Blog Tour: BRIGHTER THAN HER FEARS

BRIGHTER THAN HER FEARS

Lisa Ard

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GENRE:  Historical Fiction

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BLURB:

The 19th century women’s rights movement and the rise of public education intertwine with one woman’s story of struggle, perseverance, and love.

When her father dies and the family inn falls to ruin in 1882, western North Carolina, thirty-year-old Alice Harris is compelled to marry Jasper Carter, a Civil War veteran twice her age. Far from home and a stranger in a new family, Alice remakes herself. She learns to farm tobacco, mothers her stepson, and comes to love her husband.

However, Alice uncovers pending trouble with the family’s land holdings, which threatens their livelihood on the farm. The growth in Asheville promises a different future—one of manufacturing, transportation, tourism, and wealth. Alice believes this future demands an education and she rebels against the limited rural instruction. She joins forces with other women campaigning for Asheville’s first public schools. Her actions spark the rebuke of the Carter men.

Tragedy strikes and Alice’s newfound security is ripped away. The family challenges her property rights and files for guardianship of her stepson. Battered but determined, Alice turns to the law—and a friendly court clerk—to fight for her independence. Will Alice lose everything? Not if she can help it.

Lisa Ard’s debut historical fiction novel will resonate with readers for its parallels, between then and now, on women’s rights, inequality, and racism.

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Excerpt One:

The dressmaker probably saw every kind of bride—joyful, nervous, excited, even frightened, yet rarely two sisters on the same day and seldom ones of our advanced age. At thirty years old, I’d long since abandoned the idea of marriage. The War had ended when I was thirteen and with battlefields turned to cemeteries, the marriage prospects in the South had dimmed considerably. I didn’t favor the title spinster, but I valued my independence. Especially now, as it slipped from my grasp.

“Shorter, Miss Harris?” Miss Shackton asked. “You might wear it after the wedding.”

“Yes, thank you. It’ll make a fine church dress.” My cheeks warmed at the suggestion for thrift. My thoughts thundered over my family’s losses. A hastily arranged marriage to a man I barely knew was my only option.

While Miss Shackton circled to pin the dress’s hem, my eyes swept the neatly kept shop. It was narrow, not two wagons’ breadth across with a front counter crafted from a rich, dark slab of wood laid on top of postmaster shelving. The many nooks and crannies held the dressmaker’s tools of the trade: threads, spools, pin cushions, bolts of fabric, scissors, and more. The orderliness soothed me.

“I’m almost finished here. Be with you in a minute,” Miss Shackton announced to my sister.

Jennie slumped on a faded settee and dabbed her eyes with a damp handkerchief. She’d always been delicate and our rushed marriages, and that of our two sisters, Louise and Ina, didn’t help.”

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Interview:

Where are you from? Tell us a little about yourself!

I’m lucky to split my time between Portland, Oregon and Palm Springs, California. My husband and I love to golf and the snowbird lifestyle means we’re playing year round. While in California, I volunteer as a bike tour docent with the Palm Springs Historical Society, leading groups on three-hour tours through neighborhoods and talking about mid-century modern architecture, celebrity stories, plus the Native American and early pioneer history. It’s so much fun! That love of history carries over into my writing life; I enjoy researching and writing historical fiction to introduce readers to engaging stories in other eras.

Tell us about your book? How did it get started?

I uncovered a family mystery involving my great-great-grandmother Alice, which prompted me to write Brighter Than Her Fears. Why a thirty-year-old spinster was suddenly compelled to marry a Civil War veteran twice her age became a question I had to answer. I found out her three sisters faced the same fate. Legal documents revealed Alice was no pushover–she fought in court to secure her independence at a time when women’s rights were very limited. In researching western North Carolina at the end of the 19th century, I was fascinated by the similarities to today around the topics of women’s rights, racism, the rise in inequality, and political division.

How do you get your ideas for writing?

Since I write historical fiction, it’s usually a random bit of knowledge coupled with insane curiosity (like the genealogical discovery described above). The idea for the novel I’m working on now came when my mom mailed me a newspaper clipping about a sunken ship and the treasure hunters who discovered its location.

What do you like to read?

I read an eclectic mix of books, about 80% fiction and 20% non-fiction. I love historical fiction that introduces me to an event / era / person I know nothing about. I also enjoy dystopian, literary fiction, the occasional mystery or thriller, and young adult.

What would your advice be for authors or aspiring authors in regards to writing?Read what you want to write. Learn as much as you can about the craft. Join other writers in critique groups, writing organizations, classes, and networking.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I love to hear from readers who enjoyed Brighter Than Her Fears. While I very much appreciate reviews (on Goodreads, Amazon, etc.), and they’re essential in spreading the word about my book, I don’t read them. So when readers take the time to contact me and discuss my novel, I’m thrilled. I have several author visits with book clubs already booked, and I’m really looking forward to discussing this story and sharing more about the real people and places in Brighter Than Her Fears. Find out more about me, my book, and author visits on my website.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lisa Ard is the author of the new historical fiction novel Brighter Than Her Fears, which is based on her great-great-grandmother’s experience in 19th century western North Carolina. Her previously published children’s books include Fright Flight, Dream Team, and the Kay Snow award finalist Saving Halloween. When not writing, Lisa enjoys reading, hiking, golfing and sharing her love of history as a bike tour docent with the Palm Springs Historical Society. She and her husband live (and golf) in both Palm Springs and Portland, Oregon.

Website: https://www.authorlisaard.com/

Shepherd: https://shepherd.com/search/book/101309

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201499087-brighter-than-her-fears

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ard_lisa/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaArd

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArdLisa

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Lisa Ard will award a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway