Back in the Saddle Interview with Ruth Logan Herne! [Blog Tour & Giveaway!]

Today, it's my great pleasure to introduce you to another of my author friends I met through the  Seekverille writing blog, Ruth Logan Herne (better known as Ruthy).  Read on to learn more about Ruthy, her latest novel, and get a chance to win a copy too!


Title: Back in the Saddle
Author: Ruth Logan Herne
Genre: Adult, Christian, Romance, Western
Publisher: Multnomah Books
Publication date: March 15, 2016
It’s been a long time since Colt Stafford shrugged off his cowboy legacy for shiny Manhattan loafers and a promising career on Wall Street. But when stock market manipulations leave him financially strapped, the oldest son of legendary rancher Sam Stafford decides to return to the sprawling Double S ranch in Gray’s Glen, Washington. He’s broke, but not broken, and it’s time to check in with his ailing father, and get his legs back under him by climbing into the saddle again. ​

​He doesn’t expect to come home to a stranger pointing a loaded gun at his chest— a tough yet beautiful woman that Sam hired as the house manager. Colt senses there’s more to Angelina Morales than meets the eye and he’s determined to find out what she’s hiding...and why. ​

Colt’s return brings new challenges. Younger brother Nick has been Sam’s right-hand man at the ranch for years and isn’t thrilled at having Colt insert himself into Double S affairs. And the ranch’s contentious relationship with the citizens of Gray’s Glen asks all the Stafford men to examine their hearts about what it truly means to be a neighbor. And as Wall Street recovers, will Colt succumb to the call of the financial district’s wealth and power—or finally the courage to stay in the saddle for good? ​

Multi-published, bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne loves God, her family, her country, dogs, chocolate and coffee! A country gal with a heart for the big city, Ruthy likes nothing more than to write the kind of books she loves to read, and she's even more happy that now she gets paid to do it! She's been married for a Very Long Time and she and her husband Dave live on a small farm in upstate New York where lake effect snow buries them on a regular basis in winter. But that's all right... it gives her more time to write! Connect with Ruthy online at ruthloganherne.com or on Facebook, Twitter, & Goodreads.

Ruthy, thanks for stopping by The Artist Librarian!  It seems like you've published hundreds of Love Inspired books. :-P Was anything different about writing or publishing a full length novel with Waterbrook Multnomah?
Jen, I’m so glad to be here!!!! I feel like I’m truly in Hawaii!!!!! :-)  Well, yes and no. I’d already started doing big books with Franciscan Media, and they published Refuge of the Heart last September (2015) and just published More Than a Promise this past week, so that was exciting! And dipping my toes in with them and Waterbrook was just plain fun. Waterbrook had changed their schedule after contracting me, so normally we wouldn’t have two books releasing within two weeks of each other, but I honestly think it’s advantageous to both stories because first: They’re so different! One is more of a women’s fiction romance…

And Back in the Saddle is more of a family saga romance, imagine “Bonanza” meets “Dynasty”… three motherless men, a father who has created a dynasty out of angry, restless energy, and the loss of mothers for all three boys-now-men… So for this one, I was able to delve into family and town relationships much more than in a Love Inspired story. 20,000 words extra is a big deal, right?

But this wasn’t hard at all. I’ve always written longer stories, and when Love Inspired contracted me, I had to learn to write with that quicker curve… and I did it! Help from Seekers and Melissa Endlich to coach me along the way, and it worked!

Ah, that's right!  I totally forgot Refuge of the Heart was published last year ... With my art background, I have to ask: What was the book cover design process like for you as the author? How much input (if any) did you have in the final cover art?
Waterbrook was marvelous about the covers. First…. Um, GORGEOUS!!!! Colt’s cover is totally perfect for his story, the prodigal coming home to what he knew first. Yeah, he left in anger… but it will always be home because that’s how it is. You can come home again… you can mend relationships… you can make choices… So I love this story for all of those reasons! Then when the cover is done, I have approval rights, and who in THEIR RIGHT MIND would diss that cover???

No one.

So that was fun!

I think the cover definitely fits too!  It sort of reminds me of Diana Palmer's book covers (I remember shelving her contemporary cowboy romances at the library all the time).
Why should people read fiction? Why do you write fiction?
Let’s answer the second question first. I write fiction because I have always, always, always wanted to tell stories. From the time I was a little kid, I made things up constantly. I thought I was normal. (See, that’s a misconception so many of us have, because to us WE ARE NORMAL…). :-)  But to the rest of the world, we might be considered borderline nut jobs with voices in our heads. Now the voices are paying me to develop them, and I’m okay with that! And Jesus was the ultimate story-teller. He taught with stories.

I do, too.

He showed better ways and better choices by analogizing and creating parables.

