I was recently blessed to read an advanced copy of Road to Deer Run by Elaine Cooper. This is a wonderful story set during the Revolutionary War. In her usual engaging style, Elaine weaves a tale that will keep you turning pages to the end.
If you are looking for a gift for a book loving, history loving friend or family member (or just for yourself), this book should be on your list!
About Road to Deer Run:
War is in the air in 1777 in western Massachusetts. The able-bodied men have all left Deer Run to fight the battle at Saratoga, New York, leaving the Colonial women and the elderly behind to tend the families. While news of the American victory is heartening, the personal losses are already being felt by the Thomsen women in the village of Deer Run.
Still reeling from the loss of her brother, nineteen-year-old Mary Thomsen comes upon an unexpected and terrifying discovery: A wounded King’s soldier. Her heart wants to hate, but her compassion and sense of Christian duty overcome her grief. But becoming a Good Samaritan takes a terrifying toll, and brings Mary on an adventure of fear and passion that she could never have anticipated.
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I thoroughly enjoy finding books that not only entertain, but also uplift me in my spiritual walk. Deer Run does not disappoint! The underlying message is strong without being in your face.
I asked Elaine what she hopes readers will take away from reading Road to Deer Run.
Elaine: “A strong belief that no matter what life throws at you in the way of tragedy, God can be your source of strength if you choose to trust Him. I also want my readers to understand the importance of forgiveness. Bitterness has far reaching ramifications in our hearts and souls, and in our relationships with others. With God’s help, we are equipped to truly forgive.”
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One of the things I find fascinating is the fact that the basis for this story came from Elaine’s own family history. I asked Elaine how this story affected her personally, since it is based on the story of her family.
Elaine: “Writing a fictional story of my ancestors was a very moving experience. The more I researched about their lives in 1777 as well as the terrible toll the war took upon everyone—soldiers and civilians—the more emotional the writing journey became. I also experienced a deep sense of loyalty in my depictions of the characters, not wanting to write anything that would offend them if they were looking over my shoulder. They were my grandparents, after all.” J
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Since its Christmas time, I asked Elaine to share a favorite Christmas memory. You’ll like this one!
Elaine: “When I was little, my mom had a wonderful way to help us get into the true meaning of Christmas. In early December, she put out a box of cotton balls and a large empty jar. She instructed us to put a cotton ball into the jar every time we did something nice for someone else. But there was one condition: We had to make sure no one saw us put the cotton balls into the jar! That way, only God knew what we had done. By Christmas Eve, the jar was usually brimming with soft cotton. Mom took the wad of balls and placed them in the manger. Then she placed the ceramic Baby Jesus on the soft bed of cotton. Our kind deeds made a sweet place for Jesus to sleep.” J
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 Runthis month and will be followed by Promise of Deer Run (June 2016) and Legacy of Deer Run (December, 2016). Saratoga Letters will be released by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas 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.
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