Wednesday, December 15, 2010

LOVE FINDS YOU IN SUN VALLEY, IDAHO - Angela Ruth - Free Book

Welcome to my blog, Angela. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

My characters are usually people I would like to be. They are me—only smarter, funnier, prettier, more athletic, and more talented. But usually facing some kind of problem that I am so glad I don’t have to live through.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I once rode on the shoulders of a unicyclist wearing a balloon helmet. And hey, guess what. I made one of the characters in Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho a unicyclist too.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

My mom was a writer, which I thought was the coolest thing in the world—especially when she wrote about me and I got my picture in Women’s World. But it was 4th grade when I really started embracing my creative writing assignments, and by embracing I mean reading them to the kids in the carpool on the way home and then pretending that I lost the assignment so I had to write another one…and another one. I got a lot of pleasure out of the process.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

Kids books have to be my favorite. That’s what I originally started writing, and I have a middle grade novel titled The Water Fight Professional releasing summer of 2012. I also love women’s fiction and non-fiction. An element of romance is good, though it needs to be unpredictable. I like anything that is light-hearted and life-changing.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I run, run, run until I trip and fall. Then I have to stay down there on my knees for a while. I probably should have figured out a better system than this by now, but I’m just glad that God meets me where I’m at.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

I absolutely love naming characters. Often times I use a baby name book, though sometimes a name will just stick with me until I meet the character in my mind. Or I’ll have an inside joke about why I give a character a certain name. For example a character that talks a lot will be named Brooke—Babbling Brook.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I’m a dreamer so I live in the future. My favorite book is always my next one.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I would be a dolphin. Dolphins are the happiest animals.

What is your favorite food?

I love homemade bread. It is my weakness. Like Kryptonite for Superman.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I am bad at writing description—probably because when I read a book I skip over the description. As a reader I want to imagine the stories the way I want to imagine them. Plus description just slows things down. So I use a lot of analogy. I try to make it fun while evoking imagery. Laura Ingalls Wilder I am not.

Tell us about the featured book.

It’s a silly romance. Nothing really outstanding about the storyline itself, but the characters will suck you in. They steal the show. I want to write sequels just so I can hang out with them some more.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Tapping the brakes to turn off the cruise control in her rented Ford Escape, Emily squinted to read another historical marker located along the barren mountains of Hwy 75. Should she stop?


When growing up, Dad had always refused to take her to Sun Valley, Idaho. Said he’d rather avoid the snobs that visited such resorts. Of course he was referring to the rich and famous, the actors and actresses. Which ironically she now was. An actress anyway. Never a snob.

Too late. Lost in her memories, she hadn’t made the effort to pull over in time. Which was just as well. She could always visit the landmark later. For now she needed to get to the lodge. Thank goodness she’d have one night to rest before the flurry of filming swept her downstream—literally. She needed her rest after spending a week with Mom in her hometown of Boise, Idaho.

She also needed a bathroom and a hot meal. Spying a rustic restaurant snuggled next to a bend in the river, she pressed harder on the brakes before swinging onto the gravel side road leading to The Point. The log building looked as if it were in need of some sprucing up, but by the number of cars parked out front, the food must make up for any lack of elegance.

Emily pulled the compact SUV into what might be considered a parking space and leaned over the passenger’s side to pull her purse from underneath a sweatshirt. Since it was July, she’d only brought summer clothes, but Mom had pretended to be practical for a moment and insisted she take the ugly orange Boise State hoodie. Of course, it was always good to be prepared.
I know what you mean. I miss the characters I just finished writing about, but they'll be back in book three of my series. How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.angelameuser.com/  (Started my website before I chose my pen name Angela Ruth. Gotta do something about that soon.)

Thank you, Angela, for the delightful interview.
 
Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)


Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.


The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would love to win a copy of this book. I love your name.

angela chesnut from kentucky

angelac@mchsi.com

Deborah said...

yay for more Love Finds You books!! please enter me.

beatccr [at] hotmail [dot] com

Tammy G. said...

I'd love to read this book...I taught for a year in Sun Valley, AZ =) but living in Texas is great too!
cluedn{at}embarqmail{dot}com

Katie Marie said...

I have read two Love Finds You books, and both were fun reads! I'd love to read more of them! :-) Please count me in for the giveaway!

~ Katy M

Unknown said...

Please enter me!
Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

Casey said...

Hello Angela! I don't know if you remember me or not, but I met you at a writing class with Susan May Warren back in April. So glad this moment is finally here for you!! I'm happy to say I have met this author. :)

I would love to be entered, thank you!

Sue said...

Thank you for the chance to read this book. It looks like a great read.

Melissa Jagears said...

I have the same problem with writing description too, but the upside is it boosts my word count.

Usually the premise is what makes me want to read the book, but your little blurb on it just being plain silly intrigued me anyway.

