Elaine Marie Cooper Author

Historical Fiction That Grabs Your Heart and Feeds Your Soul

Historical Fiction

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!

front cover fina.

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.

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”

Author Alice Wisler Interview and Review: Under the Silk Hibiscus

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Short Synopsis of Under the Silk Hibiscus:
During World War Two, Nathan and his family are sent to Heart Mountain, an internment camp in Wyoming for Japanese-Americans. Nathan’s one desire is to protect the family’s gold pocket watch, a family heirloom brought over from Japan. He fails; the watch is stolen. Struggling to make sense of his life in this land of “freedom” as the only responsible man of the household, Nathan discovers truths about his family, God, and the girl he loves.
Interview with Alice J. Wisler:
Tell us the story behind writing Under the Silk Hibiscus.
Friends in town have parents who were in internment camps during World War II and after hearing a few of their stories, I wanted to learn more about that time in our history.  I grew up in Japan, and yet had not read much about Japanese-Americans that  were forced to camps in 1942 because they looked like the “enemy” (i.e., they were of Japanese descent).  The research I did for the novel was mind-boggling and thought-provoking.  I got to interview one woman who was in a camp in Arizona. In addition to Under the Silk Hibiscus being a novel (fiction), I want others to grasp the history (truth) and have an understanding of what transpires when we let fear and prejudice overtake us.
Give us a glimpse of how your writing journey began.
From the time I was six, I loved to create stories.  My first and second grade teacher in our one-room school house in Kyoto, Japan, encouraged me.  She let me read my stapled-stick-figure-illustrated booklets to the class.
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We have in common that we write both nonfiction and fiction. Has combining these two genres been a challenge for you? If so, how?
 
I started off with fiction.  I used to write love stories on Saturday afternoons when I was in middle school.  But when my son died in 1997, I found non-fiction to be what I needed to write.  I wrote a lot of articles for grief and bereavement magazines.  My devotional, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning, is dear to me because it is about grief and loss—such a huge part of my life.   I don’t think writing both types of books has been a challenge.  So many writing techniques are similar for both of them.
Do you have current writing projects you are working on?
Always.  Fiction and non-fiction.
How can readers connect with you?
Please follow me on Twitter
Facebook Author Page
and my blog, The Patchwork Quilt
 
UnderTheSilkHibiscusCover
 My Review of Under the Silk Hibiscus:

Some historical novels are merely entertaining while others carry you on a journey of insight into human nature and the power of God to transform. Under the Silk Hibiscus fits into the latter category and transports a reader to a Japanese internment camp during World War II.

This novel is the story of a teenage boy of Japanese descent. Although an American by birth, he is forced into a world where he is under suspicion solely based on his family’s heritage.  His entire world is shaken with loss and grief as he is forced into the role of keeping the remnants of his family intact.

With endearing characters and a story that unfolds with both realism and hope, this novel by Alice J. Wisler earns an enthusiastic five stars.

Author Bio:

Alice Wisler has authored four novels published by Bethany House:  Rain Song (Christy Finalist), How Sweet It Is (Christy Finalist), Hatteras Girl and A Wedding Invitation, and Still Life in Shadows by River North/Moody. Her devotional, Getting out of Bed in the Morning:  Reflections of Comfort in Heartache (Leafwood), covers the many losses we face and how God sustains us through each one.  Under the Silk Hibiscus, released by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, is her latest novel and first historical.

In 1999, she founded Daniel’s House Publications (in memory of her four-year-old son Daniel), an organization to help fellow bereaved parents. She teaches Writing the Heartache workshops and Writing the Psalms workshops both online and at conferences across the country. The workshops stress the value and benefits of writing from pain and loss for healing, health, and hope.

In 2012, she and her husband started a business, Carved By Heart, where they carve log cabin mailboxes, memorial plaques/remembrances, house number signs, bird feeders, rustic clocks, and other home décor.

Although Alice grew up as missionary kid in Japan, and traveled the world, she’s now settled with her husband, three children and the handsomest boxer you’ve ever seen, in Durham, NC.

Alice is offering a Kindle copy of Under the Silk Hibiscus to one blessed winner! Leave a comment on this blog with your email address and you will be entered in the drawing.

245th Anniversary of Boston Massacre

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Today is the 245th Anniversary of the infamous Boston Massacre. The incident took place even before the American Revolution officially began, but was a key event that ignited the flames of anger leading to that war.

Snow was still on the ground that freezing day in Boston in 1770, much as it is now. The King’s Army had already occupied the city for two years in hopes of quelling riots that broke out in protest to the increased taxes levied by King George and the British Parliament. The American Colonists were frustrated and angry. Tensions between the soldiers and the 16,000 residents of Boston were already high. [Read more…] about 245th Anniversary of Boston Massacre

Celebrating — One Hundred Reviews!

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Perhaps other more well-known authors are used to it. But this not-on-the-New-York-Times-Bestseller-List author is grateful beyond words. My one hundredth review of Fields of the Fatherless posted this week on Amazon. Even better, the reviews tally up to 4.8 out of 5 stars.

God is so gracious and has blessed Fields of the Fatherless beyond anything I might have hoped for. He is the one I give credit to for this milestone and for the awards this book has won.

I want to thank each of you who have read this young adult fiction and responded to the story. Your positive reflections about Fields of the Fatherless have touched me deeply. Some readers offered criticism and I am grateful for that as well. Authors who shut their ears to the voices of critics are not allowing themselves to grow in their craft. May I never be so caught up in “my own way” that I will not listen to input from others.

Thank you, thank you, readers and reviewers! I cherish you and am honored to write books that both entertain and teach something about the history of this great nation. And if you are inspired to grow stronger in your faith through the words that I write, I am truly blessed beyond measure.

Winners of “The Promise of Deer Run”

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On June 27, I posted about PTSD Awareness Day and offered three copies of The Promise of Deer Run to three commenters.

I am delighted to announce the three winners of my post Revolutionary War novel that deals with Post Traumatic Stress in veterans. They are:

 

Heidi Morrell

Debra Butterfield

Janet Grunst

Promise of Deer Run, The
Book 2 in the Deer Run Saga

Congrats to each of you! A signed copy is on the way!

If you missed the article about PTSD Awareness Day, I am reposting it. Click here.