WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?

What book should you read next? What words should you write next? Whether you're a reader, a writer, or both, you need look no further for ideas and pointers to help you make up your mind. You might even get your next book for free!

Sometimes I even give away my own novels. My Inspirational romances and devotionals are pictured below and are detailed on my Books page. You can always count on a trace of humor in my novels and nonfiction. Whether you're a teen or a woman mature in years, I think these stories will ring true.

Read on, and discover some of today's most appealing Inspirational novelists, their latest books, and their words of wisdom and imagination. Enjoy!

Monday, February 26, 2018

James Rubart and Free Books!

What if you woke up one morning and the dark parts of yourself were gone?

Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of As Bright as Heaven, by Susan Meissner, is:

dobeworld@...

Congratulations! I'll email you for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways! Subscribers are entered a second time when they comment.

And now let's chat with novelist James L. Rubart, author of the psychological thriller (with a Christian supernatural element--or supernatural suspense), The Man He Never Was (HarperCollins Christian Publishing, February 2018).

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 and dirt bike with his two grown sons, and loves to send readers on journeys they'll remember months after they finish his stories. He's the best-selling, Christy BOOK of the YEAR, CAROL, INSPY and RT Book Reviews award-winning author of nine novels, a speaker, branding expert, co-host of the Novel Marketing podcast, and co-founder of the Rubart Writing Academy.

He lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in Washington.

May I interject here that many of us suspect Jim truly is 28 years old. He's not joking about the sports in which he engages. He's always been energy personified, and that spills over into his imaginative story ideas.

Jim, please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.

A 20,000 pound, 130 foot tree crashed through our home in 2014, almost killing my wife and youngest son, but it led to a profound working of God in our lives, as well as the chance to live next door to Viggo Mortenson (Aragorn from Lord of the Rings) for three months in a hotel while he was filming a movie, and our home was being rebuilt. In case you’re curious, Viggo is a wonderful person.

Where can I sign up for the near-death-meet-Viggo experience, please?

Tell us a bit more about the plot of The Man He Never Was.

What if You Woke Up One Morning and the Darkest Parts of Yourself Were Gone?

Toren Daniels vanished eight months back, and his wife and kids have moved on—with more than a little relief. Toren was a good man, but carried a raging temper that often exploded without warning. So when he shows up on their doorstep with no notice, they’re shocked to see him alive. But more shocked to see he’s changed. Radically.

His anger is gone. He’s oddly patient. Kind. Fun. The man he always wanted to be. Toren has no clue where he’s been, but knows he’s been utterly transformed. He focuses on three things: Finding out where he’s been. Finding out how it happened. And winning back his family.

But then shards of his old self start to rise up from deep inside—the man kicked out of the NFL for his fury—and Toren must face the supreme battle of his life.

In this fresh take on the classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde story, James L. Rubart explores the war between good and evil within each of us—and one man’s only chance to overcome the greatest divide of the soul.

You see what I mean, readers? How cool is that story premise? My book club read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde this past year, and we saw so many Christian elements featured in the doctor's struggle. 

What is it about Toren that will make your readers care about him?

He’s you. He’s me. He’s anyone that has said—as Paul famously said in Romans 7—“I do the thing I hate.” So I think readers will care because they’ll see themselves in Toren, and maybe in his wife Sloane as well, who has to deal with the dark parts of Toren.

Share with us a quote you like from a book other than yours.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

—Gandalf in The Fellowship of the Ring

Why do you like the quote?

We live in an age of blaming everything and everyone around us, instead of acknowledging that we have choice, in every moment. Choice how to view our circumstances, choice on what kind of attitude to have, choice how we spend our time. We get to decide. I liked being reminded of that.

I agree, and so much of that choice needs to be considered before circumstances call for action. The more we consider what we believe, the more prepared we are when choices have to be made.

What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?

My son bought me East of Eden for Christmas. Not a novel I would have ever picked up on my own, but I read it to honor him and am so glad I did.

