Book Name: His Soldier
Release Date: March 6, 2015
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24281606-his-soldier
Author Name: Anna Lee
Author Bio:
Anna Lee graduated from the University of California Riverside with a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing. Living with a disability, she has overcome many challenges and puts her passion for life and love into her writing. She lives with her family and dogs and enjoys writing late into the night. When she isn’t writing, Anna enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephew or chatting with her friends about her favorite books and TV shows.
Author Quick Hits:
(Make sure you visit all the blogs on this tour for more Quick Hits from Anna)
28 – How do you relax at the end of a stressful day?
I play Pet Rescue or Diamond Digger on Facebook.
29 – Do you have any tattoos? If so, what are they?
Yes. A dragon, a bird, flowers, and the words: Love is Love.
30 – What has been the biggest surprise to your life after being published?
I’m always surprised and thrilled to hear from readers and to know that they’ve been moved by something I’ve written. To know they enjoyed my stories makes me happy.
Author Interview:
| Question 1 | Q: The premise of ‘His Soldier’ – 2 men meeting by being pen pals while one is in the army and falling in love – is really unique. Where did you get the idea for this? Did you know someone that this happened to? A: Thank you! No, I don’t know someone. I just heard a song on the radio one day about a guy trying to cope with the loss of his brother who was a soldier. It struck a chord as I’d recently lost my grandfather, who served when he was younger.
I then had the idea of army pen pals, I loved the thought of the guys connecting through letters. Letters are personal and intimate, and it appeals to Dean who finds comfort in books and writing. So then Dean and Ryder just came to life, before I knew it I had a story written with them falling in love. I knew too, that Ryder would come home injured and changed, so it was going to be a struggle for him, but he has Dean to help him through it. |
| Question 2 | Q: Your bio mentions you have dogs – what type of dogs do you have?A: My family all together has six dogs. I know, crazy, right? A pug, two Jack Russell terriers, a Boxer, and two Chihuahuas. They all have their own unique personalities and can make me smile with their antics.
Dean’s dog in His Soldier is based off my own dog, Sassy. She’s my baby and I adore her. I wanted to share the joy she brings me with others so I wrote her into the story. |
| Question 3 | Q: Where is your favorite place to write?In my room. I like to curl up with my Surface, headphones on with my favorite music playing, and write. Usually late at night when it’s quiet and there’s no interruptions. |
| Question 4 | Q: At what age did you start writing? What got you to finally start getting published?A: I started writing at thirteen. I wrote a few stories about dragons. I’ve always known I wanted to be a writer and tell stories.
I finally decided to start getting published after college. I met a group of friends and fellow writers online, we shared our stories, and they encouraged me to submit one of mine. I got up the courage and the rest they say is history. |
| Question 5 | Q: Which of your books has been your most successful? Which are you most proud of? The Broken Road published with Totally Bound was my first book to make best seller so it’s been the most successful. That story is close to my heart and I’m proud of it.
I think though, I’m even prouder of His Soldier. A lot of love went into it, and I’m really passionate about it. Ryder is my favorite character I’ve written so far and he’s very dear to me. As is Dean. |
Where to find the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorannalee
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorannalee
Twitter: annalee59
Other: www.storiesbyannalee.com
Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
Cover Artist: Emmy Ellis
Blurb(s):
Sometimes you find love where you least expect it, for Sergeant Ryder Brooks that’s writing letters home to Dean Anders, his army pen pal…
After a tragedy, in a way to honor his brother and try to cope, Dean becomes a army pen pal to Sergeant Ryder Brooks. The two connect through letters and phone calls for a year, falling in love and making plans to meet when Ryder finishes his tour. However, in an effort to save one of his men who steps on a mine, Ryder loses his leg. Broken and depressed, he doesn’t think Dean will want him. But once Dean learns what happens, he immediately goes to Ryder, determined to help him heal and show him that he loves him no matter what. Ryder has a long road of recovery ahead of him, but with Dean’s support, he realizes his life isn’t over, it’s just beginning if he’ll only give them a chance.
Categories: Contemporary, Erotica, Fiction, Gay Fiction, Romance, Military
Excerpt:
Hey Ryder,
So, uh, I’ve never really done this. I mean I had a pen pal when I was, like, eight, and I waited for the mailman every day to see what Skylar would say about kangaroos in Australia. Everything is so techy now, you know, email, texts, and written letters are rare. I guess that was part of the appeal—this just feels more important taking the time to write by hand. And you deserve that.
The reason I decided to become a pen pal is I recently lost my brother and, well, I thought in his memory I’d do more to give back and find ways to support guys like him going through hell over there and fighting for our country. I want to say thanks, and I honestly do admire you. I don’t think I could do it. I’m a creature of comfort and complain ridiculously when it’s hot.
Anyway, I keep going on about me. Thanks for everything you’re doing. I hope you’re staying safe. I’m sure you got a lot going on so if I don’t hear from you it’s okay. I just wanted to let you know I’m thinking of you and wishing you a safe journey home.
Take care,
Dean
Pages or Words: 55,000 words
Christina’s Review:
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
i really liked this story a lot. the writing was pretty good as was the character development. there were equal amounts angst and happiness, which was surprising as i was ready for heavy angst and heartache. the idea of these 2 meeting as pen pals is so unique and interesting to me.
i hated what dean went through as a kid but i’m glad he had dax and his family to get him through it. and then after losing dax, dean broke completely. he basically shut down but really wanted to do something to repay his brother, which was becoming a pen pal to a lonely soldier. they corresponded for over a year getting to know each other. dean sent him several care packages as well. and oh, the first time they spoke on the phone my heart melted a little.
ryder went through quite a bit in the middle east with his crew…and that was after having a crappy upbringing. i was a little surprised we didn’t see more of the PTSD or nightmares. he seemed to get over that really quickly which is a little hard for me to believe.
they both suffered quite a bit of angst after finally meeting and getting together. but there were absolutely sweet together.
overall is a really sweet story that i totally recommend!
Tour Dates & Stops:
6-Mar
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Sales Links:
Rafflecopter Prize: PDF Copy of His Soldier
Congratulations on your book it sounds like a very good story.