THE ORCHARD HOUSE - Heidi Chiavaroli - One Free Print Book No matter Where the Winner Lives

Welcome back, Heidi. Why do you write the kind of books you do? I write dual timeline (or time-slip) women’s fiction. I love a good contemporary story, but I love a good historical story as well. I get the best of both worlds in writing time-slip! My stories often deal with heavier themes and topics and are always based on a real piece of history. My goal as a writer is to shine light and hope into the darkness. I’m a firm believer in not shying away from the hard, but facing it head-on, trusting God to be enough to conquer the heavy.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life? Definitely the day I married my husband. He was the least likely person I ever thought I’d marry, and yet the most perfect for me. Celebrating our marriage with family and friends will always be one of the happiest days of my life.

How has being published changed your life? I’d been pursuing publishing for more than a decade when I received my first contract. Being published changed how I viewed my writing. I was actually accountable to someone now. My publisher was depending on me to meet deadlines and write an entertaining story (yikes!). Another change has come over the last year, when I’ve been able to work less at my outside job as a pharmacy technician at Walmart and more at home writing. That has been an incredible blessing, especially during the pandemic and with having my teen boys home so much!

It took me 8 years to receive my first contract.What are you reading right now? Kristin Hannah’s The Four Winds. So good! Up next is Susan Meissner’s The Nature of Fragile Things, ’Til I Want No More by Robin W. Pearson, and Carrie Turansky’s No Journey Too Far.

What is your current work in progress? I’m working on editing my first book in my first series! I found myself pretty sad to think of leaving the world of Louisa May Alcott, so I found a way I didn’t have to. This series will be Little Women meets contemporary coastal Maine with a few surprising twists and turns. While this will be a bit of a departure from my time slip stories, I’m already falling in love with these characters and I hope readers will too. I’ll be releasing the first book this April, 2021.

What would be your dream vacation? Tuscany…or anywhere in Italy! I’ve always wanted to go. I’d love to see the villages, and hike that beautiful seaside, and eat all the food. (With a last name like Chiavaroli, it’s a must, don’t you think?)

Of course, it is. How do you choose your settings for each book? I love exploring places in Massachusetts and New England that whisper of historical secrets. Whether it’s the Freedom Trail in Boston or Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, these places compel me to research and find out about the real life people behind them. When I visit, my imagination comes alive. That’s where my stories are born.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why? Oh, this is a tough one! Just one, huh? I think I’d have to pick Francine Rivers. She’s just my all-time favorite author. I’d love to pick her brain, get to know her, and maybe glean some wisdom from her. There’s not many people who would make me star struck, but she’s definitely one!

I’ve met her and spent some time with her at a conference. I’m like you. But she is a very modest person and easy to talk to. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading? I love to hike wherever I can. In the summer, you can find me anywhere near the water. I just love soaking up all of God’s beautiful nature! Going on out-to-eat dates with hubby is pretty fun, too.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it? The days when I am just not feeling it or I don’t feel inspired to write that next scene. I suppose it sounds kind of simple, but I overcome it by just doing it. I set a certain number of words that need to be completed by the end of the day, and I do it. One time, my kitchen was a disaster area (I’m a little OCD about a decently clean house) and I did not let myself clean until all my words were done. That was pretty good motivation for me, although ice cream might work better for some. ;)

What advice would you give to a beginning author? If you really want this writing thing, decide you want it and persevere. Know it’s not easy and is actually a lot more work than you’re probably thinking it’s going to be (and you probably won’t get a contract after writing that first manuscript), but it is so worth it. Writing can be learned, and we can all improve! So do the work and decide your dream is worth the effort.

Tell us about the featured book. The Orchard House is about two estranged sisters who are wading through a decades-old betrayal. They discover a book of poems on the property of Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House, and discover the woman behind them, as well as the friendship she shared with Louisa, born during Louisa’s time as a nurse in The Civil War. Through the centuries-old story the sisters unearth, they begin to find forgiveness and a place to belong.

Please give us the first page of the book.

I used to imagine my mind a room in confusion, and I was to put it in order. ~ LMA Taylor

CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS

July, 1995

Thirteen isn’t quite grown-up, but it’s old enough for a girl to realize that hope can be a dangerous thing.

The first time I realized this I was no more than four. My mother had dropped me off with Uncle Rob. This wasn’t unusual, but this time, she was gone more than two sleeps. Longer than she had ever been gone.

When I asked my uncle when she’d be back, he only shrugged and said, “You better hope soon, kid.”

Hope.

I did that a lot back then. Each morning when I woke, throwing my threadbare blanket off my shoulders and rolling off the couch to search the small rooms of Uncle Rob’s apartment, but finding the woman in his bed was not my mom. Each night, when I fell asleep, thinking if I only hoped hard enough, and maybe held my breath real tight while I did it, that my mother would appear by morning.

But time and time again, hope failed. And still, it seemed, I didn’t learn. Not after I found my mom’s obituary on Uncle Rob’s fold-up kitchen table where I’d left my precious copy of Little Women when I was eight, not after the police came and hauled him off to jail when I was eleven, and not when I found myself in the vicious grip of the foster care system a short time later.

And then, a year ago, the Bennetts took me in. And I found hope again. Only this time it was a fragile, frayed thing—a lot like the toothbrush I had growing up that Uncle Rob never remembered to replace.

Victoria Bennett had been my best friend since we were seven years old, and now, she was my sister. Her parents gave me new toothbrushes and Nike sneakers and love as much as they were able. They gave me a chance to go to Jo March Writing Camp at Orchard House, a place Victoria and I had become obsessed with. All those years of immersing myself in the world of Jo March, imagining what it would be like to have a family, to have even just one sister….to belong.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: www.heidichiavarol.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeidiChiavaroli.Author

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidichiavaroli/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/heidi-chiavaroli

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16080793.Heidi_Chiavaroli

Thank you so much, Lena!

It’s my pleasure to feature you and your book on my blog. I’m eager to read my copy.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/2OeUPz4 - Paperback

https://amzn.to/3uQCnO5 - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (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, 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 

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

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (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, 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