Elaine Marie Cooper Author

Historical Fiction That Grabs Your Heart and Feeds Your Soul

American Revolution

Free Gift for Friends of “Fields of the Fatherless”

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I want to tell all of my friends, family members and fans of  Fields of the Fatherless how grateful I am for your support. You are the reason that this novel has been as successful as it is and I cherish your efforts to promote my writing.

To thank everyone who purchased, reviewed, and encouraged me on my writing journey, I wanted to let you know that Fields of the Fatherless is now available (for a limited time) as a free audiobook from Audible.com and Amazon.com. (Scroll down to my book) Just request a coupon code to get your free audiobook.

And THANK YOU! You are a blessing to me.

 

Winner, YA Fiction, 2014 Selah Award; Best Religious Fiction, 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Winner, YA Fiction, 2014 Selah Award; Best Religious Fiction, 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards

There Are Some Unknown Heroes – Nicholas Herkimer

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One of the first historical stops on my long research journey this spring was in Little Falls, New York. It is where the home of Nicholas Herkimer is found.

So who is Nicholas Herkimer, you might ask?

You can find out by reading my blog at Colonial Quills. 🙂

Click here.

 

 

Nicholas Herkimer home, Little Falls, New York
Nicholas Herkimer home, Little Falls, New York

Ten Tips for Road Trips

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“What’s with that truck? Its trailer is weaving back and forth!”

As my husband, Steve, and I pulled into the left lane, the problem became obvious: The truck was hauling THREE trailers!

This was not the only one like it that we saw on our 3,000-mile historical research/ book-signing road trip. We learned very quickly to steer clear of the three-trailered-trucks!

We learned many things while driving from Iowa to Massachusetts and back, via Vincennes, Indiana. While Steve drove on one of our boring stretches of highway on this journey, I made notes and thought I’d share them with you. I hope you find them helpful.

 

1 – Before you ever leave home, invest in comfy seat cushions. We bought the Aylio Coccyx Orthopedic Comfort foam seat cushions. Steve merely called them our “butt savers.” Whatever you name them, they will save the day for your back and rear end!

2 – If you’re feeling tired and looking for stronger coffee from a well-known coffee shop, get the “blonde” roast. There is more caffeine in the less processed coffee beans.

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3 – When driving through New York State on a toll road and the sign says “No Cash,” this translates into “they ONLY take cash.” I can’t explain it…

4 – Carry healthy snacks in the car like almonds, peanuts and dried fruit. You will be less inclined to buy “goodies” whenever you stop for gasoline.

5 – Bring plenty of plastic bags for trash and laundry. You’ll be amazed at how quickly both items accrue.

6 – Don’t wear white blouses or shirts when drinking coffee in the car. I have personal experience with this.

7 – If you eat a donut and drink coffee from a well-known donut chain four days in a row, you’ll never want to eat a donut again. You may feel like you’re turning green for days afterwards every time you look at their sign. I also have personal experience with this.

8 – If you’re staying in a motel and want to know the forecast, don’t bother with the weather cable channel. They seem to be too busy running specials in the evening to let you know there might be a tornado on the ground nearby. Watch the local channels.

9 – Carry a small cooler for drinks and quick meals like yogurt. You will save time and money.

10 – Watch out for mother otters—carrying their babies in their mouth—scurrying across the road. (They are SO cute!!)

 

I hope you find these tips helpful.  Although it took lots of planning and occasionally, was incredibly boring, driving across the miles through these United States is the best way to see this gorgeous country we call home. I highly recommend it.

Audio Version of “Fields of the Fatherless!”

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I received wonderful news this week from my publisher: Fields of the Fatherless was going to become an audio book!

My publisher had contracted with an actress (Becca Ballenger) after she’d auditioned for the reading. I think her reading is perfect. 🙂

If you’d like to hear the first 15-minute preview, you can listen to it here:

Fifteen Minute Audio

When the whole book is available, I’ll be sure to announce it.

