Revolutionary War – Page 2

December 9, 2015November 21, 2015

A VISIT WITH ELAINE COOPER, AUTHOR OF ROAD TO DEER RUN

Elaine Marie Cooper’s story ROAD TO DEER RUN takes us to Massachusetts in 1777 after the Battle of Saratoga. Wounded British lieutenant Daniel Lowe has escaped his Continental Army guards and is hiding on the Thomsen property. Midwife Thomsen’s daughter, Mary, finds him and nurses him back to health.

In reading the author’s notes, we discover that the characters in your story are based on your ancestors. Please briefly share that with us.

When I was quite young, a relative informed me that one of my ancestors was a British soldier during the American Revolution. I was quite horrified! As I grew older, however, I began to wonder about that soldier—who he was, where he came from, how did he end up staying in America. Not all of my questions were answered but I learned quite a bit about him through research. It was like discovering a genealogical goldmine! I was so excited to learn about my heritage and I included as many facts in my story as I could. Obviously, much of the story is fictionalized because I don’t have any family diaries, but where I could, I incorporated true facts.

How much research was involved in telling this story? Do you have a particular method of searching for the facts? Did this involve traveling, interviews, searching library, or church records?

Since Road to Deer Run was my first historical novel set in this locale and time period, research was mind-boggling! I searched the internet, Google books from the town, records from the local doctor’s office, church record, maps, and book after book about life in Colonial America. But visiting the site where my ancestors lived and worked was the most inspiring part of research. And interviewing the local historian in Williamsburg, MA was incredibly helpful. There’s nothing like having an informative local historian to bring history to life!

The situation of an American patriot nursing a British soldier, the enemy, is compelling. How much of their story did you know about and how much did you create?

Since I did not have the details about how the real Daniel and Mary met, much of it is fiction. But I surmised that it was very possible the real Daniel could have sustained injury in the Battle of Saratoga. I knew the King’s Army had been starving during that time so Daniel’s weakened condition was plausible. And there is an excerpt in A History of Williamsburg in Massachusetts that reads thus: “One British soldier, worn out and tired of fighting for what seemed a lost cause, dropped out from the irregular line of march at Springfield and returned to Williamsburg. There, on an old road leading from Williamsburg to Goshen, he built a log cabin. Later this man, Daniel Prince, married a Miss Packard of the neighborhood and reared a family.” This excerpt leaves out much detail, but my writer’s imagination took this story and ran with it!

ROAD TO DEER RUN has timeless themes of romance, grief, anger, bitterness, and forgiveness and you pace the story very well. Did you plot out your story ahead of time or did you allow it to develop as you wrote it?

I guess you could call me a “seat of the pants writer” as I let the story develop as it went. I had spent numerous hours ahead of time forming a basic plot in my imagination. Then, when I could no longer keep it just in my head, I had to release it to the written page. It’s always interesting to me to “watch” the plot unfold and have the characters begin to speak. It’s the strangeness of being a writer. LOL

ROAD TO DEER RUN is the edited version of your earlier book THE ROAD TO DEER RUN. Why did you re-do the book? This is the first story in the DEER RUN series. Will you be editing and re-publishing the other stories in the series?

When I first wrote Road to Deer Run, I discovered the publishing industry was in a down turn. With many new writers being ignored and companies laying off editors, I decided to self publish. While self-publishing can be a good alternative for some, it was not a wise decision for my first novel. It lacked proper editing. When I pitched the series to CrossRiver Media, they immediately contracted all three books, much to my joy! They have an excellent editor (Debra Butterfield) and she has worked with me to improve the read. The book covers needed re-doing as well because they tend to make the book appear as if it is for children, although it is geared towards adults. Promise of Deer Run releases next June, 2016, and Legacy of Deer Run releases in December of 2016.

When you started writing the original story, did you know this would be a series, or was your initial intent for it to be one book?

I initially thought it would just be one book, but an editor suggested I turn it into a series. I followed his advice—and I’m glad I did.

What do you want your readers to take away from ROAD TO DEER RUN?

The belief that God is still there, even in the most desperate of circumstances. And that despite what others may do to hurt or offend us, God still expects us to forgive. It’s not usually easy, but it is necessary if we are to be freed of bitterness.

