Nicole Odell's "The Embittered Ruby"

Title: The Embittered Ruby
Publisher: Barbour Publishing.

Cover blurb: Sixteen-year-old Carmen Castillo wonders what it would be like to have a pair of ruby slippers.“There’s no place like home. . .”   “There’s no place like home. . .”   “There’s no place like home.”

But then reality sets in, and Carmen concludes that ruby slippers are mere fiction. Constant prayers that her parents will patch things up remain unanswered. . .and her hurtful world becomes too much for her to bear. Trapped by resentment and anger, Carmen lashes out the only way she knows how and soon finds herself at a crossroads. Will Carmen find the path to ultimate peace and contentment that her heart longs for? Or will her troubled soul remain forever embittered?

Series Description: DIAMOND ESTATES. Three girls are on a journey to find hope and healing. Each coming to Diamond Estates seeking solace… Each with her own unique set of struggles… And each capturing hearts and challenging the faith of teen girls.

1) How did this story come to you?
As a teen, I went through a residential Teen Challenge program much like the Diamond Estates program…minus the stone monastery and the mountains. The girls I met there, plus my own experiences, gave me the inspiration for most of the Diamond Estates series—just wait for book three in December!

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Hmm. There’s not much to tell about this. It was pretty textbook, I think. Nothing really challenging and no major upsets. My agent sent off the proposal, and the offer came a few weeks later. Don’t worry—it hasn’t always been that easy. ;)

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I have three-year-old triplets—most of you probably already knew that, though.
2. I graduated high school and started college at 15.
3. I’m a member of Mensa.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I have some non-fiction I’m working on right now and a super-fun fiction proposal being shopped around to publishers. I have so many book releases this year (nine total) that I am kind of focusing on birthing rather than creating at this moment. Next up is the release of Rainbow’s End, a novella anthology about geocaching in the Ozarks, also with Barbour Publishing. (5/1) The first two non-fiction books in the Hot Buttons series, (Kregel) release on 6/1. It’s all in God’s hands, and I’m excited!

5) Parting comments?
There are three things I pray for myself, my kids, my readers, and you:
I pray that the motivation for sin would be illuminated by God’s spotlight so we can identify it, deal with it, and kick it out. Next I pray for the strength to embrace change and disappointment as part of God’s refining fire. Finally, I pray for the power to rise above pain and poor choices, reinventing the person shaped by lies into an embodiment of truth.

“…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NIV)

Nicole O'Dell, mom of six, founder of Choose NOW Ministries and host of Choose NOW Radio: Parent Talk and Teen Talk, is a youth culture expert who writes and speaks to preteens, teenagers, and parents about how to prepare for life's tough choices. She’s author of YA fiction, including the popular Scenarios for Girls interactive fiction series and the Diamond Estates Series, and non-fiction for teens including Girl Talk, 2/1/12, which she wrote with her two daughters based on their popular advice column. Hot Buttons, O’Dell’s non-fiction series for parents helps pre-empt peer pressure by tackling tough issues. Visit http://www.nicoleodell.com/  for more info.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
My website is http://www.nicoleodell.com/  or http://www.choose-now.com/. I’m on facebook at www.facebook.com/nicoleodell or twitter at www.twitter.com/Nicole_Odell and www.twitter.com/choosenowradio.