A RELUCTANT MELODY - Sandra Ardoin - One Free Book

Welcome back, Sandra. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

When I began writing novels seven or eight years ago, I worked on two projects at one time—a contemporary romantic mystery and a historical romance. I had no idea where I was going with either of them, but believed God was leading me in the direction of completing the historical, so I did. The rest is (ta-da!) history.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

Walking down the aisle was a kick! I’d also say it was when my daughter was born. I was thirty-five before having a child, so marking that off my bucket list was pretty cool.

How has being published changed your life?

I wrote and published small pieces for so long in obscurity, rarely telling anyone but family what I did. In the past few years, I’ve built an online platform, but now I put myself and my work out there for everyone I know to see and judge it. Also, all the promotion cuts into my writing time. Before, I could spend most of my day on a project. These days, my time is more sharply divided and the writing time is more precious. But that’s part of the job.

My humility is tested daily. It’s wonderful to learn that people enjoyed my work—even spent money on it. We all want the back pats. But it’s also important to realize that I wouldn’t be talking about any of this without God’s grace, His words, and His plan for my life. Add to that, the many writer friends who have helped me along the way with advice, knowledge, promotion, etc.

What are you reading right now?

Does “buried under the book shelf” ring a bell? February has been a busy month, reading-wise. I do book reviews on my blog and sometimes get carried away with requesting books. At this time, I’m reading On Lonestar Trail by Amanda Cabot. Next up is Lynette Eason’s Always Watching, then Dani Pettrey’s Cold Shot. I recently finished Terri Blackstock’s new one If I Run and Don Brown’s Code 13 (review on the Suspense Sisters blog). I also finished Elaine Marie Cooper’s June release Promise of Deer Run for endorsement. Oh my! Did I just say someone wants me to endorse their book? (See above humility answer!)

What is your current work in progress?

Right now, I’m working on the first book of a proposed three-book series set in Texas in 1886/87. It’s making the rounds, but not yet contracted. I’m also brainstorming a novella series and another Christmas novella.

What would be your dream vacation?

A while back, I wrote a novella that takes place in Sydney, Australia. Never having been there, I did a great deal of research and discovered a hankering to go! So, if I thought I could survive the hours trapped on the plane, my dream vacation would be to explore various parts of Australia. Unfortunately, I think it would be like coming to the U. S. and trying to see the whole country in one trip.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

That’s a good question. It depends on the type of book, the type of characters, and the story itself. The one I’m working on now needed an unsettled area. The town is a bit rough with no church, so it had to be small and in a more western area than on the east coast. I’ve set a number of my stories in Texas, because I lived there for so long. This one takes place near what was the Great Western Cattle Trail.

However, A Reluctant Melody is set in a fictional town based on the town and area in which I live now. It takes bits and pieces from the history of various local towns.

History is its own necessity. For instance, with the book I’m writing now, I can’t have cattle and cowboys running up that cattle trail in huge numbers as they would have a few years earlier. By the time of my story, cattlemen were shipping their cattle by train and the major drives were over.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

I thought long and hard on this one. There are so many people I would love to list, but they’re no longer alive. I think I would go with Franklin Graham. His is probably the loudest voice among Christian leaders today who declare our country’s need to stand for Christ and godly principles.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

As I said, I love to garden. My husband will tell you I love to eat out (which is true!). I like to window shop or prowl around antique and craft stores. On Sundays, you’ll find me watching the NFL and/or NASCAR.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Other than the time factor, which I’ve talked about, I would say it’s the middle of the book. I’m a plantser. I plot the basics of the story and can do a synopsis, but then wing the rest. The first few chapters of the book are easy for me. When I get about fifty pages in, it starts getting harder. It’s building those fascinating bridges between the major plot points that can bog me down. The only way to overcome it is to write. Sometimes, I’ll write the scenes I know I want to do first. Then, all of a sudden, I’m seeing those bridges form.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

Persevere and grow a thick skin!

Writing for publication is not a business where you wake up one morning and decide to write a book and expect it to be finished and on the book shelves in a month or six.

Rejection is part of the process. It’s like owning a store and having a customer walk out without purchasing something. You can’t take it personally. You just didn’t have what that person wanted at the time.

Tell us about the featured book.

