Hey, y’all! Thanks for stopping by to get the skinny on my friend, James L. Rubart. Today–I not only have a review of his fantastic novel SOUL’S GATE, but I also have an interview, and a GIVEAWAY (see end of post)! (U.S. Only)
About Soul’s Gate:
Book 1 in the Well Spring series.
“Every now and then we get a break from reality. A glimpse into the other world that is more real than the reality we live in 99 percent of our days. The Bible is about a world of demons and angels and great evil and even greater glory.”
What if you could travel inside another person’s soul? To battle for them. To be part of Jesus healing their deepest wounds. To help set them free to step boldly into their divinely designed future.
Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/eGyGA
Ronie’s Fast-Rope Review:
I don’t know why I keep reading Jim Rubart’s books–every time, he seems to “read my mail.” Seriously–Soul’s Gate is a phenomenal book, and I think it might just be one of my favorites by Rubart (ROOMS changed my life and will always hold a top spot on my Faves list). The characters are engaging and the story itself just sort of blows the mind. Most importantly, I found the premise very challenging personally. How often do we let those lies we hear in our head control and drive our actions? How often do we NOT pray when we feel like we should? This is a fascinating look at intercessory prayer, giving tangibility to a non-tangible (sometimes) aspect of faith. Very well done!
Meet Jim:
James L. Rubart is a professional marketer, speaker, and writer. While being the owner of Barefoot Marketing certainly keeps him on his toes, his passion is writing fiction.
Rubart is an ECPA best-selling author who has been positively reviewed by both Publisher’s Weekly and Romantic Times. His first novel, Rooms, won a Best Books 2011 award from USA Book News, as well as a Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Award. His debut release was followed by Book of Days and The Chair. Soul’s Gate is Rubart’s fourth release.
In addition to being an author, Rubart is also a photographer, guitarist, professional speaker, golfer and semi-pro magician. With all of this, he says that he barely sleeps. Rubart lives with his wife and sons in the Pacific Northwest.
Find out more about Jim at http://jimrubart.com/
INTERVIEW WITH JIM:
Youβve had quite the journey over the last few years, and itβs been incredible to witness the beautiful blessings God has wrought in your career. Is there one particular shining moment for you?
The brightest moment came when my mom called and said sheβd given one of my novels to a down and out friend who came back to Jesus after reading it, and then he bought a copy for a lady he knew that decided to follow Christ for the first time after she finished it. It struck me hard when I realized something I love to do (write) had an eternal impact on a soul.
You are a husband, father, author, business owner, speaker, mover, shaker. . .oh, wait. . .but seriouslyβhow do you maintain balance and a semblance of focus to keep you on the βstraight and narrowβ in both your personal life and professional life?
Uh, youβre assuming I am balanced, Ronie. What Iβve learned to do is let things slide. Ages ago I read about a simple time management tool. List all the things you have to do as Aβs (must be done) Bβs (should be done) and Cβs (you want them to get done). You do the Aβs, try to get to the Bβsβbut donβt sweat it if you donβtβand throw away the Cβs. Thereβs never enough time to do it all. Never. And thatβs okay.
Β At the ACFW Conference this past September, you and Allen Arnold (now an ACFW Executive Board Memberβyay!!) had a class called Live Free, Write Free! I had the incredible blessing of attending that class and it changed my heart and life (personal and professional). What inspired this class?
The idea for the class came from Allenβs and my own lives. Weβve seen how our having more freedom in Jesus has allowed us to more fully pursue our divinely designed destiny, to bring more healing and life to those around us, and live a more Whole-ly life.
Specifically for me, the more freedom I saw in my life, the freer I was to write the deep stories of my heart. For Allen, publishing has always been less about the business side and more about the heart of the authors he worked with. Heβs seen freedom in authors allow them to write the best stories possible.
When we realized how alike we were in what we wanted to see in the lives of the authors we know the idea for the class seemed God ordainedβand based on the feedback weβve gotten from the people who were there, we believe it was.
Youβre an adventurerβwhatβs your favorite spot youβve visited?
Without question the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Amazing place!
