Elaine Marie Cooper Author

Historical Fiction That Grabs Your Heart and Feeds Your Soul

Historical Fiction

240th Anniversary of the Battle of Saratoga

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September 19, 1777: Saratoga, New York State

 

A dead soldier lay on top of him, but William was too weak to push him off.

Was the corpse an insurgent or his mate? The king’s soldier couldn’t discern regimental colors in the thick, black smoke.

And blood was blood—the smell sickened no matter the allegiance of its owner. The sticky fluid oozed from William’s own arm and leg too. Perhaps his chest. Was his life ebbing closer to eternity? He tried to inhale, but the weight of the body squeezed the air from his lungs.

Dizziness overtook him.

Is this the end?

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And so begins Saratoga Letters, the story of both William and Abigail, followed by Ian and Abby. This two-part historical romance covers two separate stories, interconnected through the generations. It is a tale of war and the commemoration of that war two hundred years after the event.

 

Today marks the 240th Anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga that became known as the turning point of the American Revolution. It was the first great victory for the American Continental Army and drew the allegiance of France in fighting with the Americans against the British. It was a massive victory of mostly farmers armed with muskets fighting against the best trained army in the world at that time. Few believed it could be done, yet history proved the doubters wrong.

 

For more information about the Battles of Saratoga, I recommend Richard Ketchum’s book entitled Saratoga.

Road to Deer Run - Cover

For two historical romance novels set in this war, you can read Saratoga Letters (click here to purchase) or Road to Deer Run (click here to purchase). Also available in kindle.

 

So what drew my interest in this particular battle? It was a young British redcoat named Daniel who fought in the 21st Regiment of Foot in that battle. He was taken prisoner after the defeat, escaped the line of prisoners, and ended up in Massachusetts where Daniel met and married a young woman named Mary. Daniel Prince was my 4th great grandfather.

Elaine&Rock

Benedict Arnold —From Hero to Traitor

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Many lovers of American history are well aware that Benedict Arnold was the infamous traitor of the American Revolution. But the fact that he started out as a hero during that same war still astonishes me.

That fact came home to me this past summer when I went on a research trip to Saratoga National Park and visited the battlefield in Stillwater, NY where the conflict took place. The area of the park is enormous and visitors need a vehicle of some sort to traverse the length and breadth of it. Bike riders can manage the trails as well.

One of the more memorable monuments there is the granite piece that is a memorial to Arnold. The caption reads this:

In memory of the most brilliant soldier of the Continental Army who was desperately wounded on this spot, the sally port of Burgoyne’s Great Western Redoubt, 7 October 1777 winning for his countrymen the Decisive Battle of the American Revolution and for himself, the rank of Major General.

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It sounds like a marvelous endorsement, erected in 1887 by John Watts de Peyster, Maj Gen SNY, 2nd Vice President Saratoga Monument Association. Marvelous except for one thing not mentioned: The name of the “most brilliant soldier.” Arnold’s name is completely missing from the monument in his honor.

 

The opposite site of this marker is a boot, to acknowledge the severe injury Arnold received at this battle.

 

In Richard Ketchum’s book, Saratoga, he describes Arnold’s acts of courage in the midst of the battle:

 

“Most generals would have been satisfied to drive a defeated enemy from the field of battle, but Arnold had the killer instinct, and as long as those two redoubts stood and the British had a chance of escaping, there was no stopping him. … Charging in the face of heavy musket fire and grapeshot, his troops stormed through the abatis while Arnold, raging like one of the Furies, urged them on, shouting and waving his sword. … Arnold’s charge took the outnumbered Brunswickers completely by surprise. Riding around behind the redoubt, Arnold’s luck ran out. He was shot in his bad leg, his borrowed horse was killed, and the leg was broken when he was pinned to the ground beneath the animal.”

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He would have earned a Purple Heart today for such bravery and likely other awards as well. Yet following Arnold through the rest of the War, his pride seemed to become a factor, not to mention his demands for compensation for his war commitment. He is an interesting person to study as it shows someone’s inner motivations leading him down a path of disloyalty and eventually, becoming a turncoat.

By August 3, 1780, General Benedict Arnold was put in charge of the fort at West Point, New York. It was America’s most important fortification at the time. By August 30, 1780, Arnold determined he would betray America and surrender the fort to the British. It was a series of providential discoveries that revealed his plot to destroy the fledgling country of America.

