Friday, November 27, 2015

A THOUSAND SHALL FALL - Andrea Boeshaar - One Free Book, Plus More

Dear Readers, Andrea has been a good friend for a number of years. We’ve written for some of the same publishers and encouraged each other in our writing lives. This is the first book in a new series for her.

Bio: Andrea Boeshaar is the cofounder of American Christian Fiction Writers and runs "The Writer's ER," a coaching service for writers. She is the author of thirty published works, including Threads of Faith, a finalist in the Inspirational Readers Choice Awards. Andrea is also the author of a popular devotional and regularly blogs on a number of sites.

Connect with Andrea: website, Twitter, Facebook

Welcome back, Andrea. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?
A Thousand Shall Fall is one of those stories that weighed heavily on my heart. I ached to write it. It began first as a Love Finds You story (Guideposts/Summerside Press) and a contract was sent to my agent at the time and me. Unfortunately the fiction line closed without all the details of my contract being ironed out. My present agent, Mary Sue Seymour, sent my proposal to Kregel Publications. Miraculously, the managing editor there shared my vision for this book and series and soon I was signing a contract with the company for a 3-book deal. The staff at Kregel—Steve, Dennis, Dawn, Leah, Noelle, and Katherine—have all been fabulous to work with. My substantive editor, Lori, has been great, too. In addition to the Kregel staff, I received valuable feedback from authors Kimberley Woodhouse, Cindy Hickey, Christina Miller, and Tracie Peterson. Without the efforts on the part of these folks, my “book baby” may not have been born.

If you teach or speak, what’s coming up on your calendar?
Yes, I teach workshops and speak at ladies’ retreats and other conferences. Presently, I have no speaking engagements lined up—which is fine. I’m immersed in setting up book signings and online media events for my novel A Thousand Shall Fall.

If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?
I would be in the foothills of South Carolina. My husband and I love the area. We feel inspired by the mountains—plus, I have a lot of friends between Greenville and Atlanta, Georgia. Here in Wisconsin, I get tired of the winter by January 2nd.

If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?
I would advise this: Take caution when choosing to independently publish your book or sign with a small publishing company. Unless you’re willing to pay a publicist, self-promotion is difficult. You don’t want to harass folks by telling them you’ve got a book release. They may sever their ties with you on social media because they are tired of seeing your two sentence gloats about your novel! Just because you Tweet it or post it every fifteen minutes does not guarantee you’ll sell a single copy. Asking your friends to write reviews helps, of course, but to a point. Publicity, I have learned, must be very strategic and far-reaching. In addition, building a platform for yourself (a large collection of readers and “followers” takes time. Start building as a writer immediately and work up to the title of “published author.” Your publisher should be willing to invest in you and help you succeed.

Tell us about the featured book.
I believe readers of historical fiction will enjoy my novel, particularly if you enjoy the Civil War era as I do.

A Thousand Shall Fall takes place in the Shenandoah Valley in 1864. Known as the “Daughter of the Stars,” the Shenandoah Valley had been defended by such Confederate heroes as General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, General Turner Ashby, General Stephen “Dod” Ramseur, and General Tom Rosser. But they lost the Valley to Union General Phil Sheridan and his Army of the Shenandoah by November 1864. This first book in my Shenandoah Valley Saga covers only the Battle of Winchester III (September 19, 1864). Book two will address the Battle of Cedar Creek (October 19, 1864) and the brave women who nursed soldiers wearing both blue and gray. But that’s the historical part. There’s also a compelling fictional story woven into this factual account.

In the autumn of 1864, spirited Carrie Ann Bell is searching for her runaway sister in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Disguised as a Yankee soldier, she stumbles into a skirmish near Front Royal—and instead of her sister, she finds trouble.

Colonel Peyton Collier of the Union cavalry division arrests her for impersonating an 
Officer, but protects her from worse consequences. Soon the Southern girl finds herself drawn to the chivalrous Yankee horseman, discovering that her foe has become her ally—and more than that, someone she could love. 

But Carrie has promised to keep a dark secret, never suspecting that her silence might threaten the life of the gallant Colonel who holds her—and her heart—captive.

Please give us the first page of the book.
August 15, 1864
Ooh, that Sarah Jane!

Carrie Ann Bell stared at her youngest sister’s sloppily scratched note. How could that girl do such a scandalous thing? Running off with a lowlife peddler? Certainly, Sarah threatened to run away numerous times in the past, but who would have thought she’d actually do it? Mama would be heartbroken when she learned the news.

Heartbroken and angry. Carrie could practically hear Mama crying and blaming her for Sarah running off. Mama would say Carrie paid more attention to Papa’s newspaper than her sisters . . .

And maybe Mama was right. But her sister Margaret was eighteen and Sarah, fifteen. They weren’t that much younger than Carrie herself. And writing for the Bell Tower in Papa’s absence had been Carrie’s refuge, a place of normalcy in a world turned topsy-turvy.

