Interview & Giveaway: Knight of Runes by Ruth A. Casie



Hello, dear readers! Today on the blog I am very excited to share my interview with Author Ruth A. Casie with you! Ruth is currently on Blog Tour for Knight of Runes and she's here to talk about the book, researching, and more! Hope you enjoy getting to know Ruth and don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Hello Ruth and welcome to Passages to the Past! Thanks so much for stopping by today to talk about Knight of Runes!

Hi Amy, Thanks for hosting me on your blog today, Amy. I’m excited to be here.

To begin, can you please tell us a little about yourself and your writing?

I’m happiest when I’m telling stories either chatting in a group or writing them down. I love to put my hero and heroine in tough situations and dare them to work it out—together, always together. They haven’t disappointed. Oh, they complain but in the end their love and relationships are stronger than ever.

I have three series. The Druid Knight stories are a historical time travel series. The Stelton Legacy is historical fantasy about the seven sons of a seventh son. Havenport Romances are stories set in a small coast Rhode Island town. I also write stories in the connected world the Pirates of Britannia.

What inspired you to write Knight of Runes?

Before I retired I was an international product manager for a large US bank. One of my responsibilities was giving product seminars for clients. I know I will be dating myself here, but this was in the days before webinars. I traveled overseas conducted the seminar and afterwards met with clients to close deals. To optimize on my airfare, my trips were a minimum of two weeks. I usually traveled alone and met with my bank’s in-country officer at their location.

I read on the long plane rides and found it much more tolerable to read a book when I dined alone. I would stuff my suitcase with 6-8 romance novels. They were quick reads, and I would give them away when I finished them. That’s how I got hooked on romance stories.

Fast forward to 2009. A good friend told me she was going to write a romance novel and I volunteered to brainstorm, beta read, do anything to help her. Once we started I realized I had my own story to write. We decided we would each write our books and try to sell them together. She had several other priorities. She was busy with training for the NY marathon and looking at colleges with her daughter. So, while she put her writing on hold I continued to write and in four months I had 104 thousand words and my first book completed.

What research did you undertake when writing Knight of Runes?

There was so much that it’s hard to know where to start. I knew the essence of the story. A modern accomplished female researcher goes back in time to the seventeenth century, faces society norms of what a woman can and cannot do, must overcome them to find her way back to her century, but oh… she falls in love a Druid Knight. She scoffs at his magic until she realizes he’s her only hope to return… if she still wants to. I researched what a historical researcher needs to know and do. I took an online class at Stanford to understand the technical and historic issues about manuscripts. There was a lot of online information about druids. I read myths and belief systems to better prepare. My hero was not only a knight but a druid grand master. I even delved in magic and belief systems around them. The overarching research was the perception and treatment of women in seventeenth century England. It made for great conflict between the hero and heroine.

What would you like readers to take away from reading Knight of Runes?

The power of love (not to be confused with Huey Lewis, or do I date myself?) This is a love story of two people that work hard against obstacles in order to overcome challenges to their basic beliefs and the accepted norms of the time. For Arik and Rebeka, nothing could keep them apart, not even four hundred years. That’s the kind of love I want.

What was your favorite scene to write?

The opening scene is Runes is fight scene. You asked about research before. The best compliment I received for that scene was from my husband. He sat by my desk and asked how I had written the scene. Somewhat surprised, I asked him why. “Because you don’t fight. You don’t do any martial arts, yet you had me right there in the middle of it all.”

Researching, watching YouTube videos, and choreographing the scene was challenging and thrilling at the same time. It wasn’t just the fight itself, but the characters reaction. Arik sees Rebeka fight for the first time and realizes there is more to this woman than meets the eye.

What was the most difficult scene to write?

I cried when I wrote the black moment. In this scene, Rebeka must take some responsibility for Arik’s actions. She has kept her time travel from him. Arik is forced to decide between what he believes (society norms) and how he feels about her. As a result, he suspects Rebeka is the villain in our story and because he is unable to see any other explanation makes a nearly fatal mistake.

