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~ Amy Ruttan ~
Amy Ruttan is an erotic romance and historical romance author whose first book released from Ellora’s Cave in September 2007.
She writes sensuous passionate romance whether it’s a little bit on the steamy side or a little bit spicier; her romances are always timeless and full of passion.
What Amy loves most about writing, especially in the historical genre, is the research that goes into her fiction. She loves to learn about new places and new things. She travels the world in her living room through her characters.
Hi Amy Welcome to Sensual Reads and Reviews. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us today.
It’s no problem at all thanks for having me here. I am very excited.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Sure, I’m married. I write historicals mostly, but I have been trying my hand at some paranormal and contemporary romanticas from Ellora’s Cave. By day I work as a Law Clerk for a very busy lawyer in Canada. By night I write and chase after two rugrats and try to read anything spicy that I can get my hands on. And as the rugrats get more adventurous I find my time for reading slowly fading into the oblivion. LOL.
You are a history buff at heart, if you could go back in time, which time period would you like to travel, and why?
Hmmm, that is a tough question. There are so many to choose from. I would have to say that I would like to go back in time to the Ancient Celts, before the Roman Invasion in Britain. I’ve always had a affinity for the Ancient British and the British in general. I feel very tied to that culture on so many levels. I would want to be an invisible spectator. If you’ve seen the movie Timeline, you’ll understand.
When you are not writing, what are some of your past time favorites?Past times … ooh I don’t remember those before children. LOL. I like to draw, and scrap book. I love reading. I have always been a voracious reader.
What inspired you to submit your first story?
I love Halloween so when I saw the Call for Submission from Ellora’s Cave I knew that I had to try. I wrote Masque of Desire with that call for submission in mind. It was fun to write, I really enjoyed it. My fabulous Six Degrees of Sexy and Ellora’s Cave sister Christine D’abo read it over for me and pretty much forced me to submit it. I’m glad she did or I wouldn’t be here today.
What inspires you to write historical romances, apposed to say, contemporary?
I think the past is romantic and exciting. Probably because I didn’t live in that time, that’s what intrigues me about history. It always sparks my imagination. That’s what I enjoyed so much about writing Masque of Desire, I was able to blend the past, present and paranormal into this story. It was fun. I still love writing my straight historical, I love the researching involved with learning about a new time period and culture.
How did you feel when Ellora's Cave accepted Masque of Desire which released September 2007?
Ecstatic, honestly I couldn’t believe it. I was having such a hard time breaking into the straight historical market. So I was feeling pretty down, until I got that email from my editor. Then my confidence in my writing came back. I read a lot of Ellora’s Cave so I was over the moon to be accepted into the Cave and the family of close knit authors. It’s a dream come to true.
Certainly. It’s a story about a very successful attorney, Miranda Carter, who suits up for an authentic 18th Century masquerade on Halloween. All to impress a client she’s never met. The thing is the ball is being held at Violet Hall, which is haunted by the ghost of the former owner Aleksandr Valquet. It is said that he returns every Halloween looking for his lost true love. Only she can break his curse and it seems that he has his eyes set on Miranda.
It’s a spicy tale about masked strangers, trust and love. It poses the question what would you do if you were masked and no one recognized you? You’ll have to read it and find out the pleasure Miranda succumbs to.
Are your characters based on fiction or certain people in your everyday life?
Totally fictional. Although Miranda has her quirks like me, I make her wear Snoopy pajamas. I am a huge fan of Snoopy, since I was a kid, I still wear Snoopy PJ’s so she has a bit of my Kookiness in her.
What are you working on now?
Well, I just finished an OH YUM Submission for Ellora’s Cave, which is an Older Woman Younger Man. I’m waiting to hear on that. I also am tweaking my straight historical Journey to the Peak of Desire which takes place mid 1800’s in the Himalayas. I did a lot of research for that book, learning about the British Raj in India and learning about Tibet and Nepal. I also learned a little bit of Hindu. I think my co workers at my evil day job thought I was going quite mad when they heard me trying to learn Hindu. They understand now. LOL.
What is the most surprising thing you have learned since becoming a published author?
I still feel like I don’t know anything! LOL! It’s a hard industry and you still have to work really hard to keep your feet in, once your in. It’s not a world of feather boas and bon bons. Dang. LOL.
What has been the most useful advice that you have been given concerning your writing career?
Keep trying, never give up. Be true to your voice and don’t let anyone try to change it. That’s what keeps your story interesting, a good, fresh voice. Think outside the box. I tend to do that with my historicals. I learned just recently from some fellow writers I don’t have a category voice. LOL.
If you could write an anthology with anyone, who would it be and why?
Well I’m working on an anthology with my Six Degrees of Sexy Sisters, Red Garnier, Robin L. Rotham, Renee Field, Wylie Kinson and Christine D’abo. We’re each working on a short story concerning the red silk nighty that’s on our blog and website. My dream anthology writers, JR Ward, Katie MacAlister, Connie Mason and Johanna Lindsay. These are the ladies that I have to buy their new releases, I’ve been their fans for awhile … well JR Ward just recently thanks to Wylie and Christine. I would love to work with the authors that inspired me to write romantic fiction.
I see you are one of the members of Six Degrees of Sexy, how did you become involved with them?
Well, Wylie and Christine are members of my RWA chapter. When I told Wylie and Christine I had been accepted into Ellora’s Cave we decided to team up and do a joint blog to promote our work and other peoples work. We also wanted to offer writing advice and some fun stuff. Christine knew Renee because they were part of the same RWA chapter and they collaborated together for Sweet and Spicy Spells. Red and Robin I met through blogging, well we all did. Wylie I think met Red first because they shared the same release day back in May. We all seem to think the same, although our backgrounds are quite different and we all write different levels of heat and such. We work really well together, I don’t know what I would do without them and I am so blessed to be part of this talented group of writers.
What do you hope to accomplish within the next year?
I hope to have an agent for my historicals. I would like to sell about three more books. If I can sell three more books then I’m going to drop down to part time at my evil day job and spend more time with my two young children. I’ll eventually phase myself out of my evil day job, as long as my writing career is going well.
Where would you like see yourself as a writer in 5 years?
Totally free of the evil day job. I would like to see some of my historical’s published. I want to be my own boss and be able to concentrate on my passion and that’s writing.
Thank you Amy for being here with us today, we really enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed being here as well. Thanks so much for having me, it’s been a blast.
Check Out Amy Ruttan's Author Page
Interview conducted by Crystal Stone
Sensual Reads & Reviews
October 2007
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Sensual Reads and Reviews 2006
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