Elaine Marie Cooper Author

Historical Fiction That Grabs Your Heart and Feeds Your Soul

Historical Fiction

Three Upcoming Romances to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

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This year of 2016 is an exciting time for this Historical Romance writer. Not one, but THREE new releases will offer your heartbeat the opportunity to flutter with romantic joy. Here is the synopsis of each book and the release dates:

 

Promise of Deer Run (Book 2, Deer Run Saga) Releasing June 16, 2016 through CrossRiver Media

The year is 1790.

The American Revolution is long since over, yet the battles still live in the hearts of the survivors.

One young veteran is haunted by the painful memories of war. He still awaits a father who has never returned from battle and feels the sting of betrayal from a former love. He withdraws into his own world, clinging to one hope: Perhaps his father still lives.

Only one person in Deer Run seems to understand him: Nineteen-year-old Sarah Thomsen, who feels a kinship with the loner veteran. She senses the wounds in his spirit as much as she struggles to bury her own traumatic memories of war. And the veteran’s search for his father touches a chord of empathy in Sarah, as she feels the loss of a father she never knew.

While the couple begins to find hope in a mutual affection, others determine to destroy it. Slander and misunderstandings ignite a fire of doubt and mistrust, destroying whatever faith they had in each other.

Can two souls longing for healing and trust love again? Can faith—and a family—be restored?

 

Saratoga Letters (releasing through Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas October 4, 2016)

The engagement that was the turning point in favor of the American Patriots during the Revolutionary War is the event driving this novel.

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Part 1 takes place in 1777, immediately after the Battle of Saratoga in the colony of New York. The story begins after the first skirmish and follows a romance that grows between enemies—a Colonial woman named Abigail who is forced to provide nursing care, and a wounded British soldier, William. The reluctant nurse is also pursued by others in the enemy camp who have less than gallant intentions toward her. Abigail does not know who she can trust—or who might betray her.

Part 2 takes place in 1977. It’s been 200 years since the Battle of Saratoga and Revolutionary War re-enactors are gathering in New York State. Among the re-enactors are descendants of the original soldiers from both sides of the battle. Men and women come from as far away as Europe to remember the historic conflict that turned the tide in the American Revolution. But some conflicts have never been resolved and some of the players in 1977 are in as much danger as those in 1777.

When past meets the present, will romance from years ago be reborn? Or will ancient hostilities be unearthed? Letters from long ago may hold the key.

 

Legacy of Deer Run (Book 3, Deer Run Saga) Releasing December 8, 2016 through CrossRiver Media

The year is 1800.

A young man makes weapons for the defense of America, still a fledgling nation. He also protects his heart from the allure of a young woman whose station in life keeps her out of his reach.

The lady fights her own war against loneliness and grief. Despite her finery and airs, she is drawn to the young armory worker who is distant yet disarming.

Love is not the only entanglement. The nation’s enemies are afoot. They creep within the very walls where America’s defenses are forged. Who are they? When will they strike? Who will survive their terrorism?

Intrigue of the heart and intrigue of the times are only part of this compelling story—Book 3 of the Deer Run Saga. This series finale is a gripping mix of romance and deception, faith and forgiveness, transgression and trial.

 

So friends, get ready for a busy year of romance reading as you celebrate Valentine’s Day!

Review: “A Reluctant Melody” by Sandra Ardoin

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For such a complex novel filled with twists and turns, the story line of “A Reluctant Melody” remains clear, easy to follow, and captures your attention throughout.

It’s 1892 and Joanna Stewart is a young widow of twenty-six, but the circumstances and bad decisions she has made in her past have brought enough tragedy and rejection to last a lifetime. All she wants to do now is sell her home bequeathed by her late husband and start a new life, far from the accusing eyes and castigating tongues of the town. These haughty neighbors only reinforce what she already knows: Her sins are unforgivable.

Just as she finds a glimmer of hope when a buyer makes an offer on her house, she is instead forced to face the very man who ruined her life.  Instead of running away, she must wrestle with her guilt all over again, as well as the feelings of attraction she has long repressed—feelings that sent her on a downward spiral so long ago.

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The settings in “A Reluctant Melody” by Sandra Ardoin sweep you back in time to 1890’s North Carolina. Ms. Ardoin has done her research well, helping the reader feel the sights, sounds and pacing of the era. Every detail from clothing to hair styles to the stricter mores of the time transport a reader to another time and place.

Although the atmosphere fills your senses, it is the characters who truly shine in this complicated yet well developed story. Ms. Ardoin creates believable protagonists and antagonists who draw you into understanding the complexities of life, the ramifications of sin, and the redemption that is possible for all if they will accept it.

This is a historical I will be recommending for a long time. A five-star tale of intrigue, hope and romance. Well done!

 

Author Bio:

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Sandra Ardoin writes inspirational historical romance. She’s the author of The Yuletide Angel and A Reluctant Melody. A wife and mom, she’s also a reader, football fan, NASCAR watcher, garden planter, country music listener, antique store prowler. Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com and on the Seriously Write blog. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Join her email community to receive occasional updates and a free short story.

 

You can enter her launch team giveaway by clicking here

Release Day Tomorrow!

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I am so excited that it is the eve of release day for Road to Deer Run!

I have anticipated this re-release of my first novel ever since the Deer Run Saga was contracted with CrossRiver Media. When it first released in 2010 it was in need of edits and a new cover. CrossRiver Media has provided both, plus a whole new audience of readers. I am blessed.

