Heidi Chiavaroli gripped readers with her debut novel last year, a time slip novel set in Boston in 1770 and 2015, Freedom’s Ring. She returns with another heart wrenching novel, The Hidden Side, taking place in New York in 1776 and 2016. Heidi draws on the past to connect with contemporary events in a way that is compelling, evocative, and thought-provoking. I’m thrilled to have Heidi return to Relz Reviewz and share about her writing, mint-chip ice cream, and why she called her character, Maelynn. I can highly recommend Heidi’s stories as book club selections, and having Heidi engage with your book club. Heidi skyped with my Novel Journey Book Club last year and our time together was fantastic.
Be sure to enter the US only giveaway below, courtesy of the fabulous folk at Tyndale House.
*****
The Writer
Why do you tell stories?
I have a quote on my website from Madeleine L’Engle that says, “Stories make us more alive, more human, more courageous, more loving.” That’s exactly why I tell stories—to explore our humanity, to make us think and feel and experience something we wouldn’t have unless we picked up a book.
Your favourite place to read
The beach!
Best meal of the day
Breakfast. Probably because I love everything about morning! I eat it after everyone is out of the house (and it’s finally quiet!). It sets the pace for the rest of my day.
Most beloved childhood book
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi.
If your life was a TV show, what would it be?
I’m afraid I’m a bit out of touch with TV shows—the only one I currently watch is This Is Us. I think that show could fit, though, because I’m always thinking back to my childhood, evaluating how certain events made me who I am today.
Whose music inspires you?
Okay, hope you don’t think I’m corny here, but while I love country and worship music, more often I’m inspired by quiet and nature. When I’m hiking in the woods, listening to birds, or walking on the beach with the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, that’s when I feel the most alive, the most inspired. By God’s music.
What ice-cream flavour would you be?
Mint chip. Gentle and quiet on the surface with a lot going on inside. 🙂
The most recent novel you read
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
What’s your current book recommendation?
No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert. I’m not quite finished yet, but I love her honesty and the way she uses point of view and time to thrust this story forward. So, so thought-provoking and powerful.
Name a book character you can’t forget
Hadassah from A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers
Dream travel destination
Italy! Someday, it’s absolutely going to happen. 😉
The Book
New York, 2016
Natalie Abbott offers answers for hurting listeners on her popular radio program. But she struggles to connect with her teenagers, with her daughter in an unhealthy relationship and her son uncommunicative and isolated. When one member of the family commits an unspeakable act, Natalie is forced to uncover who she truly is under the façade of her radio persona.New York, 1776
Mercy Howard is shocked when her fiancé, Nathan Hale, is arrested and hanged as a spy. When she’s asked to join the revolutionary spy ring in Manhattan, she sees an opportunity to avenge Nathan’s death. But keeping her true loyalties hidden grows increasingly harder as the charming Major John Andre of the King’s Army becomes more to her than a target for intelligence.Mercy’s journals comfort Natalie from across the centuries as both women struggle with their own secrets and shame, wondering how deep God’s mercy extends.
What was the working title?
Hidden Mercy
Describe your book in 5 adjectives
Can I cheat here and list what others have said? Emotional, complex, brave, empathetic, poignant.
Which character did you enjoy writing most?
Maelynn. I’d never written in the point of view of a contemporary teenager before and although I didn’t plan it with this story, Maelynn demanded to have her say. When I gave it to her, I was surprised by how naturally she came onto the page.
Which character gave you the most grief?
Natalie. And I’m talking real grief. To put myself inside the skin of this mother who has to bear the burden of her son’s horrific actions was truly an emotional experience.
What emotions do you think your story will generate in readers?
I’m expecting this to be an emotional read, but I’m hoping the two that dominate will be empathy and hope.
What emotions did you experience while writing this story?
Grief, sadness, empathy, hope
How do you choose your characters’ names?