Ronie here: I’m sure Rel will be happy to hear this!
Β Iβve said time and again, your books are βliving books,β in that they always seem to βread my mail.β Your most recent release is SOULβS GATEβand itβs a powerful, poignant look at intercessory prayer. I canβt help but admit a bit of envy that this book was non-fiction and not βfictionβ because I would love to have those tangible experiences in prayer. But prayer can be that deep. What inspired Soulβs Gate and what sort of feedback are you getting?
Ah, you are kind, Ronie! βLiving booksβ. I love that. The inspiration for Soulβs Gate was two-fold. First, when I finished ROOMS back in 2005 I thought, what would the next step be? In ROOMS a man goes into the rooms of his soul. I wondered what would happen if people went into other peopleβs souls? The other part of the inspiration was sitting down with my publisher at the time, Allen Arnold, at cabin in a remote part of Colorado and brainstorming through ideas on what the novel could look like. So while Soulβs Gate isnβt a sequel to ROOMS (which I plan to do someday) it was definitely inspired by it.
The feedback has been amazing. People are saying they love the rush of reading it, but more than that, that theyβre taking the things they read about in the book and incorporating them into their lives. That theyβre stepping into more freedom after reading the novel. Thatβs my dream come true.
Β Also in that class in September, you mentioned that some friendships not healthy and should be released, but more importantly, that youβd felt God telling you to establish firm roots in friendships that both challenged you spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, to be intentional in the nurturing of those kinds of friendships as you are doing with men like Allen Arnold and Dan Walsh. I found that very inspiring, freeing, and yet challenging. Have you always been intentional like this, or did this come about as a result of something in your life?
I havenβt always been that intentional. Three years ago I went over to a friendβs home who wasnβt great at asking questionsβthe relationship had always felt one wayβthat I was always the one encouraging and asking questions and drawing him out. I thought, βIβll ask no questions and see what happens.β He went on for an hour and a half about himself without a break. As I left he said what a great time he had. I realized two things. First, that itβs okay to have relationships like that, where youβre doing all the giving, but itβs also okay to limit the amount of relationships like that. Itβs okay and right and I need to invest in relationships like the ones I have with Allen and Dan where thereβs give and take.
If you could give one piece of advice to writers (writing advice or not), what would it be?
Get a good pair of running shoes, look at the story on your computer one last time, then turn and sprint in the opposite direction as fast as you can.
Kidding aside, my advice is to learn the craft. Learn the craft. Learn the craft. (No, the repeated sentence is not a typo.) Because weβve all been writing since 2nd grade, most aspiring writers think it canβt be that hard to write a compelling novel. But it is.
Thereβs an old joke among writers about the author who goes golfing one day with his buddy the brain surgeon. The brain surgeon says, βGuess what? Iβm taking six weeks off this summer to write a book!β The author turns and smiles. βWhat an amazing coincidence. Iβm taking six weeks off this summer to become a brain surgeon.β
There is much truth in that story. Treat learning to write fiction like you would if you wanted to become a brain surgeon. It takes eons of time, study, and extremely hard work. Count the cost before you start, because itβs high. But the good news is most people give up or aren’t teachable. If you are, you’ll be one of the rare onesβand have a great shot at being published.
Whatβs happening in your writing world right now?
Soulβs Gate just released and Iβm so pumped about this one. (Glad you liked it, Ronie!) Hereβs what Publishers Weekly and RT Book Reviews say about it:
Publisherβs Weekly: βReaders with high blood pressure or heart conditions be warned: this is a seriously heart-thumping and satisfying read that goes to the edge, jumps off, and βbuilds wings on the way down.β
RT Book Reviews Top Pick! with a 4.5-star review: βRubartβs novel is enthralling and superlative. Truly a story about freedom from things that we hold onto, this tale will captivate readers and encourage a more active, dynamic spiritual life. The original plot and well-drawn characters elevate this book to βmust readβ status.β
And something really cool about this novel is thereβs a Barnes & Noble exclusive version only available there with three extra chapters and an authorβs note.
Ronie here–Oh my gracious! I think I’ll have to check to this out!!
