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Monday, May 03, 2010

UNWILLING WARRIOR - Andrea Boeshaar - Free Book

I've been looking foward to this interview. Welcome, Andrea. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.


All of my characters have a little bit of me in them. I think writers write primarily what they know – what they’ve experienced and learned – and we can’t help writing from that unique and intimate perspective that makes us who we are.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

I don’t think I’m really a quirky person. But my husband reminded me of the time we visited the Upper Peninsula in Michigan and I wanted to swim in Lake Superior. Well, it wasn’t warm enough so I climbed down a steep embankment and put my foot in the ice-cold water just so I could say I was in Lake Superior. :-)

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I knew it in third grade when I wrote my first book called Little Miss Mouse. That desire to create stories and write poems and nonfiction is still there in the heart of me.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

I’m varied in my reading. I read my Bible (of course). It’s a precious time when God speaks to me through His word. I’m presently reading Trusting God Even When Life Hurts (NavPress) by Jerry Bridges. It’s nonfiction. I also read Christian contemporary and historical romances the last being When Love Blooms (Zondervan) by Robin Lee Hatcher. (LOVED IT!)

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

I’ve been writing and publishing in the Christian market for more than 15 years. My list of publications is lengthy but available on my website http://www.andreaboeshaar.com/

My most recent titles are: Unwilling Warrior (Realms Fiction); Be Still and Let Your Nail Polish Dry (a devotional collection from Summerside Press); Heartland Heroes (Barbour Publishing) and Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky (Summerside Press).

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

It’s not easy. When I quit my part-time job last year I thought I would have more leisure time on my hands, but I’m busier than ever. I’ve got some looming writing deadlines, so I try to stay organized. But inevitably my office gets cluttered, the laundry has to be put away, the dust collects on my furniture, and the dishes pile up in the sink. And then just when I think I’ll catch up, I decide to spend the afternoon with the grandkids. So the busyness never ends.

But what I’m learning is that it doesn’t matter what life throws at me. What’s important is my reaction to it. Things get overwhelming when my focus is off the Lord and His goodness.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

A number of different ways. Sometimes I’ll hear a name in conversation, like it, and make a note of it. Other times, I’ll go searching in my character-naming book. But more often than not I will name special characters after actual people in my life. In my story Unwilling Warrior, the hero’s name is Benjamin and that’s my oldest son’s name.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

I’d have to say I’m most proud of my three sons. They are all heroes. They’re tall, good-looking, and successful. But what I’m most proud of is that my “boys” have grown up to become hard working and kind hearted men.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I love animals and have a healthy respect for them, but I can’t even imagine if I was one. I just never had the desire to be anything but a person – a princess, actually. Or a queen…yeah, that’s it. A queen!

What is your favorite food?

I go in spurts. This month it’s Oreo cookies.

Sounds good to me. We should open a package. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

I get hung up in the middle of my stories. The good ol’ “middle muddle,” as I call it. But working with Tracie Peterson (when she oversaw the Heartsong Presents line) helped a lot. Then I attended a conference workshop with authors Susie Warren and Rachel Hauk that was a tremendous blessing to me. So now when I hit my middle muddles I have an easier time of it finding my way out.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

1) Don’t give up. Writing is a lonely business and trying to get published can be discouraging – and even heartbreaking. Keep at it. Keep abreast of what’s currently being published, particularly books in your genre or field of interest. Attend writers’ conferences. Hone your craft. Most importantly persevere.

2) Don’t rely heavily on a few people’s opinions. I know authors who have been devastated by critique groups or a literary agent’s or editor’s rejection letter. Remember writing is subjective. Some people don’t like mysteries and others do. Some don’t enjoy romances, but many more people love them. If your story is well-crafted and well-written and if you pray and persevere, you will find just the right home for your work.

3) Finally, there are a lot of desperate authors out there who will do almost anything to see their book (and name too) in print. Don’t be one of them.

Tell us about the featured book?

Unwilling Warrior is a historical romance. The War Between the States has Valerie Fontaine frightened about her future. She never suspects she’ll be thrust into the middle of it.

Benjamin McCabe’s got a noble dream of photographing the Civil War – and he never expected to fall in love with a New Orleans socialite.

When Valerie’s father is arrested on charges of treason, Ben secures a way for her to leave the city and travel to his family’s home in Jericho Junction, Missouri, where she’ll be safe.

Can Valerie adjust to life on the prairie and remain true to her promise to wait for Ben no matter what the cost?

You’ll have to read the book and find out. :-)

I intend to. Please give us the first page of the book.

Raindrops splattered against the garden’s cobblestone walkway, forming puddles in low-lying areas.

Above, the heavens seemed to mourn in tearful shades of gray. Staring out the floor-to-ceiling window, Valerie Fontaine realized she’d forgotten the dreariness of the season. She’d been back in New Orleans only a week, arriving Christmas Eve, but now she questioned her decision to leave Miss C. J. Hollingsworth’s Finishing School for Young Ladies, a year-round boarding school in Virginia where she’d studied for the last sixteen months. She let out a long, slow sigh. Life here at home was—well, worse than the weather.

