I’m really excited about today’s guest! I recently read and reviewed (for a magazine) and LOVED her debut novel, Freedom’s Ring.
Heidi Chiavaroli is a writer, runner, and grace-clinger who could spend hours exploring Boston’s Freedom Trail. She writes women’s fiction and won the 2014 ACFW Genesis contest in the historical category. Her debut novel, Freedom’s Ring, releases from Tyndale House Publishers in August 2017. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle. Visit her online at HeidiChiavaroli.com.
You can connect with Heidi on Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads and Twitter.
Her debut novel, FREEDOM’S RING, releases August 8, 2017 from Tyndale House.
Boston, 2015
Two years after nearly losing her life in the Boston Marathon bombing, Annie David is still far from “Boston strong.” Instead she remains isolated and defeated―plagued by guilt over her niece, crippled in the blast, and by an antique ring alongside a hazy hero’s face. But when she learns the identity of her rescuer, will he be the hero she’s imagined? And can the long-past history of the woman behind the ring set her free from the guilt and fears of the present?
Boston, 1770
As a woman alone in a rebellious town, Liberty Caldwell finds herself in a dangerous predicament. When a British lieutenant, Alexander Smythe, comes to her rescue and offers her employment, Liberty accepts. As months go by, Alexander not only begins to share his love of poetry with her, but protects Liberty from the advances of a lecherous captain living in the officers’ house where she works.
Mounting tensions explode in the Boston Massacre, and Liberty’s world is shattered as her brother, with whom she has just reunited, is killed in the fray. Desperate and alone, she returns home, only to be assaulted by the captain. Afraid and furious toward redcoats, Liberty leaves the officers’ home, taking with her a ring that belonged to Alexander.
Two women, separated by centuries, must learn to face their fears. And when they feel they must be strong, they learn that sometimes true strength is found in surrender.
Hi Heidi! Welcome to the blog! I start all of my guests out with a fast four:
Heidi: Apples! Because they’re so versatile. One of our household favorites is German apple pancakes. Yum!
Carrie: Oh yum! That sounds divine!
Heidi: Summer, because the beach when it’s warm is my favorite place. 🙂
Carrie: I’m not really a beach-person but I do love the ocean and just listening to the waves crash on the shore.
Heidi: Dogs, because I’m allergic to all cats, but not all dogs. We have a standard poodle named Howie who never makes me sneeze!
Carrie: YAY for dogs! And for no sneezes 😉
Heidi: Definitely tea. I have a dairy sensitivity and I just don’t like coffee without the cream. I love a good cup of chamomile tea plain, though.
Carrie: I have never liked either one but I’ve always loved the idea of chamomile tea because I read about it so often lol.
Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?
Heidi: I would definitely choose a superpower that allowed me to travel back in time. And return safely to 2017, of course.
Carrie: Well, of course. That should be a requirement of any time-traveling superpowers 😀
Which books are ‘on your nightstand’?
Heidi: A Fragile Hope by Cynthia Ruchti, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate, Perfect Strangers by Roseann Sdoia, A Bridge Across the Ocean by Susan Meissner, The Illusionist’s Apprentice by Kristy Cambron, and once Kristin Hannah comes out with a new book, that will be there too. 🙂
Carrie: Ahhhh!! So many of my faves! Excellent reading choices!
Writing spaces are as diverse as authors and books. Where is your favorite space to write?
Heidi: At the breakfast bar in my kitchen. There’s tons of natural light, which is a must for me while I write (or while I do anything, really!). If it’s cold I wrap myself up with a blanket and a cup of tea and I’m good to go.
Carrie: Natural light is very soul-satisfying, isn’t it?
In Freedom’s Ring, the story slips back and forth between Boston, 1770 and Boston, 2015. What do Liberty (1770) and Annie (2015) have in common?
Heidi: Both Annie and Liberty share the struggle of regret and fear. Annie wonders how she will ever get past the bombing and the subsequent choices she made. Liberty fears she will have to face the man she stole a ring from—a man who showed her nothing but kindness.
