Elaine Marie Cooper Author

Historical Fiction That Grabs Your Heart and Feeds Your Soul

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Review of “Cassia” by Susan F. Craft

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It’s difficult to pinpoint what I appreciate the most about Susan Craft’s latest release entitled “Cassia.” Is it the well-crafted and impeccably researched story? The amazing tale filled with love and adventure? Or the fact that the author describes the true face of evil, not falling into the unrealistic device of romanticizing pirates who seek to kill and destroy? It is each of these aspects of this third book in her series (that includes “Chamomile” and “Laurel”) that had me riveted to my kindle late into the night. I am just saddened to bid farewell to these precious characters, so skillfully created by the author.

But I applaud Ms. Craft’s satisfying finish to an amazing family saga. And I never fear that the author has short-changed us on getting the historical facts correct. Her amazing ability to blend details from the past with an enticing story for present day readers never ceases to amaze me.

Another five star novel to satisfy this historical romance reader. Well done!

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Author Bio:

Susan F. Craft best

Susan F. Craft writes inspirational historical romantic suspense. Her Xanthakos Family Trilogy includes her Revolutionary War novel, The Chamomile, which won the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Okra Pick (re-released April 2015); its sequel, Laurel (released in January 2015); and the third in the trilogy, Cassia, (released in September 2015). Her publisher is Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas (LPC), and her literary agent is Linda Glaz of Hartline Literary Agency. To assist authors to “get it right about horses in their works,” Susan worked with the International Long Riders’ Guild Academic Foundation to compile A Writer’s Guide to Horses that can be found at www.lrgaf.org .

She recently retired after a 45-year career as a communications director, editor, and proofreader.  She currently serves on the LPC Heritage Beacon Imprint publication board and works for LPC as a manuscript editor of historical fiction.

Forty-five years ago, she married her high school sweetheart, and they have two adult children, one granddaughter, and a granddog. An admitted history nerd, she enjoys researching for her novels, painting, singing, listening to music, and sitting on her porch watching the rabbits and geese eat her daylilies.

You can purchase “Cassia” on Amazon by clicking here. Available in both Kindle and paperback.

Baby Pandas/Baby Humans

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Excitement rippled through the country a few days ago as the National Zoo announced a rare event: the birth of twin Panda Bear cubs. News outlets from coast to coast featured the details about the birth, even offering a Panda Cam for those who wanted to observe the newborns. The cam was so popular, it crashed at one point.

Although the zoo had suspected an impending birth, they were “ecstatic” about the delivery of twins, a rare event for this endangered species. Zoo officials gushed about the delivery as the staff flew into mother mode to help Mama Panda keep her babies alive. Sadly, one of the babies died yesterday.

Everyone seems to love Pandas. I know I do.

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But wait. Look at this newborn Panda.

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It is nearly hairless, covered with wispy fur. It is pink and weighs about 3-5 ounces. The newborn is compared to the size of an adult mouse. It doesn’t look much like a Panda.

It looks—dare I say it—similar to a human fetus.

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A human baby of 14-16 weeks gestation weighs 3.5 ounces and is covered with soft downy hair. At this point in utero, the baby hears, sleeps, and even dreams. She can grasp with her hands, kick, and do somersaults.

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Yet at 14-16 weeks gestation and even older, this human baby is at risk for a nightmarish experience. It is at risk for being pulled apart, piece by piece, limb by limb. In anguish. In terror.

No Baby Cams to watch. Only heartless observers with a scalpel bent on abortion and the harvesting of human baby parts.

May God help us and may He deliver these innocents from torture.

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Everyone does not love human babies. But I do. And so does the God Who created them.

Review: “Final Grace for Reverend G”

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I have mixed feelings about announcing the release of the third and final Life at Cove Creek novel entitled Final Grace for Reverend G. I hate for this series to end! I have been blessed by these books written by R.J. Thesman that follows a woman who suffers from Alzheimers. It has been both heartrending and a joy to follow the title character’s journey through dementia, but I would never call it depressing. It is a brilliant portrayel of the person behind the disease and I recommend the three book series to all who know someone with Alzheimers. Here is my review of book 3:

 

A brilliant word crafter, author RJ Thesman completes her Reverend G series with a story that will touch your spirit and enlighten your understanding of the disease known as Alzheimers.

Final Grace for Reverend G is the third and final segment that details the journey of dementia that impacts the Reverend as well as those who love her. The three book series, including The Unraveling of Reverend G and Intermission for Reverend G, is written entirely from the point of view of a former minister who now suffers from dementia. Although her story is fiction, author Thesman has done her research well and clearly depicts the physical, spiritual and emotional odyssey of brain cells rapidly declining and destroying the main character’s ability to function.

Rev G 3 Cover

This third book covers the later stages of this illness. While I expected to find this final episode extremely painful, it also provided moments of hilarity that had me laughing out loud. Mostly, it elicited tears from this reader as my heart ached for each and every character whose loss I felt deeply.

This entire series deserves five plus stars. I would recommend the story of Reverend G to every family whose loved one has dementia and to every caregiver who will ever work with Alzheimers patients. It is a truly uniquely look at this illness, that will open the eyes of many. Bravo, to author Thesman!

Links to order:

Through CrossRiver Media: Click here

Amazon: Click here

 

Author Bio:

RJT - pic for 2nd book

RJ Thesman has been a writer since she flipped open her Red Chief tablet and scribbled her first story. As the author of Life at Cove Creek Series, Thesman speaks on the subject of caregiving and what to do when life unravels. Thesman is also a certified writing coach and Program Director at GateWay of Hope, a nonprofit organization that helps hurting women. Thesman enjoys teaching workshops and helps beginning writers birth their words. She is the mother of an adult son and enjoys reading, gardening and cooking – especially anything with blueberries. Thesman lives in the heartland of Kansas with her son and an elderly cat.

