• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to footer

Elaine Marie Cooper Author

Historical Fiction That Grabs Your Heart and Feeds Your Soul

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Speaking
  • Contact Me
  • New Release!
  • Coming Soon!
  • Bethany’s Calendar
  • Historical
    • Deer Run Saga
    • Fields of the Fatherless
  • All Books

Reviews

Review: “Noah” the Movie

March 30, 2014 by emcoop 8 Comments

I never go to a movie based on a Biblical story expecting complete accuracy. Even when written and directed by believers in the Scriptures, there are often storylines that, for the sake of time or creativity, change details.

So with an open mind and a love for God’s word, I carried my notebook into the matinee to watch the new release, “Noah.” With all the controversy about this movie, I was expecting there to be troubling themes that would not support the important subjects such as man’s fall and God’s provision and protection. In these areas, I was pleasantly surprised.

The storyline began with Noah’s father teaching him about the fall of Adam and Eve (the parents of us all, the script says).  The audience sees Satan’s disguise as a snake and witnesses how he tempted men’s hearts and led us into sin. Noah’s father also teaches the son that our strength comes from the Creator. Noah is exhorted to “walk along side the Creator in righteousness.”

As an adult, Noah struggles in this movie to protect his family from the wicked sons of Cain—the first murderer—and is aided in protecting them by angels called “The Watchers.” (more about them later)

DSCN4297

His grandfather, Methuselah, is his spiritual mentor who, in cinematic style, allows Noah to envision direction from the Creator to build the ark to save not just the animals of the earth, but mankind itself. The wickedness of people has reached such proportions that judgment time has come.

 

And thus the building of the vessel that saves Noah and his family begins, showing the accurate shape of the ark as a long oblong box, which is according to the instructions in the Bible that God gave.

For the most part, I loved this movie. Cinematically, it was beautiful with the benefit of CGI that lent itself perfectly to this creative depiction. One of my favorite views was during the flood, showing the view from the sky. The entire earth is shown as if it was a satellite image, with storms swirling over the whole world. Very dramatic and a surprising view of what it must have been like.

I also loved the theme of the middle son, Ham, who struggled with his belief in God from childhood. Very effective.

One of the most memorable lines of the movie was the King of Canaan staring into Noah’s face, spitting out the words, “And you stand alone.”

Noah looks at him and replies, “I’m not alone.”

Indeed, he was not.

Many believers struggle with the fact that the title “God” is not used in this movie. But the repeated references to The Creator made it quite clear to me exactly Who the characters are speaking about. I have no problem with this and wonder why Creationists would.

One of the more dramatic scenes shows Noah, dressed in disguise, seeking wives for his sons in the enemy camp. He is so overcome by the depravity of men’s hearts, he returns to the nearly built ark in shock. His family presses for an explanation to his silent behavior. He says in a frantic whisper, “The wickedness is not just in them—it’s in all of us.”

This revelation for Noah of his own sin nature impacts much of the ensuing scenes in the ark itself. The writers took a few astonishing liberties with the Bible story, causing this reviewer to groan. The problem is, since so little is known about the actual events on that journey, the writers seemed to be grasping for dramatic conflict. Most writers understand the importance of keeping the action moving to retain one’s audience—but the plots that ensued disappointed this viewer since they were not consistent with the story as a whole.

Still, the events on the Ark—listening to the screams of the dying in the flood as well as trying to discern God’s will and plan for his family—did provide explanation for Noah’s behavior in a later scene on land, actually depicted in the Genesis account.

An aspect of the movie that rated “Five Groans” on a scale of five, was the Ent-like animated creatures who portrayed the Watchers. It was like imagining “Lord of the Rings” meets “Star Trek” in the Old Testament. Can’t we use a phaser and get rid of those images?

Despite my disappointment about the scenes on the Ark and the images of the animated creatures, there was much to celebrate about this movie. They showed the door of the ark being closed by the hand of God. They emphasized the pride of man and the need for mercy. They didn’t mince words about sin, evil or temptation.

And it was a movie about an actual Bible story.

If you are a person who believes any depiction of a Biblical story should be straightforward and accurate in every detail, you will not like this movie. Much artistic license is taken with many scenes and in the fabricated plot lines. However, it is the creative composite of visuals, storyline and message that make this a fascinating retelling of the Bible story of Noah.

Even if the motive of the producers was just to make money, God can still use it to draw people into reading the actual story in Genesis—a true story about pride, sin and redemption. A true story that we all need to hear.

 

 

 

 

Less Than a Week to LAUNCH!

October 17, 2013 by emcoop Leave a Comment

Book launch for Fields of the Fatherless is less than one week away! Next Tuesday, all systems will be “GO!” at Amazon!