A Reluctant Melody is a story of redemption, forgiveness, and second chances. It revolves around Kit Barnes, a secondary character in my 2014 Christmas novella The Yuletide Angel and Joanna Stewart, a woman who believes her past makes her unworthy of the forgiveness of God and society.

Here’s the back cover copy to give you a better idea:

Kit Barnes’ alcoholism ruined more lives than his own. Now sober, he wants to make amends by opening a mission for drunkards. But the most suitable location belongs to Joanna Cranston Stewart, a love from his sordid past. 

Friends of her late husband blame Joanna for his death. Although eager to flee from the rumors, she will let the walls of her rundown property crumble around her before she allows Kit back into her life.

When a blackmailer threatens to reveal Joanna’s long-held secret, will she risk losing everything she owns to Kit … including her heart?

Please give us the first page of the book.

Joanna Stewart’s fingers waltzed across the silk covering her lap. Had the stripes of the dress fabric been piano keys, the cab of her brougham would be filled with the melody of Sullivan’s “Let Me Dream Again.”

She halted the romping digits and gripped the material of her skirt in a tight fist. Dreams. She awoke to the pain they caused years ago … after the lie of romantic love dealt its deadly blow.

A horse car rattled past on the tracks running down the middle of Broad Street. The bell dangling from the animals’ collars jingled with each plodding step.

Joanna’s driver, Liam McCall, turned onto Cleary. When the carriage stopped, she peeked out the window and scanned the dry and dusty street in front of the Stewart Broom Factory. When was the last time she’d ventured out of her house and into the midst of strangers? A month? Two? She wouldn’t be in town now if Perry’s note hadn’t stressed the importance of their meeting.

A man on a bicycle passed too close to the carriage and thumbed the bell on his contraption. Her horse shied and the brougham rocked. Joanna grabbed the window frame to brace herself.

Using coarse language and the power of brawny arms, Liam brought the animal under control. A moment later, he yanked the door open and held out his hand. “Foul things, horses. If it were up to me, I’d shoot ’em all.”

Inwardly, Joanna cringed. “Even work animals deserve our respect and compassion, Mr. McCall.” As he helped her down, his callused fingers swallowed her lace-gloved hand.

I love it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Visit me at www.sandraardoin.com and on the Seriously Write blog. Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Join my email community to receive occasional updates and a free short story.

Thank you, Sandra, for sharing this book with us. I know my readers as eager to read it as I am.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Women's Historical Fiction: A Reluctant Melody - Will she risk losing everything ... including her heart? - paperback
Christian Historical Romance: A Reluctant Melody - Will she risk losing everything ... including her heart? - 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. (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.

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THE YULETIDE ANGEL - Sandra Ardoin - One Free Ebook

BIO: Sandra Ardoin is a multi-published author of short fiction who writes inspirational historical romance. Her Christmas novella, The Yuletide Angel, releases October 2014. She’s the married mother of a young adult and lives in North Carolina.

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

My mother told me I was boring, so … I guess if there’s anything of me, it’s my belief system and how I see the world. I’m not sure I can create protagonists that see things in a different way—spiritually, etc. But I can relate well to the shyness of my heroine in The Yuletide Angel.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

The quirkiest thing I’ve ever done is probably not something I should speak about in public. J

One thing that was out of character for me happened when I visited my parents who lived on Florida’s intercoastal. Hurricane Elena struck in 1985, and we evacuated to my brother’s apartment to worry for three days over the damage done to the house. After they gave the all-clear to return to the neighborhood, we sat for hours in traffic. Once we were within a few blocks of the house, my mom broke free of the vehicle, impatient to find out if their home still stood. I yelled for her to come back. She didn’t. What could I do? Someone had to be there when the National Guard tossed her in the pokey for dodging their check point. I took off after her with an eye out for pursuing soldiers pointing guns. I’m happy to say we made it, and the house was fine. But for this law-abiding citizen, it was an adventure.

Now I and my readers are wondering about that quirkiest thing that shouldn’t be talked about I public. J When did you first discover that you were a writer?

In 1986, I made my first sale. My poster quote was purchased by Argus. It said, “Christ is the third partner in a perfect marriage.” It was all up hill after that.

