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05 July 2016

BONNIE ROOF reviews Promise Of Deer Run by Elaine Marie Cooper


1790 - Deer Run, Massachusetts

Twenty-six year-old Corp. Nathaniel Stearns is a man with a wounded spirit. Returning home ahead of his father Sgt. Benjamin Stearns, at the end of the American Revolution, he found a note from his mother revealing his younger brother Ethan had passed away. No longer able to maintain their farm, she and Nathaniel's three sisters had moved to Boston to reside with her sister Abigail and husband. 

Now seven years later and still feeling Ethan would be alive if Nathaniel had not gone to war, he is burdened with guilt. Frequent nightmares and day visions resulting from the trauma of seeing his friend Isaiah have his face blown away by the enemy, a previous betrayal by a childhood sweetheart, his belief his father will return home, and his aloofness cause townspeople to feel Nathaniel is quite "strange". His conviction that his father will return compels him to restore the family farm and is the impetus to sustain him amidst the hardships. Finding surprise baskets of fresh bread at his doorstep are unexpected treats to a man who wonders if God has forgotten him.

Nineteen year-old Sarah Thomsen has admired Nathaniel since his kindness of sneaking her food while she was in stocks as punishment for her disobedience and boldness of paying a visit to a boy's school when she was eight years-old. So strong was her desire to attend school!

Sarah has suffered loss also - her father having died in a drowning accident prior to her birth, she fears the possibility of being unworthy of love and becoming a spinster, left living alone. Prone to blurt out what is on her mind and reacting to circumstances without first considering the consequences - Sarah is thought to be self-willed and obstinate (although "bringing the sun with her wherever she goes") by her mother/midwife Ruth Eaton, and having a natural spirit for adventure and truth by her sickly step-father Myles Eaton.

The 'Promise of Deer Run' is book 2 in the Deer Run Saga by Elaine Marie Cooper. Having read book 1, 'Road to Deer Run' - the story of Sarah's sister Mary - it was such a treat to revisit the members of the Thomsen family. Characters and events from the first book were fully explained in the second, providing enjoyment and clarity for those readers new to the saga. Elaine's realistic characters and adeptly woven historical detail and fascinating customs of the era were written in a simplistic, yet beautifully worded style. 

The hardships of the era portrayed through the births, illnesses, deaths, and the struggle to survive, along with the added suspense of slander by a hopeful-to-be suitor, episodes of PTSD, and an attack by a vagrant - are exciting additional elements in this story of romance. Faith plays a huge part - making 'Promise of Deer Run' a captivating, engrossing story of family, hope, love, perseverance, suspense, forgiveness, and God's grace. I look forward to reading book 3 in the saga: 'Legacy of Deer Run', releasing December, 2016.


I was provided a PDF of 'Promise of Deer Run' by the author in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have provided.

Giveaway: An ebook copy of Promise of Deer Run. Leave a comment to enter. 

30 comments:

  1. What a marvelous review, BONNIE! Thank you! I have heard many wonderful things about this saga!

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    1. Thank you, Diana!! Elaine has a writing style which endears the readers to her characters who remain with them long after reading the book.

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  2. Dear Bonnie, what a lovely review! I am so pleased you were blessed by the story that unfolded in "Promise of Deer Run." It was a joy to write. Thank you so much!!

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    1. I'm grateful you enjoyed my review. Each of your books has blessed me, Elaine, I love the characters and learning the history of their era. Thank you for allowing me to read 'Promise of Deer Run'!!

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  3. A great review thank you. I like the sound of this.


    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Thank you for your comments, Mary - I feel you will love 'Promise of Deer Run'!! It's a beautiful story!!

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  4. A great review. Sounds like a great book.
    grandmama_brenda(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. 'Promise of Deer Run' is the 2nd of 3 novels in the Deer Run series, Brenda. 'Legacy of Deer Run' releases in Dec. - Elaine has written them in a way that you can read each one individually without having read the others, however, if you read one, I think you will want to read all 3. Elaine's characters and descriptions are wonderful!! And you have time to read the first 2 before the 3rd comes out. Good luck in the drawing and thanks for stopping by!!