I have been so blessed by the reviews that pre-readers are posting at Goodreads. Here are a few snippets:

 

Elaine Marie Cooper has done a great job in Fields of the Fatherless portraying the culture and events of the time. While the main characters and their stories are fictional, many of the events and places which served as the basis for the story did occur.

Elaine takes us directly into the emotions of fear and disbelief as Betsy’s world is turned upside down by war. Her emotions show her both honest and strong as she faces an uncertain future forever shaped by what she witnesses. Struggling to make sense of the horrors of war, she discovers a truth greater than death and hating.

—  Angela Meyer, Author of Where Hope Starts

 

 

What I experienced in reading Fields of the Fatherless was an engrossing, heart-wrenching read with characters that grabbed my heart and a wonderful historical tale, suitable to be shared with the entire family, the sort of book grandmothers can confidently pass on to their granddaughters.

What makes this story special is that it is based upon true accounts of an actual battle and its aftermath in the small village of Menotomy, Massachusetts, at the start of the Revolutionary War. Ms. Cooper makes history come alive in a first person account told through the eyes of real-life Betsy Russell. Betsy was a teenager when this significant, but little told, battle in our country’s fight for independence took place, and she makes for an endearing character.

— Lisa Norato, Author of Prize of my Heart

 

 

Elaine Cooper captures the essence of what it was like to live during the opening days of the Revolutionary War. Her research about this little known battle takes the reader to Betsy’s side as she sees horrors, love, and a personal journey of hatred and forgiveness in this amazing story. Fields of the Fatherless is a snapshot of history everyone should read.

                                                                        —  Peter Leavell, Author of Gideon’s Call

 

 

 

 

You can Pre-order Felds of the Fatherless by clicking here.

 

 

 Or join me for my book launch on Facebook, Tuesday, October 22. It’s all online so no travel necessary!

Click here  for Facebook Launch Page.

Book Review 3 – Fields of the Fatherless

October 6, 2013 by emcoop 2 Comments

In just a little over two weeks, Fields of the Fatherless will be released. To say that I am excited is an understatement. To say that I am heartened and overwhelmed by the reviews appearing on Goodreads from advance readers is absolutely true. And I am so very grateful for each and every one. Here is another review:

After reading this epic tale, I immediately sat down to write my review. I had to get it down while this story was fresh in my mind.

I am totally spent after reading Fields of the Fatherless, all my emotions are either at the surface, or have spilled over. Elaine Marie Cooper has truly shown what it was like during this terrible time in history. I found myself vividly envisioning such unthinkably, vivid scenes, yet I kept reading because I needed to ‘witness’ it until the end.

I appreciate Elaine’s writing so much, as she doesn’t hold anything back. She not only tells the story, but she ‘shows’ the story through her words.

This story is based on fact and Elaine did a great job incorporating her own imagination into it all.

I simply love this quote from the story…it spoke to my heart.
“T’would not have mattered, if I had died doing the right thing.”
She paused. “If I did not do the right thing, it would mean something
inside my soul had died. Nothing is worth that. Not even my life.”

Such powerful words and so true.

Whether you are a history buff or simply enjoy a great novel, I highly recommend this book to you. You will find yourself totally immersed in the time…..and find yourself learning a very important lesson in forgiveness and what if truly means to show compassion and love to everyone…including your enemies.

Thank you, Elaine, for writing this story. And thank you for including your Author’s note. It added to the impact of this story.

I was allowed to read this story in advance in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

 

Thank you, Deborha Mitchell!

Fields of the Fatherless – Book Review 2

October 3, 2013 by emcoop Leave a Comment

It is now less than three weeks until Fields of the Fatherless releases. I have been so humbled and honored by the reviews at Goodreads. Here is one of them from a pre-release reader:

 

Fields of the Fatherless is an engaging fictionalized retelling of a true historical event. The author skillfully wove the facts together with her characters giving the story a richness many historical reenactments lack. The addition of fictional, yet authentic-looking, diary snippets “authored” by Betsy Russell rounds out her personality, making her more accessible and genuine to the reader. Ms. Cooper doesn’t play down the bloodiness of colonial war—instead many scenes are told in grim, honest detail sharing the horrors as well as the victories. We are given glimpse into the heart of man, the goodness and the ugliness on both sides of the battle. I’ve read many fictionalized biographies—and this one is right up there with the best. I highly recommend it.

— April McGowan, Author, “Jasmine”

 

Thank you, April McGowan!

 

If you’d like to pre-order Fields of the Fatherless, you can order it by clicking here.

