Today I have a double feature of interviews for you so grab a warm beverage and let’s have a chat (or two).
For today’s first interview, I have Elva Cobb Martin joining us. Elva is the author of The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride. A historical romance of two people caught in a situation they didn’t plan on and find themselves pledging their lives to one another.
Welcome to the Back Porch, Elva. It’s a pleasure to have you with us.
You have been and author for some time, can you tell us about your journey to become a published author?
I’ve taught in writers’ classes and have on my blog an article series detailing my journey entitled Journey to a Book Contract: Five Vital Steps. (In nine posts) Check for Part 9 here, then click down for all the other posts:
https://carolinaromancewithelvamartin.blogspot.com/search?q=Journey+To+a+Book+Contract
Those classes are so important.
What research did you conduct, if any, while writing this book? How did it influence the story?
I visited several Charleston, South Carolina, plantations, especially on the Ashley River which plays and important part in the story. I also researched the time period of 1815 to know the political scene, clothing, high society mores, and plantation life, including early abolitionist thought.
Oh, I bet it was beautiful there. Are there any secondary characters in your book that hold particular significance to you? If so, why?
I always love to have African American secondary characters like Belle and Samson who show in this slavery period how intelligent, kind, and truly spiritual, many slaves and freed slaves were. I love having an older mother or aunt figure like Gideon’s mother Merle who helps the younger generation through their maze of problems with wise counsel.
Those type of characters definitely add to the richness of a story. Can you describe your writing process for this book? Did you encounter any unique challenges along the way?
After getting the initial idea, I do a general plotting outline, but expand it as I write and save it in my numbered Chapters and Scenes file. Actually, I have five file folders open on my computer as I write a novel which makes it much easier for me:
a) Manuscript (ms) in progress (The actual story taking shape)
b)Plotstorming Rough Outline (I brainstormed in the beginning and with main characters description)
c) Chapter and Scene List (Where I expand the general plotting outline and number the scenes in each chapter as I write them))
d) Character Names and Places (Where I add names of places and minor characters as I write)
e) Appendix (for words or terms that need more explanation)
The only challenge along the way was that Windows crashed on my computer, and I went through days of Geek Squad efforts to help and finally hired another independent computer helper as well.
That is a detailed process. What kind of impact do you hope your writing will have on readers?
I am writing novels to give readers an exciting, romantic adventure, facts of history, and new places and ideas to expand their outlook. These are definite goals with each book, but I particularly hope that some nugget of God’s truth in the story will encourage faith and give them hope for the future.
I love this! Thank you for being conscious about instilling that in your stories. And thank you for joining us today. I pray this tour blesses you.
Readers, please continue reading as Elva shares more information about the story. Also, be sure to enter the giveaway and maybe pick up a copy of The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride.
About the Book
Book: The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride
Author: Elva Cobb Martin
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: September 10, 2024
She fled from a gilded cage, only to find herself trapped in a marriage of obligation.
Helena Allston had it all—wealth, beauty, and a life of luxury on her family’s plantation. But when her father arranges a marriage to a man she despises, Helena takes matters into her own hands, fleeing on horseback, only to find herself half-drowned and memory-less in a simple cottage. And when her memory returns, Helena ends up back where she began—arranged to marry, this time to the handsome gamekeeper who rescued her.
Could there be more than obligation to this marriage? Or is he only after the Windemere Plantation her father promised him?
Gideon Falconer is at a loss when it comes to the stubborn, beautiful woman he rescued from the Ashley River. His predicament only worsens when he returns her to her family’s plantation, where her father shocks him with a demand that Gideon marry his daughter to prevent a scandal. As a man new to his faith, he feels compelled to do the right thing, but his own secrets and the past left behind in England threaten to complicate matters further.
In a marriage that began as a mere obligation, can Helena and Gideon find the strength to let love and trust conquer all, despite a determined enemy’s schemes to wreck their hope?