What has writing the original story or the edited one taught you?

When you write the personal thoughts of a character who is wrestling with a dilemma, you sort through the struggles in your own mind. I suppose the characters become an extension of the author and help bring clarity to our own thinking.

Please tell us about the sequel(s) and when they might be available.

Promise of Deer Run focuses on the now grown up Sarah Thomsen and follows characters who are impacted by the war with post traumatic stress. Legacy of Deer Run follows Mary and Daniel’s oldest son and his work in Springfield as he must leave Deer Run in order to make a living. Of course romance is a central theme in both of these books, and Mary and Daniel play a prominent role in the whole saga.

Thank you so much, Elaine, for being my guest. I know folks will enjoy the story.

Thank you so much for having me, Janet! I am honored to have been your guest.

Where can readers find your books?

Road to Deer Run is available at the CrossRiver site http://www.crossrivermedia.com/portfolio/road-to-deer-run/gallery/fiction/ and will be available at Amazon on December 10. The kindle version can be downloaded at http://www.amazon.com/Road-Deer-Run-Saga-Book-ebook/dp/B0189AH21M

Bethany’s Calendar is available at http://www.amazon.com/Bethanys-Calendar-Elaine-Marie-Cooper-ebook/dp/B00QXY38F6

Fields of the Fatherless at http://www.amazon.com/Fields-Fatherless-Historical-Fiction-Elaine-ebook/dp/B00FYV5EOM

Author Bio:

Elaine Marie Cooper is the award-winning author of Bethany’s Calendar and Fields of the Fatherless. Her re-release of the Deer Run Saga begins with Road to Deer Run this month and will be followed by Promise of Deer Run (June 2016) and Legacy of Deer Run (December 2016). Saratoga Letters will release in October 2016. Elaine’s passions are her faith, her family, and the history of the American Revolution, the era in which her historical fiction novels are set. You can read her blog on her website at: www.elainemariecooper.com

August 31, 2015August 19, 2015

Meet J. M. Hochstetler, Author of VALLEY OF THE SHADOW ~ The American Patriot Series Book 5

Please tell us something about yourself, Joan.

I’m the daughter of Mennonite farmers. I grew up in an Amish and Mennonite community outside Kokomo, Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University

more years ago than I’m going to admit to. I’m married to a truck-driving retired pastor and have 3 grown daughters and several grandchildren I’m not able to spend nearly enough time with. I also enjoy gardening, scrapbooking and other crafts, antiquing, traveling, and reading.

After serving as an editor with Abingdon Press for many years, in 2006 I founded Sheaf House Publishers, a small specialty press that publishes mainly fiction. I’ve authored 7 books, including book 5 of my American Patriot Series, Valley of the Shadow, which releases September 1. This series is the only comprehensive and accurate fiction series on the American Revolution. My other historical fiction series is the Northkill Amish Series, coauthored with Bob Hostetler. Book 1, Northkill, released in March 2014, and Book 2, The Return, is scheduled to release in October 2016. My standalone contemporary novel, One Holy Night, is set during the Vietnam War.

Northkill was awarded ForeWord Review’s 2014 INDIEFAB bronze award for historical fiction. One Holy Night, which released in a new edition in 2013, won the Christian Small Publishers 2009 Book of the Year Award and was a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Carol Award.

What sparked your interest in writing?

A dream, strangely enough. It was so vivid and compelling that when I woke up I knew I had to write the story to find out who these people were and why they were doing what they were doing. It turned into an epic medieval tragedy, which one of these days I will finish and publish!

What can you share about your journey to getting published?

It was a looong journey! I began writing in the late 1970s—after the dream. After years of working hard to learn the craft, a whole lot of research, and a number of close misses, I got my first contract for Daughter of Liberty and Native Son, the first two books of my American Patriot Series, which were published by Zondervan in 2004 and 2005. I ended up parting ways with Zondervan, and after I founded my own small press, I brought out the first edition of Book 3, Wind of the Spirit in 2009. Beginning in 2012 I published revised editions of all 3 volumes in the Heritage Edition and added Book 4, Crucible of War. Valley of the Shadow is the latest installment, and I’m planning 2 more volumes, which will carry my characters through to the end of the war: Refiner’s Fire and Forge of Freedom.