  
(Photo of Re-Enactors at the Jason Russell House courtesy of Thomas Deitner)

Book Review: Fields of the Fatherless

September 29, 2013 by emcoop Leave a Comment

It is only three weeks and two days until Fields of the Fatherless releases. A PDF copy of the book was sent to dozens of pre-readers for reading and reviewing. Several are already posted on Goodreads. Here is one:

Ms. Cooper’s Fields of the Fatherless can be summed up in one word–Wow! As an author, I enjoy the research I do to make my novels as true to the era I write as possible. But Ms. Cooper has gone above and beyond the norm, taking a small thread from an historic era and transforming it into an intense read. And by intense I don’t mean the shoot ’em up scenes from a Jason Statham move. I’m talking intense as to actually smelling the fear and grief her heroine does throughout the entire novel.

The story begins with Betsy’s ears ringing from her sister-in-law’s agonizing screams during child birth, and from the roar of gunfire and cannons outside her door. The British are storming through her hometown and the male townsfolk are ready to defend their land and country from England, including Betsy’s crippled father. Ms. Cooper than takes the reader back a few months where Betsy struggles to make sense of the impending war, where she fears for the well-being of her family and her neighbors, where she has an urgent need to possess some type of weapon to help keep safe everything and everyone she loves, including herself. Where she falters in her relationship with God to understand right from wrong, love from hate, and most of all, forgiveness.

Without the gruesome visual of battle depicted in Saving Private Ryan, Ms. Cooper gives just enough description to allow the reader to imagine on his own the ravages of war. Chilling in reality, Fields of the Fatherless precisely conveys the devastating effects of war on both sides and how, as humans, we must band together to protect what is most precious–life. As you cheer, weep, cringe, pray and even learn, you’ll come away from this novel with the same feeling as I did–Wow!

***Note–This book will be available for purchase in October 2013. I received an advanced copy from the publisher to write this review.

 

Thank you, Julie Lence! I am so honored by this review! If you’d like to pre-order Fields of the Fatherless, you can do so by clicking here

 

 

Book Review: Burning Sky, Lori Benton

August 4, 2013 by emcoop 6 Comments

Burning Sky by Lori Benton is one of those riveting novels that make you regret the need for sleep. Each chapter begged me to proceed to the next and, when the final page was viewed, I reluctantly closed the book, wishing the story would continue on.

This is the tale of Willa Obenchain. After twelve years of captivity with the Mohawk tribe, the grieving young woman can barely say her own name. Her ability to speak her native English is as much a struggle as sorting through her sense of who she is. Is she still the white frontier-settler Willa or has she transformed into the woman dubbed Burning Sky by her Indian captors?

Her self-identity is further complicated by three men: a neighbor from her distant past, the Indian warrior from her adopted clan, and the stranger whose faith appears far stronger than his ability to survive the wilderness.

Burning Sky

Willa is also faced with returning to an empty cabin that was once her home, now destined for auction because her parents were dubbed loyal to the British cause in the recently won American Revolution. How can she defend their honor when she doesn’t know where their loyalties truly were, or even worse, where her parents are?

Although these challenges threaten her sense of peace and trust in the God Who spared her life, the greatest battle for the stalwart Willa is recovering from a deeply, painful loss. Her seemingly-solid faith is in danger of succumbing to despair.

It is not surprising that author Benton is an artist, as her palette of words paints vivid descriptions of the frontier wilderness with both its beauty and harshness. But it’s the characters who are the true masterpieces. They are skillfully wrought through rich dialogue that is both credible and compelling. Benton has a depth of understanding about human nature that brings her cast of characters to an outstanding level of believability.

The history of America after the Revolution comes alive in these pages in a way that no textbook could ever teach. It is a tender yet realistic story that captures your heart and begs for a sequel.

I give Burning Sky  5 out of 5 Stars

 

Author Bio

Lori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God’s transforming grace.

When she isn’t writing, reading, or researching 18th century history, Lori enjoys exploring the mountains with her husband – often scouring the brush for huckleberries, which overflow the freezer and find their way into her signature huckleberry lemon pound cake.
Visit her website here
Purchase at Amazon here
  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3

Footer

Follow Me

  • Amazon
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Email
  • Blogger

Recent Posts

  • Defensive Indifference
  • What Doesn’t Kill Us …
  • Thank you to my Friends
  • Today is Release Day!
  • Heroes, Heroines, and History post

Facebook

Facebook

Contact Info

To contact Elaine Marie Cooper for speaking engagements, interviews or questions about her books, click here to fill out the form on her contact page.

Copyright © 2025 · All Rights Reserved · Elaine Marie Cooper · Site Designed by Pixel Dust, LLC · Log in