Staring at Sarah’s note, Carrie debated whether to withhold this information from Mama. Maybe she’d go looking for her youngest sister and bring her home to the Wayfarers Inn—
What an oxymoron. The Wayfarers Inn was no more a home than a damp, dark cave was an elegant mansion. Still, it was a roof over her family’s head.

Carrie paced the small newspaper office, paused, and ran one, ink-stained fingertip over the smooth surface of Papa’s desk. Surely she could catch up with Arthur Sims, that no-account speculator with whom Sarah ran off. He couldn’t have traveled far in that large, rattling contraption of his. Painted in obnoxious shades of yellow and orange, it resembled a circus wagon.

Carrie’s hand shook as sudden fire flowed through her veins. She was tempted to notify the law and file kidnapping charges against the man, except the law had better things to do than go hunting for a fast-talking swindler who rode off with a starry-eyed girl.

Love it! Where can we find you on the Internet?
Readers can log on to my website at: www.AndreaBoeshaar.com
Twitter: @AndreaBoeshaar


Thank you, Lena, for interviewing me on your blog!

It's my pleasure, Andrea. I always enjoy having you here.

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1jbj37T

The search for her runaway sister goes awry when Carrie finds herself arrested during the Civil War for impersonating an officer in Andrea Boeshaar's A Thousand Shall Fall. Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel who arrested her. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally—and more than that, someone she could love. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

Andrea is celebrating the release of A Thousand Shall Fall with a Kindle Fire giveaway!

400 - a thousand shall fall 

One grand prize winner will receive:
  • A copy of A Thousand Shall Fall
  • A Kindle Fire HD 6
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 10th. The winner will be announced December 11th on Andrea's blog.

a thousand shall fall-enterbanner

And one reader will win a copy of the book on this blog.

Thank you, Andrea, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers are eager to read the story.

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:

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this! I'd never heard of this book, but now I'm intrigued!
J.C. -Indiana-

Anonymous said...

would love to win. angela in ky

rubynreba said...

I always enjoy Civil War era books! This looks very good.
Beth from IA

Melanie Backus said...

I love the title and I would love to read this book. Thank you for the opportunity!

Melanie Backus, TX

Terrie Coleman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Terrie Coleman said...

Your book sounds wonderful and I'd love to read it.

Terrie Coleman - Texas

Mary Preston said...

Already in my sights. This promises to be a fantastic read.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Raechel said...

Great interview! And thank you for the piece of advice for writers!
Looks and sounds like a good book :)
God bless,
Raechel in MN

Anonymous said...

The cover of this book just draws you in! I love reading historicals and love the civil war period too. This would be a great book for winter reading!
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in NY

Abigail Mitchell said...

This book looks so awesome!!! Please enter me.
Blanch NC

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I love the Civil War era and I look forward to reading this book.
Blessings!
Connie from KY
cps1950 (at) gmail (dot)com

Library Lady said...

We have her books in the church library and our readers love them!
I would love to win her newest book too.
Thanks!
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida

sm said...

I enjoy Civil War Historical Fiction and visiting Shenandoah NP is on my bucket list, so this is definitely my choice of a good book to read. Thanks for your interview. Merry Christmas. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

Brenda Arrington said...

This book sounds very interesting. Would love to win it. Enjoyed the interview.
Brenda in VA

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

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

Dianna said...

I read A Thousand Shall Fall a few weeks ago - loved the beautiful character development. I'd like to win a copy to send to my grandmother!
Dianna in TN

Melissa M. said...

Sounds interesting, and I like the Civil War time period.

-Melissa in TN

Patty said...

Historical fiction is my genre of choice, so I am sure I would Love this book!

Also, I live in the upstate of SC, we would welcome you here=)

Patty in SC

Unknown said...

I am so excited to see this featured. I love this author's books and it's hard to find a great civil war fiction story. I know I'd enjoiy tis.

Deanne in PA

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

If you enjoy historical Christian fiction, I believe you'll enjoy my story. :)

Unknown said...

Then it sounds like you will enjoy my novel.

Unknown said...

Melanie and Terrie... thank you for stopping by. I think you'll enjoy my book.

Unknown said...

Thank you Mary.

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, Raechel.

Unknown said...

Oh yeah! Cozy up with my novel. It sounds like it's a book that you would enjoy!

Unknown said...

Wow, Janet, that's great to know. Thank you.

Unknown said...

Wow, Janet, that's great to know. Thank you.

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas to you also.

Unknown said...

Thank you, Deanne!

Unknown said...

Whoooo-hooooo! Thanks, Patty.

Unknown said...

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for letting me know. :-)

Unknown said...

Thank you for stopping by Brenda and Sharon.

Unknown said...

I'm glad you stopped by Melissa.

Terrill R. said...

This is a highly anticipated book for me. I love the cover.

Terrill - WA

Pam said...

I've been reading, and loving, Andrea Boeshaar's books for a lot of years! Excited to see a new one coming out. Would love to read!

Pam in OHio