Elaine Marie Cooper Author

Historical Fiction That Grabs Your Heart and Feeds Your Soul

Elaine Marie Cooper

Fields of the Fatherless – Book Review 2

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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

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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

 

 

Congratulations! It’s a — Book Cover Part 2

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It was April 26, 2013—just 238 years and seven days after the events written about in Fields of the Fatherless.  Now, four women were about to attempt a photographic recreation of the book’s main character—Betsy Russell.

The day started early. I had to be at the house of the seamstress, Katie, by 7:45 a.m. to meet the young woman I’d hired to apply makeup to my model. The instructions were to make the model look as natural as possible. Just enough makeup so the lights didn’t wash her out.

While the make-up was applied, I hurried to the store deli to pick up sandwiches that I’d ordered the day before. I loaded them in the ice chest with the fruit plate and water that I’d already packed. I also got a few donuts for the model. 🙂

After picking up Katie and her granddaughter (the model), we drove to the next town to pick up Heather, my photographer. Excitement was growing as we were all working together on a project that was unique to all of us. As lovers of Early American history, it was a labor of love.

I sat next to my model as we drove to our destination. She wanted to know about the character she was portraying and she listened intently as I described her. She was totally swept up in the tale of Betsy Russell and seemed to relate well to the young woman depicted in my novel.

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The day was perfect for a long drive and we praised God for the good weather. In April of 1775, a warm spring had settled on Massachusetts and our sunny skies in 2013 in the Midwest were a perfect match. Anticipation coursed through the car as we approached the 18th century Colonial home.

The wonderful homeowner welcomed us and made us feel completely at home. While my model went to put on her dress, Heather set up lights and umbrellas. I’d participated in several photo shoots before, so I knew the drill. It would take numerous photos of the same pose just to get a few that might be considered.

And might be considered was always in the back of my mind. It was completely possible that my publisher would not want any of the photos. But at least they’d know what I was envisioning for a cover. I prayed it would go well.

It went better than I could have imagined because an amazing thing happened. It was like our lovely model metamorphosed into Betsy Russell. I watched in awe as she stared out the window as though British Redcoats were just around the corner. At one point, she became so immersed in her character that tears welled in her eyes. For two hours time, she became Betsy.

My friend, Katie, ended up in tears as well, watching her beautiful granddaughter transform into the young colonial woman from long ago who survived a terrifying time in history. It was a moment that my friend will always treasure.

I think all four of us will forever hold that day dear in our hearts.

The day was not all seriousness, however.

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At one point, the family cat showed up to participate in the photo shoot. She was right at home, even staring out the window with the model. I think she thought the Redcoats really were coming! The photo shoot kitty actually inspired the character of Pumpkin the cat in my novel. I hope you get to meet her in the pages of Fields of the Fatherless. 😉

Dozens—probably hundreds—of photos later, Heather wrapped up the photo shoot. We all laughed and shared some food and thanked our gracious hosts. Release forms were signed so that I’d own the copyright to the photos in order to give the rights to my publisher—in case they wanted them.

We were all sad to leave. It had been an inspiring day where everything came together. It was like the Lord had His precious hand in all the details, turning my imperfect human efforts into His perfect artwork. It was a masterpiece of synchronization that only He could orchestrate—and I give Him the praise for it all.

After this memorable day, the four of us waited for four months for the final decision from my publisher. And the decision was “yes.”

The designers at Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas took a couple of the images and used their creative magic to produce the final cover. And I could not be more pleased and excited with the beautiful cover they created.

As a side note to our perfect day: Exactly one week after the gorgeous spring weather for the photo shoot, we had a snowstorm—on May 3. It was a record breaker for that date.  🙂

 

Come back on Thursday, September 26, for the business aspect of doing such a photo shoot. Part 3 of “Congratulations! It’s a — Book Cover”

Congratulations! It’s a — Book Cover!

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It’s something every author anticipates with both excitement and dread—that instant when he or she sees their book cover for the first time.

After months (or years) of crafting and drafting the words that become woven into their book, every author hopes that their cover will not just draw readers’ eyes, but perhaps be the best possible design to illustrate the inner contents.

No one wants that moment of presenting their book cover to be met with the same facial expression one might save for a parent revealing their newborn with misshapen head and bruising from a difficult birth: “Oh yes, Mrs. Cooper, your baby is—ummm—beautiful.”

New parents and authors are tender souls whose feelings should be spared. But while newborns with the imprint of a stressful delivery will recover into beautiful children, a book cover is what it is. If it’s unattractive from the start, it is forever so.

I was delighted when our marketing person at Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas said that the design team would like input from their authors for the book cover. Wow! I had a say in the matter! Ever since I had received my contract under the Christmas tree last December—well, via e-mail, actually—I’d wondered what working with this new publisher would be like.  I was heartened that they wanted to know my thoughts.

The Deer Run Saga
The Deer Run Saga

In the past I’d had complete control over my book covers for the Deer Run Saga, hiring a local artist to design the images. What started out as paintings, morphed with the magic of technology into the illustrations for my series.

Now I was with a new publisher, and I had to go with their flow. Being allowed to voice an opinion was a relief, although I knew they still had final say.

