During the Nome, Alaska gold rush of 1900, a man with a tragic past sends for a sober-minded bride to help him raise his young nephews, but he receives a cheery and adventuresome woman who tests his determination to hold her at arm’s length.Before we meet today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the free copy of The Sleuth's Dilemma, by Kimberly Rose Johnson, is:
paulalipper@...
Congratulations! We'll get your book right out to you. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to learn about new releases! U.S. subscribers are entered in the drawings a second time when they comment.
And now let's meet novelist Sandra Ardoin, author of the historical romance, A Love Most Worthy (Independently Published by Sandra Ardoin, February 2019).
As an author of heartwarming and award-winning historical romance, Sandra Ardoin engages readers with page-turning stories of love and faith. Her novel A Reluctant Melody won the 2016 Grace Award, and she’s been both encouraged and humbled by the responses to it and her novella, The Yuletide Angel. A Love Most Worthy is her third published book and is available in e-book on Amazon.Rarely out of reach of a good read, Sandra is also an armchair sports enthusiast, country music listener, and seldom says no to eating out.
Please tell us one random thing we might not know about you.
When I was young and single, my motto was “Love me, love my horse,” because, hey, you didn’t get one without the other. I won’t mention how long I stayed single.
Well, I hope you stuck to your guns. Or, at least to your horse. I assume a good horse-loving man can be hard to find.
Please tell us a bit more about the plot of A Love Most Worthy.
Hallie Russell believes life should be lived to the fullest. For that reason, she sails to the gold rush town of Nome, Alaska to take her cousin’s place as the mail-order bride of a respected shopkeeper. But when her aloof husband’s wedding-night announcement rocks her plans for their marriage, Hallie sees her desire for a family to call her own vanish as quickly as the dreams of hopeful miners.Tragedy led Rance Preston to repent of his rowdy ways and open a general store for the miners in Nome. He’s content in his bachelorhood, but his two orphaned nephews deserve a proper and serious-minded mother. Duped once by a vivacious female, he’s determined to never again let his heart overrule his head…until the high spirits of his new bride threaten his resolve.
When a misunderstanding comes to light, will they allow the gale force winds of insecurity to destroy what they each need most?
What is it about your lead characters that will make your readers care about them?
Hallie is spirited and embraces adventure, however, all she really wants is to be a cherished part of a family. Rance’s attitude reinforces the belief instilled by her father that she’s of no more value than the cook stove.
For Rance’s part, his past won’t allow him to trust his own judgment, and he won’t risk the safety of his nephews—again.
Who is one of your favorite fictional characters?
The one who sticks out to me is Bane from Elizabeth Camden’s Against the Tide. He’s a dangerous and mysterious prankster. I love that whenever he’s near Lydia’s desk, somehow, things get moved around. It drives the OCD heroine crazy.
What a fun personality conflict.
What is the last novel you read that you would recommend?
I recently finished Nancy Mehl’s new novel, Mind Games. It’s different from the typical “romantic suspense” and had me guessing the whole way, taking various twists and turns. I’ve read a number of her books and, in my opinion, this is the best.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on a historical romance Christmas novella. I’m also developing a plan to release it in the fall as the prequel to a series of three additional novels.
Where else can readers find you online?
I hang out on my website at www.sandraardoin.com as well as on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Be sure to follow me on BookBub to get my new release alerts and my reading recommendations.
Readers, I also recommend that you become part of the Love and Faith in Fiction newsletter community to keep up to date on what I’m working on, along with fun tidbits and specials.
The book can be purchased online via the following button:
Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?
For discussion purposes, have you ever passed over a book because a hero or heroine had a name that really turned you off? How important are names to you when it comes to your interest in the character and the overall impression you have of him/her? (Sorry. That’s two questions.)
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Trish. What great questions! Readers, I look forward to interacting with you here today and other places online in the future. If you’re attending the Christian Fiction Reader’s Retreat in April, be sure to locate me and say hello.
