Wednesday, July 29, 2015

THE CONVENIENT BRIDE COLLECTION - Andrea Boeshaar - One Free Book

Dear Readers, Andrea is a long-time writing friend. We started our writing careers at the same publisher. I’m extremely pleased to introduce her to you with this new novella collection.

Welcome back, Andrea. Why did you become an author?
When my three sons were young, I began gobbling up secular romances. I read one or two novels a week. I always enjoyed writing. In fact, I wrote my first “novel” when I was in 3rd grade; it was called Little Miss Mouse. Anyway, I decided to try my hand at penning a romance, and began learning all the various innuendos involved with novel writing. I even took a couple of creative writing classes at the local university. Then in 1991, I was spiritually reborn. The desire to write books that honored Jesus Christ and offered my readers hope burned deep within my soul. That’s when I began writing for the Christian market. My first book was published in 1994 by Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents book club.

If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream job?
I would be an adjunct professor, teaching literature, creative writing, and history classes – in fact, I’m back in school, earning my bachelors degree and then possibly going on for a masters.

Way to go! I have most of my work done for a masters, and when I was in graduate school, I was one of the older students there. If you could have lived at another time in history, what would it be and why?
I’d bounce back and forth in my time machine between the American Revolutionary War Era (approximately 1770-1800) and the Civil War times (1850-1870) Note: Those aren’t the dates in which the wars were fought, but there were years leading up to the wars and then, of course, there were the years of adjustment and adventure afterwards. Not that I enjoy war at all—in fact, I’m the mom who wouldn’t allow her sons to play with guns! What I like most about those times in history (and, granted, I look upon them more romantically then realistically, perhaps) was the love of country, the honor and valor, the bravery and daring of both men and women alike. Of course, it would be difficult to give up my microwave oven and indoor plumbing. J

I was glad I had daughters, because I wouldn’t have let boys play with guns either. What place in the United States have you not visited that you would like to?
New Mexico. I would love to attend the Hot Air Balloon Festival there some year. Also, a church I attended years ago supported missionaries to the Navajo and Native American people have always been near and dear to my heart for a great many reasons. I would also enjoy visiting New York City so I could tour the 9-11 Museum.

How about a foreign country you hope to visit?
I would like to visit England, both the rural areas and then London.

What lesson has the Lord taught you recently?
The Lord is teaching me that often the words I speak, the actions I do, don’t always accomplish God’s will no matter how well intended they are. Sometimes I need to be still and know that God is God. He is sovereign—I am not.

God is also teaching me about overcoming pain and becoming more self-disciplined. What’s a-whole-nother blog post.

Tell us about the featured book.
The Convenient Bride Collection features 10 authors and 9 stories, all centered around marriages of convenience. The novella I wrote, One Way to the Altar, was a collaborative effort with debut author Christina Linstrot Miller.

Please give us the first page of the book.
Montana, 1902
A bath. A refreshingly cool bath. That would lift her wilted spirits after this horrid journey. Please, Lord. . .

Leah Hermaning whispered the prayer. Six days on the train in a hot, stuffy passenger car, three hours in a rickety stagecoach that bounced her like a child’s rubber ball—and now she was finally here.

In the middle of nowhere.
           
The stage pulled to a bone-jarring halt, and Leah climbed out unassisted. The driver and his helper tossed down her trunk as if it didn’t contain everything precious left to her. “Here ya go, lady.”

Such rudeness! Uncle Robert would have had something to say about that. She glanced around. Now. . .where was he?

She searched the dusty street for a sign of him or Aunt Estelle. Horses tethered to hitching rails in front of water troughs, wagons clattering by on the dirt road—she was in another world, far from the comforts of Newport, Rhode Island. But somehow she’d adapt. . .

Wouldn’t she?

Now where could her aunt and uncle be?

Amid laughter and loud voices, a half dozen men burst out of the freight office and headed toward her on the boardwalk, their clothing and faces as dirty as the language spewing from their mouths.

No, Leah was certainly not in her refined Newport neighborhood anymore.

She pressed herself up against the unfinished outer wall just in time to dodge the men. No doubt she’d blend into the background as usual, despite her lavender dress and leaf-green vest. God had given her brains, not beauty, and nothing could enhance her drab-brown hair and the plainness of her face. And those men, who looked right through her as they passed, gave testimony to that fact.

Of course, she’d expected nothing more. Twenty-six years was time enough for Leah to accept her less-than-lovely looks along with the fact that she would always be a spinster. But she was in a new place now, with a new teaching position waiting, and she’d make the best of her God-given days.

And she’d do that if Uncle Robert and Aunt Estelle showed up. . . 
           
Love that opening. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Log onto my website: www.andreaboeshaar.com
Facebook: Andrea Boeshaar Author (send a friend request)
Twitter: @AndreaBoeshaar

Thank you, Andrea, for sharing this new book with us. I can hardly wait to read it. The long novel I just finished is a marriage-of-convenience story, too.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Convenient Bride Collection - Christianbook.com
The Convenient Bride Collection: 9 Romances Grow from Marriage Partnerships Formed Out of Necessity - Amazon
The Convenient Bride Collection: 9 Romances Grow from Marriage Partnerships Formed Out of Necessity - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

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 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

41 comments:

Wendy Newcomb said...

