Rhonda Ortiz is a historical novelist, a founding editor of Chrism Press, and the editor in chief of Dappled Things. Her Molly Chase series has been the recipient of multiple awards, placements, and honors, including the Catholic Media Association Book Awards, the ACFW Genesis Award, the Oregon Christian Writer’s Cascade Award, and others. A native Oregonian, Rhonda attended St. John’s College in historic Annapolis, Maryland and now lives in Michigan with her husband and children.
Welcome, Rhonda! We’re so excited to have you here today. First let’s learn a little about you. Can you share a few things about yourself that have nothing to do with writing?
Nothing to do with writing, huh? Ask the hard question first! Just kidding. I’m Rhonda Ortiz. I grew up in Oregon, went to school in Annapolis and there met my native New Yorker husband. If our story was My Big Fat Greek Wedding, his family would be the Greeks and mine would bring the Bundt cake. After he finished graduate school—he’s a theologian and professor—we landed in west Michigan, which neither of us realized was on the map. (The stereotypes about coast people’s views on flyover country is one hundred percent true. Now we know better.)
Outside of writing and freelance work, most of my time is spent running after my six children, ages three to fourteen. But occasionally I have time to pursue hobbies, including gardening and knitting.
What an adventure! What drew you to write?
I’ve always been a writer, but I came to fiction writing late. One day I had a story idea, and both my husband and my parents encouraged me to pursue it. After several years of writing drafts and stuffing them into a desk drawer, never to see the light of day, I finally hit upon the idea for the Molly Chase series and knew this one was a keeper.
It sure is! What’s your writing process?
I begin with an eight-beat scene structure worksheet that I created—I keep a clipboard with several copies at hand. I set a timer for ten minutes and fill out the worksheet with whatever comes to mind. This is not a hard-and-fast plan—in fact, I rarely follow it. But filling out the sheet helps me brainstorm the scene’s conflict and arc, getting the juices flowing.
Then I set my timer for ten minutes again and write. When the timer stops, I jot down my word count, make sure I’m averaging ten words a minute, and set the timer again. Rinse and repeat. The timer helps me stay focused—I have ADHD—and aiming for ten words a minute keeps me moving at a reasonable, moderate pace.
I love it! I may have to bother you for this worksheet. It sounds so helpful :) How do you come up with your story ideas?
On the YouTube video of a recent interview I gave, someone in the combox declared, “She’s very weird.” Certainly the comment was petty and mean, but it also made me laugh. Between being neurodivergent and being a novelist—someone who spends her days listening to imaginary people talk in her head—weirdness comes with the territory. And it’s this same weirdness that generates story ideas. Ideas just happen.
That certainly is mean (and I strongly disagree), but am so glad you could laugh about it. We all loved “In Pieces” and “Adrift.” Tell us about your upcoming release.
Keeper of Keys is the third and final installment of the 1793, Boston-set Molly Chase series, which is one story told in three volumes—kind of like a miniseries. I can’t say too much about it, lest I spoil the book for my diehard Molly fans, but I can share my early readers’ reactions. The first reader cried. The second reader said Molly kept coming up during her prayer time for days after she had finished the story. The third reader sent me a ton of emojis—heartbreak, mind blown—with a “Well done, my friend. Well done.” At the time of this interview, the manuscript is going through editorial, so of course I have more work to do on it. But the overall story did what it was supposed to do, and for that I’m grateful.
Gah!! Now I’m even more impatient for it! Are there certain themes explored in the story?
Redemptive suffering is perhaps the most important theme, followed by the deeper meaning and efficaciousness of marriage, especially Christian marriage. The series contains no small number of story threads, from love to family drama to politics and spies, which means there’s a theme for everyone!
That’s something I’ve enjoyed about your other two books for sure. Do you have any favorite characters in your books?
I love my Molly, of course. And while the story’s lead male character, Josiah Robb, is great, my favorite character is his roguish, sharp-witted friend, Mark Findley. I can’t think about Mark without smiling. My other favorite character is Sarah Robb, Josiah’s mother.
What are you working on now?
I was supposed to work on a story about the 1900 Galveston (TX) hurricane, one of the deadliest on record. Then I thought, well, I’ve been meaning to write Sarah and her late husband Nathan Robb’s story as a novella, so maybe I should do that before leaving eighteenth century Boston. After I began brainstorming the opening scenes, I realized it will be a novel, not a novella. So that’s what I’m doing next.
Ooo. I’m in!! Can’t wait to read Sarah and Robb’s story. When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy doing?
Gardening! While I don’t know as much about plants as my botanist character Prudence Warren, I do love playing in the dirt.
Thanks so much for joining us today, Rhonda!
Keep an eye out for Keeper of Keys, set to release March 2026
Here’s a sneak peek at what the story is about:
Best to leave the ghosts alone.
Boston, 1793—Federal spies Molly and Josiah Robb have returned to Molly’s childhood home—not to brood on her father’s suicide, but with a mission: woo Boston’s elite and find the traitors infiltrating American intelligence operations. Dinners, parties, church committees, business dealings—the Robbs must throw wide their doors if they are to hear society’s tittle-tattle. Only one door remains locked. No one goes in Papa’s study.
Spinster Anne Lawrence will do anything placate her wealthy uncle, if it means her brother Peter will inherit his fortune. So when Uncle Lawrence asks her to befriend the detestable Molly Robb and hunt down a document hidden in Molly’s house, Anne agrees. Little does she know that she’s being watched in turn.
When Molly tells Josiah that they’re expecting a baby, Josiah is caught between joy and panic—Molly’s late mother lost several children at birth. When Molly’s pregnancy doesn’t go as planned, he wonders if they are reliving her parents’ story.
In this poignant conclusion to the Molly Chase series, Keeper of Keys explores themes of love, sacrifice, reconciliation, and the true meaning of homecoming.
Enjoy the first two books of the series to pass the time:)
In Pieces:
Certain things ruin a girl’s reputation, and madness is one.
Purchase: https://a.co/d/8nIy50c
Adrift:
“Everything about your life is my concern, Mr. Robb, including your betrothed.”
Purchase: https://a.co/d/1geJ7n9
Connect with Rhonda
https://rhondaortiz.com/
Social media: Across all platforms at @writingrhonda