Carrie: I love both of these heroines, and Liberty’s story nearly undid me. So captivating!
If you could slip back in time for a brief (or extended) visit, where would you go?
Heidi: Oh my, this is just the best question ever, and probably the most difficult! There are so many places I would want to go, but first I’d definitely want to check out Israel at the time Jesus ministered there. How cool would that be?! Then I would want to swing by colonial Boston. I’ve spent so much time there in my head, I’d want to see the real deal. Italy during the Renaissance would be another must-see. 🙂
Carrie: All of those places would be must-visits for me, too! Also, a stop or two on the Underground Railroad and visiting with the ten Booms during WW2.
What do you most want readers to take away from Freedom’s Ring?
Heidi: That being weak, being inadequate, isn’t a bad thing. In fact, as soon as we think we’ve “gotten it right,” then we often stumble on our pride. We often think we can look to ourselves for strength. Or if not ourselves, then our great faith. But maybe it’s not how together we have it, or even how big our faith is. Maybe it’s whom we put our faith in. Jesus is strong enough to take all our regrets and mess and make them into something beautiful.
Carrie: Oh yes. Amen.
Thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! 🙂 Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you.
Heidi: My next novel also has a dual contemporary/historical story line and will be releasing with Tyndale in the summer of ’18. The story explores what happens when a family is torn apart by the unspeakable actions of one of its members—and how a woman from the past helps them to heal. The historical story will take readers back to the Revolutionary War and will focus on a real historical character—a woman who served as a spy for the Patriots. I’m eager to share it with you!
Thank you so much for having me, Carrie!
Carrie: Come back anytime! (And I cannot wait for your next book!)
Heidi Chiavaroli and Tyndale House are offering a copy of Freedom’s Ring to one of my readers! (US only) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
Fun interview, Carrie and Heidi! This book sounds fascinating. I’d love to time travel–as long as I could get back again quickly when I wanted to. 😀
Thank you for your kind words, Winnie! Yes, getting back is a must. lol!
😀
Great interview and I can’t wait to read the book. It’s on my Amazon wish list. I loved Boston when I visited the city and the colonial time period is quickly gaining ground in my favorites list.
Thank you so much, Haley! I think this time period may be making a comeback–a very exciting thing. 😉
I love the history in any book and this one has a lot. This book looks so exciting and interesting.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn! Yes, I love history! When I think about the real people who experienced the past it just gives me shivers…good ones. 😉
Thank You for the interesting interview . Heidi’s book looks wonderful.
I like the strong focus on faith, and I find the dual contemporary and historical storyline very intriguing.
Thank You for giveaway.
Thank you, Jackie! I think the popularity of time-slip is really increasing, which I’m also excited to see. 🙂
I so enjoyed the interview, Carrie & Heidi! Freedom’s Ring sounds intriguing! I can’t wait to read it.
Hey Cynthia! I hope you like it!
I love the way it brings the past to the present using both time periods to tell a story.
Thank you, Kay! Yes, that is one of my favorite thing about time-slips! So fun. 🙂
I love getting know authors! Heidi actually sent me an ARC of this book a while ago, sadly it went to my non-English speaking neighbor’s house by mistake. Happily, their son came home over the 4th of July weekend and brought it to me! Thankfully, they keep everything that doesn’t belong to them in a box for the son to deal with when he comes to visit.
I’m reading it now. It’s SO GOOD!
Hey Andrea! What a story in itself the journey of the ARC is. So funny! I am so, so glad you like it!
It’s very clever to tie the “two Bostons” together in this kind of a story. Can’t wait to read it!
Rebecca, thank you so much for your kind words!
Thank you so, so much for having me today, Carrie!! It is such an honor to be here!
my absolute pleasure! 🙂
I like that “Freedom’s Ring” takes place in current day Boston and 1770’s Boston. The historical aspect makes it sound like a great read.
