The Promise of Deer Run and Giveaway

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Title: THE PROMISE OF DEER RUN
Author: Elaine Marie Cooper
Publisher: iUniverse, Inc.
August 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4620-3796-4
Genre: historical romance

The American Revolution is over, and Nathaniel Stearns is sent home by his father to check on his wife and children, and to tell them that he’ll be home posthaste. But when Nathaniel arrives home in Deer Run he finds his brother dead and the cabin deserted. He learns his mother and sisters moved to Boston. Nathaniel stays in Deer Run to wait for his father and direct them to the rest of the family. But seven years later, Nathaniel’s father still hasn’t returned home.

Sarah Thomsen is the town troublemaker. Ever since she snuck away to the all-boys school as a young child, she’s had that label. Now a man is expressing interest, but his mother thinks she’s not suitable. Nathaniel is also interested in her, but his attempts to get to know her are mostly thwarted by her other beau.

Just as Sarah and Nathaniel get some headway into a relationship, Sarah hears an awful story about Nathaniel. Her attempt to clear it up goes awry and Nathaniel storms off, leaving Sarah heartbroken. Is there any hope of Sarah and Nathaniel getting together? And what of his father?

THE PROMISE OF DEER RUN is the second book in her three-part Deer Run Saga. The story is interesting, with a good premise, and characters. It does have some point of view errors. But otherwise, the story was good, and held my interest.

I didn’t read the first book in this series, but this book easily stands alone, so don’t worry if you haven’t read the first book. Although, according to an author quiz I just saw, Nathaniel is mentioned in the first book. If you are looking for a book set after the Revolutionary war, then THE PROMISE OF DEER RUN is one to consider. The author’s note at the end of the book was fascinating. $16.95. 237 pages.

***

An Absolutely Charming Tale!
Once again, Elaine Marie Cooper pens an absolutely charming tale of eighteenth century Americana. War, no matter the era, takes its toll on both soldiers and families. The Promise of Deer Run is a precious next story following Mary and Daniel’s story in The Road to Deer Run, picking up with Mary’s sister, Sarah a few years down the line. Be sure to read the first book too! As a historian and author, I am grateful to Elaine for her dedication to authenticity. —Lisa Lickel, author of A Summer in Oakville

About The Promise of Deer Run:
America’s war for freedom from England has been over for seven years, but the wounds of that conflict still haunt the minds and hearts of the residents of Deer Run. Young American veteran Nathaniel Stearns has withdrawn to a life of isolation as he awaits his father who never returned from the war.

A near-tragedy in the woods brings Nathaniel face-to-face with nineteen-year-old Sarah Thomsen, someone he had long admired but he assumed had eyes for another. This chance encounter opens a crack into the door of his heart as mutual affection quickly blooms.

But slander and lies soon mar the budding romance, rendering both Sarah and Nathaniel wounded and untrusting as their faith in both their God and each other is shattered. Set in 1790, this book continues the story of the Thomsen and Lowe families as they struggle to survive in the aftermath of the war that birthed the United States.

The Promise of Deer Run
ISBN: 9781462037964
Softcover: $16.95
ISBN: 9781462037971
Hardcover: $26.95
ISBN: 1462037968
E-book: $9.99
Released: August 16, 2011
www.PromiseOfDeerRun.com

Watch the book trailer at www.PromiseOfDeerRun.com
The Story Behind the Story:
How The Deer Run Saga Was Birthed
By Elaine Marie Cooper

When I was young and first heard that one of my grandfathers had been a Redcoat during the Revolutionary War, I was somewhat embarrassed. Growing up in Massachusetts had made me proud of our country’s heritage. But instead of finding zealous patriots in my bloodline, my DNA was from an enemy soldier named Daniel Prince!

Calmer reasoning prevailed, however, as I thought about the reality of his story. Living conditions in Colonial times were difficult, to say the least. It was a frightening period of our history for both Americans and the British. And in the midst of our nation struggling to be birthed, two people on opposing sides in a bloody war met and fell in love.

This story from my family’s history was transformed in my thinking into an inspiring one of romance, unhindered by the politics of the day. It became, purely and simply, a love story.

And so was birthed the idea to create a fictional account of actual events. Since the story is from my imagination, I opted to change last names, the names of the communities, and many other details of the time. However, many of the historical events are documented facts.

The particular information on Daniel Prince’s military background was discovered thanks to the diligent work of Betty Thomson, independent researcher at The National Archives, Kew, in England.

In book one, The Road to Deer Run and now in the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run, I made every effort to stay true to the colonial times. Descriptions of food, homes, clothing, farming, worship practices, medical care, etc. are the result of extensive research.

It has been a personally inspiring experience to write these novels. While the times have changed since the 18th century, the same struggles of their day are our own. Forgiveness, fear, pain, illness, despair, the pain of having a family member at war, the death of a loved one—these are all the battles we contend with in the 21st century. But we also share faith, laughter, love, the excitement of that first kiss, the wonder of looking at a newborn. These are the same joys that we share with our ancestors who are so much a part of who we are.

Their journeys are interwoven with our own.
About the Author:
Elaine Marie Cooper grew up in Massachusetts but now lives in the Midwest with her husband, her three dogs and one huge cat. She has two married sons and triplet grandchildren who are now one years old. The Promise of Deer Run is dedicated to the triplets and to veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.


Elaine has been a magazine freelance writer for many years, and is a regular contributor to a blog on the Midwest called The Barn Door and a blog on Christian living called Reflections In Hindsight. She is the author of The Road to Deer Run and the sequel, The Promise of Deer Run. Prior to becoming an author, Elaine worked as a registered nurse.

The Road to Deer Run won the following honors:
Finalist: 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Honorable Mention: 2011 Los Angeles Book Festival
Best Romantic Moment: ClashoftheTitles.com, February 2011

Author Elaine Marie Cooper

Grand Prize
Valued at $297.38

You have until November 18, 2011 to get their comments posted. One grand prize winner, to be announced November 21, 2011. Here's what the winner receives:

Grand Prize (Retail Value: $297.38) Contains:
Basket
$25 Starbucks gift card
Spode Christmas teapot
Spode Christmas mugs
Yankee candle
Hardbound copy The Road to Deer Run
Hardbound copy The Promise of Deer Run
Bath and Body Paris Amour scent