While pondering their suggestion for input, my imagination began to work overtime. What did I envision for the cover for my historical fiction set in Massachusetts? Having grown up in that state, I knew the look I wanted. I envisioned the young heroine looking alert yet lovely. It “looked” great in my mind—but how did I transfer those creative musings into an image? I needed a photo!

Right—like I was going to travel from the Midwest back to New England just for a photo shoot! It would hardly fit in with my budget or my schedule. But here is where events started to occur that helped me see that I must be receiving help from on High. Everything seemed to come together almost magically.

First of all I hoped that I could arrange for a photo shoot at the actual setting for my story. That fell through. As did another idea. Frustrated, I shared my thoughts with my husband one evening.

“I know the perfect spot,” he said. He knew an editor that had done a photo shoot at a location not too far away. It was an authentic Colonial house—built in New England in 1755—that had been moved, piece-by-piece, to the Midwest in the 1970’s.

Are you kidding me?? What were the chances?

I tracked down the location and the owner and bravely requested to use their house for a photo shoot. The gracious homeowners were more than accommodating.

Next, I needed a photographer. My husband once again came through as he told me about a professional freelance photographer that goes to our church—and often sat right behind us! I had no idea Heather was a photographer.

All that was left was to find the right model. But how do you find someone with waist-length hair who has the right look about her? I did not want a modern-looking young lady. She needed to have that aura of a Colonial American young lady—simple yet lovely.

Well, I was having trouble here—so I prayed about it. God answered my prayer as  my friend, Katie, posted a birthday photo of her granddaughter on facebook. There was the model I was looking for, her image right on my laptop.

As if God was not working overtime to help me as it was, He threw in one more gift: The same friend was a seamstress who knew how to sew period clothing. Katie and I went shopping and I purchased the material. Her creative hands sewed the Colonial American costume that her granddaughter would wear.

I was dumbfounded by these “chance” blessings. And grateful.

April was approaching and I wanted to get the photo done at the same time of year as the events in my book. The photographer and I had already made a visit to the Colonial house to plan where the shots would be photographed. As it turned out, Heather the photographer was also from the East and loved Colonial American homes. J

Soon we had a date that we could all meet at the house location.  I prayed that everything would go well. But I could never have anticipated just how much God would continue to help us bring this project together.

 

(Come back for Part 2 this Sunday, September 22, as I write about the actual photo shoot)

Featured image courtesy of Thomas Deitner

 

 

 

Every Day is a Gift

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We buried my Mom yesterday. She was 99 years old.

Up until the last year of her life, her main difficulties were physical ones. But the last twelve months had seen an increase in loss of memory and comprehension—a tough battle for a lady as mentally sharp as Mom. Even when you’re nearing the century mark, no one wants to lose pieces of their life that become fragmented in the fog of growing dementia. That was her toughest struggle of all.

During the winter months of her battle, I was signing books at a Christian bookstore a distance away. During one of my breaks, I sauntered around the selection of gifts when my eyes were drawn toward a small ceramic bird. I focused on the inscription, which read, “Every Day is a gift from God.”

I picked up the precious reminder and brought it to the cash register. This was a gift worth purchasing for Mom.

 

Mom and I on Valentine's Day
Mom and I on Valentine’s Day

When I presented it to her on Valentine’s Day, her face lit up. “Thank you for the reminder,” she said with eyes that revealed so much. It’s difficult to consider the hours spent in discomfort, loneliness, and confusion as a gift. Yet even the moments of pain can become a blessing as our compassion for others in need is nurtured and our appreciation for heaven is heightened. These are the gifts of glorifying God that—while we do not understand the whole picture on this side of heaven—require our trust as our faith in Him is strengthened.

I often think of my crossstitch needlework when pondering life’s woes. While on the front is a beautifully wrought design, the underside is pocked with strands of tattered thread that look unattractive and frayed. God’s view is the finished piece of artwork while all we can see on this side of heaven is the battered and broken underside.

Yet God is creating His masterpiece.

After Mom’s funeral yesterday, I saw one of my mom’s dear friends—a precious lady with a keen mind and a crippled body from polio that she had years ago. My mom loved her and she cherished Mom in return. I had picked up Mom’s ceramic bird after she passed away and placed the gift in my purse. It was still nestled in my pocket book so I reached in and wrapped my fingers around the precious reminder that had ministered to my mom.

“Here, Carol.” I placed the bird in her hands. “I think my Mom would have wanted you to have this.”

Her eyes melted in appreciation. “Thank you.”

“Thank you for being her friend,” I said, my own eyes welling.

The gift of a friend—one of God’s many comforts as we face the trials of each day. As we each draw closer to Him, and our own eternity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life and Death

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I’m sitting at my mother’s bedside and she is dying.

It is not an unexpected event since she is 99. But the sheer rapidity of the onset of pneumonia took us all by surprise. She was playing a game with my sister last Saturday. On Sunday she was reading the library books I had picked up for her and anticipating her grandson’s visit this week. By Tuesday, she was short of breath and feverish. By the next Saturday—today—she is unresponsive and near the end. [Read more…] about Life and Death