Stop all crafting, just for a moment or two, readers! I've got a live one for you. She not only writes books, holds down a job, runs marathons, teaches women's Bible Studies, and volunteers, but she's an artist too! So dunk those brushes, unplug that hot glue gun, and slam the lid down on all those unsorted beads so you can meet author and artist Ruth Douthitt!
PT: Welcome, Ruth! So glad to have your visiting the
Diamond Mine of Christian Fiction. How did you start writing, and what genre do
you write in?
PT: Nice! I love dabbling in multiple genres. Is
writing a full time job or do you do other jobs as well?
RD: I wish I
could write full time! But I work as a curriculum developer at a local
university for now and do volunteer work, too. I write and teach women’s Bible
studies. I also host a podcast called A Writer’s Day where I talk about the
writing craft and interview best-selling authors. You can listen to A Writer’s
Day on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts.
PT: Let’s get a feel for the place you call home.
Where do you hail from?
RD: Arizona is home but we also lived in North
Carolina early in our marriage. I miss it and would love to retire there.
PT: Best vacation?
RD: Rome!!! We visited in 2018, and I ran the Rome
Marathon that spring. We toured the city, took trains to Naples, Florence, and
the Vatican City. It was such a wonderful experience, I got a book series out
of it: The Doors of Rome, The Windows of Venice, and The Streets of Florence, which releases
this October. You can preorder it today on Amazon.
PT: Any hobbies?
RD: I am a professional artist, so I paint and draw
all the time. I love to draw fantasy art and paint wildlife art. Right now, I
am creating hand-painted bookmarks to sell at book festivals. So far, they are
a big hit with customers! I also do commissioned pet portraits when I am not
creating my dragon coloring books. I wish I had a pet dragon to paint! But so
far, I only do commissioned dog and cat portraits. You can see my work on my
website under the “artist” tab. I also love to run and hike the desert trails
near our home and flower garden when it isn’t 1000 degrees outside. LOL.
PT: Give some favs: color, food, music, season, and
best place to write.
RD: Hunter green is my favorite color. Because I am
Mexican, I adore Mexican food but also Italian and Chinese food. I love
classical music (Bach is my favorite) but also movie soundtracks ever since I
saw Star Wars in 1977 as a kid. I love John Williams and Hans Zimmer
soundtracks the most. We were honored to have seen John Williams conduct our
local symphony and Steven Spielberg came on stage to discuss the importance of
John’s music. It was AMAZING!!!
My favorite season is Fall. Although in the desert
southwest, we don’t see the leaves change, I still love the transition from hot
weather to cool weather. And the whisper of Christmas coming in the breeze…
PT: Tell about the series Desert Shadows Suspense
and how it started.
RD: I used to work in Superior Court as a bailiff
and sat in some terrible criminal court trials. But the way the detectives
solved the crimes always intrigued me. This was way before forensic files and
other true crime shows. As a result of loving stories and seeing all these
court trials, I began brainstorming suspense stories way back in 1996-1997. But
it wasn’t until 2022 that I seriously began writing them down. I know many
readers of this genre want a small town setting, so I set my stories in a
fictional desert town outside of Sedona, AZ. These stories are clean
reunited-slow-burn romances that are full of suspense and intrigue. I write
suspense because I enjoy reading suspense.
PT: Give a little peek into Fatal Standoff that released in June. (I am assuming you want to
highlight this book? If not, let me know and we will focus on that.)
RD: Fatal Standoff is book 2 in the series and follows Emma and Liam on their next
big investigation. In Fatal Chapters,
Emma brings up her adoptive parents and how they were killed in a car accident.
In Fatal Standoff, she receives
mysterious text messages telling her that her parents were actually murdered.
Emma decides to investigate the pharmaceutical company her mother worked for at
the time of her death. When she uncovers dark secrets about the billion-dollar
“Big Pharma” company, Emma realizes her life may be in danger. Meanwhile, Liam
is in Arizona investigating a missing college student who is the granddaughter
of a family friend. When a dead body is found in the desert, Liam experiences
paralyzing flashbacks to when his little brother was kidnapped and later found
dead near home. Can Liam overcome his trauma to solve the crime and help Emma?
PT: Does Fatal
Standoff connect to Fatal Chapters
or is it a stand alone?
RD: Yes, there is a connection. Readers should read
book one first.
PT: Are you working on the next book in this series
or something else?
RD: Yes, I am working on book three in the suspense
series. Title and cover reveal are coming soon!
I just finished book 3 in my Love and Romance in
Italy series titled The Streets of Florence. I can hardly wait for readers to read this story. It will take
them to Florence, the Tuscan hillsides, a cooking class, and more. The three
friends from the first two books reunite to heal from tragic loss, sip wine,
and laugh again. When they encounter an American waitress with a broken heart,
the three decide to be matchmakers for the girl. Adventure, friendship, and
Italian food…what could be better than that? The Streets of Florence releases October 7th and is available for
preorder on Amazon.
11. Tell 5 things about Ruth Douthitt that have
nothing to do with writing.
• I
am an Arizona native who was literally born in the city. My parents didn’t make
it to the hospital in time, so they pulled over and my dad delivered me in the
car.
• I
saw Star Wars 26 times in the theater the summer it released in 1977.
• I’ve
traveled to Eastern Europe 2 times for short-term mission trips and toured
Auschwitz in Poland because I love WWII history. That was a life-changing
experience!
• I
have a master’s degree in Mental Health and Wellness because mental health is
very important to me. I facilitate GriefShare sessions online and wanted to
know more about grief and how it affects the body so I can help others cope. I
learn so much from facilitating these grief sessions. It helps me cope with my
own loss.
• I
have completed 7 full marathons, 24 half marathons, 4 ultra marathons, and two
sprint triathlons all after age 40. I also completed the Dopey Challenge at
Walt Disney World. It is aptly named because you have to be dopey to do that
challenge! Four races in four days. But it was a blast to run through the park
with all the Christmas decorations up. Magical!
PT: Whew! I don't know about you but I'm exhausted just thinking about all those marathons! You're one energetic lady. And all of us wish you the best in your many endeavors. Thanks for joining us, Ruth!
There's a free copy for someone out there of Ruth Douthitt's Book Fatal Standoff. Just leave a comment below with your email or enter by using our contact form. If you are dying to read her new book, it's on sale right now! Don't miss your chance, and thanks for joining us! Crafting may commence.