 

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18 NIV)

 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 21:1 NIV

 

Saratoga Letters by Elaine Marie Cooper. Purchase it here on Amazon. Also available in kindle

SaratogaLCover

Traveling with Your Dog

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Earlier this summer, my husband and I did a very brave thing—we traveled thousands of miles with our dog, Mocha. We really weren’t sure at the time if it was courageous, or really stupid!

I had a research trip to go on, along with scheduled book signings in upstate New York. This would have necessitated finding full time care for our 8-pound Chihuahua/ mix. We decided we couldn’t part with our eight-month-old pup for two whole weeks so preparations got under way to take her with us.

We learned a lot about traveling with our furry baby so I thought I’d share some of the travel tips that might help you, should you want to hit the road with your Rover.

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  1. Bring calming medication from the pet store or your vet. Also get pill pockets to hide the pills in, in case the medicine is not palatable. Those pill pockets were a life saver!
  2. If your dog is small, invest in a doggie car seat. We ordered the “Snoozit 2” online and it was awesome. It fit in our seat belt in the back. We purchased an extension belt that attached to Mocha’s harness. That way she would not become a projectile object in the event of an accident. Bring your pup’s favorite toys and blanket.
  3. Find hotels that allow dogs. LaQuinta Inn and Suites were our home-away-from-home for two weeks. Mocha made herself at home in each one!
  4. Carry puppy pads and use them. No explanation should be needed. 😉
  5. Stop every couple of hours at rest stops. You will both need it!
  6. Bring a sweater if your dog tends to get cold. I was SO glad we did since it was rainy and chilly the whole time, despite the calendar telling us it was summer.
  7. Bring food your puppy likes. Traveling can change their appetite. I know it’s a no-no but a few times we resorted to buying a plain hamburger and giving her a portion. It never upset her stomach or caused problems, and it gave her sustenance!
  8. Protect your pup from the sun. We purchased a simple screen that attached to the inside of the window to give her protection from the rays.
  9. Be a responsible pet owner. Don’t assume you can bring your pet wherever you go. There were times my husband and I had to take turns going inside libraries, museums, etc.
  10. Give your pet a break from travelling. Non-stop travel on the road is no fun for anyone so plan on staying in one place at least a couple of days here and there. You—and your furry baby—will be glad you did!

 

Here are a few fun pics of our trip to New York from Iowa. And by the way, we are very glad we took Mocha. Now she LOVES to go in the car!! 🙂

LaQuinta Inn and Suites

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Mocha chasing ducks outdoors at a McDonalds
Mocha chasing ducks outdoors at a McDonalds

 

Mocha and Steve eating outdoors at a fast food place
Mocha and Steve eating outdoors at a fast food place

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Mocha and Steve walking on the Hudson River
Mocha and Steve walking on the Hudson River

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINALLY! The Selah Award Winner!

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I think I must be the worst Author-Blogger! How many months have flown by since I announced my friend, Janet Grunst, and I were both finalists in the category of historical romance for the Selah Award? Too many, that’s for sure!

 

Janet and me at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference awards ceremony.
Janet and me at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference awards ceremony.

In truth, I have been overwhelmed with a research trip, book deadline, and family trip for my son and daughter-in-law’s baby shower. I’ve not been twiddling my thumbs, but I apologize for this late blog post!

 

I owe all my readers an update. The short answer about the Selah winner is … Janet won the Selah award for historical romance!! Now, everyone who is a finalist wishes they received top award. But I tell you, when I heard Janet’s name announced as winner, I was thrilled!! She sat next to me stunned and I literally shook her arm and said, “It’s YOU!! Go up there and get your award!” Her wonderful husband, Ken, was there to see his wife receive this precious acknowledgement of a book well written and I was so pleased for them both. It was an awesome moment and I am SO happy for Janet!

 

Here is her Selah award-winning book cover for “A Heart Set Free,” so if you’ve not had a chance to read it, be sure to pick up a copy. And please write a review at Amazon and Goodreads. Other readers peruse book reviews and it can really help an author get attention for his or her book.

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In summary, congrats to my wonderful friend, Janet, who deserves this special accolade for her first novel!

WELL DONE, dear friend!

 

Saratoga Letters: Finalist in Selah Awards!

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Yesterday was extra special when it was announced that Saratoga Letters was a finalist in the historical fiction category for the Selah Awards! What made the day even sweeter was my good friend, Janet Grunst, was also announced as a finalist … in the same category! I am truly excited for us both.