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  5. Thank you for this review Bonnie,I always appreciate them! This story sounds like one I definitely don't want to miss,plus very interesting characters! Can't wait to read it! lynnefeuerstein(at) aol (dot)com

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    1. Thanks for your kind comments and support, Lynne!! I hope you get the opportunity to read the entire 3 books of the Deer Run Series (the 3rd releases in Dec.) - the characters will touch your heart and Elaine's history of the era is so interesting!! Good luck!!

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  6. Thank you for the review -- I haven't read either of the books; however, my interest is peaked! cmcfaithingod(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi, Christine!! In addition to the sweet romance in 'Promise of Deer Run', I enjoyed Elaine's portrayal of problems of the era - one being PTSD. As difficult as it is to deal with and understand today, it must have been even more so then. Her depiction is gentle, rather than harsh, drawing the reader's sympathy and caring for the characters. I feel you will be drawn to the beautiful stories in the Deer Run Series!!

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  7. Wonderful review, Bonnie! This is such a good story.
    bettimace at gmail dot com

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    1. Thank you so much, Betti!! Amen - the characters are so realistic, aren't they?? Thanks for your comments and support!!

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  8. Great review, it really makes me want to read the book!

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    1. Hi Laurie, I hope you get a chance to enjoy this latest release of mine. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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    2. Laurie, enticing readers to try the authors and books I enjoy is always my goal with my reviews - I'm thrilled this one piqued your interest. There are so many wonderfully gifted authors of Christian Fiction - Elaine's books are beautiful stories of faith, hope, and healing!!

      Thanks for your comments - I hope you have the opportunity to try the Deer Run Series, please leave your contact info should you be the winner of in our drawing.

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  9. I'm so pleased that so many readers are interested in reading "Promise of Deer Run!" I pray this story blesses all of you.

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    1. Me too, Elaine - it's a beautiful story and I have no doubt it will bless each new reader just as it did me!!

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  10. Thank you for a wonderful review, Bonnie! "Promise of Deer Run" sounds like a beautiful story!

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    1. So glad you enjoyed it, Alexa, and blessed you took the time to comment - thank you!! 'Promise of Deer Run' is just that - a "beautiful" story. A story of faith, family, restoration, forgiveness, love, and healing.

      Please leave your contact info should you be the winner in our drawing!!

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  11. Great review Bonnie! Sounds like a wonderful story!

    lientjiehuman(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)au

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  12. There is just something sooo special about these Deer Run saga books by Elaine!! Timeless stories one could read again and again. Which I have! :-) Thank you for your wonderful review, Bonnie!

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    1. Amen, Noela - thank you so much!! The Deer Run series definitely is special, I'm so looking forward to the 3rd one!!

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  13. A wonderful interview that intrigued my mind. I enjoy a good read that is about faith, forgiveness, family and God's healing through restoration and His mercy.

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    1. Hi, Marilyn - thank you so much for your sweet comments!!'Promise of Deer Run' contains all of those wonderful elements you mentioned enjoying in the books you read. I feel that after reading one book in the saga, you will be so intrigued you'll feel compelled to read the other two.

      Good luck in the drawing - please leave contact info so we can reach you, should you be our winner.

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  14. Wonderful review Bonnie!

    Promise of Deer Run is a beautiful, gripping story and is one of those books that stays with the reader (this reader anyway) long after the book(s) end...just as the first book, Road to Deer Run. I am looking forward to the third book, Legacy of Deer Run.

    Blessings, Tina

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    1. You echoed my sentiments of the Deer Run saga books perfectly, Tina - they're beautiful stories that stay with the reader, and I'm so looking forward to the third book also!! Thanks so much for your comments and your support!!

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  15. BONNIE, thank you for the wonderful review of Promise of Deer Run. I'm looking forward to reading it.

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  16. Thank you, Caryl!! It's a heart-touching book, enjoy the characters and the story. So appreciate your support!!

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