Writer Wednesday: Guest author Sandra Ardoin and a GIVEAWAY!!

Long time, no see!!

Is it feeling like FALL where you are? Our temps are not supposed to get out of the 70’s this week!

I’ve been out of pocket the last few weeks, but I’m back, and I promise I’ll continue to bring you more new authors to love!

Today I’d like to introduce my guest, author Sandra Ardoin, with an interview I conducted with her most recent main character, “Mrs. Claire Kingsley,” from her new release, Enduring Dreams, Book 1 in her “Widow’s Might” series, out NOW!

(Pssst – comment for a chance to win an ebook copy of the prequel to this novel, Unwrapping Love!)

Welcome, Mrs. Kingsley! I’ve never interviewed an architect before!

Thank you for allowing me to visit, Mrs. Merrick. You may call me Claire, and I’m happy to answer your questions today.

What is one thing about you that makes you an interesting character?

I don’t know if those in the twenty-first century would find it interesting. Possibly. You see, I’m an architect. At least, I have that dream. In your day and time, having a female in the architectural profession is not so unusual. But in 1897, very few women hail it as a career and too many men are hesitant to work with us. Even my parents have tried to dissuade me from it. At least, they aren’t like the men who label women like me—those who dare to interject themselves into the male career world—as less than feminine, unintelligent, and unimaginative. To put it bluntly, I believe working with a woman threatens them. There are exceptions. Men like my late husband and the new architect in town, Mark Gregory, welcome the chance to work with women. I used to believe my husband did, anyway. Lately, doubt was cast on that belief.

That had to hurt, on so many levels! I wish you were working in architecture today – the field is wide open for anyone with talent in their field!

So, about this fellow you mentioned . . . Are you looking for romance?

Since being widowed, I’ve been determined to remain unmarried. You see, I suffered two miscarriages during my marriage and didn’t handle it well, so I determined I would not remarry until I passed childbearing age. Then I met Mark and… But I can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to him.

Hmmm . . . I wonder what HE would say about that? But we must move along . . .

Most people/characters have a secret of some kind. Tell us something about yourself that only very few people might know. (No spoilers, please!)

Wallace, my brother, is a sweet young man. Everyone likes him. He’s naturally a friendly, enthusiastic, and positive person. He likes to laugh and make people laugh. Some people say we’re alike in that regard. However, I work hard to present a cheerful, carefree face to the world. Truthfully, I wish I were more like my brother. 

He sounds like a delightful young man. I’m sure you’re more alike than you think!

Now for a totally FUN question. Do you prefer pie or cake?

You do know how to ask the hard questions. I’ll admit to liking sweets. A woman must if she wants to be an upstanding member of the Widow’s Might circle. We meet every Sunday afternoon. Seven young widows and our widowed, older mentor, Verbenia Jensen. We’re there for support, counsel, and friendship…and dessert. Each Sunday, one of us brings something sweet. I brought brownies recently. In your day, I think you call them blondies. I got the recipe from Fannie Farmer’s new cookbook.

I’m talking too much and not answering your question, aren’t I? It’s cake.

Ha!! It is a hard question, depending on my mood, I like both!

Now for the real scoop: What would you like to tell us about your author?

Between you and me, she’s a bit odd. How else would you describe someone who sits at a desk all day long, every day of the work week while dreaming up people who don’t really exist and events that never really happen?

Did I just say I don’t really exist? Forget what I said. Like both of us, Sandra has pursued her dream, one that endures. If not for her dream, how would I have met Mark?

I must meet this “Mark!” He must be quite the gentleman!

Thank you, Mrs. Kinsley, for talking with me today. I’m sure my readers have enjoyed hearing from you, and I hope they’ll jump at the chance to win an ebook copy of Unwrapping Love, the prequel novella to your story!

About Enduring Dreams

Loving her might be a blueprint for disaster.

Claire Kingsley once dared to assert herself into the male world of 1890s architecture. It cost her husband both his life and an heir. Now fear controls her choices and her dreams. When offered a chance to create another design, she fights against the pull, afraid of further disaster. But disturbing news ignites a fierce loyalty to her past love and a powerful attraction to a new one—an attraction she resists…for his sake.

Mark Gregory’s first architectural project in town comes with the proviso that he works with a female. He balks, even though Claire stirs his heart like no other woman. Yet, with a loan payment looming, risking his business on someone of unknown talent invites failure, a word he’s struck from his vocabulary.

When bigotry and Claire’s fears threaten an important commission, will she summon the courage to help Mark succeed, or will she destroy another man’s dream?

Get Enduring Dreams and check out Sandra’s other books on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GL7ZDJT

About Sandra Ardoin

As an author of heartwarming and award-winning historical romance, Sandra Ardoin engages readers with page-turning stories of love and faith. Rarely out of reach of a book, she’s also an armchair sports enthusiast, country music listener, and seldom says no to eating out. Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com. Connect with her on her newsletter, BookBub, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

Don’t forget to comment for a chance to win Sandra’s ebook novella, Unwrapping Love. If you don’t win, you may have a chance to download it by subscribing to her newsletter!

Thanks, Sandra, for sharing your character with us! I can’t wait to read this series!

Happy Reading,

Looking for some good reads? Check out the Mosaic Collection!