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Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Laurel -- Susan F. Craft's New Historical Novel!

by Elaine Marie Cooper

I have been a fan of author Susan F. Craft since 2011 when I read her first Revolutionary War novel entitled, The Chamomile. I was completely swept away by the story as well as the intricate research that went into her debut novel. I anxiously awaited the release of the sequel, Laurel, which I am so pleased to say, is every bit as captivating as her first!

Her new novel releases this week and to celebrate, Susan is offering a copy to one of the commenters today at Colonial Quills. Without further ado, let me present Laurel.



What the story is about:


Desperate to rescue their kidnapped daughter, Lilyan and Nicholas Xanthakos trek two hundred miles through South Carolina mountains and backcountry wilderness, fighting outlaws, hunger, sleeplessness, and despair. When the trail grows cold, the couple battles guilt and personal shame; Lilyan for letting Laurel out of her sight, and Nicholas for failing to keep his family safe.

They track Laurel to the port of Charleston as post-Revolutionary War passions reach fever pitch.  There, Lilyan, a former patriot spy, is charged for the murder of a British officer. She is thrown into the Exchange Building dungeon and chained alongside prostitutes, thieves, and murderers. Separated from her husband, she digs deep inside to re-ignite the courage and faith that helped her survive the war.  Determined to free his wife at any cost, Nicholas finds himself forced back into a life of violence he thought he’d left behind.

Following a rumor that Laurel may be aboard a freighter bound for Baltimore, Lilyan and Nicholas secure passage on a departing schooner, but two days into the voyage, a storm blows their ship aground on Diamond Shoals. As the ship founders, both are swept overboard.

Will their love for each other and their faith sustain them as they await word of their missing child? Or is Laurel lost to them forever?



My review of Laurel:

The impeccable research of historical fiction author, Susan F. Craft, permeates every paragraph in the post-Revolutionary Era novel, Laurel.  The story of a young mother whose daughter is kidnapped, and the subsequent search, captivates a reader with both unforgettable characters and adventures that sweep a reader to another time and place. Craft is brilliant in her marriage of both fact and fiction, as she weaves a story that captures your attention from first page to last. Ms. Craft has a gift with her pen, creating words that are both breathtaking and beautiful.

I cannot wait for the third novel in the series entitled Cassia.



Author Bio:

Susan F. Craft writes historical romantic suspense. Her Revolutionary War novel, The Chamomile, won the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Okra Pick.  Susan recently retired after a 45-year career as a communications director, editor, and proofreader.  To assist authors to “get it right about horses in their works,” Susan worked with the Long Riders’ Guild Academic Foundation to compile A Writer's Guide to Horses that can be found at www.lrgaf.org. Forty-five years ago, she married her high school sweetheart, and they have two adult children, one granddaughter, and a granddog. An admitted history nerd, she enjoys researching for her novels, painting, singing, listening to music, and sitting on her porch watching the rabbits and geese eat her daylilies.  She has two post-Revolutionary War novels being released in 2015 by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas—Laurel, in January, and its sequel Cassia in September. She is represented by Linda S. Glaz, Hartline Literary Agency.



Remember to leave a comment with your email address so that you can be notified if you are the winner of Laurel.





13 comments:

  1. Like you, Elaine, I've been waiting for Susan's new historical and I'm eager to read it.

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  2. Thank you, Elaine, for the wonderful review. I'm happy that you like Laurel. My novels are like my children, and you want people to like your children, right? :-) As always, I give all the glory to my Lord from whom all blessings flow.

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    1. It was easy to give "Laurel" a great review. Beautiful story. May the Lord bless your writing, Susan!

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  3. I can hardly wait to read this book!

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    1. Thanks so much for your encouragement, Karla!

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    2. Much more than encouragement, I sincerely admire your writing and am VERY excited about this book!

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  4. Thanks Elaine for such a good review of Susan's book. It sounds like it would keep me in awe of what might happen next. I really hope to be the lucky winner. Thanks for a chance to win. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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  5. Susan, congratulations on your new release. I loved The Chamomile and its sounds like you have another winner here. Thank you, Elaine, for introducing Laurel to us and for the wonderful review. Blessings to you both.

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    1. Hi, Lisa. Thanks so much for your support. Blessings.

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  6. You make this sound like such a great book.. would love to read it..

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    1. Deanna, if you're on FaceBook, you can come to my launch party this Saturday the 17th from 2-4 p.m. EST, and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Laurel. Also, right here on CQ on February 6, Carla Olsen Gade and I will have a Tea Party celebrating our new books and you'll have a chance to win a copy then, too. Here's a link for the launch https://www.facebook.com/events/323605987833539/

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