Do you have a writing schedule and special place where do you write?

I generally write in the mornings when my brain is fresher and I have fewer distractions. Then in the afternoons I try to focus on Sheaf House business and also promote my books. It doesn’t always work out perfectly, though, and I’m sure you relate to that! Life happens and things get messy. I’ve learned to stay very flexible.

I am blessed to have a dedicated home office. I know not all writers have a separate space available for their work. Although my office is small, I’m very grateful to have it. Without it I’d go crazy, especially when I’m researching and have resources spread over every surface, including the floor!

What words of advice would you give to beginning writers?

Read deeply the kind of books you love to read. Read the way you eat—to live. Then write what you love to read. Write about subjects and themes you’re passionate about. Don’t make getting published your main goal. Instead, learn to write with excellence, and then write the very best stories you can write. The rest will take care of itself.

Your latest book, VALLEY OF THE SHADOW, Book 5 in The American Patriot Series, takes place during the American Revolution. Please tell us a little more about the story.

In Valley of the Shadow, Elizabeth Howard is a prisoner aboard a British prison ship in New York Harbor, surrounded by the warships of the Royal Navy. British General William Howe has summoned Brigadier General Jonathan Carleton to surrender to him or she will be executed. Carleton knows, however, that Howe will never release her, but plans to execute them both as soon as Carleton surrenders. His dilemma is how to find and rescue her within an excruciatingly narrow timeframe when all the odds are stacked against him. From heart-pounding battles on the high seas, to the rigors of Valley Forge and the Shawnee’s savagely fought wars to preserve their ancestral lands, Valley of the Shadow continues the thrilling saga of America’s founding in an inspiring story of despair, courage, and triumph.

God often teaches us something through our writing. Is there a spiritual theme VALLEY OF THE SHADOW?

Each of the volumes in the series has its own theme, and the series itself also has an overarching theme. The theme addressed in Valley of the Shadow is learning to trust God in all circumstances and that literally nothing is impossible for the Creator of the universe. The theme of the series is the life journey to find one’s true home in God’s kingdom. While enduring the anguish of war and separation, Elizabeth and Jonathan discover that, even more than the grand ideal of liberty and the deep intimacy of earthly love, their hearts seek the eternal city of God, where they will no longer be aliens and strangers, and that true peace and lasting freedom are found in God alone.

Can you tell us anything about the next book in the series or a current work in process?

Currently I’m working on The Return, book 2 of the Northkill Amish Series, which I’m writing with my fifth cousin, multi-published author Bob Hostetler. This series is a fictional treatment of the well-known story of our Hochstetler ancestors who emigrated to this country in 1738 seeking religious freedom. They were drawn into the French and Indian War when Indians attacked their homestead in 1757. Three members of the family were killed and 3 were carried away into captivity, returning years later. Readers can find more information at www.northkill.com. The Return publishes in fall 2016, and as soon as it’s off my desk, I’ll get back to the last two books of the American Patriot Series.

Thank you so much, Joan, for being my guest. I know folks will enjoy your stories.

Thank you so much for having me, Janet! It’s been a pleasure to visit with you and your audience.

Book Giveaway

To enter the giveaway for a free copy of VALLEY OF THE SHADOW, please leave a comment along with your email address. The winner will be notified. Giveaway ends September 4th, 2015.

Where can readers find your books?

They’re available from Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=J.+M.+Hochstetler; Barnes and Noble at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/j.-m.-hochstetler; and Christianbook.com at http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=J.+M.+Hochstetler&N=1120877&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCG&nav_search=1&cms=1&search

Author: www.jmhochstetler.com

American Patriot Series: www.theamericanpatriotseries.com

Northkill Amish Series: www.northkill.com

One Holy Night: www.oneholynight.com

October 13, 2014October 12, 2014

The United States Navy 239th Birthday

The American War for Independence gave birth to what is now the United States Navy.

In late May of 1775, the Second Continental Congress began meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to push back against the British King’s coercive acts. April battles in Massachusetts brought the colonies into open warfare with British troops, so in part the function of this Congress was to establish and manage the war effort.

Until that time each of the thirteen colonies had their own militias made up of part-time citizen soldiers. Now, a unifying army was needed. In June The Continental Army was established to coordinate the military efforts between the thirteen colonies.