I’m giving two blog links that are running this week in celebration. They provide much background information about Road to Deer Run that you might find interesting.

Click here for the first blog post.

Click here for the second one.

If you want to participate in my online facebook party, here is the link for it. Click here.  There is a bounty of prizes in a drawing Friday morning!

Thank you to all my readers for your support. I am so grateful.

Road to Deer Run - Cover

You can pre-order paperback copies through CrossRiver’s site. If you use the promo code DEERRUN25, you will receive a 25% discount at checkout. Click here

You can order kindle at Amazon. Click here

First Five Requests get Free Audio of “Fields!”

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My publisher for Fields of the Fatherless has just let me know that he is offering FIVE coupons for a free audio version of the same! There is a stipulation however: If you download it for free from audible.com, he requests that you listen and post a review.

If you’ve never had a chance to read or listen to Fields of the Fatherless, you could be in for a surprise. Most Americans are well familiar with the first day of the American Revolution and the battles at Lexington and Concord. But are you aware there was a far worse battle that occurred that same day in a small village called Menotomy? You might ask how I learned of this, since it is so often left out of our history books.

The answer is simple: I grew up in Menotomy, now known as Arlington, Massachusetts. In fact, my house was down the street from the site of this terrible battle. I’d walk by that old wood frame house year after year and wonder what the sign out front meant. It was not until I was an adult that I researched the story of the Jason Russell House and the terrible events that occurred there on April 19, 1775.

As I studied the events of that day, I learned about the family that lived there. And I chose to focus on one family member, Betsy Russell, daughter of Jason Russell. She was just 18-years-old that day in 1775. And I’m certain the tragedy of those hours of battle lived in her heart until the day she died. So the story is told through the eyes of Betsy, a teen on the verge of womanhood whose hopes for a peaceful life of raising her own family seem suddenly shattered like the shards of glass littering her lawn after the attack.

 

So if you’ve never heard the audio version of Fields of the Fatherless, you are in for a dramatic presentation read by actress Becca Ballenger. If you would like this audible version for free, be among the first five to request the coupon code. Leave your email in the comment section in this format: suchandsuch (at) gmail (dot) com.

Best wishes!

 

 

 

Cover Reveal – “Road to Deer Run”

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Cover Reveal Day for Road to Deer Run is here at last! And soon, the newly edited text and the beautiful interior design will be available for readers to be swept up in this historical romance set in 1777. I cannot wait!

Book Launch Day will be December 10 but there will be plenty of opportunities before then to pre-order a copy for either Kindle or in paperback.  But keep December 10 on your calendar, as there will be lots of fun giveaways to celebrate this new version of Road to Deer Run. I’ll announce more details as the time draws near and I will set up an event page on Facebook.

Some say you can’t tell a book by its cover. While that may sometimes be correct, a book cover can reveal much about what is inside the story. What do you see in the facial expression of Mary Thomsen as she clutches a red coat in her arms? This new cover should give a hint at the intense story line of this historical romance. And since it is an inspirational romance, it is generally geared towards an adult audience rather than YA. There is nothing graphic in this book, but it is not intended for young children. It is, after all, a story set in the midst of the American Revolutionary War.

Road to Deer Run - Cover

I want to thank CrossRiver Media for breathing new life into the Deer Run Saga. The edits by Debra Butterfield and the new cover design allow readers of the earlier release to be in for a treat. It is basically the same story, but so much more.

 

The sequels will release in 2016: Promise of Deer Run in June and Legacy of Deer Run in December. I cannot wait to share these novels with you as well. It is a series close to my heart and I am grateful for its rebirth!

 

 

 

Cover Reveal in One Week: Road to Deer Run

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Sometimes dreams unfold slowly. Often the journey to fulfillment takes many winding and bumpy roads before the path emerges onto a smooth road. That’s when you look back and realize it was worth all the effort to get to the highway. That’s how I feel with the re-birth of the Deer Run Saga.

And in just one week, the brand new cover for Road to Deer Run will be revealed.  The book itself will release on December 10.

The idea for Road to Deer Run was planted in my heart in 2007, exactly four years after the death of my daughter. It was an anniversary of her loss spent like most—hiding under my bed covers. I had no intention of climbing out of my quilted cave to face a world without Bethany. Then an inaudible voice spoke to my heart. It was as clear as if I’d heard it with my ears: A directive to write a book based on my ancestors.

Well, that wasn’t in my plan. I was already working full time as a nurse. Besides, I had given up writing altogether. I had tried creating an article one time after Bethany’s death, only to realize that bleeding words onto a keyboard was far too painful. No more writing for me, I determined.

 

American Revolution Monument
Site of the Homestead of Daniel Prince

And then the still small voice beckoned me out from beneath the covers.

 

I was confused, not to mention embarrassed. What would I tell my husband? Apparently God had that taken care of as Steve did not question my sanity, but took me to the used bookstore to start my research. It was just another adventure at the Cooper house.

 

So after a stint of self-publishing in 2010, the Deer Run Saga has a contract with a new publisher, new edits and brand new cover, which I can’t wait to share with you. Road to Deer Run’s cover will be revealed first.

In the meantime, I’ll share photos of a visit to the land of my ancestors in Massachusetts. The path they trod, the stone walls they likely created, the granite monument that now memorializes where Daniel Prince built his first home in America. It was an inspiring journey of connecting with my family’s past while seeing God’s hand in the present.

Rural Massachusetts
My ancestor’s path