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Elva Cobb Martin is a wife, mother, and grandmother who lives in South Carolina with her husband and a mini-dachshund. A life-long student of history, her favorite city, Charleston, inspires her stories of romance and adventure. Her love of writing grew out of a desire to share exciting stories of courageous characters and communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement.
More from Elva
In The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride, I planned to develop a rich, spoiled heroine who had everything she wanted—beauty, wealth, reputation, an important Charleston family name, and even membership in a popular church of her day but who had no real relationship with Jesus Christ. Isn’t that like so many in America today with our many blessings and freedom but no real love for Christ, his written Word, or his love for the unborn and his biblical plan for marriage and gender? Yet our name may be on some church roll and we call ourselves Christian. I believe our Mighty God is calling America back to him in faith and obedience to the Bible. I believe He is calling forth godly leaders who will stand for truth and righteousness, but we must go to the polls and help raise them up. America has a mighty history and a covenant cut with God by our founders. Focusing our hearts and minds on Christ gives us courage and confidence, and we can look to the future with hope in our hearts.
Here’s part of a scene showing the “before Christ” Helena with her pride and arrogance after Gideon rescued her from drowning in the river:
Gideon ducked his head at her icy voice. “Look, young woman, I dragged you from the Ashley River and walked miles carrying you in my arms, to this cottage. You were soaked through and through and unconscious.”
She interrupted him. “I don’t want to hear any more of your wild story. Go from my presence and shut the door while I dress.” She pointed to the cabin door, then reached up and touched the lump on her forehead and groaned. “Why did you strike me, sir?” These words came from between gritted teeth.
Gideon’s nostrils flared. “Miss or ma’am, whichever you are, I did not strike you. You must have hit your head on your horse’s neck or a rock when you two jumped into the Ashley. For your information, all I did was save your life, if you’d like to thank me for that.”
Here’s part of Helena’s epiphany:
Captive on the pirate ship, Helena dropped to her knees beside the bed and cried out to God. Her life paraded before her, and tears blinded her eyes. The privileged life she’d led as a wealthy planter’s daughter now seemed frivolous and meaningless. She had never lacked for a thing and had not even imagined there could be such people as the pirate captain who now had her under his control, threatening to sail to the Barbary Coast and sell her to a sultan. Would Gideon and her father ever be able to rescue her before the ship sailed away? A chill rose from her heart to her fingertips. Slavery! Would she end up in slavery? Why had she never considered the poor slaves who met all their needs on the plantation? Ever since she was a child, slaves had done everything to make her family’s life easy and pleasant. Was she now to find out what it would be like to be a slave and at the mercy of someone else’s desires and moods?…Lord Jesus, please forgive me for my proud, selfish, unthankful life. If you’re real, come into my heart, deliver me, help me come to know Your plan and purpose for me.
Like Helena, we can cry out to God in humble repentance and return with our whole heart, and He will always answer. We are never out of the reach of God’s eyes or hand. Here is a simple prayer I invite you to pray for yourself and our nation in this election year:
Father God, I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son you sent to save me from my sins. I repent and turn from them to You and Your Word. Please forgive me and come into my heart, be not only my Savior, but my Lord and director of my decisions, especially my vote for righteous leaders. Help me find a Bible-preaching church family and do my part in bringing America back to You. I believe You are working mightily in my life, family and nation, and I give You praise. Amen
Blog Stops
Stories By Gina, October 1 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 2
For the Love of Literature, October 3 (Author Interview)
Pens Pages & Pulses, October 3
Texas Book-aholic, October 4
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 5 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 6
Beauty in the Binding, October 7 (Author Interview)
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 8
Guild Master, October 9 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 10
Back Porch Reads, October 11 (Author Interview)
Devoted To Hope, October 12
Fiction Book Lover, October 13 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, October 14
Pause for Tales, October 14
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Elva is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Thank you for the lovely conversation with the author. Her book and the series sound wonderful in both historical details as well as the intriguing romance.
intriguing
This one looks very good!
Loving this cover.
Thank you for sharing this interview, it was great.
Cindi Knowles
This looks like a great novel. Thanks for sharing.