I am excited to have Author Elaine Marie Cooper back as a guest. She has a wonderful new series Dawn of America. I am fascinated to learn how a series comes to be.  Elaine is going to share the birth of her Historical romance with us. Hope you enjoy this peek into the creative process of a skilled wordsmith.

A “chance” discovery while I researched online revealed a historical incident that occurred during the American Revolution in Connecticut: The British troops attacked three towns along Long Island Sound in 1779. I had never heard of these battles before and was amazed by the significance of them. Yet the stories of the residents of New Haven, Fairfield, and Norwalk, Connecticut, seemed buried in the annals of history.

I couldn’t wait to unearth the past, set in fictional format!

Thus was birthed the idea for Love’s Kindling, a love story set in the backdrop of 1779 Fairfield and New Haven. My characters came to life for me as I created their stories. Zadok Wooding, a blacksmith frustrated with his ordinary life, finally has a chance to become a hero, until an accident thwarts those plans. Aurinda Whitney, who lives a Cinderella existence with an unloving father, struggles to keep her faith in the midst of war. The two meet and the adventure begins, fraught with terror, bravery, and, of course, love that kindles in the midst of war.

The back story of Zadok and Aurinda is featured in the prequel, War’s Respite. It is set in 1763, at the very end of the French and Indian War. War’s Respite is a short novella and is an introduction to the entire 4-book series entitled Dawn of America.

When I signed my contract with Burnett Young Books, the publisher wanted Book 1 to be a Prequel to Book 2, Love’s Kindling. I’d never written a prequel before and I found it completely enjoyable to go deeper into the back story of my characters. It required minimal changes to Love’s Kindling, except a few lines between the characters. It almost seemed as though Book 2 was written to have a prequel! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I took pleasure in writing it.

In the works are Books 3 and 4, Winter’s Ravage and Courier’s Return. I hope this new series blesses you and touches your heart.

                                   Back Cover Copy, War’s Respite

In 1763, the war with the French came to a close. While most Connecticut colonists breathed in relief, others are faced with unexpected conflicts as battles of a different nature ensue at home.

Veteran Abijah Whitney regrets leaving his pregnant wife behind when he was called away to war. The news of her death during childbirth as well as the ugly brutalities of war have left their mark. His only comfort is the knowledge that his daughter survived. But his plans for her upon his return will cause an uproar in many lives, including the aunt who raised her.

Primrose Allan’s sole consolation after the death of her sister in childbirth is the baby girl who lived. The aunt raises the girl as her own, fearing that one day the girl’s father might return for her. But Primrose never imagined the nightmare that would ensue.

Dr. Isaac Northrup is a friend caught in the middle of the turmoil. Always desiring to bring healing, he feels helpless in the events that cause pain and heartache to others, as well as himself.

Jonas Wooding, the town’s blacksmith, is caught in the strife, made all the worse by a serious epidemic. Bound by constrictions of local law and forced to face his own grief, Jonas’s trust in God is stretched beyond endurance.

When all seems lost, will faith endure?

      Back Cover Copy, Love’s Kindling

During the American Revolution in 1779, Aurinda Whitney lives with her cold and calloused father, an embittered veteran of the previous war. Aurinda’s life changed forever when her father returned for her after that war, taking her away from the only place she’d ever experienced affection. Since her father blamed Aurinda for the death of his wife in childbirth, Aurinda is convinced she is unworthy of love.

Zadok Wooding believes he is a failure as he tends the smithy at home while others go to battle against the British. Just when he has an opportunity to become a hero, he is blinded in an accident. Now he fears he will never live up to the Biblical “mighty man of valor” for whom he was named.

When the couple meet, they are both challenged to overcome adversity as well as their inadequacies. Unexpected secrets of their past emerge that can change their lives forever. But can they look past their present circumstances to heal—and find love.

Author Bio

Elaine Marie Cooper has two E-book releases January 18, 2019: War’s Respite (Prequel novella) and Love’s Kindling. Paperback version of Love’s Kindling will follow. These books are the first two novels in the Dawn of America Series set in Revolutionary War Connecticut. Cooper is the award-winning author of Fields of the Fatherless and Bethany’s Calendar. Her 2016 release (Saratoga Letters) was finalist in Historical Romance in both the Selah Awards and Next Generation Indie Book Awards. She penned the three-book Deer Run Saga and has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. You can visit her website/ blog at www.elainemariecooper.com

Elaine is giving a way a copy of both e-books to one lucky commenter. Let me know in the comments on this blog that you’d like to be entered in the drawing. Comments on social media are not eligible. I’ll draw a name on January 31st. Elaine will contact the winner.