The Strong Within Us
by J. A. Boulet
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GENRE: Historical Fiction
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BLURB:
A struggle. A war. The past. Would you recover?
Nathan Olason picks up the pieces of his life in 1893 and becomes a devoted father and grandfather. Except something from his past is holding him back.
His grandson, Mike grows up in a loving family with Nath almost raising him as his own. Mike develops a passion for hunting and guns, while his family supports him with trepid hearts as WWI looms.
Nath feels helpless to stop this dangerous chain of events, as Mike announces that he is joining the Great War. Armed and deadly, Mike hones his marksmanship skills to a perfection not seen in any other soldier. He is taken on a wild ride of following his passions, courage and gruesome fighting, arriving at Vimy Ridge, France for the fight of his life.
Nath fearing the worst, flees to a place that he thought was his salvation; an old weathered cottage that holds the key to his future.
Follow in the footsteps of heroes.
Be vulnerable.
Would you recover?
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Excerpt One:
She was a stunning woman with beautiful long black hair, shockingly rare blue eyes and tanned skin. She was captivating and absolutely gorgeous. Ivan thought that he didn’t have a chance until he found out that she lived down by the pier with her father. He bought fish from her father regularly, trading vegetables and grains some days. Every time Ivan visited the large fishery at the pier, he was always scanning the crowd for the beautiful blue-eyed fisherman girl. He found out that she was almost the same age as himself; she was 18, and he was 19. How she had managed to remain single was something beyond his stretch of knowledge. Maybe she was too beautiful, he thought. No man was courageous enough to approach her. Until this day, he thought.
Ivan straightened his tie and proceeded to the fishery. He ran his fingers through his hair, adjusting his cowlick. The pesky tuft of hair at his crown annoyed him greatly. It seemed to have a mind of its own, especially in tense situations; it would stick up like a fork in a haystack. Otherwise, he thought that he was quite a handsome fellow, standing at six feet tall, slim but fit, with dark blonde hair, a young uneven beard and captivating green eyes. Women looked at him often, so he knew that he was attractive, but he still felt unsure of himself some days, especially around stunning women like her. Ivan pulled the door to the fishery open, unconsciously licking his hand and smoothing down the cowlick again as he stepped inside.
Welcome, J. A. Boulet! Please start off by telling us a little about yourself.
Well, I am a single mom of two teenage boys. I was married for 14 years and am currently divorced. I had a wonderful marriage and very well-raised kids. I take being a mother and a kind person very seriously. I believe the more positive karma I can spread, the better off I will be.
I published my first book in April 2020 after many years of devoting my life to my kids and my finance career. I don’t regret anything. This is where life has led me and I’m glad I’m here.
Is The Strong Within Us a single title or part of a series?
The Strong Within Us is the second book in the series The Olason Chronicles. Some say it’s even better than the first! I was really happy to hear that because I was worried that each subsequent book might get worse, lol.
Please share your setting for The Strong Within Us. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?
The Strong Within Us takes place in Gimli (formerly New Iceland), Canada in 1893. The saga spans to 1917 WWI and has scenes in England and France as well.
I have a summer cottage in Gimli so yes, I live there for approximately a month every year. I have never been to France or England, although, I’d love to!
Gimli and the surrounding area is a beautiful raw beach area along the western shores of Lake Winnipeg. The sunsets are out of this world. You literally feel like you’ve stepped onto a different planet.
When did the writing bug first bite?
I’ve always known that I was a writer. It was never an epiphany moment or anything, I just always knew it was my path. My family members were also artistically inclined in many ways, drawing, paintings, comics and musicians. I wanted to be different, I guess.
Who are your favourite authors, book/series?
My favourite all-time author is Ken Follett. I love his characterization and historical settings. He’s my mentor for sure.
I also love Jodi Ellen Malpas, her romances are genuine, very well written and a bit dirty, but I think the naughtiest romance author in my books is Lora Leigh! Her books will leave you feeling flustered and blushing!
If you could have an author roundtable discussion with any authors, who would you invite?
First off, I would definitely invite Ken Follett. I would be thrilled to meet him. Secondly, I would invite many other historical fiction authors, including Patrick deWitt, Vanora Bennett and I would have to throw in some super amazing romance authors, including Malpas and Leigh. I can’t even describe how thrilled I would be!
What is the one thing that you would tell an inspiring writer to do?
Don’t give up. EVER. If someone tells you, it’s just a dream, don’t take it negatively. Only the brave follow their dreams.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
- J.A. Boulet is the passionate author of The Olason Chronicles, a historical saga of war, courage, love and strength. The Strong Within Us Book 2 was released on Amazon on November 11, 2020. J. A. Boulet was born and raised in Western Canada as a first-generation Canadian of European descent. Her father was enlisted with the Hungarian military and fought bravely during the Hungarian Revolution, changing sides to stand up for what he believed in. He was granted asylum in Canada and built his family here.
- J. A. Boulet was born many years later, raised with strong morals and values, which she stands behind to this day. She started writing poetry at the age of five and progressed to short stories and novels. She has a keen interest in settlers, healing, family bonds, and military history. J. A. Boulet writes with a spine-tingling realism like none other, grabbing your emotions and refusing to let go. The Strong Within Us Book 2 will be the book you’ve been waiting for.
She currently lives in Canada with her two teenaged sons and a crested gecko named Mossio. Follow her on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Reddit.
Website: https://jaboulet.ca/
Twitter link: https://twitter.com/love_walk_life
Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/jabouletauthor/
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/WnGkybvfMM4
Reddit link: https://www.reddit.com/user/NormalFemale
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Strong-Within-Us-J-Boulet/dp/1777211239
NOTE: the book will be on sale for $1.99 at Kobo during the tour
Kobo (US): https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-strong-within-us
Kobo (Canada): https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/the-strong-within-us
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-strong-within-us-j-a-boulet/1137976794
Chapters Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-strong-within-us/9781777211240-item.html
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:
- J.A. Boulet will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enjoyed the interview.
I’m happy you liked it. I tried to keep it real.
This sounds like a very good book.
Thank you. I worked hard on.these books. I hope you read it and the book exceeds your expectations.
The cover is a good fit.
Thanks! I was really pleased with the way the cover turned out. I had to go to a museum to get a decent pic of the MkII rifle. It’s a 100 yr old rifle!
I like the excerpt and cover.
Thank you! 😀
Thank you so much for hosting!
Thanks for hosting!
I love the cover. The colors and graphics are great.
Thank you! I worked hard with my cover designer to get it perfect!