 

 

Book 1:                                                                   Book 2:
Intermission Rev G Cover

 

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The Fourth of July in “Road to Deer Run”

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With the upcoming release of the newly-revised Deer Run Saga, I am posting the excerpt of the 4th of July reading of the Declaration of Independence that is a crescendo event for the character of Daniel Lowe. This excerpt is from Road to Deer Run:

The older man  was similar in  appearance to  Josiah, but  the resemblance ended there, as the father had a more humble demeanor in both his countenance and speech. He read the Declaration with a clear, audible tone, obviously moved by the passion underlying the text. It was easy to understand why Mr. Grant had been chosen to do the reading. [Read more…] about The Fourth of July in “Road to Deer Run”

Fallacy of Closure

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I only half paid attention to the news the other day but one word I heard caught my attention: Closure. It was made in reference to the killing of the terrorists who were responsible for the embassy slaughter in Benghazi. Now the family members of the victims could have a sense of closure, the report stated.

I bristled at the suggestion. Closure? When you’ve lost a loved one?

What exactly does closure mean? The dictionary defines it as a sense of resolution or conclusion. The term was brought into popular use in the 1990’s when the “Need for Closure Scale” was adopted by behavioral scientists. It was developed for individuals with a high need for order and predictability in their lives.

What a fallacy. Our lives can never be predictable. Anyone who has lived even a few short years understands the unexpected can happen. Trains are delayed. Flights cancelled. Car accidents take lives. Cancer is discovered. Our lives could be described as an “adventure” perhaps—but predictable?

After writing the memoir of my daughter, Bethany, who died of a brain tumor, I was asked if writing the book somehow gave me a sense of closure.

 

The story of my daughter's journey with cancer.
The story of my daughter’s journey with cancer.

I told this person that I find closure an interesting word. It seems to imply that one can get over the death of a child or other loved one who is torn from our lives here on earth. In some ways, I think it helps onlookers be more comfortable. They don’t have to act like the grieving person still suffers.

 

In fact there is a part of those who are left behind that will always suffer.

 

If you lose a limb, you learn to adjust to its loss. You make accommodations for its absence. Yet the nerve cells in your brain are still connected to that limb. Often, amputees talk about “phantom pain” that makes them feel the actual presence of that missing body part. And yet, the limb is gone. Never forgotten. Always missed.

 

The fallacy of closure is that one never resolves the heartache. It becomes accepted as a part of your new life. But the pain never closes.

Des Moines Oct 0865

 

 

Celebrate Flag Day!

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In 1836, an eleven-year-old boy named William said a final farewell to his beloved grandmother, Elizabeth Ross.

In 1870, the now forty-five year William Canby stood before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, presenting evidence that his grandmother, Betsy Ross, had hosted a secret visit by George Washington to her upholstery shop in June of 1776. The new commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, along with Robert Morris and Colonel George Ross, approached the young Widow Ross about creating a flag to represent the 13 colonies fighting for freedom. According to William Canby, his grandmother helped design the flag with the circle of stars that is still known today as the Betsy Ross Flag.

Although many have disputed Canby’s story over the years, there appears to be much evidence to support his claims. So much so that in April of 2009, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission officially recognized Betsy Ross’ contributions to our fledgling nation. The official sign in front of her home on Arch Street in Philadelphia reads:

“Credited with making the first Stars and Stripes flag, Ross was a successful upholsterer. She produced flags for the government for over 50 years. As a skilled artisan, Ross represents the many women who supported their families during the Revolution and early Republic.”

 

Betsy Ross Flag
Betsy Ross Flag

The story of Betsy Ross is an inspiring one. She was widowed not once but three times in her 84 years. Her first husband died from an explosion at a munitions depot. Her second died in a British prison. Her third husband succumbed to illness. She gave birth to seven daughters, two of whom died in infancy. Despite these many tragedies, she continued to support her growing family by running her successful business.

Besides being credited by many with designing and sewing the first flag, she was commissioned in May of 1777 by the State Navy Board of Pennsylvania to sew flags for Navy vessels. The receipt for this work is kept in the Pennsylvania Archives.

That same year, on June 14, 1777, the first official flag of our new nation was adopted by the Continental Congress. Today, we still celebrate June 14 as “Flag Day.”

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I was about eleven-years-old when I visited the home of Betsy Ross. I was enthralled with the history that filled every corner, and clearly remember the kitchen being in the basement—such an odd concept for a child of the 20th century! I discovered a love for the ornate pitchers and bowls that early Americans used for washing up before they had indoor plumbing. I came home with two miniature pitchers and bowls that I bought in the gift shop and treasured for years.

When I think about the eleven-year-old grandson of Betsy Ross treasuring the memory of his grandmother sharing tales from the American Revolution, my heart is stirred. What an impact she had on his young mind! I can envision him sitting near his Grandma as she repaired one of the many flags worn with age that were returned to her hands for restoration throughout the years. The recipients of the flags had not forgotten who the seamstress was. Nor did William Canby. And he cherished the tales from the woman he admired.

What kind of a legacy will we leave our children and grandchildren? Will it be one of using our talents that the Lord has blessed us with?

“Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.” Proverbs 22:29 (NIV)

Do we use every opportunity to teach our children about God’s ways and inspire a dedication to Him?

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deut. 6: 5-7 (NIV)

If I learn nothing else from the story of William Canby and his dedication to his grandmother, Betsy Ross, I will always remember her legacy of inspiring memories of importance in his mind—memories shared along the way that were forever imbedded in his heart.

What memories will your children and grandchildren hold dear?

Happy Flag Day! Let our banner be one of Christ’s love and grace

For more information about Betsy Ross, click here.