Wisdom from a Wordsmith — Episode 8

An interview with Angela Ruth Strong and news about her latest release:

Husband Auditions

Angela Ruth Strong sold her first Christian romance novel in 2009 then quit writing romance when her husband left her. Ten years later, God has shown her the true meaning of love, and there’s nothing else she’d rather write about.

She is the author of the Resort to Love series and the CafFUNated mysteries. Her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, won the Cascade Award, and been Amazon best-sellers. Finding Love in Big Sky was recently filmed on location in Montana and will air soon. Her latest release is Husband Auditions.

Strong also writes non-fiction for SpiritLed Woman. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho and teaches as an expert online at Write That Book.

How far would you go to find the perfect husband? All the way back to the 1950s?

In a world full of happily-ever-after love, Meri Newberg feels like the last young woman on the planet to be single, at least in her Christian friend group. So when she’s handed a strange present at the latest wedding–a 1950s magazine article of “ways to get a husband”–she decides there’s nothing to lose by trying out its advice. After all, she can’t get any more single, can she?

Her brother’s roommate sees the whole thing as a great opportunity. Not to fall in love–Kai Kamaka has no interest in the effort a serious relationship takes. No, this is a career jump start. He talks Meri into letting him film every silly husband-catching attempt for a new online show. If it goes viral, his career as a cameraman will be made.

When Meri Me debuts, it’s an instant hit. People love watching her lasso men on street corners, drop handkerchiefs for unsuspecting potential beaus, and otherwise embarrass herself in pursuit of true love. But the longer this game goes on, the less sure Kai is that he wants Meri to snag anyone but him. The only problem is that he may not be the kind of husband material she’s looking for . . .

With droll comic timing, unbeatable chemistry, and a zany but relatable cast of characters, Angela Ruth Strong has created a heartfelt look at the reality of modern Christian dating that readers will both resonate with and fall for.

My review of Husband Auditions:

As an avid reader, I can honestly say that Husband Auditions has earned a pedestal in my mind for being incomparable to other Christian romances.  It gives an accurate picture of the reality that millennials face in the dating realm, especially those trying to retain their Christian identity while balancing their quest for romantic love and their other life goals. 

While being a humorous book, some scenes will make the reader teary because the main characters’ growth comes with emotional pain.  There are also so many lessons subtly woven throughout the novel that single women and men of all ages need to hear.  Minor characters also bring angst to the story as they deal with broken relationships and painful memories.  There is a realism to both the laughter the characters share and the challenges the characters face.

Husband Auditions has lovely pacing, beautiful phrasing, nuggets of wisdom, and authentic characterization.  It will make you laugh, cry, and root for the characters until the very last page.

My interview with Angela

What words of wisdom do you have for young women who are entering the dating world?

1) Don’t choose bad love over no love at all.

2) Consider men in the same way you would consider a job applicant–base your decision on what they’ve done in the past — not on what they say they will do. Yes, people can change, but it takes time, so give a guy time to create a new track record to see if he is truly changing directions before joining him in the journey.

3) Don’t ever put your life on hold but follow your dreams and create a life you love.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

 Don’t try to prove yourself. Sometimes you’re going to fail, and sometimes you’ll succeed, and that’s okay. Keep learning because you can always improve, and don’t be afraid of taking risks because sometimes you will surprise yourself. Do it out of love, and do what works for you. It’s going to be different for everyone.

Learn more at www.angelaruthstrong.com, and follow her on Facebook (Angela Ruth Strong Fan Page)Twitter (@AngelaRStrong), and Instagram (@ang_strong)

Two amazing giveaways!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win free airfare! https://mailchi.mp/50fe6fc73514/husband-auditions-book-launch

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