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

When I was in third grade, I devoured the Little House books. In high school, I developed a love for anything by Mary Roberts Rinehart, Agatha Christie, and Phyllis Whitney. Rebecca is still my favorite classic, but I also enjoyed Jane Eyre and anything by Jane Austen. For years, gothic romance/mystery/romantic suspense was my reading mainstay—the authors above, plus Mary Higgins Clark, Elizabeth Peters, Tony Hillerman. Then I started reading more historicals, which is the direction the Lord has given me in my writing. But I still love mystery/suspense and prefer my historicals with at least a thread of such.

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

First, lists! If I write out my tasks and mark them off as I do them, I see my progress and don’t worry as much about forgetting to do something important.

Second, I try to stay on top of things. I try not to procrastinate. It gets on my nerves.

Third, I relax at night. After supper and the dishes are done, I try to chill out watching TV or reading.

How do you choose your characters’ names?

They need to fit the time period. I have an aversion to reading obvious contemporary names in a 19th century-set novel. However, I’ve learned that some names we might consider contemporary are not so much. One source I’ll use is www.galbithink.org/names/us200.htm to find names.

I kept my baby name book to use for first names. I’ll use the phone book, or lists by country, for last names. Mark McCutcheon’s Building Believable Characters has a great list toward the back of the book. And it depends upon the setting. So many places in North Carolina (and Texas, for that matter) were settled by Germans and Scotch-Irish. Last names can reflect that.

I love to dig through past documents for names—for instance, marriage records. I came up with some wonderful ones in a Texas marriage document from the mid-1800s. There were names like Reason, Green, Valentine (all men), Sophronia, Easter, Delaney (all women). Now, Delaney is one that sounds more contemporary, doesn’t it?

Last, but not least, they have to fit my idea of the appearance and personality of the character. Violet Madison, my heroine in The Yuletide Angel, is very shy, which brought to mind “Shrinking Violet.”

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Violet learns that we have to be careful of the “pride” thing, so let’s say that I’m thrilled each time my writing finds a home, but I try to keep it in perspective.

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

A quarter horse. I love horses—always have, always will.

What is your favorite food?

Mexican. I miss Tex-Mex, but I’ve gotten accustomed to the white-cheese queso served in North Carolina restaurants.

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

Frankly, it’s something I’m still working on—wordiness, or not writing tight. Why say something in three words when I can say it in six?

Tell us about the featured book.

The Yuletide Angel is a Christmas novella set in 1890.

Here’s the summary:

It's Christmastime in 1890s Meadowmead, and someone is venturing out at night to leave packages at the homes of the needy. Dubbed The Yuletide Angel, no one knows the identity of this mysterious benefactor.

No one, except Hugh Barnes, a confirmed bachelor who finds himself drawn to the outwardly shy but inwardly bold Violet Madison, a young woman who risks her safety to help others.

When Violet confesses her fear of eviction from her childhood home, Hugh longs to rescue her. His good intentions are thwarted, however, when Hugh's estranged brother shows up in town ... and in Violet's company.

But Violet faces an even bigger threat. A phantom figure lurks in the shadows, prepared to clip the wings of The Yuletide Angel.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Hugh Barnes hid behind the winter skeleton of an oak tree near the rundown house on Kelsey Street and watched a shadowy figure creep up the porch steps. By the dull beam of the cloud-covered moon, he distinguished more movement than features. He needed no light to discern who skulked outside the widow’s clapboard house. According to local accounts, he was witnessing a visit by The Yuletide Angel.

After opening the front door and leaving a flour sack bulging with good will, the angel tiptoed away. At the road, she turned and swept back toward town, her dark skirts swaying with her quick, bold steps.

Hugh blew a warm breath on his cold hands and stepped out from behind the tree. He kept his distance, but made certain the town’s Christmas-season Samaritan remained in sight as she delivered food to someone else in need. He frowned as the crisp, December air bit his face. A bout of insomnia had led him to his bedroom window in time to see her leave her home well after midnight. Curiosity caused him to follow.

Violet Madison, his shy neighbor, was The Yuletide Angel. He could scarcely take it in.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Visit me at www.sandraardoin.com and on the Seriously Write blog. Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

The Yuletide Angel, is available for pre-order on Amazon.

Thank you, Sandra, for sharing this new Christmas book with us.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.

The Yuletide Angel

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