Oh yea!!!! I love these collections books, thank you for the chance to win "The Convenient Bride Collection".

Wendy from FL

wfnren at aol dot com

Brenda Arrington said...

"The Convenient Bride Collection" sounds like a must read to me. Thanks for the interview.
happygrammaof3@comcast.net

Andrea said...

Glad to hear from you, Wendy and Brenda. I think you'll enjoy this collection!

Andrea said...

And for anyone on social media and/or with blogs, I'd love to have you join "Team Andrea" and help me promote my books.

www.andreaboeshaar.com

It's easy to sign up.

Patty said...

I do love a good marriage of convenience story! Sounds like a good collection.

Patty in SC

Melanie Backus said...

Sounds great!

Melanie Backus, TX

Mary Preston said...

A lovely interview thank you. My son never played with guns.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Unknown said...

This collection sounds interesting. I would love to read them. My sons never played with guns either.

Deanna in Indiana

Cindy W. said...

Would love to win this collection. Thanks for the chance.

I live in Indiana.

Smiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.

Anonymous said...

I enjoy marriage of convenience stories. Would love to win.

Thanks, Lientjie
QLD, Australia

Angela - Bookaunt said...

I enjoy these books. Thank you for the chance to win

Angela H
St. Cloud, FL

Beth Gillihan said...

Love the first page! I enjoy these kind of books. Thanks for the chance to win!

Beth in Montana

sm said...

I enjoy collections! I agree with you that I ask the Lord to guard my words and my tongue. I often say things that come out totally wrong and are offensive to others, when I didn't mean them that way. Thanks for the post. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Melody said...

I agree with the above post, I mean well though sometimes my words come out to strong. A daily commitment it seems!

Melody from Donna, TX

Andrea said...

I think you will really enjoy it Patty.

Andrea said...

I really want to visit Southeastern Montana soon.

Andrea said...

Melody, and SM... I think we all make those mistakes where we say something well intentioned but the other person doesn't receive it that way. All we can do is hope the other person comes to us so we get a chance to explain.

Andrea said...

I think you will enjoy this particular collection Angela. There are a lot of good authors in this collection.

Andrea said...

I don't ship to Australia although I can give you a free ebook if you win. I hope that will suffice.

Andrea said...

:)

Andrea said...

:)

GrandaddyA said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...


This didn't take my last comment. The Robot wouldn't stop turning. Feeling sorry for this woman going to a strange place and finding no one to be there to pick her up. Would love to win this book. Maxie(TX) > mac262(at)me9dot)com <

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Thank you for this giveaway.
Connie from KY

susanlulu said...

What could be better than putting several great authors together for one great book?
Susan in NC
susanlulu@yahoo.com

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Looks like an awesome read, I would love the chance to win!!! Enter me!!!
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!!
Sarah from N.C.

Andrea said...

Oh, Maxie...poor Leah's troubles are just beginning.

Andrea said...

Thanks, Edward. Truly, what I stayed I meant. I love the Lord, seek to honor Him, and try to give hope to others.

Andrea said...

Sorry about the typo...should have been what I STATED I meant.

Andrea said...

Good to hear from you, Sarah and Susan.

Britney Adams said...

Thank you for sharing this lovely interview and giveaway! I am eager to read this wonderful collection!

Britney Adams, TX

Abigail Mitchell said...

Another awesome giveaway! I love these kinds of collection books, the way the pages are, pretty cool. Would love to win. Thanks for the chance!

NC

Andrea said...

Britney and Abigail...thank you for stopping by! I believe you'll enjoy reading this collection. It's fun, dramatic, sweet, and (of course) romantic. :)

rubynreba said...

This collection is amazing! Love to read the book.
Beth from IA

Melissa M. said...

Good opening. Thanks for sharing!
-Melissa M. in TN

GrandaddyA said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
GrandaddyA said...

I keep forgetting to include my name and where I'm from: Edward A in VA
I am not particularly into romance novels. However, when an author says she had a desire to write books that honor Jesus Christ and bring hope to others, I have no qualms about reading a romance novel. But I still prefer some action, suspense, etc. I would love to win this for my wife.

Anonymous said...

I have been seeing this book on other blogs and I am most excited about the thought of reading it. With all the children home for Summer vacation all day it's not as easy to find large chunck of time to read full length books. I have recently discovered novellas and I can't wait to dive head first into this one !

Deanne in Pennsylvania

Pam Graber said...

Many excellent authors included in this book. What a great way to "introduce" authors I'm not as familiar with! Thank you for the giveaway

Pam in Ohio

Merry said...

I love bride stories from all time periods, especially the pioneer years. Thanks for the giveaway!
Merry in MN