THE PAGES OF HER LIFE - James L Rubart - One Free Book

Bio: James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man’s body. He thinks he’s still young enough to water ski like a madman and dirt bike with his two grown sons. He’s the best-selling, Christy BOOK of the YEAR, CAROL, INSPY, and RT Book Reviews award winning author of ten novels and loves to send readers on journeys they'll remember months after they finish his stories. He’s also a branding expert, audio book narrator, co-host of the Novel Marketing podcast, and co-founder with his son, Taylor, of the Rubart Writing Academy. He lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in Washington State.

How did this book come about?

I was in stop-and-go traffic, waiting get on the freeway when I spotted a black moleskin journal lying on the side of the road. Something compelled me to get out of my car—even though it was pouring rain—and pick the journal up. There was just a bit of writing in the front, and in the back was a “Jesus” emblem glued to the inside back cover. I started wondering … what if God had placed that journal there for me to find? What if I  wrote in it? What if God wrote in it, like he did on the wall in the Old Testament? From there the story took off ,and I soon realized the heart of the story was a woman who had stood up for everyone else but hadn’t ever truly stood up for herself. Until now. And her mysterious journal was going to help her on that journey.

Tell us about the book’s cover and what makes it unique.

I am so fortunate to have a brilliant cover designer. I love the way the writing blends into the background, yet if you look closely, you can see the script. And I love the way the water drops are there … but again, you only truly see them after a second look.

Please explain and differentiate between what’s fact and fiction in the book.

What a great question! All of it is fact, and all if it is fiction. Here’s what I mean: There are so many elements in the book I’ve taken from my real life. A job I had. Working in Alaska in college. Exploring the Northwest. The Oregon coast. Characters I’ve drawn from real life people I know. The fears and struggles I’ve gone through. All those things are in the book and are fact. Yet I filter them through my lens and I’m sure in some cases I’ve gotten things wrong. So much of life is perspective, and we all have different perspectives from each other, so those “facts” are often interpreted quite differently.

How much research did you have to do for this book?

Very little. Since I worked in Alaska, and the book is set in the Seattle area (where I used to live) and I’ve been to the Oregon coast many times, most of the research was in my head before I started.

What inspired and surprised you while you were writing the book?

Another great question. Most of the story surprised me. I’m not an author that’s able to outline a tale ahead of time. I need to discover it as I go. So in this case, it surprised me how much of Allison came from inside me. Same thing with her brother, Parker. So it was a novel of discovery not only with what would happen with the characters, but a discovery of parts of my life where I needed to press into the hard (but good things) God was bringing me.

What do you hope the reader takes away from the story?

Freedom. Always freedom. I want my stories to make people freer than when they started. And in the case of, The Pages of Her Life I want women (in particular) and men as well, to stand up for themselves where they might not have ever before. I want them to understand their worth and strength. I want them to be bold in the person God has destined them to be.

That’s one thing I like about your novels. They take us places we maybe haven’t been and deeper into the places we have, strengthening our walk with God. Oh, yes, and they are also entertaining. What is the next project you’re working on?

I’m working on a series starring a character named, Rembrandt Stone, who is a detective that solves cold cases by traveling back in time. I’m writing the stories with my great friend, Susie Warren and we’re quite excited about them!

I can hardly wait to start featuring those books. What do you do when you have to get away from the story for a while?

I love to get on my dirt bike with my sons or friends, or kayak with my wife in a nearby lake. I love the outdoors.

Please give us the first page of the book.

“Are you still glad we did it?”

Allison Moore looked up from her laptop Monday morning and studied her business partner and onetime best friend, Kayla Brown. Not at one time. Still best friends. At least that’s what Allison told herself. It’s what Kayla probably said inside her head too. And Allison wished it were true. But she’d discovered that people who say, “Don’t go into business with friends or family,” have a large slice of wisdom on their side.

Allison didn’t have to ask what “it” was. Going out the door. Leaving their old architecture firm, where they’d made gobs of money for the owners and not much for themselves. Now here they were, two and a half years later, working harder than they ever had and still not making much money for themselves. But it would come, wouldn’t it? It had to. Their heads weren’t completely under the financial waters, but she and Kayla did have to hold their breath far more frequently than they liked.

“Glad?” Allison leaned back in her chair and picked up her heavily caramel-flavored coffee, the only breakfast she’d had that morning. “Yes, I am. Most days at least.”

Kayla stepped inside Allison’s tiny office and sat in the chair on the other side of Allison’s oak desk, the twin to Kayla’s. Oak. Not Allison’s style. Nor Kayla’s. But the furniture had been affordable.

“Me too.” Kayla sighed. “I’d rather be poor and free than rich and in the shackles we used to wear.”

“I agree.” Allison took a sip of her almost-warm-enough drink. “Except when Seattle rain turns into snow up at Steven’s Pass and I don’t have the money for a lift ticket.”

“Our time is coming. With four new major accounts within reach, you have to be feeling good.”

“I do.”

The air felt stale—the same conversation they’d had too often over the past six months was undoubtedly the reason—and they slipped into silence. Another sip of coffee.

Give me more!! How can readers find you on the Internet?

They can head for my website, jamesLrubart.com http://jameslrubart.com/ where they can sign up for my newsletter. I’m also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLRubart/ , Twitter: @jamesLrubart , and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslrubart/

As always, GREAT to be with you, Lena!

Right back atcha, Jim. It’s always a pleasure to feature you and your books. I’m eager to read this one, and I know my blog readers are, too.

Readers, here are links to the book.

The Pages of Her Life - Christianbook.com
The Pages of Her Life - Amazon Paperback
The Pages of Her Life - Kindle
The Pages of Her Life - Audio book

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (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 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com