Please enter me.

fredamans said...

Another great book in the Love Finds You collection. Please enter this gal from Ontario, Canada. Thank you.

Giveaway Lady said...

This sounds like a great book! Please enter me:) Thanks!

esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com
IL

Unknown said...

Hey, thanks to all of you for entering to win my book. And MJ, here's a little blurb about it. Hopefully it intrigues you even more. ;-) What's funny is that at Wal-Mart my book is surrounded by Amish fiction. Praying it's a good thing that Sun Valley stands out a little.

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?

Charlotte Kay said...

Love, love, love book giveaways:)
Thanks for making it possible!
Please enter me!
chakasa58 at gmail dot com
from OHIO:)

holdenj said...

Hi from snowy Minnesota! I would love to win Love Finds you in Sun Valley! Thanks for the info!

Anonymous said...

I would like to read this book as well. Miriam from Ohio

Daneva said...

I would LOVE a copy!! Does it help that I know the writer??? LOL

Daneva

:P

Molly said...

Would love to win this! Thanks for the chance!

Blessings
Molly from NC

Coolestmommy said...

Sounds like a great read.

Thanks!
coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
I livein the Midwest

CarlybirdH said...

This sounds like another fantastic Love Finds You book! Please enter me. Thank you.
Carly in NC
carlyberd[at]yahoo[dot]com

apple blossom said...

Love the Love finds you books. thanks for the giveaway. please include me thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Emily said...

Awesome giveaway!!!
Please enter me!!

Emreilly303(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Debbie said...

Sweet! I absolutely love the Love Finds You books!!
Sign me up!

Dreilly316(at)gmail(dot)com

John said...

Please enter me for this giveaway!

Jreilly316(at)verizon(dot)net

Jackie S. said...

Have read several LFY books and want to read them all! Please enter me.....from Georgia.
Thanks!!!
jackie.smithAtdishmailDOTnet

Anna Weaver Hurtt said...

Please enter me from the giveaway! I'm from GA. :)

Anna W.

Kristen said...

Homemade Bread... you're making my mouth water!
Please enter me. Thanks

Kristen from Washington State

rbooth43 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
rbooth43 said...

I live in a small town in the Piedmont of NC. I also have lived in the same house all of my 67 years. I wouldn't know how to move, but I enjoy reading about other towns and states of our country.
Thank you, Angela, for a great interview and I would love to read LOVE FINDS YOU IN SUN VALLEY, IDAHO.
Also thanks Lena for always posting about authors and their books.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Rebecca
rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

Trinity Rose said...

Thanks for the giveaway. Sounds like a super book.
Many blessings,
Trinity Rose from OH

Wendy said...

I love these books.
Thanks for offering it.
Mpls

Carman said...

Angela I think it is awesome that you want to be a dolphin! That is what I have always wanted to be too! ;)

Please enter me!

Booklovercb at yahoo dot com

Cindy W. said...

I would love to be entered to win a copy of LFY in Sun Valley, Idaho. I love the LFY line of books. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

Oops! I forgot to tell you I live in Indiana.

Blessings,
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

dancealertreads.blogspot.com said...

Please enter me! I would love to win a copy of the book!

dancealert at aol dot com

Carman said...

(Forgot to say that I live in the midwest.)

Jo said...

I enjoy the Love Finds You books. Please enter me!

Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Michelle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Michelle said...

Thank you for entering me! I live in CA

Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

misskallie2000 said...

I live in Georgia

Loved the interview. I would love to win Angela's book. Just what I love to read.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Patsy said...

This book sounds great. Would love to read it. From Southern US
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Ann Lee Miller said...

Thanks for the chance to win!
Ann Lee Miller
AnnLeeMiller.com
Gilbert, Arizona

Anonymous said...

Please enter me.

Wendy from MN
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

A J Hawke said...

What a neat area of the country to place a story!

Thanks for the opportunity to receive a copy of LOVE FINDS YOU IN SUN VALLEY, IDAHO.

A J Hawke in Texas

Anonymous said...

please count me in...thanks :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

MaureenT said...

Would Love to have this book. Thank You!

MaureenT said...

Sorry I live in the Snowy Northeast!

Asiyah said...

The Love Finds You...series is one of my favorites. Thank you for the opportunity to win!

I live in Horn Lake, Mississippi.

Jakob said...

I live in North Carolina. Would like to be entered in the giveaway please. Thank you.

Molly said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cindy W. said...

Would love to win a copy of LFY in Sun Valley, Idaho. I live in Indiana but right now I am in Texas for Christmas!!!!

Blessings,
Cindy W.

Countrybear52(at)yahoo(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I have wanted to go to Idaho to see the scenery but haven't yet. This book sounds a light and breezy book with interesting characters. Interesting characters make for good reading so I would love to wint this book. Thank you for the chance to enter.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com