VBT – THE STRONG WITHIN US

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

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.

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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 November 11, 2020. J. A. Boulet was born and raised in Western Canada as a first generation Canadian from 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.

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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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

J. A. Boulet will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Enter to win a $15 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Author Interview

Tell us about you as a person.

I am mathematically inclined. I love numbers! I love calculating, measuring and putting together construction projects. Although, I really suck at tools. Lately, I have been slowly learning how to handle tools a little better but I still have issues with stripping screws and just damaging the wonderful construction projects I planned out!
For much of my life, my main career was financial management. Math is my balance. When I have been writing fiction non-stop for weeks, it is a refreshing break to work with numbers for a day.

If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?

Good question! I think I’d probably want to hang out with Rihanna. She’s a cool woman with an indomitable spirit. I love her music too.

What’s the story behind your latest book?

I noticed many of my neighbours at my Gimli cottage had Icelandic and Ukrainian DNA. I was curious so we went to the New Iceland Heritage Museum one summer day. It was there that I discovered the courageous plight of these settlers stretching all the way to WWI.

What is your writing process?

I write with my laptop on my lap. I can write on my sofa, at a café, outside on the deck but I cannot write at a desk. My poor back!! Ha!

Tell us about your main character:

Nathan Olason is a strong man, physically and mentally. His values center around family, love, providing and building sustainable economies in his community. He is an impressive strong figure but has a warm heart and he hurts just like all of us.

If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role and why.

Brad Pitt! Nathan is in his mid-30s to 50s in The Strong Within Us but still has a sexy attractive body and smile. He also wears his dark blonde hair long, just like Brad Pitt.

What are you working on next?

Book 3 of The Olason Chronicles! The next generation of the Olason’s and WWII.

What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their book?

Be yourself and don’t rely on just one social media platform. It’s like putting all your investment savings in one basket. That’s never a good idea. Diversity and balancing are what works best if you wish to go international. Also, try to share details of yourself and be genuine. People want to know the person behind the book.

What is your favourite book on your shelf right now?

I am currently reading Ken Follett’s The Evening and The Morning. It’s a prequel about the dark ages and Vikings. I love it! Edgar is my favourite fictional character so far.

Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?

I am quite flexible in my hamstrings and my back! Ha! I never wanted to join Cirque de Soleil but I probably could have with some practice!

You are given the choice of one superpower. What superpower would you have and why?

The Invisible Woman! I could do so much with that power! And nobody would even know!

List 5 things on your bucket list:”

I’ve checked off everything on my most recent bucket list. But here are some new things:
1. Visit my overseas relatives in Budapest
2. Hike Mt Edna volcano in southern Italy
3. Ocean kayaking in the Strait of Georgia
4. Adopting a daughter
5. Marrying the love of my life

Where can readers find you on the web?

Everywhere! Just google my name, JA Boulet! But if want an easier route, my website is https://jaboulet.ca/

Any final thoughts?

I hope everyone enjoys reading The Strong Within Us. I put a lot of sweat, effort and tears into writing this book. I hope it breaks you down, makes you cry, then lifts you up with happy tears of overcoming the worst in life. Remember, the light is always brightest at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks to all my followers for supporting me on this journey and a big thanks to you, C.A. Milson, for hosting me!

Book Trailer