I loved these characters from the moment they came to life on the page. I can see them racing across the field, fighting side by side, and loving each other. Pitting them against each other wounded me as much as it did them. I still read that scene and cry.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Some people know they want to be writers at an early age. They’re encouraged in school and at home. While my family and teachers encouraged me to grow and learn, I didn’t show any great literary tendencies. As a matter of fact, my high school English teacher is probably spinning in his grave at the thought of me being an award-winning author. That said, when I told my older sister that I had written and had this book published she told me she wasn’t at all surprised. I always had a story in my head. I would make her dress up and act them out with me. (She’s fifteen years older than me. I wish I could find the picture of her in a cowboy shirt and me on a tricycle as a cowgirl.) While writing wasn’t my start, storytelling certainly was.

What does your daily writing routine look like?

It is just my husband and me. Our three children are all grown and on their own. I wrote my first book while I was working full time and president of the board of a moderate size not-for-profit. I found time at night and on weekends.

I made writing my job after I retired. Now, I sit down at my desk after my morning routine, breakfast. I take a break around lunchtime and run errands or visit with friends (before Covid). I was in the habit of writing after dinner but now that I can write all day I make an effort to close down and spend more time with my live-in knight in shining armor. Writing on weekends depend on our plans and on my deadlines. My knight is very understanding.

I usually write about 1,500-3,000 words a day. It really depends on how diligent I’ve been with my character study. For me that’s the secret. The better I know my characters the better (and faster) I can write. I can put them into situations and know how they will react.

What has been your greatest challenge as a writer? Have you been able to overcome it?

I have unruly characters. I know. You would think that I would have total control of my characters. After all, I create them. That’s true but there are times when my character is at my shoulder and tells me, “I wouldn’t say that.” In one story one character had the nerve to tell me he had a twin sister.

Actually, I enjoy when my characters speak up. I’ve learned to worry when they don’t. You see, when my characters take on a life of their own they become real, relatable. Although there is a draw back like the time I got stopped for going a bit too fast on the parkway. When the patrolman asked why I was in a hurry I told him… Well, for the full story sign up for my newsletter and you’ll find the full story along with a free book. I can tell you my hero saved me from a traffic ticket.

Who are your writing inspirations?

The authors in my genre who have inspired me are Eliza Knight, who was an early mentor of mine, and Katheryn LeVeque. Both women write powerful historical fiction and romance and are well respected in the genre. Their guidance and friendship have been meaningful and encouraging.

What was the first historical novel you read?

One of the books I took with me on my first international flight was Jude Deveraux’s Knight in Shining Armor. That perked my interest in time travel romance and knights. Up until then I read adventure stories by Clive Cussler and Tom Clancy.

What is the last historical novel you read?

I am a Julia Quinn fan. After watching the Bridgerton series on Netflix. I ransacked my bookshelf, found my copies. and re-read the first three books in the series. It was as much fun to read now as it was the first time. What are three things people may not know about you?

Here are few things only a few people know about me:

1. I filled my passport up in one year. (I did a lot of traveling through Europe and Asia for the bank)
2. I did a rap for my son’s first grade class (he was my percussion section) to “How Many Trucks Can a Tow Truck Tow If a Tow Truck Could Tow Trucks.” (He’s 37 now, but I still remember the event very clearly.)
3. When I cook I dance. (I have music on when I cook. My husband would rather I dance than try to sing,)
Bonus: My Sudoku book is in the bathroom. I’m not saying anything else about that.

What appeals to you most about your chosen genre?

I attended a conference (in days we could actually attend in person) where Maya Rodale spoke about why romance matters. I enjoy romance because the stories are about women who triumph. I love historical romance because the stories are about women who triumph in a world that didn’t want or think that women could triumph.

What historical time period do you gravitate towards the most with your personal reading?

I love historicals—medieval and renaissance. Some women are turned on by a uniform. I love knights in kilts and armor. I enjoy the conflict between strong men and empowered women who fight against society norms and how they must work together to reach their goal and their happily ever after.