I do that, too. And here’s why: I was a poverty-stricken kid from a very shoddy background. Books were my escape. Books were my balm in Gilead. Books took me out of the crazy I lived, and tucked me into a reality I longed for.

If nothing else, books should always be around to help heal the hearts of today’s children, just like they helped heal mine… and develop my fighting spirit!... so long ago.

Aw, I'm trying to imagine a "little Ruthy" now ... ;-) What inspired you to write this story?
Money.

KIDDING!!!!

I’ve been dying to do a cowboy series and when Waterbrook seemed interested, I developed the idea for them and they bought it. But the long story is…

During the crash of 2008 I saw lots of young college educated investors go home. My two sons in New York City watched their friends' jobs dissolve out from under them. All those years of college and training, gone. And there was little recourse.

(they are all re-employed now, though, and a few have gotten married!)

Seeing that, I wanted to create a reason for a man who wiped the dirt of his hometown off his heels (much like Jesus did and instructed his disciples to do) to have to go home… and to realize it wasn’t quite as bad as he remembered. And that goes back to a grown-up vs. a child’s perspective.

Oh, I'm glad they were able to find jobs again!  The city or the country and why? ;-)
Both. I was raised in Rochester when it was a great city to raise a family. I’m no stranger to city living. But I’ve been on a farm for almost thirty years, so this is ingrained now, too…

I love both. If I had to leave the farm today, I could tuck myself into a city neighborhood and do fine as long as I had a little spot for a garden. I love going to big cities, I love going to New York, I can walk for hours and hours and hours and just love on the craziness… but then I’m always happy to come back to the green and golds of the country.

Ooh, I had a feeling you'd choose country (guess I'm only half right though, LOL). Back in the Saddle features cowboys --do you have any favorite westerns (any media: book, tv, film)?
Oh, gosh, I love westerns. I love those old John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart westerns, and I’m over the moon in love with Lonesome Dove… And of course Tombstone…. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance… The Snowy River movies from Australia. My whole family LOVES those! Tom Burlinson and Sigrid Thornton??? Great romance! Dances With Wolves? Oh be still my heart. I could go on naming them for a long time, and my husband would count all the Clint Eastwood movies… I’m not as big a fan, but I did love Unforgiven…

Can you give us a hint on what you're working on next?
Oh my stars, yes! I’m in a spring collection with two other “Year of Weddings” authors and our print copy is coming out in April! “Toss the Bouquet” is me with Janice Thompson and Amy Matayo, doing romance from inside the wedding industry! My story “All Dressed Up in Love” is based on the great things I learned in eight years of being a bridal consultant… so much fun, Jen!

Home on the Range and Peace in the Valley are done, and I’ve got my third Franciscan book coming out in September, The First Gift and my second Grace Haven book, “Her Unexpected Family” (Love Inspired, I love my Love Inspired books!) coming out in August and then there are two Christmas novellas coming in the fall… One historical collection (can’t name names, contracts aren’t signed yet) and a contemporary collection from St. Martin’s Press…. And you know I love writing Christmas stories! So that’s plenty for one year, right??? :-)

Right now I’m working on things for next year… Rory’s story for Grace Haven #3 and I’m working out details on a fun trilogy concept that might just catch someone’s eye… if they like sweet towns, quirky characters and heart-tugging romance with babies!!!
Oh, my goodness, plenty for one year and then some, Ruthy! LOL  --Thanks for answering my questions!
Jen! It’s been a pleasure, absolutely! 
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Discussion with Ruthy ...


Feel free to comment with your answer (or any comment) below and be sure to check out the rest of the blog tour this week!

March 14--The Artist Librarian | cherylbbookblog
March 15--Toni Shiloh Prayerfully-Lifted Romance | deal sharing aunt
March 16--Smiling Book Reviews | The Power of Words
March 17--Mel's Shelves
March 18--Fiction, Faith, and Fun | Singing Librarian Books
March 19--Just Commonly | Katie's Clean Book Collection

6 comments

  1. Caryl KaneMarch 14, 2016 at 3:30 PM

    Great interview with Ruthy! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Artist LibrarianMarch 26, 2016 at 12:43 AM

      Thanks for stopping by Caryl, Ruthy's such fun to interview. =)

      Delete
  2. Ruth Logan HerneMarch 14, 2016 at 11:57 PM

    Caryl, you're welcome! This is my first trip to HAWAII!!!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 15, 2016 at 5:11 PM

    I've never been to Hawaii either. What fun is this?? Congratulations on your release!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ruth Logan HerneMarch 18, 2016 at 2:48 PM

      I brought Tina to Hawaii with me!!!! SWEEEEEET!

      Delete
    2. The Artist LibrarianMarch 26, 2016 at 12:45 AM

      LOL, we'll have to co-ordinate so we're there at the same time and I can show you around someday. ;-)

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts! Comments are always welcomed and appreciated.

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