Britain not only had the world’s most powerful army, but their navy dominated the seas. The British navy was providing material support to the British forces in the colonies and hindering colonial trade. John Adams, among others, was advocating for an American fleet needed to defend coastal towns from British raiders, and protect the import and export of goods. Many of the Delegates to the Congress were initially reluctant and hoped for reconciliation with the Crown. They viewed the establishment of a navy a step towards independence, and a foolhardy attempt to take on the strongest navy in the world.

On October 3, 1775, resolutions and arguments were made regarding the establishment of a fleet. By October 5, word had come of more English supply ships en route to Quebec. Delegates from New England were far more vocal advocates for a navy than their mid-Atlantic and Southern counterparts, and fortunately they made up the committee that came up with a plan.

On October 13, the Second Continental Congress voted on legislation authorizing two sailing vessels to be armed and manned by crews of eighty. These ships were to be sent out for a period of three months to block British transports from carrying munitions and re-supplying the British forces in the colonies. Fortuitously, that same day, a letter from George Washington was read in Congress indicating that he had acquired three schooners to cruise off Massachusetts to intercept enemy supply ships. This seemed to provide all the motivation needed to develop the Continental Navy. Congress soon established a Naval Committee charged to establish and equip a fleet.

Maritime ships were recruited and refitted with armaments to serve as war vessels. During the war, ultimately more than fifty armed ships made up the Continental Navy. They seized enemy supplies, and transported munitions and provisions from Europe. The new Navy captured nearly 200 British ships, some near the British coast, which diverted part of the British navy from protecting their own ships and

trade routes.

After the Revolutionary War, the Navy ships were sold and the seamen and officers let go. The Constitution of the United States, which was ratified in 1789, empowered Congress “to provide and maintain a Navy” which it has done ever since.

“The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.”

January 27, 2014January 27, 2014

Meet Author Elaine Marie Cooper

It is a joy and privilege to have an opportunity to interview Elaine Marie Cooper, a special friend and fellow writer. Her latest book, Fields of The Fatherless is a heart-wrenching story with characters that will touch your heart. It is also a tale of faith and forgiveness.

Please tell us something about yourself, Elaine.

Thank you so much for having me as your guest! It is my privilege to be here.

First and foremost, I am a Christian, wife, mom and GiGi to triplets who are almost four. I’ve been writing since I was very young but started my first novel in 2007. I never thought that I would be a writer of historical fiction but you never know what might happen with your life when the Lord places a love for both writing AND history in your heart! I am especially excited about my latest release, Fields of the Fatherless, as it is based on a true but little-known story that occurred in my hometown.

I’m going to start with some questions writers in particular may be interested in.

What sparked your interest in writing?

I’m not certain what sparked it but I know my father encouraged it. He seemed to understand my attraction to forming words into stories and I’m forever grateful to him. I know I loved poetry and music and often penned lyrics to songs. It was my series of humorous poems about the crazy life of motherhood that first attracted the eye of a newspaper editor who offered me a chance to freelance. That started the writing ball rolling for me. J

What genre do you like to write?

My favorite genre is historical fiction. Since I was a young girl in Massachusetts, I’d visit the historical sites where the American Revolution started and soak in all the information I could. Now that I live in the Midwest, on-site research for that era is a little more difficult but I make trips back to New England as often as I can. In between, I have my nose in books and online gathering as many facts as I can. I love the research. I’m such a history geek. J

Tell us about your journey to getting published. Did you get an agent before submitting to a publisher?

I’ve been on an atypical journey with my writing. When I started my first book, I knew nothing about the publishing industry; I just knew I felt called to write. When my first book was written in 2009, I began seeking out advice and heard the gloomy news that publishers were in a serious situation and few new writers were being picked up. Undaunted, I opted to self publish my first book. This was considered by most in traditional publishing to be the death-knell for an author. However, my first book has done modestly well and turned into a three-part saga. The third book in the saga was picked up by a small Christian publisher and they will pick up the first two books in the series this year.

My newest release was contracted after attending Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference and I had an appointment with the acquisitions editor at Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Before the year was out, I received a contract for Fields of the Fatherless. I have yet to find an agent, although I have not been actively looking.