Thank you, Dianne! I do hope readers like the time-slip aspect of the story. 🙂
I love reading historicals and I think the time slip aspect is intriguing. The Boston location is perfect!
Yes, Merry! I LOVE all things Boston!
I love the historical period that the story takes place.
I’m so glad to hear that, MH! Though I love all history, this period is especially close to my heart.
Great Interview! I’m looking forward to reading Freedom’s Ring soon.
Thank you, Trisha! I hope you like it!
I love historical fiction, especially ones set around the Revolutionary war. Can’t wait to read it!
So great to hear that, Kailey! I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
I am interested how you can get unity in the plot between the centuries. BTW, I’ve got Before We Were Yours on the hold list at the library as I want to read that too.
Awesome, Stacy! That one’s next on my reading list.
The unity in the plot is definitely the most challenging aspect of a time-slip. I’m actually working on a blog post that goes a bit deeper into what that process looked like with Freedom’s Ring. It wasn’t easy, and I hope to improve as I continue to write more of these books, but I do hope and pray that readers find it satisfying.
Thank you so much for stopping by, and for your comment! Enjoy Before We Were Yours!
Thanks, Carrie and Heidi, for the interview. Freedom Rings sounds like a good read…it’s on my TBR pile, for sure. I love books that slip back and forth into different eras. Here’s hoping.
Sorry! Freedom’s Ring.
LOL! I didn’t even notice–probably because it’s 9:30 at night!
Thank you for your kind words, Anne, and for stopping by!
Dual timeline! And 1770! That’s enough right? ? Great interview and congratulations on your book!
Awww, thanks so much, Nancy!! I’m so glad to see everyone’s excited response to the colonial time period. Woohoo! 😉
I love time-split stories! I met Heidi last summer and she told me about her book. I’m very eager to read it!
Hi Carrie!! Thank you so much for your encouragement! Your kind words mean a lot to me. 😉
Freedom Ring sounds very interesting with dual stories in the past and present. The Boston marathon bombing was horrible and the people really suffered. There were several heroes in this.
You are absolutely right, Vivian. I was so inspired by the real life heroes, and by the victims who refused to be seen as such. I just finished Roseann Sdoia’s “Perfect Strangers.” Her book highlights a few of the amazing people who ran in the direction of the hurting, instead of away from it. I admire her determination to bring good out of the evil done that day. I hope this is one theme that comes across in Freedom’s Ring.
Thank you so much for your kind words, and thank you for stopping by!
What interests me is how the author will tie the two different eras together.
Arletta, it was definitely a challenge, but I pray it comes together in a satisfying way for the reader. I am currently working on a blog that goes into this a bit further. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Another great interview and another book to add to my TBR stack.
Thank you, Jeanne!
I love historicals and this one that goes between periods of history sounds fascinating. Thanks for reviewing yet another great sounding book!
Thank you for stopping by, Paula!
Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this book!
Awww, thank you Sarah! I hope you enjoy it!
oh yeah… i was supposed to send you my extra copy, wasn’t i? lol.
Boston is one of my favorite cities. There is so much to do and see. Having family working in the area was a tough one. I remember calling my sister to make sure the family was okay.
I love the name of the book that is on my TBR list.
That must have been so scary, Sonnetta…especially with your sister. One of the closest people to me is my sister–I think that’s why I chose to write the contemporary story as I did.
I hope you enjoy it. Thank you so much for stopping by!
fun interview. this sounds like a wonderful read. I love how it brings two different yet same women together in circumstances.
Thank you, Lori!
Fabulous interview, Carrie and Heidi! The dual time line set in Boston is intriguing. I’m excited to read this one!
Thank you, Caryl! So great to meet you here, and on Facebook!
This is a new author to me, and I would love to win the book. ? Thanks for the opportunity to do so.
