New Brunswick Author Portal

Ruth  MacLean
Categories: Female AuthorsAnglophone AuthorsNovelistsAuthors of Non-FictionSoutheast

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Source: Author / auteure



Biography

Ruth MacLean writes under the pseudonym Stella MacLean. MacLean grew up near Sussex, NB and graduated from Sussex Composite High School in 1963. She attended Victoria Public Hospital School of Nursing in Fredericton, NB, graduating in 1966. After a successful nursing career, she went on to do a Bachelor of Commerce at Mount Allison in Sackville, NB, graduating in 1983. From there she moved into management at the Moncton Hospital in Moncton, NB.

After a critical illness she began to write, publishing a book on chronic pain entitled Living Successfully with Chronic Pain. She became an author for Harlequin Enterprises in Toronto in 2006, after which she had nine books published.

From there she branched out into Romantic Suspense, publishing three books to the delight of her readers.

Ruth Stella MacLean resides in Riverview, NB.



How has New Brunswick influenced your work?

It has influenced every part of my writing, from the trees, the winding country roads, to the open meadows and fields. Growing up I was fortunate to have a mother and a father who believed in the written word and its importance in our lives. When I was a teenager, my father read the entire King James version of the Bible over a period of 8 months. I will never forget my awe at such a feat.

When I was growing up, I went to a small school with four grades in each of the two rooms. When I wasn't working on my own school work, or when the teacher was busy with the students in the grade ahead of me, I would listen in and learn what they were learning. It created in me a curiosity that is still a very powerful part of my personality.

What is your favourite New Brunswick book, and why?

I love the writings of Bliss Carman, a Fredericton author from the last century. He wrote beautiful poetry that sings to me. When I read a piece like Low Tide on Grand-Pré, I can feel the breeze on my face, the sound of the water; such evocative writing leaves me yearning for spring and walks along the beach.

What do you consider to be the highlight of your career so far?

The highlight would definitely be my latest adventure. I am going to Vancouver as Romance Writer in Residence at Vancouver Public Library starting in August 2018 and running until December 15th. I am so excited at the opportunity to connect with new authors, librarians, and readers out in Vancouver.

In coordination with the library, I have created over twenty programming opportunities for readers and writers. Such an exciting time in my writing career.


Literary Prizes

Finalist, The Golden Heart Award - 2005 In recognition of: Dangerous Memories

Featured Publication


Desperate Acts
(2016)
Excerpt:

Terra found herself on a two-lane highway that ran across open countryside, climbing toward a ridge of hills shimmering in the sunlight. There was nothing left for her except the feeling of inevitability of a loss so profound, so despairing she wanted to curl up, end it all, finally release her soul from the agony that claimed her.

She clung to the wheel, the seatbelt warning fading from her mind as she drove faster and faster along the narrow road. Up ahead an oncoming eighteen-wheeler, its load of wood strapped to the flat bed, the truck cab rising high over the road, lumbered toward her.

The slow thump of her heart was all she heard as the truck drew nearer, its insect-like windows beckoning her... One slight movement of her hands on the wheel and it would all be over... All that was needed to escape, to be with Sean and her baby.


Find this author in the New Brunswick public libraries catalogue.


Source(s): Author.