Angela Ruth's "Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho"

Title: Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho
Publisher: Summerside Press, an imprint of Guidepost

Cover blurb: Actress Emily Van Arsdale has finally returned to her home state—with an entire film crew in tow! With stunning scenery and a reputation for hosting celebrities, Sun Valley is the perfect setting for Emily’s newest romantic comedy. Tracen Lake is happy to work as a stunt consultant for the movie but not as thrilled to deal with a bunch of high-maintenance Hollywood types. Tracen is surprised, however, to discover in Emily a down-to-earth Idaho girl who does all her own stunts and loves the outdoors. As filming wraps up and Emily heads off to her next gig, will she be able to leave Sun Valley—and Tracen—behind?

1) How did this story come to you?
The story actually started out as Love Finds You in Sweet Home, Oregon—an area with a lot of water and known for outdoor adventures. This inspired Tracen’s background and the whole theme of “home sweet home” versus “home is where the heart is.” When the publisher asked me to move the location to Sun Valley (they already had quite a few stories set in Oregon), the swanky culture fit Emily’s celebrity status perfectly.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Man, I wish publishing books was always as easy as this one turned out to be. Before selling the Sun Valley story, I had written three complete novels that couldn’t find a home. All Summerside requested for their new romance line was a proposal including three chapters. I banged it out in a day. When my agent called with the good news, I was sure it would be for one of my other books that I’d slaved years over. But I’m so glad I sold this story, because I absolutely loved getting to know the characters.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. My husband left me in the middle of the writing/publication process, and I haven’t finished reading a romance novel since.
2. I moved in with some neighbors who supported me through the divorce, and I dedicated the book to them for showing me what love was again.
3. God brought Prince Charming into my life, and being married to him is so much better than any romance novel. For our wedding, my publisher let us design a mock “Love Finds You” book cover with our own photo on it to put on display (left)

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I am currently writing a prayer book (similar to Stormie Omartian’s series) for abandoned wives. God romanced me in such a sweet way after my divorce that I want to share that fulfillment with all unloved wives.

5) Parting comments?
Publishing my first book was an amazing experience, and it’s eye-opening to learn how different readers perceive it. Be forewarned that this story is considered larger than life and includes romance scenes that will awaken your senses. But I’m proud to claim that even those who had complaints admit to finishing the whole book in one day!

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
I’ve just recently started a blog primarily for women forced to move on after their husband moves out. I’d love to have readers visit, but I’d especially love it if they passed on the blog site to anyone they know struggling with infidelity and/or divorce: www.angelaruthstrong.blogspot.com.

Angela Ruth's "Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho"

We're happy to have Angela Ruth with us today talking about her book, Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho. To learn more about Angela and her book, read on!

Title: Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho by Angela Ruth
Publisher: Summerside Press

Cover blurb: Actress Emily Van Arsdale has returned to her Idaho hometown - with an entire film crew in tow! With its stunning scenery and reputation for hosting celebrities, Sun Valley is the perfect setting for Emily’s newest romantic comedy. Tracen Lake is happy to work as a stunt consultant for the movie but not as thrilled to deal with a bunch of high-maintenance Hollywood types. But Tracen is surprised to discover in Emily a down-to-earth Idaho girl who does all her own stunts and loves the outdoors. As filming wraps up and Emily heads off to her next gig, will she be able to leave Sun Valley - and Tracen - behind?

1) How did this story come to you?
I took a trampoline class in college and was intrigued that a lot of the students went on to work as stuntmen in Hollywood, so I decided to have my main character do the same. The story was originially set in Sweet Home, Oregon so it has a "home sweet home" vs. "home is where the heart is" theme to it. And since Sweet Home is located on a river between two lakes the water symbolism originated there. I've never had a story come together this easily. The toughest part was moving the setting to Sun Valley, Idaho when my publisher requested the change, though moving it definitely works because Sun Valley is known for having celebrities visit, which is what turns the hero off from the heroine in the first place. Kinda fun, huh?

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I'd written two women's fiction manuscripts that were being represented by my agent. Then I saw Summerside Press was looking for stories that had specific settings and they only needed an outline and three chapters to submit. I thought, "Well, I can do that," and wrote thirty pages in one day. When my agent called with good news I expected it to be for one of the novels I'd spend years on. Selling this book couldn't have been any easier, but I believe it's because I'd already learned so much through writing my first two novels. Probably won't ever be this easy again...

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I actually went through a divorce during the publication process of this book, and I really struggled with my characters being so happy and in love while I was mourning the death of my marriage. But at the same time it gave me hope for my future and comfort knowing that I am loved unconditionally by God.
2. The story in my book about Grandma falling off a raft really happened to my grandmother.
3. My uncle worked in special effects for The Tonight Show, and I got to visit the studio where he works as research for writing this novel.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
1. I have a middle grade novel coming out in 2012 titled The Water Fight Professional. Your kids will love, love, love it.
2. I'm putting a proposal together with my award-winning critique partner Christina Berry for an anthology of four romance novellas called California Classics with modern versions of classics like The Count of Monte Cristo and The Scarlet Pimpernel set in California.
3. I'm writing a non-fiction title called The Other Woman Never Wins with relationship expert Dr. Todd Bennett. It's to help women move on after their husband moves out. Todd writes the self-help while I write the I-need-help.

5) Parting comments?
Wherever you are at, this is not the last chapter of your life. Get excited for what the Author of Life is plotting for you. It's gonna be good.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.angelameuser.com/