In August of 2016, I studied and researched all I could on the topic. My parents' anniversary was coming up the end of the month so I decided to write a short story version of their wedding day as an anniversary gift(and also to test the waters of what they thought of my writing abilities). They absolutely loved it, everyone who read it, loved it! It gave me the courage and the confidence that this was a gift God had given me and wanted me to use to bring glory and honor to Him.

What inspired Seeking Refuge?
Again, the simple answer is: God. My Savior Yeshua is my sole inspiration for all my novels. His Holy Spirit is who whispers the stories in my ear so I can write them down. He does this in so many miraculous ways! It may be a member of my family, meeting and talking with a stranger, something I've experienced first hand, even something from a broadcast. In the instance of Seeking Refuge, I honestly have no explanation; I have no idea where the idea came from, other than from God. I just felt led to write this story(perhaps I overheard a news' story or something and forgot). In my debut novel, Hidden Treasures, I introduced my readers to the eldest Sawyer child, Sheriff Isaac. I knew he was to be the hero of book two but the plot line came as a surprise to me and I hope it takes my readers by surprise as well. So far, Seeking Refuge is my favorite and most inspiring to me. Especially, where the topic of faith is concerned.

Would you give us a synopsis?
I'd be happy to! Seeking Refuge is a romantic Christian mystery following the story of Joyce, a young woman on the run from Maine to escape a troubled past—but trouble seems to have followed her to Tennessee. Then there's faithful and caring Isaac, the sheriff of the small town of Cascade Valley, Tennessee where Joyce ends up. As the story unfolds, Joyce must learn to trust God again and this man He has placed in her life to overcome the danger-seeking to destroy her.
Here's the blurb:

TRUST NO ONE!

Running for her life, Joyce Watson has a very short list of people she can trust—God and herself. Because she has discriminating evidence against him, her pursuer will go to extreme measures to silence her before it’s turned over to authorities. Despite the nosy sheriff living on the property, hunkering down at an isolated guest ranch feels like the safest option. Drawn to the handsome sheriff, she struggles to keep her heart under lock and key. What if he’s working for her enemy and plotting a way to capture her?

Sheriff Isaac Sawyer can't help but feel suspicious of the Cascade Valley Guest Ranch's newest lodger. It's clear she's hiding something, but what? Her bright, blue eyes are so full of fear, his heart longs to take care of her; but Joyce doesn't trust him. Can he win her trust before her fears become reality? Will he be able to protect her without risking his heart?

Murder, secrets, and danger throw Isaac and Joyce together. They must learn to trust God and each other to overcome the dark clouds of peril circling around them. Will evil prevail, or will God pull them through and kindle a love both believe is impossible?

Who will enjoy Seeking Refuge?
Almost anyone. Everyone who has read it so far has said they loved it! My sisters, parents, friends, costumers young and old, men and women alike. I write my novels clean and friendly for all ages. The romance level is even or lower with the amount of suspense and action in the story and faith always exceeds every other characteristic of the plot.

Do you plan to write more books?
Oh, absolutely!!! I can't imagine not writing more and more books! I actually have eighteen I'm working on right now. Seeking Refuge is only the second installment of my Faith in the Valley series, which is a series of twelve novels. So ten of those are part of that series. The other eight are part of two other series I'm working on and a few independent novels as well. Ha, ha, ha, with God supplying the stories there's no telling how many novels I'll write! The adventure awaits!

Where can people connect with you online?
I love to connect with fellow authors and readers! The can connect with me on my website/blog at: trulyinspiredbooks.wordpess.com or the can email me a: rubymaeodell@gmail.com

Do you have any final thoughts?
I would like to say to all who read this, may God be with you and bless you in all that you do in honor to Him. I'd also like to share my favorite verse with you. Luke 12:34, which says, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” is very special to me. As I wrote in my debut novel, Hidden Treasures; That verse tells us that whatever treasure we seek, with the most time and energy, is where our heart lies. It serves as a reminder to ask myself now and then, “What treasure am I seeking? Knowing God and His will? Or worldly goods that won’t last?” It helps us to continuously seek the most valuable treasure we can possess, a close relationship with God Himself and serving Him by following His will for our lives.
My biggest prayer for all my novels is that they will encourage others to seek the true treasure: Salvation through Jesus Christ and living a life close to Him. May God bless all who read them and remember, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Many Blessings to you all!

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