What book are you reading right now?
Iβm just about finished with Iscariot by Tosca Lee. It hasnβt released yet, Iβm reading an advanced readerβs copy and loving it. Sheβs an amazing writer.
What book are you most excited about that hasnβt released yet?
Memoryβs Door which is the sequel to Soulβs Gate. Iβm just about finished with I think it might even be better than Soulβs Gate
Β Where else can readers find you online?
Web: www.jameslrubart.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/James-L-Rubart/320882261326243
Twitter: @jimrubart
Blog: www.3menwalkintoablog.com
Thanks so much for having me, Ronie!
GIVEAWAY!!
I have a copy of Jim’s SOUL’S GATE to giveaway to one person who comments. Have you read any of Jim’s books? Tell me which if his titles is your favorite or tell me why you would like this copy. TWEET or post on Facebook about this review/internet/giveaway and you’ll get extra entries in the contest (just be sure to let me know). Winners will be chosen by a random number generator.
Comments 24
Thanks for the great interview you two! I’ve never read an of James’ books but I am intrigued! I’ve added them to my ‘must read’ list! I’m not eligible for the giveaway but I wanted to comment anyhow because I enjoyed reading this. π
Thanks, Sarah!
I want! I want! I want! I actually haven’t read any of his books yet. *ducks&hides* They’re ALL on my list, but I haven’t had a book budget in eons. I’d love to read it, and hopefully get some of the men in my life to read it too. *Fingers crossed.* May the random number generator be ever in my favor.
I won’t tell James, Erynn. It’ll be our secret. π
Jim’s book “The Chair” is, so far, my favorite read from 2012! He’s phenomenal.
Ah, M.E., you are too cool.
This interview makes my evening. I like you both so much. And the premise for Soul’s Gate makes me want to run out and buy the book tonight. I’ll do that soon! (Please don’t enter me in the giveaway. I want to buy my own copy π
Wow, Charity! You’re awesome!
I haven’t read any of James’ books yet but I have The Chair in my TBR list and I’ve heard it’s great! I’d love to read this one as well!
Hope you enjoy, Liz!
I haven’t read any but now I will! Thanks for this post – I love finding new authors!
What a coincidence, Susan! I love finding new readers! π
I’ve read all of Jim’s books. He is a great storyteller. My favorite of his books is Rooms. Thanks for the giveaway. I’d love to read Soul’s Gate.
I’m throwing my hat in too! Can’t wait to read it, Jim. Awesome interview, Ronie and Jim! π
Love ya, D.M.!
Ooo…I can’t wait to read this one! I am a big fan of Jim’s and Rooms is one of my favorite novels. (I’ve read The Chair and Book of Days as well–they are both great reads!) I love the way he challenges me as a person when I read his books. π
And Ralene, you’re one of my favorite readers! π
Jim
Rel is very happy!!! Melbourne is a must see, too, though π
Love your novels, Jim – still think ROOMS is my fav but I’m soon to crack open Soul’s Gate so I’m willing to change my mind.
Terrific interview ~ thanks Ronie & Jim π
Thanks for the support, all! I’m pretty excited about this one.
Jim
(the left side of this page is not showing up on my computer, so having trouble getting things entered on correct line….this is my fourth attempt!). I haven’t read any of James Rupart’s books (and considering how much I read, not sure how I’ve missed them). I’m intrigued by the concept of this one, and would love to win and read to see how it plays out!
I have read “Rooms”. I loved that book. I really liked how the rooms represented how your heart is and where you are with the Lord. I just think he is an awesome writer and would love to have one of his books.
Author
NAOMI – CONGRATULATIONS!! Random Number Generator chose you as the winner! Please email me (ronie [at] roniekendig [dot] com) with your snail mail address, so I can get this copy out to you, lickety split.
The only one I’ve read so far was Rooms and it was amazing! I have another one at home right now to read and this one sounds very cool too. I posted on facebook and tweeted.
Ronie, I was out of internet service Thursday through Sunday so didn’t see I won the book until this am. If it’s not too late my address is Naomi Shores, 3322 N 200 W, Winchester IN 47394.