Why do you recommend it?

The sentence structure in places is beautiful. The insight into the human condition is brilliant. Great writer.

East of Eden was one of the first "literary" novels I ever read. It hooked me on the classics. 

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a new novel called, The Pages of Her Life, a story of a woman who finds a journal on the side of road that takes her life places she couldn’t have imagined. And I just wrapped up recording the audio version of The Man He Never Was—quite fun to do all the character’s voices and voice the book the way I heard it in my head when I wrote it.

Where else can readers find you online?

On my website jameslrubart.com where they can sign up for my newsletter and get a free copy of one of my short stories, on my Facebook page and on Twitter: @jamesLrubart

The book can be purchased online via the following button:



Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past six months? Should my wife and I watch it?

Thank you, Jim, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Jim has offered to give away a signed copy of his novel. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to Jim's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Many commenters are left out of the drawing because they forget to include a way for me to notify them of their win (their email).


Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.

Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, a new email newsletter for Christian book deals in whatever genres you select. You can subscribe here: ChristianBookHeaven

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, as well as my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE


13 comments:

Amy @ Happily Reading Ever After said...

I haven't watched hardly anything except Hallmark movies. My mom and sister really liked Frozen in Love with Rachel Leigh Cook. I liked it, too!

amyholbrook2003(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

Hi Jim. I highly recommend The Greatest Showman. I don’t usually like musicals but it seemed so appropriate for this one. The idea that yes we’re all different, but the differences are what make us great is so needed in these days. Can’t wait to read your latest. God bless. Teresa Pollard pollardartistry@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My husband and I seldom go to the movies but I wanted to see 15/17 to Paris. I really enjoyed it and loved that the actual men involved played themselves in the movie. I’m anxiously awaiting the new movie about Paul coming out around Easter.
Gail Hollingsworth
tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com

Jackie Smith said...

We seldom go to the movies...he loves watching tv and I love to read! Looking forward to reading your book!
jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

Jim Rubart said...

Okay, Amy, on the list!

I've had a number of people say I must watch TGS ... they say I'll like it even if I'm not a big fan of musicals. :)

Anon ... haven't heard of that one, thank you!

So glad, Jackie!

Jim

Melanie Backus said...

My husband and I saw Hostiles. Indians, History....we liked it. mauback55 at gmail dot com

Debbie Wilder said...

We don't watch movies. I hope that doesn't leave me out of the giveaway opportunity. Your book sounds fabulous.

debbiewilder (at) comcast (dot) net

Jim Rubart said...

I'll have to check that out, Melanie. Thanks!


Doesn't leave you out in my mind, Debbie. I just love hearing about movies I might not have be aware of before. Best, Jim

GrandaddyA said...

Hey Jim. We watch very few movies because it seems we are always reading. I believe we have watched two in the past several months. I have forgotten the name of one of them but the other was Runaway Romance based on Miralee Ferrell's book by that title. My wife and I both enjoyed it. grandaddya[at]comcast[dot]net

Caryl Kane said...

I rarely go to the movies. I'd rather read.

psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

Jim Rubart said...

Edward, Caryl, you're two people after my own heart! Love it!

Trish Perry said...

I love books, of course, but I also love film. I don't get to the theater as often as I'd like, but I enjoyed Jumanji at Christmas--I thought it was fun--and I recently enjoyed Darkest Hour. I know there were a couple of moments when the writers took license with specifics, but it was a great movie to see after having seen Dunkirk (which I loved). Darkest Hour brought home the realization of how close to victory Hitler came. It's not always easy to stand up to evil, but Britain definitely did so in WWII, and it made all the difference.

Jim Rubart said...

Darci, Micah and I went to Jumanji and it was fun! Don't take it serious, just enjoy. I haven't seen anything lately that has impressed, and with the Oscars tomorrow, have to confess I haven't seen any of the Best Pictures!

 

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