Ruth Fontaine's job is to deliver lifesaving organs to those urgently in need. But the gruff pilot of her charter plane has no kind words for her work. And then she discovers the heartbreaking reason why.
Noah Barton lost his wife and young son. Grieving, he gave in to pressure to donate his child's organs--a decision he regrets. He's bitter against those who "take advantage" of people's anguish. Yet he still flies her on her missions, with his beloved dog, Houston, as his copilot.
Now Ruth will have to show Noah he has two other copilots: the Lord and her love.
"ON WINGS OF LOVE (4) by Kim Watters: As donation coordinator for the Arizona Organ Donor Network, Ruth Fontaine's first encounter with pilot Noah Barton is not auspicious. The loss of his wife and Ruth's bad experience with romance makes the attraction felt by both unwelcome. Plus, using his charter service to fly the medical team is not Noah's choice. He feels that the doctors didn't do enough to save his son because they wanted his organs. That distrust puts a barrier between Ruth and Noah that only the God he no longer has faith in can breach. Watters' heartachingly poignant story is about learning to accept that, though bad things happen to good people, God's love is always steadfast and true." - Susan Mobley, Romantic Times
At twelve years old, I fell in love with romance after I borrowed a romance novel from the book shelf of my older sister, Karin. An avid reader, I was soon hooked on the happily ever after endings. For years I dreamt of writing my own romance novel, but I never seemed to have the time.
After I graduated from Northeast Missouri State University (Truman State) with a degree in Business Administration/Management. I moved into the city of Chicago to pursue another dream.
I worked as an actress and a model and traveled around the country doing conventions for several large corporations. Ironically enough, I met my future husband, (of course he didn’t know that yet) who lived in Arizona.
Tired after six years of the hustle and bustle of the city, I relocated to a small town in Arizona just north of Phoenix where there are no sidewalks or public transportation and the cowboys still ride their horses to the bars. The wide open spaces of Arizona gave me the inspiration to sit down and finally begin to write. That, and the purchase of a home computer.
Eight years and three manuscripts later, I sold my first novel to Avalon Books. I belong to Romance Writers of America, Novelists Inc., PASIC, American Christian Fiction Writers, Faith Hope & Love-part of RWA, Valley of the Sun Romance Writers, Desert Rose RWA, and my critique buddies, Carol, Marion, Sandy, Shelley, Linda & Kerrie.
I’m currently employed at a local golf resort near Phoenix, Arizona as an Administrative Assistant/Accountant. When I’m not crunching numbers, I’m crunching the keys on my computer keyboard in the early morning hours before my family wakes up.
I still live in that small town in Arizona, with my own hero--my husband, Bill, (we’ve been married almost fifteen years now) my son, Shane, daughter, Emily, our remaining Frisbee® dog and two high-strung hamsters.
Also by Kim Watters...
Web of Deceit Wild Rose Press
Home At Last Avalon Books
Stake Your Claim Avalon Books
An Interview with Kim Watters
By Holly Hewson for The Romance Studio
HH: Kim, thank you for talking with us at TRS. Please tell us about your wonderful new release, On Wings of Love.
KW: Thanks so much for having me today. On Wings of Love is very near and dear to my heart. It deals with the delicate and difficult subject of organ donation. My sister-in-law, for whom the book is dedicated to, is a double recipient and is able to live a more normal life through the generous gift from a donor and his family. My hope is that people reading this book will also come away with a new appreciation for organ donation, the many people involved to make sure everything takes place, and the wonderful gift that each and everyone of us has a chance to give to someone else.
HH: This story finds two people at odds. One a pilot who felt he was taken advantage of after a great loss and the other a brave woman who could restore his faith with her own. Where did you get the idea for their story?
KW: Several years ago my neighbor lost her eight-year-old nephew in a car accident and the family donated his organs. I couldn't even begin to imagine the grief for those parents yet they took comfort in knowing that though his death their son helped others live. This was the first time I'd ever really heard of organ donation and couldn't quite wrap my mind around it until my sister-in-law needed a new kidney and liver. I toyed with the idea for years, but I didn't quite have the characters until they just appeared in my mind when I started asking the right kind of what ifs? As a parent, the hardest thing to do would be to bury a child. What if the hero wasn't certain about his decision to donate his son's organs? What if the woman he falls for works for the same organization that he feels took advantage of him?
HH: I love inspirational romance. How long have you been writing in this genre and what do you enjoy about it?
KW: I've always written sweeter stories and my first two books were published by Avalon Books in 2003. So it was only natural that I would eventually incorporate my faith into my stories, which is awesome and a challenge at the same time. I sold my first inspirational to The Wild Rose Press in 2008 and now this one to Steeple Hill, which come out today.
HH: We're seeing more and more inspirationals and with the success of films featuring characters of faith, like The Blind Side. What do you see in the future for these types of stories?
KW: I can only see the inspirational market growing, especially in today's world with the mortgage crisis, job loss, and the earthquake in Haiti. I think people are looking for a more spiritual escape and these books and movies fulfill that need.
HH: What else do you have in store for lucky readers?
KW: Right now I'm working on another proposal for my editor and don't have any upcoming releases aside from On Wings of Love. I do have a backlist at my website though in case my readers can't get enough. www.kimwatters.com.
HH: How do you balance a job, a family, a writing career...?
KW: As best I can. :) Like a lot of writers, I have a day job that pays the bills. I get up really early in the morning before the family so I have time to write and do other writing related things. When the family wakes up, it's either off to school, work or other related activities. At night, its all about family.
HH: What's a typical day like for you?
KW: I wake up at 5:00 am almost every day. I go check e-mails etc, then it's off to write or do revisions or this interview:). My kids wake up at 7:00 and it's a scramble to get them ready for school and on the bus. Then I head off to work. I'm lucky enough to be able to check e-mails etc. while I'm there which is very helpful. Night time and weekends are strictly family time unless I'm under deadline.
HH: What do you consider a really satisfying writing day?
KW: Any day I can get more than one paragraph done? Actually I set a goal for at least 1000 words a day unless I'm in revision mode. Then its 2-3 pages. If I can get that done, it's a great day!
HH: What do you personally enjoy reading?
KW: I love reading inspirationals of course, as well as other contemporary books. Since my reading time is limited, I rarely stray from category romance though I have been known to pick some of my chaptermates historicals and single titles to read in between. Every once in a while, I'll pick up an author from my past, like Phyllis Whitney or Victoria Holt, and instantly get transported back to a simpler time in my life.
HH: What would you most like to accomplish this year?
KW: Aside from another sale to Steeple Hill? Hmmm. Another sale to Steeple Hill. :) Plus, I have two other story ideas floating around in my head wanting to get out , so I'd like to get proposals done for them as well.