And thanks for listening.

Detour on the Journey

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Occasionally, life takes us on detours. That is where my writing path has currently taken me: from historical fiction to a non-fiction memoir.

Since I am trusting the Lord with each step on this very important side road, I am relying heavily on His strength to carry the burden. So far, His yoke has been easy, albeit, covered with tears.

My book writing began seven years ago when I began researching for my first historical fiction (“The Road to Deer Run”). Since then, I’ve published three more in the same genre, each set in the era of the American Revolution.

But nearly three years ago, I was at a Christian Writers Conference, worshipping God during the praise time, when a very real impression of God’s direction in my life took root in my heart and mind: the Lord was telling me to write a memoir of my daughter Bethany’s battle with a brain tumor. She passed away ten years ago.

Prior to this moment, I had determined in my steel heart that I would NEVER write about that painful journey. But there I was, with tears rolling down my cheeks, the Lord reassuring me in my spirit that He would give me the strength. And He has.

So now I labor to relive that worst trial in my life. And I’m praying that her story will bless others to help them glimpse a speck of light on the darkest of days.

I’m also praying that my book will help other families who are in similar circumstances, empowering them to be their loved one’s advocate. Helping family members and friends to know where they can say “no” and perhaps—even when they are unsure of their steps—to know they can say “yes” as the Lord guides them on unfamiliar terrain.

So on this temporary detour—perhaps the most important in my calling as a writer—I pray that my daughter’s memory will be honored and that her story will touch many for His glory.

I covet your prayers as I work on “Bethany’s Calendar.” And I thank you.

 

(Photo of sun peeking through the clouds courtesy of Thomas Deitner)

Books of Impact

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I was recently “Tagged” on Facebook to ask which books I considered to have “stayed with me.” They might have been memorable for any number of reasons but they must be books the reader could not forget.

How intriguing: Not just favorite books but books with impact. It really got this author thinking about the variety of books I’d read throughout my life, and which ones were implanted in my memory as having impact. After contemplating the challenge, here are ten books that have influenced my life. I’m sure there are more, but these rose to the top of my thoughts:

 

10 – A Pillar of Iron by Taylor Caldwell; for the first time as a teen reader I was aware of the extensive research that went into a book of historical fiction. I was in awe of the author’s time and hard work spent on gathering facts.

9 – Those Who Love by Irving Stone. Read when I was a teen, I was amazed that real life historical figures could be brought to life in fictional form. I was enthralled by the process and the engaging read.

8 – Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I loved the brave heroine in the midst of suffering circumstances. She held her head high despite those who would treat her as an inferior. The book made me fall in love with window seats to read upon. 😉

7 – Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung. A short but powerful glimpse as to motivations behind being too busy. Thought-provoking.

6 – Simply Salsa by Janet Perez Eckles. Powerful true testimonial from a lovely Christian woman who went blind amidst numerous other trials in her life. Inspiring story of strength and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

5 – A Love Worth Giving  by Max Lucado. Allowing Christ’s love to SO fill you that the overflow will spread to those around you.

4 – The Redemption Series by Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley. This is five books (Redemption, Remember, Return, Rejoice, Reunion) that sparked my appreciation for the impact Christian fiction can have on a reader. It can actually draw you closer to the Lord. It was a revelation that helped inspire me when I started writing my own Christian fiction.

3 – A Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier by Joseph Plumb Martin. First person account by an elderly veteran of that war that brought me into the mindset and language of soldiers during the American Revolution. Best research source for my Revolutionary War era novels.

2 – Roses in December: Comfort for the Grieving Heart by Marilyn Willett Heavilin. Given to me on the day of my daughter’s funeral, this book is the autobiography of a Christian Mom who lost three sons over the course of several years. Inspiring. Heartbreaking. Comforting.

1 – The Bible. Source for my faith, my hope, my salvation.

 

 

So what are ten books that have stayed with you? I’d love to read your list.