New interview with historical fiction author JA Boulet

A hearty welcome back to historical fiction author JA Boulet. Today we’re chatting about 1956 Love & Revolution.

During her virtual book tour, JA will be giving away a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
J. A. Boulet is the passionate author of five historical fiction novels. Her newest novel, 1956 Love & Revolution, is a chilling standalone book about the 1956 Hungarian uprising. A highly anticipated release, this is a book that the author holds close to her heart.

J. A. Boulet was raised in the aftermath of the Hungarian Revolution. Her father was a Hungarian soldier who fought bravely during the 1956 uprising. He escaped and was granted asylum in Canada. Ms. Boulet’s mother also fled from the revolution shortly after. The couple met, fell in love and built a family in Saskatchewan.

J. A. Boulet was born decades later. Raised in a refugee family with strong morals has provided J. A. with the foundation to which she has stood behind all her life. Ms. Boulet began writing poetry at a very young age and progressed to short stories and novels easily. She quickly became a history geek and became fascinated with ancestry and the rough path of immigration. J. A. published her first book in 2020 and has since published one to two books annually. She writes with an unsettling realism, grabbing your emotions and refusing to let go. 1956: Love and Revolution is a book you won’t be able to put down.

Welcome back to Reviews and Interviews, JA. Please tell us about your newest release.
What would you do for your country?

In 1955, a group of uncommon people meet by chance. During the final year of Rákosi’s iron fist rule, Imre Nagy’s reforms are repealed, plunging Hungary back into economic ruin.

A university student, a cleaner, a Hungarian soldier and several others find themselves drawn toward each other as their love for their country is tested. In the fall of 1956, political strife deepens as the students begin demanding reform.

How far will they go to save Hungary?

Well-researched, politically charged and fast-paced, 1956 Love & Revolution will lure you into the lives of everyday Hungarians who risked everything for their country. 

What inspired you to write this book?
I was inspired by my parent’s background. They were Hungarian refugees that fled to Canada after the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.

Excerpt from 1956 Love & Revolution:
He was an olive-skinned handsome man with ice-blue eyes that pierced right through her soul. She could see that those very same eyes would most likely be an icy threat to any enemy.

Laszlo took the documents from her hand and shuffled through them. “Elona Molnar. Twenty-one years old,” he held the papers open, inspecting them for authenticity. “Why are you out on the streets at this hour?” His eyes lifted, staring right through her.

“I just finished work,” she said meekly, half-afraid and half-intrigued. “I am a cleaner at the cinema.”

“The Corvin Cinema?” Laszlo pointed to the building behind them.

“Yes,” she answered more assertively.

“You clean there until 4:30 am?”

“It is the only time of day to clean without interruptions. I start at midnight and clean until I am done. My husband didn’t help tonight, so I will need to return tomorrow.”

“You are married?” Laszlo asked, somewhat surprised.

“Yes, my husband was tired from working all day,” she replied. “He just got a job as a bakery chef. We both have to work to pay for things.” Elona stumbled over her words, struggling to articulate what she was trying to say. “To pay for everything. There is never enough money and so many bills.”

The first officer leaned over Laszlo’s shoulder to look at the documents. As he did, Elona noticed the uniforms were very different. Two of the men wore blue policemen uniforms, but the Colonel had a very unusual brown uniform with two stars on his collar, one she had not seen before. The man beside Laszlo also wore the same brown uniform but without the star emblems. “You are not AVH,” she said, the relief in her voice evident.

Laszlo spoke first. “No, we are Magyar,” he said in Hungarian. “My two friends are from the local police, and Tibor is a fellow Hungarian Army soldier.”

The shorter policeman, Jozsef, spoke hastily. “He’s not a full colonel. We just call him that because he’s from way back when the Germans left in 1945.”

Laszlo grimaced. “I’m a Lieutenant,” he stated firmly. He didn’t like this information given to a stranger on the street, even if she was just a woman. Silence descended on the group as Laszlo handed the documents back to her.

What’s the next writing project?
My next book will be the first in a family saga trilogy about the American wars. It starts in 1812.

What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book? (or the biggest challenge with this book)
I have written five books now so I have become accustomed to the demands of writing. I believe it is like any job now. There are difficult portions and easier tasks but they all form the work needed to complete and release a finished book. The most disliked portion is copyediting though! Patience and time invested solves any difficulties.

If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps?
I approach my research like any history geek would, lol. I study the events for weeks or months before starting the book or scene. War scenes are particularly hard because I have to get all the time frames correct and then write everything in the present tense while my characters are living it.

What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it.
My writing space is on my sofa with my laptop on my lap. I like to have a blanket over my shoulders lol. Comfort, I guess, releases the muse.

What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre?
I enjoy reading Ken Follett for historical fiction and Westerns as well! Johnstone’s Westerns are my favorite! Outside of my genre, I enjoy romances and humorous books.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers today?
Thanks to all my readers and followers for your support. A big thank you to you, Lisa Haselton, for having me back! Love ya all!!

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