What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

Aside from reading just about anything and I enjoy my children and grandchildren, I enjoy cooking. Here is one of my favorite recipes.

Recipe Title: Rebeka’s Salmon with Brown Sugar Glaze

Ingredients:

¼ cup packed light brown sugar
2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill (or 2 teaspoons dried)
4 (6 ounce) salmon fillets
Salt and Pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat the broiler
2. Spray the rack of a broiler pan with nonstick spray
3. Mix the brown sugar, mustard and dill together in a small bowl.
4. Salt and pepper both sides of the salmon and place on the broiler pan and spoon the brown sugar glaze on top. (You will not use all of it – it keeps forever in the fridge)
5. Position the broiler pan about 7 inches from the heat and broil just until its opaque, about 6 minutes

NOTE: Don’t turn the fillet. The glaze works well on chicken and pork.

This is a favorite recipe of our sorceress scholarly heroine, Rebeka Tyler. She was ecstatic when she found the ingredients for this recipe in Doward’s wagon (the traveling tradesman). Imagine her surprise when Lord Arik brought home a fine salmon along with a healthy appetite. She couldn’t wait to tempt him with her offering(s). Luckily for both of them, this recipe takes less than ten minutes. This is the 21st century version.

PS…Rebeka served the salmon to Lord Arik in the Great Hall. Tantalized, he licked the sticky glaze from his fingers never taking his eyes off her. But that’s a totally different story that’s available in KNIGHT OF RAPTURE.

PPS…My son made this recipe whenever he wanted to impress his roommates, their parents, or his heart throb. With a side of whipped potatoes and a vinaigrette salad, all you need is a decadent chocolate cake to finish off the meal.

UPDATE…My son and said heart throb recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary. I claim no credit. Well, maybe just some.

Lastly, what are you working on next?

Knight of Remorse. The third book in this series. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will tell you that being a villain isn’t always what it appears.

Love it! Thank you for being with us today, Ruth!

 

Knight of Runes by Ruth A. Casie

Publication Date: May 21, 2020
Timeless Scribes Publishing LLC
Paperback & eBook: 368 pages

Genre: Time Travel Romance


England, 1605. When Lord Arik, a druid knight, finds Rebeka Tyler wandering his lands without protection, he swears to keep her safe. But Rebeka can take care of herself. When Arik sees her clash with a group of attackers using a strange fighting style, he's intrigued.

Rebeka is no ordinary 17th-century woman - she's travelled back from the year 2011, and she desperately wants to return to her own time. She poses as a scholar sent by the king to find out what's killing Arik's land. But as she works to decode the ancient runes that are the key to solving this mystery and sending her home, she finds herself drawn to the charismatic and powerful Arik.

As Arik and Rebeka fall in love, someone in Arik's household schemes to keep them apart, and a dark druid with a grudge prepares his revenge. Soon Rebeka will have to decide whether to return to the future or trust Arik with the secret of her time travel and her heart.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

About the Author


Hi – I’m Ruth A. Casie and I write historical and contemporary romance. You might be wondering what I’m about. Sit back and let me tell you.

I’m happiest when I’m telling stories either chatting in a group or writing them down. I love to put my hero and heroine in tough situations and dare them to work it out—together, always together. They haven’t disappointed. Oh, they complain but in the end their love and relationships are stronger than ever.

My stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. They will keep you turning the pages until the end. I hope my books become your favorite adventures.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | BookBub | Instagram | Newsletter | Goodreads

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, March 15
Review at Pursuing Stacie
Guest Post at Novels Alive

Tuesday, March 16
Excerpt at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals

Wednesday, March 17
Review at Gwendalyn's Books

Thursday, March 18
Interview at Passages to the Past

Friday, March 19
Review & Excerpt at Books, Cooks, Looks

Sunday, March 21
Excerpt at Reading is My Remedy

Tuesday, March 23
Feature at Coffee and Ink

Wednesday, March 24
Review at Amy's Booket List

Giveaway

Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on March 24th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

Knight of Runes

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