 

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Janet’s book A Heart Set Free was a labor of love for many years for Janet and finally saw fruition this past year when it was published. Saratoga Letters was published at the culmination of one of the most difficult years I’ve ever experienced personally. I was diagnosed with a serious knee infection last April and was laid up in treatment for months.

I suppose it seems like writers just write their story, submit it to a publisher, do edits, and then watch it get a new cover and magically appear on Amazon.com. But there is so much more behind the story. There are family crises, numerous frustrations on the path to publication, and personal trials that become woven into the big picture. So when both Janet and I were chosen as finalists, it was a sweet reward indeed. Regardless of who wins (and there is a third contender in the category) just being a finalist is a category I treasure. And I thank the Lord for His goodness in the trials.

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Psalm 27:13-14

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.

Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage.

 

 

 

 

Meet Debut Author, Cindy Huff

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Cindy, CONGRATULATIONS on your debut novel, Secrets and Charades!

Tell us a bit about the plot, without giving away any spoilers.

Dr. Evangeline Olson’s niece has been writing to a rancher out west, posing in her letters as her Aunt Evangeline. When the good doctor finds out, she is livid. But a series of events both past and present cause her to revisit her niece’s charade.  Shame and fear had a lot to do with the decision. Prayer brought peace to go forward.

Rancher Jake began writing for a mail-order bride so that the niece he is caring for does not need to go away to boarding school. She needs a better education and genteel ways. Jake’s past as a veteran in the Civil War, along with his history of a broken romantic relationship, play into how he reacts to his new bride. There’s a lot more secrets within the community neither are aware of at first. These play a crucial role in building the relationship of Jake and Evangeline.

How were you inspired to write this story?

“Evangeline” came to me and shared her story. Some people close to me have battled these same emotional traumas. Placing Evangeline’s and Jake’s pain in an historical setting gives readers a little distance from their modern lives. Yet, the pain is still relatable.

 

Have you always been a fan of westerns? Do you have any favorite western authors?

I love a good western or any historical if it is done well. Louis L’amour writes great westerns. I was inspired by Jeanette Oke and Gilbert Morris when their Christian fiction spoke to the heart rather than preached at the reader.

 Secret & Charades front cover

Your female protagonist is a doctor. Was it difficult getting research about women physicians in that era?

Yes and no. If you stick to the internet you find interesting things. But the library and amazon used books provided so much more insight. I have a friend with a huge historical library. He was willing to share some great books. Choosing which things to put in my story was the challenge.

 

Any plans for a sequel?

Yes. I am currently writing a sequel. One of the secondary characters begged me to tell her story.  I have a third idea ready to start after I’m done with Bride in Disguise.

 

Any future novel ideas brewing in your writer’s muse?

I finished a contemporary romance entitled New Duet.  An abused widow meets a wounded warrior. Their past hurts and insecurities are relatable and I hope help those who read it. My agent is currently looking for a home for it.

I have other plot lines both historical and contemporary waiting to draw my attention for future novels.

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How can readers contact you on social media?

My blog:Writer’s Patchwork Blog www.jubileewriter.wordpress.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/cindyehuff

 

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/CindyErvinHuff

Facebook Author page:https://www.facebook.com/author.huff11/

 

Google+:https://plus.google.com/u/0/117599590227912410637

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8029703-cindy-ervin-huff

 

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1946016144/

 

Amazon URL https://www.amazon.com/author/cindyervinhuff

 

Thank you, Cindy, and, by the way, your book cover is gorgeous! Congrats again!

You are so kind.

 

MY REVIEW:

It wasn’t for love that physician Evangeline Olson left her home in Missouri in 1873. There were few options left to keep her fading medical practice alive and she had nothing left to lose by accepting a mail order bride request from a cattle rancher in Texas. But the emotional baggage from her past weighed more heavily on her than the numerous trunks containing her worldly goods.

Rancher Jake Marcum wasn’t seeking love but a mother for his orphaned niece. The  bride who arrived on the train from Missouri however, soon captured his affections. But it would take time, patience, and divine intervention to unravel the mysteries that shielded Evangeline’s heart from his ardor.

“Secrets & Charades” by Cindy Ervin Huff is an engaging post Civil War Western that captures a reader’s interest from page 1. Author Huff does an excellent job of weaving complexity into the simple life of the rugged Texas terrain.

A captivating novel of the Old West, “Secrets & Charades” should find itself on the bookshelves beside many long-loved western classics.

 

Cindy has offered to give a copy of Secrets and Charades to one commenter on this blog post. Please leave your email in the comment so we can contact you.