Trial and error. Natalie was originally Simone, and it just didn’t fit. Mercy was a theme in the book, so that one was easy for my historical character. Maelynn was the name of a teenage girl I met in the pharmacy where I work part-time. I thought the name was unique and beautiful—I wanted to get to know a Maelynn. 😉
Thank you, Heidi!
Relz Reviewz Extras
All Things Chiavaroli @ Relz Reviewz
Website || Twitter || Facebook || Goodreads
Buy from Amazon: The Hidden Side or Koorong
You Might Also Like...
Heidi Chiavaroli: The Writer & Her Book (with giveaway)
Author Alert: Heidi Chiavaroli (with excerpt)
10 Little Known Facts about Little Women Author Louisa May Alcott by Heidi Chiavaroli (with giveaway)
Cover Reveal: Coming in mid 2018 from Tyndale House
Cover Art & Book News: Coming in early 2020 from Tyndale House
May 23, 2018 at 8:37 pm
Stange enough, I don’t necessarily love hanging out at the beach but it never fails to bring a sense of God’s majesty whenever I am there.
May 23, 2018 at 9:48 pm
Absolutely, MJSH. I love getting there early before it gets too crowded. So peaceful! Thanks for stopping in!
May 23, 2018 at 9:47 pm
Thank you so much for having me, Rel! So honored to be here. 🙂
May 23, 2018 at 10:30 pm
I live near Glacier National Park and am most inspired when I am in the mountains. I love the beach, too, but it’s just a nice place to visit. Love Heidi’s books!
May 24, 2018 at 12:35 am
I love the mountains too, Kd. 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping in!
May 24, 2018 at 1:38 am
I love the setting of a lake surrounded by mountains. ☺
May 24, 2018 at 4:34 am
Beautiful, Susanne! We went to Lake George in New York last year, your comment reminded me how much I loved that. 🙂
May 24, 2018 at 1:39 am
The mountains and the woods do it for me. And I would love to win Heidi’s book! 🙂
May 24, 2018 at 4:35 am
Thanks, Cheryl! I do love a good hike in the woods, too. 🙂
May 24, 2018 at 2:30 am
All of these places speak of God’s majesty and glorious creation. But my favorite is the ocean and it’s vastness. I can sit and watch the waves, listening to their roar for hours. I have only been to the Pacific and would really like to see the Atlantic because I hear it’s warmer.
May 24, 2018 at 4:36 am
I didn’t know that, Penny! I haven’t been to the Pacific, but I live very close to the Atlantic. All so beautiful! Thanks for stopping in! 🙂
May 24, 2018 at 5:20 am
I feel inspired at both the beach and the mountains! We love to discover new places.
May 24, 2018 at 10:52 am
So fun, Heidi. Us too. 🙂
May 24, 2018 at 6:03 am
The beach for me! 🙂
May 24, 2018 at 10:53 am
Yes! Just came back from there–Hubby and I had a little walk on the beach while the kids were at youth group. 🙂
May 24, 2018 at 7:40 am
I’m looking forward to reading this book. It’s all I can think about reading since I’ve read the reviews. I hope to order it very soon.
May 24, 2018 at 10:54 am
Thank you so much, Kimberly!
May 24, 2018 at 7:54 am
The beach always helps!
May 24, 2018 at 10:54 am
I agree, Jennifer! Thanks for stopping in. 🙂
May 24, 2018 at 10:31 am
I don’t have the grandeur of mountains, oceans with their beaches, or even woods where I live. I do enjoy the wide open spaces of the Kansas prairies and our endless skies.
May 24, 2018 at 10:55 am
That sound beautiful, Pam. <3
May 24, 2018 at 3:24 pm
I’m totally a mountain girl. I live in a valley surrounded by mountains and love it!
Thanks for the fun spotlight!
May 24, 2018 at 9:36 pm
Thanks for stopping in, Winnie!
May 24, 2018 at 9:28 pm
Mountain or a national park.
May 24, 2018 at 9:37 pm
Love them both, Kim. Thanks for coming by today!