Closing the shutters, she stepped away and hugged her knitted shawl more tightly around her shoulders. She strolled from the solarium to the parlor, steeling herself against her father’s continuing tirade. But at least they were talking now. He hadn’t said more than six words to her since she’d been home.

“You should have stayed at school.” She had thought Father would be glad to see her, given that it was their first Christmas without Mama.

But such wasn’t the case. Instead of spending the holiday with her, he’d been at his gentlemen’s club almost continuously. His actions hurt Valerie deeply. Nevertheless, he was the only family she had left now.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

On my website at: http://www.andreaboeshaar.com/

Thank you, Andrea, for coming by my blog.

Readers, here's a link to the book. By using this link when you order, you'll help support this blog.















Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.


Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/

42 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great book! Count me in!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  2. Thanks for offering the book. Her devotional also sounds good.

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  3. Thanks for stopping by, Katrina, Nancye, and Wendy.I really loved wrting this book. I hope you'll enjoy reading it.

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  4. Anonymous7:02 AM

    please count me in...thanks :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  5. This book looks great and I would love to read it! Thank you. :)

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  6. please enter me! the book sounds amazing! :)
    God bless!
    Kim
    lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

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  7. This book sounds wonderful. count me in, please.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  8. count me in. I'd love to win. Love the cover.
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  9. I would love to win this book. Most of my days are spent reading and this looks like a good book to read. Thanks ybutler@oppcatv.com

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  10. Enjoyed the interview. Please enter me in the drawing. Thank you!

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  11. Nice interview and the cover of your book is lovely.

    pepperbasham(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. Anonymous5:21 PM

    This sounds like my kind of read! I would love to read it!

    lead[at]hotsheet[dot]com

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  13. I would really love to win a copy of "Unwilling Warrior". Please enter me and thank you so much for the opportunity.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  14. what a fun interview! I am always drawn to new Civil War books, and I am going to have to get my hands on this one. :)

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  15. Please enter me to win. I think I'll eat oreo cookies in your honor as I read your book. :-)

    coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com

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  16. Oooo! I hadn't seen this one yet -- it sounds really good!

    Thanks for the chance to win. :)

    sugarandgrits at hotmail dot com

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  17. This sounds like an excellent book. Please enter me. Thank you.
    carlyberd[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  18. Ooh, please enter me for this one! Sounds amazing! Thanks.

    faith4u7(at)gmail(dot)com

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  19. I would love the opportunity to win. Please enter me. Thank you.

    herrins1@harneyesd.k12.or.us

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  20. Sounds fantastic!
    Thanks

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  21. Please enter me in this giveaway.

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

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  22. The book sounds wonderful! Thanks for entering me!

    Michelle
    scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

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  23. Sounds like a great book. I would love to win.
    Carla

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  24. Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I enjoyed the interview, and the book sounds fun too.

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  25. Wonderful book. Please enter me. We go by Lake Superior every year on our way to WI from OH. We always swim in the Lake, but even on the hottest days it is cold.
    Have a wonderful day.

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  26. Anna W.5:06 PM

    Ooh, sounds great!

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  27. Would love to read the book, the cover art is great!

    dancealert at aol dot com

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  28. I just received this book (so please don't enter me). I can't wait to read it!! Just wanted to let you know that we posted about the giveaway at WinningReadings.

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  29. I've enjoyed Andrea's novellas and look forward to reading Unwilling Warrior. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

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  30. Please enter me

    I follow on google


    mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

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  31. Thank you everyone who entered the contest for the free book. I appreciate your stopping by to read the interview.

    And thank you, Lena!

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  32. I enjoy reading good historical romances. Thanks.

    gahome2mom/at/gmail/dot/com

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  33. Sounds like a good read - thanks!!
    winnieayala at yahoo dot com

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  34. Great review/interview. Would love to win this book.
    Thanks for the opportunity to enter


    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  35. Hmmm... Trusting God when Life Hurts sounds very interesting. I will have to pick up a copy of that. But sign me up for Andrea's book in the meantime!

    Thanks Lena,

    Megan

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  36. I love historical romance novels, and this one sounds really good. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

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  37. We have an accord about Lake Superior---even in hot August, I only let my toes experience it!

    Best wishes with your new book.

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  38. Andrea, I am from the U.P. and Lake Superior was what I was used to, although now I live near the York River, which is considerably warmer. I jumped into deep water in the St. Mary's River (near the Soo Locks) on the first day of summer when I was in college and I am pretty sure my heart stopped, because I could not move in that frigid water. Looking forward to reading your book - loved the one set on the Great Lakes in Wisconsin!

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  39. Anonymous8:24 AM

    Please enter me.

    Wendy
    ebeandebe at gmail dot com

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  40. Please count me in the drawing. Thanks!

    Marla :')

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  41. oooohhhh! Sounds intriguing. :D Please enter me.

    booklovercb[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  42. Please enter me in the drawing. I'd love to read this book.

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