What is your writing schedule and where do you write?

I’m not sure that I have a writing schedule per se but between my part time jobs, blogging and manuscript writing, I feel like I’m writing non-stop. All of my computer work is done in my home office and it’s nice to have it separate from the rest of my house. That way, when my fingers are telling me it’s time to pause for awhile, I can walk out and take a break.

What is your process? (Spreadsheets, Outlines, Seat of the pants?)

If I had to define my style for writing, I’d say “seat of the pants.” But I am surrounded at my desk by books, notebooks and an occasional outline to keep me on track. Once the muse gets started, however, the books are temporarily set aside while the spirit moves.

What words of advice would you give to beginning writers?

Go to a writer’s conference and connect with writers and editors. Attend classes there. Listen and learn. Be a sponge and soak in every bit of knowledge to help improve your writing. And pray for the Lord to open the doors where HE wants you to write.

Ok, now the story:

Your latest book, Fields of The Fatherless, focused on actual events. Please tell us a little more about the story.

This story occurred at the very start of the American Revolution in my hometown of Arlington, Massachusetts. At the time, it was called MenotomyVillage. All the real events in my novel occurred the same day as the more-famous battles of Lexington and Concord, yet the battle of Menotomy saw more loss of life than any other town that day. It was the battle that occurred after Lexington and Concord, as the British troops were retreating back to Boston. By the time they had reached Menotomy on that retreat, the British were angry and out-of-control—and armed with plenty of guns and bayonets.

The story, written in fictional form, is told through the point of view of the 18-year-old woman who survived the battle. Betsy Russell was a real person who was very much a part of our history, yet has, for the most part, been unknown. I wanted to tell her story and the sacrifice that her family made that helped birth this nation

When I read Fields of The Fatherless, I was struck by its intensity and how emotionally draining it must have been for you. What inspired you to write this particular book?

I used to walk by Betsy Russell’s house when I was a little girl. (It is now known as the Jason Russell House and is a historical landmark.) When we were kids, my older brother tried to scare me by saying there was “blood on the floor” in there but I was quite intrigued by his description and never forgot the old two-story wood structure. A few years ago, I began to research that house and discovered the amazing story that so few seemed to know.

I was determined to share the family’s saga as well as the history of my hometown and, as with all my historical fiction, I wanted it to feel real. To do that, I tried to imagine everything that Betsy was experiencing during the months leading up to the war, as well as the terrible day of the battle, and the ensuing weeks that saw her mature in her faith and understanding of life. It was very emotional imagining all that Betsy went through and I often found myself in tears as I wrote Fields of the Fatherless.

God often teaches us something through our writing. What did you learn about life, faith, or yourself in the process of writing the Fields of The Fatherless?

I think my understanding was reinforced about how complicated life can be. How difficult it is when you have convictions about what is “right” yet how it can conflict with doing the right thing in God’s eyes. Life is never simple. But God always wants us to choose His way and that often is the braver—and more difficult—of two choices.

I know you are currently working on a book very close to your heart. Can you tell us anything about it?

My current WIP (work in progress) is called Bethany’s Calendar and is a far cry from my usual historical fiction. It is a memoir of my daughter’s journey in the last two years of her life when she suffered from a brain tumor. This is the book I never wanted to write yet I felt a clear conviction from the Lord at a writer’s conference three years ago that He would give me the strength to write this book. And He has. My hope with this story is that other families going through a serious illness of a loved one will be helped on their journey as I share my own. As a registered nurse, I also have some unique insight that I hope will help others. One thing is certain: Families in such a crisis feel so alone. I hope that my story can be a “companion” to them in their sorrow.

Thank you so much, Elaine, for being my guest. I know folks will enjoy your books.

Thank you so much for having me, Janet.

Where can readers find your books?

All of my books are available at Amazon.com in both paperback and e-book.

Website: www.elainemariecooper.com

FB: http://www.facebook.com/ElaineMarieCooperAuthor

Twitter: @elainemcooper

Other books by Elaine Marie Cooper:

The Road to Deer Run

The Promise of Deer Run (Winner of Best Romance, 2012 Los Angeles Book Festival),

The Legacy of Deer Run (Runner-Up in Romance, 2013 Los Angeles Book Festival)