Thank you, Sandra, for visiting and telling us about yourself and your book. Readers, Sandra has offered to give away a free e-copy of her novel. To enter, leave a comment and your email below in answer to Sandra's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Remember that U.S. subscribers are entered an additional time in each drawing. The drawing is done by email, so leave your email address, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.
Only United States residents are eligible for the drawing, but anyone can subscribe to the blog posts via the GDPA-compliant Feedblitz box above my list of books, at right.
Also readers, I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post title.
Remember, if you'd like information on additional new releases, check out Christian Book Heaven, an email newsletter for Christian book deals in whatever genres you select. You can subscribe here: ChristianBookHeaven
Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer, GDPA notice, and my Disclosure of Material Connection HERE
18 comments:
Yay! Thanks so much
I have not passed.over a book because of the characters names. James are not that important to me. fishingjanATaolDOTcom
Thanks for visiting, Paula!
Jan, yes, covers and titles are so important to help the reader know genre and give a little hint into the story. It's certainly not good when they're misleading. Thanks for giving your thoughts!
I have not passed on a book with an unusual name but it bothers me when it is unpronounceable. It breadks the flow of the story, especially if there is not a pronunciation guide.
I am reading Elizabeth Camden’s newest book now! So interesting. I’m also reading one of Sandra’s on my kindle. A Reluctant Melody is great!
I read Mind Games and it was mind blowing! Great also!
Thanks, paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet
Hi, Titles and Covers catch my eye right away, then i read the introduction of the book, your book sounds and looks very interesting. Nice to meet you. aliciabhaney@sbcglobal.net
Hey, Paula! Thanks so much for reading A Reluctant Melody, and I'm so glad to know you're liking it! :)
I agree about unpronounceable names. It seems that happens most in Sci-Fi. It also take me out of the story in other genres, when the character has a name that's easily pronounceable but spelled in an odd way.
I haven't read Elizabeth's new one, but I'll get to it!
Thanks, Licha! Nice to meet you, too! :) When I see a book on a shelf (spine-side out), it's the title that catches my eye, then, like you, it's the cover and blurb that make the sale, sometimes the author.
No. Character names are the authors choice and work fine for me. I like an eye catching cover but the blurb has to interest me too.
Hi Deanna! Honestly, when I look for character names in my resources, there are some that I won't use for a hero or heroine, strictly due to personal preference. It's good to know that books aren't rejected for that reason, because like everything else, names are subjective. :)
I have never passed over a book because of a name but I am guilty of passing over some books by looking at the cover. Most of the time I will read the blurb but sometimes I am completely turned off by the cover and continue looking for something better.
wfnren at aol dot com
Thanks, Wendy! I have to say I've done the same.
Character names are not that important to me. Nearly every name can bring back memories of someone with a particular name that you liked or disliked but I don’t let that influence me. Who they are portrayed in the story and how it relates to the storyline is more important. If I can’t pronounce a character’s name I make up a pronunciation in my mind and that works fine for me. I’m strictly a visual reader and never rely on audio, my mind wanders too much so that doesn’t play into it either. Also, I love reading books based in Alaska! It’s on my bucket list to visit someday.
tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com
Gail Hollingsworth
Thanks for your thoughts on names, Gail. I've never really tried audio books, but like you, I think my mind would wander too much. I'd start doing something while listening and miss half the story! :)
I hope you get to make that trip to Alaska!
Character names are not an important part of the story.
Thanks, Caryl.
I have to agree that covers and blurbs have more initial impact on me than do names. The comments about audio are interesting with regard to names. I listen to audiobooks during my daily walking or during long drives. So there have been cases where I hear a name pronounced without seeing how it’s spelled, unless I look it up.
So it was, when I read Jane Eyre via audiobook, that I learned the British name “St. John” is pronounced SINjun. I actually pictured it as Sinjun as I listened, lol.
What an interesting story! Sounds like he got more than he bargained for. Vivian Furbay jtandviv (at) q (dot) com
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