Tea Party for October Releases - Elaine Marie Cooper and Tamera Lynn Kraft

Buckman Tavern

Welcome to the Colonial Quills Tea Party to celebrate Elaine's October release, Fields of the Fatherless and Tamera's release, Soldier’s Heart. Today we are gathering at the historic Buckman Tavern in Lexington, Massachusetts. Built in 1690, this tavern was the favorite gathering place for the local militia in 1775 when they practiced on the Lexington green in preparation for war.

The interior of this tavern remains much as it did in 1775, when the first shots of the American Revolution were fired nearby. The historic front door is on display here, complete with a bullet hole—possibly from a British musket!

In keeping with the attitudes of the Colonial Patriots of 1775, some of you may prefer coffee rather than tea! Let your server know. But do join us as we serve some delightful coffee with fresh cream (if you so desire) or tea, gingerbread, and blueberry scones.

About Elaine's new historical:

Fields of the Fatherless

Fields of the Fatherless by Elaine Marie Cooper

In the early months of 1775, war is brewing in the American colonies. Although frightened, eighteen-year-old Betsy Russell of Menotomy Village, Massachusetts, wants to be prepared in case of attack by the British troops. Her father, prosperous farmer Jason, is the fourth generation of Russells on this land—yet their very rights as British Colonials are being stripped away one by one. Will the King of England take their land as well?

Tensions are growing here in the countryside west of Boston and the outbreak of battle seems almost a certainty. Jason desperately wants to protect his family—his wife, children and grandchildren—and their future. Betsy makes every attempt to be prepared for the worst. But not even the American militia could have predicted the bloody massacre that was about to occur—right on the Russells’ doorstep. If Betsy loses everything she holds dear, are the rights of all the colonists endangered? (Based on a true story.)

When I was a young girl living in Arlington, Massachusetts, my brother and I walked by the Jason Russell House on the way to school. Like most older brothers, Bob enjoyed scaring me. As we approached the house on the corner, he’d say in his most frightening tone, “There’s blood on the floor in there, you know.”

I was a bit unnerved, but mostly I was curious.

What had happened there? And why was there a sign that said it was a historical landmark?

I knew there must be a story. But I didn’t learn—until I became an adult—the full depth of the tragedy that occurred there. 

It is such an honor to be able to tell this story of my hometown during the American Revolution. While everyone knows about Lexington and Concord, few have ever heard about the battle of Menotomy Village (the original name for "Arlington"). Yet more troops—both militia and Redcoats—were killed in my hometown on that first day of war than anywhere else.

It was a story that begged to be told. And I am most grateful that I get to be the storyteller.

Elaine Marie Cooper

Bio: Elaine Marie Cooper is the author of The Road to Deer Run, The Promise of Deer Run and The Legacy of Deer Run. Her passions are her family, her faith in Christ and the history of the American Revolution, a frequent subject of her historical fiction. She grew up in Massachusetts, the setting for many of her novels.

We're also celebrating Tamera Lynn Kraft's debut fiction release. Tammy is a newer member of CACW and CQ.

Soldier’s Heart also released in October.

 Short blurb: 

After returning home from the Civil War, will his soldier’s heart come between them?

Noah Andrews, a soldier with the Ohio Seventh Regiment can’t wait to get home now that his three year enlistment is coming to an end. He plans to start a new life with his young wife. Molly was only sixteen when she married her hero husband. She prayed every day for him to return home safe and take over the burden of running a farm.

 But they can’t keep the war from following Noah home. Can they build a life together when his soldier’s heart comes between them?

Soldier’s Heart is available in e-book from Amazon Kindle, Kobo Reader, and Barnes & Noble Nook. It will also be available in paperback in the future.

Tamera Lynn Kraft

Bio: Tamera Lynn Kraft has always loved adventures. She loves to write historical fiction because there are so many stories in history. Tamera has been a children’s pastor for over 20 years. She is the leader of a ministry called Revival Fire For Kids where she mentors other children’s leaders, teaches workshops, and is a children’s ministry consultant and children’s evangelist. She is also a writer and has curriculum published including Kid Konnection 5: Kids Entering the Presence of God published by Pathway Press. She is a recipient of the 2007 National Children’s Leaders Association Shepherd’s Cup for lifetime achievement in children’s ministry.

You can contact Tamera online at these sites:Website: http://tameralynnkraft.net

Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/tameralynnkraft

Twitter: http://twitter.com/tamerakraft

Giveaways:  Elaine is giving away a copy of Fields of the Fatherless to one of our readers. To be in the drawing, just leave a comment with your e-mail address and answer Elaine's question: Have you ever heard of Menotomy Village and its role in the Revolution before reading this post? And have you ever visited any historic sites in Massachusetts?

We also have a giveaway of Tammy's ebook.  Leave your email address.

And we have a little gift bag for one of our winners with a cute floral jewelry or pill box, money Colonial currency--reproduction!) and an adorable little colonial Gentry couple! Tell us why you visit CQ to enter that giveaway.