Venturing to Other Worlds

Welcome James! Since I’m a fan, I’ll try not to gush too much about spending a bit of time with you today. My readers are also very excited about your visit, especially since your giving away a copy of you newest release (thank you so much, by the way). Please tell me a bit about where you’re from.

Born and raised the Pacific Northwest, went to the University of Washington, and have lived in Woodinville, 20 miles northeast of Seattle for the past 20 years. When the sun shines there’s no more beautiful spot in the world. (Yes, I know, the sun doesn’t shine very often.)

LOL! I live in Texas where the sun shines a bit too much. Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.

• I used to be a semi-pro magician
• I’ve starred in a TV commercial
• I snapped the tendon in my right pinky finger playing basketball in high school, so I can’t straighten it out

Well, I’m definitely surprised. Hmmm…I’ll have to conduct a search for your T.V. role. Now, what’s your favorite book and why?

These days I’m going to say, Arena by Karen Hancock.  I don’t typically re-read novels, but I did recently with Arena and loved it again. If you liked Pilgrims Progress, and the move The Matrix, I think you’ll like this novel. It’s an allegory which I think is brilliant in its depiction of the Christian life.

I’ve yet to read Arena, but am now inspired to do so. Where did you get the idea, as well as continued inspiration, for your novel?

This story, Spirit Bridge, as well as the other two stories in my Well Spring series (Soul’s Gate, and Memory’s Door) came from being at the real life Well Spring Ranch which is hidden in the mountains west of Colorado Springs. My publisher and friend, Allen Arnold, and I hope to develop an epic series and we went there to brainstorm ideas.

My first three novels were focused on one protagonist and their story, which worked well, but I was ready for a bigger adventure with multiple main characters and higher stakes.

We started praying, and within half an hour came up with what we thought was a compelling premise: What if a 30 year old prophecy called four ordinary people from different walks of life to learn to send their spirits into other people’s souls to fight for their healing and freedom?

The theme of Soul’s Gate is about healing, Memory’s Door is about overcoming regret, and this third one, Spirit Bridge is about identity, so when you put all three together it hopefully will usher people into great freedom in their lives.

A compelling premise, indeed. How long did it take you to write Spirit Bridge?

The first draft took about eight weeks. I know that seems fast for some people, but once I dive in full-force, I can get my stories out fairly quickly.

Eight weeks?!? Fast is an understatement. I’m in awe! Tell me a bit about your main characters. Who did you have the most fun creating? Why?

• Reece Roth walked powerfully in the things of the Spirit years ago, but was taken out when his wife and daughter were killed. Now he’s stepped back in the arena to guide and train the other three of the prophecy, but it’s forced him to face his greatest failure in the process.
• Dana Raine is the General Manager of a Seattle radio station and is a born leader, but her fear of abandonment, as well as being thrust back into relationship with the man who broke her heart threatens to cripple her God-given destiny.
• Marcus Amber is a brilliant physics professor at the University of Washington who has had to face his deepest regret and overcome it, because if he doesn’t, he and the other warriors will be destroyed.
• Brandon Scott is multi-million selling singer and song writer but still struggles with his worth. And when his career starts to slip away he has to make the choice to save himself, or allow his dream to die, bringing astounding freedom to the other warriors.

I think I liked creating a character that shows up in Spirit Bridge, that wasn’t in the first two books. There’s so much of me in Reece, Dana, Marcus, and Brandon, that it was fun to create a character nothing like me. Her name is Miyo and she is intense. I love her!

Well, then I can’t wait to meet Miyo. Since I’m a new author, I’d love to know what has surprised you–a multi-published author–most about being an author?

I knew I’d get feedback from people, but when I get an e-mail from someone in say, Germany, that doesn’t speak English, about what my novel meant to them, that surprises me. It’s been a wonderful surprise that my novels have connected me with so many different kinds of people from all over the world, which gives me a chance to hear their stories.

Thank you so much for visiting today. It’s an honor to host you.

Thanks so much for having me!

The Warriors Riding have battled in astounding supernatural realms, set captives free, and awakened thousands of hearts. But now their only chance of survival depends on calling for The Spirit Bridge.

Reece, Dana, Brandon, and Marcus have achieved staggering success in the spiritual realm . . . but each is reeling from vicious attacks. They need rest. A break from the war.

But the warlord Zennon is raging and will give them no quarter. The demon holds what he believes to be the trump card—a hidden strategy set in motion before Warriors Riding even began—that will detonate the team from the inside out. And he’s just set it loose.

The street magician Simon—finally free of Zennon’s alternate reality prison—is racing to remember his past before his ignorance obliterates his destiny. Then there’s Miyo—a brash young warrior with advanced knowledge of spiritual realities and supernatural armor even Reece doesn’t know about. These two will be pivotal in the final war.

If only the Warriors knew which side Simon and Miyo are truly on. If only they knew how to fight against Zennon’s final assault.

The Spirit Bridge is the epic conclusion to acclaimed author James L. Rubart’s Well Spring series, which will propel each of the Warriors Riding on a quest of true identity, ultimate freedom, and a final battle that will leave them changed forever.

To get to know James’s characters better, check out Spirit Bridge, released May 2014 (just released – Whoohoo!) and available for purchase at…

amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, booksamillion.com, lifeway.com, and christianbook.com.

James L. Rubart is the best-selling and Christy award winning author of ROOMS, BOOK OF DAYS, THE CHAIR, SOUL’S GATE, MEMORY’S DOOR, and SPIRIT BRIDGE. During the day he runs Barefoot Marketing which helps businesses and authors make more coin of the realm. In his free time he dirt bikes, hikes, golfs, takes photos, and occasionally does sleight of hand. No, he doesn’t sleep much. He lives with his amazing wife and two sons in the Pacific Northwest and still thinks he’s young enough to water ski like a madman. More at http://jameslrubart.com/.

For a chance to win a copy of Spirit Bridge, simply comment below. And, as always, thank you for venturing to other worlds with me. Blessings.