It’s a pleasure for me to introduce my writing encouragement buddy to you – Kathleen Rouser.
How did you get started in writing?
Hi Jodie, thanks for having me on your blog today.
When I was a small child and my mom read to me, I grew to love books. By the time I was four I wanted to be able to write stories—before I could even read. Then in third grade my favorite teacher, Mrs. Williams, wrote on something I’d written, “Kathy is a very good writer,” which made me beam. I had my first magazine article published at age 19 and dabbled on and off after that, taking a correspondence course on writing while I was bringing up my sons. As they got older I began to pursue writing more seriously.
Sounds like we both had an early start. 🙂 Tell us about your recent release.
Here’s the back cover copy:
She’s an heiress hiding a tumultuous past. He’s a reverend desperate to atone for his failures.
Abandoned by her family, Sophie Biddle has been on the run with a child in tow. At last, she’s found a safe life in Stone Creek, Michigan, teaching piano. But when a kind, yet meddling and handsome, minister walks into her life seeking to help, Sophie is caught off guard and wary. When her secrets threaten to be exposed, will be she able to trust the reverend, and more importantly, God?
After failing his former flock, Reverend Ian McCormick is determined to start anew in Stone Creek, and he’s been working harder than ever to forget his mistakes and prove himself to his new congregation—and to God. But when he meets a young woman seeking acceptance and respect, despite the rumors swirling about her sordid past, Ian finds himself pulled in two directions. If he shows concern for Sophie’s plight, he could risk everything—including his position as pastor of Stone Creek Community Church.
Will the scandals of their pasts bind them together or drive them apart forever?
Rumors and Promises was borne of my desire to write the story of the Samaritan woman Jesus met at the well when Biblical fiction wasn’t popular, twenty-one years ago and I wrote the first draft of the story. So I decided to write a fictional story in a different historical era. Sophie is running from her past, when she was the victim of an assault which resulted in her daughter’s birth. My character feels she has no choice but to pretend that little Caira is her sister. And people are suspicious she’s more than that.
I thought about who would have the biggest risk in associating with her and who could be symbolic of Jesus. I came up with Reverend Ian McCormick. However, that’s where the similarity stops. He’s a man of God, but he’s also a sinner with past failures, unlike Jesus. Both protagonists need healing and forgiveness. They may not be looking for love, but it finds them anyway. Spoiler alert…it’s a happily ever after ending. But you’ll have to read it to find out how they get there. 🙂
What a great idea. If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go?
For a long time I’ve desired to visit Italy, but lately I’ve been longing to visit Israel, to see where Jesus once lived and walked, where so much of the Old Testament took place. I love studying God’s word and I think it would make it come to life.
That would be fun. Tell us something quirky about you.
I’m not sure if it’s quirky or just annoying, 🙂 but I’m a coffee snob. I started drinking low acid coffee because of some physical issues. I figured if I had to spend more on coffee I might as well enjoy it, so I found a regular and a decaf coffee I really like. I mix together my whole beans in my grinder for an almost perfect cup of coffee with ½ and ½ each morning.
I can’t relate since I’m a tea drinker. 🙂 What book are you reading now?
I just finished and enjoyed reading your book, Wooing Gertrude. I’ve also been reading Healing the Mountain Man by Misty Beller. And I have a TBR pile taller than I like to admit.
I hope you liked Wooing Gertrude. 🙂 What is your favorite Bible story?
Do you mind if I share my favorite parts of the Bible? I love the Gospel of John. It has so many wonderful accounts of Jesus and his ministry. And I love the way it starts: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3, ESV)
It’s filled with the deity of Christ! And I can relate to John. I don’t think he was bragging that he was the disciple Jesus loved, I think he was amazed and grateful. I often feel that way too.
Lately I also think often of the three young Hebrew men in the fiery furnace in Daniel 3. How they knew God could rescue them, but even if He didn’t they weren’t going to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. God did rescue them and He was with them in the fire. When I consider a trial I’m going through, I think, will I worship Him anyway, even if He doesn’t take me out of this trial? That is my goal. And Jesus is always with me like He was with them.
The amazing thing about God’s word is that there’s always something that can apply to us, whatever we’re going through. And I love praying Psalm 103 back to the Lord because it reminds me of His goodness.
So many choices in Scripture to pick from as a favorite. 🙂 Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Thank you again, Jodie, for having me as a guest on your blog. It was fun.
Great having you here! Where can readers find you online?
Author Bio:
Kathleen Rouser is the award-winning author of Rumors and Promises, her first novel about the people of fictional Stone Creek, Michigan, and a multi-published author of historical Christian romance. She is a longtime member in good standing of American Christian Fiction Writers.
Kathleen has loved making up stories since she was a little girl and wanted to be a writer before she could even read. She’s in the grip of God’s grace and is a fan of the three Cs—cats, coffee, and chocolate.
The mother of three, who is a former homeschool instructor, mild-mannered dental assistant, and new Community Bible Study Children and Youth Director, lives in Michigan with her hero and husband of many years, and two sweet cats who found a home in their empty nest.
