Interview with Sweet Romance Author Ruth J. Hartman

 Ruth Hartman is a “humorous” romance author and licensed dental hygienist. She lives in rural Indiana with her husband. Ruth’s “furry children” are her cats: Maxwell and Roxy. She’s pretty sure Max is German. He likes eating sauerkraut out of the pan.



Welcome back to my blog once again, Ruth. It’s fun talking to you. You write humorous romances. How fun! Please tell us about your new book.

“Grin and Barrett” is a quirky romance about two dentists. Remmie Grin and Victor Barrett. Their offices are right next door to each other and they go to ridiculous lengths to steal each other’s patients. Along the ride, though, they find out they have feelings for each other. But they’re both too stubborn to admit it.

The names of the main characters are hilarious. Where did you get your inspiration for this novel? 

I’ve worked in dentistry for nearly 30 years. I’d written two dental romances before this one. “Flossophy of Grace” was about a hygienist and a patient. “Pillow Talk” was about a tooth fairy and her dentist. I decided the dentists needed a book of their own.

You put a lot of humor in your books. Is it hard to come up with such humorous ideas or does it come naturally?

It comes naturally. I guess because I’m so goofy. I find the strangest things amusing. Like the piano-playing cat on those pistachios commercials. Or the woodchucks actually chucking wood on the insurance commercial. I don’t know. I just find stuff funny. My sister and I can just look at each other and start giggling. There may not really be a reason. But, who needs a reason, right?

I’m also a klutz. And you’ll see a lot of that in my books for the heroine. Klutzy characters make their own fun. ☺

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I didn’t have to do a whole lot, since I’m surrounded by all things dental every week. The dentists are compilations of several I’ve known over the years. Although, I’ve never met a dentist exactly like Victor. His character was different than any of my other heroes. I just wanted to try something new. So I made him opposite, in several ways, from heroes in my other books.

In our last interview, you mentioned that you add real life situations to your stories. Can you tell us an experience that you added in this book?

I played up the height difference between Victor and Remmie. My husband is nearly a foot taller than I am, and it keeps things interesting. Like dancing. We recently went to a dance sponsored by his employer. We went out on the floor for a slow dance (he won’t do the fast ones) and I noticed we had to hold each other differently than other dancers. While some of our female friends could look almost eye to eye with their husbands, and could have their arms around their date’s neck, either Garry would have had to lean way down for me to put my arms around his neck, or I’d be on tip toes all the time. Even though I wore boots with heels.

So, I just ended up with my arms around his middle and rested my nose on his chest. Which was better than my nose in his armpit. It’s not the easiest position to have a conversation with someone. The scene with Remmie and Victor tied together in a three-legged race is an example of that.

Your book sounds so much fun to read. Thanks for this wonderful interview, Ruth. And congratulations on another humorous love story!