May 25, 2018 at 12:05 am
I have never seen mountains or the ocean, but I do love the beach at Lake Michigan. I don’t like wearing a suit and sitting in sand, I am more of a walk along thr beach or wade in the eater type of person. The sound of the water though is so soothing to me!
May 25, 2018 at 12:52 am
LOVE walking on the beach, Laura. And I get the whole not sitting in the sand thing. lol When I go to the beach, it’s with a comfy beach chair and a beach umbrella! 😉
Thanks so much for stopping in!
May 25, 2018 at 2:34 am
I love the Beach since we live pretty close. Love listening to the waves and seagulls and seeing the beautiful sunsets
May 25, 2018 at 7:04 am
Ahhh, yes…me too, Merry, though I do wish we lived closer. 🙂
May 25, 2018 at 2:37 am
Deep in the forest especially when I come across a natural stream, are most awe-inspiring.
I truly love any type of nature. I feel so close to God when I’m soaking in what he has created for us.
May 25, 2018 at 7:05 am
Me too, Cindi! Love your description, and love streams too. We have one not far from our house that I walk to. Love it!
May 25, 2018 at 4:08 am
Even though my happy place is the beach, I think I find the most inspiration in the forest.
May 25, 2018 at 7:06 am
The woods are beautiful, Danielle. Thank you so much for stopping by!
May 25, 2018 at 10:31 am
I enjoy being in the mountains and the woods. Unfortunately, neither are close to me.
May 26, 2018 at 4:11 am
Awww, Caryl, feeling for you! 🙁 Thanks so much for stopping by!
May 25, 2018 at 11:48 am
I just started reading this, and it’s a powerful story! Just stopping by to “meet’ Heidi and hear more.
May 26, 2018 at 4:11 am
Becky, thank you so much for stopping in, and for your words! I hope you enjoy the story.
May 25, 2018 at 12:44 pm
The ocean inspires me. I could sit and listen to it every day.
May 26, 2018 at 4:12 am
Me too, Dianna!
May 25, 2018 at 6:11 pm
I live in Alaska, and there’s a lot of inspiring nature around here, haha. Oddly enough I might feel the most inspired in our yard swinging on our porch style swing looking at the hills and fields. 🙂
May 26, 2018 at 4:13 am
That sounds beautiful, Rebekah! And wow…Alaska! Thanks so much for stopping in!
May 26, 2018 at 6:39 am
I like going to Lake Michigan and watching the waves on the lake and I also like watching the birds in the nature preserve behind the house.
May 28, 2018 at 4:30 am
That sounds beautiful, Dianne!
May 27, 2018 at 4:37 pm
I live in the Pacific NW where the Cascades, Pacific Ocean (Puget Sound), and the San Juan Islands are minutes to no more than an hour away. I love it all since I’m an outdoors person, but hiking in the Cascade foothills are some of my best moments and memories.
May 28, 2018 at 4:31 am
My husband and I were just talking about how we want to visit the Pacific someday. What you describe sounds breathtaking!
May 30, 2018 at 1:45 am
I have to say the mountains. There is just something about them! I hate heights, but love the mountains. 🙂
May 30, 2018 at 3:25 am
I can relate to that, Kate! When we climbed Mount Washington, the high part freaked me out, but I loved the grandeur of it all. Thanks so much for stopping by!
May 30, 2018 at 2:54 am
Well, I have been in the woods, to the beach, and The Great Smokey mountains and I can honestly say all of them show me the majesty of God. It’s in the smallest detail of a tiny flower or a grain of sand outside my front door. These wonders didn’t evolve from a big bang of nothing. God inspires where you choose to look for Him. 🙂
May 30, 2018 at 3:25 am
I love that perspective, Jill. Thank you so much for stopping in today!
May 30, 2018 at 11:59 am
I love the majesty of the mountains but for some reason I just associate them with snow and cold! So I prefer hearing the waves crashing on the shore and watching the sun set over the water.