THE TEA CHEST - Heidi Chiavaroli - One Free book

Welcome, Heidi. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I never purposefully write any of myself into my characters, but I inevitably show up in them! My goal is to write authentically of whatever character I’m creating—whether that’s a contemporary character with a painful childhood and a goal of becoming America’s first female Navy SEAL or a historical character in love with a man on the “wrong” side of her family’s political views, I try to keep myself out of their way. To me, having an agenda or purposely trying to insert my views into a character taints the story. Instead, I try to actually put myself in their shoes and leave mine behind. I definitely don’t do this perfectly, but that’s my goal.

That’s what I try to do, too. And I welcome God to insert into the story what He wants there. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

That has to do with writing or just in general? J I’m not sure if this qualifies as quirky, but on a recent research trip, my mom and I stopped for lunch at a café. We were trying to brainstorm story ideas. Before we received our meals, my mom went to the restroom. When she came back, she leaned over and whispered in a conspiratorial manner, “I think you should go to the bathroom.”

“Excuse me?” I asked, thinking I must have heard wrong. But then she explained that there was a sign on the back of the single restroom door that might give me a story idea.

So I brought my phone in the bathroom (this is the quirky part for me, because I’m a big germ freak!) and snapped a picture of the sign. Turns out my mom was right. That sign did give me a story idea (though readers will have to wait until 2021 to find out what it is!).

Quirkier still was contacting the owner of the café and asking for permission to use the wording on the sign!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Probably right around third grade when I started my debut masterpiece titled I’d Cross the Desert for Milk. Unfortunately, as I grew older, I cast off the idea of writing as impractical. It wasn’t until I became a stay-at-home mom that I revisited the idea.

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

I love reading what I write—women’s fiction, split time, and historical novels. I also love general fiction, both general market and Christian. I always want to venture into psychological thrillers because I’m fascinated by the human brain and psychology and even the weird sometimes, but I end up chickening out before I open the book! Maybe someday . . .

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

Great question, and one I’m not sure I’m qualified to answer! I do know that if I don’t have some quiet time in the morning, I become a useless ball of stress. I also schedule a run or a short hike in the middle of my writing day to help me stretch out and recuperate, both mentally and physically.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

Depending on the time period, I look up the top 100 names that were popular during the period my character was born. By then, I already have a basic idea of who my character is and I wait for a name to jump out at me—one that just seems to “fit” with my character.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

The first one that comes to mind is getting a contract with my dream publisher, but really, that was all God and looking back, a total miracle. I suppose I’m proud of all the hard work and persevering (through many rejections and bad contest scores) I did through it all, though.

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

Definitely a bird so I could fly! (I’ve been a bit obsessed with the idea of flying since I was a kid.)

What is your favorite food?

Lasagna and homemade chocolate cake with what my family calls “love” frosting. Unfortunately, I’m on a pretty strict food plan right now to combat some autoimmune issues, so I’ve been enjoying other comfort foods—like rice noodles and kale with “breaded” paleo chicken, and once in a while, when I want to splurge, maple-glazed walnuts (super easy to make and super yummy!).

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Definitely finding my writing voice. That was hard! At the beginning, I tried to learn and obey all the rules while also telling my unique story. It took a long time to find that place of honesty and authenticity, that place where I could simply tell a story without worrying how it sounded or what other people would think of it. But once I did, it felt like flying. Like this was what I was meant to do. Total freedom.

I understand. Early on, when someone published told me that I should do it “this” way. I would try and feel in bondage. Now I know what works for me and I teach others to find what works for them.Tell us about the featured book.

The Tea Chest

Boston, 1773

Emma Malcolm’s father is loyal to the crown, but Emma’s heart belongs to Noah Winslow, a Patriot. Her father has promised her hand to Samuel Clarke, forcing her to give up Noah and the friends who are like family to her—as well as the beliefs she has come to embrace.

After Emma is drawn into the Boston Tea Party, Samuel blackmails her with evidence condemning each participant, including Noah. Emma realizes she must do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means giving up the life she desires and marrying Samuel.

Present Day

Lieutenant Hayley Ashworth is determined to be the first woman inducted into the elite Navy SEALs. But before her dream can be realized, she must return to Boston in order to put the abuse and neglect of her childhood behind her. When an unexpected encounter with the man she once loved leads to the discovery of a tea chest and the document hidden within, she wonders if perhaps true strength and freedom are buried deeper than she first realized.

Two women, separated by centuries, must find the strength to fight for love and freedom . . .

and discover a heritage of courage and faith.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Prologue

HAYLEY

Naval Special Warfare Training Center

Coronado, California

The bell was beautiful.

Brass, harboring a thousand hidden stories, it reminded me of the Liberty Bell in Independence Hall—of the one time, pre–military life, that I’d left my Massachusetts hometown, the only man who’d ever earned my respect beside me.

Somehow, my uncle Joe knew. He knew I’d needed to get away from it all. From the silvery peels of losing scratch tickets and broken rum bottles on the scratched wood of our coffee table, hope transferred to dirty needles, caps off, lying beside them.

My mother, Lena, passed out on the couch, the logo of her Happy Helpers Housekeeping uniform just visible beneath the shiny drool along her chin.

I’d needed to get away from the screaming late at night.

The knife I kept beside my bed in case one of her boyfriends came in . . . again.

The wondering if I’d ever have enough guts to use the knife if it meant protecting myself.

After that trip to Philadelphia, after seeing that cracked, ancient, glorious bell, after listening to the classified stories disguised in fictional form that my uncle Joe used to instill hope, after exploring the exciting beginnings of our country, after knowing he believed in me . . . well, I didn’t wonder anymore.

The first time I pulled the knife on Lena’s boyfriend, he’d slipped into my room, his cheap cologne filling the thick summer air. His steps came heavy as I pretended to sleep, my hand curled around the knife, waiting for the heat of his hand to graze my bare thigh and inch upward. From experience, I knew what would come next. But instead of succumbing to it, instead of praying that it would all just end quickly, this time, Uncle Joe’s stories came to mind. His words.

“Your worth is not in where you come from, Hayley. Your worth is what you already have inside of you—what God put there from the very beginning—the will to live, the will to fight. No one can take that away from you. You have a say in how your life goes.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

My website is probably the best place (http://www.heidichiavaroli.com  ). Stop by and get a free short story! I’m also on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/HeidiChiavaroli.Author/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/heidichiavaroli/), Goodreads, and BookBub. Hope to see you there!

Thanks for having me, Lena!

Thank you, Heidi, for sharing this book with my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read the book. It’s at the top of my to-be-read pile. I always want to read books with characters named Lena in them, but more than that, this story has already drawn me in.

Readers, here are links to the book.

The Tea Chest - Christainbook.com
The Tea Chest - Amazon paperback
The Tea Chest - Kindle

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