Becoming Beauty

Hi everyone. Today we have the talented and lovely Sarah Boucher. Her debut novel, Becoming Beauty, just came out. Go buy it. Now.

Normally I would tell you all to be nice, but Sarah is pretty tough. Do your worst!

1-What did you have for breakfast this morning? What do you WISH you had had for breakfast?

I didn't have bacon. 
I wish I'd had bacon. Lots and lots of bacon.
I love bacon so much that when I see animal rights activists'* pictures of sweet little piggies tagged with Why would you ever want to eat this??? I want to reply, Mmmm...bacon! 

(*No offense to animal rights activists: Go Animals!)
2-What color of car makes you roll your eyes or blatantly make fun?

That's a little tricky because I've had a revolution in taste over the last few years and have fallen in love with bright colors & patterns. Pink, maybe? And any color of Smart Car and/or large dudes driving Smart Cars.

3-Tell us about your dream closet? Would all of your shoes get special beds?

Actually, one of the selling points of my condo was the large indoor closet with built-in shelving for shoes. When I stepped in there the first time, it was as if angels were singing. I think I said, "This is where my shoes will live!" Yes, I'm that girl.

4-If you and the main character in Becoming Beauty both had more money than you knew what to do with, who would end up with more shoes? Handbags?

Yes and yes. Bella and I share a love for fancy things. However, she'd probably invest in more jewelry while I'd expand my collection of maxi skirts and maxi dresses. No matter what we spent our money on, a shopping spree with Bella would be a blast! And really, really expensive.

5-What are your feelings on unshaven men? 5 o'clock shadow?

Uh, hello. This is what it see when I turn on my iPad:

Hello, nurse! Let me add that both main men in Becoming Beauty are beardy fellows, so I'm obviously not adverse to the idea of beardliness, though the idea of kissing it is another subject.

6-You seem to cook a lot. Is this your secret plan for taking over the world? One stomach at a time?

It's my secret plan for everyone looking normal, well-fed, lovable, and maybe a little plumpy. Really though, baking is something I learned from my mom & settling into the cooking groove relaxes me when everything else goes haywire. Plus, at the end you have something delicious to eat. Hopefully.

7-On a scale from 1-10, how snarky are you? What about your main character? Feel free to expound. I'd be disappointed if you didn't.

Wow. A snarkiness scale. I wouldn't even know how to rate myself...

What I will say is that being raised with five brothers doesn't make you into a pretty, pretty princess. And since Bella is composed of the best & worst of me, she is quite sarcastic. However, where I try to make people laugh, Bella speaks her mind, even to crotchety, old Beasts. Bella's not nearly the people pleaser that I am.

Now If you'd given me an awesomeness scale...

8-In terms of dessert, how did typing the final sentence of Becoming Beauty taste?

Can we go with the Triffle/Shepherd's Pie Rachel made on Friends?

"It tastes like feet!"

The final line of what was then Bella, has been hacked to pieces and rewritten at least 20 times. Some people struggle with beginnings or middles, but crafting that last sentence and tying things up in a neat bow without sounding completely stupid was definitely a challenge. 

9-Take 150 words and sell us on your book. Okay, maybe 200. Make it count.

The Beast has lived in isolation for years, nursing his wounds and hiding his shame from the world.  His seclusion is destroyed by the arrival of Bella, his new maidservant, who proves she isn’t the Beauty her name would indicate.

With a less-than-sweet nature and an inborn sense of entitlement, Bella refuses to be cowed—even by someone as imposing as the Beast. In no time, Bella finds herself railing at and casting insults at her new master, while pondering ways to escape.

Caught between the two is the Beast’s sole companion, Jack, who has remained loyal to his master throughout the years, but is intrigued by Bella’s spirit. 

For the first time in her life, Bella must choose to set aside her dreams of becoming the pampered mistress of a wealthy household to help others escape the pain of the past. But she may find the price too high to pay.

10-What part of Becoming Beauty will take your reader's breath away? (Spoilers are up to you.)

There's some primo kissing that doesn't quite make your ears pop, but might make your toes curl deliciously. And there are definitely some reveals regarding the Beast and Jack and Bella's feelings toward them that I had fun writing and watching my writing group read. When people say, "If you leave [insert character's name here] out in the wind, I'm going to beat you!" it actually makes you feel more empowered than not. Making someone love, hate, and go on a journey with your characters is what all authors aspire to.

About the Author

Sarah E. Boucher spends her days instilling young children with the same love of literature she has known since childhood. After hours, she pens her own stories and nurses an unhealthy obsession for handbags, high heels, baking, and British television. Sarah is a graduate of Brigham Young University, who currently lives and teaches in Ogden, Utah. Becoming Beauty is her first novel.

Contact Sarah on her website SarahEBoucher.com, or find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or Goodreads.

I told you to buy the book.

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Becoming Beauty is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and books & things. Add it to your Goodreads shelf today!