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
Author Interview
When/how did you decide to become a writer?
You’re going to laugh, but when I was in the 7th grade, I competed with the class in writing a short story. I lived on a farm and loved horses. My simplistic horse story of Dolly who won a race, even with a broken leg, did well in the class contest. That’s when I first thought of becoming a writer. And horses are in most of my stories, as well as sailing ships, pirates and privateers, zesty heroes, and courageous heroines.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I’m a bit of both. 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:
a) Manuscript (ms) in progress (The actual story taking shape)
b) Plotting Rough Outline (I brainstormed in the beginning with main characters description)
c) Chapter and Scene List (Where I expand the general plotting outline a lot)
d) Character Names and Places (Continues as I add names of places and minor characters as I write)
e) Appendix (Where I add words or phrases that need a further explanation)
What is your favorite book?
After the Holy Bible, my favorite book(s), especially fiction, would be any series by Eugenia Price or Linda Chaiken, two writers I really appreciate. I also enjoy a newcomer Christian historical author, Colleen Hall.
Do you have a favorite Bible verse, or is there a particular Bible story that really resonates with you?
Psalm 103:1-5 is my most shared and prayed promise that I consider my life verse.
Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits. Who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases. Who redeems your life from destruction and crowns you with loving kindness, who satisfies your mouth with good things and renews your youth like the eagle’s.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
My strong advice would be NEVER GIVE UP! In my late 30’s I wrote the draft of my first novel. Just after finishing that draft the Lord called me and my husband into Christian ministry, and I put that draft and box of research up in my attic for many years. When I retired from full time ministry, a friend reminded me of that draft in the attic. I pulled it down and went to work again on it and attended writer conferences, joined a critique group, and studied writing blogs. Summer of Deception was finally published in my seventies more than thirty years after that first draft. The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride is my 8th novel now at age 80, and we give God the glory. The takeaway to this testimony is you’re never too old for a plan from God and NEVER GIVE UP! I’ve taught in writers’ classes and have on my blog an article series about this entitled Journey to a Book Contract: Five Vital Steps. (In nine posts) Click for Part 9 here, then click down for all the others.
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.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5455/
For the Love of Literature 