Hey Evangeline! This is my debut novel, so I’m probably new to a lot of people, but I’m so excited to meet you all! Thank you for stopping by. 🙂
I think it’s interesting that the author intertwined a historical thread with the Boston marathon.
Thank you, Dianna!
I like reading about Boston not counting it’s got to be interesting to read about the marathon. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love Boston, and I love running (only have done one marathon, though!).
Thanks for stopping by, Brenda!
The dual time periods sound cool!
Thank you, Adrienne!
What a fun interview! I’m not usually a time travel reader, but this story line is quite intriguing. I love when a character can overcome “life” with the help of history.
Thank you, Terressa! I love that aspect of time-slip novels, too! I love how we can learn from the past and how it can (and does) play an important part in our life. So, so neat.
Thank you for stopping by!
What a fun interview. I hope I win your book.
Thank you, Perrianne!
I like books that go back and forth between now and some point in history so I am sure that I would like this book!
Thanks for coming by, Martha!
I enjoy dual timeline stories. It’s fun to see how they tie together.
Absolutely, Pam. It’s an aspect I enjoy also–sometimes you get a good surprise!
I’m so fascinated with the American Revolution! So many people sacrificed so much so that we can have the immense freedom that we enjoy. I love reading about the Revolution, both historical and fictional accounts. I learn from all of them!
me too, Karen!
It’s definitely a special period in our history! Thank you for your enthusiasm, Karen!
Great interview! I’m looking forward to checking the book out. I love finding new authors in a genre I love. Thanhs, ladies!
Mary
yay! Thanks, Mary!
So great to hear, Mary! Thank you!
Freedom’s Ring sounds so interesting. I can’t wait to read it.
Thank you, Myrtle! I hope you enjoy it!
This book sounds really interesting! I would love to be able to see Boston or any city in the olden days!
Oh, I am SO with you, Jeanette!
I like the dual time aspect of the story line. Sometimes I have trouble keeping track of what’s happening, so I prefer to read the print version because it’s easier for me to flip back and forth with a traditional book.
Oh, that’s a very interesting point, Connie. I had never thought of that.
Thanks for joining us!
I am addicted to the Colonial time period and I try to read everything Carrie recommends but I don’t have reading super powers 😉
LOL Beth Erin! I wish I did, but I don’t either. 😉
LOL Beth!
The dual contemporary/historical story line. Looking forward to reading 🙂
Thank you, Cindy! I hope you enjoy it!
I like that it takes place in two different era’s but in the same city. I would love to visit Boston someday, so much history.
Thank you, Julie! I hope you get to visit someday. Boston is wonderful. 🙂
I really loved that aspect of it too, Julie
It sounds like the charcter is dealing with PTSD and I have that so it would be a story I can relate to on some level.
Hey Sabrina, I pray that this story would touch the hearts of those who may struggle in these areas. Thank you so much for stopping by. May God’s joy, hope, and strength fill your days!
Wonderful review and I enjoyed the interview, thank you. I was drawn to this book by it’s cover first of all. It’s just gorgeous. Yes, I judge books by their cover, shhh, don’t tell anyone. The dual time line is so interesting in books and Boston and the time period. I just really need to read this book!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Deanne! And I am so glad you like the cover! Tyndale did an amazing job. 🙂 I hope you enjoy it!
I am intrigued by the title and cover of the book. It sounds great and I would love to read it. Congrats on reaching your dream of being published.
Thank you so much, Charlette!
Across time stories always intrigue me. This sounds like a great one!
Thank you, Shash!
The entire plot has me hooked! I can’t wait to see if Liberty returns the ring somehow, and how it all ties in to Annie. I can’t wait to see how they learn to forgive others or themselves. I like that it is set during 2 time periods. The entire thing has me interested!
It is SUCH a GREAT story, Laura! You’ll love it!
Thank you, Laura! Your comment got me excited about the story all over again, so thank you! 😉
This story sounds very interesting to me! I want to read it to see how the two time periods parallel.
Thank you, Donna! I hope you enjoy it!