Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for When the Ocean Roars by Charlsie Estess, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: When the Ocean Roars
Author: Charlsie Estess
Publisher: Iron Stream Media
Release Date: June 11, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
He needs to surrender. She needs to fight. Are they ready for their next battle?
Weeks before the Ultimate Fighting World Championship, Keane “The Golden Lion” Temple lands in Japan for the battle of his professional life. The adored prizefighter is primed to take the win. And nothing has ever distracted him from victory in the ring.
But when his path collides with an intriguing woman, he gives in to impulse and asks her to spend his day off from training with him. Surely, he can keep his heart safe for one day.
Ami Ono cannot pass on the invitation but also hides her full identity. As their extraordinary day bleeds into night, both realize one day won’t be enough. Then the excursion ends in disaster when Keane discovers who Ami is. They part ways, but compelling circumstances and an undeniable attraction draw them back together, driving their attraction―and her high-society family drama―to something more intense than Keane has ever faced. As the forbidden romance threatens to take down his principles in the knockout of his life, he struggles to honor his beliefs. Will The Golden Lion surrender his heart? Will Ami defy the domineering men in her life and accept it? Do they stand a chance against nature?
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop
About the Author
Charlsie Estess holds a master of business administration degree and worked in finance and strategic planning before becoming a writer. She is a member of ACFW and Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers and was an ACFW 2023 Genesis Finalist. She currently resides in Mississippi with her husband and two sons.
Connect with Charlsie at charlsieestess.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
Author Interview
Welcome, Charlsie! Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and giving my readers a chance to get to know you and your new book When the Ocean Roars.
Can you share 5 random facts about yourself?
- I love cupcakes and strong coffee.
- I tried and failed at beekeeping.
- I’m an avid runner and find my best thoughts come during frequent “plot walks.”
- Growing up, I played the cello. I love ALL kinds of music from classical to indie folk to techno!
- I’ve studied and worked in and travelled to more than thirty countries. My stories will take readers on exotic adventures.
When did you first discover you had a passion/talent for writing?
My background is in international finance and corporate strategy. So, writing has been an unexpected journey for me. Years ago, I felt led to write but truly didn’t understand and questioned the calling. I believed—and still believe—writing is God’s way of teaching me. I finished one book. Then another. And no one knew I wrote. I wasn’t even sure if my stories would appeal to anyone, but I started entering contests and became a finalist in many writing contests. When judges loved the story and shared they wanted to read more, I was beyond encouraged! Their kind words and feedback were the validation I needed to move forward and pursue publication.
This is your first book, congrats! What was it like seeing your words in print for the first time?
Seeing the book in print for the first time was simply humbling. As I said before, writing has been an unexpected ride, but now I can’t stop. I love it and have a LONG list of book ideas!! God is so good.
What advice would you give to other aspiring writers?
Sit down. Do the work to put your story on paper. Hire a professional editor. And invest in attending conferences to connect with other writers and hone your craft. But life experiences season stories best, so bring your own unique blend and spin a new tale. You never know how it might bless another!
What was the inspiration behind this story?
When the Ocean Roars was inspired by the convergence of several ideas, particularly triumph over human struggle. While experiencing a hard season in my own life, I also saw very real struggles in my friends’ lives. It’s easy to magnify life’s minor inconveniences, but those challenges often fall into insignificance when an unexpected disaster lands at our front door. Fighting cancer. The loss of a child. Family feuds. A wicked boss. An unfaithful spouse. Addictions. Wayward children. While we all face seasons of hardship, we don’t all do battle the same.
So, I decided to write a story about a fighter, a man of faith, who crosses paths with an exquisite and rebellious woman of science. And Japan made perfect sense. I studied there for the better part of a college year and knew it would be the perfect setting, one steeped in rich tradition, vivid sounds, and exotic scents. This story touches on a historic event that weighed heavy on my heart. But I believe we should never underestimate the will to survive and the power of love.
If you could describe your main character(s) in just three words each, what would those words be?
Keane is disciplined, gritty, and noble-minded.
Ami is bold, brilliant, and hopeful.
What was the most challenging part of bringing this story to life?
Finding quality time to write consistently was a challenge. I love this story and wouldn’t give up on writing it, but the process came in starts and stops, writing when I found time early in the morning around work and child-rearing. I actually let this manuscript sit for more than a year before finalizing and pitching it at a conference.
The most rewarding?
The most rewarding part of bringing this story to life is hearing readers say they couldn’t put the story down and kept thinking about it. That kind of feedback ignites sparklers in my soul!
What do you hope readers will take away from the book?
Our human hands can only do so much. When faced with seemingly insurmountable circumstances, some battles are best fought on our knees.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Before you go, where can readers follow along to see what’s coming next?
The best place to follow along for news is by subscribing to my newsletter at www.charlsieestess.com! Subscribers receive a “Girls’ Night In Idea Sheet” that complements When the Ocean Roars. I’m also active on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. I hope to announce more about my next book soon!
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will win an Ocean Adventure Giveaway, including a woven beach bag, a print copy of When the Ocean Roars, & a ROAR T-Shirt!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 10, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 17, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Sounds like a good book.
ReplyDeletegreat interview! Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteNew-to-me author. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCharlsie Estess is a new author to me, but I will certainly give this book a read.
ReplyDelete